What a Game...

...and I was there. :)

I was checking out at the grocery store yesterday around lunchtime when I got a phone call from the bestest. She casually asked me if I'd like two tickets to see OSU take on Wisconsin that night. I thought (in the space of about a millisecond), do I really want to go see a probable loss, given what has transpired this season? But I put my doubt aside, made a few phone calls, and the plan was set--my brother & I would be going to the game.

We even got to tailgate a bit before the game!!! 

Met up with Angie to get our tickets. Love this chica. :)

Ohio Stadium doesn't see all that many night games, but they've picked up to at least one a season in recent years. And you know, I didn't think anything could top the USC game a few years back as far as atmosphere, but our fans were IN this game--no one in our section sat down, and we were all having a great time helping to "coach" the team (Fickell needed us, TRUST ME). My voice was gone before the 1st quarter even ended!

View from our seats.

It was a back-forth-battle, which was sooooooooo yummy, considering the Buckeyes hadn't been given much chance of a victory (obviously I was a bit of a doubter myself), but in the end, on a ridiculous touchdown pass with 20 seconds left, OSU secured the win. HOW INSANELY SATISFYING, considering "Bucky" ruined our perfect record last season.

Post-victory SHENANIGANS

It was a PERFECT evening. I'm going to be paying for it the next few days (sore throat, sore knees from the L-O-N-G walk to and from the stadium, and blistered hands from clapping), but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

GO BUCKEYES!!!

My Week (15) in Droid Photos

Only four photos this week--I'm going to chalk it up to going back to work and not have much for a muse. Oh how I miss vacation.

Saturday 10/22/11: Making sure his threads are gonna fit for Aunt Abby's wedding in a few weeks

Sunday 10/23/11: Aiden signed my b-day card all by himself. I'm still a puddle.

Monday 10/24/11: He was asking me to play his "Pumped Up Kicks" 

by Foster the People video for the millionth time.

Saturday 10/29/11: Loving on his new puppy from Uncle John. :)

Want to link up? Head on over to Amy's blog. :)

Wordless Wednesday: Straw Maze

Mommy & Me Monday

This is my first Mommy & Me Monday! :)

After Nolan went to bed Friday night, Mike still had some homework to do, so Aiden & I cuddled on the couch to watch "The Sword in the Stone." It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to hang out with the A-Dawg, especially since he sat still and watched the entire movie! I really enjoyed sharing something with him that I watched as a little kid. Too fun.

Want to link up? Head on over to Krystyn's blog :)

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

10 Things I Think I Think, Back to Work Edition

10. I have the Sunday Night Blues hardcore right now. Not only is tomorrow my first day back after a week off, but today is my birthday and the weather is FINALLY decent (though the clouds are rolling in now). Le sigh.

9. I bought my last can of formula last week. That makes me (and my wallet) ridiculously happy.

8. We had family portraits taken today. I thought I looked cute in my sweater until I saw the previews. Once Abby's wedding is done, I am committed to losing some weight.

7. I'd feel a lot better about #8 if I hadn't just drank a beer and eaten nearly half a bag of chips while watching the Browns game.

6. Nolan got his seventh tooth the day after his birthday, and has been a chatterbox since then as well. Though his first word was "Mama," he spends most of his day saying "Dada" and "Aydah." Oh, well.

5. Scentsy is going pretty well--had a fun party yesterday and another one scheduled for this Sunday. Hit me up if you'd like to place an order!

4. Aiden is O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks." He asks us all day long to play the video for him, and he does this hilarious dance while watching it. Definitely video-worthy, but apparently I'm too busy drinking a beer and eating half a bag of chips.

3. Did I mention I'd rather stay home tomorrow?

2. Missed my Buckeyes this weekend--I hate bye weeks. Though I can't quite say I'm looking forward to Saturday night's showdown with Wisconsin; the Badgers might be a bit miffed after losing to MSU on the last play yesterday. But that's the just the kind of season we're in, I guess. Regardless, GO BUCKS. :)

1. If I must go back to work tomorrow, I'm glad that my bestie Angie is returning as well. I know it's rough to come back after a baby, and even worse after another, so I'm not going to sugar coat things and say it will be easy and all that crap. Selfishly, though, I'm just happy to be able to see her on a regular basis again.

My Week (14) in Droid Photos

Includes ACTUAL PHOTOS this week!!!

Saturday 10/15/11: Some of the party decorations. LOVE.

Sunday 10/16/11: Cake smash aftermath.

Monday 10/17/11: Norah stopped by. For some reason, this looks like one of the B&W photos

they do on NCIS before they go to a commercial. Just sayin'.

Tuesday 10/18/11: Birthday boy deserves another cake smash :)

Wednesday 10/19/11: The boys watching MMC--in Spanish. Stupid kitchen TV.

