After it dried I scuffed up the edges with sandpaper for a distressed look.
This is the final product. It is a cowboy theme to match my new nephew's bedroom. ;-)
I'm so excited! Christine is all bundled up napping right now.
We went with a superhero theme and while it wasn't exactly a designer birthday party, I think things came together well in the end. I got masks from Oriental Trading Company, and found instructions online to make capes from old t-shirts so the kids who did not come dressed up could create their own costume. My parents were great enough to host at their farm so we were able to set up their inflatable obstacle course and they surprised us with pony rides.
I had intended on trying out a fondant recipe passed on to me by a friend but was feeling the pressure at the last minute and went with something a little less intimidating to me. So when I found instructions on how to do a Superman cake with M&Ms I felt a little more confident in being able to do that well.
We all had a good time. Good food, good friends, what more could we want? ;-) Nate loved spending the evening playing with his friends... and the presents didn't hurt either.
What a great way to celebrate our firstborn's fifth birthday!! Love you Nate!
We were thankful that my in-laws took the boys for the weekend. It made things alot less stressful only having one kiddo in tow for all of the wedding activities. It was alot of fun getting Christine all dressed up for the wedding! How cute is she?
I have a love-hate relationship with doing wedding pictures. I love taking pictures especially for friends... however, there is so much pressure when doing photography for weddings! There are no re-dos! Thankfully things went smoothly and I hope the bride and groom are as happy with the pictures as I am.
If you are interested in seeing more I'll be posting more on my photography blog HERE.
We took some time to wander around downtown Nashville and check out some shops and have a nice lunch before heading to the camp. Nate enjoyed panning for cold and gems at one of the shops.
What a blessing to be able to spend the day together as a family!
My kiddos love their aunties!
We're trying to settle into something of a "normal" pattern. No more lovely meals from ladies at church, no more family and friends asking to come by and meet Christine. Now its just us, going about our daily life. The kiddos keep me pretty busy and they seem to be all I have time for most days. Though this summer is a busy time for other reasons as well. My husband's work is changing offices which has added stress for him and therefore us as well, there are a couple weddings that we are a part of, my sister is nearing the end of her pregnancy and we've had her shower and maternity pictures... all this and we've been having one of the hottest summers ever!!
Christine is growing like crazy. At three weeks old she was already 10lbs 9oz! That is about two pounds gained already! So, clearly she is eating well. I have been calling her my "chunky monkey" but I think I'm going to try to switch to "chubby bunny" because it sounds slightly more feminine. ;-) She is still sleeping great at night but the days are hit or miss. Some days she'll nap well and others she wants to be held all day. She was a tag-along on her first girls night out over the weekend, which included her first chick flick! ;-)
summer this past week, his teacher and PT have reported him doing some good walking in the gait trainer (a therapeutic walker)at school. He is moving around alot on the floor at home doing a "bunny hop". Joe is very verbal at times and is even using a couple of signs unprompted. I have mixed feelings about him not having developmental preschool over the summer. Its going to be nice to have a break from all the dropping off and picking up... but I certainly do not want him to miss out on all the stimulation he gets at school. We will be meeting with his physical therapist a few times and doing therapy on our own to keep him working on his walking and encourage him to continue the progress that he has been making. I will say that his mood has improved since school let out and he is back to napping consistently. Praise God! ;-)
Nate is full of energy. He is a busy body and is constantly active physically and mentally. He is so smart. We have been working on reading here and there. Nate has an incredible memory and often spouts random things that he has read or heard on tv. The other day he told me I needed to go to "w-w-w-dot-discovery-dot-com-slash-mythbusters". He inquires about little things and big things to the point that I sometimes run out of answers for him! Or maybe I just run out of patience. I'm not sure. ;-) Nate still dotes on Christine like no other. He keeps reminding her that he is here to protect her. He's such a sweet big brother.
Since things are still settling down around here Isaac's birthday was spent a little low key this year. We are not yet able to get away for a "normal" date since I'm nursing. But we did manage to get some special time together. And Isaac is saving up to get a custom guitar (it might be awhile ;-), so I didn't really get him a gift either. However, I did make him the breakfast of his choice, we spent the whole day together and then went out to dinner as a family.
We have been so incredibly blessed through our friends and family since Christine's birth. Two friends in particular were on hand basically 24/7 the last couple of weeks to help around the house and with the boys and their help has been invaluable! While my recovery is going very well it is still a recovery and I am infinitely thankful for their loving acts of service for me and my growing family. And of course our church family and friends are wonderful about bringing meals to help us ease the transition after a new baby. What a blessing!
Joe has been a combination of fun and frustrating lately. He has been very vocal in a constructive and communicative way and also in a whiny and complaining way. He has been signing well (most of the time) even using signs unprompted which is great. Joe has been doing well at school but I think the school schedule is catching up to him and he's been tired alot. He had pink eye and a cold back to back so its taken its toll and its been reflected in his mood. Sometimes there is literally nothing we can do to make him feel better and we just have to do our best to meet his basic needs and hope that is enough until he gets rested and gets back to his normal happy self.
Christine is such a good baby. She eats and sleeps well. She is almost too good. ;-) I keep waiting for her to become colicky or something, but for now I am just thankful that she is so sweet. We're enjoying having more awake time with her in the last few days. She makes so many faces already, we could just watch her for hours, everything she does is totally precious. And of course after having two boys I am really enjoying having all the pink!
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
