Christmas Fun!

9 months

I can hardly believe my baby is already 9 months old. He is growing up so fast. I know people tell you to enjoy it because it goes fast but you don't realize it until you experience it. Blake went for his 9 month checkup on Wed. and he is looking great. He weighs 17lbs 7 oz which is small for his age but a great gain since his reflux is almost all gone. He is 28" tall which is puts him in the 50%. Since he was getting taller, he outgrew his infant carrier so last week we changed him over to a convertable carseat. He looks so little in it but also so old to be riding in it. This past week Blake decided he wanted to get some things accomplished. On Wed. he decided to pull up for the first time and crawl on his hands and knees. Now we can't keep him from pulling himself up on everything. After a few bumped heads, hopefully he will realize some things just aren't made to pull up on :) He also found the presents under the Christmas tree :) I can't wait till next week!

Millie and Blake

Blake pulling up & playing with a manger scene I used to play with as a child

SANTA!

This past Tuesday night, Brent and I took Blake to sit on Santa's lap for the first time. Overall, Blake is a very happy child who loves people. However, until recently Blake was a little apprehensive about his uncles, Chris & Dusty, because of their beards so we weren't sure how visiting a stranger with a large white beard was going to go. To our surprise, it was an amazing success. Blake just smiled up at Santa and found his hat quite interesting. It was so much fun and I know this is just the first trip of many to come :) Our time was also special because both Maw Maw and Mimi came along.

Tree Trimming Weekend!

This weekend was filled with Christmas fun. We took Blake to pick out his first Christmas tree on Friday afternoon. He was a little confused but seem to have fun with us. Saturday we then helped Mimi and Poppy decorate their house and they had a tree just the right size for Blake. We finished up the weekend on Sunday by helping Maw Maw and Bobble decorate their tree. The finishing touch of the weekend was when Daddy set up the train around our tree. Blake watched so intently as the train went around and around. We are having a blast with him and can't wait until Christmas morning.

This one looks good Daddy!

This is fun!

The ornament should go here, Mimi

I am a pro at decorating now, Maw Maw

What is that thing going around our tree?

Giving Thanks!

We had an amazing time during the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Blake really enjoyed being loved on by everyone and having a taste of the holiday food. The festivities started with us attending the Thanksgiving Wed. night church service. It was such a blessing to have both set of grandparents there and Blake's Aunt Jen, Uncle Joe and cousins Erin & Anna. Thanksgiving morning MawMaw & Bobble came over for an early breakfast and then Brent, Blake and I headed over to Mimi and Poppy's house to have an yummy lunch with Aunt Lori and Uncle Dusty. For supper, everyone got together again at Aunt Jen's house for left overs and dessert. I am so thankful to live close to our families and for the love they pour into our lives especially Blake's. God is so good! Of course we ended the holiday with shopping on Black Friday. I was able to go out shopping with the ladies while Daddy and Poppy took care of Blake. It was a great Thanksgiving. Family is my passion and I don't think there is anything better than spending quality time with the ones we love.

Cuddling with MawMaw

Cuddling with Mimi

Thanksgiving morning with MawMaw & Bobble

Eating Thanksgiving lunch at Mimi's

(Blake did not like the mashed potatoes. He didn't mind the green beans :)

Playing with Cousin Anna at Aunt Jen's

Mimi, Poppy, Aunt Lori & Uncle Dusty

MawMaw, Bobble, Aunt Jen, Uncle Joe, Erin & Anna

With all the papers and sales ads laying around, Blake decided to catch up on some reading. Of course he chooses the sports page. What a boy!

Blake loved spending time with his Aunt Lori & Uncle Dusty

Growing up fast!

Blake has really started growing up this last month. He is turning into a little boy before our eyes and it makes Mommy happy and sad at the same time. He is experiencing the new world of table food and sippy cups. He is still trying to figure it all out but he is becoming less interested in his baby food. Thanksgiving should be fun! Watch out mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, Blake is coming for you!

Drinking juice from his sippy cup

Eating my first Ritz cracker at Mimi & Poppy's

Eating my first Nilla Wafer at MawMaw & Bobble's

Blake 8 months old

Fall Fun

It has been awhile since my last post because we have been very busy at the Nieter's. Blake has learned how to crawl and is getting into everything. This severely limits my routine of having him play on the floor while I post on the blog. Oh well, it is so fun to see Blake learn so many new things. Fall has definitely arrived and we are loving it. We have been getting out and enjoying the cool days and the changing leaves. This past week we also stayed busy with some very special visitors. Blake's Great Grandma and Grandpa Nieter came to visit. It was such a special time and we love when they come :)

Blake loves riding in the jogging stroller

Running with Daddy!

Bundled up for a cold day

Musician in the making

Sporting the flannel

Mimi is so much fun!

Great Grandpa bought Blake a new book. They had to check it out.

Four Generations of Nieters

We love you Great Grandma & Grandpa Nieter

Hallelujah Harvest!

Blake had a great time at our church's Hallelujah Harvest: Trunk or Treat on Sunday night. For those of you who don't know, the kids get dressed up and walk around getting candy from people who have decorated the trunks of their cars. It is a really neat idea! It was a perfect cool evening but Blake stayed warm in his bumblebee costume! He was so cute and he got mommy & daddy lots of candy :)

We're in trouble now!

Busy Boy!

We have been pretty busy this past week. I am sorry I don't update the pictures more often. Here are just a few shots of what Blake's been up too! Also, Blake cut toothy #2 yesterday. Yeah, one more step towards eating real food!

At the cross country meet with daddy
Looking cute in my special outfit sent from my family in Wales
Mommy trying to keep me occupied with new toys
Sitting with Aunt Jennifer and Cousin Samara watching Cousin Caleb play football.

Watching Baby Einstein for the first time...mesmerizing

Playing with my buddy Millie Hitting the Williamsburg Outlets with Mimi

Celebrating Cousin Noah's 6th Birthday with all my cousins

My 7 month old pictureHaving some bubble fun

Growing up so fast

Spending time with friends

This past Sunday we had a cookout with some friends from church so that Blake could play with his new buddy, Benjamin. Benjamin is 2 weeks older and this was the first time we got them together to play. Overall it was a big success with only a few tears :) We are so thankful to have such good friends around us!

Playing together
Posing for a picture
Look at that pitiful face
Isn't this picture hilarious! Blake is ready for some candy. Hallelujah Harvest here we come!