Thursday, December 29, 2011

Dear Nathan,

I can't believe how big you are getting!  You smile all the time now and sometimes even laugh!  Daddy and I love when we come into get you from one of your naps and you are waiting for us with a smile.  You don't always enjoy diaper changes--I think you don't like all the cold air down there!?  And you still are enjoying baths for the most part.  This week you started physical therapy because you aren't doing well looking to your left, thus the right side of your head is getting flat.  Our homework is to make sure we are doing everything possible on your left in addition to lots of tummy time.  You are getting a lot better at tummy time as long as you have help from the boppy.  You don't like it so much when you're flat on a blanket.  It's so fun watching you grow!  You are getting close to sleeping through the night.  You usually just wake up once.  Going to bed at night has not been your favorite thing of late and we've had to let you cry it out sometimes--not fun for us! :(  Love you bunches!

Mommy

11 weeks



Mommy's Little Star!




Daddy and Nathan in (sort of) matching shirts!




So sad, but so cute!






My cool new jacket from Grandma!




Cool shirt for a cool kid from a cool Aunt!
Thanks Aunt Ashley!




Say what?!




Only 11 weeks and already working on his sign language!




Tummy Time!




Great Aunt Sue!
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Monday, December 26, 2011

I will be better

A friend of mine sent me this poem in the mail and I thought I'd share it on my blog with all of you.  It just gives another glimpse into the life of someone who has struggled with infertility.  

I Will Be Better (A Poem about Infertility)

There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better.

I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.

I have longed and waited.

I have cried and prayed.

I have endured and planned over and over again.

Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.

I will notice everything about my child.

I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover.

I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.

I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream.

My dream will be crying for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.

Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with  my love.

I will be a better mother for all that I have endured.

I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment as my own body has betrayed me.

I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.

I have prevailed.

I have succeeded.

I have won.

So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort.

I see it, mourn it, and join them in others.

I listen.

And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely.

I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard.

I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.

I have learned to appreciate life.

And yes I will be a wonderful mother.

--Author Unknown

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Nathan's First Christmas!



Stocking time!




Can I open it now?




Ready for a fun day!






I took awesome naps at church in my pack and play! Mommy had to wake me up! Amazing!




Auntie Ashley!




Grandma loves Nathan




Decked out in red




Christmas is exhausting....






Sleepy boy! And we haven't even opened presents yet! (Although since Christmas was on a Sunday this year we didn't get started until 8 PM on Christmas Night!)




Mommy had more fun opening presents than Nathan did






Grandma got Daddy and Nathan matching shirts! Sorry Daddy they didn't have pants in your size!




Nathan's own nativity set
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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve

Our Little Elf on Christmas Eve!



Mom, enough with the pictures already!



Yes I am cute even with drool on my chin!





Grandpa and his funny smile



Presents from Grandma George, Uncle Nick and Cousins Junior and Jacob!





Christmas Eve Family Photo
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Thursday, December 22, 2011

10 weeks old

Wow I really am cute!










Crystal and Nathan in matching colors!

Look Mom!  I can hold my own rattle!




My "Little Man" Outfit


One of Daddy's favorites...




Grandma and Nathan hanging out

What's up?




Grandma is a great baby-sitter when Mommy and Daddy are away

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