Self Feeding.

As a new-ish momma, I still find myself getting all mushy and proud every single time my baby does something new. Recently, we've been practicing self feeding, and just cannot describe the feelings of joy and pride when I see him finally cram a puff into his mouth.

Nathaniel is getting very good at feeding himself teething biscuits and Gerber "crunchies"....but those little bites of rice cereal, puffs, or yogurt melts can be challenging! Since he usually throws everything off of his high chair tray, we practice self feeding on the living room floor. (Hey, it's a new rug, and I vacuum!) I'm fascinated by watching him learn--he tries and tries and tries, over and over again, often attempting a new method, until he gets every single bite! And, as I watch him grab and toss and squeeze each bite, I am so excited to see the beginings of his pincer grasp mastery.

Maybe it makes me a sap to be so happy about such a simple feat, but I don't care. Being a mother is what I've always wanted to be--and, the reality is way better than what I'd planned!!

Look at that pincer grasp!!

Lucky us to have an in-home, automatic baby hand-washing service...!

Royal Wedding.

Did you watch Britain's royal wedding? I wasn't quite crazy enough to get up and watch at 5 AM, but I did make sure that my DVR was set! And, sure, it was elaborate and over-the-top, but it was a royal wedding!! And, I loved watching the coverage all day long!

Everything was gorgeous--the abbey, the bride, the flowers, the processions, and especially the dress! What a way to become a princess! I know that there has been lots of criticism about money and the entire royal family since the wedding planning has started, but I don't really feel like that's any of my American business. What I do know is this: the British monarchy sure does know how to throw a wedding!

Wordless Wednesday.

Stream of Conciousness.

Nathaniel is SO CLOSE to crawling scooting!! He's right at the frustrating point where he's mad because he can't get moving, and I want so badly to give him a little nudge to get him started! We've been doing lots of tummy time for practice, and I've even resorted to a little bribery...

{You know, sippy cups and cell phones are like gold on the baby black market!} And, as excited as I am for Nate to reach this huge milestone, I keep telling myself that I really have nothing to do with it; he'll crawl when he's ready! And, I'm trying to make the most of these last few days of having a non-mobile baby....one last look at my breakables on the bottom shelf, anyone?

When we're not having crawling practice, we've been spending lots of time outside in the sunshine!

Nate loves the outdoors already, and who can blame him?! We've been cooped up in the house for too long, and it's beautiful out!

I haven't quite decided if walking with the baby and the {very young, very hyper} dog makes me brave or just stupid. Anyway, it's always an adventure!

We took Nate to the park, where he got to try out the playground for the first time! At first, he wasn't so sure about the swings, but he quickly warmed up and was full of smiles and giggles!

We all had a wonderful, albeit very warm, time at the park, and I can't wait to go back!

Easter in review...

Hope you all had a blessed and joy-filled Easter Sunday! We had a wonderful day! We attended church in the morning, then hosted dinner for my parents, brother, and aunt & uncle. We shared lots of good food, great conversation, and laughter. Of course, I never could have gotten everything ready without a little prep from my helper ahead of time...

(Only one egg cracked, which was very impressive considering all of the egg-tossing and spoon-pounding that occurred...!)

Of course, Nathaniel got an Easter basket yesterday, which he was very excited to get into! He got a little bunny, 2 new books, some banana puffs, a package of crayons, and a toy fruit & vegetable set. His favorite gift (that wouldn't fit into his basket!) was a new ball!

And, as for the pile of gifts from grandmas and aunts....Nate says THANK YOU ALL!! We are certainly blessed to have a baby who is so loved by so very many people!

Happy Easter!!

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Matthew 28:5-7

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4:25

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Easter Sunday!! Amidst hunting for colored eggs, eating marshmallow bunnies, and wearing ruffly new dresses, don't forget what we're really celebrating: HE'S ALIVE!! And, we're forgiven!

God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He gave His life, to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there
To prove my Saviour lives

And because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
And because I know, I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
just because He lives

And then one day, I’ll cross death’s river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
But then as death, gives way to victory
I’ll see the light of glory
And I’ll know He reigns!

Happy Easter!!!

For Sale.

Peep Diorama.

Do you love Peeps? You know, those little multi-colored marshamllow bunnies and chicks....and other various holiday shapes. It seems that most people either love them or hate them. Personally, I prefer my Peeps a bit stale, and I'm happy to consume only one every 12 months; my husband thinks I'm crazy! Whether you're a Peep fan or not, you have to admit that the Washington Post Peeps Diorama Contest brings in some talent! Some of these works of marshmallow art are incredible! Check all of them out...

Washington Post Peep Dioramas, 2011

Perhaps you can score some sale Peeps on Monday, and try your own hand at Peep diorama? If so, I'd love to hear about it! I have ambitions to someday build an awesome one...

