A Full Night's Sleep!!!!!!!!

For the third night in a row, Peter has slept through the night.

Friday night - 11:00pm-6:00am
Saturday night - 10:45pm-6:45am
Sunday night - 9:30pm-8:00am

Wahoo! It's amazing how much happier he is when he has a full night's sleep. Let's see if we can make it four in a row!!!

Peter's New Talent

Amy, Andrew's younger sister, captured this video of Peter this afternoon. You will see him batting at the toys on his bouncer and following Amy with his eyes as she moved around with the camera. Both of these are new skills that we are very excited about! You can hear him making some noise if you have your volume turned up. Enjoy! :)





Andrew and I also got to go out alone for the first time in 3 months! Andrew's mom watched Peter while we had dinner at Friendly's, this wonderful little restaurant in Midland Park (the town Andrew's family lives in). Andrew's grandma gave us a gift certificate there for Christmas. It's about 5 minutes away from the house, so we didn't go very far. The food is good, but the ice cream there is even better. I always make sure to go every time we come to New Jersey. It was weird not having Peter with us. It was nice to eat and not worry if he was going to be fussy or want out of his car seat. Peter enjoyed playing under the tree and hanging out with Grandma while we were gone. We came home to find him napping. It was a nice time for just the two of us.

Daddy's Here!

Peter and I went with Grandpa to pick Daddy up at the airport today. Peter sure was happy to see his daddy!

I think our years of not putting up a Christmas tree are over. Peter has thoroughly enjoyed looking at the lights on Grandma and Grandpa's tree. It has helped calm him down numerous times when he's been fussy. He hung out under the tree in his diaper for quite a while last night. I guess I better find our ornaments next year!

3 Months!

Peter turned 3 months today! We have had a great time in New Jersey so far. Andrew comes tomorrow, so we are quite excited about that. Here are a few pictures from our time here so far...











Peter and Grandpa sleeping



Great-Grandma feeding Peter

Mommy and her boy

This is Peter's first trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop. As you can see, he was thrilled to be there!

Love to everyone from Midland Park, New Jersey!

Merry Christmas!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

As I hold my precious little boy this holiday season, I am so thankful for the gift that God has given our family. As some of you know, 2 years ago, during this season, I was going through blood work and testing for a miscarriage. This year, during the same season, I am holding a sweet and wonderful little boy. God has blessed our family immensely through him, and we are so thankful for that.
I feel like I can relate to Mary as she held her own precious son Jesus on Christmas morning. I know exactly how she felt as she looked at him for the first time. However, I cannot even begin to fathom how she felt knowing that 33 years later, her precious little boy would be crucified on a cross for the sins of the world.
As you celebrate this season with friends and loved ones, I pray that God reveals himself to you in a brand new way. I pray that the materialism of the season is put aside as you worship a king who came to earth, was born as a baby, lived the same life as you and I, and then died so that we can live eternally with him.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Hello from Beautiful New Jersey!

Peter and I have enjoyed our first few days here in New Jersey. The weather has been chilly and damp, so Peter is having to bundle up when we go outside. We went to Grandpa's work so Grandpa could show him off. Here he is all bundled up in his new snowsuit!

Peter also met Great-Grandma Van Slooten for the first time. Peter was named after her husband, Andrew's grandpa. Pop passed away last summer, and it was an honor to name our son after him.

We went to church with Aunt Kim and Aunt Amy this morning. Andrew's Uncle Fred is the pastor of the church. He was dressed as a Christmas tree for a skit, so Peter posed with him.

We are having a great time!

My new favorite store is...

Nordstrom!!! No, not because of the wonderful clothing that they sell for more money than I could ever afford. No, not because of the piano player - although I do enjoy the music. It's because of their restrooms. :) You might be wondering why I care about restrooms in a department store.


Nordstrom has a lounge attached to their restrooms that is perfect for nursing babies. There are chairs and a couch and a soft changing table. There is one mall in Austin with a Nordstrom. It's about 10 minutes further away than the mall we used to go to. However, I will drive the extra 10 minutes because I know that I will be able to feed Peter in a comfortable place. Now if only I can convince Wal-Mart to do the same...