Happy 9 Months to Our Lucky Charm

He weighed 23 pounds 6 ounces which put him at 93% and he was 28.86 inches which is 85%.  Plus his head was in the 97th percentile.  :-)

He goes to bed by 6 or 6:30 these days.  He is sleeping in his crib with his pacifier and a soft blanket by his face and wound in his hands.  He lays down on his side and it is pretty sweet to see.  He slept through the night three nights in a row after some sleep training.  Then he got the stomach bug again and hasn't done it since.  He doesn't get bottles in the night but he can't always put himself back to sleep either.  

He loves to feed himself puffs and bananas.  He prefers rice or oatmeal over any veggie.  He eats big jars of baby food and isn't much of a fan of my homemade stuff.  

He crawls everywhere and quickly.  My purse was just out of the picture here.  He got the puffs open somehow, dumped, and began eating in literally one back turn.  

Oh, you didn't want these books scattered?

Is this the curtain you were saying don't pull on?  

Love this busy, happy, fun-loving baby!

Jessi and Peter Came

We we're flattered once again to be chosen as Jessi and Peter's spring break location. We don't know if that is because we are so enjoyable or because we live in a fun city.  They came and visited with us for a week and we all had a good visit together. It had been a long time since so it was good for Joshua to play with them and Nathan to really meet them.  We saw them when Nathan was born but that was such a whirlwind and emotional trip that we didn't really visit much then.  They went and explored some new sites and returned to play downtown. I think they had a good time I only wish we could've seen the more. Jessi got a stomach bug while here so that cut into their trip.  We hope we will get to play again soon.

PS Please ignore the blue pants with blue shirt plus high waters Joshua loves to dress himself.

First Real Adoption Conversation

We plan to be completely open with Nathan about his adoption.  We hope to maintain relationships with the birth family as well.  However, this is a new experience for all of us so we are figuring it out as we go.

Today, Joshua was playing with a yo-yo that he got at Christmas time.  He randomly asks me who gave him the yo-yo.  I told him that it came in a package from Ms. J, Mr. J, Ms. J, and Ms. J.  I don't know if that's what he should call everyone...remember I'm new here.  Yes, all the names do start with J.  That is one of the reasons Nathan has a middle name that starts with a J.  Of course, I told Joshua the actual names but for the sake of blogging it wasn't important to list.  Anyway, he says I don't know who that is Mom.  Well I have a book that was sent with pictures of them all during the pregnancy, at the hospital, and a week after.  We sat down and took a look.  Joshua started with questions I didn't quite expect yet.

Joshua Question: Where is Nathan?
My Answer: He is growing inside of Ms. J tummy.
Joshua Response: That's cool that she can do that.  I grew in your tummy, right Mom?  

Joshua Question:  Who is this?

My Answer:  We went through every person and all that I knew about each one.  We laughed at them playing in the water and all having fun.

Joshua Question:  What's happening here at the hospital?

My Answer:  Nathan is getting ready to come out of her tummy.

Joshua Response: This is great.  I was ready for him to be done in there.

Joshua Question:  What do these words say?  

My Answer:  It says the wonderful nurses were taking care of Nathan.

Joshua Response:  Well they were only a little bit good because they made him cry.

Joshua Question:  Why is she making a sad face?  (In reference to birth mom's sister while holding Nathan)

My Answer:  She was getting ready to give us Nathan so she was sad.

Joshua Response:  That is sad.  I understand she is going to miss him just like I miss all of our family in SC. 

Joshua Question:  If he grew in her tummy and they were sad then why did they give him to our family?

My response:  (No words....I didn't know what to say yet to this. So, I did what I did as a teacher turn it back into a question.)

Joshua's Answer:  Oh, that's easy.  I know because they knew I would miss him.  I love him.  That's why.  

My Response:  (A little choked up by this innocent and tender conversation) You are exactly right.  I am so glad I have you and Nathan.  

Joshua: Yep, so I love them too.  She did a good job growing Nathan.  

My Response: Yes she did buddy.

Satisfied, he gets up and goes back to playing with his yo-yo.  

Lately in our world

Nathan loves sitting in the high chairs at restaurants.  He also loves to be really loud!  Our days of out to eat may be over or at least on hold for awhile.  We place our order and on the first drink refill after food arrives we basically needed the check and to-go boxes about 5 minutes before.  :-)  

Joshua loves to hide in this box in his room.  He will stay in there for an incredibly long time. The shocking part is how can he spend that long in this box but is terrified without a nightlight.

Watching a few new cartoons from "Rachel's day" on youtube.  We all loved having her here.  It was definitely a large factor in me staying sane during these last months of Matt's schedule.  He was gone to Houston, on night shift, and then back to Houston.  We have Matt back now but unfortunately put Rachel on a plane today.

Showing off his Sherlock Holmes hat from story time.  He cut the whole thing out himself.  

Showing that it is really hard to be 3 since this was literally 30 seconds later. 

He is obsessed with the fact that he is bigger and almost 4.  He insisted on placing his order at the restaurant himself.  He also was annoyed when the waitress asked a question about his drink choice and I answered for him.  

Another first since he has always been too scared.  He informed me this "was just another thing he had to do since he was almost 4."

This picture is so blurry but I loved the hoodie and it is never cold enough here for clothes like this especially for Nathan.  This kid is seriously on the move and very fast!  

We had a fun "celebrity" night at church.  We all were supposed to wear our "fanciest" dress and enjoy an evening with the ladies.  It was fun!  Matt was still in Houston but I felt like a million bucks because Joshua's eyes lit up.  He told me I was a real princess and the prettiest one he had ever seen.  He is going to make some girl feel special someday.  

Some brotherly love!  

I love Joshua and he was enough but I knew I needed another little one.  I felt a pulling at my heart to take action because there was someone else that was supposed to be in our family.  I can't describe the way my heart doubled to make an equal space for Nathan.  My happiest moments are seeing these two make each other complete.  They really do love one another and Matt and I feel like the two luckiest parents in the world.  

Some videos to enjoy!