Update

It's been a little while since checking my own blog :) Here are some recent pictures of the kids. They are both doing so well. I'm starting to talk with Nathan about the potty and putting him on. If any of you moms have any advice, please share it!

For those of you who heard about Mike, he is doing well. His thumb is healing and he gets his stitches out Wednesday.

Michigan

We just got back from our Michigan trip to celebrate my brother's high school graduation. We had such a good time with family and friends. It was fun meeting some of John's friends and to see his high school. We played a lot of games, including guitar hero and euchre of course. Here are a bunch of pictures of our time together.

And a big shout out to Susie!!! :) It was so good seeing you.

Mother's Day

I normally don't write much on this blog; I use it more for sharing pictures. And when I do write, I'm usually bragging about my 2 wonderful babies. But today I want to share with anyone that might actually read this about my husband.

Mike is an amazing husband, father, and best friend. If you know Mike, you know that he was born a leader and that makes being married to him a joy. He is always thinking of me first, works so hard to provide for his family, is great with finances, and desires my input. I love watching him be a father. Nathan adores him. He plays with him after working a full day and also does an amazing job teaching and training him. He is by far my best friend and the best friend I have ever had. He asks me questions, challenges me, and listens. He cares for my soul and my relationship with Jesus. He holds my hand while we are watching tv. He watches the kids so I can go to the gym. He changes diapers. He gets me a tub of hot water to soak my sore feet. Calls me during the day to check in with me. He gets an oil change on my car. He speaks kindly to me. Makes me laugh. He encourages me as a mother. He thanks me for dinner. He plans my birthday months in advance.

I adore him and want to please him in everything.

So on to mother's day.... The only thing I asked for was plane tickets to Michigan for my little brother's graduation. I got those! So I wasn't expecting anything else. Mike woke me up Sunday morning with 2 menus on a bed tray. I got to pick which food I wanted and he went and picked it up. After church I was able to take a long nice nap. For dinner, he had another menu laying out and I was able to chose what I wanted him to get for dinner. He had a blanket out in the backyard with our children and food. I think what meant the most to me out of all these things was that he was trying to make me happy and feel special. He succeeded. He also wrote me the sweetest card and articulated what he appreciates about me as a mother.

I love you Mike! Thanks for such a special day, every day of the year!

Summer Fun

Here are a lot of random pictures. We have had fun lately with our little man. We took him to the pool last weekend and he had a good time (somewhat of a good time; he was a little scared). I've been trying to do more activities with him so today we painted. Surprisingly enough, it didn't get as messy as I thought. Knowing Nathan (that he is all boy) I thought paint might end up all over our back porch. He did a great job!

Sister Time

I love that every other Friday I meet with my wonderful older sister, Stephanie. Today we met up at Lake Eola and walked (I think we only made it around once). We stopped to look at swans, ducks, birds, dogs, etc. Nathan kept saying 'Wow!!' and was so excited at all the animals he got to see. Then we had a picnic. How blessed I am to be with family and have a husband who works so hard so that I can do this in the middle of the afternoon with my children. Thank you Michael!!!

My baby girl

I can't believe I have 2 kids! When did this happen?!! And I love it. Nathan just gets more and more fun as his personality grows and I didn't realize how much I would enjoy having a girl. So far, she is the best baby ever. She loves to sleep (like her mommy) is a good eater (like her mommy), and is so cute (like her mommy). Mike holds her as much as he can and Nathan is always asking to either see her, hug or kiss her.

My mom was here for 2 weeks...thank you mom for you help! Two days before I had Gracie we walked around Magic Kingdom to try and get the little girl to come. I've already posted pictures on facebook but I know some of you don't have accounts so here are some more pictures for you to enjoy!

Baby Shower for Gracie

Vicki and the homegroup ladies threw me a shower on Friday. I had SO much fun. They had my favorite, brownies and ice cream. And then they had Amy, Debbie, and Ruthanne pamper me with massages on my hands, feet, and neck/shoulders. Thank you girls!!!! Plus I got the cutest little dresses for Gracie and a few other things. I felt so loved and blessed to have such good friends. Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with me.

I only have 2(and a half)weeks left before my due date. I am already dilated 1-2 cm!!! And feel like I may go early; so who knows. My mom gets here next Wednesday. I can't wait to meet little Gracie Whitney!

The last few weeks

Here are a few pictures of our life the last few weeks. Nathan got another hair cut last Friday. He screamed just like he did the first time but he held still. He looks like such a little man.

I'm 36 weeks pregnant now and doing well. Today the Dr said everything looks great and hopefully we'll have this girl soon. She moves all the time and is strong, just like her brother. I'm starting to really slow down and definitely feel like I'm ready to have this baby.

Nathan is becoming quite the toddler. He loves to color, play with play dough, try on our shoes, repeat everything you ask him to, wrestle with daddy, and watch tv. Mike had the Daytona 500 on and Nathan loved it! He and daddy got to spend some male bonding time.

Nathan and I visited Stephanie and little Laura on Friday. She is so cute!!! I can't believe how much she's grown. She is such a good baby. I was able to babysit her for a few hours and we had a great time.

We had a very nice Valentine's day. Mike had made reservations at Houstons which I had never been to. He had asked for a window seat overlooking the lawn and lake. It was very romantic and we had a great time together. I love my husband more each day and appreciate him so much. He is such a good man and I couldn't be more happy.

We have much to be thankful for.

Some recent pictures of Nathan

Double Stroller

To any moms out there,

I'm wondering if you suggest I get a double stroller, and if so what kind. I'm wondering how much I would actually use one. Would it fit in my trunk? They are so expensive. Any suggestions on where to get one? Thank you mommies!

A new car

Nathan got a new car (not us, unfortunately). It was a Christmas gift from Grandad James and Ms. Gloria. Just wanted to post a few pictures of the fun we've had.

The Christmas Season is Here!

This is Nathan's 2nd Christmas, but the first one where he can touch, reach, and pull down the tree if he wanted to. We put the tree up last night and had the Christmas music playing. It reminded me of when I was a kid back at home and we would put on this silly Christmas music and all decorated the house. I got all these good memories and feelings. It's different now that I'm the adult/mom and have a child. Nathan did great. We put in him the exersaucer (surprised he still goes in there) and he watched us do all the work. He kept asking to touch and see the ornaments (especially the ones that look like balls). He kept saying 'ball' the whole night.

Nathan also did his first craft ever. My good friend Julie watched him for the morning and kept him busy! The little antlers are his hands and the head is his footprint. How cute!! I am a proud mom who has it hanging on the refrigerator. He is such a toddler, not my little baby anymore.

Nathan's Changes

Nathan got his first haircut! He held still the whole time but was screaming. He didn't want to move because we gave him a sucker. So there was snot, drool, and hair all over the place.

He's also trying really hard to talk. Just in the last few days he has said ball, all done, and outside. He doesn't articulate every sound but it is very close. His baby talk has also improved from just da da all time to all kinds of sounds. He's also become more of a ham lately. He laughs a lot at who knows what and tries to be silly. I love it!