A little something work related...

A while back I was asked to contribute to an e-book called, "What Matters Now in Children's Ministry." I was really excited to be a part of something that fellow Children's Ministry leaders from around the world that I highly respect would also be contributing to. The only thing that made this less than wonderful was the fact that I had to choose one word that represents, to me, what matters most in ministry to children. Oh, and I had to explain it in 200 words or less. Several drafts later and after many reminders of how much I'm a longer-winded story teller, I finally had my main point and 200 words that explained it. I got a sneak peak at the book last week, and today it was fully released. Imago did all the art work as a gift to the project, and the whole thing looks beautiful! And since the book is free, I thought I would share it with all of you. Even if you have no connection to Children's Ministries, it's still great to read through and see such a great representation of people who are passionate about seeing today's children grow up to be leaders in the future. Enjoy! What Matters Now in Children's Ministry

Three Months Old!

I can't believe Jace is 3 months old already! He's changing so much every day. Our latest exciting accomplishments are: a consistent bed time at 8:30, with a feeding between 5 and 6 am, he loves sucking on his hands and fingers but still has a hard time getting his thumb to stay in his mouth, he's started actually noticing his hands and likes holding them together and looking at them, when put on his back on the floor, he'll arch his back and look around like he's getting ready to roll over, he loves to squeal and giggle, especially when Daddy plays peek-a-boo with him, he enjoys hearing himself speak and talks very loudly, he still eats every three hours, but eats a lot more at each feeding, and he brings us so, so, so much joy every day!

Getting a smile was quite the accomplishment as he is mesmerized by the camera and was also in a grumpy mood today. Notice the wet belly--this boy is ALWAYS spitting up.

We finally changed clothes when his previous shirt got soaked. This outfit is a 6 month size! A little baggy, but not too much. Jace is long and lean.

Jace turned 3 months on Uncle Mike's birthday! We met up with Mike and Amanda at King Tin in Corvallis to treat them to lunch for Mike's birthday. Mike and Amanda are pretty fond of our little guy.

We took a happy picture just before this, but Mike and Amanda were out of focus. Jace was pretty content to sit with them until he remembered he was hungry.

Josiah stayed with us for the weekend, and Jace LOVED talking to him and smiling at him. It was sweet to watch Josiah love on his little cousin. Josiah had a soccer game on Saturday, and Jace discovered that he hates sunshine and wind. This was a brief, peaceful moment. We eventually just put him back in his car seat with the blanket blocking the wind, which made him very happy and talkative for the rest of the game.

Josiah did a great job of kicking the ball and keeping up with the game!

Dedicating Jace

Today we dedicated Jace at church. It's an act of us committing to being parents who will raise him in a home that loves Jesus, teach him about the Lord, and guide him spiritually as he grows. Nolan and I want to have our own lives reflect our faith to Jace as he gets older so he can look to us as examples. So many times while I'm feeding him, I pray that he will grow to know and love the Lord. That his life will honor God and that God can use Jace to do great things for His glory.

Beyond the significance of dedicating Jace, it was special to be doing it alongside families in the church that we're friends with, whose children Jace will grow up with. Sixteen babies total were dedicated, two were born the same week as Jace, two a month before, and one just a few weeks after. I also love that after so many times of watching other people's babies get dedicated, I finally had my own. Enjoy the pictures and video!

Jace's Dedication from Nolan Nelson on Vimeo.

A Fun Game of Peek-A-Boo

Jace has been making laughing noises for a while, but today while playing patty-cake with him, he actually did a real giggle! After several giggles, I finally called my parents so they could hear it. Of course, he immediately decided patty-cake wasn't fun any more and started crying. We were able to get one good giggle out though! Then, when Nolan came home from work he started playing peek-a-boo with Jace, and got a ton of good laughs and giggles! (I was especially excited to capture it on video considering if I ever pull out the camera when it's just the two of us, Jace is so distracted by it that he doesn't smile anymore.)

Jace Laughing from Nolan Nelson on Vimeo.

Growing Boy!