BIG love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16 is one of those verses that everybody memorizes. Actually, it probably is the verse that everybody memorizes (along with John 11:35). I've probably been able to rattle off John 3:16 since I was at least 4 years old, maybe even younger. And, as I grew older, I learned what it meant. I thought I understood what those words were saying--they're simple, right? God gave Jesus so that we can have the gift of eternal life. I knew that it was a big deal...c'mon, how else does one single verse get to be so popular? But, in all seriousness, I felt like I understood--God gave us a gift of grace that is amazing. He loves us a lot--more than we can ever understand!
But, it's only just been within the past week that I've really felt like I don't have a clue about HIS love. And now, I'm only just beginning to understand how much I really don't understand! Literally, I understood the words of John 3:16, but now, as a mother, Easter is suddenly filled with new meaning for me. God gave HIS SON! His ONE AND ONLY SON for US!!! What are we?! We don't deserve anything from God, let alone his perfect, precious son! I love my baby with such a love that I know there is nobody for whom I could give up his life--nobody, not even myself! But, God gave up his own son for a bunch of sinners who repeatedly disobey, disappoint, and ignore him. That's love. That's a really BIG, incomprehensible love. He loves me so much more than I love my son....and, my brain cannot even begin to wrap around such a love! What an amazing and perfect love...

I started this post a few days ago, but I felt like I couldn't quite get everything that I wanted to say into words. I saved it into drafts, intending to finish it and post before Easter. Then, whad'ya know, I read a blog entry over at "It's Almost Naptime!!" that says what I wanted to say far more elequently than I can. So, without any further ado, here is a link to a wonderful blog post about the amazing, unfathomable love that was shown us 2,000 years ago on the cross...
http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/04/better-me-than-you.html

Somewhere In The World.

Somewhere in the world today
A little girl will go out to play
All dressed up in mama's clothes
At least the way that I suppose it goes

Somewhere in the world tonight
Before she reaches to turn out the light
She'll be prayin' from a tender heart
A simple prayer that's a work of art

And I don't even know her name
But I'm prayin' for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart

'Cause somewhere in the course of this life
A little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are

Somewhere in the world out there
That little girl's learnin' how to care
She's pickin' up her mama's charms
Or maybe swingin' around in her daddy's arms

Somewhere in the world to be
Though the future's not really clear to me
Theirs could be a tender love
Grounded in eternal love above

And I don't even know her name
But I'm prayin' for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart

'Cause somewhere in the course of this life
My little boy will need a godly wife
Oh, so hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are
Oh, hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are

lyrics by Wayne Watson

Wordless Wednesday.

8 months.

Nathaniel is 8 months old today! As always, he's growing like a weed, and I can't believe that he's a whole month older! This is such a fun age--I love spending my days with him!

Nate can sit up all by himself without tipping over, and he loves to sit and play with his toys all by himself. Some of his favorite toys are his pop-up toy, the ring stacker, his rattle that spins, rubber blocks, his toy driving car set, and his Sophie Giraffe. He likes to play with just about anything he can get his hands on, including Grover's toys, Mommy's jewelry, Daddy's hair, and his own shoes! He likes to play peek-a-boo and patty-cake. One of Nate's favorite activies recently has been taking lots of walks outside in the warm weather!

Although he's not on the move yet, I don't think that it will be long! Nathaniel can push his chest up off of the floor, or he can get up on his knees...but, he hasn't quite mastered both skills at once yet! He does scoot himself backwards when he's on the floor--which makes him mad because he scoots away from his toys! Eric and I have started baby-proofing, but I'm sure that Nate will show us what we've missed soon!

Nate "talks" and squeals constantly. His favorite noises are "ma" and "ba", as well as blowing raspberries! He has recently gotten super ticklish, and laughs constantly! He giggles at silly faces, and sometimes imitates them back to us. Nate's most recent funny face is a close-mouthed fake smile that he makes all the time--so funny!

Nate has five teeth now! He's got two on the bottom, and three on top! While he's not too fussy when cutting teeth, he does get grumpy. He likes to chew on cold washcloths or eat frozen fruit/milk smoothies when his gums are sore.

He takes two naps a day, usually only about 45 minutes apiece. I read him a story, rock him in the glider, then lay him in his pack 'n play to sleep. He is very good about sleeping by himself now, but he still sleeps in our bed through the night. He goes to bed at 7:00 in the evenings, and usually sleeps until about 8am. Nate loves to sleep with his soft Teddy, and he likes to wave him around by the ears when he wakes up!

I am still breastfeeding, although Nathaniel loves his pureed fruits and veggies now! He eats a fruit and either oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast, and a vegetable for supper. He loves to eat little bites of solid food from Mommy and Daddy's dinner (usually bread or chicken). He likes to drink water from his sippy cup and eat puffed rice cereal for a snack in the afternoon, and he tried a teething biscuit for the first time today. Of course, he loved it!

Happy 8 months, my Handsome Little Man! I love you!!