Family of FOUR!

  I see that it has been quite some time since I have posted and I'm sure most of you know by now that we were blessed with a beautiful baby GIRL on December 14th. :) She weighed 7lb. 1oz. and was 20 inches long at birth. She is absolutely perfect and we were more than surprised that we had a girl (as we were both thinking we'd have another boy).
  Sadie Kay Hicks has really been a great baby! She sleeps really well and is a fairly relaxed baby. She has definitely been more vocal in the recent days, but overall, she is very good! She currently weighs just over 10 lbs, so she is gaining weight which is a good sign. She has outgrown her newborn clothes and is into her 3 month wardrobe! Her next dr, appointment is February 14th, so we will know where she fits on the growth charts at that time. Sadie is the perfect fit to complete our little family!
 Nolan is doing great as well! He is the most amazing big brother to Sadie. He kisses her all the time and is constantly making sure she has everything she needs... and I mean EVERYTHING. If he sees one of her blankets or toys lying around, he will grab it and immediately bring it over to her and set it on top of her. Needless to say, Sadie has been COVERED with things at times because Nolan is 'helping'. :) It is great to see though, and he really hasn't been jealous of Sadie at all. He is 20 months old and is SO incredibly smart. It is amazing to see how much he learns and applies every day. He's growing up way too fast :(.
  Aaron and I are doing good too. Aside from the lack of sleep here and there, we are chugging right along. We were really blessed to have my parents up here to help out with the kids for the first couple of weeks, and his parents have watched the kids a number of times to allow us to go out for some dinners and dates. So, thanks to them, we are keeping our sanity! :)
  All in all, we are doing just great and are really loving our family of four (plus Bromley). Bromley has realized he is bottom on the totem pole, but he is handling it pretty well. He is great with the kids and you can tell they love him too.
  Here are some pictures over the past couple of months:

Nolan was a lion for Halloween!

Photos from Sadie's newborn shoot!

With Nana and Papa at Christmas!

Happy family!

With Grandma and Grandpa on New Years Eve!

 We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and that the new year is off to a great start! Stay warm and love you all!

-The Hicks Family

Nolan is ONE!!

 I truly can't believe it has been a year! Nolan is growing and learning new things each day, and it is so fun to see. He was in the 99% for height at his yearly checkup and 54% for weight. Needless to say, I am trying to fatten him up a bit ;) Nolan also had another ear infection at his year check-up (this makes 9), so we had to meet with an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. Nolan is scheduled to get tubes in his ears at the end of the week (June 28th). I was originally opposed to having the surgery, as they have to put him under general anesthesia. However, after researching the topic and speaking to the specialist, it is definitely the way to go! So, please pray that things go smoothly, and I'm sure he will have a speedy recovery. :)

 On a more positive note, Nolan had an amazing first birthday! The weather was a little cool up here, but it turned out great. One thing is for sure.... NOLAN IS SPOILED!! We are so grateful and blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives. Nolan loved seeing everyone that was able to attend his party and has had fun playing with all his new toys and gifts. I think Bromley was a little jealous, but we treated him to a Pup Cup from Dairy Queen, and I think that made things better. ;)

 Last, but certainly not least, Nolan will become an older brother in December!! We are all very excited about the addition, and Nolan can't wait to get a little brother or sister. He will be such a great big bro!

 Here are some pictures over the past few months:

 

Nolan with Nana and Papa on Easter Sunday

 

 

 

Nolan's 1st birthday! He was about to open his first present of MANY!

 

 

 

Nolan's birthday cake (compliments of Patti Payne's kitchen)

 

 

 

Proud parents with the birthday boy!

 

 

 

Nolan enjoying Grandpa and Grandma's pool! He got all the cool swim gear from them for his birthday!

 

 

Brotherly love! Excited to add a third to the crew!

 

 

Nolan after a hard workout (the rough life of being pushed in a stroller)!

 

 

Nolan helping Daddy spackle!

 

 

 

Nolan's first trip to the zoo! He liked the monkeys and the penguins best.

 

We love you all and hope everyone is doing well! God bless and enjoy the rest of your summer!

