I finally understand. It is true, children grow up way too fast. Our little Nathaniel amazes me everyday with his new discoveries. It is exciting and yet I find myself reminiscing of the first meeting with our son, just 5 months ago.
I remember watching and weeping as each family was united with their child. Rachel brought the children out in alphabetical order, so we were last with a "W" last name.
When Rachel handed our little love bug to us, I became a puddle in an instant. He smelled like heaven. I even remember he had the hiccups! (Paul teases me about this because I still talk about his hiccups when we first met him every time he gets them now!) It took him about a minute to realize he wasn't too sure of us. His reaction to us at first wasn't the "ideal" that others may expect or dream of, but that isn't what I remember. I remember holding, hugging and kissing my son for the first time. Changing his diaper was something Paul & I fought over (not anymore though)!
Now, 5 months later, I couldn't imagine our life without him. We will never be the same again!
Nathaniel has done A TON of growing and changing since I last posted! Everytime he wakes up from a nap, I think he has grown an inch. Little boy is not so little! He towers over every 1-2 year old we know. After months of rolling, he started, what we call, "swimming" across the floor. That quickly changed to the real crawl, and now he is super crawler. Seriously, don't blink or he will be gone.
He is also so close to walking, it scares me! He pulls up on everything he can (ie toilets, trash cans, the dog, our legs, the washer and dryer, etc.) He has even done the "look, ma, one hand" pose and looked determined to take a step...I will post as soon as it happens.
We have started our list of things to get him for Christmas: a box, electrical cords, dog dishes, TV controllers and shoes. :-) But seriously, why buy a bunch of the latest, greatest toys when all he will want is the box?! :-)
Here are a couple of new pictures:
Nathaniel hanging out with Auntie Misma, sporting the new outfit she gave him.
All bundled up going for a walk with Daddy.
Celebrating Auntie Misma's birthday.
Reading a book with Grandma. She was here for almost a week! Nathaniel really likes Grandma!
Thanks for checking in with us. I promise to try harder to update more often. I am working in the evenings at Harry and Davids again this year, so my days and nights are packed. I savor every moment I am home to spend with my son.
T-minus 11 days until Nathaniel's first Thanksgiving!!!!!
Merry Christmas from our mischievous little love bug!
Grandpa and Nathaniel. It was at Grandpa's house on December 26th that Nathaniel took his first steps on his own!
Grandma's special time was giving Nathaniel his night bottle. He is wearing the cute new pj's from Auntie Heather.
Reading his new book with mom. He loved looking at it and touching the different textures.
Hanging out with Auntie Heather. 
Santa put this special bib in Nathaniel's stocking!!!
Daddy decided to "decorate" Nathaniel's face for Christmas...he didn't seem to like it too much.
Nathaniel all dressed up for our special Christmas service. He is so handsome and is looking so grown up!
Nathaniel's first snow experience.
Ummm...I promise it is just water. We are just teaching him young about the good stuff!
Playing with just one of his noisy new toys.
A family tradition was watching "Nester the Long Eared Donkey". Nathaniel loved it!
Again, teaching him young about the important Christmas traditions! :-)
Hanging special ornaments on the tree from Grandpa and Jim.
Makes you wonder what is going through the head of our doggy. His eyes say "help me!". :-)
Nathaniel is now joined by the pumpkin that daddy picked out. (Mommy couldn't make up her mind. If we would have waited for mommy to make up her mind, we still would be there!)
