Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas

Well this is Nate's 2nd Christmas and he's totally not into Santa at all this year. He just looks at him like - who in the world are you Mr? Its cute and funny. We didn't push it - he held on to one of us with his death grip indicating - don't you dare put me closer to that guy!

anyhow - we are ready for the holidays - and just can't wait to spend some time with family and just chill out and relax. I have all next week off to spend with Nate and visiting friends and family.

We wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy (and safe) New Yaers!

love,
Gail, Craig and Nate (and even Fudd)

Mmmmm ice cream

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First Hair Cut & More

Well Nate finally had enough hair that required a hair cut. We saved the special moment to do with grandma Backus and Aunt Jen in NY over Thanksgiving weekend. Nate really didn't care for it much at all - squirmed and cried. they really only cut the back a little bit and tried to get around the ears. It was cute - we have pictures somewhere at home of the fun.

We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday with family, friends and loved ones. As I mentioned - we were in Ny with the Backus clan - it was fun. Just a LONG 12 hour drive home sunday. We are all trying to get caught up from that. Its amazing just sitting in a car makes you tired and worn out. Not fun.

This weekend we are hoping Nate won't be afraind of Santa - we are attending my works Breakfast with Santa party. It should be fun - sold out - so I'm sure TONS of kids! i can't wait. Hopefully my friend Barb's kids will help Nate visit Santa for a quick picture. Hopefully

Alright - just had to send a quick update. Other than all that - we joined a new church a few weeks ago - really happy about that. Work - its work for us both. Craig's swamped at his job - and me - just plugging along.

I'll hopefully post more this month.

My new hat

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Hi from Chicago

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New pictures

Ok - click on the "family photos' link over to your left. Then go to the albums

Nate 200509
Nate 200510

Click on each album to see all the new pictures inside.

In September - we all went camping with papa and uncle Marcus. Those pictures are from that trip and a trip to the Dominos Farm petting zoo.

In October - we went to two different apple orchards - the sunny and warm day - not very photo happy. The one with the Warner's and Price's - he had more smiles. We also have some pictures from our trip to the Detroit zoo toward the end of October.

I think that's about it - enjoy.
Oh - and the ADORABLE Hat - handmade by my cousin Kim - it looks GREAT! Thanks Kim.

Update - finally

Well - yes its been a LONG time since we actually posted anything here - sorry for the long delay - life has been a little hectic. We are finally done with Nate's surgeries - both a sucess. But after the tubes - then the pink eye problems started. We hope that is all over for a while - he just needed stronger drops. Knock on wood - it hasn't come back yet. So that is good. Its just been one thing after another. Struggling to find help babysitting during the week when he's sick.

Teething is another fun time - I just look at the gums and the molars coming in - man it looks painful and its in my baby. So you have to feel bad.

Other than that - we are running around trying to keep up with Nate. Now with his ears finally clear he's talking a lot more. We may not always understand the babble - but he'll get his point across one way or another. Its fun.

His newest loves are any animail - he loves animals and the Wiggles - our newest TV show. They are usually the only things he'll do his nightly breathing treatments with.

Over the last few weeks - Nate even had his first over night trip to papa's house in Howell. He had a GREAT time as usual - so that is always fun. he'll be spending this Friday otu there too. He and his best friend Tommy are going to do a little trick or treating visit to great grandma's house - and he'll just stay the night out there. He'll have fun.

Us - well busy as you can see. Craig's work is going well - just stressful. MIne - its just another job at the moment. Picking up with another audit in February - so tryign to just get people back on track around here. So we'll see.

Marcus and dad are well too. Marcus' house is coming along very well. I haven't been out there in a while - but it was looking really good the last time I was out there. I think he's even staying there some now.

Other than that - life goes on as normal.

Look for more pictures to be uploaded in the next week or so.
Gail

Fun at the orchard

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Walking is fun

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1 down 1 to go

Well Nate's first surgery was a success - he goes back for a check up next week - but we are not seeing any problems. The day of - was a LONG and rough day - he was sick from either the anastesia (spelling?) and probably drinking too much too soon. But he was up and running around the next day. So that is good - bounced right back. It looks as if the incisions are healing well too - yeah!

