Movin' and Groovin'

We've had a lot of fun the past couple of weeks! Mom, Amy, Jake and Grace came for a visit while Mark was gone to Saltillo, Mexico on a mission trip. When they were here, we played outside a lot and went to the Forest Park miniature train. Then, this past weekend, we had Mark's office peeps over for a little party. Nash loves having company over! He likes waving and making sweet faces at everyone, but is not too keen on anyone other than Mom or Dad actually touching him. Such a tease! I call him my little shadow b/c he's never far behind.
His personality is really blooming and I have to say, he seems to be an extremist. When he's happy, there is NOTHING sweeter - he will give you 12 big, wet, open-mouthed kisses in a row. But, when he's not happy (usually for such horrific tragedies like being told "no" or Mom having the audacity to leave the room without him), the neighbors probably wonder what torture he's enduring. We really are having a lot of fun, though! He's showing more interest in books (especially if we make animal noises), puzzles, and pointing to body parts (he doesn't say them yet, but he likes you to name them over and over). AND, the big announcement - we have a walker, folks!!! Sunday night, he just decided to take off and walk from the living room to our bedroom. Here are the most recent pictures and videos of our adventures!

JoJo and her boys

Nash, me, Grace, and Amy on the Forest Park train

Our attempt at posing the cousins together. Grace and Nash think it is torture.

"Mom! This is so humiliating!"

This picture makes me lol! I think its one of my favorites ever b/c it shows his little attitude.

Jake, Grace, and Nash on a wagon ride to the park

This makes me laugh too! It looks like JoJo and Nash are both wondering how this is going to turn out at the bottom.

Cuteness

Aunt Casey helping him down

Sweet Jake

A little bit of his walking

(Not sure what that purple line is)

Uncle Ty should be proud to know that Nash shares his appreciation of the Beastie Boys

Happiness!

I've been tagged by my friend, Lindsey! This is a first for me, since I usually just gush about my baby boy. Here's what I am supposed do: (a) Name some things that make me happy and (b) ask a few of you to do the same. So, here goes - things that make me happy!

1. MY BOYS! First of all, I think it's really sweet to be able to say "my boys". There's not anyone in the world I would rather spend time with. Mark and Nash are the light of my life! I love their matching big brown eyes and they both have this uncanny ability to get out of trouble by making me laugh.

2. THINGS THAT SMELL GOOD. Anyone who knows me well, knows my proclivity for gagging at unpleasant smells. To the other extreme - I REALLY enjoy and seek out things that smell nice! In fact, my sister often laughs at me for sniffing random stuff. Some of my favorites are: books, flowers, candles, cypress tree balls, rain, clean hair, coffee, fabric softener, and my boys have a nice smell too. That kinda sounds strange, I know, but I don't go around sniffing strangers or anything!

3. THE GREAT OUTDOORS/WATER. I love being outside, especially if there's water close by! Laying on the beach, "toobing'' on the Guadalupe, riding the 4-wheeler through the creeks on my dad's ranch, swimming - anywhere, camping, deep sea fishing, hiking, drinking coffee on the dock at my brother's Caddo Lake lake house, going to the park with Nash, walking on the Trinity Trail - I could go on and on! My family vacations growing up were camping at various state and national parks across the US and I guess that's where this love of the God's creation originated.

4. ALONE TIME. The older I get, the more I appreciate some good ole' quiet introspection. I'm not a total introvert or anything, but I really NEED time to myself to "Be still and know". It keeps me centered. It keeps me from getting all weird and self-conscious when I am around other people. It brings me peace.

5. GIRLFRIENDS (SISTERS INCLUDED). See - not introverted! Growing up, I was always thought of as a tomboy (see #3), but I have say, I love my girls! There's just nothing like being with other women who get me. Not to mention, we laugh alot! I like doing the girly stuff with them - cooking, chick flicks, art shows, shopping, eating at tea rooms, did I mention laughing?! Shout out to my chicas (you know who you are)!

6. SINGING. It is my favorite expression of worship. It's not really a choice - I HAVE to do it. I'm not even talking just about up in front of people at church (although that's part of it). I love singing in my car, singing lullabies to Nash, singing "I'm so glad no one else is here to see how kooky we are" silly made-up songs with Mark. I appreciate listening to good singing too - it really moves me and speaks to my heart the way nothing else does.

7. MEXICAN FOOD (AND BEVERAGES). I know - so cliche'! But, really, I just had a homemade chicken quesadilla for lunch and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fajitas, margaritas, queso, rice and beans, Hatch green chiles, sangria, fresh salsa, tortillas, guacamole - Mmmmmm!

8. CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. People often ask me if my job is depressing or sad. The answer: sometimes sad, but never depressing. Mostly - inspiring! These kids remind me to focus on what we do have, not on what we don't have. That alone will change your life, folks!

9. BOOKS. I've already mentioned I love the way they smell. That is, unless it is one of those "I think this just came from the bottom of the dumpster in a chain-smoker's bathroom" jobs that you sometimes run across at the library. (On a side note: I do sniff test a book before I borrow it from the library, but I digress) I love reading!!! Just about anything, from teeny bopper stuff like Harry Potter and Twilight, to classics like Dante' and Shakespeare and anything in between. Love it all!

10. VACATIONS WITH THE NELSONS. 'Nuff said!

OK - so that's it for me! What about you: Jill, Amy, Macy, Katie, and Carrie????

One Year Stats

Now that we've recovered from all of our partying, we are getting to play with all the new stuff! We also had his one year check up at the doctor and just as we expected, he is great! He was in the 22 lbs. 10 oz. (50th %ile for weight) and 31.5 inces tall (90th %ile for height). Just this week he has started taking 4-5 steps at a time, so life is about to get a little crazier for us! We are working on getting him on cow milk and its slow going. I'm not too worried, though, b/c he eats like a horse! He's got 7 teeth now and working on #8. Nash is also now officially a blonde - his hair keepes getting lighter and lighter. I probably need to get his hair cut soon, b/c he has a borderline mullet, but I love the little curls at his neckline and I'm afraid they wouldn't grow back. Nash is going through another attachment phase where he doesn't want to get too far from Mom and Dad. Sometimes that's exhausting, but before long he'll be too cool for Mom, so it's just fine with me! Anyways, life just continues to be wonderful for us and we are a blessed family!!!

He loves the new tent he got from JoJo and Papa - it comes in handy on those cold days we've had lately!

My little dancin' machine!

PARTAY(s)!!!!

We had a wonderful February celebrating Nash's 1st birthday. His first party was a joint party for Nash and his twin cousin, Grace, in Houston with my family. It was a great weekend! We did a "It's My Heart" walk for Jake Saturday morning - which I don't have pictures of b/c I forgot my camera =( Then we had birthday lunch for the babies (can I still call them babies???) Can't believe they've been here a whole year!

Twin cousins - Nash is trying to hug Grace, but she's on the go, as usual!

Uncle Mark and Grace in her new dress up gear

Aunt Casey and Nash

Mmm! Cake!

Granddaddy and Nash

The second party was with Mark's family and a few friends. It was a BEAUTIFUL day at the park! Thank you to everyone who came and made his birthday so special! We are so blessed to have our little boy, our awesome family, and some great friends!

The big Brannon boys cooking burgers for us

This is Nash's typical sitting stance - future hurdler????

Loved his balloons!

Mmm! More cake!

Riley and Nash (he's a little exhausted by this point)

Our friend, Hunter, making silly faces

Will, Cade, and Anna

The wagon from Grandma and Pawpaw was a hit!

Silly Chloe

Nash and Callie enjoying a moment