Nolan turns 12

Twelve years ago I was laying in a hospital room begging for a C-section after 32 hours of labor when the doctor finally decided Nolan wouldn't arrive on his own. He was born via C-section at 9:55 p.m. and weighed 8# 12.3 oz.

Earlier tonight I took him out for his favorite: chicken wings and a Panookie at the Fifth Alarm. Panookie is a chocolate chip cookie that is cooked in its own pan and then topped with vanilla ice cream. It is very rich and very good! Afterward, he talked to Brian for a bit via instant messenger and then went off to read the new book I bought him for his present. I already had given Nolan a ZenMicro, which is an iPod knock-off....he has been using that thing constantly. The trouble with kids getting older is that the presents become smaller yet more expensive!

Overall, Nolan has been the most pleasant son anyone could want. (Although I am sure my mother-in-law says that about Brian also!) One of the things I love most about him is that he is kind and compassionate, which is rare in kids his age, and that he has an empathy toward people and animals that is wise beyond his years. We were blessed the day he came in to our lives with a gift more profound than I ever could have imagined.