Now we have the surgery to put tubes in his ears next Tuesday - that will really help. He ahd an infection prior to the first surgery and then it and pink eye came back the weekend after - just days after the surgery. Poor kid had a fever and just not well - but you'd never know it - he is always so happy. So that was good. All the doctors really think the tubes will help him feel a lot better. We know it won't cure all ear infections - but it sure will help! so that is all that matters right now. Yeah!


He also just returned from his first camping trip. Grandpa Doug rented a cottage this past weekend for all of us - it was so nice. Nate had a great time with Uncle Marcus and grandpa - it was just so sweet. Couldn't have asked for better weather either - it was all perfect.

Ok - back to work.
Love you all -
Gail

lemon! :-D

another surgery

Well Nate now is getting tubes in his ears - so this will be another surgery. We may have them all done in the next few weeks! Poor kid - but I know the tubes will really help with the ear infections. I'm very thankful we can just skip the medicine and go to the tubes. he's been on such strong antibiotics and its jsut not fair for the little man. And the other procedure is already scheduled - Sep. 2nd. They need to help one of the "boys" into place - its a little high still. No big deal there either. Just will be nice to have him healthy for longer than a few weeks for a while. I don't know if he has ever had that yet!

but of coures - he's a happy little camper. Walking all over - Mr. Independance. He is learning the word NO and trying to listen and understand. Its amazing how he understands things - like asking him to bring something to you or come here. He does - most of the time. Maybe now when he knows he could be in trouble - ha. But usually if he's in trouble - asking him to bring what ever is causing trouble - that helps.

We are even planning our first camping trip - well log cabin adventure for a few weeks from now too. So that should be fun - getting to play on the beach and all that too. Its not too far - Irish HIlls in MI - so nothing to big. No big trips up north yet - not sure if I'm ready to even fight that traffic nightmare yet.

Hope everyone is doing well. We are well on our end - I'm doing really well on my new health kick and diet - I've lost another 2 pounds. This is the best its ever been - and I feel great. So I'm happy - just knowing I'm on to a healthier life style.

Love,
Gail

Big Trip

Well Nate had a great time visiting all his relatives in Missouri a few weeks ago. It was the longest trip yet - good thing Grandpa Doug was along for the ride! Some of the new pictures are from Craig's cell phone - so they aren't as good as the digital. Oh well - but Nate's new thing is to eat his toes - must help those back teeth coming in or something? ha - we have NO idea.

But he had a great time - walking more and more. Even started climbing up the stairs - a new adventure for mom and dad at home. He now likse to go up to our room - a little slow - lots of pictures that distract him on the way up.

We are hoping to see his first parade this weekend - the annual Howell Melon Festival - so we'll see. If any family wants to go out there - let us know. Should be lots of fun. He was only a few months old when he saw his first clown at the apple orchard.

And the good news - the ear infection is gone! Yeah -

And for me - I'm over 10 pounds down! This new diet /program is going great. I'm having fun seeing my clothes get bigger. And after seeing all the old pictures of me at Aunt Mary's - I really have more motivation. Oh - one cool thing - Nate does look a tad like me when I was his age - pictures to prove it too!.

Have a great week -
Gail, Craig, Nate and the rest of the gang

Me and my cousin Will

They really like tic tac toe in illinois!

These toes are good!

Walking

Well Nate started to walk last week! Of course - when grandpa was present!!! Too funny! he gets to see it all - but good for him - he does deserve it. anyhow - Nate is now the drunken sailor trying to take 4-5 steps every so often. Once I think it was about 8 steps - he's getting there. The bravery is building up - he still finds it easier and faster to just drop to the floor and crawl faster! It gets him what he wants.

He's been really feeling pretty good this week - so hopefully the ear infection is all gone (lets hope). HE'll have another big adventure tomorrow night when we hit the road to Missiouri for the Britt Family Reunion!!! Sure can't wait. Its about a 12 hour trip - so we'll take it slow and start tomorrow night. Get so far and crash. He likes to sleep in the car - so that is good. This trip - he'll have grandpa Doug as his travel partner!!! So that should be fun for all.

Life for everyone else is going well. Marcus' new house is really coming along - its amazing all the hard work that guy has put into this place - its looking great. Haven't been out there in a few weeks - but I hear what he has been doing - can't wait.

Craig and I - going good at our jobs - so can't ask for much more.

