I know. Daddy’s been bad, really bad. I’m sorry. Really busy times, but things are opening up slowly. Thanks for your patience. Nolan is eager to share some pics from recent happenings, and I will do my best to catch you up!
Here’s some from the other night just before bedtime . . .
Last night, about three inches of snow fell to the ground. After a long night of work at UPS, long drive through the slush and ice, and a brief morning sleep, we got up, bundled Nolan, and went outside to take some photos. Unfortunately, freezing rain was still falling, and so we were not able to really get out in the snow that much. Nevertheless, we were able to snap a few photos for both our keepsake and Nolan’s future recollection. 
Nolan met Great Grandma Brister for the first time. For those who do not know, Nolan is named after his Great Grandpa who passed away two years ago (and also after his father!). Here are some pics of their encounter.
While in Athens, Nolan and daddy spent a lot of time together taking naps, learning to laugh, and thumb wrestling. Here’s some of the action.
Mommy and daddy like peace and calm. We hope Nolan comes to like it too! Here’s some pics from Nolan in one of his after-eating moments.
I know. I know. It’s been awhile. But trust me, I have not intentionally been absent from Nolan’s World. During the blog break, Dusti came down with the stomach virus, we traveled to Alabama, and have been trying to develop a routine for our family. Things are slowly starting to come together, and after a month, I expect they should.
Here are some photos of Nolan laughing at me yesterday. He’s starting to smile more which is really fun. But you should have seen him thirty minutes later when we put him in the tub. Yikes! Hopefully he will start liking warm bath water – soon.
Hopefully, I will be posting with more regularity in the days to come. Thanks for your patience!
Nolan’s first time in church! He did really well I must say. I think he likes the preaching of Dr. Cook (I thought I heard an “Amen” in his jibberish).
Here’s an excellent quote from Martin Luther. I thought I’d pass it along. It’s a little lengthy, but it’s all good.
“Now observe that when that clever harlot, our natural reason (which the pagans followed in trying to be most clever), takes a look at married life, she turns up her nose and says, “Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its diapers, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores, and on top of that care for my wife, provide for her, labour at my trade, take care of this and take care of that, do this and do that, endure this and endure that, and whatever else of bitterness and drudgery married life involves? What, should I make such a prisoner of myself? O you poor, wretched fellow, have you taken a wife? Fie, fie upon such wretchedness and bitterness! It is better to remain free and lead a peaceful, carefree life; I will become a priest or a nun and compel my children to do likewise.” What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, “O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? 0 how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labour, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.
A wife too should regard her duties in the same light, as she suckles the child, rocks and bathes it, and cares for it in other ways; and as she busies herself with other duties and renders help and obedience to her husband. These are truly golden and noble works. . . .
Now you tell me, when a father goes ahead and washes diapers or performs some other mean task for his child, and someone ridicules him as an effeminate fool, though that father is acting in the spirit just described and in Christian faith, my dear fellow you tell me, which of the two is most keenly ridiculing the other? God, with all his angels and creatures, is smiling, not because that father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith. Those who sneer at him and see only the task but not the faith are ridiculing God with all his creatures, as the biggest fool on earth. Indeed, they are only ridiculing themselves; with all their cleverness they are nothing but devil’s fools.”
[From Luther’s “The Estate of Marriage” (1522) posted online here.]
HT :: Hank Balch
This evening we had a houseful of family for dinner, and Nolan was a bit confused over all the conversation and new people. If he is anything like his mommy and daddy, he will enjoy some good company. Speaking of company, I will be out of pocket for the next couple of days, so the pictournal will just have to be delayed. In case we don’t get the chance to say it later, we hope everyone has a wonderful new year!
Well, we successfully made our first road trip and are enjoying some time in Alabama with our families. Nolan seemed to be quite comfortable, sporting his colors and gangsta lean. A couple of times he appeared to be raising the roof, but I haven’t received confirmation from him as of yet.
We have officially reached 200 photos on Flickr from the first two weeks. At this rate, we would end up with over 5,200 photos over the next year. Let me go on record to say that that will NOT happen. 
Instead, we will look to do about 1-2 a day as a normal schedule.
Daddy the slacker is starting to pick up some speed with the pictournal. Hopefully before long I can post in a more timely manner. But for now, the PR division is working overtime to weather the disgruntled fans of Nolan’s world to prevent further collateral damage.
