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!

Harvest Hullabaloo!

Baby M is here! He was born on Friday, October 31 at 10:39 p.m. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long.

He came in a hurry! My water broke at 8 p.m. while we were eating chili with our friends the Poston's. We got to the hospital by about 8:30 p.m. and my labor progressed very quickly! Before I knew it, I was holding my new baby boy.

Here I am carving the pumpkin right before all the hullabaloo began...


N enjoying the jack-o-lantern, with no idea he'll be a big brother in a few short hours...


And baby M's first photo...


I will post again later on this week (with more pictures) but for now, we just wanted to share our good news. We are rejoicing at the birth of our son, a precious gift from God!