Nathaniel's First Foods

Nathaniel's Valentine's Day gift was rice cereal. Because Matthew fed Thea her first bite, Thea fed Nathaniel. 

He didn't love it. Oatmeal cereal was not his favorite either. Sweet potatoes on the other hand? 

The fact that it's ALL over his face says it all. Next up, green beans. 

Fingers No More

It was in October that Matthew stopped sucking his fingers during the day. That was HUGE and took about a week!* Since then, he has still been sucking his fingers at night. Barely, but nonetheless, they are still popping in. Until tonight. My plan was to help him stop in 2 weeks, just before his next dentist appointment (figured that could be good encouragement and an understandable reminder to him). But tonight, completely on his own, the habit that began when he was four months old (old enough to take that pacifier out and get to the good stuff) ended. Just. Like. That. 

Above: Matthew sucking his beloved fingers at four months of age. This is also when he met Raisin, his monkey. At the age of 2, he added the pinkey. 

Above: Matthew drawing a picture yesterday (a house with a door and 3 stick figure people). 

*What helped him stop? He had to wash his hands every time he put his fingers in his mouth. 

Fluke?

Nathaniel rolled from his stomach to his back while "napping" at church today. Was this a fluke or the hitting of a milestone? Time will tell. 

As you can see, Nathaniel was not super excited about this, in fact, he was a bit confused and scared. Mike and I on the other hand were very happy! First roll was in God's house = awesome. 

Swimming Lessons Have Begun!

Matthew and Thea just started their first round of swimming lessons. Matthew took a park district class that included singing songs and chasing ducks, but we thought it was time for them to learn this life skill. 

Thea tends to be apprehensive and overwhelmed by big places and new people but she got in line behind Matthew and went running to her spot as if she'd been there a thousand times. She LOVES the water and was so happy during her first class. She had two teachers, including the manager who said she did "amazing" for her first class. 

Matthew loved his swimming class as well, asking how many more sleeps till his next one just an hour after the class had ended. He was chatty throughout class and showed his teacher his swim wristband several times. Matthew is a hater of water on his head and does not like splashing but when it came time to jump in the water he took me by complete surprise saying, "CANNON BALL!" jumping in and completely under. He came up with a smile and swam back to the wall. 

Nathaniel at Four Months

We took Nathaniel to the doctor for his four month check-up and here at the stats:

We have a wonderfully happy and calm baby boy. Nathaniel is truly a gift to our family. 

Christmas Classic

Today was the first time our kids met Santa. 

Matthew was sure to Santa what his stocking looks like so that Santa would know right where to put his requested toys!

We also bought our Christmas tree today. And then we unexpectedly bought another one that Thea had her heart set on. 

You can't always get what you want, but...

When we started this blog in February 2011, we had dreams of keeping up with it for many years to come, chronicling the love, laughter, joy, and even sadness of being a growing family.  At first, we could not blog enough.  But as time has gone on, we have blogged less and less, and it has made us very sad, and often times, regretful.  How could we neglect something so important?  How could we not archive every moment that means so much to us?

Because we are too busy actually loving the miraculous blessing of a family that we have.  We don't have time for everything.  In the choice between loving, laughing, and blogging, blogging always loses.  But that's ok.  It's why we have camera phones.

If you try sometimes... you get what you need.

How are our kids adapting to their baby brother?

Matthew and his classmates at their school had a Thanksgiving feast and show!  Right before the curtains open, Matthew told his teacher, "I love singing!"

When everyone starts to clap, Matthew loudly says, "I'M HUNGRY!"

This past Sunday, we went to a fantastic Advent workshop.  We created an advent calendar with sweet gifts and the Bible story of Christmas to span the 24 days till Christmas, decorated and ate cookies, and saw a show.

The two heads you seeing popping up to see the show better?  Yep, Thea and Matthew.  They were so engaged.

We have been having a lot of pretend picnics lately.  This particular one was in Nathaniel's room:

Each day, Matthew will excitedly say, "let's do a craft!"  If only I always had great ideas.  Two days ago, we made a Matthew and Thea, and grass, and snow gear, and boots, and moons, and beanstalks, and...

And if Thea were to tell you what we've been doing the last month she'd say Play Doh.  Always Play Doh.

But we also made it to a new indoor playground:

And tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  We are thankful for all of this and more.