Something To Smile About

We've been going through a tough time lately. Actually, it's been going on now for about 4 months now, but things keep on piling on us. Stress is really getting both of us down. But I have to say that things would be way more dismal if we didn't have our little son to cheer us up.

Here are some things lately that make us smile amidst adversity...

I had a day off last week and the 3 of us went to Belcarra. It was chilly, but that didn't hamper the fun. We stared at seaguls...


...and chased geese! Nate loved that part. He was truckin' along through the goose poo, muck and snow to run after them. True boy.


On the weekend, we went for some more adventures. Including driving by farms and pointing out the animals, going into show homes and letting Nathan explore, and going to a lake.


I am so grateful that Nate loves to have adventures, and be outside. He's the perfect match for our family and we are enjoying him more and more every day!

He's doing so many cute things. Last night, I was doing sudoku on the couch. He closed my book, pulled at my foot, and tapped the ground for me to come play. Then he tapped a pillow, indicating I should put my head on it. When I did, he said "Night night" and then burst out laughing! What a cutie.

When I play with him on the floor, he gets really excited, and tends to hit (not maliciously). I stopped his hand and told him to be gentle, then he stroked my face and said in the sweetest, kindest voice, "gentow, gentow!".

I love the kisses and hugs I get without asking for them.

He likes to colour now. I emptied a box of pencil crayons on the floor with a big white sheet of paper. He went nuts. I said "Wow, there's so many crayons!". So he picked up a fistfull in each hand and gleefully exlaimed, "MANY!!! MANY!!!".

I love the voice that calls out "Bottle?" from his crib in the morning, and calls "Mommy" or "Daddy" when he needs or wants us.

His vocabulary is really taking off (well, he is MY son afterall)! He learns at least one new word a day, and we estimate he's at about 150 words. He's even starting to put small sentences together.
This little guy stirs up emotions I didn't even know I had. The past 18 months have been the most challenging of my life, but every day he gives me something more to smile about. Thanks, God, for my son!