Shrade is 4 months old!

The highlight of this month was meeting Great Grandma Elayne!
We also got this 4 generation picture.

Here's a family picture- March 15, 2009

Ah, a good smile with Grandpa Jeff.

Doesn't Grandma Nettie look beautiful?

Well, this month presented many challenges. Our predictable schedule turned upside down the weekend of the time change. Shrade decided not to sleep through the night anymore and had a dramatic drop in appetite before an increase about 4 days ago. Needless to say there were many sleepless nights for everyone in the house.

There were also some fun milestones Shrade achieved:
*transitioned to crib (he looked so small in the big crib, but too big for the bassinet)
*sits in bumbo with really good head control
*starting to grasp objects put in front of him
*eating every 3 hours and getting on a good nap schedule
*a big drooler (could this be the start of teething?)
*first sickness- congestion and cough
*wears 6 month clothes
*continues to do well in the nursery
*personality- serious, people watcher
*loves rhymes and tickle games

Shrade had his 4 month doctor visit this month:
*weight- 15 lbs. 6 oz.
*height- 26 inches
*head- 17. 25 inches

Shrade is a very happy, contented little baby. We went on our first extended car ride on Monday, March 23 down to visit Auntie Koren, Ethan and Reagan. Shrade was so good. He slept and looked out the window. I can look in a mirror and see him while I'm driving. He was so cute as he grasped at his blanket- a new thing!

About this time last year we found out that our "baby blessing" was on the way. God really grew our faith and provided a way for me to stay home and take care of this precious creation! Thank you, God!

Shrade is 3 months old!

My big boy!

Mr. Happy!



Shrade is now 3 months old.

Activities Shrade attends:
*Nursery during church and Bible study
*Mom and Baby group on Tuesday mornings
*Library story time on Friday mornings

What Shrade can do:
*Cooing
*Smiling
*Squealing
*Laughing
*Rolling over
*Strong grip
*Goes to sleep at night without crying
*Takes good naps
*Stands on legs when supported
*Holds head upright without support
*Sleeps 7-8 hours during the night
*Eats every 3 hours

Shrade having fun with daddy!

My sleeping angel


What Shrade likes to do:

*Looking at books
*Likes being held and cuddled
*Likes music
*Likes being tickled (Mama does- Creep mousy)

Shrade now weighs 14 lbs and 14 oz. He is 25 inches long.

We are so happy to enjoy each day with our little boy. He is developing quite a little personality. Last Wednesday he had a perfect feed/wake/sleep schedule. However, when our home group arrived that night he did not take his nap as usual. I was holding him (he was facing the group) and I made a comment about how uncooperative he was being at the moment and he gave the biggest smile to the group and everyone started laughing!

Thank you Lord, for our little Shrade who brings us so much joy!

Being a mom

I never thought being a mom could be so fun and yet so full of questions.

Everyday I wake up to the happy face of my sweet little boy. I feed and change him. He likes to talk to me and loves listening to music. We daily read stories and his face lights up! It's a treasure. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing enough for him or taking care of him the way I should. I love holding and cuddling him and am so thankful that he goes to bed at night without crying.

I sometimes feel discouraged about the weight that I gained and am not able to get rid of it as fast as I would like. I know this is common for all moms. I just have to look at my son to know that every pound is worth it all.



When he cries my heart goes out to him and wonders how I can make his sadness go away. I do think he cute "little man cry face" is adorable though!


Most of all, I am so thankful to God for giving me this task of being a mom. I always dreamed about it and what it would be like. When I found out I was pregnant I didn't really know I would feel so much love for such a little person. It is a privilege to take care of my sweet son. I pray for him everyday that God would use his life to glorify Him! Will you join me in praying for this Baby Blessing?

Shrade is 2 months old!

Our baby is 2 months old
We went to the doctor today to get the 2 month old shots. Shrade did very well.
He was 12 lbs. 10 oz and 24 inches long.

Here's what Shrade can do at 2 months:
*smile
*coo
*good head control
*sleeping 6 hours at a time
*eats every 3 hours
*looks at books
*makes bubbles
*busy arms and legs
*very alert
*plays piano (well, he played middle C once!)
*wears 3-6 month clothes (already!)

I am having so much fun staying home with our little Shrade. He is an absolute delight. He loves snuggling, singing, reading and sleeping. Thank you, Jesus, for our precious little boy!!

Shrade is 6 weeks old!

Shrade's famous "buffo"


What Shrade can do at 6 weeks:

• He eats every 3 hours
• Plenty of dirty diapers
• Learning to smile
• Can coo
• Grasps mama's finger
  
• Makes great "buffos"
• Sleeps 5-6 hours at night
• Working on lifting head at tummy time
• Helps mama in stretching and exercise
• Very strong arms and legs
  

What Shrade likes:

• Swinging
• Bouncing on ball with daddy
• Vibrating bouncy chair
• Music
• Going for walks
• Looking at faces
• Cuddling with mama
• Baby massage!
• Listening to stories especially My First Bible
  

At 6 weeks Shrade is 12lbs. He is growing like a weed. He wears 3 month clothes and even some of those are getting tight. We are starting to attend a Mom and Baby support group on Tuesday mornings. We are developing a good routine with feeding, awake time and sleeping. He gets many kisses and hugs. What a sweet baby he is! Shrade is a special creation of God. Thank you, God, for our precious son!

Shrade's rocking chair

Great grandma Elayne gave this rocking chair to Shrade.
I couldn't believe I captured a cute smile of him.
I think he looks so adorable!

God's faithfulness to the Knowlton's in 2008

As this year of 2008 draws to a close I want to reflect on the faithfulness of God to our family. As many of you know, Jeremy had a back injury in 2006. This started a string of events that led us to further put our trust in God for all things in our lives. We did not anticipate the ups and downs this circumstance would bring, but through it God brought us closer together and closer to Him.

As 2008 began, Jeremy was finishing his last semester of retraining at Clover Park Technical College in Environmental Science. This was paid for by the state labor department. We were also getting worker's compensation through the state due to Jeremy's previous back injury. When school would end, our compensation would stop as well. During this time Jeremy vigorously applied for jobs and we kept praying for the right one for him. It was discouraging at times, but he still persevered and always had a positive attitude.

At Easter we found out we were expecting and our baby would be born in November. We were thrilled, yet scared. I was still teaching Kindergarten, but it was always on hearts that when we had children that I would stay at home. At this point in time everything was opposite- I had a job with great health benefits, but we kept praying for Jeremy to get a job and that his health benefits would take the place of mine and I could stay home. Many tears were shed in the coming months, yet we knew God had a plan.

Jeremy finished school on June 13. He also had an interview at McFarland Cascade Lumber on June 11. On June 25, Jeremy was offered the job at McFarland and we also received our last check from the state that same day! His income would afford me to stay at home AND his health benefits kicked in the day after he started work and included my pregnancy! What an answer to prayer! We had prayed and hoped that this was God's will.

It's been six months and Jeremy loves his job. Our precious son, Shrade, was born on Thanksgiving and I am at home with him and loving it. We thank the Lord for His provision and always look to Him for everything. We pray that 2009 will continue to show God's faithfulness to us as we experience the ups and downs of life.