One

My sweet, sweet baby boy....

It's March 24th ~ Happy Birthday! 
Today, we are so blessed to be able to celebrate a whole year of YOU!  What an honor.

Everett, there are no words to describe the ways my heart has grown since we learned of you back in the summer of 2010.  You are my fourth 'quarter' baby, my youngest, my cuddle bug, my mama's boy.  You are a pure delight, and you have definitely lived up to being worth the wait. 

There are so many ways I want to remember today, to capture these feelings I have, and engrave them in my memory.  To remember you now.

Here are a few:

-It's my baby's first birthday!  (and I'm NOT pregnant!  This is a FIRST for this Mama)
-At this time last year....I was doing_____....oh, am I the Queen of Nostalgia!
-I want to keep you this size forever!
-Your sweet, chubby hands
-Your dimples
-Your Baby Blues with The Longest Lashes Ever
-Your belly laugh -- best with big brothers, next to tickling your collarbones
-Your love of being worn - in the Boba and the Gemini
-Your love of graham crackers and french fries
-Your dislike of bananas (seriously?)
-the way you nurse so willingly still, 3 times a day
-the fact that you sleep in a pack 'n play, in the basement (don't judge)
-the way you scooch over to something, get up to your knees and stick your butt straight into the air with your hands flat on the floor (yoga, much?)
-your army crawl: one-armed (left), with your right hand holding an object, or straight up in the air
-the way you give "fives" and giggle afterward
-Your love for the pacifier -- sleeping with one in your mouth, and one in each hand (reminds me of Nate!)
-your SIZE!  You wear size 12-18 months, some 18+ month clothes, you're simply huge :)  You are approximately 23 lbs. 
-how you take one nap a day.  and it's a struggle to get there sometimes, and you're often SO tired.  and you could probably sleep 3+ hours at the nap, if our schedule allowed...but school pick-ups often get in the way.  grrr...
-the way you LOVE your blanket - it is with you, and when you are so tired, you look for it, reach for it, and cuddle up with it.  Melts my heart!
-You are SUPER YUMMY!
-"E-V-E, it's as easy as....1...2.....3"
-"Avocado...."
-the way you wave hiiiiiiiii
-when your Daddy comes home and you say, "Hiiiii, Daaaa!"
-the way you pull up to standing at the bay window, and start pulling the cars off of it that Nate has so carefully lined up.  Nate is not a big fan of your antics, and often yells at you, "Bayyyybeeee, noooooo!"
-the way you put/carry everything in your mouth as you crawl from place to place
-the way you cuddle up on my shoulder if it's been a few hours since you've seen me.  you sometimes will pat my shoulder, sometimes will sigh, and always will hang out there for a few minutes or more
-the way you love a bat and a ball
-how you like to say "Deeeeee!"  - not sure what you're referring to, but it's cute because you are so passionate about it!

Oh Everett, I know there is so much fun and love ahead of us, but I wish there was a way that I could bottle up time.  I love this age!  It is so neat to be able to watch you learn, grow, and discover. 
I am blessed to be able to hug and kiss you (nearly) whenever I want and be with you for all of your firsts.  It doesn't necessarily make me sad for what I missed with your big brothers, just happy that I get to experience them this time with you. 
I am so grateful for this day.  It is the day you came to us, and that I became your Mama!

Happy Birthday, baby boy!

41.2

He's officially been here with us as long on the outside as he was on the in.

Happy 9 months, Everett Joshua! 

Happy Half...

...dearest Everett. 

Every moment of the day it is an honor to be your Mama,

my sweet, smiley, happy boy! 

You are much, much more than I deserve....

