Nathan's First Gasparilla!

Cutest pirate at the party!

Awesome.  I just learned how to do mobile uploads!  So, there will probably be a lot more pics with one liners on the blog.  Scrapbooking made easy!

The nursery

I meant to post these pictures a long time ago and just never got around to it.

For the nursery we wanted to stay away from the influence of Disney and the gender bias of sports and trucks.  We finally found a theme called "Ahoy Mate" at Babies R Us which celebrated sailboats and monkeys - two things that, to me, symbolize relaxation and fun!  We registered for things within that theme (this was the easy part thanks to our family and friends!) and made a few decorations to go along with it.

I created a simple sailboat painting on canvas with acrylics, puffy paint and different fabrics for the sails.  It's not exactly Monet; I'm hoping Nathan just appreciates the effort.

Next, I decided that a big whimsical palm tree would compliment the theme nicely and add a bit of interest to the room.  We built the trunk out of PVC piping and carpet padding which we stabalized at the base by pouring concrete into a bucket.  We secured it to the wall and added leaves made of bubble wrap filled fabric strung onto Funny pipe.  We wrapped the base in fabric and added a monkey and some coconuts.  Done!

Our other major piece of artwork was created by Britton's cousin's daughter, Keah.  She made a card for me for the baby shower and it was just too cute not to frame.

I just LOVED the charming sentiment depicting a four year old's perspective on becoming a mother.  This is my favorite part of Nathan's room, and little Keah's wish came true: I DO!!!

Christmas 2010

Unfortuantely, I finally have the time to post these pictures because I'm home with a sick baby.  My mastitis finally healed and was followed by an annoying cold which is still seeing it's way to the door.  This week Nathan also got sick with a nasty wet cough and fevers that prevent him from being able to attend daycare.  Another reality of being a working mom set in when I was called at work yesterday to retrieve my son.

 Anyway...We went up to Charleston on Tuesday before Christmas.  The drive took about 10 hours and was fairly uneventful considering it was our first trip with Nathan (thanks, baby!).

 Nathan was introduced to Britton's mother's family and was a big hit (what he lacks in words, he makes up for in looks).  We also met our new niece, Libba.

With this year's additions, there are now five grandchildren on Britton's side of the family.  Here they are all with their grandmother and great grandmother.

Can you believe we successfully took this picture?  Caleb: 5 yrs, Carter: 4 yrs, Elijah: 22 mos, Libba: 7 mos, Nathan: 5 mos.

It's almost time for Nathan to wake up and who knows when I'll get back to this blog...so I'll just quickly add captions and post this blog.  :-)

Nathan getting sugar from his great Aunt Kathy.

Nathan getting a bottle from Sienne.

Britton's Family

The Rodwell descendants and family

If this picture doesn't make you laugh, you have no soul.

Nancy and Peter

 In December, Nathan had his first taste of rice cereal and took to eating from a spoon pretty easily.  This kid loves to eat and he'll take it any way he can get it!

 My cousin, Nancy, and her husband, Peter, traveled from Kentucky to Clearwater with their three sons Ben, Gabe and Sam.  We met up at Bam bam and Pop pop's house along with Ed and Helen.  Peter recently got stationed in Fort Knox and Nancy braved the move with two small boys and a baby!
Nancy is like Wonder Woman in my eyes.  I'm getting pretty good at handling the constant needs of an infant but to see Nancy do it and direct two other little boys at the same time, wow!...'nough said.