4th of July

Happy 4th of July. Matt and I really enjoyed spending some quality time up at the cabin. This is the first time we have been able to enjoy this summer as a family! We have been so busy working on the house and this was a much needed break! We had  such a great time with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Sara and Jake.

Nolan has sure grown in the last 2 weeks. Nolan cut is first buck tooth on June 24 and his second buck tooth on June 28. And now as of the 4th both teeth are in. Over the week at the cabin, Nolan has learned how to chew and how to break off chucks of puffs and Cheetos. He is starting to eat stage 3 baby food and is learning how to eat Cheetos puffs. He has done such a great job with these!

Last week Nolan also really learned how to pull up on things and safely get down. He has also learned how to walk furniture piece to furniture piece and is so dang proud of himself! He giggles as he transfers piece to piece.

Nolan is still an unbelievably easy going little boy. He is so easy to get to laugh. However, he is starting to get an assertive personality again. He is starting to babble demands and throws tantrums when toys are taken away or he cannot figure something out. He is going to keep us on our toes. Nolan has also really turned into a Momma's boy in the last few weeks. He always wants to be held and carried by momma. He has also really learned how to say momma and use it when he is looking for me. So cute!

 Loving my cottage cheese

 Chilling in the swing Grandma bought me

 My cute 4th of July outfit.

Throwing a tantrum because I lost my toy

 First time in the lake with Mommy. Didn't know what to think if it the first time.

 Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa

 Steering the pontoon boat with Mommy

But, I had more fun with Daddy at the wheel

  Grandma and Nolan before bed

 Auntie Sara with Nolan

 Look what I can do Mommy

So beautiful at the lake

 Playing in the sand

 Happy 4th of July

 Hi Mommy!!!

Grandma and Grandpa and Nolan at the cabin

 Uncle Jake and Sara with Nolan. Nolan finally warmed up to Jake

Family photo

Nolan slept through the entire fireworks show. Thanks mom and dad for the great fire works. Above are the butts of; Alex, Aaron, Jake and Kyle

10 months old

Our baby is 10 months old! I cannot believe how old he is already. He is weighing in at nearly 20 pounds. He had learned how to pull up onto furniture, crawl on all hands and knees and speak great jibberish. He is learning mamam, dad and ni night.

Nolan finally sat still for a 10 month photo shoot.

Nolan learned the pan drawer is open. He loves to play with the screen, maybe he will be a great tennis player one day.

So brave! First day really learning how to stand stable and our dare devil was going one handed by the end of the day.

Photo shoot at Essex Park

Nolan's adorable flirty smirk smile.

Dr. Avner

We went to Wisconsin this past week and meet with Dr. Avner. He is also much more optimistic than our Mayo doctors. It was a pleasure meeting with him and we are all anxiously awaiting the pending genetic tests.

We had a great time visiting Mimi and Grandpa. Mimi found some wonderful things to do during our summer vacation visit. We went to the Madison Zoo. We had such a great time looking at all the animals and it was a beautiful day of site seeing. Nolan loved the seals. We got lucky and one kept barking at us. We also got to see Nolan's great grandparents and went swimming and went on a boat ride! Thanks for a great time!

Mimi, Daddy and Nolan looking at the animals

Learning how to pull up and stand

Enjoying a boat ride at the Lake

Family photo at the zoo

Nolan and great grandma Alstad

4 generations of Alstad men

Swimming in the kiddie pool

Wisconsin Dells

This past weekend we went to the Wisconsin Dells for a fun packed Merten Family Vacation! We stayed the weekend at the Wilderness Water park. Nolan had a blast swimming in the kiddie pool, the lazy river and going in the wave pool! Once he got used to the whole water idea, he LOVED it. He swam with dad and learned to splash in the water. We can't wait to bring him back.

 Learning to splash!

 Mommy I think I need a nap!

Loving the bouncing water swings outside

 Getting tired from a fun day at the park

 Bouncing with dad AFTER his nap

Looking cute...all while drowning dad! What a good daddy. Nolan is blowing his raspberries in this photo!

 Look mommy, I'm swimming!

 How cool!

 Ah turning into a water baby

Just chlling

Memorial Day Weekend

It sure was a hot one this weekend. Nolan has learned how to kneel and climb up onto items on his knees. He is learning to stick his tongue out. He has also learned to clap when you say YEAH!!! He is such a sweet little boy.

Roof is on!

House is just about all framed up!