Being Crafty

Some coworkers gave me these craft supplies for Nathan because they were horses. He got to work and started making pictures for friends at daycare. It was very sweet. The neat thing was when I wrote their names on the back, he identified each one. I was pretty impressed.

Good Bye Stevens

 Goodbyes are never easy (as you can see). We had such a fabulous time with our Michigan family that knowing they would leave in the morning (today) was not something Nathan wanted to think about.

 Nathan and Bentley

Brianna can bring a smile out of them! :)

Playing at the Park

We decided to try a different park so that Bentley could join us. The boys had an awesome time and I think Brianna did too!

(Photo credits to Michelle!)

Changing the Channel

Today was a day with lots and lots of walking (in fact, I hit my highest total - almost 15,000 steps!). We went to the park in the morning so Brianna could run, then we spent most of the day at the Opry Mills mall. We found a few deals and checked out stores that we normally don't get to shop at.

This is a trick that Zach does often as he imitates Barry. It's pretty cute. We tried for a while to let him have his own 'mote (as Nathan calls it), but he got wise quick that it didn't do anything.

(Photo Credit - Michelle)

Sunday Shenanigans

 Posing with Aunt Chelle on 2nd Avenue

 Posing with a big cowboy boot on Broadway

 Taking in some live music per Uncle Tod's request

 Here are the guys -- they took turns singing and it was pretty good.

The Nashville skyline -- the distinctive AT&T building on the left.

It was a very full afternoon and lots of walking, but neat to see the various things downtown.

Favorite Song

Nathan's favorite song for a while now is Toby Mac's "Move" from his This is Not a Test album. They play it on the radio and then we've been spending time watching the video on YouTube. We have looked for the CD and were able to finally get to Lifeway to get it.

The constant request is for the "On the Moon" song (who knows why he calls it this!). Also, instead of "hold on" in the one portion of the song, he says "hello". It's so cute!!

Did you catch his dance moves?! It's even better when he can stand and move around.

Celebrating

We got to join the Mosleys to celebrate their youngest's birthday. She is just a few months older than Zachy so they have been a great resource at times when we've been going through things.

 Doesn't this look fun? Her older sister had to blow out the candle.

The boys found a new toy that they l-o-v-e-d! A stuffed dog that shakes. Yes, seriously. A stuffed dog. Can we get away from the dogs?! :)

St. Patty's Green

The boys dressed in green today to be ready for St. Patrick's Day.

Did you wear green?

One Cool Dude

We've seen this cool dude before ...

2/10/16

But he showed up again sporting Momma's sunglasses (inside no less!).

 (Zachy wasn't sure what was going on! :) But he had to be in the picture!)

What a stud muffin!

Trying for a Brothers Pic

I was trying to get a brothers picture this morning, but it just didn't work out...

 Zachy's on track but Nathan closed his eyes.

 Nathan wanted to try again, but eyes were closed. Zachy seems dazed.

 Now, Nathan thought he'd take some pictures. Oops! Barely got Zachy in the picture.

Ummm.... Daddy?! At least you got a good shot of his winter-time beard. :)

Last Day

This may seem like a bizarre picture to post. But you see, this is the last day that I will choose to be in this spot. I have spent time in this room every weekday, multiple times a day since September 8, 2015, when I returned from maternity leave. That's 18 months (yes, 18 MONTHS!) that I've been in this room or approximately 384 days. I've spent over 1000 sessions with over 14 days cumulative spent with this machine hooked up to me. 14 DAYS... 342.45 hours... 20, 547 minutes. CRAZY!

With the handy-dandy technology we now have available, I tracked each and every one of these sessions and found that I have pumped 31 gallons and 60 ounces of milk. 31 GALLONS!!! Can you believe it?! I was able to donate to three different families and of course feed Zach exclusively for 1 year and then as much breast milk as possible after that. What an accomplishment!

I am glad to have this time back to myself to use to catch up on this blog, have lunch with friends, and most of all to be able to exercise again. I haven't had a full lunch hour in over 18 months (with a few exceptions). I'm grateful that my office has been supportive and my co-workers haven't given me grief about it. I know others aren't so lucky. I'm glad to be back in the real world, but sad that my baby doesn't need this from me any longer. We made it through the second winter and I hope it is evident in his overall health. There's still some frozen milk that we'll use to get through to April, but the fresh stuff is done.

20 Months Old

Twenty months have passed with this little guy. He is beginning to say things and interact more (and throwing fits -- as Nathan says) with us. He wants to do things on his own and is resisting some when you try to do it for him. This one's going to be a challenge, I think!

If we could get the words flowing, I think we'd be surprised how much he does have stored up in that head of his. He's capable of so much!

 "Momma, I want to help!"

"Okay. I can be cute if I'm on Daddy's lap."

One year ago...

Zachy was actually sick and I stayed home with him.

March 9, 2016

Some Bunnies...

LOVE YOU!

I saw this idea for handprints and since we only have brown paint, it fit with the plan. It was a little difficult to not put the thumb in the picture, but I think the bunnies turned out pretty good.

Hoping it'll be a nice pick-me-up for a few people in our lives.

Sunday Smiles

Nathan was adamant after church today that we needed to go over to the picnic table and have pictures taken. So, this is what we got.

These boys are growing up!

Brotherly Fun

Unfortunately, we had a sick boy Thursday night. Since we weren't sure if it was going to be a sharable sickness, we decided to keep Zach home too. The boys and I spent the day together and thankfully as the day progressed Nathan was feeling like himself. In fact he was asking for pizza for lunch!

 Just because we can't resist the cuteness of brothers, here is a picture from last year.

3/15/2016

My how they've grown! :)

Hat Day

Since it's Dr. Seuss week, you have to have a hat day, right?!

What hat would be Nathan's preference? A cowboy hat, of course!

 Zachy snuck in this one.

After 6 tries, we finally got a picture with his eyes open! What can you do with him?!

Crazy Socks

It's Dr. Seuss Week and although Nathan's had the opportunity to dress up several different days, he has not been too excited about it all. He had the opportunity to wear crazy socks today for Fox in Socks. I found a crazy pair for him to wear and by the end of the day he was not impressed. They kept falling down.

[You may notice poor Zachy's face in the corner of this picture. He got rug burn last week on his head and over the weekend the scab opened up and has bled quite a bit. Poor thing!]