Ms. Karen

Nine months ago we began the process of getting Nolan help for his eating/texture issues. There is a program in South Carolina called Baby Net- that if you qualify, they will pay for everything that insurance will not cover in the realms of occupational and speech therapy. When we were applying to be qualified for OT he also tested fairly delayed with speech. At the time I wasn't too concerned about his delay but figured if it was free and the therapist would come to my house- then bring it on. I am so so so thankful that we did because Nolan ended up becoming more and more delayed. He had his therapist, Ms. Karen totally stumped. He wouldn't/ couldn't imitate most sounds and just seemed stuck by the whole process. She tried a lot of different approaches and finally around Christmas he began to say "mama" and "dada". It was so exciting. Since then he has progressed quickly and we were working towards him regularly putting two words together at a time. The other day Nolan came out of his room and said very clearly "I want a cookie" and I thought, yep, we are done with speech. That day Karen said that he has met all his goals and was done. YEA!! He loves Ms. Karen and we will miss her but are so glad that he is age appropriate. Now if we could just graduate OT, but I have a feeling that we are in that for the long haul!!!

Great Weekend

This past weekend was so great. I feel like since we had Elliott we have been fairly house-bound and don't really do much. I know it's a phase- at least that is what I keep telling myself. Anyway, we actually did several different things this weekend and it was so enjoyable. Friday night it started snowing hard. I don't really mind snow but in the south people are so unprepared and freak out. Everything shuts down and it is so inconvenient. However, this was the perfect snow. It started Friday afternoon but we braved it and went to Moe's (our weekend tradition) anyway. Saturday morning the snow was beautiful and fluffy (usually just ice in this area) and had melted by that afternoon. Just how I like it!

Notice the lack of gloves on Nolan? Poor kid!!! Just one investment I never made.

Rocky was in heaven

Then saturday night we went to a nice restaurant downtown where I ate with abandon and went with Sandy and her sister to see Wicked. If you haven't been to that show and have the opportunity- GO! It was beyond amazing and I can't wait to go again one day. Maybe Jerel will have to take me back to New York! :)

Sunday, Nolan helped me make cookies for Jerel for Valentines Day. He truly loves to help us cook and is a great helper. I thought he did a great job with the sprinkles.

I look forward to many more great weekends!

If Only...

Elliott would be the perfect baby IF ONLY he would decide to sleep through the night or wake up later than 5:45 A.M. I am in no way, shape, or form complaining- I'm just saying that he's not perfect! We know how blessed we are to have two healthy, happy boys and I have many friends who wished their only problem was that their baby wouldn't sleep through the night. And, once he is sleeping through the night, I know that there will be something else. The reason being- he's not perfect. None of us are! :)

Ice, Ice Baby

This morning we were iced in and church was canceled. Nolan had a blast slipping and sliding on the ice. He was cracking us up!

Wipe out!

Elliott and I hung out inside where it was above 28 degrees. He looks bummed, doesn't he. :)

GEORGE!!!

Before I had Nolan we got a lot of books as shower gifts, and they were always my favorite gifts. Honestly, we have read all the books we have to death. When I got this cute little Curious George set from Ashley Mac I was so excited. Little did I know that they would become a source of contention in our house. You see, Nolan LOOVVVEEEESSSSS these books and Jerel and I can not stand them (sorry Ashley!! :))! He would ask us to read them so much that Jerel finally hid them about three months ago. The other day Nolan and I were going crazy from the cold & rainy weather and I needed a peace offering. I pulled George back out and you would think that is was Christmas all over again. We have just had to implement the rule that they will only get read once a day- I figured that I could suck it up once to bring my child absolute joy! I am pulling for Mommy of the year! :)

They were brought to Jerel promptly after dinner was finished

BLAST OFF!!

Random Cuteness

I am way too behind to do individual posts of the past 3+ weeks, so I am just posting a few cute pictures.

One of these days I am going to put some makeup on before a picture is taken.

Nolan got a tool set for Christmas and it is still his favorite toy. I am just glad he's into safety! :)

My yard boys!

My parents were here the week of New Years and it was (and still is) FREEZING!!! My dad braved the elements for about 10 minutes to get Nolan outside.

My little man is 12 weeks today. It has gone so fast. He remains an absolute joy and is a chuncker. At his well check two weeks ago he weighed in at 14.5 lbs. We grow them big here at the Warren house!

A Decade in Review

I have been thinking about moving into a new decade and what all the Lord may have for me and my family. In that I decided to reflect back over the past decade. It was a wild ride!!! :)

2000: First year (second semester) at Alabama on staff with Campus Crusade. Spent Y2K in the emergency room in Atlanta from an allergic reaction- all the Dr. offices and clinics were closed because there was rumor that the world was going to shut down. Apparently everything was fine! J Went to Panama City Beach for Summer Project. Loved it! BTW- that summer I wrote out a “prayer/plan” for my life and wrote that I hoped to be single for the next 5 years- and then marry the love of my life. Random

2001: I fell in love with East Asia. I took my first vision trip and led a 6 week project that summer. Our theme song was “It’s a Great Day To Be Alive”. So perfect!!

2002: Became the associate campus director of CCC at Alabama. I think that is about the most significant thing that happened that year… That summer I was at director training in Fort Collins, Co

2003: You know, I am kinda blank. I just don’t remember this being a stellar year. I was getting some senioritis at Bama and felt like it was getting time to move on. Spent the summer in Ft. Lauderdale. Did NOT love that

2004: Spent the year in China. One of the best years of my life. I worked on the total dream team, had an amazing living situation and made wonderful friends. I traveled all over Asia and soaked as much of it in as possible. Did not want to come back to the States but really felt like the Lord was leading me there. Was not sure why…

2005: Came home, moved to Atlanta to work on the Regional team, got set up on a blind date with Jerel. I was not sold at first (just paralyzed by fear mainly) but he won me over!! J First date the end of August, engaged Christmas day. Might be hard to top that Christmas.

2006: Led a Summer Project to Jackson Hole. That was maybe not the smartest thing I have ever done! I was in 4 different weddings. July 29, got married. A very hot day to marry in Atlanta but it was perfect. We honeymooned in San Francisco, can’t wait to go back! Moved to Greenville. Commuted to Atlanta for work.In October took Jerel to China and so thankful he was able to see it!

2007: Got pregnant (oops), miscarried (so sad), adopted Rocky the wonder dog, got pregnant again (YEA!!), renovated the entire second story of our house- it was beautiful.

2008: Went on 6 weeks of bedrest (UGH!!!), February 20- had Nolan, more officially retired from Crusade, renovated our kitchen and other various rooms of our house in some way shape or form

2009: Got pregnant, put our newly renovated house on the market, moved to our “forever” house (my words, not Jerel’s), renovated the kitchen (two in one year is crazy!), October 21 had Elliott. He was a perfect way to close out a crazy and blessed decade!