Madeline's Christmas Play

Madeline was an angel in the preschool/kindergarten Christmas program at our church.  She's in the far left of these pictures.  They sang "Jesus Loves the Little Children," "Silent Night," and "Go Tell it on the Mountain."

Sam - 3 months

Sam continues to be our easy-going baby and FULL of smiles.  At 3 months, he is able to hold up his head while sitting in the Bumbo chair.  We hear more and more chatter and are amused by his attempts to grasp items and pull them to his mouth.

Thanksgiving 2010

Our usual Thanksgiving weekend includes a trip to Rochester to celebrate with Nathan's family on Thurs/Friday and then my dad's house on Saturday.  However, this year we did something a little bit different.  Instead, my mom came to visit us from Indiana for the 4-day weekend.  I hadn't celebrated Thanksgiving with my mom since 1997, so she was more than excited to share this special holiday with us.  And, unfortunately, she had missed Henry's birthday party and Sam's baptism in October due to a knee injury, so this was a make-up of sorts.

As a part of this change in plans, we had the opportunity to cook our FIRST EVER turkey dinner! I was so proud of us - it was delicious!  I definitely want to make turkey dinners more intermittently through the year now that we have the confidence that we can do it.

We continue to be in awe of the many blessings that God has given to us - our family, our love, our health, our jobs, our home, our faith... 

Halloween 2010

We had a fairly low key Halloween... Nathan took Madeline and Henry around our block, and the kids were so excited with the loot that they had.  Henry *loved* his Lightning McQueen Cars suit.  No problems there.  But Madeline was a last minute costume.  I originally had bought her a cool witch costume at a garage sale, but she said it was too itchy.  So we raided her princess costume closet and most of them don't fit her anymore. But the Mulan costume still worked.  She was not too excited about it until I did her hair in a bun and loaded up on the make-up.  And then she was so happy!  You could just tell that she felt all girly and pretty.  It was fun.  Sam literally had on the puppy dog outfit long enough for this picture and then that was it.

Henry's 3rd birthday

Henry's 3rd birthday is on October 29th, but we celebrated it early (along with Sam's baptism).  Henry is obsessed with the Disney Cars characters, so we had a Cars theme.   He got Cars-related presents from everyone, too - matchbox cars, a remote controlled car, sleeping bag, puzzle, book, and plates.  He's in Cars heaven!!

It's hard to believe that he's 3 already. He's really stretching out and slimming down.  And he's POTTY TRAINED!  (And has been for about a month already.)  We thought it was going to take awhile, but bribery of Cars matchbox cars did the trick in about a week.  It's such a relief to have only one son in diapers and we're so proud of our BIG BOY!!

Sam update at 2 months old and his baptism

Sam is 2 months old, which means Mommy goes back to work in just 2 weeks.  This maternity leave has been fantastic and full of so many wonderful memories with all 3 kids.  I will treasure it forever!

Sam had his 2 month check-up last week.  He is a big boy!

• Weight - 16 lbs, 7 oz (off the charts)
• Length - 26" (off the charts)

He has been pretty easy to figure out.  Usually, he only screams when he is over-tired, so it's a quick fix.  He's been sleeping in a very consistent routine since he was 7 weeks old.  He eats at 7 p.m. and goes to bed.  He wakes up for his next feeding anytime between 4 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., so that's 9 to 10.5 hours between feedings!  I feel so spoiled with his nighttime routine.  He's been smiling and cooing all the time now, and he's recently found his left hand which he sucks on like crazy.  So cute!!  I've heard a few laughs so far, and I can't wait until he laughs more often...

We also celebrated Sam's baptism on October 23rd.  It was a very special mass, surrounded by God's love and so many of our family members.  Sam's God-parents are Abby and John Lape and Aunt Laura.  He is a very special and very loved little boy, and we will always be so grateful to God that He trusted Samuel to us to raise and love.

October fun

We've done some fun things this fall!!  Earlier this month, we went to the apple orchard with the Lape family (Amanda and Dean pictured on tires below with Madeline and Henry).  The kids enjoyed a pony ride, the corn maze, a tractor ride, and petting the goats.    Sam was there too.  I made sure his presence was documented!

  

We also got to spend a weekend in Madison with Nathan's cousin, Jenny, and her family.  Gotta love the cousin shot below!  

Jenny and Eric treated Nathan and I to the Minnesota vs. Wisconsin game - suite tickets, too!!  It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend and we really had a great time, even though the Gophers lost.