No Hands!

Eric and I LOVE our new purchase....the Baby Bjourn. Even better, Everett really seems to enjoy it. It's funny, as I walked through a bookstore the other day with it on, it reminded me of being pregant again! Here are a few pictures........

I Love You Stinky Face

One of my favorite things to buy Everett are books! Recently we bought Everett a very cute book called I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt. The book is about how a mama reassures her little boy that no matter what, she will love him unconditionally (i.e even if he was a "big, scary ape"). As I read my "stinky face" this book tonight, I was reminded of the Lord's abundant love for me. No matter how many times I sin against Him, He loves me as His child. How great is His mercy and grace!

Just for a Laugh

It's amazing what you'll do just to get a laugh. Here is a video of Eric and I trying to get a laugh out of Everett. We don't get a full laugh, but we do get a smile. Enjoy!

Chunky Monkey and the Nursery

Well the time had finally come. Everett last Sunday experienced his first time in our church nursery. Yes that's right. We kissed him goodbye and prayed as we walked away that he wouldn't be too high maintenance! Other than a brief paci crisis (the worker couldn't find it) he did fairly well. Fortunately our friends Nick and Jennifer (pictured below) were working that morning, so it made the separation a bit easier for me. Thanks you two! Yeah for another "big boy" step! Oh, and we went to the doctor today and Everett weighs almost 16 pounds and is in the 90th percentile. Hurray for chubby babies!

Smokey Mountain Getaway

Setting: Gatlinburg, TN.
Characters: Eric (Papa Bear); Michelle (Mama Bear); Everett (Baby Bear); Gail (Everett's Gigi and the wisest of all the bears!)
Plot: After one crazy summer, Eric and I thought we definitely needed a vacation! Fortunately, we were blessed to be able to spend a week in a beautiful cabin in the Smokey Mountains. We were also blessed to have Eric's mom, also known as Gigi, to accompany us on our adventure. We watched the Olympics on a big screen, played pool, ate barbeque, went on a bear hunt, walked around downtown Gatlinburg, and did plenty of relaxing! On Wednesday, Eric and I enjoyed a breakfast date followed by some great outlet shopping (thanks Gigi for the babysitting!). One of the highlights of our trip was seeing a Mama bear with her cubs (from the safety of our car) right outside our cabin. Such a fun vacation and I look forward to many more.

The cabin where we stayed

Everett looking thrilled about his Smokey Bear rattle.

Don't feed the bears!

A mama bear and her cubs outside our cabin!

Yeah for vacations!

So cute!

The fab four.

Everett and his Gigi

Bear!

Note the sign says Sleepys and Everett is yawning...perfect pose!

Swimming Pools and Blue Jeans

Today we had another first. We took Everett to the pool! He loves taking a bath, so I thought he would definitely like swimming and he did! How fun to have a water baby. Everett also wore his first pair of jeans the other day. He looked like a little man. As we continue to experience these "firsts" I am trying to savor every moment and I look forward to many more. Having a child is such a gift and a blessing from the Lord! Thanks God for all the fun!


Laying out after a good swim.

Everett about to get into a warm bath.

Big Boy pants!

First pair of jeans!

About to go for a swim.

Baby fish Mama fish

Diary of a New Mommy

No one ever said that motherhood was going to be easy. I have been a mommy now for two and a half short months and I must agree. Being Everett's mom has been the most challenging, yet the most rewarding and fulfilling job and role I have ever had. Today Eric and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Our lives have changed so much in 4 years, it's amazing. We decided to go out for breakfast and one of those "challenging moments" appeared. Everett was having a bad morning and started screaming in the restaurant! So I turned a lovely shade of red and rushed him to the bathroom to try and soothe him. Well he wasn't having any of it. So there I was, practicing the art of patience in the ladies restroom while my food got cold out on the table and my poor husband ate alone. After what seemed like hours (it was really only about 15 minutes) I decided to just skip breakfast and get the heck out of there. Everett's bad morning turned into a bad day and well.....let's just say it is now 8:30, my sweet baby is finally sleeping, and I'm exhausted. Becoming a parent has definitely caused me to appreciate my own. Thanks Mom and Dad! I love my new role as a mommy and I LOVE our Everett bear. He is (most of the time) such a happy and content baby and seeing him smile is the highlight of any day. I know someday we'll laugh about days like this......right???