3 Months

Nathan amazes me everyday.  I was recently told to be thankful that he is healthy and growing strong.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't Thank God for him.  He is our gift, our precious gift, that I choose not to take for granted!  His smiles light up my day, turn tears of sadness into tears of joy.  He smiles with his eyes as well as his mouth, so even if he has a binky in his mouth I can see him smile, and I am blessed.  He is a quick learner.  Although he doesn't yet have the hand coordination to put his hand/fingers/thumb directly into his mouth, he puts his hand on his face and slowly brings it down (caressing) till he finds his open mouth.  He is full of wonder and is looking around the room seeing all things new, and I am reminded to see things, really see things and wonder.  I am blessed.  He recently gave us the gift of a full night's sleep, and although it isn't consistent yet, he continues to sleep longer.  Nathan is starting to grab at things, including hair, and I am grateful for his continued development, no matter how much it hurts :).  He will stand on your lap with strong legs, and wants to sit up on your lap.  His eyes. His eyes look deep within and even without words you know you are loved. He cries with tears that can break your heart.  His eyes with long lashes, that any woman would love to have, can melt you in just a quick glance.  His eyes that reveal so much, change color in different light leaving you to constantly guess what color they are.  He is full of spirit, full of life and I am left to wonder if my dad's prayers of him being a pastor will come to fruition.  And I am blessed.  Our nightly bedtime prayers are one of my favorite times of day.  We thank God for all He has given us on that day and we continue to pray for his new cousins, David & Samuel, to grow strong so that they can be home with their mommy & daddy & big brother.  We pray for Gideon that God brings him home to his new mommy & daddy.  And we know that God hears our small prayers, and we are blessed.

 

12 Weeks

Our little man is almost 3 months old!  Where has the time gone?  Nathan loves to talk . . . he will talk to me, to dad, to his play mat, pretty much to whomever and whatever!  He is wearing his 3 month clothes (and although some are still a little big, most of them fit him well).  I weighed him the other day and he is about 11 pounds!  Now I just need to see how much he's grown in a month! 

 

 happy to see daddy

 our jack o lanterns

 Friends

 

11 weeks & Pumpkin Patch

I am elated today!!  My son is napping in his crib, in his nursery, without me rocking him to sleep and without crying (from either of us :) )! I am one proud momma!! He is also getting good at pushing himself up on his arms when he is on his tummy.  Such a strong boy!
Yesterday we went to Vossler Pumpkin Patch in Visalia.  It was a cute little farm and we were able to get some cute pictures and, of course, pumpkins.  Here are some pictures from Nathan's 11th week :)

we are thinking his eyes just might be blue after all :)

sucking on his bottom lip is new too

Catching Up

We had Nathan's 2 month check up and shots on the actual day (25th) . .. it was a rough day for me.  We learned that Nathan is 22 inches long and was only weighing 8.8 lbs, in the 3% - not good news on the weight.  They suggested that I feed him every hour and pump after . . . again, not good news and I made the decision for the both of us that we would add formula to his diet.  After a couple of days of trying both, we pretty much went strictly to formula as he was apparently still very hungry.  The unfortunate part was that it gave him extreme gas . . . poor baby was in so much pain.  We tried a few different formulas and bought the gas drops, but nothing seemed to work until just yesterday we put him on a soy formula.  So far, so good. 

 

Nathan's Dedication was on Sunday, September 29th in Oakdale at my dad's church, The River Christian Community.  We had so much support from our family, with people driving long distances to be there!  We are truly blessed.  And my parents hosted an amazing bbq after.  I was reeling with joy for several days after because it was such a great day!

 

  We had our first ICC visit this past Sunday.  Nathan had a rash that seemed to get worse throughout the day.  Of course they just gave us Benadryl, but he got weighed and as of Sunday he was 9 lbs.  YAY!!  And his rash was gone by the morning!  Thankful for medications that ease the pain of my child.

 

Our attempt at 2 month photos . . . we will have to try again :) 

Nathan's Dedication . . .

 

 This is the Bible that my sister got for Nathan . . . this part says, "God is my shepherd, and I am His little lamb.  He feeds me. He guides me. He looks after me.  I have everything I need."

And from Sunday, after the Benadryl.

And playtime just yesterday.