Anniversaries

I love anniversaries... milestones. Ask my sister or my husband - I will celebrate just about anything! March 29th happens to be one of those days. On March 29, 2005 Kevan first stepped foot in our house after 7 months in Iraq. I will remember that day - and the amazing weeks that followed - forever. One year later, on March 29, 2006 we went in for an ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. Yet another day that we will always remember as one of our best ones yet. So, out of my top ten best days of my life, March 29th hits the list twice - and that is worthy of celebrating the day! Happy March 29th...

Blessings

I just returned from another wonderful trip to Santa Maria to visit my grandparents. My mom and I took Ezekiel for 3 days of hanging out and making memories. When I was a kid, I used to get so sad that I couldn't just head over to grandma's for a couple hours whenever I wanted to see her. It was always a long drive and a special trip to make it happen. I am so blessed that now, even though they are still just as far, I am able to visit more often and even share my son with them. These are sweet times and precious memories. I am continually struck by how thankful I am to be home with Ezekiel and all the "fringe benefits" that allows during this season - like occasional trips to grandma and grandpa's in the middle of the week!

Hi grandma! We made it! Thanks for waiting up!


Morning 1 of 3 at the donut shop. Ezekiel is becoming "regular" there just like his great-grandpa! They all remembered him and he got passed around from the shop owner to the biker who sits in the same seat every morning. What a great time we have hearing stories and watching small-town life unfold in this bustling little coffee shop.


Sign right next to the dounut shop




Ezekiel trying out the high chair that his mama used to use at grandma and grandpa's. He thought he was a rock star banging away at that metal tray. Hmmm... I wonder why they make them plastic now?




Taking a bath like a big kid in grandma's tub. He thought he was at Wild Rivers it was so much fun.


Our evening entertainment


Grandma and Grandpa at this GREAT little cajun restaurant we discovered down the street from their house. What a fun dinner that was!


Outside the restaurant after dinner. Grandpa wanted to carry his great-grandson whenever possible. And every time he spoke, Ezekiel would turn his head and look right at him, or even reach out his arm to touch his jacket. He knows wisdom when he hears it!



Playing piano with grandma Betsy... while mom packs the car to head home.

Ezekiel and his girlfriend

Today was such a great day. I watched Heidi's little girl, Kate, all day while her mom and dad made their way home from Tahoe. Even though I was looking forward to it, I figured there would be challenging moments for sure. After all, who watches a 9-month-old and a 6-month-old and gets off that easy? I did. Two perfect little angels who smiled and played and - best of all! - took good naps! We visited the pet store at the mall (thanks to Alice's double stroller!), sang and danced around the house, let Kate play in the bath, and hung out on a blanket on the front lawn. Kevan and I even braved dinner at Ruby's with the 2 little ones. What a sweetie Kate is. And Ezekiel really seems to dig her. I can only hope...!

Suds

Just a few fun pictures of Ezekiel enjoying his bath!

Special visit

Last Thursday Ezekiel, Kevan, and I had dinner with Kevan's great aunt and uncle. That would be Ezekiel's great-great aunt and uncle. Now, I know what you must be picturing you when you hear that, but Kevan's side of the family started doing the baby thing early in life and they are all (still!) so young! Aunt Martha is Kevan's grandma's sister, and we had a great time introducing Ezekiel to her. Boy, does this family love babies! Uncle Allen has the magic touch, too. Rocked our little guy right to sleep. What a sweet time we had (and a fabulous dinner, I might add). Thank you, Aunt Martha and Unlce Allen!

6 months old!

I can hardly believe our little boy is already six months old. I know everybody says kids grow up in the blink of an eye, and I know every mother wishes she could save these magical moments in a bottle and take them out to relive whenever she wants - but I still can't believe how the time is flying and how I just can't seem to hold on to it.

