School

Noah is loving his VPK. He does art everyday and is really learning a lot. His teacher tells me about Noah's interaction with others. His imagination is one of the things I hear about most often, which is really funny because I don't seem to notice much imaginative play at home. The first week of school he was playing on the jungle gym and decided that it was a boat that was on fire and he kept annoucing, "The boat is on fire. Quick come with me." His teacher said the first few times no one listen to him, but he was persistent and patient until he finally convinced a few friends to "jump ship."

Noah also continues to be a big help with his brother, Foster. He is eager to help me anytime I need the pump turned on, a diaper or wipes brought to me, or even comes quick to talk to Foster when he cries. What a blessing it is to have Noah in my life!

Big brother

Noah officially became a big brother on August 23, 2010 at 11:36 pm. Little brother Foster Everett Bolin weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches long. With the new addition we are now going to have two blogs. This blog will feature more of Noah's highlights and the other 4bolins.blogspot.com will feature more of Foster. Here are just a few pics of the proud big brother. We hope to have more up soon as energy and time allow.











Noah's drawing of Foster with emphasis on his long fingers and belly button.

Update

I am now 36weeks and 5 days. I went to the Dr on mon and they did my group b strep test and decided it would be good to be checked since I do have quite a time to travel to the hospital. I was1 cm and 50% effaced! I have been having Braxton-Hicks quite regularly. I am thinking that this little one is going to make an appearance before Sept, but I guess time will tell!

Move, Maternity Pics, Matt visits

Well as most of you know, Matt, Noah, and I are transitioning to Florida. Right now, Noah and I are living with my sister and her husband Matt in Fleming Island which is just south of Jacksonville. Matt is living with very hospitable friends in Gaineville. My mom and gramma are trading off taking care of our dog, Sandy. Noah and I left Waverly on Monday around 1pm. We made it to Medina, TN around midnight to stay with my cousin Angie and her daughter Isabella. Angie is also due to have a baby in Sept around the 23rd. Sadly I did not take any pictures while I was there, but Noah had fun playing in the pool and jumping on the trampoline. Angie and I had fun catching up on everything. Wednesday morning Noah and I headed out to make our trek to Florida. We made it to Amy's about 10pm. Brilei and Noah were so excited to see each other. I am so proud of how Brilei has adopted Noah into her space and allowed him to play with her toys and has really been a great cousin to Noah. We still have no idea how long this arrangement will end up being and I cannot imagine what Noah and Brilei are going to feel like once we do have our own place again. Presslei has gotten in on some of the cousin action too! One of the favorites is Noah and Brilei taking turns pushing Presslei in her little Radio Flyer cart. She smiles from ear to ear. We are so blessed to have Matt, Amy, Brilei and Presslei in our lives!

Before we left Iowa, Matt and my mom made the overnight haul to Iowa to help me tie up some loose ends. Matt and his grampa Neil cut a huge limb out of one of the trees in the back yard and really spruced it up. Mom pulled lots of weeds and helped with cleaning. Noah had a great time spending time with "Baga" and Daddy while they were in town. Once again I did not get any pictures of their trip up, however we did manage to squeeze in maternity pictures between my surprise birthday party Melissa and Hannah threw for me on Thursday night, my new product box opening party on Saturday night, church, bridal shower, and family goodbyes on Sunday. I also had a Pampered Chef Open House and Moving Sale on Tuesday night that was AWESOME! Needless to say, my last week in Iowa was full of lots of people especially great friends and family that we already miss dearly. We also are really going to miss our Church. The relationships, discipleship and fellowship we felt from that body of believers was unparallel to anything I have ever had in the Body of Christ before. It was unique in the intergenerational relationships that were built and something that I hope to be a part of again in the near future. I know we were in Iowa specifically for my personal growth in my relationship with Christ and I would not trade my time there for anything! It is always really hard to leave the known and go to the unknown. For the past 7 years of Matt and my marriage we have moved our residence 4 times (5 if you count where we are at right now and hopefully will be 6 by the end of this year). However, I truly hope we can stay wherever we end up for several years. It will be really nice to be settled. Have some rest time. Have an idea of where we will be, who we are and what we are called to do. Until then, we will trust that God has a plan for us and that it is to prosper and not to harm.

We plan to welcome a new baby in about 4 weeks. I am living about an hour and fifteen minutes from the hospital that I will deliver in, my sister works overnight as a nurse (my ride to Gainesville) and my husband is also an hour and 15 away. So with that said, I am trusting that God will prolong my labor enough to make it to where I need to be, with who I would like to have there. I know he will protect and keep me through this process and it will all be for His glory.

