Three years and almost one!

Nicole and I just celebrated our third anniversary February 25. We spent the weekend in Charleston with Tina and Parker. It was wonderful! Ate great food all weekend. Our anniversary dinner at SNOB was definitely the highlight. That was our first night out alone in a LONG time and the dinner was one of the best either of us have ever had.

Right now, we are watching the third snow of the year. Nolan is going to have fun in this tomorrow! Nicole and I both love the snow and judging from the smile on his face in the earlier snows, Nolan will be no different. We can't wait until we can take him skiing! Actually, we can wait. It seems that he is growing up way too fast. He turns one year old this month! You are always thinking that the next phase is so far away and before you know, it's gone.

Nolan is getting around with no problem these days. We think he'll be walking before long. He is always talking. Hi and dogs are the two words he loves the most. (Mama and Dada get sprinkled in too) Nolan loves balls. Big balls, little balls, footballs, baseballs...basically any balls. He wakes up and says dogs and then puts his hands together, his symbol for ball. He has picked up some habits from his dogs too. A lot of the time he just carries the balls around in his teeth!! The dogs and Nolan keep each other, and us, entertained.

The last three years have been the best of our lives and with this amazing boy we have, we know it has only just begun!!

Love to all!

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas to all! We are very excited about Nolan's first Christmas. There is no better gift than the miracle of a child and we are cherishing the moment. Nolan is doing great!! He is almost nine months old yet we feel like he has been a part of our family forever. It is amazing how he has grown. Not a day goes by when we don't thank God for giving us such a wonderful boy to love and spend our days with.

We wish you and yours the best through this Holiday season. May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace!

6 months!?!?!?

Nolan is six months old today. The best half a year of our lives. Even with the strain of losing a job (back to work now) we are still having the time of our lives. Life throws a curve ball sometimes that makes you appreciate the little things God has given. Faith, hope and love are three gifts that will pull you through anything. Love is the greatest gift and with the family and friends we are blessed with, love is easy to find!!! Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. One quick personal note, I want everyone to know that I have the best wife in the whole world. She keeps me strong. Thank you Nicole. Love to all!!!

Beach Filled Summer

Summer is winding down and what a great summer it's been!! We just returned from our third beach trip!! Suffice it to say that Nolan has a good jump start towards becoming a BEACH BUM!! By the time we were finished, he was swimming in the pool (with help of course). He just turned five months old three days ago and he has already brought us a lifetime worth of joy! We hope everyone has enjoyed their summer as much as we have and we hope to see you soon!!

3 months already?!?!

wow, we have done a terrible job of keeping this updated!! you hear it all the time before you have kids because it is so true...time flies!! Nolan is doing wonderful. it is crazy to think he is already three months old...honestly can't remember what it was like without him. we couldn't be blessed with a better baby. let's see, where have we been the last three months? we went to the beach with Step, Kev, Will, Micki, Jonathan, Jessica and ALL SEVEN KIDS! it was an amazing vacation. we thouroughly enjoyed the time spent with everyone! FISH ON!!!! there is a slideshow to the right. Nicole is back to work now and I started a new job within Belk a few weeks ago. it is a beautiful thing to see your baby boy smile at you after a long day at work. his Mimi and Namaw take great care of him on those days both of us are at work. Nolan has been smiling and has even started laughing a little!! (also crying some but we don't like to bring that up!) he has been sleeping GREAT and in turn, so have we. I forgot what it felt like to sleep all night and have your alarm wake you up...feels good! we'll do a better job posting updates going forward so check back soon!! Love to all!!

Our Little Miracle

God blessed us with the arrival of Nolan Lucas Hammond on March 20, 2008 at 3:46 PM. He weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz and was 20 inches long. The experience was more powerful and profound than we could have ever imagined. Nolan is more beautiful than we ever dreamed possible. Nicole was absolutely amazing through labor and beyond. The birth of a child is truly a miracle!

There were some difficulties in the beginning that tested us. What we took from those difficulties are not bad memories or questions why but invaluable lessons on the importance of every moment we have with each other. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, cherish the moment for it can be taken away from you without warning.

Assisted by an outpouring of love and prayers from a lot of people and the best care imaginable, Nolan fought through the early scares and proved to us what we already knew, he is a our little miracle! Thank you to everyone for your prayers and we look forward to cherished moments for a long, long time. We love you all!

Baby Shower - Feb 17, 2008

Thanks to Emily and Jessica for hosting a wonderful shower and thank you to everyone else for coming. It was a special time!