 

10 Months and Growing!!

It's hard to believe that Nolan is only a couple months away from his first birthday! He is getting so big and is very mobile! At his last check up (9 months) he was 29.5" tall (95%) and weighed 23 lbs (85%). He has mastered the 'scoot', but isn't quite crawling yet. It's amazing how many other ways he will maneuver around to get where he wants to go! He is able to pull himself up to a standing position, so I don't think it will be long before he is waddling around.

 Nolan is currently battling his 5th ear infection (you wouldn't know it by his happy attitude, but the tests say differently). He is on his third round of medications for the most recent ear infection and has a follow up appointment in early April. Depending on how he responds to this medication will determine if we need to see an ENT to discuss getting tubes in his ears. I go back and forth on this topic, as I can't imagine putting my sweet little angel under for the surgery it requires. But, I also know that he can't continue to have infections and take medications as that could hurt him in the long run. So, I guess we will just wait and see and pray that we come to a conclusion in the near future.

Nolan had his first Christmas, New Years, and Valentine's Day over the past few months. We spent Christmas Eve with Hicks/Anderson side and Christmas Day with the Payne clan. We are so blessed to be able to see our entire immediate family over the holiday and Nolan sure was spoiled!! He got a bunch of toys, some clothes, and money. He was smart and put his Christmas money in his savings account right away (he must get this trait from Daddy because Mommy likes to spend spend spend! ;) ) Nolan also received his first Valentine this year from a girl at daycare. I told him no dating for another 20 years, so he better not get his hopes up! All in all, Nolan is doing great and is one happy boy (minus the ear infections).

The rest of us are doing well! We have been keeping busy with work and potential home renovations. Aaron celebrated his 33rd birthday in January! Nolan and Bromley treated him to some golfing classes so he is ready for the greens this summer. Watch out Tiger Woods, here comes Aaron Hicks! :)

Here are some pictures of Nolan over the past few months:

Nolan playing with a Christmas Present from Uncle Bud!

 

 

Nolan and his friend Evan at Evan's 1st birthday party!

 

 

 

 

Nolan eating his cereal and puffs

 

 

 

The boys waiting for Daddy to get home from work

 

 

Nolan playing hide-and-seek with Mommy!

 

 

Look who popped over the top of the fridge as I was getting some milk (I think Daddy may be giving him a boost)!

 

 

10 month picture

 

 

 We hope everyone is doing well! Love you all and happy Spring!

Love- The Hicks

Nolan's first holiday season!!

  We have been keeping busy in the Hicks' household! Between Halloween, Nolan's 6 month milestone, travelling for Thanksgiving, and Christmas around the corner, we seem to be continually on the go! Nolan is growing like crazy, and I cannot believe he will be 7 months old tomorrow! He weighed 19lb 12 oz (85th percentile) and was 28 1/4 inches tall (95th percentile) at his 6 month check up. It's amazing how much he has changed over 6 months! He is very close to crawling which means it is baby proofing time for our house!!
  Nolan went as a Referee this year for Halloween. He didn't do any trick-or-treating, but did help mommy pass out candy to the other trick-or-treaters. He loved seeing the different costumes that came to the door and said he was excited for next year when he will be able to partake in the fun!
  We went down to Iowa to see Nana and Papa Payne the week before Thanksgiving. It is always so nice to get some away time and just relax for a few days! Nolan had a great time playing and being spoiled by Nana and Papa. Bromley also loves to go down there as he has gets a huge yard to run around in and play frisbee. We came back from Iowa and spent Thanksgiving Day with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson. Nolan celebrated Thanksgiving by having his first two teeth break through (bottom two teeth)! He knew we would be having a delicious meal at Grandma and Grandpa's so wanted to make sure he had his teeth out in time for dinner! :) I would say his first Thanksgiving was a success and it was great to be surrounded by those we love!
  We are now getting in the spirit for the Christmas holiday. We've got the house all decorated and most of the presents purchased. We are even getting an insane amount of snow as I write this! Nolan built his first snowman today, and I must say that he has pretty impressive 'snowman building' skills for only being 7 months old! ;) We plan on taking Nolan to see Santa Claus next weekend while we are in Duluth. So the Christmas spirit is definitely in the air and in the Hicks' household!
  Here are some pictures of the past couple months:

 

 Our Little Referee!