Matt is making his visits on the weekends. This is our first weekend back together. It is nice to have his love and affection around. Noah has done such a great job of adjusting to this transition. Please continue to pray for him through all of this. Also pray that we fit into the daily life of the Suralis-Smith household and are a blessing to them during our stay here.

Enjoy some maternity pictures in the mean time!

Not for the faint of heart

Well nothing too graphic...the video is a little dark, but it is of my bare stomach and the baby that is in there jumping (literally). Thought Matt might like to see it. There are 2 really noticable kicks in the video. Don't mind the dramatic Tom & Jerry music playing in the background.
My friend Katie wanted to see a belly picture of me...well this is as close as it comes right now. I'll have to see if Noah can get a good profile shot of me.

My friend Kiara, 3rd of July

Noah has recently become really good friends with Kiara. One day they were over and Noah drew his first self portrait on the magnadoodle. Kiara drew craziness.

Noah's favorite shirt. He would wear it everyday if I would let him...

Kiara's Drawing

Noah's Protrait

On the 3rd of July, we celebrated the 4th.

We first watched the parade with Pam and Dave, ten Hoeve's and Deb, Deb, Dennis and crew. Pam also has pictures of this, so I will try to get them loaded on here one day...

We also went to a Jersey farm Grand Opening with P&D and had a wonderful lunch.
Noah rode in the tractor for a few rows of bailing hay. That evening we watched the fireworks with Kiara and had a wonderful time hanging out with friends.

Preschool, VBS, playing in the rain!

Well many other things have happened since I last posted or maybe even the post before that. So, I am going to put the highlights in and if you want more details call me :)

VBS at Open Bible

Playing in the rain...

keeping dry under the umbrella...Thanks to Katie for previously posting about her and Isaac playing in the rain!

Slip-n-slide with Daddy the day before our last day of preschool. It needed to be tested ;)

Last day of Preschool. Noah, Lindee and Wesley. Unfortunatly, Madyson was unable to be there!

The other day...

Well, Noah and I have been adjusting to life around here without Matt. For those of you who haven't heard an update from us recently, Matt took a job in the radiology department at the University of Florida. He has been in FL for a week and a half now. For now it still seems like Matt is working nights and we just haven't seen much of him. Noah definitely misses his daddy and often gets teary-eyed when telling Matt goodbye on the phone. God blessed my little boy with a spirit of compassion and he is easily moved to tears. He will definitely make a great husband and father someday because he is so in tune with peoples needs and emotions.

Our house is still on the market and we are waiting on God's timing. Sometimes we really wish things would hurry up, but know there is a reason and when it happens, it will be perfect. Since the house is on the market, we are definitely trying to keep the lawn up to make sure everything looks nice...Matt's grandfather came over and mowed for me the other day. What a blessing to have done! Thanks Grampa Neil!


Another part of the story, which needs some background information for those of you who have never lived in Waverly. Our garbage goes out once a week on Monday. Every time you put garbage out, you have to attach a sticker which you can buy at the grocery or convenient store for $1.25. We are big recyclers, so our trash can only gets full about once every 3-4 weeks at which time we pay the extra $1.25 (we already have a monthly trash bill) to put out the can. Not such a good idea in the summer evidently...The other morning, Noah went out in the garage to get food for Sandy. After putting her food cup away he came back in and exclaimed, "Mom, there are slugs all over the trash can!" As soon as he said it, I knew that they were not slugs, but maggots. YUCK!!! So, even though my can was not full, the garbage went out this Tuesday (because of the holiday). When Grampa Neil came over to mow, Gramma Mavis came too! Noah really wanted to help clean out the incredibly nasty trash can with Gramma. So after his nap, Gramma and Noah cleaned out the stench and the worms. I have decided that Mavis must love me because anyone who didn't, DEFINITELY WOULD NOT have done what she did. Thanks Gramma Mavis! Needless to say, I will be putting the trash out on a weekly basis now. No more maggots for this mama.

The day Neil and Mavis were over, we had a scheduled showing. Once all the chores were done, Neil treated us all to Dairy Queen. Noah had a red, white and blue star. Neil had a peanut buster parfait and Mavis and I split a banana split. The buy one, get one coupon I had was definitely a good one. After we finished our ice cream, Noah made a new friend...


Noah's blue lips, proof of his ice cream treat!

