Brandon Update

Brandon turned ten months old on the 10th and he has been doing SO many new things. He is saying, "Mama" now...it took a little while after saying "Daddy" but that's ok! =) He is eating all table food - no more baby food!! WOO HOO!! He usually eats yogurt or applesauce with a banana or some other fruit for breakfast; lunch is usually ham and cheese with a fruit cup or veggie (or leftovers from dinner the night before); he eats whatever Nathan and I eat for dinner. Last night he had grilled chicken, green beans and fried apples at Cracker Barrel. He is a such a good little eater.

I give him snacks throughout the day and his favorite right now is pop-tarts! HAHAHAHA I hadn't bought those for a LONG time until last week. I gave him one to see if he liked it and now whenever he sees the shiny silver package he goes crazy. It's funny. He likes NutriGrain bars, too, and he still eats his puffs. I haven't found anything that he won't eat which is great.

He is only taking one bottle a day and that's his "night night bottle." He was weaning himself off of his day time bottles...very disinterested and just not eating them. Fine with me - formula is expensive! =)

He is starting to climb things and is still pulling up on everything. He is still holding on one handed and we are convinced he is going to walk soon but nothing yet. Since he has started crawling and getting into everything he has learned the word, "no." I have had to start disciplining by squeezing his little hand when he does something after I say, "no." Most of the time he just looks at me and crawls away! =) I know that he knows what "no" means because he has started saying it to me. Sometimes Nathan will be holding him and I will walk over and hold out my hands for him to come to me. He will look at me and shake his head, "no." Hmmmm...He does LOVE his Daddy but it confirms to me that he knows what the word means.

Our friend, Kim, gave Brandon an Easter basket this year and in the basket was a ball. Brandon LOVES it...it has definitely become his favorite toy!!!! He doesn't say, "ball" yet but if we say, "Go get your ball" he will go find it.

I can't believe that he will be ONE soon...that's CRAZY!!! He is such a good boy and his little personality is starting to show. I love it!!!



Meg

Job Update

I just wanted to take the time to let y'all know how the job hunt is going. We took a few months off from sending lots of resumes but we are back into the swing of things. We sent a few a couple weeks ago and heard back from a couple of them that the resume had been passed on to the search committee. It is such a long process but we are hoping something is working...

Since the baby is due at the end of summer we have signed a lease until October. We wouldn't mind moving before then but it gives us an ending date here. If we have to sign another lease that's ok too.

Keep Nathan and I in your prayers as we continue to seek the Lord's direction. We have sent his resume all over North America so we could end up anywhere at this point. Luckily, Nathan has a stable job at AT&T and he continues to have GREAT opportunities at Highview. We are so thankful for the Lord's provision to this point and we know that He will provide a ministry postiion for Nathan in His time.


Meg

It's Been A While...

I just realized it's been a couple weeks since I last posted...oops!! I have been busy reorganizing Brandon's room to make room for baby #2 in a few months (we are still deciding on a name). I redecorated a little but mainly just reorganized clothes and made room for more toys and a bed! =)

A consignment sale was in town so I was able to buy some new clothes for Brandon and a new swing for Baby Boy. It's a swing that turns into a rocking chair...so cute! You can see Brandon's old swing in the background of this picture. He swang in it MAYBE four times...it doesn't work very well...the music doesn't play...so I am just getting rid of it. I paid $10 for it at a consignment sale last year so I am not too worried about it. The new swing is for his baby brother and Brandon thinks it's his! =) I guess I need to get used to that!!!



Some good friends from seminary were in town last week for the Together for the Gospel conference. While their husbands attended the conference we took the kiddos to eat lunch and play at All About Kids. I will post pictures from this soon...my friend, Lindsay took pictures so I will get those soon.

I was sick for a couple days at the end of last week. I think it was a stomach virus of some sort but I think some of it was pregnancy related too. Luckily, Nathan had a couple days off work and he was such a HUGE help with Brandon and letting me rest.

Again, I will post pictures soon!!! I just wanted to take the time to catch you up on what has been going on with us.



Meg

The Alabama Easter Bunny

I checked the mail when we got home from the park today and we had a package waiting for us!! YAY!! And it's not even Christmas! =)

Nathan's parent's sent an Easter basket...mainly for Brandon...but there were some goodies in there for the rest of us - including baby boy #2!!

Eating goldfish crackers from the Easter bunny

Nathan loves goldfish crackers so he was very excited when I took some out of the box. He also got a teddy bear. Eli (our cat) was just as excited about our present. He is in the background of the picture playing in the box...he is so goofy!

Anyway, the Easter bunny also sent candy and peppermints for Mama and Daddy. Baby boy #2 got some pajamas which I know he will LOVE! =)

Thanks, Grammy Carol and Papa Walter!!! We love you!!



Meg

A Day at the Park

We are supposed to get rain this week so I took Brandon to the park today while we still had the nice weather. Until today he had never been in a swing before...he LOVED it! He was laughing until I took the camera out and then he stopped - of course! We walked on a little walking trail there and enjoyed a nice afternoon outside.




Meg

Anniversary Day

Yesterday was mine and Nathan's anniversary. He took the day off work and we made it a family day in Lexington, KY. It was a GORGEOUS day and we tried to make the best of it. Nathan is great at planning day trips and yesterday he planned an outing to the Arboretum (botanical garden) on the University of Kentucky's campus. Admission and parking was FREE (major plus) and it had a great walking trail.

Ready to go!!

Happy Anniversary!

Looking at the fish

Eating time...Daddy fed our "little goat"

After leaving the Arboretum, we went to the mall. We didn't go with the intent to buy anything - just to walk. Brandon loves walking through the mall. I think it's because of all the people. We ate dinner while we were there then headed back to Louisville.

Playing ball in Dick's Sporting Goods

Love the shades! =)

Brandon was VERY well behaved. I think he just enjoyed being out with Mama and Daddy. We are planning a trip to Asheville, North Carolina at the end of the month which we are very excited about! We are looking forward to seeing you, Grammy Carol and Papa Walter!

Meg

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Like many of you, I am appreciative of meals that can be prepared quickly and taste YUMMY!!! This is one of Nathan's favorite meals and I thought I would put the recipe on here for those of you that are looking for a new meal for your dinner menu.

Ingredients:
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese - I only use 4 oz, otherwise it's REAL cream cheesy
1 c salsa
2 c chopped ckn
1 (15oz) can black beans (drained)
6 flour tortillas
2 c shredded colby-jack cheese
1 c red enchilada sauce

Preheat oven to 350degrees and spray a 9x13 inch pan with non-stick spray.

Combine cream cheese and salsa. Cook stirring until melted. Stir in chicken and black beans. Fill tortillas with mixture and place in baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce and cheese on top of prepared enchiladas, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

It obviously makes 6 enchiladas so you can double/half depending on the size of your family.

If you are able to make it, let me know what you think.



Meg