8 weeks...

Another week, another post! Well, this has been an interesting week for us. Nate is beginning to assert his independence - fighting sleep! I have, though, finally figured out his schedule, so that makes life easier. Basically it is eat, play, and exactly 1 1/2 hours after he started eating he wants to go to sleep. Unfortunately, he often wants to fight it!

We've done lots this week - went and saw Baby Drew, my friend Robin's son. He was just 10 days old and we had a great visit. We were actually due 10 weeks apart, but Nate was 2 weeks late and Drew 3 weeks early, so they are now only 5 weeks apart. Nana and Papa came this weekend too! We visited the Lange's and the Nicholsons as well!

But the most amazing thing is that Nate slept through the night!! yea! The bad thing is that I think it was a fluke, because it only happened two nights - last Wednesday and Thursday. I've tried to figure out how those days are different - how my son could sleep from 11 - 6!! We're working on that...maybe some of Nate's friends told him he shouldn't be doing that yet...

Our photo lesson this week was on quantity. The book says to take lots of pics to get the right one. It was written before the rise of digital cameras, but I think the message is still the same. Ry did ask me how I could take 70 pictures in one day. Here are a few of our favorites.







this week's events:
Day 49 - Slept through the night! Yea! And the Whitaker's brought us dinner - yummy! Have to get that recipe Kathryn! Mommy and Nate went to the Mom's Night Out with our church to the Cheesecake Factory - Nate was a hit. Also, ran lots of errands today, and had a couple hungry cries in the car when we couldn't get home fast enough.
Day 50 - Went to visit Mommy's old work, Texas Alliance for Life. We also went to visit the K's and Nate began to rub his eyes and is starting to fight going to sleep.
Day 51 - Went on a walk with Christopher and Mrs. Lange. Also Nate is exploring much more with his hands.
Day 52 - Nana and Papa come for a visit. Nana and Dad give Nate a bath!
Day 53 - Have fun today "boxing" with Dad. Also, we are all sad to see the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. 18 months until the next Olympics - in Canada!
Day 54 - Went to visit Mrs. Nicholson and Thomas today and brought them Greek food for lunch. Today Nate also pushed his pacifier back into his mouth by himself...probably by accident.
Day 55 - We finished our first long book in storytime - a favorite of mine growing up - Go Dog Go.

This week's photos:
7 week photo

Nate and Drew (amazing how different they look, and only 5 weeks apart in age)

Close up with Nate and Drew

With Nana and Papa

Bathtime with Nana and Daddy

Nate and Thomas

Charlie and Nate

7 weeks...

A friend of mine told me this week that the days are long but the years are short. How true she is! Some days seem like they will never end - the diapers, changing clothes, nursing, chores, etc. But then I think of how old Nate is now, and time seems to fly by.

We've been having lots of fun watching the Olympics. Having Tivo seems to be the only way - pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding! And what else can I watch at 3 am?

This week Nate has begun shadow-boxing. I am thinking only in a matter of days will he find his hands! It's been fun to watch him do this, until he smacks himself in the head! I've also been worried this week that I haven't been taking enough photos...I think I'm doing okay. Ry also updated our website with more pics too!

Our week's events:
Day 42 - Nate goes out for girls night! We went to a great neighborhood place, It's Italian, and Nate was the hit of the restaurant - cooing and all with everyone there. I'm also proud to say that I took Nate out by myself to run some errands today. He did a good job, and I think 3 stores are our limit! Had to treat myself to Starbucks!
Day 43 - Had another great meal tonight! Thanks Paula for the great ham and potatoes! I need to get that recipe from you!! Everyone has brought us such yummy food!
Day 44 - Nate's godmother, my sister Tessa, came to visit for the weekend! Had her even changing diapers! Nate and I also went to the grocery store for the first time on our own, before she came. He did great - all I need now is help bringing in the groceries! We did take Nate to Kohl's for some clothes shopping and Tessa had him in the Baby Bjorn. Everyone thought he was hers!!
Day 45 -Party day!! We celebrated Andrew Morgan's baptism this morning (he was due the same week as Nate and is a few weeks older) and then went to an engagement party for my former boss Laurie and her fiancee Eric.
Day 46 - Nate has begun blowing bubbles. How cute!
Day 47 - Much more shadow boxing today! Yea!
Day 48 - Went to his first luncheon today and he did a great job. Was the hit at the event (the last time most of the people had seen me was when I was pregnant). Took dinner to the Gretencord's and had a nice visit with them.