I thought the butterfly was dying at first, but after it hung around so long and could actually fly better each time it tried to fly, we decided that it must have just hatched from its cocoon. What a neat experience to have such a beautiful creature hang around for such a long time. Noah even shared his butterfly experience with 6 other kids at Dairy Queen. He is such a good sharer: a skill that should come in handy with his new big brother roll to come.

Noah's birthday!

I am finally getting around to putting pictures and video up from Noah's party. We had originally planned to have his party outside, but the weather was pretty cold so we moved it into the garage. He had a great time and has enjoyed the presents he was given. Chalk and bubbles were a favorite which was helpful to a mommy who is trying to keep our "things" to a minimum. They are consumable, I love that right now :)

The one thing he asked for at his party was that his friends sing "Happy Birthday."




Many of our family members along with Matt and I went together to get Noah a John Deere Gator. He was so excited. Pam has a video that I would like to post on here, but need to be at her computer to do it!

Noah is 4!

Well, Mother's day is coming to a close and I am just thinking about the little boy who makes me a mommy!

Noah,

You brought a new adventure into my life about 4 years ago. I did not know what this adventure would look like and I was a little aprehensive about it. Now, just four years into our adventure, I wonder what else will become of our relationship as mother and son. You are so loving, caring and sensitive, something that I believe God has blessed you with and will be a blessing to others in your years to come. I am so excited to know that you will be a big brother in a little while and how much you already seem to care for your sibling. Your tenderness is something that most little guys never know and I am so blessed that you are made exactly as you are. Sometimes mommy looses her patience and doesn't speak kind words, but you are quick to forgive me when I stumble. You are so polite and respectful and I look forward to spending more time getting to know the man you will grow up to be.

Love,

Mommy

We had Noah's pictures taken for his 4th birthday. Tell me which is your favorite!
1.
Noah peeking through a loop-backed chair

2.
The first picture of this kind that truly caught the essence of Noah.

3.
Can I have a hug?



4.
Cheese :)

5.

My little boy is getting big!

It's a......

smile!?!

Baby! We've decided to wait until the little Bolin enters the world to find out whether we are having a boy or girl. Here are the pics from our appointment of the very healthy baby. If you ask Noah if he is having a brother or sister, he will inform you that it is a sister. Ashley refered to the baby as him and Noah promptly corrected that the baby is a her. Enjoy the pics and for those of you that wanted to know we will repost with the sex of the baby in about 20 weeks.

Ultrasound decisions

So, Matt and I are again on opposite sides of the debate when it comes to whether or not to find out what we are having...only this time he wants to and I do not- ha! So we go on Wednesday for the ultrasound and have not totally made the decision whether or not to find out. We are planning on having the Ultrasound Tech write down what it is on a card and seal it. Matt and I are going to open the envelope...we just haven't decided the timing. I think it would be fun to wait this time...however I am not petrified by the thought of having another boy. I now know how to be the mommy to a little boy. Noah says he is going to have a sister because he is a brother. But when I ask him, "what happens if mommy has another boy?" His respose is, "well then you will have two boys," which I think is so funny! I think it would be fun for Matt to be able to call and make the announcement, "It's a _____" but we can do that at anytime... so I guess in the next few hours the decision will be made...

A new tax write off is coming...

With the season of taxes upon us, we went to have ours prepared ...found out that we owe the state of Iowa almost $1000! In case you haven't heard, Matt and I are preparing for a move back to Florida where we will not be paying the 7.9% state income tax any longer. Florida does not have any state income tax and even sales tax rates are similar. We are waiting to hear back on Matt's interview and are excited to be starting a new chapter in life. We have been really busy getting the house ready to be on the market. Our realtor came today and took some pictures. My friends Melissa and Sue have been so much help. They have spent many hours with me helping me get ready...or should I say me helping them. It has been really nice to have someone to tell me what to do. Seems so hard when it is your stuff to know what to pack and what to leave out for now. What a blessing it is to have people who support you in your decisions wholly and are there with you even when they don't want you to leave. Melissa cried when I told her I was leaving, but has spent many hours here helping me get the house ready for prospective buyers. Friends like that are hard to come by!

Here are a few pictures of our house similar to the ones that will be on the website later from our realtor

Living Room

dining

Kitchen

Downstairs bathroom Matt and his grampa finished! Looks amazing!!!!

And, Matt and I are going to have another tax write off, in the form a child!

Due Sept 4th, ultrasound April 14th.