Martina

Today I am sure there is an angel celebrating her birthday up in Heaven.  My grandma Martina was born on this day in 1918.  She loved having a birthday on St. Patrick's Day and although she had no bit of Irish heritage you would have never guessed it the way she dressed and celebrated the day!  We had a very special relationship.  I took good care of her and she took good care of me.  I cherish all the time I got to spend with her, from her reading to me when I was little to watching her blossom in the nursing home.  I am overjoyed that she got to watch me get married.  She admitted once that she didn't like Brett at first but then she decided that it was only because no man would be good enough for me.  He won her over and she loved him like her own grandson.  I still miss her every single day!  The Lord knew I always needed her in my life so he gave my son her beautiful smile.  :) 

Ball Fun

Tate got a new tub.  This one was filled with all types of balls.  He loves balls! 

I am not sure what was going on in Tate's little body but last night he had GAS, GAS, and MORE GAS!  Poor little guy was miserable!  I massaged him over and over, used the Windi, used his Levsin drops, and finally gave him another nice hot bath before he was able to go to sleep.  He did not eat any new foods so I am not sure of the culprit.  Perhaps it is from that stubborn front tooth that refuses to make its appearance. 

We had so much fun yesterday!  Tate was a busy boy!  I put together a new toy that I had got on clearance after Christmas.  It is a big interactive barn with a swinging gate.  It was a hit!  He also climbed up the stairs.  He had done it once before but this time he really took off.  He only makes it up a couple before he doesn't want to do it anymore.  We also enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Tate didn't like the feel of the crunchy grass on his hands so he just sat out in the front yard taking in nature.  We needed a good dose of fresh air!

Helper

This little guy is so much help around the house.  Notice the nice neat pile of clothes ready to go into the washer.  Tate officially has 5 teeth and is working on number 6.  He is having a tough time with his 2nd front tooth.  He did not sleep well at all last night.  He could not shut off his little legs.

Cows

Tate is cutting 2 teeth today and is pretty grouchy.  To pass the time we went to see the cows.  The guys were sorting and moving some catting while we were there so there was a lot to see and hear.  Brett even brought over a baby for Tate to pet.  We love farm life!  (Well, perhaps Brett might beg to differ today after working with calves in the mud all afternoon!)

SNOW Much Fun

Tate finally got to play in the snow for the very first time! He was always sick before when it snowed so he missed out. He didn't seem to even notice the snow. I think he was more excited about being able to crawl outside for the first time.

Ball

Tate loves his closet light pull string.  He giggles and giggles as he tries to catch it in his hand each night as we get his pajamas out of the closet.  Here is another pinterest idea.  It is a rattle attached to the drawer with elastic.  He likes it too.

I found this website on pinterest and I think it has a lot of great activity ideas.
http://www.productiveparenting.com/aspx/ActivityLibrary.aspx?aid=0C

This Kansas weather is crazy!  I got a haircut on Saturday and the weather was beautiful, aside from the wind.  Tate stayed with grandma.  On Sunday we woke up to a raging blizzard.  By the afternoon the roads were much better and we were able to get to town for my friend's baby shower.  It was fun!  Her baby boy is due the beginning of May so he will be just less than a year younger than Tate. 

Big Miracle

I watched Big Miracle yesterday.  It is the story of 3 whales that are trapped by ice forming in the Arctic Circle.  Even though I found it to be a bit slow, I LOVED IT!  Perhaps it is because I got to see whales in real life. Yes, straying from the norm, Brett and I went to Alaska for our honeymoon.  At the time the economy was terrible and the price was too good to refuse!  Whale watching was on my bucket list.  We got SO lucky!  There were a lot of whales to see that day and they were so close to the boat the captian got a little worried and we had to move.  They were also bubble netting (hunting collectively) which they don't always do.  They literally took my breath away.  The pictures don't do any of it justice. As you can tell, I had such a great time!  I would recommend a trip to Alaska to anyone!  It is so majestic and beautiful!

 Beautiful Glacier

 Blue water from glaciers

 Starting our whale watching

Humpback whales

 Whales bubble netting

This is AWESOME

 Welcome to Alaska

 Beautiful

So pretty!

Bear caught a salmon

 

 What a great trip!

Okay, so I didn't mean for this to turn into a post all about my vacation but I was looking at the pictures and just couldn't help myself.  I watched a little bit of the movie while Tate was awake.  Apparently that was a bad idea because all of the sudden I realized I could not hear him play in the kitchen.  I went to check on him and he was sitting by my plants.  I looked at him and saw that he had dirt on his mouth.  Little stinker got his first taste of dirt.  Oops - lost mom of the year award yesterday.