November updates

Another month, and Nolan just keeps growing and becoming more and more his own person. He is constantly exploring, climbing into things, onto things, and pulling stuff out of drawers and cabinets. Sometimes it becomes a little much, but at the same time, it is just fun watching him find his way in this really big world. He will reach 16 months in just a couple days, hard to believe how fast it has gone by.

As for the rest of us, Laura has transitioned from working at a large corporation to working as a consultant for a small consulting company. It is a great step, as it is giving her the chance to expand her opportunity to speak at national conferences and submit articles for national journals. I have landed a full-time, exempt position with Carleton College. I'm very excited about the opportunity, as I will be working with the Enterprise Information System team deploying applications which will enhance the productivity of the entire college (well, not right away, but after a few months of training).

We have taken our townhouse off the market, as we had little success in generating traffic. The housing market being what it is, it isn't too surprising, however, we never reached our goal of finding out what steps we would need to take to make our house more marketable this spring. So we have a couple projects that we decided upon, and will try again this spring. We are definitely out of space here, and could really use a yard for both Murphy and Nolan. It will happen... December will bring lots of pictures, so stay tuned!

All the best,
Karl, Laura, Murphy, and Nolan (KLMN)

Nolan's first tricycle...

More Pics

A boy, his bottle, and a book.



Can you ask for anything better, Nolan likes
reading books...granted, this one is called
"Everyone Poops".



Our tree, decorated with baby and dog toys...perfect.



"Just call me Mr. TP!"

Thanksgiving weekend pics

"Just walking, don't mind me."



"Does it get any better than this?"



"Next stop, Big Thunder Mountain!!!"



"Um, does this do something?"

Halloween 2008

Nolan experienced his second Halloween, but the first one where he was out trick-or-treating. It was so fun to watch him playing outside. I don't think he was aware of what was really happening, or why he was wearing such funny clothes, but he had fun all the same. Aunt Tivoli bought Nolan an outfit while she was in Hong Kong last year, so it was a treat for Nolan to wear it out for his first foray into trick-or-treating. As the night got colder, we switched to the bumble-bee costume...which was just fun to watch Nolan navigate with that large, round waist. This year was an excellent Halloween, next year will be even better.



"Can someone get me some candy..."



The Asian-connection.



If someone else comments on that guy from the Simpsons...



"Wow, this candy thing can be tiring!"

Dinner Disaster

You turn your back on them for just one second...and there is spaghetti everywhere! He was laughing and playing, I just couldn't help laughing with him. This is what it is all about.



"What, did I miss a piece?"



"Mmmmmm...noodles."



The post-spaghetti-hair look. Can we say future rock star?

Nolan Art Work

Nolan is a budding artist, as well as a future piano player. We cleaned out his "art" file at Anna's Bananas, his day care, and here are three of his more impressive works. Maybe baseball is in his future...

Super Nolan!

We have a budding super hero on our hands. It is so hard to just stand back and watch kids play...what imaginations.



"This cape thing isn't working for me."



"Faster than a speeding train!"



"You can call me...The Nolanator."

No Fear

Just what Laura and I most feared...Nolan doesn't seem to be afraid of much. Just watch, laugh, and wonder what trouble he will be getting into soon. Oh...and he enjoys making a production of it!

Door County

Laura, Nolan, Murphy and I spent a week up in Door County this fall. It was a nice family vacation, and we all enjoyed being outside as much as we were able. Unfortunately, Nolan either has allergies, or caught a cold the last few days we were up there, so the trip back wasn't as much fun... It was great spending time with Grandpa (Eric) and even Grandma (Mardelle) spent most of the week up there with us as well.



"Um...I'm a little confused...aren't these
supposed to be bigger?"



"Oh, I can touch it?"



"Who is supposed to be walking who?"



"Okay, this looks interesting..."

Nolan Swimming

Nolan loves the water, so while we were up in Door County, we set up a small pool for him to play in. Here are some pictures...he sure loves splashing!!!



"Oh yeah, this is my pool!"



"I'll show you!"



"Do I have to go...I like it in here.

August Updates

Yeah, it has been a while since I've updated the blog. I apologize to you all, but sometimes life gets in the way. Lots of news, so we will begin with Nolan's first birthday. We made an unsuccessful trip to the Como Zoo on Friday, Aug. 8. We must not have been the only one's with the idea of heading to Como on such a beautiful day. Instead, we had a small picnic at Ft. Snelling State Park and watched the planes taking off. Sunday Aug. 10 we had family and friends over to celebrate. Nolan had a pretty good time, and watching him play with all his new toys was fun.

On to the work front, I'm starting a new job on Monday. I'm filling in for a friend while she is on maternity leave as an Academic Technologist at Carleton College. It is only a contract position until the middle of December, but I'm hoping that it will turn into something full-time. If not, it is the experience that will be beneficial in finding something long term.

