Wolfe Pup #2... It's a...

Today was very exciting. We found out what they call the gender of the little one growing inside mommy’s belly. They are saying her tummy might be as round as mine in a few short months. Anyway, Mommy and Daddy had the doctor put the answer in a card and then purchased an outfit based on the gender inscribed on the card. It took some careful instruction and cautious measures but we managed to make it to dinner with a wrapped gift still not knowing if I was going to have little bro or little sis.

Mommy and Daddy actually let me open the gift! As you can see, I was not too bashful...

Really, Mommy? Can I really open it? Here we go folks…

Almost there…

It’s a…. GIRL!!!

Mommy looks happy (daddy was also happy). Though several times I heard in the conversations to follow, concern about the difference between girls and boys … whatever that’s about.

Afterwards we got ice cream to celebrate…somehow I think mommy and daddy knew I would not have trouble helping them eat their frozen goodies!

Catch ya on the flip side ladies and gents!!

The Excitement is Building!

Tomorrow afternoon, Sam and I go in for our 18 week Sonogram. As long as this little baby growing in my belly cooperates, we should be able to find out the gender. We hope to have the technician keep it a secret during the appointment so that we can open the results as a family on Friday night (I hope we can wait until then). I am so excited and can't wait to find out. Sam is the main reason that we are finding out now and not just waiting for the surprise in July, but I am excited to know and go through the rest of the pregnancy using the correct pronoun---he or she, not it! Up until a month or so ago, I felt more comfortable with the idea of having a boy---been there, done that and it is familiar. But, now, I am kind of wavering back and forth and just can't wait to see what God wants our family to look like. We will probably (not 100% in stone) stop with two children, so this little one will solidify the dynamics of the Wolfe Pack. I think I will be on the edge of my seat all day tomorrow before the appointment and all day Friday waiting to peak in that envelope.

My little Tater-bug is a Sweetheart!

This past week-end, my sweet little boy finally started saying "mommy". OMG, I melted. He has the sweetest little voice and a cute little smile on his face when he looks at me and says it. He kept saying it all week-end and I found myself daydreaming about it all day today at work. I get such a silly grin on my face when I imagine it. He was stubborn and wouldn't demonstrate for Grammy when I picked him up, but shortly after we got home, he was saying it again. It is hard to believe that he won't be my only baby come this summer because there are still so many things to experience with him.

Nate also surprised us Saturday morning when he asked for another donut hole by saying and signing "more". It was so cute and intentional. You see, Nate just doesn't ever really need to speak or communicate much because Sam, Grammy and myself usually anticipate his every need and he just seems to be holding back in the speech department. We will try to get him to repeat a word we are saying and he just looks at us. It reminds me of the movie, Look Who's Talking, because I can just imagine what he is thinking when he just stares back at us and won't even repeat words he knows. We figure he will talk more when he is ready, and then we will probably be wishing he would stop ;-). So, for now, the little things tug at my heart-strings and put water in my eyes.

Nate has become such an affectionate little boy and mommy loves every minute of it. I never really did the whole rock-him-to-sleep technique when he was smaller because I was told it is better to not get in the habbit of him needing that for sleep. So, he always went down really easily and never had major cuddle time because he was always too busy to sit still with me. Well, it all worked out because now he hugs, kisses and cuddles with me several times a day. He and I have such a great bond right now that I can't help but feel guilty about bringing a new baby home in July. It is a bitter-sweet feeling knowing that I am having another baby. I am so excited for this new baby and wanted it more that anything, but I will miss Nate being my only baby. It is sad to know that the second one won't have daddy and I to himself like Nate did, but he or she will be blessed with a great older brother.

Fall Festival

We headed out to the Fall Festival at our church on Wednesday night, October 29th. There was a ton of HUGE bounce houses---as well as--- games, a petting zoo, a food court and loads of friends all dressed up. I wasn't quite ready for the games or bounce houses this year, but sure had fun seeing everything.

Total amazement at the site of all the HUGE bounce houses! Or is that shock at some of the WILD costumes?

Here I am with some of my friends---Pierce and Kennedy!

I really wanted to get to know Kennedy better, but I guess there is time for that later!

Here mommy is trying to pose with me, but once again, I am just too distracted. Look how big I am! I think I am becoming a challenge for her to hold onto these days.

I think mom and dad were too overcome by all the sites, friends, and their Chick-Fil-A sandwiches to take any more pictures. Oh well, there is always next year.

Owen's Family Farm and Pumpkin Carving

On October 25th, we set out for a family adventure with our friends---Jim, Rhea, and Keller Caulk. First stop, the Owen's Family Farm and Big Orange Pumpkin Patch. There were tons of pumpkins and animals to see. We picked out our pumpkins, fed the animals, road the hay ride, and just had plain fun with our friends. We even ran into our other friends --- Nick, Leona, and Georgia Martin.

There was a huge sea of pumpkins to explore!

Here I am chatting it up with my buddy, Keller!

In search of the perfect pumpkin---I think Keller found his!

I found mine, too!

Posing for a picture with mommy! Well, she posed, the sun was to much for me.

I liked the donkeys---that is, until one of them walked over to me. At that point, I took a step back. A man knows when he is outdone!

Feeding the goats!

Next, we headed to the hay ride. Here daddy and I are, enjoying the ride and the breeze!

Next, we saw some horses and potbellied pigs! The pigs were my favorite since I tend to be a little potbellied myself.

