Craft time

For those that know me well, you know that Amy and crafts just do not get along. I have the ideas down, but follow through is just something that doesn't work out so well. Im not patient and my attention to detail on crafting projects is nonexistent. 

That said, I am SO proud of myself with these plates. My friend Jenn made reindeer plates with her son's hands and feet. They were adorable. Like any good copycat, I took myself down to the local paint your own pottery studio. Once there, 

I begged for help. I wont lie. I looked through her catalog of hand and feet ideas. So cute. Then, there it was. The booty section! Thats right, painted butts of children smooshed onto pottery pieces. So very Amy, right?! 

After reviewing her ideas, I settled on the snowman. I liked that it wasn't screaming obvious that its my child's backside but you can still tell. I had hers to go by so I gave it a whirl. 3 hours later, we were done with 3 plates and an ornament with his hands and feet. Katie was beyond helpful. I stripped Nathan and laid him across my like I was going to spank him. SHe slathered on the white paint and rolled the plate into position. Then she helped me do the hands and feet on the ornament. I could not have done it alone. She even let me put Nathan in her daughter's pack and play so I could work a little easier.  

The grandmas loved them and even Jeremy said they turned out better than he could have imagined. Katie, the owner, says you can get about 3 years out of the butts. I see 2 more Christmas butts in my future =)

You can see the booty right under the snowman's tongue. It is a slightly different color than the rest of the face. 

Admit it, its cuter than you thought, right? Especially knowing that its an Amy creation!

big boy nap

How cute is he? We are making progress with him napping in his crib. I guess he thinks the room is too bright =) As long as he is sleeping, Im ok with it. 

Can you see the bear propping him up? He sleeps better on his side with the congestion and all. But, he ends up rolling over once he falls asleep. So, the bear helps a momma out. 

First Christmas

Nathan's first Christmas was so wonderful. 

We started the weekend before with dad's visit.

This is Heather reading Nathan's bedtime story. Melts my heart!

Dad loving on "his boy". It appears that Nathan got my porcelain skin. Sorry little guy. I was hoping daddy would pass on his olive tones. 

Then, the moms came in to "help". Read play with Nathan. There was a little competition for attention at first but they settled down once they both saw him roll over.   Jeremy's dad and brother came in on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning right when we got up. Notice the requisite drool markings on Jeremy's shoulder. 

Later in the morning, Santa himself made an appearance. Grandma Sue insisted that Nathan match. Again, sorry kiddo!  Poor Santa was about to melt in his suit in the Florida heat. But, a certain Nonna insisted he wear it. 

The rest of the family came over for lunch. 18 people in all. Holy crappola. Amy was a little stressed until the food was ready then I relaxed. Truly though, I feel so blessed to raise him this close to aunts, uncles, cousins and his great grandparents. And, we were lucky enough to have our family of friends here to celebrate the day with our family. It was just a really nice day. Nathan got tons of toys and some great books. 
Sunday, we drove to Darien, Ga to see Jeremy's cousin and his son in from Alabama. Dixon turned 2 that day. Child has the curliest hair! You can see the height runs in the family too. The ride home sucked but the trip was worth it to see family. 

4 month check up

We went on the 16th for his 4 month visit. We expected to get a shot and the oral rotavirus vax but it wasn't meant to be. His wheezing has gotten worse so we went from saline in the nebulizer to albuterol. I was hoping to not have to go there but its what has to be done. We went back after one week and the wheezing was better but not gone. Re-check in 2 weeks. Poor baby has had this junk for about half his life. I feel badly for him when he starts coughing. He doesn't seem to care though. 

He was 13 pounds, 7 oz (25%), 26" (90%) and has a tiny little head (15%). But, its growing and apparently that is what matters. Makes getting him dressed easier LOL

Family visits

Dad, Kelly and Heather came over the weekend before Christmas. It was a really nice visit. Dad brought these ridiculous steaks. Seriously, the size of my head. Amazing king crab legs and scallops the size of my palm. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore. Then we sat around and told stories to Jeremy. I was so pleased with how it all went. Heather just ate Nathan up. She helped with diaper changes and his bath. Then, she read him a bed time story. SO cute. She is really into soccer and I had a book with a soccer theme so it worked out well. ::must insert photo here =) ::

Dad cuddled with him and told him all about race cars and go carts. I knew he would be excited about a boy. I just hope Nathan humors him as he grows up if he isn't actually interested in all the garage stuff. Same goes for planes and Jeremy though!  Kelly loved on Nathan more than I thought she would. I admit to not knowing how to feel when she called herself grandma. I guess thats what she is, sort of. But at the same time, it just felt odd. Whatever. That's my issue, not Nathan's. 

Dad called this weekend and apparently has my old bike for Nathan. For those that don't know, I did not learn how to ride a bike until I was 10 or so. I know, I know.... But, I had this really cool recumbent bike. I used it, a friend's son used it, Heather used it and its still in great shape. I dont know how to get it to Jax but we'll figure it out. He also has 2 adult ones and the pull behind trailer for Nathan at this age. I know he will love it! Again, how to get them home.... 

It seems that nap time is over so Christmas will have to wait =)

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

I have a rolly polly! He rolled from his back to his belly tonight. See my last post and you will know I knew it was going to be any time. Just did not think tonight was it. Jeremy and I were putting lights on the family room tree and Nathan was having no part of going to sleep so we put him on the floor to watch us. He has been fairly gassy so it wasnt a shock when he let out a "bubble" but it did catch our attention because it was so loud. We look over at him and as he is farting, he rolled over. Guess he needed a little propulsion. LOL He went from back to tummy to back a couple times while we finished. He looked so proud of himself. Once I got the video camera out, all bets were off though. I'll catch it one day. 

