Three

Tonight I tucked in my sweet 2 year old son for the last time. Tomorrow he will be 3.  My second born, my baby for a while.  For the first time ever, he asked me to lay beside him as he went to sleep tonight.  I had a million other things on my mind and dirty dishes from supper calling my name.  I took him up on his offer and my heart was blessed indeed.  I laid there and thought about how my first born wanted me to lay beside her every night, I had to often tell her no because I knew it would just prolong her going to sleep.  It's sad really that your first child gets way more attention than the second.  It's true. No longer is it just one on one, now I am outnumbered and have to find a way to give more of myself. Now add #3 and it's just a circus.

Nathan is my sweet loving little boy. Full of life and curiosity.  Looking for the next opportunity to do something he's not supposed to.  In one minute he can destroy a room and melt my heart.  Time flies by so fast and just the thought of any of my children growing up breaks me into pieces.  Nevertheless, I love celebrating the day of their birth each year.  Here's to another year full of life with you, Nathan.

Dearest sweet boy,
I almost cannot even think about your sweet face without tearing up.  I prayed for a son and here you are.  There is nothing in this world that can express how much I love you.  From the time you could move around you were into everything and much hasn't changed.  At times you make me want to pull my hair out but then you smile so sweetly at me and run up to me for a hug and I cave. Every time. Some of my favorite moments with you are when you are ready for nap or bed and you want to curl up with me in the recliner.  I know it's hopeless but it is nice to think that you will never be too big for mommy's lap!  You love to pester your sister and I am sure you will have a blast teasing Annalise when she is old enough too.  You love everything about daddy. You want to be just like him and that's ok by me.  Nothing brings him joy more than seeing you imitate the things he does.  What a great daddy you have son.  Tomorrow morning we will begin a day of celebrating your 3rd birthday.  I am so thrilled to be your mommy and to share this day with you.  I pray that God will continue to capture your heart and grow you into the man he has designed you to be. A man of honor, character and a man who desires to be like Christ.  I love you sweet boy. Happy Birthday.

Love,
mommy

A Boy in The House

There's no denying that a little boy lives among us.  Nathan has made his mark in this family as the cutest, most mischievous little boy!  I do love him to pieces but raising him is going to be NOTHING like raising his sister.  Evidence:

Somewhere there is a Barbie who's going nowhere

Stealing toys from sis's backpack

Sneaking on top of great granma's table

My children are a joy, but also a handful. They have adjusted so well to our move and are starting to feel like this is their home.  I am another story, for another time :) 

Three.Six.Five

365 days ago I held my baby boy for the first time.  I never would have guessed how different it would be to love a son. There is no way to explain the heart to heart connection, it's all in the experience and nothing could compare.

My sweet Nathaniel,
You have captured my heart in a way that just can't be put into words.  Today you are one.  One silly little boy with one little crazy smile and one cute belly laugh that melts my insides.  You are so aware of how much you are loved by us all, but deep down I wonder if you really know how much I love you.  I can only hope that by my actions, I can show you love the way God teaches us so that one day you will love like that in return to the ones you love (including your wife...boo hoo!) 

Some of the things that I love right now is how you wrinkle your nose every time you laugh.  How you get so excited that you just open your mouth and scream until nothing is left!  How you jump up and down and squeal when I come into your room in the morning and anytime I pick you up from the church nursery.  A few nights ago you let me rock you to sleep in my arms.  You still love to be held and rocked and I will savor every moment of that.  You still aren't walking but I'm not worried.  You are a racing machine on all fours, I can barely keep up with you now.

You adore everything about your sister and you two are becoming such great friends.  I can't wait to see how this year will bring you closer together.

I love you son and pray that God will pursue you so that you may know Him and follow after Him in all that you do.  Happy Birthday Nathan Paul.  You had my heart before you were ever born.

11 Months

 

Sweet Nathan,

Man what a handful you have become!  You are into everything, everywhere, all the time and quicker than I can keep up with.  You are the stinker!  You love the fireplace, the media cabinet, under the sink cabinet, and your new favorite-the toilet!  You have enough toys to keep you busy all day but you would rather play with anything else.

