Gift from God

The name Nathan means "Gift From God." And what a gift he is. This weekend he was baptized, and we were really touched by the lengths our family came to witness this event. Just about our entire in-town family gave their Sunday afternoon to be with us; Aunt Kristen and Alex came in from Rochester; Grandma and Grandpa from Eau Claire; Aunt Katie and Uncle Graydon from Cleveland; Uncle Ray all the way from Florida; and even Angie and Theresa drove in from school. Nathan was a real trooper. He slept through his first Mass, and was quietly alert through most of the baptism. It was downhill after the oil - but really, who wouldn't fuss at oil on thier head, messing up his fine 'do? Later he fell asleep sitting up - just like his grandpas. He's still recovering from the busy weekend.

Visitors from the North

We had a great visit this weekend with Mom and Dad Bollinger and Kristen and Alex. Alex and Nathan had a great time getting to know each other with fun trips to the Magic House and the Zoo. Alex was joined by Andrew for a Halloween parade around our neighborhood Sunday afternoon. Nathan can't wait to get in on the action next year.

It was nice while it lasted

Well, we enjoyed 5 blissful nights of all-night sleep - including a stretch of seven hours and 15 minutes one night. And then back to reality. It's been touch and go since Tuesday. Wednesday he got his shots... and a subsequent fever that kept us up just about all night. I finally got him to sleep more than 15 minutes at a time around 4 a.m. by rocking him to sleep on my chest. Poor little man. The last couple nights it seems he might be working back up to all night sleeping - three hour stretches without eating in between. Here's hoping for more progress...

2 & 2: Two months for Nathan; Two years for us

Last Saturday we went for a drive and a hike at Pere Marquette - the park in Illinois where we were engaged. Then we stopped at Eckert's for some apple cider and caramel apples. What a great way to celebrate our anniversary (10/7) and Nathan's two-month birthday (10/11). Comfy in his Bjorn (courtesy of Aunt Kristen), Nathan is on his way to becoming quite the little outdoorsman.

Shhh... don't tell Nathan, but he slept through the night!

I'm absolutely certain that I'm jinxing ourselves as I type, but I have to share: Nathan slept through the night! He went down about 11:30 last night; he squeaked a bit around 12:15 without opening his eyes, so I just popped his Nuk back in his mouth and he drifted back off. Next thing I know I'm waking up to the numbers 5:49 on the clock, and the sound of peaceful slumber. Nathan didn't make a sound until about 15 minutes later. We celebrated by going to the park with Andrew and Bridget - where Nathan did his best Grandpa Jack impersonation, snoozing under his ball cap.

Here's hoping we have many more nights like last night...

Great Pumpkins

The pumkin patch reaches a new level on the fun-o-meter when you go with a whole group of kids you know.