Eleventy-Billion Reasons: April 2012

It's official- Nate is a surprise party RUIN-ER!

Yes, he was surprised. Yes, he got annoyed at me for sending him on a wild goose chase (to get out of the house), and ultimately got me mad that he was mad! haha. If only he knew what I was doing, he'd feel REALLY bad.

Well, he did feel bad. I felt good that he felt bad..haha. That sounds so messed up. ;)

Either way, we had a great time. After he walked in to the party, he was happy. After all, he did literally drive all over the woodlands for an hour and a half for 1 pizza on a Friday afternoon. That usually spells disaster. Poor guy.

I ordered several other pizzas that actually got delivered to the house, and we had parents and other family come over. I made a ultra chocolately chocolate cake and after everyone left, we sat on our deck next to the fire pit, relaxing and watching the clouds roll by the moonlight.

It was so nice to celebrate him and his accomplishment as well as getting to leave his current position. It felt good to make him feel special. No, I didn't take any pictures (bad wife). Luke has had a blast with the balloons, though. Seriously.. hours of entertainment those balloons provide. I highly recommend them.

He has this next week off and will officially start May 7!

Luke turned 9 months old April 14th! He's just getting so big and so sweet- he definitely is showing his little personality!

At 8 months, 1 day, he started crawling! He had been working on it for a little over a month, rocking and scooting (mostly backwards). I was sure he would have it down by his 8 month birthday, and he had it with 1 day extra! Proud doesn't do it justice! It's so crazy the heart bursting pride you have for your child- watching them work so hard for something and accomplishing it. We are so, SO happy for you little man! He's currently working on pulling up on things. He does it really sporadically. He mostly just crawls all over the place and loves to be chased, play peek-a-boo, and hide and seek.

This last month has been crazy. After 2 interviews and lots of prayer, Nate has a new job! He starts May 7. We feel like our lives have been a little off the wall since moving to this area (3 years go). Everyone knows nurses have crazy schedules, but Nate was driving back and forth to College Station every day. Factor in a night shift working wife and getting there an hour early (to get home at a decent time) every other day, he was exhausted and I was stressed! Throw in a baby and it was time for a new job! We looked maybe a hand full of times since living here, but nothing really serious. The job market crashed right after moving here (it was never our intention for him to stay there), so we thought it best for him to stay for a bit just until the economy looked a little better. He was safe where he was. Anywho, on a whim he applied for this new position (here in the Woodlands... he won't even have to drive into Houston!!!!!!) and got it!

The position is pretty much the same thing he's already doing- QA Analyst - but in this company he's going to be implementing or starting up a new department so quite a bit more responsibility. Lots of writing involved as well, which he loves! God has blessed us abundantly and surprised us with this new change in our lives. We're thrilled! Now, I just need to figure out how to put a little surprise Congrats party together. We'll see what happens.

Luke's 9 month appointment went great! They did a little finger stick for blood. And who's a tough guy?? HE is!! He didn't even cry. He weighs 24.7 lbs and 29 1/2 inches long. He eats pretty much anything- even spinach and artichoke dip. Such a weirdo..lol. He hasn't met a food he made a mean face at, other than avacado. We'll see if that changes over time. Last week he started holding his own bottle, just kind of out of the blue. He would play with it, but never fed himself. He's mastered that now. It's pretty cute. He opens his mouth super wide as he's trying to get it up to his mouth. We feed him solids 3 times a day and give him little things here and there to feed himself.

In a few weeks we get to celebrate Brooke and her new little Avah coming soon with a sweet pink baby shower! I've been working on ideas for the cupcakes and cookie favors. I'll be excited to share pictures after the big day!

Lots of things happening! God is so faithful and has blessed us SO greatly!