My friend Amy let me borrow a great book, How to Photograph Your Baby. We've decided to try a lesson a week, so here is what we learned this week - getting up close, natural light and shadows!






Photos from this week
okay, this was from last week...but too cute not to post! Nate and his friend Thomas

Nate vs. Tivo

Our happy family

Ry, Nate, Mr. Parks and Henry

cute pic of our pup Charlie

Me, Nate, Lisa and Andrew (he was born 3 weeks before Nate, but we were due just days apart)

Nate resting with Tessa neni

Nate, me, Tessa neni and Kelly neni

6 weeks...

Okay, my only excuse not to get this post done on time is the Olympics! I have been glued to the tv. I think that is how I am going to remember nursing Nate - all the Olympics I have watched! We celebrated the opening with some yummy Chinese food and had a great time. Wasn't it great?!? I've totally enjoyed the beach volleyball, gymnastics, swimming and diving. It's interesting having it on so many channels - to watch other sports like handball, weightlifting, badmitton, and more! Not sure yet which sport Nate likes best...

Another great thing is that I am now driving! Yea! On our first day in the car we took my mom to Taylor to catch the train to Ft. Worth (she had a great time - can't wait to take Nate on it), and then we headed up to Granger to visit Mrs. Butler and JoJo. That's the farthest Nate has been from Austin.

A special thanks to Mrs. Rose for the great soup she brought us this week. It was delicious!! I need to get that recipe from you.

Week 5 update:
Day 35 - Mama leaves on the train - and we are sad to see her go. We went up to visit our friends in Granger.
Day 36 - Our family friend Meredith comes to visit.
Day 37 - the Olympics begin! Yea! Mommy and Nate also go out for lunch with friends for the first time.
Day 38 - Spend the day watching the Olympics. We went on a safari with Texas Alliance for Life (what we "won" for Nate raising over $1000 for the their Walk for Life). Nate also met some of my former co-workers and volunteers.
Day 39 - Nate did great at Mass! Slept the whole time!! We also went to Sam's for the first time and Nate seems to have had his first "cooing" conversation with us.
Day 40 - Mrs. Nicholson picks us up to go to the Mornings with Mommy meeting at our church. We have a fun time with the other moms and kids. I also have my 6 week check-up - all is good! We've also found out that Nate is getting much better at holding up his head.
Day 41 - Mrs. Rose comes to visit and brings us yummy dinner! Thanks!

And we had a little photo shoot this week...

in the paper...

As many of y'all know, I am a practioner with the FertilityCare System of Central Texas. We teach the Creighton Model System of Natural Fertility Regulation. Lately I have had several protestant clients (many feel this is a "Catholic" system), and in response to that a reporter from the Austin-American Statesman contacted me. My clients are the main focus of the article. We discussed the rising use of natural systems with protestants and she wrote a nice article in yesterday's paper. Enjoy!

I know using a natural system has been important to many of my readers. Any comments?

week 5 part 2...

I just wanted to post how helpful my mom was this past week! It was wonderful to have her (and my dad who was here a couple days too) here to help out! I was able to finish some thank-you notes, get a few extra naps in, have a nice, long shower, venture out to eat with Nate, and even go to bed early (thanks for rocking him to bed Mom). It was wonderful having you here Mom - I only wish you lived closer!!