 

 

6 Months old!!

 

 

Following are photos from his 6 month photo session:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nolan opening his first Christmas present (The Solie's gave it to him early!)

 

 

The boys and I with Nolan's creation

 

 



Nolan and the final product!

 

 

 

We hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and a good New Year! Safe travels to everyone and we love you all!

 

Love- The Hicks Family

4 months and GROWING!

Sorry it has been a while since the last post, but life has been busy!! Nolan is now 4 and a half months old and is getting big. He had his 4 month check up a couple weeks ago and he was 26 and 1/2 inches long (90%), and 17 lb 0.2 oz (85%). So, needless to say, he is a pretty healthy boy! Along with growing, he is becoming much more social. It is fun to hear him babble and gab and we will sometimes wake up in the morning to him just having a conversation with himself in his crib! :) He is pretty much over his colic so that makes for much happier parents as well.

Over the past couple months we have done a lot. Nolan was able to visit some of his extended family when we made a trip down through Illinois to Indianapolis. It was great to see everyone and we are looking forward to our next trip down there! Nolan was also able to meet all of his great grandparents over the past couple of months, so that is a blessing. Mommy has returned to the working world, so that has been quite a change. He goes to a learning center/daycare 4 days a week and seems to be adjusting well (much better than mommy is adjusting ;-) ). Along with daycare, comes the illnesses. He had an ear infection in both ears, and is currently on antibiotics to get him back to normal. He seems to be feeling fine, so this is good! As summer is coming to a close, Nolan got to enjoy a few days at Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's new pool. He is excited to start swimming lessons there next summer! Lastly, we will be going to Iowa to see Grandma and Grandpa Payne this next weekend and Nolan will be going to his first college football game (Iowa vs. Minnesota)! Should be a fun first game :)

Here are some pictures of our little man over the past couple of months:

Ready for church with Great-Grandma Payne

 

 

Hanging out with cousin Brooke

 

 

Great Uncle Stan with his newest great nephews

 

 

Sleeping for Great Uncle Randy and Aunt Patty

 

 

Excited for a visit from Great Grandpa and Grandma Iverson

 

 

Iverson/Anderson/Hicks side of the family :)

 

 

3 month picture

 

 

Family night out for a high school football game

 

 

Nolan attempting to eat rice cereal (most of it ended up on his face!)

 

 

Nolan loves his jumper swing

 

 

4 month picture

 

 

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the last of the nice weather!

 

God bless and love y'all - The Hicks Family

Two months old!!

  Sorry for not posting more often, but turns out an infant can really keep a person busy!! :) Nolan is doing great and growing like crazy! He had his 2 month check up today. He was 23.5 inches long (85% on charts) and 13 lb 14 oz (90% on charts). So, needless to say, he is bulking right up!! He also got his first set of shots today. I think mommy got more upset than Nolan, as he handled them very well! He has also been sleeping for a good stretch at night, so this is great news too! :)
  The rest of the family is also doing well. Bromley has adjusted nicely to having his new brother around. He was bummed to have to share his attention, but has come to terms with it ;-) Aaron is working hard as always. His hydraulic pump that he has been working on over the past couple years is finally getting close to being released for production, so that is very exciting! So, along with being the most amazing father to Nolan, he is keeping very busy. I am almost done with my maternity leave, so that is a bummer! I go back to work in a few weeks, and then my mom is coming up to watch Nolan for a couple weeks until daycare is ready to take him. I'm thankful for this as that will hopefully be an easier adjustment to me going back to work.
Here are some pictures over the past two months:

Here is a photo from his portrait session when he was 2-weeks old.

More from the session....

Family photo with our 2-week old!

Daddy and Nolan on Father's Day! (along with some friends of ours and their 9 month old Brooklyn)

Nolan at 1 month (not very happy)

Family photo for Nolan's first 4th of July

Grandpa Anderson has the magic touch on calming Nolan down!

Nolan's 2 month pictures!



So, everything is going great in the Hick's Household. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this summer. God bless and we love you all!
-Aaron, Stacey, Nolan, and Bromley