You just got over ear infection #8 and you are scheduled for tubes in your ears on Tuesday.  Finally, maybe you will eat.  At 22 pounds, I don't think you are starving but lately you have been spitting out anything I feed you besides Puffs!  You sleep through the night most of the time but I think your ears just keep you from sleeping soundly.

We are still waiting for more teeth, you still only have 2 on the bottom and that is it.  You have been super fussy the past few weeks and I keep thinking that new teeth are coming in any day but still no sign.

You have been waving bye bye for quite a few months now.  You love to babble and say da- da for everything.  You definitely have an attitude when it comes to getting what you want, especially went it comes to your sister.  You want what she has no matter what it is and will let everyone know if you are not happy.

I love your sweet spirit-you are a lot like your sister in that way.  I love coming into your room in the morning and after nap time to see your smiling face greet me.  You giggle when you see me come in the room and squeal with happiness.  I still rock you when I can but you prefer daddy to do that.  No one can put you to sleep like he can.

You still are a little scared to walk.  You are ready physically but as soon as you realize you are standing alone, you sit down and crawl-very fast too!  I guess you realize you can get there quicker that way right now.

The ladies at BSF just adore you.  I didn't take you this week because it was so cold and you had just gotten over a cold.  The ladies were so sad!  You are just a joy to be around all the time.  I love you baby boy and cannot believe you will be 1 in just a few weeks!

What we've been up to

Silly Face Contest with Mommy

"Not really sure how that snowball got in your face."

Chillin' (literally)

Frosty, Sarabeth was very concerned that we did not have a corn cob pipe for him

The past few weeks have certainly been an adjustment for our family.  I am just now realizing how different life is going to be from now on.  We have been enjoying the snow and Matt being home with us.  He goes for his 2nd interview on Tuesday in Little Rock and we are all hopeful he gets the job and can start soon.

The kids are having a blast, although Sarabeth asks about her friends and her "house" frequently.  I know it is just a matter of time before she makes this her home.  I am trying to help with that but I know I must make that choice for our family before she is going to buy into it.

Life has defintely taken on a slower speed for us.  We spend a lot of time at home, especially since the snow last week.  Matt's mom took me and the kids into town yesterday to Lewisville which is about 20 minutes away.  She showed us around the town square and then took us to meet her friends at Cafe 29-the only place to eat in town.  There was only 1 thing on the menu-that's whats for lunch!  It was kind of like going to someones house to eat!  The place was full of regulars, the EMS team, local police from three surrounding towns, hunters, and the old ladies who about squeezed Nathan's cheeks off!

I am missing my friends the most and the luxury of being able to hop in the car and go "play" when we get cabin fever.  One of the adjustments has been to be creative in finding ways to pass the time.  Sarabeth and I have done lots of puzzles, read books, made a tent for her and Nathan, play-do time and we even started a little craft time each morning with a Bible lesson.

We are hoping to go to church on Sunday.  Last week was too icy so we just watched it on TV instead.  We are super excited about our friends coming to visit this weekend.  This was supposed to be Matt's annual duck hunting weekend but with little water in the swamp, I think it will just be a fun weekend to hang out with friends and eat!

I am looking forward to what God has in store for us this season but it isn't going to be easy.  My flesh is my biggest enemy and I know the only way I can adapt to this season and do it joyfully is to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit daily. I cannot do this alone.  My daily prayer is that God would search my heart and make me obviously aware of the things I need to purge and that I would be stripped of all the things that would make me dependent on anyone or anything but Him.  I want to live my life this year in a way where when I look back I would see a clear picture of God's perfect intervention and timing in all things.  I want to be faced with the opportunities to only have the option to rely on God, and nothing else. "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2. How awesome to do life with Him who made heaven and earth.

10 Months

Well my efforts to get a picture of you with your little bear each month have ceased!  With the holidays and moving, I can't seem to even remember what day it is.  Nevertheless, you are still almost 1!  This month we have enjoyed watching you cruise around the furniture and stand up on your own.  You really want to walk but you just aren't quite sure yet.  This was your first Christmas and we had a fun time watching you and your sister open gifts.  You wanted everything your sister opened and you were more interested in the wrapping paper than what was inside.