3 months

Everett, at 3 months you are:

-wearing size 2 diapers (but only at night, as you are cloth diapered during the day)
-wearing size 6 month clothing (some 3/6 mo, some 6/9, depends on brand)
-smiling, cooing, laughing
-ticklish - especially your collarbones!
-eating every 2-3 hours during the day, about 4-5 at night
-nap 3-5 times a day, and you have set your own schedule
-going to bed for the night by 8 PM, but definitely not STTN - you wake every 3-4 hours still.  Yawn.  But...you can mostly put yourself to sleep.  That counts for something, right?  even if it's in my bed?  :)
-rolling to your sides
-kicking like crazy
-holding things in your hands
-blowing unformed bubbles (not formal "raspberries", but it sure seems like it!)
-almost holding your head up
-loving, loving, LOVING your big brothers!

I can't believe it's only been 3 months with you here with us, Everett.  And yet, I can't believe it's already been 3 months with you here too!  Time is escaping me, and I am trying to memorize every moment of your infancy, but it is moving at lightening speed!  I want to remember your baby faux-hawk, the rolls on your forearms, the dimples in your hands and elbows.  I want to remember your gummy toothless grins, the sweet way you snuggle in my arms back to sleep at night. 
I love you Everett, and though I'm exhausted and busier than I ever imagined, I would not change a thing.  You are such a blessing to my life, and I thank God for every moment you are here with me, and that I get to be your Mama!

38.5 weeks

I am finally feeling heatlhy enough for labor - I got a Zpak and an inhaler, and I am about 90% recovered from the upper respitory junk at this point, hallelujah!  My primary care doc thought my right lung sounded a bit "junky" and wasn't clearing when I coughed (probably due to there not being an incredible amount of space in there currently).

I have definitely felt a lot more contractions this week, mostly in the evenings, but sometimes throughout the day too.  The baby is definitely lower, so maybe I've "dropped"?  Never noticed that with the boys, and can't say that I can this time either.  I think I've started to lose my mucous plug over the last 2 days too (also something I never noticed with the other three).  Dr. L is right ~ I'm definitely more in tune to things, and how we're progressing toward delivery.

I had a 38 week appt with Dr. T this week (one of Dr. L's several partners) and she thought I am around 1 cm and 30% effaced.  I'm not worried nor am I surprised ~ 'I'm usually a 40-weeker' is my mantra to myself and to others.  But Tim and I both feel that this baby will come a bit early.....of course I'm writing that down, and I'll probably laugh at my words later :)

My bag is packed, minus a few last minute things - but my list is made for those.  I have a few small gifts to wrap for the boys, and I will pack a bag for them as well.  I also would love to clean out the van, rearrange seats, and add the baby's in there, but if that project doesn't happen prior to the birth, I'm okay with that. 

:::
Every day the boys wake up saying, "We have to go to the hospital to pick up the new baby!".  Jacob asks "what number are we on?", meaning what date is it ~ so that he can organize how close we are to the baby/Spring/going up north with his grandparents/going to Chicago with my mom on the train.  I love to see how his brain works!

:::

Nate turned 18 months this week ~ and he is SO much fun and yet SO ornery at the same time!  His favorite words are "Papa" and "NO" currently.  He is talking in concepts and short sentences ('There's a car' and 'where'd Daddy go?') and can follow directions fairly well.  He is sooooo very busy.  His newest experience has been to pull chairs over to places - countertops, kitchen tables, light switches, things hanging on the walls, etc and climb or see how the items work, turn the water on in the sink....you name it, the kid is doing it!  He is into everything.....no wonder he sleeps 15 hours a day!  (12 at night, 1in the morning, 2 in the afternoon).
He loves to eat, but doesn't care to sit in his high chair much.  We call him "no butt" because he is so skinny, his pants fall off of him!  He loves to run after his brothers, and one of his favorite hobbies is throwing everything.  He calls my belly a "bah-boo" (combination of belly button and baby, I think?) and will lift everyone's shirt to look at their bah-boos too....
He is still very much a Mama's boy, though he loves when his Daddy comes through the door from work!  He LOVES his Papas to pieces and will screech their names for hours when we are at their houses, or if we are in church (my dad is a pastor and sits in the front on Sundays....very convenient for Nate, who is always looking for him, but not so much for those of us who are trying to worship/hear/pay attention/not laugh during service!)
I am excited to see him as a big brother.  I know he will do great, and I am praying that the transition for him is an easy one ~ that he will know his parents still love him, that he will not feel 'replaced' or that we don't pay enough attention to him.  In fact, this is my prayer for all of my boys in the upcoming days/weeks/months/years to come....

