9 Days Old

It's hard to believe Nathaniel is already over a week old!  So far, he has been a pretty easy baby, sleeping lots and generally quite content.  At his 3 day appointment, his weight had dropped to 9 lbs 12 oz, and it was back up to 10 lbs 5 oz at his one week appointment.  9 oz in 4 days is a fantastic weight gain - the midwife actually weighed him twice to make sure that was the correct weight!  They expect them to gain at least half an ounce per day, so with more than 2 oz per day, Nate's doing great.
Since the older two munchkins are returning home tomorrow morning, I thought I should put in a quick update with a couple of pictures.  Probably won't have a whole lot of time for posting and updating once they are home again!  We've missed them tremendously, and I can't wait to give them all the hugs and kisses I have stored up for them from the past 10 days.  It's the longest we've been away from either of them, and it's due time for them to come home again!  Not that they haven't been having a fantastic time - lots to do and see at Grandma and Grandpa's, and lots of time playing with their cousins.  I hope it won't be too boring at home for them!
On to some pictures... all the ones of the older boys at Grandma and Grandpa's were stolen (in a friendly sort of way) from Mom and Dad VD's Facebook page.  Enjoy!

 

 Getting weighed at 1 week old - 10 lbs 5 oz

 

 Enjoying some ice-cream on the front deck

 What a little goofball!

 The train set seems to have been quite a hit!

 Freezies on the back deck

 Checking out the barn at Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Sarah's farm

 This little guy LOVES animals! 

 I can just imagine the screeching that goes along with this photo!  LOL!

 Getting right down to work

 Climbing into the pen

 They were gone on my birthday, so they did some painting for Mommy! 

Introducing... Nathaniel David!

We are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of our third son, Nathaniel David!  We welcomed little Nathaniel into our arms on Wednesday Sept 15 at 10:44 p.m., arriving a week early and still weighing in at a hefty 10 lbs 7.5 oz, and measuring 22 1/4 inches long.  He is healthy, beautiful, and a joy to snuggle with!  We thank the Lord for his great blessings to us, and pray that He will continue to grant us all that we need to raise our dear sons in the love and fear of His name!

Nathaniel's first picture!  

His first bath - he wasn't a big fan

Peter and Aaron meet their little brother for the first time

They were pretty excited about him!  

A smile caught on camera - a little fuzzy but it made me laugh!

Sweet little newborn...can't get enough of cuddling this guy!

Sorry about that, TOM.

After discovering that I had inadvertantly posted a picture of him online without permission, and after a highly unbelievable display of protest at releasing said photo, I have decided to repost the nuptual announcement from a few weeks ago. 
Congratulations to my dear sister Lauren, who was married to her sweetheart, _ _ _ at the beginning of August.  We are so happy for you and hope that things are going well for you as you settle into the happiness of married life!  My oh my, Lauren, you snagged yourself quite a handsome fellow!  

Yummm.... not

On the way to get some groceries this morning, both kids are buckled in their carseats with a juice cup.  We're driving along, and Peter informs me, "Mommy, I have a booger".  A few minutes later, he tells me, "Mommy, I'm washing my booger".  I'm a little puzzled.... , "What do you mean Peter?  How are you washing your booger?"  As he takes a swig from his juice cup, he replies, "With my juice.  My booger is in my mouth and I am washing it."
Lovely.

Pushy Readers... What to Do About Them?

To acquiesce to one particularly pushy blog reader (haha you know who you are!), I will publish a breviloquent blog post with a few prodigious words. 
Yesterday morning, Peter informed me that "I am Daddy's lizard, Mom.  I am grey.  I need to go downstairs."  Later on at lunchtime, he kept on asking me to give him "5" across the table, and with my 9 month baby belly in the way that gets a little difficult, so I told him no, since Mommy is too sore.  He proceeded to firmly chastise the baby, "don't give Mommy owies, baby, that's BAD.  Get a different baby, Mommy?".  I assured him that we love this baby very much and aren't going to trade for a different one.