Looks like tomorrow will be baby book catch up. I dont think I have put in anything for close to two months. bad mommy!

a new day

Been MIA for a little while. We had a computer virus that was smart enough to disable the anti-virus we installed then it disabled mozilla. Tricky little punk. As our computer was purchased right after I graduated college in '99, it was past its prime. We have been waiting for it to self destruct for some time now. So, off to computer shopping we went. We finally decided on an iMac. My last apple was an Apple 2E which I received in 4th grade. Along with a dot matrix printer... I used both until I graduated high school but used is relative. DOS and I were not BFF. Anyway, we had heard such great things about Macs so we took the plunge. I think we are going to be very happy with the decision. We are still getting used to it but so far, so good. 

We are still working with Nathan to get the whole sleeping thing down. He will usually stay asleep but the getting there is not so great. He is fussing to himself as I type. I wont let him scream but a little protest in ok for now. Nonna (his grandmother) has been holding him for naps the past couple weeks and now we have to deal with the fall out. What can you do though? We'll work at it. I have lots of time now. 

Yep, I will be with him for every nap for the foreseeable future. On Wednesday, my company downsized my job. Thats a nice way of saying I eliminated my own position. There was not enough money to pay me and what money was there was better used for other things. The company will not be around much longer which is really sad. The owner is a great guy and he builds exceptional homes. He/we were just victims of the market. I felt badly walking away but not knowing about pay from week to week was getting to be too much and I had to know what to do with Nathan. I knew he was too nice to eliminate my position so I did it myself. I cant stay home with Nathan forever but until I can find a new job that pays me enough to put him in daycare, I am going to enjoy every minute. 

Nathan has started to try to roll over. He can go from belly to back and about 90% back to belly. Stupid elbow keeps getting in the way =) He will have this down in no time though. He has also been babbling up a storm. He was chatting it up with folks in Target this week. Adorable. 

Dad and his gang are coming next weekend. They are even spending the night. Who could have seen that coming?? Heather is excited to help with his bath. Hopefully he doesnt try to pee on her. LOL 

I have some pictures of our trees once I figure out iPhoto. Yes, treeS. I am an Edwards after all. Its just what we do. Jeremy's grandparents gave us their "Jeremy tree". Its about 8" and super skinny. You get the drift. It is in the front living room. Yesterday Cheryl and I went to get a real tree for the living room by the fireplace. Jeremy was a little Scroogy about it but I made an executive decision and we have a real tree. We'll work on decorating it tonight. Eventually I would like the Jeremy tree to be the Nathan tree and hang his school/homemade ornaments on it. 

Off to organize the house a little bit. Since we are hosting the family Christmas, I feel a little guilty if things arent in better order and a little more decorated. 

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for. This year we have been blessed with a home of our own, so many new friends, the ability to forget "the year in Augusta", and welcomed and amazing child. He is happy and healthy. I couldn't hope for more. In my reflections on what to be thankful for last week, I thought about how blessed we are to have such great families. Seriously, my MIL took 6 weeks off of work to be here with Nathan so he wouldnt have to go to daycare so young. Its been an adjustment having her live with us but its been amazing for all of us.

Then I got thinking about dad. Yes, the eternal debate lived on. However, I ended it. I decided that it took for more energy for me to remain hurt and angry than it does for me to move on. So I called and told him about Nathan. I knew in order to move on, I had to have closure on either being angry or on him all together. Looks like it will be closing the door on being hurt and angry. He was so excited. Heather was over the moon. It still remains to be seen how much or if he really changes (meaning him picking up a phone or showing genuine interest on his own) but it doesnt matter. I know I am not the only one with a difficult parent. After talking to a good friend about the whole thing, I feel much less alone. She has to call her mother or she would never speak to her. She reminded me that sometimes the kids have to be the grown ups and just suck it up. So I am. I will call him once a week and update about Nathan. Maybe one day he will ask how things are with me but if not, its ok. As long as he loves Nathan, I am ok.

On with the pictures!
We spent turkey day in St Pete with my family. Grandparents put on a big table with formal setting and the whole shebang. My uncle and cousin surprised us by showing up then my other cousin showed up. One more would have been great but we wont mention any names. ahem, Emily, ahem Alyssa and I used to put black olives on our fingers as kids so we had to teach her daughter, Kira, how to do it too. She wasn't allowed to run around like we did though. We got to break in the white carpet back in the day =) Good times.Nathan wore his madras jacket. He was so stinking cute. The undershirt is an oxford and it was a little big so it looks like an ascot. I promise it isnt though =)While we were there, I made Nathan's stocking. The whole family has them. My mom still uses hers from when she was a kid. Ours are all glued on the front but I am tired of fixing mine so I sewed Nathan's. Mom had stitched the sides to the back but I did all the rest. Mighty fine needlework if I do say so myself. Our 3 stockings look so good over the fireplace.Saturday on the way home, we met dad, Kelly and Heather for dinner. Kelly is my step-mother for those of you without a family tree handy. Heather could not get enough of Nathan. Dad took right too him and cuddled for a long time. It was nice to see. He is all excited about building cars and getting him greasy. Tricycles first dad! Who am I kidding, I had a motorcycle at 4 (it was a real one but had training wheels, so cute), go cart around that time and a 3 wheeler at 5. Oy, makes a momma's head hurt. Maybe remote control things will come first.
This last one is just for fun. What a happy baby! I am amazed and thankful daily.