I had to check the calendar to make sure Lincoln is truly coming up on seven months! January and February was full of big steps for us. Lincoln starting sitting up on his own, learned how to roll over, as well as clap at just about anything and everything. He loves to laugh, babble away and squeal/shout to get attention. With the good also comes the ....well… not so good. He got his first true cold. It was a doozy that lasted for over 2 weeks. We had a few sleepless nights and many a trying day. Let’s just say I have a whole new appreciation for mothers everywhere. Lincoln also started daycare in January (hence the timing the of the cold.) They say he is a shy baby (who would have guessed?!) Lincoln loves to look around at all the other kids and take in all the new sights and sounds. He already seems to have adjusted pretty quickly. I have posted a few (and I truly only have a few) pictures of Lincoln over the past month to give you a quick glimpse at our growing little boy! 

Hello Everyone! This is quick note to let you know that I have posted new pictures in the photo gallery of our recent adventures. Lincoln is a few days shy of 5 months old and he is doing lots of new tricks - grabbing his toes, giggling at animal sounds, sneezes, coughs (anything that makes noise, really!) and is almost sitting on his own. We’ve also started to feed him cereal and boy oh boy, does he love it! Some of our big events this last month have included me going back to work (quite a transition for all) and a week at Christmas with Weston’s family. Selena, Bryan, Ethan and Aleigha came out from Iowa and Katrina joined us for a few days as well for a fun time! Now we’re getting back into the swing of things and off to a running start with the new year.

Sounds like something you’d hear at the airport, not on a family website! However, keeping the safety of not only Lincoln in mind but also our neice and nephews, we have decided to be a little more private with who can view our photo gallery. (After all, with a name like Lincoln, we don’t want 50 million hits from all the kids just trying to look up Abraham Lincoln for a school report!  ) All in all, it’s really easy to do. Just click on the “Register” button at the top of the page to create a username and password or “Login” if you already have one. Thanks for your understanding and we’ll see you in the photo gallery soon!

You hear it all the time, but now I know how true it is. Lincoln is growing up so fast you can almost see it before your eyes! Weston will come home from work in the evening and swear Lincoln looks older than when he left that morning! I can tell he is getting taller this month and I think, thinning out a bit. (Although, since I’m with him all the time it’s a bit harder to tell. ) The poor guy is starting to loose some of his beautiful red hair - a normal infant process, but it still makes me sad to see it go. He is smiling every day now and multiple times through the day. He loves to “talk” and has started to squeal when he is exceptionally happy! I hope you enjoy the new pictures - they always make me smile.

Welcome Justin Kenneth Tate!  Born Monday, Oct. 8th 2007 at 9:54 am… 8 lbs 5 and 19” long!  He’s such a beautiful baby boy! 

Hi Everyone! As you all well know, Lincoln has arrived and is making us very proud, but busy parents! We absolutely adore him and are continually amazed at how fast he is growing and changing. He is now 2 months old and we are finally settling into a rhythm. Our days are filled with feedings, nap times, diaper changes, smiles, coo’s and precious snuggles. I finally posted some pictures of him in the photo album. Click here to check them out. I will try to keep this updated at least monthly with new pictures. Enjoy!

Being off bed rest has been liberating! So much so that I was finally in the mood to pose for a few new pictures.... You can check them out here in the photo album. 

After 10 weeks of bed rest, I can finally be up this Sunday!! (Woohoo!) I never could have imagined how challenging this would be for both me and Weston. I learned a lot about myself and life (since I had so much time to lay here and think, right?!). But most importantly, I learned what a great partner I have. Weston really rose to the challenge - I couldn’t have done it without him. Thanks also to all our family and friends who helped us get through this difficult time. All of the frozen meals, house cleaning, visits, magazines, books, & craft projects were much appreciated. Now, we only have the best to look forward to - bringing this new little life into the world! Though, hopefully he will be stubborn like his daddy and not greet us for another few weeks.) We’ll keep you posted.