I have found my Achilles heal - putting Nolan in day care. While I think it will help him become more independent and learn how to deal other kids, it has been really hard not having him around the house. I am so fortunate to have been able to spend the first year with him, but it is time for me to get back to work.

Thanks for the patience, and check out all the new pictures.

Nolan's New Hat

"I'm starting a new trend..."



"Does it look natural?"



"Why won't it stay on my head?"

Nolan's Rain Dance

"Wow, I'm making it rain!"



"I'm dancing in the rain."



"Um, yeah, can you do something about this hair?"

Nolan's First Birthday

"Well, how do I get it out of the box?"



"This is the life, now push faster dad!!!"



"I have him so well trained."



"Yeah, it's all about me."



"Mmmmmm, cake."



"Can't talk now...making a mess."

More Pictures

"I'm getting there...slowly but surely."



"Oh yeah, tunnels are cool."



"This is all it does?"

Walking video...

Well, as I mentioned, Nolan is walking...and he is getting better and better every day. It is amazing to watch how fast he learns what he can and cannot do. While he can move faster by crawling, he does rather walk, and often wants Laura or I to hold his hand and walk with him. It is hard to watch him become more and more independent!

Walking...

Nolan has decided that crawling just doesn't cut it anymore, and has decided to start walking. That's right, look out world, here comes Nolan! It is amazing to watch him learning how to balance as he negotiates his way around the living room and kitchen. However, walking has also led to climbing on almost every chair. Unlike most babies, Nolan doesn't have a healthy fear of heights (at least not yet). Once he gets up on a chair, he just throws himself down and 'thump' lands on the floor. It is a little scary, but we are hoping that he learns his boundaries before he takes a nasty fall.

We are thinking more and more about a camcorder, but for now, we will continue using our digital camera to take small video clips. It would help if I had a job (still looking) before we decide to make such a large purchase. Hopefully something will happen soon.

Pictures

"The famous 'oooooh' face."



"Yeah, I'm pretty cute."



"Um, I think I hear the ocean?"



"Hey everybody, I'm just chillin'."

Video Clips Galore!!!

Clip #1: Furniture Moving
Nolan is getting more and more anxious to walk,
and has started moving furniture around just to
be able to walk on his own. Unfortunately, space
in our house is limited between Murphy and
Nolan, so we have to make due...but he is having
lots of fun.



Clip #2: What is this?
It was a beautiful day up in Centuria, WI and
Grandpa Fletcher set up an inflatable pool for
both David and Nolan...little did we know it was
going to be such a hit!




Clip #3: Ahh, Swimming, if only we knew this sooner!
It's official, Nolan loves the water. While we knew he
liked taking baths, he seems to enjoy all water and
we will probably have to get him started in swimming
lessons sooner rather than later. He was so excited
by the pool that Laura and I are thinking of getting
a small one for our deck. Don't mind the guy with
the nook in his mouth...I can see why babies become
dependent on them...mmmm, soothing!




We have been thinking more and more about
investing in a camcorder...I never thought I would
get one, but as Nolan is getting closer and closer
to walking, there will be more and more events
we will want to record so that we can embarrass
him when he gets older...sorry Nolan.

Peek-a-boo

Anyone up for a game of Peek-a-boo? Why buy
toys when curtains work just as well.

End of June

Nolan is getting closer and closer to walking. His new
thing is to demand that we hold his hands as he walks
around and around the living room and kitchen. He
keeps getting better, and it is only a matter of time
before he is off on his own and there will be no turning
back. It is amazing to watch how fast they grow in this
first year. From this little bundle to this independent
child all in 12 short months. I have been so fortunate
that I've been able to be a stay at home dad (i.e. Mr. Mom)
for this amazing time. While it has been so great, I'm
ready to get back to work.

I have had a few interviews, but nothing has really
caught my interest. I'm still looking, and am fortunate
that I have the luxury to be able to pick the best job
for me, rather than having to take the first job that comes
along.

No progress on selling the house. We had an open house
the first weekend on the market, but only one couple
came. We've also had one showing, so in our first 30
days on the market, we haven't had much interest.
While this was what we expected, it is still disappointing.
We continue to be hopeful that we can sell and get into
something bigger, both for Murphy and Nolan to enjoy
a backyard, as well as for Laura and I to have some
more space!



"I'm not taking this for my date!"



"Oh no, caught red handed!"

Future Lawn Mower

Pay attention, we have a future lawn mower
on our hands...helpful for up in Door County.

Pictures-Baby Fest

"This horse isn't going anywhere?"



"Why isn't this working?"



"I think I can fix this...where are my tools?"



"How you doin'!"



"Oh, so you sit on it...interesting."