Nolan and the snake

Nolan has taken a new interest in snakes. He has three snakes that he carries around the house, and makes hissing noises with. He signs snake all the time and even has his snakes at dinner. Nolan is so in love with his snakes that he even shares his corn with them!

Happy Birthday Pop Pop

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. This is the first year we have ever celebrated it, and it was so nice to spend the time together and think about Dad. We ate his favorite foods and played some yard games.
Nolan wore Pop Pop's PSU hat to a party we went to. Hopefully he resembles him a little bit!

Doctor Gerstberger

It is finally here! Matt is graduating from residency. He has worked so hard in the past 7 years in medical school and residency. I am thrilled that this chapter of our life is done. Matt has mixed emotions because the Abington Family Medicine crew is like a family. I know when he gets settled in his new practice he will be just as happy.
At the graduation party, the attendings sing songs about the residents. The song about Matt was "Gberger in Paradise" to the tune of "Cheeseburger in Paradise." It was so funny to hear about his "quirks" at work. Even better was listening to how much his colleagues appreciate him and his work ethic.

You and Me Kid

We started a new gymnastics class at the Y, and it is perfect for Nolan. Lots of climbing and running in a padded environment. His stranger anxiety is in full force so he cried when either teacher looked at him. Otherwise, he did so well with trying the new equipment.
His partner in crime, Michael, is in the class too, and they were fighting over the scooter.

Mr. Handsome

I just love that he will stop to pose for me!

zoo

We went to the Zoo last week while Matt was on vacation. We have been really excited about going because Nolan loved the aquarium so much. He also liked the zoo, but the aquarium was more exciting to him. While we were at the zoo, Nolan really loved the snakes, alligators, monkeys and the children's zoo.
He even leaned in for a kiss with one of the goats.

onto the table

My worst fear has come true. Nolan is now climbing up onto the table. A few weeks ago he figured out that if the chairs were pulled out he could climb up on the side of them by using the railing underneath. Now he has figured out that the chair puts him at a great height to get onto the table.
His vocabulary has also grown immensely. He is signing all the time and seems to pick up new signs almost daily. When this picture was taken his signs included: baby, flower, car, truck, bus, rain, dog, cat, horse, milk, help, bye, airplane, all done, more, monkey, lion, bird, drink, vacuum, bunny, open, cheese, lawnmower, hot and frog. His signs are not perfect, and some of them end up looking similar because he doesn't make them quite right. But in context it is easy to know what he is talking about. Also as he watches me sign, his seem to get a little better with time.

in the pool

With the beautiful weather, Nolan would love to spend all day outside. He asks to go outside constantly by standing near the door and pointing, and when we come in he has a fit.
Here he is trying out the baby pool for the first time. He doesn't sit in it, but likes to climb in and out and watch me step in and out.

Horsham Day

Last Saturday was Horsham Day, and Nolan got to ride on a pony and visit the petting zoo. We didn't stay for long because it was so hot.
After the pony ride and petting zoo, we got a snow cone to cool down. This was actually one of the first times I have seen Nolan sit still. I guess a combination of heat and snow cones can tame even the wildest monkeys.
I have also noticed in the past few days that Nolan gets very rosy from the heat, just like me.

the wagon of all wagons

Grandmom bought Nolan this Cadillac of wagons for his birthday. It is huge! When we first set it up, the wagon occupied our entire living room. Nolan had fun climbing in and walking back and forth inside.

PSU here we come

Nolan and Chase had a play date last Friday. It is really fun to see how they interact a little more each time they meet. Chase is very social and can melt a heart with his adorable smile and blue eyes. He is also sweet and wanted to kiss and hug Nolan. Another adorable thing about Chase is that he talks a lot. He babbles and babbles and babbles. I know soon he will be telling short stories while he is playing. In response to Chase's love, Nolan tried to feed Chase a few blocks. Chase had no objection and happily chewed on them.
I can't remember why Chase was crying in this picture, but I am pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the pacifier.

imitation

I mentioned before that Nolan was good at imitation, and here is another example. After I used the screwdriver to change the batteries, he picked up the screwdriver to give it a try. And he even had the screwdriver on the screw!

cutie patooty

Here he is....Mr. Handsome

beautiful girl

Taylor came to visit, and we had so much fun. It is amazing to see how interested children are in each other, even at such a young age. Nolan wanted to kiss and snuggle with Taylor, and she could not keep he eyes off of him.
I am hoping this is just the beginning of a budding romance.

animal man

Nolan loves animals. And it's a good thing because we live in a zoo. Nolan has always loved the cat, but only recently has he been allowed to really touch her. She has grown to tolerate his attention only because it usually means I will also pet her. Kitty will only stick around for Nolan's big kisses and pats for about a minute.
Nolan has also found a new affection for Winston. Rudy was always his favorite because she was never afraid of him, but now that Winston is braver, Nolan loves him. Winston will lay still while Nolan climbs on him and kisses him. I guess all the table scraps Winston gets has made him love Nolan too.

smiley boy

I am convinced that I am the luckiest Mom around. I love when Nolan does his "million dollar smile." There is nothing better than being greeted by a smile like this followed by a big hug.

Fenway Park and the bar

Here we are in front of the green monster. And after we stood in front of it, we went into a bar that was inside the Green Monster. Nolan went too!
Then it was back to the hotel on the subway. Nolan's second encounter with public transportation

at the park

While we were in Boston we spent a lot of time at the playground and the Boston Public Gardens. Nolan loved looking at all of the birds in the garden. The birds were very friendly. We didn't even have food and they swam right up to us.
At the playground he enjoyed looking at the frog statues while we sang a froggy song.