In celebration of making it this far, I wrote a little melodie....

Ode To Bed Rest

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good-bye
I’m so happy to be up, I may even cry.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu
Adieu, adieu, to Regis, Oprah and The View.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-day
I don’t think I can say it any other way.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good-bye
I’m up and heave a sigh and say goodbye… (To the couch, tv trays, air mattress, Oh my!)

I’m glad to be done, I cannot tell a lie
I flit, I float, I fleetly flee, I fly
The bedrest is up and so now must be I

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good-bye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

Goodbye

My sisters, Jenny and Katie, threw me a fabulous baby shower on Memorial Day Weekend. It was the first time since our wedding that we’ve had family from both sides together. It was so nice to get to see everyone - especially since people trecked all the way from PA, Leavenworth, California, Tacoma and even made the drive from Sammamish! A special thanks to all for helping to make it a memorable day! Click here to see a few pictures from the baby shower.

Congratulations to Selena, Bryan and Ethan on their newest addition to the family - Miss Aleigha Evelin born on April 4th! A healthy baby girl. Keep sending the pictures - We can’t wait to meet her! 

B O Y !!!  We have waited long enough and finally decided it’s time to announce it to the world! (Although, I must say, most of you know by now… ) It’s true - Weston and I are expecting our first baby in August! We found out a few weeks ago that we have a little boy to add to the clan. That makes the 5th grandson total! We are very excited to meet our new little guy in just a few short months. The baby preparations are keeping us busy but we are enjoying each step of the way. It’s funny the things that our world centers around now… the surprise of each kick, each flutter, watching my tummy g… r… o… w… on a daily basis. Weston and I feel so blessed to be witness to this miracle of life! Check out a few of the photos we have taken to document this journey in the photo album. 

Weston and I spent a week in Iowa in early December visiting his sister Selena, our brother-in-law, Bryan and our little nephew, Ethan. It was our first trip ever to the Midwest and we’d have to say it was well worth it! We spent a lot of time touring the countryside, getting to see some of the history and beauty of the area. Ted and Weston were able to experience the outdoors “the Iowa way” by goose hunting with Bryan. We also went to the Living History Farm in Des Moines and well as saw the covered “Bridges of Madison County.” A special thanks to Selena and Bryan for their hospitality! Click here to see some pictures of the trip!

The good food and the good times! It was nice to see everyone from out of town.  Enjoy the pictures.

Driving in it is a hassle and it often causes changes to your plans, but I just absolutely love it when it snows.  We haven’t had more than an inch or two at our current house so I really enjoyed watching the snow pile up last night. We ended up getting about 5-6 inches Monday night. That’s nothing compared to the 12-15” some friends and family received out on the Olympic Peninsula, but at least we got enough to turn the world into a winter wonderland.  Beth and I took a nice walk about 7:30 last night during the height of our snow storm. We took some pictures and shook off some snow from the more fragile plants that were beginning to strain under the weight.  We went for another walk Tuesday morning, it was bright, sunny and cold.  It barely got above freezing today and it’s going to be in the teens tonight. Brrrrrrr! Looks like we might get some more snow Wednesday night before it turns to rain on Thursday. I’ll be sad to see it melt. (but not from the roads) Check out the picture album for some more pictures!

In September, Weston and I loaded the car and left for a 9 hour roadtrip to the mountains of Idaho where my grandpa has owned a cabin for over 50 years. Four generations gathered here for a family reuinion of sorts. We had a great time - visiting nearby Stanley, Kirkham hot springs, fishing on the Salmon River, checking out the fish hatchery, hiking to the Ol’ Bathhouse and of course, sprucing up the cabin with the yearly chores. Always such a rich place where traditions are found and memories are made. I have posted a few pictures of this trip in the photo gallery to give you a glimpse of the fun we had! 

Here are the latest pictures.