Smiles and Squeals

Blake Denver - FOUR Months

             

• He now is  13lbs.  13oz.(25th percentile); 25 1/4 in. long (75th percentile); 41 cm in head circumference (10-25th percentile)
• His bedtime is around 8:30pm to 9:00pm.
• He slept over 11 hours straight one night...average is around 7 hours straight a night.
• He has started making lots of different sounds: "growling," "ahhhh," and many squeals.
• He loves watching football on the weekends with dad.
• He enjoys going for walks and looking at all the trees.
• He can hold his head up without it falling around.
• He can sit up in his chair all on his own.
• He rolled over from his tummy to his back for the first time (on his 4 month birthday).
• He is starting to push with his legs when he is on his back...rolling over that way isn't far off.
• He loves to suck on his fingers all the time.
• He visited his dad at his work for lunch with mommy.
• He "talked" with grandpa and grandma Nolz on Skype.
• He had his first trip to the grocery store with just mom.
• He does not like being put into his car-seat...he's okay once we get on the road.
• He went to his first pumpkin patch.
• He loves getting to spend time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles. 
• He enjoys looking at himself in the mirror.

Just last weekend Jason, Blake and I went to the pumpkin patch out at E.Z. Orchards. This of course was Blake's first experience out at a pumpkin patch, and he seemed to enjoy himself. We went to the petting zoo, went on a hay ride and got a pumpkin. I'm excited to watch him walking around next year, but was impressed with how well he did this year.

We finally got a picture of the four generations of Bernard boys. Hoping that Blake will get some of that Bernard height too. :)

Happy Halloween!

Blake's Angel Buddy

Friends are something that once you find them you don't ever want to let them go. They help you when you are struggling, and are there to cheer you on when things are going good. Sometimes we meet them when we are very young, or we meet later in life. No matter when the moment happens; that friend is something so precious.

Blake, Jason and I, along with many others were expectantly awaiting the arrival of Blake’s ‘Little Buddy.’ Our friend’s Tim and Michelle were anticipating welcoming their own son this month. Michelle and I had had many conversations about watching our boys grow up together, about watching them go from baby buddies to friends.

On Sunday, the Lord determined that this sweet little boy was going to open his eyes in heaven. Blake’s sweet friend-to-be is playing with the angels. Little Ezra James was born, although he was already welcomed into God’s loving arms, Sunday, October 14^th 2012 and weighed  7lbs. 15oz. and was 21 in. long. Michelle and I decided we know who the “little” buddy actually would have been. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

My heart hurts for the plans that I had made for that boy, and the dreams that I know his parents had for him. But, God had and has greater plans. I am confident that the Lord has a plan in this; which has been seen with the amount of lives Ezra has changed already. I am confident that the Lord did not make a mistake; His ways are not my ways. His ways are good; His ways are just; clinging to that promise. I am blessed by his mercy shown to Tim and Michelle even through this time. Thankful for the strength and peace that can only come from above.

Dear Blake,

Ezra is still your little buddy my love. 

Just last week mommy and you felt him move in his mommy’s tummy 

and the four of us had our picture taken together; the first of many. 

But, now your little buddy is watching out for you in heaven. 

He is waiting to meet you, to play with you one day for all eternity, how amazing is that? 

He never knew the sadness we are feeling right now, 

he only knows what it is like to walk and learn from Jesus. 

I just pray you would get to enjoy this life my sweet baby boy, 

but with a yearning for your perfect home yet to come. 

I pray that you would come to love the Lord 

as much as your mommy and daddy do.

Your little angel buddy, Ezra, will always be carried in our hearts.

Love, Mommy

Blown Away

Last weekend was a first at the Bernard house...we went on a triple date with our whole Nolz side of the family for the first time. We went to the Carrie Underwood concert, "Blown Away," at the Rose Garden. What an amazing singer she is! It was crazy to think that I had watched her sing on TV when she was just getting her start, and to see where her talent has taken her.  It was also Blake's first time with a babysitter...other than grandparents (bigger step for me I am pretty sure).  My parents, Jason, Blake and I and Kinsey and Gary. Kinsey and I were reflecting on the fact that last year at this time Blake and Gary weren't around...and now it would be hard to picture our family without them in the picture.

Hanging out with Aunt Kinsey and Uncle Gary :)

Before the triple date, Blake and I were up in Portland for the weekend for the annual Women's Retreat with our church. Although I didn't get to spend as much time enjoying the speaker, I did get to spend some sweet time with some friends, my mom, my aunt and my sisters outside of Salem. Kinsey and I met up with Carrie and some of her friends at IKEA...fun to start thinking about Kinsey and Gary getting married and getting their own place. :) I was also pleasantly surprised because Blake slept 8 hours straight both nights that we were in the hotel...something I think my mom and aunt also appreciated since they were sharing out room.

Girl's Lunch Out :)

It was an awesome weekend...and as you can see by Blake's many smiles I think that he had a pretty good time too. :) So thankful for the many blessings of family and friends in my life.

Loving this time in my life.