9 months

Already!  9 months I can't believe it!  Where has the time gone?  Nicholas is such a good boy!  He's getting big and just loves everything!  He's sleeping pretty well.  Still needs to eat in the middle of the night, but he goes right back to sleep.  He is eating everything we are eating.  Still mashing his fruits and veggies and he loves everything!  He now has 5 teeth.

9 month stats
Height: 30 inches
Weight: 22 lbs 12 oz

Every once in a while we hear mama.  He is walking along furniture and I know walking isn't too far away. 

On another note, Jim has started his 2nd year of residency.  Last month he was in the ER and this month he is doing MICU.  This month is going to be a very busy month for all of us.  He will be working a ton of hours which means he won't be home much which in turn makes long, busy days for the kids and I.  Things have been going well so far.  The kids & I will be heading to Chicago in a couple of weeks to see my brother graduate from the Police Academy.  It will be a welcomed break after this month.  Also, getting samantha ready for preschool.  She starts in September and she is getting really excited.  She will be starting at a Lutheran church right around the corner from our house and she will be going Tues/Thurs from 830-1100. 
That's it for now.  I will make a seperate post for everything we did this summer!

8 months

He's crawling!!!  Yes he is on the go!  He is also now pulling himself up on whatever he can.  He is going to be walking before i know it.  We now have baby gates up and his crib needed to be lowered because he could flip himself out of his crib.  Evey once in a while I think I hear mama.  I just say he does and pick him up!  He is eating so many different things now.  I don't think there is anything this boy doesn't like.  We were in Chicago for the last 6 weeks and Nicholas had so much fun with family.  We took him to the pool, park, church, and many family parties.  I can't believe how big he is getting.  He's such a good boy and love him so much!

Samantha's Words

There are some words that Samantha says that are just too cute that I don't want to forget

Parade = harade
mosquito bite = a basquito bite
Police car = po po car
bathing suit - babing suit
If you don't listen, you don't learn


I know there are a few more and I will just have to update when she says them.

1 down 3 more to go!

I can't believe intern year of residency is OVER!!!!  I also can't believe we have lived in Michigan now for a year!  This past year has been CRAZY, but I wouldn't have changed anything.  Jim put in a ton of hours and learned a lot.  Hopefully in this next year we will be able to see him more!  This next year he will have more ED shifts which will be nice and there will be no studying for any big board exams.  Botsford has been a great hosptial for Jim and hopefully this year, the kids and I can get to more events to meet other wives & kids. 

7 months

Time is sure flying!  I can't believe Nicholas is 7 months old already!  He is on the move!  He is crawling around like crazy now!  I really need to baby proof the house and Samantha's toys.  He keeps finding all of the little toys that Samantha plays with.  He is eating well and has 2 teeth with a couple more on their way!  His sleeping patterns are on and off with him teething.  Samantha is still in love with him and likes showing him how all of his toys work.
love you buddy!!!

Mother's Day 2012

This was the 1st Mother's Day that we have all been together as a family.  With me working and with medical something has always come up so we were never all together.  This year I figured the same thing would happen, but Jim had an unexpected day off!  It was wonderful.  Jim let me sleep in which was wonderful!  While I was sleeping he had both kids downstairs making me a card.  Samantha was so proud of it.  Samantha traced all the letters on the card and help Jim cut out the hands & feet.  She was so excited!  I was very impressed with Jim's creativity in this.  We had a very relaxing day and got a lot of little things done around the house.  I love my kids to death!  There are days they drive me crazy, but I wouldn't change anything for the world!  I love that fact that I can be a stay at home mom and share moments with Samantha & Nicholas.  Thank you Jim for allowing me to be home with the kids and enjoying all of these moments with the kids!

Nicholas' Baptism

A couple of weeks ago, we had scheduled a weekend off for Jim so that we could get Nicholas' baptized.  It was very important for us to do this for a couple of reasons.  One, we wanted to show family & friends that we are committed to raising Nicholas in a Christian home. Secondly, the Pastor at our church was retiring and we really wanted him to baptize Nicholas.  Pastor Howard has been a mentor to Jim for years. Jim grew up at Calvary his entire life.  Pastor Howard was there when Jim made Profession of Faith and I reaffirmed my Profession of Faith.  Pastor Howard married us and Samantha was baptized at Calvary.  So it was only fitting that Nicholas was baptized at Calvary with Pastor Howard.  We had a wonderful service and all of our family was able to be there.  Samantha did a great job up in front of church as well.  I was kind of nervous, because she always wants to go up there and do her ballerina moves, so I was nervous she was going to start dancing across stage while Nicholas was being baptized.  She did great she stood right next to me and watched the whole thing.  She did manage to get a couple of twirls in during prayer!  She was wearing her big pink polka dot dress that twirled very nicely!  She was excited she was able to do that and yes I did hear a few chuckles from the congregation during her twirls.  Oh well, she is 3 1/2 and she is allowed to do that :)
After church we all went back to my in-laws from lunch, coffee & cake.  It was nice to be able to spend time with extended family and friends.  Nicholas did very well the entire day and he looked so handsome.  His baptism outfit will be his 6 month pictures and I can't wait for Jim to take those!
Thank you to all of our family for the continued love & support through everything and for helping us raise both Samantha & Nicholas with Christian values and morals.