Happy Halloween!

We've called Nathan a monkey since the beginning - it started in the hospital and it stuck! So what better costume for Halloween than a little monkey?! My mom sewed it and did an excellent job, even altering it on her trip down here because our slim little one was too small for it. I have to admit, I think he's the cutest monkey you'll ever see!

Hope you're having a very Happy Halloween! (And here's hoping we get some trick or treaters, or we'll be left with way too much candy and I'll gain 50 pounds trying to clear it all out!!)

Hosting Breakfast Club

Nathan and I had the pleasure of hosting our breakfast club last week at the new house! We get together with a fabulous group of girls and their babies each Wednesday for breakfast and as the kiddos have gotten older, it's been easier to meet at each others' houses rather than eat out. I was waiting for our move before inviting everyone over and I'm so glad we finally had the opportunity to host!

I made a yummy casserole with croissant roll crust, sausage and eggs and served it with fruit salad and blueberry muffins. The food was all set out and the coffee was ready for everyone's arrival.

Nathan was excited to see his friends!

We missed Kelsey and Coleson (12 months) but everyone else made it. Brinkley (13 months), Dorothy (aka Dory, 10 months), Nathan (5 months), Hadley (10 months), Tyler (6 months) and Henley (22 months).

Nathan, surrounded by older ladies.

Tyler had fun touring Brinkley and Henley around on N's exersaucer. I think our breakfast was a hit!

Solids - Day Two

"Wait, we're trying this again?"

"Well, all right, I guess I'm okay with that."

"Oooh! These taste funny!"

"Yeah, I'm not too sure about this new food business."

Starting Solids

We got the all-clear to start Nathan on solids at his 4 month well visit but with so much going on I wanted to wait a bit before taking the plunge. I also didn't feel like he was showing the signs that he was ready but in the last couple of weeks he's been more interested when we eat and started to seem like he wanted more than just breast milk.

So on Saturday morning, I whipped up a nice little batch of steamed, pureed sweet potatoes in the Beaba Babycook and we gave it a shot!

This was the first time he sat in his high chair, too. Maybe we should have tried that out a few times first so he felt more comfortable...

"Hmmm...what is this orange stuff you're putting in my face?"

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with this..."

"I guess I'll give it another try."

"Nah, I don't really want it!"

I think more wound up on his bib, face and hands than actually went in his mouth but it was a good first attempt. He didn't love it but he didn't seem to hate it, either. He was more just confused and uncertain - most bites were slowly pushed out in a pool of drool. None the less we're ready to keep trying!

Three

On October 18, 2008, I married my best friend.

It was a magical day and a picture perfect way to start our life together. I still think our wedding was the best one I've ever been to (of course!) and I can't believe it's been three years since we celebrated that day.

We've been through a lot since then and I can honestly say that I never thought marriage would take as much work as it has but I am so thankful for the man by my side and all the love he gives me. Having a new baby can definitely test even the strongest bonds but it also shows you why you chose the partner you did to spend your life with and I count my blessings every day to be sharing this adventure with my love.

Here's to a lifetime together. I love you so much, babe!

Pumpkin Patch

One of the local churches holds a pumpkin patch each year and even though he won't remember it, I wanted to take Nathan to commemorate his first fall and Halloween season. I bought a smocked longall in an auction on Facebook (which, by the way, was a super stressful experience!). It ended up being HUGE but I had to take advantage and dressed him in it anyway.

It was a cool(ish) morning and there were tons of pumpkins of all sizes. They even had green warty ones and white striped ones. So pretty!

N can't really sit up yet but the pumpkins came in handy in propping him up. Too bad it was pretty bright and glarey, because the poor guy wouldn't crack a smile. 

He was enthralled with the sights of all the pumpkins and kids running round and wouldn't be bothered with looking at the camera.

We even tried to stick him in a wheelbarrow with our selects, but he was way too intrigued with the hay to even look up. I'm pretty sure a few strands wound up in his mouth. Oops!

We made it out with three pumpkins - one for each of us. Not the authentic farm experience I would have wanted but it was a fun family outing. I warned Ryan, though - next year we're going to a real pumpkin patch. We'll see if that pans out!

