Pictures from the 16th week

Today, Nathan turned 17 weeks old... Sunday he will be 4 months old. I can't believe how the time has flown by. It has been amazing in so many ways. I would love to reflect on the last 4 months and share it with all of you - but it would take forever, and my blogging time is limited to nap time, so I'll just reflect on the last couple of weeks. Nathan is a dream baby. His name means "Gift from God" and that is truly what he is. He is an INCREDIBLE blessing and such a joy. He's so laid back, he's happy 90% of the time and the other 10% he just sort of complains or whines and that's when he's wet, poopy, tired, hungry, or gassy. I'd complain too. Now, occasionally if he gets over tired, he'll all out yell, but those times are rare and very short lived. Chad and I have always had this experience with him, with the exception of when he was about 6 weeks old and he fussed a little more... but it's really easy to take it for granted. I've talked to friends who have had babies with colic and they remind me to be thankful for these days filled with jibber jabbering, smiling, cooing, and adventure. Nathan rarely ever cries, and when he does, he's scared or tired. Yesterday we were only home for 3 hours in the morning and we were out the rest of the day - he just cooed and took in this new environment. He was happy all day long - he napped where ever we were, and he smiled at everyone. We still have spontaneous outings, we still eat out fairly frequently, we still sit down to dinner together (Nathan in his high chair, us at the table), we still get to sleep in... and I mean sleep in. A typical day, Nathan eats at 6am and goes right back to sleep, and will often sleep until nearly 10am! I can sleep in too! On the weekends, we still sleep in! I know these days will soon come to an end, but they are precious! When Nathan wakes up, he's so happy and talks to let us know he's awake. Precious! Even at 430am when he still wakes up looking for his paci, he talks to let us know he can't find it (how could he, his arms are swaddled at his side). We go into his room, put his paci in and leave, and don't hear another peep out of him! He is such a good baby! Thank you Lord for the temperament you have placed in our child!

I could go on and on, but I'll stop... for now! :)

This week has been so fun. Nathan is rolling over more (3 times in a row today), starting to reach for objects, always watching the world around him, and eager to interact with others. He moved into size 1-2 diapers and was in those for about a day before we jumped right into size 2 diapers! He has started eating formula with a tiny bit of rice cereal in it from a spoon and he is doing wonderful. He actually swallows it instead of pushing it out with his tongue! He has also made it very clear that he likes to sleep in his bed or his swing for naps (not on us - this is only a problem on Sunday mornings when we're at church and it's nap time) and at bedtime, he wants to be in his crib. He goes to sleep quickly and sleeps soundly! He's really starting to interact with Bailey more and is enjoying her attention - CONSTANT attention and constant grooming. She keeps him impeccably clean! :) He has also discovered that he can get our attention by "talking" to us! SO sweet. We are encouraging this so that he doesn't scream for our attention later! Such a fun week!

Here are my favorite pics from this last week








Playing with my Puppy, Bailey



Morning Faces





Nap Time


Mom and Dad finally let me get in my jumperoo this week! My friend Evan has been in his already and I'm 4 weeks older than him! My first time in it I wasn't sure what to think, but by the second time, I loved it. I'm not quite tall enough to reach the floor, so mommy put a stool under my feet so I could stand!


I immediately made friends with the Sunshine. I love to talk to it, but for some reason, it doesn't talk back!




You think I'm handsome? You should see my daddy!







Now... and then (these are comparison photos from 16 weeks and 2 weeks. Notice the size of the ducks and frogs on the blanket in comparison to the size of Nathan!)