So we headed back to Indiana on the 22nd of August. My mom was so kind to agree to come with us and help us get there with two cars, an infant, a dog, and a 2 weeks post surgery mommy. We enjoyed her company so- it was a BIG help!
My mom with Nolan at our hotel in Davenport, IA- a quick thanks to my sister who was kind enough to share her perks with us to get us a great room for really cheap!
Monday morning we got up and met Katie and Emma for yummy coffee at Starbucks! She was so sweet to drive to us and spend the morning catching up with us! We miss you guys!
Here's Nolan blocking the sun with dad's glasses
It was such a beautiful morning! Emma was pretty taken with Nolan and LOVED holding him and giving him kisses! She's going to make a GREAT big sister come December!
Sooooo good to see them!
A priceless shot of our sweet baby boy! Look at that smile!!
Nolan was so good the entire drive. It was 10 hours total but we broke it up between the 2 days and it was so good that we did. He was ready to be OUT of that seat as soon as we got there!
And Miloh just slept the whole way too! He knew something big was going on!
Home Sweet Home- just a reminder for those that have forgotten- we had some great friends staying in our house while we were gone. They were such a blessing and took such good care of the place. It looked like we had never left! Jon's parents were so sweet to put up a welcome sign for us and even put up some potted plants to make things feel bright and homey!
Grandma Hughes getting some Nolan after not seeing him for several weeks! We didn't get a picture of Grandpa Hughes with Nolan, but he was just as excited!!
Jon joked that we could have just shipped Nolan with the U-pack!
Nolan also got to meet his Uncle Ryan when we got home. They are quite the pair and both very fond of each other. Uncle Ryan will be leaving us to head to Georgia (the country) in a few weeks for at least 10 months. It's crazy to think how big Nolan will be by the time he gets back!
Catching up on some zzzzzs
Tuesday evening Jon and I took advantage of having my mom with us and asked if she'd keep Nolan for our first date night. Of course, she was excited to have some quality time with him too! Jon and I got to go and visit our dear friends Chris and Eva in the hospital to celebrate the birth of their daughter Stella Rose Taylor. She is absolutely adorable and we loved getting to squeeze on her the first few days of her life!
After our visit, we went and ate on the patio at Noodles and had a great time just talking and loving some time as "us". It was great and we look forward to Grandpa and Grandma Hughes giving us some date nights. I say this b/c I think they're more excited about it than we are! :)
Wednesday morning- amidst the craziness- we were able to wish Jon and HAPPY 27TH BDAY bright and early with yummy Panera bagels and coffee. He deserves the best and feel bad that I couldn't give him as special of a day as he deserved. But- I hope it was a good one!
Nolan wrote daddy a note in his card:
Napping before the big bday dinner in his studdly outfit
Jon's family, including a surprise from his aunt, my mom and the 3 of us were all able to go out for a delicious dinner at Houlihans
Family pic
Nolan in his jammies with Grandma Mays
We all pitched in and surprised Jon with a new grill. He loves it and I am REALLY loving it. He is really good at grilling and the clean up is wonderful!! So far this week we've had steak, hot dogs, bacon on the grill, and kabobs! Woohoo!
Smiles for Grandma Hughes
Thursday morning was the morning I'd been dreading for a long time! Since we moved to Nebraska really! It was the end of the year that my mom and I had prayed for for a long time. It was so hard to say goodbye- but we are hoping we can get them back out here in October. I'm so thankful God blessed me with such an amazing mom!
Nolan giving Grandma Mays smiles!
Jon's parents greeted us with the cutest new outfits for this little guy! Here's his new shark outfit- soooo cute!
Friday evening we had a BBQ with all of our wonderful friends from small group at the Power's house. It was SOOO good to see everyone and all the new babies that have arrived! Our friends are such a blessing to us and they made us feel like we'd never left! We completely forgot to take pictures until right when we left, so we quickly got a shot with our dear friends Ashley and Derek who just happened to be visiting when we got home. They live in Florida now!! The evening was so sooo much fun!
Saturday, Jon's parents invited Grandpa and Grandma Hughes and Uncle Fred and Aunt Sis over for a BBQ to come meet Nolan. They had been anxiously awaiting his arrival!
Aunt Sis and Nolan
Great Grandma Winnie and Nolan
Uncle Fred and Nolan
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take Nolan for his first dip in the pool (see video below). My parents got him this adorable swim suit earlier this summer and I couldn't wait to put him in it! He looked soooo cute!
Nolan's new favorite thing is to just be laid out to kick and have someone in his face talking and laughing. He is so alert now and loves to give smiles (smiles that go from his lips to his eyes) and jabber with everyone. I could sit there with him all day really!
Great Grandpa Bill and Nolan
Hanging out with Grandma Hughes
Some close ups of Nolan
Well, incase you can't tell, we've been welcomed back with a bang! It does feel good to be home. I'm already sad thinking about Jon going back to work next week. I still don't feel like we've got a rhythm going, but, do you ever really have a rhythm once you have a child?!?! :) That being said, I'm looking forward to MOPS, play dates, library story times, and hopefully a swim class with Nolan- all that mom stuff I've been dreaming about for years! :)