Right now I have a very sad baby... he got his 2 month shots yesterday, and I think he's also coming down with a cold (we're a family that likes to share-Nolan got sick, and then shared it with me and Jace). It was so sad and funny today to listen to him figure out how to breathe with a stuffy nose. He shouted every time he breathed out through his mouth, as though the only way he knew how to breathe through his mouth was if he made noise. He's been whimpering a lot too. Poor baby. On a positive note, we had three nights where he slept through the whole night! Saturday he slept for 8.5 hours, and Sunday and Monday nights were both 10.5 hours! Yay for us!

Jace did enjoy the first part of his 2 month check up yesterday. He was very proud to show our doctor just how alert he is, how good he is at focusing, and what a strong kickers his legs are! He measured at 24.75 inches long (which put him in the 96th percentile), and 12 pounds, 4 ounces (which put him in the 60th percentile). We're going to have a tall boy! While we were waiting for the nurse to come give him his shots, he was so busy kicking on the exam table that he destroyed the little paper I carried him to be weighed on, and punched 3 holes in the paper that covers the table. Such a busy little boy! He really didn't like getting shots, but at least was willing to let me comfort him afterward. It was easier for me to see him get these shots than it was when he got all the antibiotic shots in the hospital. And now to keep it fun with some pictures...

Don't believe his face in this picture--Jace loved having his Grandma Steiner come visit! I had a great first full week back at work thanks to my mom watching Jace each day at Anna's house. Jace loved the time with his cousins!

Sweet snuggles with Grandma. Sad to think of how much bigger he'll be the next time she sees him (in May for Uncle Tim's graduation, which will also be Uncle Tim's first time meeting Jace).

Jace played happily on his lady bug after we got home from his shots. Within 5 minutes of laying him straight on it (his spine lined up with the line on the ladybug) I found him like this. At one point, he even looped his right leg around the arch. He's quite the mover!

Lately Jace has gotten into grabbing his ever present burp cloths (they're almost always draped across his chest, and if we don't have a burp cloth there, he's wearing a bib). While we were at the doctor's office, he was laying in my lap with just his diaper on, and kept grabbing and pinching his belly. I couldn't figure out why he was doing it, until I saw him clutching his onesie here. When there's no burp cloth to grab, he'll take whatever is there. My guess is he'll probably adopt a burp cloth for comfort instead of a blankie.

Easter!

We had a great Easter! It was my first weekend back at work--4 services for Easter! Jace was such a trooper being in the nursery for all of them. He was well loved by all the volunteers who anticipated his arrival for 9 months. My mom flew in on Saturday, and it was great to have her join us for church. Our pastor had a great message, and all the services were full of kids! After joining us for the 9:30 service, my mom headed back to our house to get lunch made. I loved coming home to the wonderful smells of her food cooking! Mike and Amanda joined us for lunch, and then Dan, Anna and the kids came by later in the afternoon. We had a great day celebrating Jesus' resurrection!

Family picture--we sat down on the couch, and Toby had to join us!

Mike and Amanda loving some baby time.

Jace was fussing, but as soon as Mike held him in his blanket he fell asleep.

Micah only lets his uncles cut his hair these days. Uncle Tim (or so he thought) did it at Christmas time, and today Uncle Mike gave him a GREAT, styled hair cut.

Cousin time with Grandma.

2 Months Old!

Our baby is growing up so quickly! We have a pretty consistent sleeping schedule--he doesn't like to be put to bed before 10, but he's okay napping downstairs off and on in the evening. I feed him around 9:30, and then he is awake for an hour, happily kicking and smiling for Mommy and Daddy. He eats again an hour later and then lays right down in his bassinet. After about 10 minutes of looking around, he finally dozes off. He sleeps until 5 am, feeds, and then is right back to bed and doesn't wake up until 8. And usually, after feeding him I can put him back to bed for a few more hours!

Thursday, April 1, was my first day back at work and Jace came with me. He was content to sit in his carrier for the first 45 minutes, just looking around, and then took a nap for the rest of the time.

He loves to smile, especially when we pretend to sneeze in his face. All Daddy has to do is say, "Ah, Ah, Ah.." and the smiles of anticipation start! Afternoons are generally spent wide awake with maybe a 20 minute nap or two. But Mommy still can get plenty done because Jace is happy to lay on his lady bug for 45 minutes to an hour, followed by an hour on his boppy, and time in his swing. He's such a content baby!

Looking so sweet!

Smiling for Mommy as she says, "Ah... Ah... Ah..."

Look how much he's grown since last month!