Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our very own baby Santa Claus!

N loved helping to set up the nativity at Nanny and PopPop's house.

Auntie M and Auntie K on Christmas morning...lovely as always!



Baby M is eight weeks old now. He was admiring our Christmas tree this morning. I love the wonder in our baby's eyes.

We take a slow approach to the end of Christmas around here, so the tree is still up, and I'm still listening to Handel's Messiah. As Nanny says, Christmas is never really over!

Aunt K's visit

We have been incredibly blessed by my sister's company this week. Aunt K has been the best playmate for N, baby soother for M, and listening ear and assistant nurse for me as both boys have colds and ear infections. I am humbled by the many ways she has helped me. I won't ever be able to repay her. She said this morning that God has ordained this time together, and I couldn't agree more. What will I do without her, I wonder?

Christmas bears and cookies

Last Thursday, the boys and I drove uptown to meet Daddy for lunch in Founder's Hall, where the singing Christmas bears were to perform! After a brief battle with the double stroller during which I was beginning to think I'd be heading right back down Independence Blvd. instead of strolling the sidewalk, we made it to our destination. N marveled at the singing bears while baby M snoozed in the stroller.


On Saturday, our friend "Miss E" came to help us bake cookies. We made G's favorite fruit-filled pies and a batch of gingerbread cookies. N got to decorate the gingerbread and taste the cookie dough. We ended up with several one-eyed gingerbread men because he kept tasting the cranberry eyes.



M slept sweetly through the entire baking event.


When he woke up, he gave me the best gift yet - his first smile! Here's kind of a half-smile, but it gives you an idea of what he's capable of.

Merry Christmas, Baby M!

We spent the cold and rainy weekend decorating the house for Christmas. I love the beginning of this wonderful season...the music, the lights, the food, the warmth...all of it!

And baby M is one month old now! He has turned into a rather sleepy baby over the past few days, which has made the pace of things in our house feel a lot more easy-going. This is a special blessing as G returned to his "real job" full time this week. Hope you enjoy listening to M's coos as much as I do.

Tiny Toes and the Tree Farm Trip

My sister M took some sweet pictures of baby M's toes and fingers on Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful for the blessing of taking care of this tiny baby!


Today we honored our family Christmas tradition of making a trip to Penland Christmas Tree Farm to choose a Christmas tree. We loved watching N run down the rows of trees, touching them and telling us which ones were big and which ones were tiny.


He liked sitting in the wagon with me and baby M.


He loved it when Daddy cut down the tree and it "went timber."


Baby M snuggled with me the entire time.


We couldn't believe how much N has grown since last year when he was still crawling. Time goes by way too quickly!

Gram, Gramp and Aunt A's visit

We had three very special and much-anticipated visitors this weekend. Gram, Gramp and Aunt A flew all the way from Louisiana to see us! Here are some pictures from their visit.

Gram snuggling with baby M - he loved sleeping in her arms.


Gram, Gramp and N reading on the couch


Aunt A and N playing with food - hours of fun with french fries and ice cream cones!


We will miss you, Gram, Gramp and Aunt A. Come back to see us again soon, please!

Three weeks old

Much to my sleep-deprived amazement, M is 3 weeks old now! In all honesty, I am feeling pretty good, despite the disruptions in my nighttime sleep. I am making up for it by going to bed early and napping in the afternoons (tricks I learned during pregnancy.)

M is awake more during the day and asleep a lot more at night, which is a blessing. He has already slept from 7 pm to midnight for a few nights in a row, which is a great accomplishment in my motherly opinion. We have started letting him "play" in his baby gym, and he seems to like batting at the duck wind chime toy. He enjoys tummy time, can push up a little bit with his hands, and has good head control. He's one strong little guy! Here are a few photos from last week.

Falling asleep to "Lullaby and Goodnight" as played by his blue elephant toy...


In the play gym
Reading the Clifford book with Mama and big brother

Sleeping baby, plus a windy day art project

Our baby M is a fighter...of sleep, that is. When he finally takes a nap or falls asleep at night, it's as if he has put up a flag of surrender, or at least temporary retreat! He is a good sleeper once he's "out," which is a blessing.

Yesterday was a wild and windy day, and I took both boys outside to play. N pushed his yellow truck around the yard, and M slept in the baby bjiorn carrier. We rocked in the front porch rocking chairs and watched the trees blowing before coming in for lunch.

Today, I helped N make a few placemats with some of the leaves we collected. I want to always remember that wild and windy day with my boys.

N crumbling the leaves - he got to glue them to paper, too!


The placemat, and baby M sleeping during the entire art project...

Little Pumpkin and My Happy Boy

Nanny gave M this little pumpkin outfit right after he was born. He wasn't so sure he liked his nickname and pumpkin suit!


I think he's asking, "Are you my mother?" He had his first bath the night before this picture was taken so he was all sweet and clean.


Here's proof that big brother N really does love him.


And this is N as he ran into my arms and I said "I've got my happy boy!"

Baby M's first movie

Coming Home and Nathan's 2nd Birthday

We have been home from the hospital for a little over a week now, and M is 10 days old. He has regained his birth weight already, and is happy and healthy. We have much to be thankful for.

M and N are adjusting nicely to each other. Pretty much, M eats and sleeps, and N tells us when he's crying! This morning, I held baby M in one arm and N in my lap while we read a story. N is always offering to give baby M kisses.

My two boys...

Big brother N has enjoyed lots of time outside with Daddy.


Baby M enjoying his cradle...


...and then a nice nap in Mama's arms - this is his "preferred napping environment."


We celebrated N's 2nd birthday on Saturday. Guests were my parents, Grandma and sister M. N had a ball - he loved eating his birthday cake and having everyone sing to him.

The cake had a cool car and roadway on top!


And red velvet was a hit for everyone, especially the birthday boy. Happy Birthday to our first baby!

More pictures

Here is the picture we emailed to announce M's birth. He was lying in my lap with a full tummy!

This winking shot makes us laugh.

Proud Daddy right after M was born - he did a great job coaching me through labor.

Cuddling with my new baby boy

First visitors - Aunt M and soon-to-be Uncle R

My Grandma, Aunt Jane, Dad and sister M

A quiet moment with Daddy in the hospital

And one with Mama...

N meeting baby M for the first time - it went pretty well, all things considered....a pack of peanut butter crackers and juice helped ease his pain. :) He has already given baby M a kiss and is very gentle around his baby brother.


My parents came up to take care of N while we were in the hospital, and then they stayed for a few days to help us settle in. We are so grateful for them!

Baby M with his PopPop


He loves his Nanny, too!