Christmas

So, I have been really busy lately. It is really hard working full time and being a mom and wife. So blogging isn't very hi up there on the list. Sorry to all of you who love to look at them. A few weeks ago, Crystal, my cousin, was babysitting Nate and they went to a church party and Nate got to sit on Santa's lap. He didn't really give much reaction to this.

For Christmas we were able to go to my parents house for a couple of days. We didn't take real pictures b/c G&G Rice gave us a cam corder for Christmas. Thank you G&G Rice. So right now I need to figure out how to post little video's of Nate. All of my sister's and their families were also at my parents house. There were 21 of us all together! Yes, we all stayed under the same roof for about 3 days. It was fun, but I was glad to get home to some peace and quiet. Although, Nate is quite the chatter box these days. He loves to say 'hi daddy' and 'momma' and a few other words. He is finally showing signs of walking. 13 months and he can take about 6 steps on his own. He gets too excited and then falls over.

Charlie and I are doing well. We both enjoy our jobs and the people we work with. Also we are enjoying our ward at church, the people there are so friendly. I will try to get more pictures of Nate up here soon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Let's have a great 2009!

Nate's new outfit

When G&G Rice came to visit a month ago, they got Nate this cute church outfit. I made sure to get him some black shoe's to match. We think he is just too cute. He is getting so big, we are going to have to get him a new car seat soon. We are excited for him to be able to face the front so we can see him and he can see us. He does pretty well in the car, but that will be nice to see each other.

As you can see, I got my hair cut off, again. I really like it and will have to post some better pictures. Today my hair was really cute, but then I got in the shower with Nate and that went away. This weekend is our EQ party at church on Friday, and then on Sat. is Charlie's work party. So I'll get gussied up and then we can take some good pictures.

Birthday Boy!

So, Nate turned 1 on Thursday! I can't believe a whole year has gone by. We are so excited that we are blessed to have him in our lives. He had his checkup the other day and other than being on the small side, he is doing great. He is still crawling everywhere and is walking along the furniture as well. He knows how to say momma, dadda, baby, and hi. The other day I was saying I love you a bunch of times in a row and he was trying to mimic that. It was so cute.

Today we went over to my sister's house. We had Nate's birthday party over there with her 4 kids, Alexis (8), Spencer (6), Dallin (4), and Trista (2). They all love Nate very much and are so good with him. Nate dug into his birthday cake without too much help from mom and dad. We were lucky to be able to have G&G Smith there to celebrate.

His presents from G&G Smith were some cars. Then from G&G Rice he got some new PJ's a jungle toy and some maraca's. His Aunt Vicky got him a new outfit, and so did his Aunt Shoady. Thank you everyone for making Nate's birthday a good one.

Ward Halloween Party

On Saturday we went to our Ward Halloween Party and we dressed Nate up as a monkey. The cutest monkey ever in my book! We had chili and got to show off Nate, it was really fun. We didn't do the trunk or treat b/c we don't need the candy and neither did Nate. So this is him in his monkey costume. We will be going trick or treating with Vicky and her kids on Friday. We are looking forward to that and will keep you posted.

It's Everywhere...

What do I say is everywhere....NATE! Now that he is crawling quickly to anything and everything, most of which I don't want him to go to...I am very busy. He is very independent with the direction he wants to go. He'll just take off down the hall and into what ever room he wants. I feel like I get nothing done when I get home because I am too busy chasing Nate. He is pulling himself up to the couch or piano bench, then gets mad when he falls on his bum. It is a fun new stage, but a busy one.

This weekend Nate and I decided to go see my parents since Charlie had to work this weekend. We were able to ride on the 4 wheelers and Nate really enjoyed that. Also we think that Nate is finally teething. He is almost 11 months old and still NO teeth. Sometimes I wonder what I can and can't feed him because of this fact. Also he is not sleeping very well at this time,which is not fun when both parents have full time jobs.

I just got a calling in our church, I lead the music in Sacrament, and pick the songs. It should be fun. Charlie is the secretary in EQ in case we did not mention that. We are looking forward to our Trunk or treat this year, especially to be able to dress Nate in his costume. We'll keep ya posted, but if it takes a couple of weeks, it is all Nate's fault! Ha ha.

Look what I can do!

10 Months!

Nate is now 10 months old, and cute as ever! He is scooting everywhere and sometime will crawl, but prefers not to. Just this week he has started pulling up on things and gets about half way up and gets stuck, then slumps back down. He still has no teeth, but sure does have an appetite. Our only problem is that he seems to think that he doesn't need to drink much liquids. If anyone has a way of getting kids to drink, out of a bottle or a sippy cup, please let us know. The other day we went in to check on Nate in his crib and this is what we found. He is just so funny. He has also started to make a "sour" face that is really cute. I'll have to try to get that on camera sometime.

Cousins

Lately we have been able to spend lots of time with family. Vicky and Jordan went to a baptism the other night so we babysat Spencer, Dallin, and Trista. Vicky's kids just love Nate and for the most part Nate loves them. Sometimes they play with him too hard for too long and Nate lets me know that he is tired of playing with them. Nate was playing with his blocks the other night when the kids came over and Dallin said, "Uncle Chuck, why does Nate Nate eat the blocks?" Uncle Chuck responded with, "until about 2 years ago, you just ate the blocks too." Dallin thought that to be interesting.

On Saturday Aunt Becca came over with cousin Jacob and Nate was kind enough to share his new toy that his G&G Rice sent for him. Thank you G&G Rice! Nate received a rather large package on our front door step the other day and it was the cutest thing...a catapillar that is a rocking horse type thing. It is so cute. So we put Nate on it and then Jacob behind it and they thought that was fun. I like the picture where Nate is looking back at Jacob, very cute. Nate is not big enough to play on it by himself, but he likes Mommy or Daddy to help him rock on it.

