Showing posts with label Derek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derek. Show all posts

Saturday, May 2, 2009

April Happenings...Part 1

Well...I know it is already May, but I am still going to blog about our crazy month of April. We managed quite a few exciting milestones in our family this month. I will work this blog starting with the happenings from the end of the month and work my way backwards. We celebrated Nathan's 4th birthday with a small family party at home (with a walking fieldtrip of fun to the park). Nathan really enjoyed playing on the slides, being pushed on the swings by Grandpa, racing in Derek's red car...courtesy of Uncle Jon's speed, and doing somersaults down a little grassy hill with all the other kids (and this was only the excitement at the park).
Here he is blowing out the 4 candles on his Lego cake. The Lego character cake was a surprise for Nathan. David, my father-in-law (Bill) and I all helped decorate the b-day cake. We had Lego Indiana Jones racing across the cake in a raft and the "good" Lego Star Wars guys battling with the "bad" Lego Stars Wars guys. Nathan really seemed to like the surprise and that was all I wanted.

How can Nathan already be 4 years old? Here he is loving his birthday breakfast in bed. He wanted pancakes and a piece of his leftover strawberry cake for his breakfast. Let's just say, he didn't eat much of the pancakes. I just can't believe how fast time has gone. He seems like such a big boy to me now. He has such a funny and silly personality. He loves to make others laugh. I love that about him. He makes the funniest faces and sound effects. He constantly changes his clothes throughout the day (and that drives me nuts) and he prefers to wear shorts and colored socks. He cracks me up!
I love you my little Nathan William.
Happy 4th Birthday you crazy kid!


We had a few warm days in April. One Monday evening we spent time outside having squirt gun fights and washing David's car. Derek discovered the hose. He had such a good time playing with it. He later managed to find the soapy bucket we were using to wash the car. He dove right in while no one was looking, and his mommy had to rescue him from drowning during the car wash. He had solid bubbles from the top of his head all way to his belly button. You couldn't even see his little face.
Babies + buckets = trouble.

Here is a picture of Matty and Nathan riding bikes together in our court. Nathan is loving his new bike and helmet. He is really coming along with his bike. And notice, Matty is riding without training wheels! He had set a goal (homework assignment from a few weeks ago) to learn to ride without training wheels...and he accomplished it. He has never really been all that into riding his bike. We had practiced a couple of times before with taking the training wheels off, but he just wasn't ready. Well on this particular night, we took them off, I held on to the back of his bike for about 20 seconds and let go...he rode off without any problems (he even turned and came right back towards me). He was so proud of himself and he now just loves riding his bike. He actually rides better without the training wheels. It's one of his favorite things to do now. Great job Matty Boy!


Derek loves riding on the back of my bike. David rode around with Derek during Matty's exciting night of bike riding. I just think he looks so cute with his little bike helmet (he doesn't mind wearing it anymore...thank goodness).
Well like I said, this is just some of the April fun for our family. I still need to catch up on Easter, our Spring Break trip to R.P. and Bodega Bay, and of course Baseball Season 2009 has begun! Have I mentioned that Derek is now walking???

Monday, March 16, 2009

Happy Birthday Derek!

Well today, our baby turned 1 year old! I really can't believe it! The first year went by too quickly for me. We had a family birthday party last Saturday at our house and we really enjoyed spending time with everyone. Derek was fantastic. He was happy on his special day and really enjoyed the time we all spent playing outside in the court. David pushed Derek around in his red car that he loves while he watched all of the cousins play with lots and lots of outside toys.

This is how Derek feels about being 1 !

Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to Derek!"

Yummy, chocolate cake! He really liked it. Not really a surprise...he is my son and all.

Oooh, that mint chip ice cream is cold!


Daddy and Derek opening gifts from family. Derek loved the dollar bill he received from Grammy & Papa. He held on to it for quite a while...of course he liked putting it in his mouth...yuck.


Derek giving the gift opening a try all on his own. He really only cared about the paper.

The birthday party crew!
Tonight (his official b-day) our little family shared what we think is special about Derek. Here are the responses:
Olivia: "I really love Derek because he makes me laugh. I like when he wants to play on my bed with me at bedtime."
Matty: "I really love playing with Derek."
Nathan: "I really like going in Derek's room in the morning when he wakes up."
Mommy: "I really love the big hugs Derek gives me when I get him up out of his crib. And when he pats me on my back."
Daddy: "I really love when I come home from work and Derek crawls over to me because he wants me to pick him up and hug him."
Our baby Derek has brought so much love and joy to our family. We love him and value the sweet spirit he is!
Happy 1st Birthday Derek David!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Baby Derek is Learning to Walk!

Derek is practicing his walking more and more each day. He loves when everyone is watching and clapping for him. "D.D." (Nathan's nickname for Derek David) likes to show off for us. It is hard for me to believe that he will be one next month. His first year has certainly gone by in the blink of an eye.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Cheerios!

Yep, that's a Cheerio, Derek!

"I got it, but how do I get it in my mouth?"

Proud Brothers
Nathan with his mouth open (a phase for him right now with photos...it's driving me nuts!), Derek a little overwhelmed by his excited big brothers, & Matty ready with the bowl of Cheerios.


Derek has reached the "Cheerios" milestone. He tried them yesterday with the help of his two older brothers. I had to convince Matty and Nathan that the highchair tray did not need to be entirely covered with cheerios. They thought this was a very exciting moment (I love that they get so into the new things Derek experiences). Derek played with the cereal for a bit and then he figured out he could put them in his mouth. From that point on, there really was no stopping him. He is getting big entirely too fast for me. I can't believe he is days away from being 8 months old. And yes, I know his hair is a little long (I get asked what "her" name is even when he is wearing blue). I can't bring myself to give him a real big boy haircut yet. I'll get there... some day.