We have started the process of moving to Arkansas and you have adjusted well so far.  I was really sad to see your nursery go but you will have a fabulous big boy room soon enough!  You still only have 2 little teeth on the bottom but I am sure more are coming as you have been extremely fussy the past few nights.  You are a good eater and prefer baby food to formula any day.  You still love your paci and sometimes you have one in your mouth and one in each hand.

We said goodbye to your MDO teachers this month, Ms. Faye and Ms. Suzie.  We all had a good cry and they are going to miss you as much as we miss them!  You are such a good baby for them and all the ladies at the nursery.  I know they were sad to see you go too.  You are a loved baby!  I can't stand that you are growing so fast but I am enjoying each moment with you.

Love you much,
Mommy

9 Months

This month has been all about teething and being sick.  Whoa, what a month!  You just finished round 3 of antibiotics for a list of infections including 3 ear infections in the last 2 months.  Next step, tubes-just like sister had.  You have not been sleeping for anything!  I finally saw your first tooth coming in last night-finally!

You are incredibly active, climbing and crawling on and in everything.  You are learning to stand on your own.  You are so proud of yourself once you realize what you are doing.  You are sooo happy all the time.  You love to be tickled and daddy knows right where to get you!  You still adore your sister and watch her every move.  She is so sweet to you most of the time:)

I love the way you light up a room.  You are far from quiet, so everyone knows where you are at all times!

You love to rock, which I am grateful for. When you are super tired, you will let me rock you right to sleep.  Getting you dressed is still a task we are perfecting!  You can't be still for a second and it drives me crazy!

You've had some special time with daddy this month watching football and playing.  He loves the fact that when he holds you, you sit still and chill.  What's up with that buddy?

Sister gave you your first french fry this month, and of course you loved it.  Other than that, you still only eat baby food and Puffs which you could eat a whole can of if I let you!

I am really enjoying the holidays with a little one again.  Something about a baby and Christmas just seems right ;)  You love our Christmas tree a little too much so we've had to really watch you.  Thanksgiving was lots of fun with all the family at the farm.  We also had a chance to visit with Mimi and Granpa and Paw Paw.  You had a fun time with your cousins and enjoyed being outside in the leaves!

I do love everyday with you Nathan.  You are such a well adjusted child and love people.  You make waking up in the mornings such a joy.  I love you much.

Mommy

8 Months

It has been tough to keep up with this but I only have a few months left until my little man turns one so why stop now?

Little Nathan,

Daddy's babies

Just a few weeks ago, we left you and sister with Aunt Phyl and Aunt Peggy while mommy and daddy went on a beautiful (much needed) vacation to Wyoming.  I was super nervous but you did great while we were gone.  Only one trip to the doctor :(  Looks like you had a double ear infection and needed lots of TLC from mommy when we got home.

You are surely getting more mobile if that is possible.  I put you down and turn around and you are no where in sight!  You eat about 2 jars of food each meal and still drink 4-5 bottles a day.

Making new friends with Lexa

You still wear 6-9 months but I can see you are about to need 9-12 any day now.  You love to play and love your MDO teachers, Ms. Faye and Ms. Suzie.  I love watching you grow and learn new things. You are so smart. It's so fun to watch you figure out how toys work.  You've had a few falls recently. The start of many, I am sure.

Getting Daddy's food

You have the craziest hair so I just go with it.

I love that you still let me rock and sing to you when you are sleepy.

Your sister is still you best friend, but I am not sure she knows that.

Did not want to cooperate for pictures this time

I looking forward to the holidays with you and watching you with all your cousins.  I love you little man, like nothing else! 

7 months-almost 8!

Little boy,

You are growing into such a big boy. You have been crawling and climbing on EVERYTHING! We finally put up your baby gate this week, whew!  Lots of changes came this month. You are standing up on anything you can grab a hold of. No teeth yet but you are a little drool monster.  Some of the things you love:

your sister
Daddy's tickles
balls
climbing on anything
your backyard swing
mommy to sing
FOOD

Things you don't love:

the carseat or the stroller
diaper changes or clothes changes (this is a nightmare!)

You still have tummy issues and have extremely bad eczema but we just finally got you some medicine.  You and sister both have a sinus infection and you have your first ear infection this week.  The doctors still think you have some sort of food allergy so they took more blood this week to check.

Here are a few pictures from this month:

Sweet, sweet Nathan I love you so!