Started celebrating early

Christmas felt like it started on November 22nd when Nolan was born.  That's when we got our favorite gift and Keaton got gifts very regularly from then through Christmas.

We were able to do a lot more holiday activities than I expected with baby Nolan thanks to dad being home and helping out a ton.

Keaton was very happy to sit on Santa's lap this year since he knew he'd get a candy cane after.  He REALLY likes candy canes!  His friend, Camden, wasn't as excited about Santa and the candy canes.

 

Here are some more of the fun things we did to celebrate the holidays: Visiting Swanson's nursery, ice skating, Seattle Center train, professional gingerbread houses downtown, making our own gingerbread house, checking out neighborhood light displays with visiting cousins Crystal/Emerald.

 

 

We had a great time on Christmas day opening gifts and having family over.  It was hard to get Keaton to open presents because he'd get so excited over what he just opened that he would want to play with it instead of opening more presents.  I don't think we will have this issue next year!  Keaton sure did get a lot of cars/trucks and related type items.  Even a car map shirt for daddy!  Manny seemed to think every gift was for him and was very excited about the ones that were.  Keaton said his favorite gift was the Lincoln Log train set...but I think it was playing with Aunt Claudia on Christmas Day.

 

 

Nolan was very festive in his Santa outfit.  Next year he'll be much more aware of what's going on and ready to enjoy the fun.

 

 

Some of Santa's gifts must have got lost on his way to our house since a package from Grandpa/Nana/Steve/Eileen/Wyatt arrived a few days later.  This was a good thing because Keaton (and Manny) were ready to open gifts again since it had been a few days with nothing new. They are going to be disappointed when we don't continue to get presents daily.

 

 

Here's the best gift!!!!!!!

 



 

 

 

Guess the Baby

Can you guess which one is Keaton and which one is Nolan?

 

 

There are some similarities between the two boys as newborn babies.  It will be interesting to see how Nolan changes over time since Keaton looks quite a bit different now.  It will also be very exciting to see how their personalities are similar and different.  So far Nolan is a good sleeper, which is similar to Keaton.  Hopefully he doesn't get as frustrated as quickly as Keaton does...but develops Keaton's charming personality! 

 

Keaton's doing so great with his brother.  The latest thing he says is "I love you too brother" implying that his brother just told him that he loves him. 

 

Here are a few more picture's from Nolan's photo shoot last night with the bear where he was very awake and alert.  Perhaps placing a tiny baby next to a giant bear is what it takes to wake them up!

 



AND Nolan

This blog started out all about Manny.  Then we added Keaton. Today I added Nolan.  Our family sure has grown since I started the blog in 2009. 

Nolan Edward Tarr joined this world on November 22, 2013.  He was due on Nov 28 so he was about a week early, the same as Keaton.  He came into this world very quickly.  Labor pains started around 2:30am, the little guy was here by 6:22am.  And would have been here closer to 4:30am if I hadn't been so lucky to get an epidural.  I was 10 cm when we arrived at hospital and that's usually when it's time to push...but I made it pretty clear to everyone that I wasn't moving forward without the epidural.

Aunt Claudia was a lifesaver to come to our house in the middle of the night to stay with Keaton.  And then papa came the next day to keep him entertained too.  It was so nice to know he was with two of his favorite people. 

Keaton loves his brother.  So far he has transitioned very well!  He certainly is doing a great job of being a "Big Brother."  And speaking of big, I remember when I brought Keaton home from the hospital and suddenly thought the dog looked huge.  Well now I think Keaton looks so big and he also really has grown up a lot in this past week. 

TJ is home from work through Christmas, thank goodness!  I have no idea how I'm going to do this by myself when he goes back to work.  But for now it has been awesome since he is so hands on.  Daddy watched Nolan for a few hours yesterday while Keaton and I went to play trains at Barnes & Noble. 

Everyone is doing great and we have had so many people so involved in our new family these past few days.  Thank you for all the food and gifts (especially for Keaton to keep him busy) and visitors!

Here are a few pictures: