Sweet

Ok, some days are challenging with a spirited, energetic, imaginative, determined 2 year old, but these moments just melt my heart...

This morning as I was vacuuming (and Lydia was “helping” with her little vacuum) she randomly said, “Mommy, You’re so cute. I love you.” How incredibly sweet! Later this morning on our way home from exercise we were reviewing the concept of “boy” and “girl”. After practicing a few friends and family members she declared, “Daddy is a man. I love him.” And we love you Lydia!

Giving daddy 30 kisses on his 30th birthday.

Lydie loves her cupcakes!


Lydia's cousins got ahold of her at the Thanksgiving gathering. Here she is as Hanna Montana

I know this photo is blurry, but it captured such a cute pose - wait til this attitude really develops! I dread the teenage years. ;)


In awe of the first snow fall.

Learning how snow turns into water.


Our sweet girl...

Tobias is 4 months old

Chillin' with Guinney boy. Look at those ears pop out!


What he up to?
• sitting up in the Bumbo seat

• pulling his trunk forward in sitting

• reaching out and grabbing dangling toys
• cooing in conversational style
• laughing – at times, unprompted

• squealing in delight
• bearing weight on his legs
• pushing up on his forearms

• picking up toys off of a flat surface
• sucking on his hands

• drooling – lots!
• working through his first cold. The toddler germs superceded the nursing immunity.
• ABLE to roll from belly to back – he does so quite well when he’s upset in his crib, however during playtime is definitely not WILLING. He finds fussing with a crescendo usually gets his desired outcome, a change in position.

Eventful moments of this month
• Meeting his Great-Grandpa Lu

• Celebrated his daddy's 30th Birthday

• Taken 3 long road trips & exercised his lungs along the way...

• Getting dressed up in the Hanna Montana wig

• Trying out the "studious" look (oh yes, this poor child!)


Eating?
Nurses 5 times a day. Within the month, I anticipate we’ll start him on some cereal. I’m sure those photos will be interesting!
Look at those chubby cheeks! Today he weighed 14 lb. 4 oz. and was 25 inches long. Still hanging out between the 25th & 50th percentile.


Sleeping?
Everyone asks, so I might as well preemptively answer… We’ve started a little naptime/bedtime routine and he’s already caught on. First I’ll swaddle him (sometimes the fussing starts here but almost always begins at some point during this process prior to putting him in the crib), read a short story, sing a song rocking him by his crib with the lights off, put him down. He will protest for a few minutes but ultimately typically falls asleep on his own. In fact, he’s pretty resistive to assistance, as much as we’d love to help him at times. His bedtime is around 7:30pm and awakens for the morning at about 6am every day. We’ve had some nights of no night-wakening, but many are interrupted for one reason or another (gas, stuffy nose, etc.) He usually takes a “good” afternoon nap but just doses in the mornings probably because we’re running around on errands, taking Lydia to school, socializing… He’s been quite adaptable in that sense.

He's a totally different baby from a couple months ago. He loves social gatherings and for the most part is quite jolly. :) I am enjoying watching his relationship with his sister develop. As he is more responsive, so she pays much more positive attention to him: bringing him toys, spontaneously kissing him, and asking where he is and what he's doing if he's not around. In turn he glows. :) And so do we...

Tobias' Baptism

On November 16, Tobias was baptized. We rejoice for the gift of his life and for the Lord calling him to Himself. We pray we will be faithful in guiding him in the Truth as we so promised this day and that Toby will grow into a loving relationship with His Savior. We appreciate the partnership and prayers of our family, friends, and the body of Christ.

During Lydia's baptism day it snowed preventing many from joining us. We thought for sure that choosing a date in mid-November we would prevent this problem. Yet as we walked to the car, the snow flurries came down. Yes, the Lord was promising He was washing our child white as snow...

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit...

Our child of God

Gramma & Grandpapa

Daddy trying to make sleepy Tobias smile.

He fell asleep during the service and was awakened for the photo shoot afterward. Here still looking a little dazed...

Mimi & Uncle John

Proud mommy & Daddy

Toby snuggles with Gramma who made the Christening gown that he is wearing. The garment reveals the faithfulness of our Lord calling His children to him through the generations. In addition to Tobias, his sister, cousin Gabby, daddy and his 3 sisters, and some of daddy's cousins wore the gown. In fact, in December another cousin will be Christened in the gown. Thank you, Gramma for your sharing Christ through this gown.

Aunt "Wickie" with her Lydie

Celebrating at the reception

Great-ma lovin' her little great-grandson

Tobe talking to Great-Aunt Judy. The look on his face here is so sweet and innocent.

Mark with his sisters Laura & Meredith

Our family - it's nap time!

Tobias singing, "AMEN!"

Cabin in the Woods

Due to Tobias' arrival in the middle of the summer, we didn't have the opportunity to go on vacation this year. My parents still wanted to get away so they rented this awesome cabin in appropriately named, Cabins, West Virginia. Simply awesome!

We woke up Saturday morning and my dad led the men on a trek across the creek in our backyard.

John made it: Wet but victorious!



Lydia found a play set next door and of course simply had to "SLIDE!"


The hike to the top of Seneca Rocks

Yea, we made it!

The view


Uncle John carried Tobe-miester. He's getting his practice!

Back at the beginning...

Our attempts at Family portraits


Lydie looks pretty daggone cute with antlers, doesn't she? What a dear! ;)

Celebrating Mimi's birthday

Mark made a great bonfire - s'mores = YUM!

The men hangin' in the hot tub.

This photo truly captures the weekend atmosphere... Ahhhh... Thanks mom and dad!