My boys

Lately Nate has really loved to play with Tangent. Tangent is so good and patient with Nate. Tangent lets Nate pull his tail, play with his ears and slap his head. Tangent is good at laying next to Nate as close as possible with out sitting on him. It is so cute.

About 2 nights ago, Nate rolled over and slept on his tummy all night...so maybe there is hope that he won't have a flat head his whole life! I took a picture of Charlie and Nate after Nate got up that morning with his hair all messed up. It is so cute. Nate has decided to roll over and crawl backwards. I don't know why he doesn't go forward, but at least he's moving now.

Nate goes to Crystal's

We don't have anything too exciting to report. Nate and I (Carley) have colds and haven't been feeling well for a few days now. I am tired of it because Nate isn't sleeping well and of course then we don't sleep well. Charlie was a huge help yesterday and took care of Nate quite a bit to let me sleep. I don't think I got out of bed till 2:00 in the afternoon. (for good anyway) Oh, kinda funny story...I went to Wal-Mart the other day to get some Day Quill medicine and the lady at the register was like "are you over 18?" I was like, "uh ya" then she carded me. I thought it was kinda funny. Do I look younger than 18?

Well Nate has been having quite a time at Crystal's house. For those of you who don't know who that is, Crystal is my cousin that babysits Nate while I work and she has a little girl that is 3 weeks older than Nate. I've included some pictures of their activities. Crystal wanted to take them for a walk, but doesn't have a double stroller, so she put Nate in first and Camerae in kind of beside/on top of him. It is so cute.

I've also included a picture of Angie, Vicky, and me when we went out for a girl's night before Angie went back to Costa Rica. We were sad that Becca wasn't there, but next summer we'll all have to have a girls day when she moves closer to us.

Our little girl??

So if you'd like to see what our little girl's will look like, tune into postal6.blogspot.com

Busy, Busy, Busy

Bet ya'll thought that I'd forgotten about you? (Like the hick slang?) Anyway, life has been hectic around here lately. I got a job working full time 8-5 Mon-Fri at Wal-Mart headquarters. I have been there for 2 weeks now, and am still trying to adjust to life as a full time working mother. Nate goes to my cousin Crystal's during the day, which is nice because she has a little girl only 3 weeks older than Nate. Also, our computer was in the shop for a week, and I couldn't blog because I didn't have any pictures saved to our other computer. So here I am.

Charlie is doing well at his job and really enjoys it. It sounds like the benifits both health and other kinds are great. I have a Wal-Mart discount card that gets 10% off, which tax here is 9%, so that just covers tax pretty much, but still helps.

Nate is as cute as ever...He loves swimming and we went to my parents house and he got to go skinny dipping...loved that especially b/c he could pretty much be a nudist if I let him. He gets so happy when you start undressing him.

When Angie was here we went out for a family (adults only except for Nate) dinner. Dustin had already gone home to Costa Rica though. Anyway, there is a picture of Jordan pinching Nate's cheeks! He loved it, and so did Nate, haha.

Nate loves jumping, so he loves the jonny jump up. Also I've included a picture of Nate with Grandpa Smith, sleeping at Grandpa's house. Also Nate slept with us a little in our bed a few time lately b/c he wasn't sleeping and that was the only way he would sleep...in our bed. He is now back in his bed, thank heavens for that! I just included some cute pictures. Enjoy.

Just an update

So things are kinda crazy around here. Charlie got a job at a bank here and is already in his 3rd week being there. So far so good! Me on the other hand...I have had a couple of interviews, but so far no luck. I've been babysitting my sisters kids for her here and there. One sister has 4 kids 7,6,4,and 2 and I take them all day on Tuesday and Thursday, except for today. I also have babysat for another sister that has 5 kids, 12,10,9,6, and 2 and of course Nate! Keeps me pretty busy. This Thursday I might have them all except for the 12 year old. That should be fun, ha ha.

So Nate has adjusted well here. He has this new thing about when he sleeps he puts his hands behind his head. It is so cute. I took some pictures of what he looks like when I get him out of his bed in the mornings. What a ham!
We'll keep you posted on the home front. To all you Florida folks, we miss you guys.

July 4th

This year for July 4th, we were able to go to my parents house. They even let us bring the dog. That is a BIG shock, for those of you who don't know my parents. We NEVER had pets growing up, except a couple of fish once. Anyway, Tangent (the dog) stayed on the back porch all night at was a pretty good boy. He loved playing with the kids and getting to run around w/out a leash or a fence. My parents have 10 acres, and Tangent was by us the whole time. He did get into the house a couple times b/c kids would leave the door open and in Tangent came.

Anyway, we had a BBQ and set off fireworks, got eaten by the bugs. What a day. We were also able to spend time on Saturday with our friends Adam and Marie and we had a cookout there too. That is when I really got eaten by bugs. I think I'll have to stay inside when I got visit them. They have more acres and are out in the boonies.

Swimming

On July 1st, I took Nate swimming for the first time. Every other time we'd try and put him in a pool or the ocean, he didn't like it. My sisters Angie and Vicky were taking their kids swimming, so we tagged along. (Daddy was at a job interview) I got this baby floating device out and Nate LOVED it! As you can see by the pictures. He also got in at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's home on July 4th, but not for long because the water was kinda cold. I minded the water temp. more than he did. I love the water and Charlie is a fan too, so we are glad to have another water-rat in the family. Oh, on the way over to go swimming, Nate got his hat pulled down and somehow stuck behind his pacifier. What a kid.