SO Big!

...That's the title of one of Nathan's favorite books. These days, it's also a pretty good description of our sweet guy. With just a little more than a month to go before his first birthday, I can hardly believe what a Big Boy he has become (here come the mommy tears):

Bird and Bookworm

I finally remembered to bring the camera along to Birds class today. It was hard to find a moment for pictures since we are constantly doing things together, but I managed to snap a few during exploration time:

Also, a few from home (he's getting so tall!):

Today

Part 1
Joy personified:

Part 2

I keep a bin of extra baby hangers underneath Nate's bed. I pulled it out this afternoon so that he could bang his drum sticks on it (he's recently discovered a love of drumming). I decided to grab the camera from another room to capture my little percussionist. When I returned, I found my little man sitting INSIDE the bin having a grand old time with all those hangers:

Froggie

This blog has seen its fair share of A&M onesies, bibs, and even a tiny jersey. Now, don't get me wrong, I love those Aggies a lot...but I think a little bit of TCU love is long overdue:


Thanks so much to Leslie, my wonderful college roomie and great friend, for the adorable shirt (It says, "Hold on Frogs...I'm coming!"). We had so much fun with you this weekend, Les!

Stinker

This is Nathan with the one thing in his room that he knows he's not supposed to be touching. The almost daily scenario: He'll be playing in his room like an angel when, suddenly, his humidifier catches his eye. A wave of sneakiness suddenly takes hold as he crawls toward it. The closer he gets, the faster he crawls, and he inevitably erupts into giggles as he reaches his target. Meanwhile, I have given him a stern, "NO!" as I race to catch up with him. I am beginning to worry that it tickles him so much to be naughty. Jason will tell you with pride that it's a trait he gets from his daddy.

Plus a few

I have been meaning to post these pics for the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Smith for quite a while (sorry Ryan and Cathy!). Jason's last post reminded me to finally do it. I just noticed that Nathan is wearing the same shirt in these pictures as he was when he came to visit you guys last weekend. What kind of mom am I? :)

Weekend Fun

This weekend we took the opportunity to celebrate our birthdays. Thanks to Carrie's parents we were able to have a date night, so we went to the movies and saw Valkyrie. We'd read some negative reviews but thought we would give it a chance. We both agreed that the reviews were all wrong. If you go into the movie knowing some of the history behind the events and the people the film is based on you really appreciate it. We then went to one of our favorite local places, The Classic Cafe. No, it isn't like the Waffle House (as I was asked this morning). It is this laid back restaurant that has an amazing wine list and incredible food. I tried two new things (for those who don't know that is my New Year's resolution, to try new things), Black Bean Hummus and Chicken Fried Rib-Eye. The hummus was AMAZING! After this post I will be Google-ing recipes for Black Bean Hummus. As for the steak, I know what you are thinking, how is that new, but have you ever had fried rib-eye? I have never heard such a thing, and as a self-proclaimed connoisseur of steak, frying rib-eye is almost sacrilege, but I gave it try. Wasn't the best, but probably because they served it as rib-eye is typically served, just a shade past mooing. Overall, the meal was great and the conversation was wonderful. With work, Carrie's business, and the little man we don't have as much time together as we would like, so to talk for hours was really great. If you ever want to be reminded what it was like to fall in love with the one you love, talk to her for hours. It all comes back to you.

As for Sunday, the little man and I went to Ryan's to hang out. It was great fun. Nate was all over the place, and Ryan has more blinking lights, and glowing boxes under his TV than Nate has ever seen. Nate and Cathy hung out, playing with the dodge ball and watching football (on quite possibly the biggest TV Nate or I have ever seen). Here are a few pictures of Sunday afternoon (thanks Ryan):

2 to the 7

Twenty Seven years ago today, the most special person in my life was born. I still remember the first birthday gift I gave her (I wonder if she still does). Nine birthdays later we celebrate her again, with a third member of the family to help eat the pie (not cake, if you know her you understand) it is an extra special birthday today. I read this a while ago, and today is a perfect day to share it with you:

How do I begin to tell you how honored I am

To have you in my life?

I'll start by saying it was a dream come true

The day you became my wife.

You're my best friend in the good times

And my rock in times of sorrow.

You're the reason for sweet yesterdays

And my promise for tomorrow.

I never thought I could feel this loved

Until you became my wife.

You made this year and each other year

The best of my life.

I will be thinking of you all day, and wishing I was there with you today to celebrate every minute with you today. Have very Happy Birthday Day. I love you.

Today was the kind of beautiful day that begged for a trip to the park. This is a rare occurrence in early January, so we couldn't let it pass us by. (Thanks to Great Aunt Char for the sweet hat!)

And many more...

Happy 27th, Sweetie. We love you.

'08 was great, looking for more good times in '09

2008 is now done. For most it was a year to forget. Luckily, we feel differently. This past year had a lot of new and wonderful things. More than things, they were BLESSINGS. The greatest and most obvious of these was the birth of Nathan, which was quickly followed by me starting the new job, which led to the challenge of selling the house (to relocate closer to the office). We sold the house in less than a week (blessing is the only word that can describe that). We then found a great house with everything we needed for a great price in the neighborhood we really liked. If that wasn't enough, Carrie's design business has been gangbusters since she opened up for business, and although she now has four full time jobs (mom, CEO, Art Director, Designer), she never stops and does an amazing job. I am not surprised by this at all. She is incredibly talented, and with having creative license she is doing wonderful things. All the while she is doing this she is also doing an even more amazing job as Nate's Mom. This kid is awesome, and it is due to equal parts genetics, God's plan, and Carrie. He is always learning and advancing mentally and physically, and a lot of this is because Carrie has been very conscious of keeping him stimulated in the right ways, feeding him healthy and nutritious food, and interacting with him in amazing ways. We were just talking yesterday in the car about how healthy, happy, and overall great he is. Look, I know you are all thinking, "Yeah, OK, you are his dad, and every parent thinks their kid is the most amazing thing in the world," and all I will say is, "YEP!" Before one becomes a parent you wonder if you will do things the right way. You hope your child will be healthy. So, to see how much he smiles and laughs, and to see how healthy he is, is a big deal that makes you feel you are doing things right, and the stuff you have no control over has also worked out well, so all you can say is that you are blessed.

The final blessing came right before Christmas. As you all read from Carrie's post, I passed the exam, and am now LICENSED! The odds were not in my favor. Only 50% of applicants pass each time, and only 40% of these pass it on the first try. Needless to say I am glad I don't have to study for that again.

So for all of you who had a rough year, good news: IT IS OVER! For us, it was a year to remember. For all of us this New Year is what we can make it, and I can't help but feel that is is going to be one of the best ones yet. So, good luck. Eat right, workout, read a book, and just put a smile on your face everyday. Half of everything is your outlook on it, so be positive and half the work is done. Have a happy New Year.