Two weekends ago was the Tarheels' first home game. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time at the tailgate. Nolan and I headed home while Arlo went to the game with Charlie, Dede, and Grandaddy. He made it the whole game (smack dab in the middle of naptime) and they say he did great!
We had gorgeous weather here this weekend. Like Gorgeous with a capital G. So we wanted to get outside as much as possible.
We went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning and had a lovely time walking around and seeing the sights. Arlo's favorite things: helping pick out the okra, getting to play a fiddle and an autoharp (and bringing home a guitar pick souvenir which is now hanging on his memory board in his room!), chasing giant bubbles from the bubble guys, and last but not least, the rainbow italian ice. :) Nolan's favorite thing was snoozing in the Ergobaby (which I could finally comfortably wear since it wasn't so hot!) and looking around at all the activity.
My favorite part? Spending the morning with my family. And a delicious latte.
In the afternoon, we went to Uncle Casey's house and enjoyed an amazing dinner and great company as always. Arlo made a huge mess played with dominoes, little toy trains, and any other games he could find. Scrabble *might* be missing a letter tile or two. Hope it's not Q or Z!
On Sunday, Charlie had to fly to New York, so my mom and I headed out to Pullen Park in Raleigh. I remember going to this park when I was a kid. They had paddle boats and a carousel (still do!) but it's been recently renovated with beautiful playgrounds, a covered pavilion for the carousel, and a nice concession stand (with Locopops!).
The rides were a huge hit. He went on the boats twice in a row and the train and carousel a couple times each. We would have gone more but I lost the tickets (which I later found in my pocket. Oh well, a good reason to go back again soon!). He wanted to go on the paddle boats so badly but we told him we'd wait for Daddy (the real muscle in the family).
He was so funny on the boats - he was smiling and playing with the bell and the steering wheel while the other kids were loading in, but as soon as the ride started, he was so still and serious. Not scared at all, but the operator had said stay seated and keep your hands in the boat - I think he took those rules very seriously. Check out the video.
The train was awesome - he couldn't stop talking about how it goes through a tunnel and over a bridge.
And the carousel!
Although he looks a little bewildered here, he smiled SO huge the whole time. He kept asking me if it was slowing down because he didn't want it to stop.
Nama and Nolan came with us once and sat in the seats. I worried the whole time (the thing goes FAST!). But baby and Nama stayed put.
I didn't get many Nolan pics. :( He was mostly sleeping in the Ergobaby. But we put him in the stroller while we ate our picnic lunch and he just smiled and talked the whole time. He is seriously the happiest baby.
What a lovely weekend! I am back to work this week, so it was great to have such nice weather for my last weekend of maternity leave. It's been a dream!
I really want to get started blogging again. I miss writing these memories down! I know how quickly we forget things we think we'll remember forever. I hope this online journal of sorts will help us remember the big and little moments.
So...I just have to take the first step, right? Here it is.
I won't worry about catching up anymore - that just stressed me out (although I may post some old pics once in a while).
Since my last post (in April!), baby Nolan joined our family. I will talk more (lots more!) about him later and hopefully share his birth story (edited for content). He is an absolute joy and a precious gift. We all adore him so very much, Arlo included.
Here is an introduction to Nolan, who in true Helms boy fashion, is wearing a 6-month sleeper despite being not yet 12 weeks in this video. He has a lot to say. Enjoy!
