Max-osaurus

Joshua's classmate, Maximillian, gave him a dinosaur for his birthday. The dinosaur has been named Max-osaurus in honor of the gift-giver. It is Joshua's new favorite thing.

(side note: Maximillian is from Germany and makes up the international contingent in Joshua's class. Instead of pronouncing his name like everyone else, Dave likes to call him "Max-one million.")

2.0 years of age

To celebrate Joshua's 2nd birthday we invited our out-of-town family to come for a sports party. The cake was ordered, the presents wrapped, the sports-themed plates, napkins and party hats were ready to be used and then the flu hit the Nolen home. Dave got sick first and then like dominoes in a line, Joshua and I fell ill. So the party was cancelled and the Nolen grandparents (who had already traveled half-way here) turned around and went home. We were so sad to miss celebrating with our families but are grateful that we did not get anyone else sick.

I couldn't let his 2nd birthday go by without a picture of the birthday boy. Thankfully he perked up some later in the day and was able to open a few gifts.

Great Gay and Gully's present was the first to be opened.

Joshua was quite pleased with his new corduroy pants and sweater vest. He will be the most handsome boy in the nursery wearing this outfit!

Mom and Dad got Joshua a new book, a new pair of tennis shoes and a Blue's Clues DVD. None of our gifts to him were met with as much excitement as the new clothes.

Without our permission, Joshua has decided to leave babyhood behind and become a big boy. With this new big boy phase has come many new skills as well as challenges.

Dave and I have learned a lot about Joshua over the past few months:

• Joshua loves, loves, loves sports. He loves to tackle, kick, bat, throw, shoot, dribble, swing, run, and jump as long as he has a ball of some sort involved in the action. He asks many questions about sporting events on tv. Over the weekend he learned about rebounds and free throws and at one point I overheard Dave explaining the need for a good goalie in a hockey game to him.
• Joshua loves to talk (we'll let you decide who he gets that from). While he is busy playing he is often heard singing, counting, or just talking. Most everything he says is decipherable or immediately understood now, which has decreased his and our frustration. In the past few days, we have noticed Joshua repeating a lot of what we say. So watch your mouth! Along this line, Joshua asks a lot of questions. "What's that noise?" "What's that name?" "Where did it go?" Lots and lots of questions!
• As he has become increasingly independent Joshua has also become increasingly defiant. He tries for decisions to be his way or the highway and does not like to meet resistance from his parents. We have learned a lot about effective discipline with Joshua through trial and error. Joshua does not handle choices well and seems to have fewer and shorter melt downs when he is faced with only one option. Dave and I have learned that eventually he will wear himself out and calm down. We just hope we don't wear out before he does.
• Joshua enjoys sitting in your lap and reading a book or just snuggling. He likes to pull all his bed gear (blankets, pillow, lovie and book) out of bed with him each morning and snuggle it all up into the chair with us. Dave refers to Joshua as King Baby in the mornings when he is lying in my lap under two blankets, with his head on his pillow, his lovie and book in one hand and a cup of milk in the other.
• Joshua is a fun boy. He loves to play and play hard. He loves to laugh and squeal. He loves to dance and make noise.

Snow-mageddon 2011

Freshly fallen snow is always so pretty.

Of course school was cancelled for not one but two days due to the 2.5 inches of snow we received. Joshua spent most of his time outside Monday sampling the snow flavors of the backyard.

The first attempt at a snowman.

Tasting the snowman proved too tempting and the head and torso were removed for consumption.

We never dreamed of Joshua needing gloves in Mississippi. So as we were layering him up we just put socks on his hands. He thought it was fun to wear socks as gloves for about 1 minute and then realized it was much easier to pick up the snow without them on.

Snowman attempt number 2 was more successful. Joshua squatted down to talk to the snowman several times.

Snowmen were built all over the neighborhood...even in the middle of the street.

For our 2nd outing into the snow on Monday, Joshua claimed Dave's gloves and hat.

"Mom, Dad and Joshua snowman"


We couldn't possibly spend time outside without playing some t-ball. Joshua used Dad-made snowballs for batting practice.

And is baseball practice ever over before a little throwing drill is complete?

It is really hard to come inside after enjoying the snow.

Video Memories of Christmas

Please enjoy a hodge-podge of videos taken over the Christmas holiday.

In our first video, please notice who is the most excited about the snow...it's Amelia. Joshua could not have cared less.

Next up is the excitement of Christmas Day with the extended family. Again, please consider who is more excited...the adults or the children?

It is always fun to try out your new toys. Joshua's golf swing has improved since this was shot but you have to love his determination.

The new bike is fun, but it's hard to pass up a chance to play football.

20,ooo feet does not stop Abigail and Joshua from showing some airline passengers a little love.