Next stop, Jim's parents' house. We headed to their house in Richardson for pizza and pumpkin carving. At this point, our mommies thought we needed to try out our Halloween costumes. Keller was a Ninja!

Here I am with the folks! I don't know why they keep pulling this thing down on my face.

Time for action, I have to get to my Batmobile!

There it is!

Here is daddy carving a pumpkin! I think mommy used watching me as an excuse not to try one.

All the finished pumpkins! Can anyone guess which one is daddy's?

We had a great day with our friends and their family was super gracious!

Our little angel grew wings today!

This past Saturday (10-11-08) was to be a day of celebrating. It was our 5th Anniversary together and the day I was to surprise Sam that we were expecting our 2nd little bundle of joy. That morning, I awoke to some symptons that began to concern me about my pregnancy. After a call to the on-call doctor, the symptoms subsiding, and yet another positive pregnancy test, we proceeded to celebrate with prayer on our heart. By Tuesday, our hope for a positive outcome had grown, since I had not had anymore symptoms, but it wasn't to be as we had hoped. I awoke today with more negative symptoms and eventually lost the baby mid-morning. Our little angel grew wings at 5 weeks and 6 days and returned to be with our Heavenly Father---whose better hands to be in?! We will always cherish our little one and look forward to the day that we will meet---soul to soul! Until that time, we trust that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us and despite the emotional hiccups along the way, we are hopeful to conceive again.

Ironically, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is always recognized on October 15th (today) each year. It is a day of remembrance for all pregnancies which end in miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a newborn. I just really found it odd that my miscarriage fell on this day. I know it will be a day that we will recognize each year. Whether it be a simple prayer or the lighting of a candle, we will remember the impact this day had on our family and all the others that have encountered this type of loss.

Thank you to everyone that has prayed or offered support. We appreciate all your well wishes and kind words. Regardless of whether you feel you have the right words or not, we know what is in your heart and will not hold your words against you. Please don't be afraid that you will remind us of our loss---we are reminded by it daily already and just knowing that someone cares speaks volumes to us.

18 months

As with the previous months, Nate's 18 month mark is no different in that he continues to amaze us with what he is learning and how he communicates with us. Following the noteworthy happenings during his 18th month are a few pics of Nate with a new, mini-workbench toy we got for him that he has been paying special attention to... maybe it will pay-off down the road in that he'll make us some nice furniture one day...?

• Nate 18 month stats: weight 29.2 lbs, length 31.75 and head 19.5... which is in the 90% range, so hopefully he'll receive the good sense that his mommy has that has managed to pass over daddy!



• On the date of his 18th month check-up, Nate waved bye-bye for the 1st time!
  Nate has noticed the bears painted on his nursery walls and can point to them and say [what is supposed to be] bears. He also recognizes bears when said and goes to touch them on the walls.



• Nate is exploring the artist within as he begins to fingerpaint and draw with crayons at school.

• Nate initiated a hug from both mommy and daddy at the same time while being held before bed time. He also gave out some kisses!
  
  
• Nate held a worm at Grammy's house... though we suspect Grammy may have been suspect in encouraging the incident... boys will be boys!

Hanging w/Beau @ Firewheel

In early October, Beau and I swung by the Firewheel Mall for some food and fun... and yeah, we decided to bring our parents. We cannot seem to escape them!

Here's Beau... what can I say... he's the utlimate wingman!! You go into a nursery with this guy, and ALL the little ladies are flocking around you. It's really not fair to all the other guys!!


Here I was trying to get a gentleman's, who I thought was the conductor, attention to ask if they were taking tickets at that time, but this train did not seem to be taking off anytime soon. I should have asked where one files a complaint! I'm a baby, and I know bad service when I see it!!

Ah yes... here my colleague and I are engaged in some riveting discourse. As I recall, thermal dynamics and the upcoming presidential election were among the genres covered in our dialogue. Of course, it's way over the big people's heads... they just look at us smiling as if in some sort of trance.

AHOY MATEY!! As you can see, here I am comendering my very own ship. It was quite amusing I must say. Spinning the steering wheel was very captivating... it was strangely mesmorizing... much like those goofy kids' shows!!!

All hands on deck... I think I spy an intruder... and yes, I did... at the momment, I did not see the 2nd intruder sneaking up behind me to take over my ship! Oh well, all things come to an end, and unfortunately so did my time with my good budd. But we had a great time!!

Arboretum with Grammy

On Wednesday, October 1st, I got to go to the Arboretum with my grammy and several women from her church. Just me and all the women! There was plenty of loving going around because mommy told me to be on my best behavior for them and who wouldn't love this little guy! Grammy said I was a little angel and that I had fun exploring the grounds. I didn't take mommy and daddy this time, but I think I can talk them into skipping work sometime and I will take them to see all the flowers and pumpkins. Here are some pictures from our day:

I enjoyed part of the day at leisure in my stroller until Grammy got brave enough to let me free! I don't blame her, I can be quick when I want to be and I am quite the explorer.

Grammy, I like this one. It's almost as big as I am!

So much exploring works up a man's appetite---time for a snack!

Hey, Grammy--this bench looks like a good photo op!

One sweet, lovable little pumpkin among many of another variety!

Wow, it sure is a lonnnnggg way up there!

Time to try my skills at the hay bail maze!

Grammy, where are you?

Grammy, I sure had a great day with you and your friends. Thank you for taking me with you. I love you very much...and Papa, too!