It's funny how it doesn't take much to thrill me as a mom. One of my favorite moments of the past month was when my son reached for a toy for the first time. As I held a block in front of him, his little hand stretched out for it with all the purpose and determination he could muster. He actually laughed out loud when he realized he had grabbed it! The thrill I got watching him succeed was better than any promotion, nailing any project, or aceing any test. Yeah, it's been a good month.

A few more highlights from Ezekiel's sixth month:




Ezekiel and Kate hanging out at their daddies' football game



Grandma playing with her "twins" - Cami and Ezekiel


Monkeying around with Uncle Matthew after church


Hanging with Papa Mark


Uncle Andrew tried to sneak him a cookie!


Since that didn't work, Aunt Annette came to the rescue with rice cereal


Loving that play time!




Too busy playing outside for pictures!

A whole lot of love

Valentine's Day was memorable for our little family as we headed to Arizona to introduce Ezekiel to his great-grandparents and lots of great uncles, aunts, and cousins on Kevan's side. If this kid wasn't spoiled before, well, it's official now! He was held, kissed, and admired for 5 days straight and loved every minute of it! We are definitely learning that our little guy thrives on attention (hmmm... we're not like that. I wonder where he gets that from?). Every time someone new gives him attention he just hams it up with a big smile and reaches his chubby little hands out to touch them. Which, of course, gets him more attention. It's a vicious cycle. I am calling the next few days "damage control" at our house (as in News Flash: The entire world does not revolve around you, little man), but it was totally worth it!



Ezekiel meets his Avoa (great-grandma in Portuguese)


Meeting great-grandpa


Hanging out with Aunt Lori at Claim Jumper


What a beautiful day for a walk around the park with Uncle Gary and Aunt Elke


Ezekiel with Grandma Anna at the zoo


How sweet is this picture? Ezekiel LOVED the zoo!

Just to see you smile...

Our little guy has plenty to smile about these days. And he's not shy about it, either!


Ezekiel loves his Exersaucer - he's learing to reach for the toys and play!


Don't you wish they made these for grown ups? Ezekiel's cousins let him borrow this great toy, and he will jump in it until he's exhausted!


Happy Birthday, Kevan! We celebrated with a family outing to the drive-in theatre.


4 1/2 months old and Ezekiel's sitting up all by himself (sometimes!).

What I love...

There are some things I just love about my son so much I can hardly stand it. As I sit working from home today, I am struck by how fortunate I am to spend every day with him and what an absolute joy it is to be his mom. So, as I take a quick break from writing, here are a few things I love:

*The shape of his face. I don't know what it is about his little round face, but it reminds me of my brother, my husband, and my adorable nephew Daniel all in one.
*His breath. It is the sweetest smell in the entire world. Now I know why they named a flower after it.
*His name. I know it is a mouthful and he may not be able to spell it until he's 12, but it is so perfect for him. Every time I say it I love it even more. Did you know it means "God strengthens"? We pray for God to keep him strong every day - and that he will grow to be a man strong in his faith.
*His laugh. Is there anything better? I love putting my face right next to his and hearing him laugh right in my ear.
*The way he smiles at us with this huge grin every morning when we get him from his crib. Most of the time he is already awake and just lays in there contently sucking his thumb until we go get him. Kevan says he looks at us like "I knew they would come for me. They always do."
*His great dispostion. This kid is just a lot of fun - we actually like being with him. I can't help but hope this spunky, happy-go-lucky personality only continues to take root and grow.

In case you're wondering if I gave birth to an angel (and sometimes I do wonder!), there is one thing I do NOT love: His new scream that means "I'm having fun/I'm hungry/I'm tired/I'm bored". What happened to his adorable little cry? I hear this is just a stage, and I'm hoping it's a short one!

But right now he is sitting peacefully in his swing watching me work, and I am in love.

Surprise!

Ezekiel is turning out to be quite a gentleman, thanks to his daddy. Kevan took him to the park and they came home with a surprise - 2 roses for mama! One from Kevan and one from Ezekiel. Kevan told me that he was teaching his son how to treat a lady. I love my roses - and I love the 2 men in my life that make me feel like the luckiest woman in the world!