Nate's Blessing Day

Like their matching outfits? Different shades of yellow, but we thought they looked like a match.
We were going to bless Nate on the October fast Sunday, but decided to do it when we had some family here. We were so happy to have Shannon and Lindsay with us today. We missed the rest of our families and wished everyone could be here. Nate was in a great mood before and after the blessing. He just looked so happy and content. One of the highlights was his adorable sneeze in the middle of the blessing. Dave gave him a beautiful blessing. I think we had all had a grateful heart today. Oops- I forgot to rotate the picture before putting it on. You'll have to turn your head.

Dave and Nate getting ready for a nap out on the porch swing this afternoon.
Nate is saying thanks to Grandma Shelly for getting this special blanket for him. It was perfect!

We all melt when Nate smiles - and they have been coming a little more frequently. We love it!

Nate's 5 Weeks...and growing up too fast!

We love our little Nate! In the past few days he has started smiling at us for real - when he is wide awake and looking at us. We haven't captured one of those on film yet. He has started being more alert and we love every minute of it. He is enjoying using his hands more and grabs whatever he can. He has discovered my hair and Sadie's too. And when he grabs it, he doesn't want to let go! We think he weighs about 9 1/2 pounds (Dave stood on the scale with him). It's still a dream to have a baby around. I don't think any of us have gotten use to it yet.

Smooth moves

Smooth Move #1:
It was Dave's birthday and Sadie, Nate and I were going to meet Dave for lunch. Nate was on our bed, and Sadie was entertaining him (which usually means holding his hand and singing to him). I was 2 feet away in the bathroom getting ready. I couldn't see them, but I was right there. As usual, Sadie was talking to me a mile a minute. I wasn't a very good mom as I said "uh huh" without really hearing what she said. Next thing I hear her say "Mom, I taught Nate how to do a somersault!!!" I did another "uh huh" and then it hit me what she said. I ran to the bed and sure enough, Nate was in a completely different position that proved he surely had done a somersault. Sadie had asked me if she could teach him, and I gave her the go-ahead. What a dummy I was! Nate didn't seem to mind it too much. I guess that taught me a good lesson that I need to listen better.



Smooth move #2:
Dave was planning to grill chicken for dinner on Sunday afternoon. He ended up home teaching for a while in the afternoon, came home to Nate, Sadie and I asleep and Ash drawing. It sounded like too much effort to put a whole dinner together so we opted to do something quicker. The chicken was already thawed so later in the evening Dave decided to grill the chicken anyway so we could use it for another meal or freeze it.

Fast forward to the next morning.
Dave left for school around 6 a.m. and wondered why one of our neighbors was grilling something so early in the morning.
While standing at the sink, I looked out to the screened porch and saw the chicken dish sitting by the grill. I figured Dave must have heated the grill and forgot to ever put the chicken on. I went out there to find the grill still on and some chicken jerky.

Not sure what we have to blame...maybe being a little tired these days.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

I asked the kids what they liked best about Daddy. Here's what they said...




I like when Daddy holds me, sings to me, dances with me, and changes my

explosive diapers at church - even when my mess got all over my outfits, socks, blanket...everywhere! I love my daddy!

He takes us on special dates where we get to do something just with Daddy.

He does our hair. Our favorite is when he does piggy ponies.

He takes us to the lake and helps us try to catch fish.

He lets us camp in our backyard and builds fires for smore's.

He takes us to the zoo and teaches us about animals.

He helps us save animals like squirrels and bunnies who can't find their mommy.

He helps us search for salamanders and other strange creatures in the water when we're camping.

He lets us hold alligators and even wants to buy one for a pet (too bad mommy won't let us get one).

He sings to us and sometimes we fall asleep while he's playing the guitar. He even makes up a tune to one of our favorite stories and turns it into a song. He said someday he'll teach us to play the guitar.

A few more things they said...

(Sadie)He tickles me

He lets me step on his tummy

He plays Candyland with me

I like to visit him at his school

I love him

He gives us "special drink" when mommy is gone

(Ashlyn) He takes us on walks

He plays hide and go seek with us

He takes us to ponds to find frogs and turtles

He tells us the best make-up stories at bed time

He reads Narnia to us

Happy Birthday Dave! I love you so much! My list of what I like about you is too long...I won't bore our blogger friends.

Dancing, guitar and soccer

I couldn't resist putting this picture on. I found Dave and Nate dancing by themselves to some music and I thought it was too cute!

If it looks like Nate is mesmerized, he sure was. He loved being on Dave's lap while Dave was playing the guitar. He's teaching Nate early.

Sadie, Nate and I had so much fun playing soccer this morning. Sadie loves having this open space to dribble as fast as she can. We also took turn being goalie and scoring on each other. Nate came for a ride in the sling - I think he had fun too. After we played, we all sat inside the goal to have a snack (Sadie's idea).

Phinizy Swamp

How many times are you going to kiss me, Mom????

Dad, what are you doing to me?

Cutie!!!!!

Trying out our sling. A friend here taught me how to make this sling and I love using it. Nate loves it too. The cool thing is how many different positions you can have the baby in depending on if they are sleeping or wanting to peek out.

Phinizy Swamp usually has alligators although we couldn't find any today. We did see a cottonmouth (venomous) snake in the water, lots of huge grasshoppers, crawdads, dragonflies, turtles and frogs. All were in their element (minus me).