5 down, lots more to go...

Kevan and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on the 22nd - and left Ezekiel with Aunt Beckah while we headed to the beach for the weekend. It was an awesome time, and good to be together for a couple days without a baby. Thank you, Rebekah, for giving us that gift! I did not worry about Ezekiel one bit while he was in your care.

Dinner Friday night at our favorite little Italian place in Brea

Saturday night at 21 Oceanfront in Newport. YUMMY food and amazing service. We were spoiled!

Who knew we had the secret talent for kite flying? I'm telling you, we looked like professionals out there.

Standing!

Ezekiel has figured out how to pull himself up - and he won't stay down! I went to get him up from his nap the other day, and this is how I found him. Standing tall and so proud of himself. What a funny thing to see your baby transistion to the next stage - and how suddenly he becomes less of a baby.

All that standing wore him out! Kevan went to tuck Ezekiel into bed one night, and I found both of them sacked out on our bed sound asleep. So sweet.

Happy Father's Day!

A tribute to Ezekiel's dad:

I don't know who is more blessed - Ezekiel for having such a great dad, or me for having such a wonderful husband. What I have learned, though, is that the two things really go hand in hand. A really good dad sure makes for an awesome husband. Kevan is not just Ezekiel's daddy, but he is my partner in parenting and consistently shows me that we are in this together. One of the things that Kevan is best at is being a part of the day-to-day activities that make up Ezekiel's life. He takes every opportunity to feed him, rock him, play with him (boy, do they play!), talk to him about "man" stuff, and help him fall asleep... he even changes diapers without being asked! From the beginning, Kevan has been an active participant in this parenting adventure and it has blessed me more than he knows. I told him this morning "I knew you would be a good dad, but I don't think I ever imagined this." So, here's to my amazing husband, and Ezekiel's wonderful daddy!


Loving on our newborn son


Showing off his little guy at an ECCU picnic


Snuggle time


Ezekiel already looks up to his daddy so much


Kevan is excited that he gets to feed Ezekiel more now that he is using a bottle!


Teaching Ezekiel how to change a tire!

To my own dad: You have set the stage for what it means to be a godly and loving father. We could not ask for a better example of fathering in our family!

And, to the other great dads in my life, my 3 brothers: Who knew you guys could be so darn loving? You are all such wonderful dads and I am so proud of you!

Wonderful all over again

So perfect, so wonderful - how could we not want more?

Kevan and I are thrilled to share that we are expecting another little miracle in December. I am so totally content with our son and the family God has already given us, yet elated that He would grant us the gift of life once again. So, here we go again... and I can hardly wait!

In case you're wondering, here is how Kevan and I both responded when we learned I was pregnant:

Me (In my head): YAY! YAY!.....I think. Oh, wait. I hope Kevan is as happy. Of course he'll be happy. Why wouldn't he be happy! YAY! Am I crazy??!

Kevan (Not so quietly, in the middle of a restaurant, right after I broke the news): YESSSS!!! (hands in the air) That is AWESOME!!! What are we going to name him? Ezekiel, you're going to have a brother! Another little boy!! YESS!!!

Me: (In my head) Well, I guess he's happy! (Out loud): Um, honey, you know it could be a girl, right?!

Kevan (barely listening and still doing the dance of joy in his seat): Yeah, I don't think so. Yesss!!!

Happy and Healthy

Hey, you drink from a bottle, too!


Ezekiel loves being outside. A kid after my own heart. Last Friday we went to a birhday party for his little friend at church and they had this dolphin swing in the yard. My son sat in that thing for over an hour smiling and swinging away. This week, we got to go to the little petting zoo at the Orange County fair grounds and see all these adorable little animals. Everything is cuter as a baby, you know. Even goats are cute when they are just wee little things!

In other news, Ezekiel had his 9-month check-up today. At our doctor's office, they have 2 doors to enter. One says "sick" and one says "well." So far we have only had to go in the "sick" door once and, it turns out, mama was being overly cautious and we may as well have used the "well" door! Every time we walk through that "well" door I have this overwhelming gratitude for my son's health. I know that is not every parent's experience, and I do not take it for granted. Ezekiel is growing stronger every day and doing everything a 9-month-old little boy should do (even his unconventional crawl is considered normal!). He is almost 21 lbs and gaining weight just as he should. Thank you, Lord, for keeping us healthy!