Just like his daddy

Nate loves to "read" books. We read almost every book he owns every day. Some days he'll get real quiet and I will go look for him and he will be looking at his books. The other night it got quiet and I found him "reading" as he sat on the hearth which is another thing he picked up from his daddy. It surprised me that he was up there and he looked so cute that I snapped a quick picture. I told Derrick that Nate may not look like him, but he sure wants to be like him.

My little observant son

Yesterday Nate and I were in the kitchen and he noticed the Pam cooking spray and wanted me to get it for him. I gave it to him and he immediately started his 'grunt and point' routine that he does when he wants something. He was pointing towards the screen door so I thought I'd just go with it and see what he wanted. When we got to the door he wanted to go outside to the grill. He then wanted me to open the lid so he could put the spray inside. He must have seen Derrick spray the grill before barbecuing the other night. It just amazes me how quickly he picks things up. He sees it one time and the next he's doing it!

A weekend to myself...

So I had the most wonderful weekend! For part of my Mother's Day gift, Derrick agreed to watch Nate for a weekend so I could spend some girl time with my cousin Talina in Billings. I left Friday night (my first night away from Nate!) and enjoyed the most beautiful scenery all the way up. It was gorgeous! I tried to take some pictures as I drove (dangerous) which I will share with you, but none of them give it justice. Thanks to Casting Crowns, I had some good worship and prayer time with the Lord on the drive up. I also shed my share of tears and let out a few laughs...I think leaving Nate for the first time was harder than I thought it would be.

I had such a fun time catching up with Talina as well as Tyler and Chandi and kids. The highlight of the weekend was my trip to the spa on Saturday: I got a facial and a massage. I was in heaven! The shopping was fun, too, not to mention the sleeping in till 10:00 (ok, we were up til 2:00 visiting). I came home Sunday evening to two happy boys who also had a very fun, adventerous weekend...and the dishes were even done. I was impressed!

Here are few photos from my weekend...

The drive up...

Tyler and Chandi's boys: Cade (with me) and Jagger

Talina and I

Happy Mother's Day!

I would like to wish a "Happy Mother's Day" to a few special people:
First, to my mom: I hope you have an extra blessed day and know that we love you and are thinking of you. I was thinking back to the Mother's days we spent together while I was at home. Every year we had the good ol' piano recital. Hopefully that was special for you...we didn't really have a choice (I'm sure I would have much rather stayed home:) I also remember giving you jellybeans a few years in a row...and I remember some family drives in the country... whatever we did it was always fun to have a day to celebrate you.
Second, to my sister. I am more than happy to wish you a "Happy Mother's Day!" I always looked forward to the day (I know you did, too) that you could be celebrated as a mommy. And now, a mommy of two!?! God has truly blessed you with two precious, beautiful children. I know you are doing a wonderful job and am proud of you. I love you and can't wait for the next time to get the cousins together.
Thirdly, to my precious grandmothers, Maxine and Betty. I love you both and thank God for choosing me to be your granddaughter. You are both so sweet and fun and wonderful to talk with. Thank you for being godly examples for us grandchildren to look up to.
Fourth, my mother in law. Thank you for accepting me into your family; I wouldn't have wanted to join anyone else's. I wish that we lived closer so I could get to know you better but I am thankful for each time we get to share with you and look forward to the next. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your son to help shape him into who he is today.
Fifth, to my sweet girlfriends. I think most of us are mommies now or are going to be in a short time. I love each one of you and miss you all so much. I only dream of one day getting our kids together to play while we catch up over a latte.
Lastly, to the rest of you: aunts, cousins, sister-in-laws... You are all a very special part of my life and I thank God for each of you as well. May God bless you today.
Love,
Erica

Progress!!!

Nate took his first few steps this week!!
It all started Monday when he decided that he could stand up in the middle of the room by himself, and oh was he proud of himself! Then I got him to take 2 steps! I have been working with him all week to "walk like Mommy does" and he took 4 steps in a row on Thursday. I'm pretty excited as you can tell. He has been taking his own time with this and Mommy is trying to be patient but the competitive side of me (yes, its there) comes out when I hear of all the other babies his age (and younger!) already walking. Oh, I know he will soon enough and everyone says to just enjoy this time before he walks so I will...

Here are a few photos from our week:

Look at me!!

Can I watch a movie?? Please?!?

(Ok, I don't let him watch one every day but look at

his delight when I say yes and stick one in...)

Pure joy!

Bubbles! Thank you Auntie Merilee for the birthday gift!

Enjoying a bagel

Nate's first year: month by month

After Nate was born, my sister gave me the idea to take a picture each month on his "month" birthday as a way to "map" his growth. I was working on his baby book the other day and enjoyed putting these pictures in order and seeing how his looks and size changed in just a month's time. They sure do grow up fast...

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

Our week...

Wow, where did it go? Its Saturday already and I look back at the week and wonder what I did? Does that ever happen to anyone else? Do your days often feel like they are 4 hours long? That is how my week felt, although I do think I got some things accomplished. Yesterday started with a snowstorm, which closed the interstates and shut the schools down. Yes, a snowstorm in May!! Nate and I had to go "help" Daddy at work as his assistant couldn't make it into town. Fortunately, he got help for the afternoon because after we got home, Nate got sick. It started with a fever, then puke, then more puke... I am so bummed as it seems like we have been fighting sickness this whole year (2008) and I thought it was over! His fever got up to 103.7 last night but today it is down around 100. Hopefully it will be short lasting... its been a long day as he pretty much only wants Mommy to hold him.
More later...