:::

We had a "dance party" at church yesterday, and one of the memories I want to tuck away is dancing with each of my boys. 
Wyatt and I slow danced ~ and all I could think of was how I will do that with him again some day at his wedding reception.  My sweet three year old boy, in my arms, twirling around to 'Lady in Red'....with his little diapered bum, and sweet soft skin, long eyelashes, and belly laugh as we spun around and around....oh my heart! 

I love my family.  (even when it doesn't always seem so), I am thankful, every single day.

Muppet Baby, No More - Nate Style

Nathaniel got his first tooth today!  Finally, at age 13 months exactly, Nate's lower right tooth has finally broken the surface.  He is definitely the latest of all three of my guys to get his teeth (Jacob was 9 months, Wyatt was 8).

No longer "Saw Gums" (the kid was seriously able to eat steak, and chop Chee.rios in half, among a long list of other foods - with no teeth) - my baby is growing up! 

Other fun things he is doing:
-Plays "Where's Nate?" and he pops out from behind his hands.  His version of Peek.a.boo.  
-Crawls over to me, saying "Mama, mama", hugs me, and goes back to the business of playing. 
-Can a ball overhand.  The kid has amazing hands, seriously.
-Pulls up and cruises along everything.
-Army Crawls as a means of his main transportation.  And he's fast.
-Says: uh-oh, dog, Dada, Mama, thank you, NO, ball, and some version of Jacob & Wyatt
-Has a predictable schedule
-Has "hobbit hair", Tim calls it.  Long-ish, straight, wispy, and golden blonde...
-Eats almost everything, and enjoys a combination of table foods and baby foods
-Wears size 12 and 12-18 mo clothes.  Wears a size 3 diaper

Happy Birthday!

Nathaniel Jude,

My darling sweet third-born son, you are a year old today.  I can hardly believe it!  Where has the time gone?  

You are my sweet, happy-go-lucky guy.  You have a (toothless, still!) smile that can melt a heart.  You have bright blue eyes and long eye lashes that you love to bat at the ladies.  You simply adore your brothers, and likewise they adore you!

You love to "talk" and have been saying: uh-oh, Da (for Daddy), DA-AH (dog), Dan (uncle), Da-doo (thank you) and general screams for happiness ~ food, your brothers, your dad, the dog, and any other familiar family member. 

You love to EAT - and you pretty much have no food that you dislike.  I can't even say that you have a favorite food, because you eat it all! 

You still nap twice daily, and sleep about 12 hours at night - 7 PM until 7 AM, sometimes a bit later on each end.  You do like to sleep, and we have been enjoying your schedule like this for the last 4-5 months or so.

You are my sweet "little" guy ~ the smallest of the three so far.  You weigh around 20 lbs (maybe a bit less), and wear size 3 diapers, and size 9-12 month clothes.  You are skinny ~ we credit it toward you having to keep up with your brothers - your army crawl has been perfected and you are quick!  You are starting to pull up, and cruise, and are starting to transfer from couch to table, or whatever object - if they are close enough together. 

You are my cuddle bug, and definitely a Mama's boy ~ you aren't happy unless you're in my arms.  I love that about you - I have very much enjoyed our relationship, and it seems to only be getting better with each passing day!  I have learned to do many things with just one hand and a baby on my hip.  I've also used my sling carrier with you ~ which has been so much fun to carry you around.  I've enjoyed our closeness over the last year.

