Dear Nate,

When I first said, "I love you"
I thought I understood
the full meaning of those words.

But when I watch you as a dad-
playing and laughing,
giving a big hug,
just being there-
I realize that when I first
said, "I love you"
I had just begun to understand
all my heart could hold
for you.

I love you so much,
and I thank God for making
you mine-
and then for making you ours.

Happy Father's Day Nate!

"How can we thank God enough for you and for the joy and delight you have given us...?" 1 Thessalonians 3:9 TLB

Chloe, 4 Months

Chloe hits 4 months today!! She is growing up and changing fast these days. This week for the first time she started rolling over, she even can scoot around a little (thankfully, not too much though). She is such a blessings and her sweet smiles always make us smile too.
LOVE. THIS. GIRL.

Things to Remember...
1. She wears a size 2 diaper during the day, and 3 at night.
2. She is in 3-6 or 6 month clothes, we even put on a 6-9 month the other day and it fit!
3. Her sleep schedule is very inconsistent, but for the most part she wakes up twice a night to feed. She has slept through the night before though, so that gives me some hope. :)
4. She has started sucking her thumb, although she still takes a paci some too. She is much more calm if she has something in her mouth to chew on.

Thats all I can think of for now! Happy 4 month birthday Chloe!

Quilt Club...

I'm joining in on Brooke's quilt club, over at Sugar Booger Designs. The picture above is the fabrics I chose. The quilt she is showing us how to make is a crib size quilt, so I thought I would make it for Chloe's room. I'm still not sure about my choices, b/c they seem a little busy for my personal taste. But hopefully it will turn out cute. At least I know for sure that they will match her room! :) Wish me luck!

Happy 6th Anniversary!

Nate and I hit the 6 year mark back at the end of May, so last Saturday my mom watched the kids and we went out to lunch together. We went to PF Changs, one of our favs, we devoured their lettuce wraps, so it was so nice...ah, how nice it is to eat without being interrupted!

We've been in Oklahoma a week now...I can't believe how fast the time is already flying by! It was quite an process to get both of the kids adjusted to a three hour time change, but I think we are almost there. Austin is now officially a "big" boy, as he sleeps in a twin bed...now Chloe can have the crib when we get back! We still have some trouble with him waking up in the middle of the night and getting up, but hopefully that will end soon??

We've had lots of fun here. Austin is having a blast playing outside and in the pool Grandma bought him. We are finally getting some color on our pale white Alaskan skin. Woohoo!! My parents have both been wonderful help with the kids, it has been so fun to see how much my kids already love them. We have lots of plans for the upcoming weeks, so hopefully I can update more soon...

Randomness...

Chloe wore this little Hawaii dress last Sunday, and we just had to take a pic. A family at our church were vacationing in Hawaii the week she was born so they brought home this dress for her. Makes you want to go on vacation doesn't it? Ah, how I would love to be there again!

I've been finding tons of inspiring creative things to do on other blogs these days. If only I had more time. :) I did try out this one though. Now I'm in the mood to personalized everything. :)

In other news...we will be heading back to the Midwest soon! We are super excited to see everyone and show Chloe what a "real" summer feels like. :) I've already got her a cute little swimsuit to wear to the pool! We hope to see some of you guys soon!

Chloe's First Portrait Session...

We took Austin and Chloe for their first picture session this week. It was super spur of the moment, as in, I called Monday morning to make an appointment and we left ten minutes later to go get them done. We spent a lot of money on portraits for Austin when he was first born, and didn't really love any of them, so this time we tried the cheaper route and went with JCPennys. I'd have to say we like them about the same, and they turned out to be about a sixth of the price as Austin's photos were. We got this huge military discount which turned out to be a steal for us, so overall we were pretty satisfied. This picture was one of her proofs...

Three Months

Chloe says "thank you for the dress" Aunt Anna!

My little infant is turning three months today! Its hard to believe that we are leaving the infant stage and going into the baby one (at least that's what someone told me). This stage has gone by so much faster than it did with Austin, I must be more busy or something. ;)

Last night I was thinking she must still be a newborn though...with how much she got up to nurse...praying it is just a growth spurt and we can go back to something a little more reasonable. This mama is exhausted!

We are just loving this little girl, she is already such a blessing, and rounds our family out so well. Its funny how different it feels to have two kids verses one. I used to think it was hard to just have one go everywhere with me, but now when I only have one of them with me I find it so much easier. Its all about perspective I guess.

On Sunday she and Austin had their first moment together where they were just cracking each other up. She would smile at him, and he would just laugh, then she would giggle a little. It was hilarious, except for the fact that it happened at church...yikes...aren't we always the loudest family? Anyways, its fun to see her start to respond to him. Until now she hasn't taken much notice to him, even though he loves on her SO very often.

Things to remember...
Chloe is now in 3-6 months clothes & size 2 diapers.

Eagle River Nature Center...

Chloe and me...
Nate and Austin...
Austin saying, "cheese"....

Last Saturday we drove up to Eagle River to hike around their nature center. It was the first time we had been up there, and we all had a really good time. Austin especially. It was the perfect place for him to run around and do what he loves best...throw rocks in the rivers. The trails were still really wet and muddy so we ended up getting quite dirty, but overall we had a great time.