Nolan, having become alerted to the situation, woke up from his slumber to assess the matter and flex his muscles in hopes that jaded readers might return with baited breath for more snapshots from the ever exciting domain of Nolan’s world. Don’t be intimidated–daddy’s muscles are a little bit bigger.
Uncle Brian and Aunt Elana spent the last three days with us, and they were a lot of fun. The grown-ups watched the Bourne trilogy (Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum), and Nolan and Hershey preferred to watch each other. This was our first Christmas in Louisville and away from the fam, so it was nice having some company around. Brian and Elana are expecting a boy come May, so Nolan will be excited to have another little one to play with.
Nolan also had his first doctor’s visit today. He is doing quite well. Our pediatrician said that he is already one week ahead of his feeding/weight schedule. I told him that if his peeing and pooping is any indication, that boy is having an hourly buffet! But seriously, we are grateful to God for our precious one’s health. He just now needs to let mommy and daddy get some sleep at night.
Today marks Nolan’s one-week birthday. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but for his parents, this week has been amazing. Although Nolan pees and poops more than I would have ever imagined, he is our pride and joy–the fruit of his mother’s womb and the apple of his father’s eye. We pray that God will use us as stewards of this incredible gift to shepherd him in God’s good and perfect will. Happy one week old birthday Nolan!
Uncle Brian and Aunt Elana came up today to spend Christmas with us. This year is quite different, not the least of which because we have never spent Christmas away from our immediate families. This also is our first Christmas together as a family and are excited about having Brian and Elana with us. Uncle Brian thinks is really funny and can communicate with one week old babies, and Aunt Elana does much to balance things out with a calm, level-headed demeaner. Can’t wait ’till tomorrow!
Nana has been hanging out for the past week with us, and we are extremely grateful for all the assistance she has provided us! In fact, all of our family has been super-supportive during the past week, and we could not ask for anything more.
Nana has helped cook, clean, care for Dusti, and stay up late trying to keep Nolan from crying too much. Her lasting legacy, other than her famous chicken stew, will be her loving support and sacrificial service behind the scenes. While the stew sure is a delight to our tummies, the love we have received is a far greater delight to our hearts. Thanks, Nana, for all you did this past week!
P.S. – Nana, Nolan told me the next time you wear Auburn colors that he is going to poop in your arms. I think the color orange gives him an upset tummy. Fair warning . . .
Great news on the home front. The daily nurse called us to let us know that Nolan’s bilirubin had decreased to 10 (from 14 yesterday) and was given the okay from our pediatrician to stop tanning. To celebrate, we cooled Nolan off with his frosty the snowman outfight and yelled “Freedom!”
Then, we had to work out his muscles which had been relaxed over the past few days (what a life–tanning 24/7!). I stuck in my Rocky IV soundtrack which I worked out to in middle school, and Nolan and I began shadow boxing. After a grueling workout for a five-day old baby, Nolan was wore out. Here’s the results:
So the update is that Nolan is free, frosty, and ready for a fight. I’ll admit. He’s got a mean stare. Just ask Hershey!
Nolan’s first bath at home. Mom was a little nervous, not wanting to hurt his belly-button and “thing.”
Hershey seems to have taken a liking to Nolan. She keeps licking him on the ear and forehead. I think she will be a real protective big sister.
Going home, Nolan had a slight cause of jaundice, a popular occurrence among newborns where there is an increased level of bilirubin in the blood vessels causing a yellow discoloration of the skin. Therefore, Nolan was placed today in his own tanning bed for the next couple of days. He seems to like it rather well. I told Dusti that if he is anything like me, his skin will handle the “sunlight” beautifully because we’re olive like that.
Hopefully, Nolan will be given the “okay” from the docs to return to normally scheduled programming of holiday stardom. He has a lot of fans waiting for his guest appearance. As his road manager, autographs will have to restricted due to time constraints. However, I will be sure that the infant paparazzi following “Nolan’s World” keep you updated.
Uncle Brian and Aunt Elana are having a boy! B-O-Y spells “C-O-M-P-A-T-I-S-H-U-N.”
Around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, Nolan took the ride home with mom and dad. I think he is going to like riding in the car.
Nolan has been a real stud today. The circumcision was rather painful, and he was no happy camper! But that is nothing a mother’s love couldn’t fix.
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