365 days of Nate.  It seems like a lifetime, or just the blink of an eye.  You are my sunshine, breath of fresh air, and such a source of joy in my life.  I love you every moment of every day ~ and I am grateful for it all! 

Happy Birthday, sweet baby Nate.

celebrating today

Happy 9 month birthday, Nathaniel!

Today also marks my last day to say, "I have 3 boys, 3 and under"!

We've all survived. 

And, truth be told, I'm gonna miss it!

Nathaniel - 8 months

Happy 8th Month Birthday,  Littlest Man!

My happy guy

At 7.75 months (last week) - you started to crawl.  (Insert "Yikes" here!)

You love being outside, in the grass...

...or a swing.

Nathaniel, you are such a joy.  You are happy, sweet, loving, and a delight.  You fall more in love with your big brothers every day.  And I say that every month, every day, but it's so true!

You love banana, avocado, carrots, and peas.  Actually, there are no foods you don't really like...you just really love eating!

You wear size 3 diapers, are around 19 lbs (guess), and wear 6-9 or 12 month clothes. 

I love you so much!

Half a Year

I blinked, and 6 months have gone by.

8 lbs and 15 oz. have turned into 17 lbs and 7.5 oz.

Sleepy Baby has turned into sweet, smiling, laughing, screeching Baby.

We celebrated your first Halloween and Thanksgiving,

your first Fall with tons of smiles and laughter.

We celerbated the first time you rolled over on Wyatt's 2nd Birthday. 

We celebrated your first Christmas; our first as a family of FIVE!

In late January of 2010, you became a "traveling man" and learned to roll as a form of transportation. 

You haven't stopped moving since!

On January 31, 2010, you enjoyed your first bites of solid food - rice cereal.  You thought the taste was okay, but what you enjoyed the most was being able to "eat" dinner with us.  You are wanting to be just like your big brothers, and now. 

Nate, you are a happy, sweet, low-key, laid-back, bubbly boy. 

Your disposition is almost always sunny. 

I said almost always sunny! 

 But even when you cry or fuss, it's brief and it's for a valid reason (and it usually makes me laugh!).

(this is my favorite sleeper for you - it's trucks and planes, and fuzzy and zips - it was a Welcome to the World gift from Aunt Molly.  It's a 6 month size, and you are quickly outgrowing it!)

Nathaniel Jude, I am grateful every single day for the joy you've brought to my life and our family.  Thank you for being you, and thank you for allowing me to be your mother.  It is an honor to have this role.  You've blessed me in more ways that I can even count!  I love you today, and always.

At 6 months:

-You wear 6 or 6-9 month clothing

-You wear size 2-3 diapers

-You eat a meal or two of solids a day

-You have tried rice cereal, avocado, sweet potatoes, and butternut sqash

-Your favorite food is butternut squash so far, with avocado as a close runner up

-You do what we call "the right hand pat" - it seems that you are learning about your world through the quick motions of "pat, pat, pat, pat" in a rhythmic motion.  You do this while sitting in our laps, on our open hands, while you nurse, while you sit in your high chair, while you sit on someone's lap at the table, and while you're on your belly on the ground.  It's something I never want to forget, because it's so unique to you!

- We nurse and then cuddle in the evening.  After you eat, I hold you upright for a few minutes until you burp.  While holding you, you "hug" me, and run your fingers through my hair, and rub your face on my shoulder.  Sometimes you will lay your head on me.  It melts my heart, because for just that moment in time, it's just you and me together again.  It makes me think of the song, "You're Gonna Miss This", because yes, I will. 

-You had your first sick visit with the doctor 3/2/10 - you have a barking cough, and ran a 101 fever on and off during the day, along with a runny nose.  I knew it was a virus, but in order for me to sleep better, I took you in anyway.  I'm neurotic like that.  24 hours later, you still have a cough, but the fever is gone and you seem to be on the mend.  Your sunny disposition never changed, even when you felt your worst.  Because you're YOU! 

Happy Half of a Year, Baby Nate!