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).

You made my day, Dave!

I'm getting you back, Dave. Here's a story that will embarrass Dave but since I needed to get him back, I'll gladly tell it.

Tuesday nights are Dave's late study nights at school. When we were going to bed that night he asked what time I had to be up in the morning. He was shocked at how early it was, and he asked why. I told him that I didn't get the clean dishes unloaded until 8:00 that night and the breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes put away even later. I had a busy next day and wanted to get a few things done before everyone woke up (like unloading the dishwasher). So the next morning when I went to unload the dishes bright and early, I found them all unloaded for me. I instantly started to cry! Dave was up long before the sun and found time to unload the dishes for me.

It might have seemed little to you, but it made my whole day!Thanks Dave! I love you!

Nate pictures

Nate's so happy because he's wrapped up in his big sister's blanket. This blanket was a gift for Brie from an old student who didn't know we were having a girl...so they stayed safe with green. I'm so glad I saved it because now Nate can use it.

It's too bright in here!

At his 2 week appointment Nate had gained a pound since he left the hospital. He's now 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches long. We're still waiting for that cord to fall off.

Nate was so content in this position snuggling with Daddy.

Nate is sunning in the window to help with the jaundice. He's doing much better with that.

We try to tell him not to poke his eyeballs, but he doesn't seem to listen to us.

Kisses from Mama!

The papers in the background are Dave's notes while he's reading his perio literature. Nate's helping him study. Either that or Dave is already brainwashing him to want to be a periodontist someday...