Things That Make me Smile

1. Thinking about what a great arrangement we have at Spankey's Day-Care! My good friend, Jill, takes awesome care of Nash and he gets to hang out with his buddies Will and Cade.

2. Remembering the Marc Broussard concert at Bass Hall is THIS weekend! YEA! I've never seen Marc B in person and I've never been to Bass Hall! It's a 2 fer 1, folks!

3. My flowers out front. I am not much of a gardener (not yet, anyways - it's on my bucket list), but boy I can grow some begonias!!!

4. Nash's Halloween costume! I made it this week and think it turned out AWESOME! Hopefully, on Halloween, he'll last longer in it than he did today when we tried it on. He got so mad he started plucking himself!

5. Mark coming home early today!

6. Watching Nash struggle so hard, and finally pulling up all on his own!

7. Wasabi peas. They are my new favorite snack.

8. Okay - I know this is tacky, but it sure makes me laugh!

9. Sweetness at bedtime

10. Staying in my sweatpants all morning on a rainy day.

Fun with the Fam

We've had a really nice couple of weeks! Nash is learning so fast these days - it's really cool to watch his little wheels a-turning when he learns something new! He is still mostly belly crawling, but the past three nights he has done a little bit on hands and knees. I can tell he is about to be into everything! We got baby proofing stuff this week. He wants to stand ALL the time! He has also started waving and it is pretty cute b/c he stares at his hand like, "I'm really causing this to happen!" Also, letting him pull the blanket off his head when playing peek-a-boo is a sure way to get a giggle. And he has been giving the best open-mouth kisses - he has been initiating giving them which makes it even sweeter. Nash has always kinda been a mama's boy, but it's hard core now! I can hardly leave the room lately. Sometimes its exhausting, but I know before long, he'll be too busy to cuddle with me, so I'll enjoy it while I can. We went to Marshall last weekend so Mark could go hunting and to see the family. This weekend we are having professional family pictures done - I'm so excited! Here are a few of our pics to satisfy you until then:

Saturday we went to Marshall's BIG (so sarcastic) Fire Ant Festival. It was kinda dreary so we didn't stay long, but Nash thought the hay was fun.

"Thank God I'm a country boy!"

Nash chillin' on the horse trailer

EVERYTHING goes straight to the mouth

Uncle Ty and Nash
They sure are hard to photograph together - this was the only pic (out of about 10) where Ty's eyes are open and Nash isn't crying for me to hold him.

Uncle Jason showing Nash how to spin the football

Nash, Aunt Jolie, and Elsie Jane

Elsie Jane sure was a sweet playmate!

Exploring Pops' ranch on the rhino

Nash and Nonnie - I don't think she let his feet hit the floor

First time fishing with Daddy - I think these are PRECIOUS!

Ole'!

Pops played on the floor with Nash every night

My favorite time of day

Amy, Jake, and Grace stopped by Monday on their way home from OK so Jake and Grace could expel some pent up energy

Nash's Perspective on Playing Outside

"This feels a little funny on my feet"

"I guess it's not so bad"

"Mmm, grass! I need a little fiber this morning"

"What's this, Tootsie?"

"Ha! My ball now!"

"What do you mean I have to throw it for her?"

"Oh good! She's back!"

Wonderings

Today, I've been wondering:

• Who will Nash be when he gets bigger? What will he think is fun - music and reading like me or sports and hunting like his daddy - maybe a mix? What will his friends be like? What shenanigans will he get into? What will make him laugh? What will make him mad? I just can't even imagine him big just yet! It is hard not to be a little sad about how fast he's growing OR looking forward to the next milestone, so I am REALLY trying to appreciate every moment in the moment.
• How does one learn to like running? I really WANT to be a runner - wish I loved it, but it pretty much feels like torture to me. I think I'm going to join the gym again - I'm tired of being soft and squishy!
• Why there are SO many books in the Left Behind series? I started this series and its enjoyable, but I've been putting off several other recommendations thinking I'll read something else once I finish this series. However, it's the frickin' Energizer Bunny - keeps going and going and going and going.......not sure I can stick it out!
• How are we gonna figure out the right balance in discipline? How do you make sure your kid turns out kind, empathetic, polite, ambitious, etc.. without breaking their spirit? Any pointers, anyone?
• Where will we move if our house sells - we really have NO idea! ADVENTURE awaits!
• Is Cosco worth it being 5 minutes closer to us than Sam's - I'm pretty sure its more expensive, causing the tight-wad in me to cringe!
• What is so stinkin' funny to Nash in this video (below)? He was really kinda grumpy, then all the sudden, his giggle box got turned on - it went on for 30 minutes! Makes my heart happy!

And here's some potpourri:

He totally enjoyed Catherine reading to him

CUTE Chloe - can you tell she's the third child?! ;)

Daddy got him!

Almost out the doggy door

Who can resist that sweet slobbery mouth?