From one journey to another- LAST POST

Well, it is time...we are moving on, to a new chronicle of our family's journeys. This blog has meant the world to us and I await the day when we can share this long wonderful journey with Nathaniel. It is now time to start a new and exciting journal of life with Nate. Our journey TO our adoption (hence the blog title) is complete and we have already begun the most profound and inspiring story to raise Nathaniel and to enjoy life together as a family. We hope you will join us.... at our new site... Life with Nathaniel, as we share stories and adventures from our family.

Summer 2008 Photos

I think they came out pretty good. He loves to have his picture taken so it makes it an easy process. In the first photo he is showing his more serious side, but in the rest- he's just his happy ol' smiley self!

4th of July Festivities!

I love Alan's refriferator cake....can I have more please?!!

Cooling off after a dip in the lake! Waitin' for mom to get me dressed...

Nate and Auntie Mo-Mo pics! Gotta love the hat...I had to buy it! ;-)

Nate loves the water...he kept pointing at it to go back in when we were done...

Happy as can be at the 4th of July festivities...



It seems like months ago....now that I have finally made the time to post 4th of July pics! Everything has been crazy and we are in full summer swing. I recently left my job....which was a big change but I accepted another position which I think will be best for our family.

In Nate news, he is my little love muffin. Lately it seems like all he wants to do is hug me really tight and say "mama-mama". It's so gratifying and makes me smile. He is so active and keeps us running constantly. He seems to like to 'drive' everything which I find pretty funny. I saw him driving his bouncy ball (moving it around like it was a ferarri or something with noise and all!). As for the 4th, he fell asleep @ 9:15 right before the fireworks but then he woke up right when they began going off. He loved them, as I suspected! He got really excited and started bouncing up and down when he saw the big ones. I am really excited for next year's when he can tell me what he likes about them!

We're headed on our first family camping trip next weekend- tent, sleeping bags, roasted marshmallows and all- nothing to really separate us from the country forest of rural PA!

Thank Heaven for Little Boys. . .

It's time for an update!! Our days have been filled with all the typical summer activities- walks outside, picnics in the yard, swimming at the pool, eating watermelon late at night on the back deck, and lots of other fun. Nate seems to be in his glory during the warmer weather we've been having. He continues to thrive at school. He took his first few steps the other day and is bascially cruising all around the house now. He does have a little (did I say little?!) devil in which we have been seeing more and more. It is really so cute but you can certainly tell he is ALL boy. He loves to shake his head 'no' when I tell him yes! It's like clockwork everytime. He now thinks spitting is a daily pastime; he nearly laughs himself to death when he does it. Daddy and I are practicing our ignoring skills! He also thinks it's funny to throw his sippy cup on the floor (about 10-15 times per meal) . . . and when mom let's him know she doesn't approve- he laughs even harder! It's for all this and even more that I am constantly reminding myself how thankful I am for my little boy.

Lately we've really been noticing that he is comprehending a lot more. He really knows all his nicknames now and responds well. He knows a lot of words and how to say, "baba (bottle in our house) mama". I think one of the best parts of being a parent is watching your little one change right before your eyes. I have been noticing him growing and becoming a little boy much more now than I ever have. I know it's expected, and extremely exciting, but it reminds you of how important this time NOW really is.

We're headed to NH to Nanny's house for the 4th! So excited! We'll be basking in the warm sun and swimming in the lake. And Nathan will hopefully have his first campfire with the roasting of marshmallows and all. I am really looking forward to a getaway. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the fireworks. I am guessing he will love them!

Ok, here are a few more pics. Yesterday, Rich took Nate to the grocery store with him and Nate came home with a balloon because he was very well behaved while Daddy shopped. He loves this balloon and had to take it on the walk, too.

Happy 4th of July!

Celebrating 1 year since our referral...

From this picture one year ago today....



To a thriving little boy who has forever changed our lives...






It really is true when they say parenthood fundamentally changes us forever. Whenever I take time to reflect on the past year's journey-- I find myself still filled with the exhiliration and excitement to bring our son home. I find myself still smiling about our entire experience. If I knew then what I knew now, I certainly would have worried less and enjoyed more (isn't that the title of a book?!).

Family Day- Father's Day

The best part about special days like Father's Day is that we get to spend more time together as a family. When we got up this morning, Nate had a special present for his Dad- a card and a laminated poem with his footprints that he made at school.

The poem read:

"Please walk slower, Daddy,"
said Nathaniel so small.
"I'm walking in your footsteps
and I don't want to fall."

He said, I've been following
You Dad, isn't that cool,
I'm an atom from your own soul,
I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow
as tall as you are
We like dreaming things,
and holding Mama's hand
Yeah, we're just alike,
Hey, ain't we Dad

Dad, I wanna do everything you do-
So, I've been following you.
Love, Nathaniel

Our weekend with Nanny and Auntie MoMo

It was definitely an all girls weekend! Last weekend Nanny and Auntie Mo Mo made the long drive to PA from NH- they visited for 3 days. We had such a fun time- we laughed so hard I think Nate was probably wondering what was wrong with us!

Nate LOVES to go out to eat and really do anything where he can see new things. We went to dinner, had a BBQ one day, and went shopping one afternoon!

Nathan is doing wonderful. He is almost on milk only. He's just doing one formula bottle before bed- which I plan to stop next week. He is not eating anymore baby food! He loves chicken, veggie burgers, and fish. He drinks perfectly from a sippy cup. He also has a particular liking for shredded cheese.

Today was SO incredibly hot we bought Nate a mini pool. I wish we had a real one in the yard...but this was definitely the next best thing. It's shaped like a frog with two big eyes and is just the right size. The water was freezing but he went in no problem and splashed and smiled. He is definitely a mommy's boy in that regard- we both love to swim! I am so excited that he will be starting swimming lessons soon.

Here are some pics from last weekend

Late Memorial Day Pics

I know, I have been so negligent in posting...we have been busy as usual. Actually, things have been so hectic- just balancing everyday life is keeping our schedules packed. Thankfully we've all been healthy. Last weekend Grampy, Juanita, Kate, and Great Nana came to visit. We had a great time! Nate had his first visit to Hershey park- and the verdict. . . he loved it! We went to the 3D show and on the famous chocolate ride...he was totally mesmerized. He loves to play with Kate and is almost walking. Did I say walking?! Wow...I can't believe my little boy is almost taking his first steps.

As you can see from the pics, the sun was out, and Nate's red hat was on all weekend. This weekend Nanny and Auntie Molly visited so I will have more pics to post soon. It was a beautiful weekend here.

Alphabets

Everywhere. I took this series of photos a few weeks ago when it was warm. Nathan really liked his alphabet's pasta. We've been slowly transitioning him more and more away from baby foods and into only whole foods. We are in the process of transitioning from formula to whole milk, since he just turned 12 months. His favorite food right now: cheerios and yogurt- he could live on the stuff!

Check out my new set of wheels!

I got my first set of wheels- and it's a RED radio flyer! Can't wait to get out and drive around...