Nolan - 12 Weeks!

Lucas at 12 weeks!

Had to add a crying photo!

Baby shower time! With Carla and Henry

This happens constantly at our house, his big brother barely leaves his side!

WOW 12 weeks already!! Seems like just yesterday Nolan was coming home from the hospital!! He has grown so much in the last 12 weeks I can't believe it. It also makes me kind of sad! With Lucas I was super excited for him to grow and meet the next milestone, with Nolan I am trying to savor each stage a little bit more since I know he'll be at the next stage quickly!

Nolan has developed the sweetest personality and his smile will just melt your heart! He is such a strong little guy, and absolutely loves being talked to.  He loves his brother so much and his brother loves him -- Lucas talks to him all the time, and Nolan reponds with goo!!!! It is so sweet to watch their bond already.  Immediately he will just start smiling when we talk to him!  We also can't believe how different our children are. From their looks to their personality! Will make life quite exciting! Nolan is also able to lift his chest up now from the floor during tummy time, and has continued to roll from his tummy to back pretty frequently! He talks a ton, is able to grab and reach for hanging rings and toys from his activity mat, and is loving light up toys more to keep him entertained. He has developed the cause and effect play -- he knows if he kicks at a hanging toy that lights up with movement, it will light up or if he bats at a rattle, it will make noise.  We also tried the bumbo seat for a brief 1-2 minute-- he still might not be quite strong enough yet for this but he enjoyed seeing the world from a sitting on his own perspective! So fun to watch him change and develop! He is also finally sleeping better. We have tried the crib multiple times, the most he will sleep in the crib is for an hour nap or so, otherwise he is back in the rock and play. He will now sleep from 9-3, nurse and then sleep again from 3:30-5 or so, this has happened 3 nights in a row (I am hoping its a trend). We have definitely tried it all when it comes to sleeping, the crib, the basinet, the swing, the rock and play, the miracle blanket, muslin swaddle blankets, the ziapadee zip (to see if maybe he wanted more freedom - (he did sleep from 9-4 in it once, but after that it wasn't too consistent), and now finally settled on the halo swaddle sleep sack. Much better than his 10 week post!  Nolan will also be starting daycare soon and they do not allow anything but the velcro swaddles where the legs are free for sleeping so I am happy Nolan actually sleeps the best in the Halo sacks!  He may have quite the tough time adjusting to lying flat since he hates that at home (still has reflux issues).

For the last 2 weeks,  Nolan has continued to be a great baby! We are so lucky number 2 is so much more content and and a bit easier than number 1! He still seems so content, and only cries when he's hungry or sleepy! He also never has diaper rash because he poops every 2-3 days! Which is absolutely crazy for a breastfed baby, but my pediatrician said its completely normal as long as his poops are soft and and not difficult or him to pass! Which they are, but when he poops, we need two diapers to change it! :) It is kind of nice, we save on wipes and never have to use diaper rash cream!!!  We also can't believe how Nolan hasn't really been sick at all yet, Lucas has had constant  sicknesses with colds, croup, strep throat, pink eye all since Nolan has been born, and Nolan has yet to catch anything! Nolan has had his first visit to the park with Grandma Wendy and Lucas, he tried out swinging with Mom and Grandma, and was able to lay in the grass on the blanket and kick a bit! My coworkers also through a joint baby shower for him and baby Henry! Nolan did great, and was happy and content, talking and smiling to all my coworkers, and even falling asleep for a half hour in one of my coworkers arms! Everyone always comments on how alert he is! Enjoy his 10-12 week photos!