A Birthday and a Blessing

Wednesday was my birthday. I turned 23. According to Ryan, I'm now old (at least he says, "you're not the teenager I married"). We had a laid back day. Ryan took the day off so he made me waffles for breakfast. We were going to have a picnic for dinner but it was raining and hailing most of the day so we had our picnic in the living room instead. Because Ryan was home I got to go to book club without the baby. Afterwards, we went out for ice cream at Cold Stone. I didn't want to bake a whole cake for just the two of us because we would totally have eaten it all by ourselves! We've done that in the past but I'm really trying to lose the baby weight so half a cake would not have helped the situation. It was a fun day, especially because I got to spend it with my two wonderful men! I took a few pictures but none of them are very exciting. Not blog worthy.

On Sunday, July 5 we are blessing Nathan. We waited a bit so that my family can come from Washington. My Dad pointed out that he will probably be pretty heavy when they bless him. Oh well, it's a good thing I know a lot of strong men! Anyway, I have no idea what he is going to wear! I don't want to spend a lot of money and I want to get him something he can wear again. Any ideas?

Crazy Weekend

This past weekend was a crazy one for our family. We did a lot of traveling and saw a lot of people. The original plan was to head up to Ogden for a family reunion on Sunday but we decided that since we were headed North we would drive a few more hours and go to Rexburg to see Ryan's family. Then, we found out the Sunday before our trip that my Grandpa Ward had passed away and the funeral was going to be on Thursday in Boise. So, here's what we did:

Ryan couldn't take any time off work so I needed to find a way to get to Boise by Thursday. Thankfully, Ryan's mom and sister just happened to be in Salt Lake on Wednesday picking up his nieces from the airport. They drove me and Nathan to Pocatello where we met up with my brother Ryan (also from Rexburg) and the three of us drove another 3.5 hours to Boise. I must say, I have the best baby in the entire world! He was so good the whole trip. We made it to Boise late Wednesday night where I got to see my whole family (from Washington) and my Grandma Ward, and my Uncle, my Aunt, and all my cousins on that side. 

Nathan with Uncle Ryan

Nathan with Nana. What a fatty! (Sorry, Mom, not you!)

Hanging out with his Auntie Leslie. Just looking fat and drunk . . .

On Thursday we attended a beautiful funeral for my Grandpa. I got to sing "Amazing Grace" with my cousins. Grandpa was a Marine so we got to see the Marines give a special tribute at the grave site. It really was a wonderful occasion. My grandpa had been sick for a very long time. It was so neat to learn so much about his life. Again, the baby was amazing!

Some of Grandpa Ward's history

Sons and Grandsons carrying the casket. Ryan and Nathan were honorary pall bearers since one couldn't be there and the other wouldn't have been much help.

The Marines at the cemetery

The Marines folding the flag that they gave to my Grandma.

Nathan wanted us all to know how he felt about Grandpa's death. 

Grandma with her children: Scott, Rickard (my Dad), and Sue.

My three brothers (aren't they cute?)

Me and Nathan with my Grandma Ward

Ryan (my brother) and I (and Nathan) left early Friday morning and headed 5 hours back to Rexburg. We met Ryan (my husband- confusing, I know) at his parents house that night. Nathan got to spend time with two of his cousins, Brytnie and Kallie and he met doggies and kitties for the first time. Lady the dog introduced herself by licking his lips before I could stop her. Oh, dear! He didn't seem to mind . . .

On Sunday, we drove down to the Ogden area for the Hulihan family reunion (my Mom's side of the family). Nearly all my cousins from that side of the family were there and nearly all my aunts and uncles, as well as my Grandpa and Grandma Hulihan and Grandma Betty. We only spent the afternoon at the reunion and then headed home again that evening. Boy, were we pooped! I was so glad to be back home. Traveling is so much more stressful with a baby! Even though he is a darn good boy!

With my Grandma and Grandpa Hulihan (my mom's Dad and step-mom)

With Grandma Betty (my mom's mom)

Playing with Grandma Betty and my cousin Amy

It was a big weekend for all of us. Nathan got to see all of his grandparents, almost all of his aunts and uncles, meet two cousins, all his great-grandparents, and I got to see almost all of my cousins, aunts, and uncles. This is crazy because I never see family. Some of these people I hadn't seen in over ten years! What a great, crazy weekend!

Bubba

We took Nathan to see the doctor today for his two month appointment. Of course he (Mom and Dad too) had to deal with the horror of shots and the discomfort of being "messed with". Nathan did a really good job even though he was really tired and cranky. He is healthy and fine except for a few minor things. We have to start neck exercises with him because his head tilts to one side. This is minor but must be done. He hates it! Nathan was also born with a cyst under his tongue so we have to go see an ear, nose, and throat doctor to have it looked at. As for height and weight, he has definitely earned his nickname "Bubba". He weighs 14 lbs 7 oz (93%) and is 24.5 inches long (90%) and his head is 40.5 cm (55%). The doctor says maybe I feed him too much, which I think is stupid so I am going to ignore him. We have a happy, healthy baby! (He slept over 7 hours again last night!)

2 Months Old

Nathan is two months old today and he is just full of new tricks!  

First (and best of all), he usually sleeps six hours straight at night!

He talks all the time.

Just yesterday, he discovered his fist and he's been sucking on it ever since.

He's smiling all the time!

He loves to stick out his tongue and he copies us when we do it too.

Also, he's chubbier, droolier, and his eyes have turned from deep blue to grayish blue.

As you can see, I can't get enough of him (poor kid)!

Stay tuned for a post about our upcoming crazy weekend!