My birthday lunch at Saltgrass

Me, Nate, and Grandpa

Naptime with Mama

Girls Night Out (to see Mamma Mia at the drafthouse)

Mama and Nate

5 weeks...

Well, this past week we have been having lots of visitors, me and Nate - Mrs. Nicholson and Thomas, my uncle Tom, cousin Kelly, Mama and Grandpa (my parents), Gretchen (who brought us dinner) and the Pojman family (who brought us dinner and gifts!)! Lots of people to hold Nate, and help change some diapers too! Special thanks to my mom who stayed until Wednesday - it was sure great to have the extra hands to hold Nate, change Nate, let me catch up on emails and correspondence, etc. It's been kinda hard since you've been gone!

This week has been lots of celebrations and firsts too - lost the umbilical cord, 1st bath, photo shoot, 1 month birthday, Mommy's birthday, and 1st grocery trip. In regards to his photo shoot, we are meeting with a photographer who will take professional photos over the course of his first year (every 3 months). You can check out the photos at www.kappy.com then go to sessions proofing and then client portraits. The password is Dobson.

Haven't had any food allergies yet, but this week I have found out that I can't have caffeine (especially those yummy Java Chip Frappuccinos) after lunch...Nate doesn't sleep well that night. And a glass of wine every now and then is a good way for me (and Nate) to relax.

He's been doing such a good job eating now, and going up to 6 hours between feedings! Yea! We just tell him that's what all the other kids are doing... Now I just need to find the camera charger to get the rest of my pics off!

Week 5 update:

Day 28 - Mrs. Nicholson and Thomas visit. Thomas (age 8 months) is totally mesmerized by Nate. Can't wait for them to be playing soon. Thanks Shana for bringing me lunch! Nate also kisses Daddy for the first time tonight.
Day 29 - This day started off with lots of laundry - by 9 am Nate was on his 4th outfit! Glad the washing machine is upstairs! No wonder they tell you to have lots of outfits. We also found out that not all diapers fit Nate the same... My cousin Kelly and uncle Tom visit (Kelly is moving here from Anchorage). Nate loves to flirt with Kelly - maybe it is her long black hair. Nate also takes his 2nd bottle tonight.
Day 30 - Nate finally loses his umbilical cord today! Yea! In celebration we have Nate's first bath - and he gave us a little sprinkle too! Mama and Grandpa (my parents) come and visit for the weekend.
Day 31 - Nate is 1 month old today! Amazing! He has also started to grab at clothes now - a little more hand coordination! Also, with the help of my parents, we successfully venture out for our first dinner out - a great local Greek restaurant. Nate does great! Nate also has his first "photo shoot" today.
Day 32 - Happy Birthday Mommy!! I would never have thought this time last year that I would be holding my son a year later! What an amazing year it has been! We went out to eat again today - Saltgrass - and Nate did good. We've noticed that Nate's eyelashes are growing. I think his are longer than mine. Nana and Papa also gave him a kiddie gym, and we set that up for him today.
Day 33 - My mom is staying until Wednesday, so we decided to venture to the grocery store. I'm finally getting out of the house. Kinda boring for Nate, just slept in his carseat. Nate also grabbed Mama's glasses off her face today.
Day 34 - Today I had my longest time away from Nate - almost 4 hours. Mom, me and Danielle went to see Mamma Mia (very cute). Really missed Nate, though...

And some photos from this week:

Hi Daddy

Going in the tub

Wash me

Robe time

His tiny toes

with Tom bacsi and Kelly neni

Happy 1 month birthday!!

Happy 1 month birthday, my dear son! I can't believe you have been with us for an entire month! You are growing and changing every day!! We are soo blessed to have you as part of our family! Yea Super Nate!!

10 years ago today...

Ry asked me if I wanted a new title - girlfriend! I eagerly accepted!! I can't believe we have been together soo long!! And then I got the title fiancee (about 4 years later), then wife (6 months later), and now mom. Thank you honey for all my special titles!! Happy "dating" anniversary!