An exciting sight

It's always exciting when this is parked at the end of your driveway...

Our new couch and sofa arrived from PB last week and they look fantastic! I'll wait for the family room to be more put together to post pics, though. Stay tuned!

Moving

Moving is a pain.

It's even more challenging while trying to keep a 5-month old entertained, fed and well rested in between trips to the new house, appointments with contractors and packing up.

Nathan was a trooper during the whole process and kept me company on numerous trips back and forth between houses to get everything set up.

On the day of the big move we had some help from N's Lolly and Aunt Sarah. Thank goodness, or I would have had my hands full!

It took a lot of effort but we're all settled in now and I am so glad the moving part is over. I am so thankful to have a new house to make our home and can't wait to enjoy our new space!

A Tribute to The Yards

It was named "The Yards" before I ever entered the picture. A nickname the boys coined after Camden Yards, the baseball stadium in Baltimore, since the house was on Baltimore Drive. It stuck and our home was fondly referred to as The Yards the whole time we lived there.

It was a good house. The source of countless memories over the years and the start of our life together. Not necessarily what I would have picked had I been given the choice but it grew on me and I worked hard over the three and a half years I was there to make it "ours".

As we drove away from collecting the random items that didn't make it onto the moving truck, I teared up thinking of all that happened in that house. We shared our first kiss there. We were engaged and then married while living there. We brought our dear puppy, Jax, home there. And of course, we brought our sweet baby boy home there.

All the parties and puppy play dates and family dinners will be remembered dearly in my heart. The Yards was a good place to call home and I have to admit it will be missed.

 

Five Months

Nathan, you are five months old!

It's as if in the past four weeks you have awakened and I can see the wheels turning in your head as you process your surroundings and your new abilities. Toys are more interesting and everything is a new discovery. You seemed to have grown up so much in such a short amount of time!

You are such a sweet boy and so happy (for the most part). You'll share a gummy smile with anyone that looks in your direction and we're able to get you chuckling more and more. But you also play coy and like to bury your head in my shoulder when people smile at you. It's very endearing! You've shown a bit of stranger anxiety already, though, and occasionally only your mama (and your ever present pacifier) can soothe you.

You continue to teeth like crazy, as evidenced by the constant line of drool hanging from your mouth and your soaked clothes. You'll chew on anything you can get your hands on, which includes a lot more these days as you're becoming an expert at holding and picking things up. No signs of those first pearly whites yet so we'll see how long they take to pop up.

You enjoy holding your toes and rocking back and forth. It makes diaper changes pretty challenging! You haven't fully rolled over on your own just yet but you're getting so close. We  thought you were going to do it on your five-month birthday but those little arms couldn't quite get loose and you kept rolling back. It'll happen soon, I'm sure!

You're sitting up so much taller and stronger these days. In fact, you've started to like riding on my hips rather than up on my shoulder so you can see where we're going and what's happening in front of you. Ever the observer. You also love to stand and start to fuss if you sit for too long. You have strong little legs!

Our meals have gotten a bit challenging lately because you get very distracted - by sounds in the room, the patterns on your burp rags and clothes, and even your hands. You eat every three hours on average and when we can get a good session it's still about thirty minutes long. We're going to start solids in the next week, though, because I think you are ready!

You teased us with several nights of sleeping 9-10 hours but those are a distant memory as you've reverted back to waking a few times, even 4-6 times, each night. You don't nap very long, either. There is just too much going on that you don't want to miss out! I'm happy if I can get you to sleep for 45 minutes to an hour each nap, which happen about an hour and forty five minutes to two hours after you eat. You've fallen asleep during tummy time a few times now and those seem to be the best naps if I can catch it right at the precise time.

My heart grows more and more each month as we spend more time together. I am so blessed to be your mama and to have the privilege of raising you along side your dad. We love you so much little man!

Five Month Stats

Weight: not sure, we need to check it!

Diapers: size 2

Clothes: mostly 6 months

Have I mentioned how much I love this guy?