Goodbye...

pacifer!
So I have been wanting to get rid of the pacifer for some time now but have been putting it off not knowing what we were getting into. We accidently forgot Nate's "pacy" in Bozeman when we were there last weekend and so decided to roll with it. We had one bad night where we were up till 2:00 in the morning with him but since then he has only asked for it about once a day. When he does I just remind him that he had a birthday party and that he is two now and big boys don't have pacy's. Hooray! I didn't know it would be that easy!

Our little blessing

I cant believe how big my boy is getting. Everyone says that he is tall for his age so I guess he must be. He will be 2 on Monday! We are headed to Bozeman on Friday for my cousin Brenton's wedding then on to Lewistown for the rest of the weekend. I'm excited that we get to celebrate Nate's birthday with some family! Yay! Nate is such a sweet little boy full of hugs and kisses and pats on the back. He loves all stuffed animals and takes good care of them (gives them drinks, stuffs food in their mouths... :) We are also proud of how athletic he is becoming. He loves to jump and kick and throw and hang off of things. I bought him a tball awhile ago and he loves to swing that bat and impress us with how good he can hit the ball across the room. He is very vocal but still doesn't say alot of real words. I guess he figures his signs and sounds work great why say the word? He definitely can say the word "No" however. I have heard that word a few too many times lately. And he says it with such attitude!
Yesterday we went on a walk along the creek and I was pointing out the trees and grass and pinecones telling him how God made each one of them and he immediately started doing the signs for the song "My God is so big." It just amazed how he related that song to what I was saying. They are smart little ones, aren't they?
I am so thankful for my son and the blessing he is to us. He brings such a needed joy into our lives. Thank you Lord for little Nate!!

Here are some fun bath time photos from last night...

This cracks me up...

Nate and I were having some popcorn for a snack yesterday and this is what I later discovered... I guess he thought Elmo was hungry too! :)

Elmo seems to be Nate's new friend.

He carries him everywhere and loves to give him rides in his car.

So sweet!

He gives and takes away...blessed be the name of the LORD.

Today was supposed to be a very exciting day. The day was finally here to go to the Dr. for my first prenatal visit for our second child! I had been waiting for this day for weeks! I couldn't wait to hear the little heart beat and see the little one forming inside of me on the ultrasound screen. I was going to waste no time getting home so I could announce it to the world (well, at least to my fellow bloggers and facebookers) that we were expecting!! But, God had different plans this go around. Last Saturday I had some light spotting. I called the Dr. Monday morning and they assured me that although it was not something to take lightly, it was probably nothing to be concerned about. Unfortunately, by Tuesday evening it was getting worse and by Wednesday I knew I was losing the battle I did not want to fight. Having a miscarriage is never something that you think is going to happen to you so it was very unexpected. It has been a difficult week, a disappointing one... But I continue to raise my eyes to the Lord where He gives me comfort and hope. Hope of another life to come.
So, today is a bittersweet day. I am grieving the loss of my sweet child but looking forward with hope of another to fill my arms very soon. The Lord does not take something from our hands without filling it with something better. I'm hanging on to that!

I love this picture!

Merilee just sent me this picture that Mom took when we were there.

Yes we are wearing the same shirt;

it was our Valentine's gift from Mom.

Doesn't Nate look like a little politician? :)

It's amazing all three kids are

actually looking at the camera.

What a goof!

Cousins!!

Nate and I flew down with my mom to visit my sister and family in Missouri last week. We had so much fun!! Keeping up with three toddlers definitely kept us busy! It was so fun to observe each of their personalities... so different. Nate had a blast with his cousins, and loved flying on the airplane! He even came home with a few new words! Here's a few pictures from our week.