Thursday 10/20/11: Buddy looks a little freaky in the dark. :)

Friday 10/21/11: Stopped for a Mommy treat while the boys slept the entire ride home :)

Want to link up? Head on over to Amy's blog!

Not Quite the Pumpkin Patch

I *heart* fall. It's my favorite time of year, hands down. I love the leaves, I love the pumpkins, I love the football, I love the sweatshirts, I love the apple cider--ALL OF IT. And with a week of vacation scheduled for the second half of October, I have been anticipating a trip to the apple orchard / pumpkin patch with my guys for months.

{Cue the Little-Did-I-Know music}

Unfortunately, I didn't get the best of weather for my week off; it's rained four of the five days I've been home with the guys. But did I let my dreams of pumpkins and cider and all things autumnal crash and burn? Well, maybe just a touch (we did spend a couple of those days in our PJs). Until yesterday, when we trekked up to Mansfield to visit my folks and enjoy the season.

With PaPa & PooPoo, during the only glint of sunshine we got.

Cheese, with a side of gourds.

After getting loaded up at Apple Hill with apples, apple cider, and apple donuts (HEAVEN), we headed over to Wayne's Country Market to play in the kids' barn, complete with straw maze, zip line, and huge sliding boards--all under a large tent and protected from the drizzle. Aiden had a BLAST.

Cameo appearance by Mom.

Aiden went down the slide(s) at least 20 times.

And Mr. Nolan? He was just content to sit in the straw.

Too preoccupied to look up at Mom for a photo.

They also got to hang out with rather large scarecrow. :)

All in all, it was a great, if not slightly damp & chilly, day, and we can't wait to do it again next year--hopefully with a bit more sunshine.

Fishin' with Daddy.

After so many posts dedicated to Mr. Nolan, it's time to give Aiden his due. :)

Whilst I was head & shoulders in to birthday party prep this past weekend, Mike helped me out A BUNCH by taking Aiden out to spend some quality time together. Their activity? Fishing!

And they had a great time. Aiden came rushing back into the house to tell me about how good he was at casting, which Mike backed up with an adorable video (which I unfortunately cannot get from the camera because we can't find the cord--boo).

I'm just happy they could have such a great time together doing a guy-type thing.

Wordless Wednesday: Birthday Cupcake

My first ever Wordless Wednesday (is someone ringing a little bell?)!

Obviously, we did the cake smash at Nolan's party on on Sunday. But I couldn't let his actual birthday go by without a little more cake. :)

Linking up with and then, she snapped...

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, NOLAN!!!

One year ago today, we became a family of four. :)

10/18/10

The transition was easier than I ever could have hoped for. And Nolan has been the most sweet-natured addition possible. An absolute dream (well, maybe other than the whole paper-eating thing...). :)

Happy First Birthday, Pumpkin Pie!!! We love you!!!

10/18/11

And now, a look back at our first year with Nolan, as told with his Buckeye Bear...

Nolan's First Birthday Party

What a day! I can't believe it's time to celebrate my baby turning one. Seriously. I feel like I blinked an eye, and the little munchkin went from a fresh, screaming newborn to a smiling, giggling toddler. But I'll save the rest of my reflection for tomorrow's birthday post.

With Nolan having a mid-October birthday, it was easy to choose a theme--Halloween! And truth be told, I started working on his decorations in June (what can I say--I like to plan ahead, and I didn't want to be staying up long nights finishing thing when it got close to party time). I went pretty simple--mostly paper decorations. And A LOT of pumpkins.

Borrowed Abby's Cricut. Must get Cricut.

Now that this decoration has served its purpose, I'm going to scrapbook those photos!

I LOVED the ghost suckers!!!

As part of the Halloween party, we asked if folks could come in costume. Most did, and no offense to anyone else, but I think the fam looked pretty sweet. :)

Paying homage to my nickname from my school days...

The Dynamic Duo. Rest easy, my friends--the world is safe. :)

(Continuing with my October Photo FAIL: You know, looking at the photos, I'm kind of ashamed that I didn't get a whole lot of the other party-goers. I guess that's what happens when your card is woefully small and you're trying to save space for some cake-smashing video. Apologies to all who attended if you didn't show up in this recap.)

After some yummy eats, we were off to open presents. Nolan didn't quite get it, but he did at least look at the items as Mommy pulled them from bags or ripped off the paper. Aiden was more than happy to help.

I have like 20 photos that look pretty much just like this, 

so we'll save some time and I'll just post one. You're welcome. :)

And then came cake time. It was EPIC.

Some focusing issues, but the intent is clear. :)

Another brilliant creation, a la Angie. :)

The Smash Cake

I LOVES CAKE!!!

Peek-a-boo!!!

Love this one :)

And for those of you who would like to see the cake smash go down, take a peek below:

Because it never leaves you...

Hopes dashed.

Dreams crushed.

And yet, despite the pain of the horrible event, you move on.

But you never forget.

Thinking of all the angel babies today, and sending love to their parents.