A Camping We Will go....

For several months, we've been planning a camping trip with the Newmans, some good friends of ours from the Rolla days.  (David had structural classes with both Annie and Nathan.) As October approached, and the cool crisp evenings lingered, we became more and more excited for our little excursion. We originally looked at camp grounds outside of STL then decided to stay closer to home and head to Babler.  Well, apparently LOTS of other people had the same idea, it was a gorgeous autumn weekend.  When we showed up at the State Park to stake out a site Friday afternoon, the sign very cleary said "No Vacancy." What?! Our car was loaded down with food, a tent, bedding, and a gazillion other supplies needed for a weekend away.  We drove around to look, just to make sure. Then David checked with the camp host and sure enough, NO room. Just peachy. What to do? The other place we were looking into was booked to, of course. We had to go somewhere and there was no way we were going back home. So, we ended up....

In my parents backyard! haha so fun! Yes, we camped out in the great Wildwood-complete with the lovely comfort of indoor plumbing.  The Newmans met us there and we sat up camp like normal, enjoying David's ever famous foil dinners for our meal (hamburger, potatoes, onions, and carrots cooked on the fire) and of course, s'mores for dessert. I think it was quieter and more private than a campsite would have been.  It was gorgeous weather and nice and cozy in our tent that night (I had two layers of matress pads for us to sleep on from my parents basement-nice!) Blaise seemed to enjoy the outing as well- Mimi bought him a fuzzy bear sleeper to wear at night. Bummer, I don't have a pic;( he was adorable in it. 

A bonus, Blaise got to play with Mimi in the morning while everyone slept in, and momma got a fresh fruit smoothie, yum!

Saturday, after everyone awoke, we made Nathan's speciality, pigs in a blanket (cooking biscuits on a stick and mini sausages over the fire.) Later we went to Rockwood Reservations for a picnic and a beautiful hike. Blaise enjoyed the ride on daddy in his Ergo and eating for the first time in the woods. 

Annie and Nathan are expecting their first baby in early March. This is a picture of Nathan  holding Blaise-his first time ever to hold a baby. Good job, Nathan! 

It was a great weekend away with friends, enjoying God's beautiful creation. I think I'm pretty thankful that the campgroud was full-my old backyard was just perfect! Thanks for hosting us, mom and dad! :)

Smile!

Blaise started smiling at us a few weeks ago. It's so fun to have him look at us and give us a huge, gummy grin! I finally managed to capture one on camera. 

And I captured his adorable little pout face too...

Two Months!

Blaise is now 2 months old! He weighs 12.8 lbs. and has grown to 23" long.  He is smiling and cooing (babbling) more and more.  He loves to squirm and wiggle, and is getting stronger and stronger everyday- (i.e. holding himself up on his feet, holding his head up for longer while on his belly etc).  We are loving this cooler fall weather and hope to go camping soon if the rain stays away!

Blaise's favorite toy-the mobile! Mimi thought he would like one and boy was she right! His eyes become wide as saucers and he kicks and moves his little arms and legs so fast when the music starts-so exciting! 

Grandpa Harold came over after work last week and watched Blaise while David and I went out-to the Y! It was weird for both of us to be out with no one in the car seat.  It such a strange feeling too to do the elliptical really hard and to push myself with the weights. (Couldn't do this while I was pregnant!) Blaise and I have been enjoying the mommy and me yoga class too. 

David discovered Blaise's favorite position - the football or cradle hold. He loooves it! He also loves to bounce and move. David often sings, "Blaise likes to move it, move it!" 

Over Labor Day, we went out to Innsbrook where my dad's parents live. Here a shot with a few of the girl cousins-Melaina, Bri, and Kayla- and Blaise. 

Great Aunt "Little" Debbie (my dad's youngest sister) and Blaise 

My mom's good friend, Janet Tubessing (my sister's best friend's mom) and Pam Reed graciously threw me a baby shower-after Blaise was born! (I didn't want to register for the nursery stuff before I knew if it was a boy or girl!) It was a nice way to have friends meet Blaise and celebrate with us! 

My 27th Birthday- celebrating at my parent's house with family. My mom made a delicious brisket meal and an amazing chocolate raspberry cheesecake that my friend Alisa from church originally made at the church shower. Yummy! It was a drizzly afternoon; Blaise enjoyed spending time with Boppa, rocking on the porch swing outside and then rocking inside, looking out the big kitchen window.  He also found Boppa's fuzzy arm hairs fun to grab onto like his cousin little Natalee did. 

Happy Birthday Ellie Grace!

Blaise has a new playmate! Baby Ellie Grace was born last Tuesday, August 26 to my cousin Lyndsay. My mother tells me that Ellie was the exact same size as me-8.5 lbs and 20.5 inches long. She was almost a pound and a half smaller than her big brother Chase-much to Lyndsay's relief! Momma and baby are doing wonderful! I couldn't believe how different Blaise already looks from a newborn. He's changed and grown so much in these past seven weeks!

Lyndsay and I grew up next door to each other and are more like sisters than cousins. We were together all the time. Whether ballet lessons, roaming the woods, or having a sleepover, we were inseparable.  We both ended up in Alabama for college, got married the same year, and now have babies 6 weeks apart. (Though this is her second!) I look forward to sharing this new stage of motherhood with her. 

The beautiful new family-Jeremy wore pink to celebrate his new daughter. (Little Chase was at home with Gma, taking a nap.)

One Month Old

Baby Blaise is one month old! He went to the doctor for a short check up last Friday and he weighed in at 10.12 lbs- gaining almost three pounds in three weeks and growing an inch!  He obviously enjoys nursing (what baby doesn't?!) and is a good and efficient eater- I'm thankful that he's doing so well!   

We see his blue eyes  (the current color) frequently as he is awake more during the day. He loves to be held and loves to go outside-  this August weather has been so gorgeous! Everyone seems to ask, so I will say that yes, we are getting sleep.  The other night he slept for five hours with out waking- he usually goes between three to four. It's really hasn't been a big deal to feed and change his diaper at night-the whole process takes about 20 minutes (I had imagined at least an hour!) I'm used to getting up during the night with the pregnancy anyway and actually now wake less during the night. When daddy wakes up at six thirty we keep sleeping- sometimes until after ten! I can't complain! Blaise sleeps through loud noises too- the organ and brass instruments at church, the concert at the Botanical Gardens, and even sitting right next to a band at a wedding!  He's done a lot in a month as a new born- I'm thankful that we didn't have him during the cold winter and flu season! 

Blaise is using his hands more and grabbing things- the funniest being David's arm pit hair! While I was taking these pictures, he kept knocking the blocks over with his fist. I'm sure in the coming months it will be even more difficult to keep him still!  

I couldn't resist sharing this one...