Ok - back to work - my lunch is almost over. And a half day tomorrow - yeah!!

oh - my big news - on a new weight loss program being monitored by a doctor. Trying to get the insulin in check! Lost 5 pounds the first week, 4 the next - and we'll see tomorrow what this week brings! i'm really excited and feeling pretty darn good. Trying to find the good starches is not fun - but eating them does make me feel better. And I don't crave icecream as much either! Even better. I'm excited - determined to be healthy and if I can go down a few sizes in clothes - icing on the cake!

Dad - We are getting one of these, aren't we?

This Is cool

Mmmmmmmm

Grandpa Hooked me up with some cheeriOs

Lasagna! good idea dad ;-)

I can sit forward now

1 Year and 1 day Old

Ok - Nate is officially 1 years old today! His birthday was yesterday and he had a BIG Party. Lots of his friends and aunts and uncles were there to share in the fun. As you can see - he enjoyed his cake too - that picture was taken near the beginning of the "mash" process. Yummy! Nate even fed CRaig and I some cake too - what a sweet little guy he is.

Its been a great year and time of fond memories with more to come. We'll be posting the pictures linked on this blog in the coming days. HOpe you enjoy. Tomorrow Nate goes for his 1 year pictures and then shots. Wish me luck as I take him in.

Today we are hoping to go to the Fowlerville fair with Grandma LIz - she's been here for the birthday festivities. Its been lots of fun.
Enjoy the summer gang
Love,
Gail, Craig, Nate and even little Fudd.

I Really liked my cake!

I cant fit anymore in my mouth

1 Year OLD

Ok - I'm 2 days early - but they will be very busy days coming up! Yes - Nate turns 1 on Saturday! He's such a big, active, adorable boy. as you can see by the new pictures Craig's been able to take on his new phone and post to the site. He's having fun. We'll defiantely make sure we post some birthday bash pictures soon too.

We are all very excited about the party - lots of people are coming - it should be fun. We clearly have the new whale pool and a slip in slide for the older kids. And a NICE BIG Catepillar cake! can't wait for Nate to dig into that - he's not a shy eater. He likes his food - and sweets. So far he loves his fruit best though. We hope to keep it that way for a long time.

Grandma Liz is coming into town for the big party too. She's actually already here - probably at the house babysitting Nate right now. Hopefully he's behaving for her. This is her first big time really alone with him - I'm sure they both need the bonding time!

other than that - I'm just looking forward to a long 4 day weekend following the 3 day weekend! We are all finally feeling better - I finally have the right medicine for the sinus infection - so that helps.

hope you all have a good weekend - again - we'll post pictures as soon as possible. AND we'll have another set of Penny's pictures coming in about a month - the big 1 year pictures. Should be interesting.
Love,
Gail-

I Like melon!

This pool is fine but i dont go anywhere without my pacifier.

Almost 1 year!

Well life has been crazy - Nate will be in about 1 week! Its amazing - its been a year - and what a year at that. Its been a long one - but we survived a lot without mom - but I know she's watching and proud of us all!

Nate's getting bigger by the day - probably over 25 pounds now~! Smiles all the time. Crawls and starting to walk to get where he wants. He loves it - he's getting pretty good at it too. and loves to eat like a big boy - all on his own - Mr. Independance!

Work for Craig and I is going well. He's taken on some additional responsibilites temporarily until a new manager can be hired in his office. And we just passed the ISO audit at my company - so taht was a big step for me. They were slated to fail - and I got in and turned it around - yes I'll brag a little bit.

Other than that - life is pretty darn good.
have a great 4th of July all!
Gail

New pictures

Ok - we have TONS of pictures posted on the blog page - over to the left should be the family photos. Go there and then each album has the first picture in a group of many showing. Click on each one and then there are MANY more inside. For example - May 2005 - Nate 200505 have probably 20-30 picutres inside that one group. But you only see one picture - so have fun. nate's getting big.

He's trying to walk around the furniture. Tried to say Fudd - that's our cat now too. He is movign all over and loving it. He loves being outside and playing - its his thing right now at daycare. He's going to e 11 months old on Thursday too! Can't belive it! one more month and our baby is a toddler - 1 year old! Can't wait.

He's still doing the breathing treatments once a day for asthma - we'll deal with that. He doesn't mind the treatments as long as he can watch his one baby einstien video - he loves the under water world and fish - fine by us. Now we just hope to go to Chicago this fall to the nice aquarium - and maybe even see cousin Kyle while she's out there at school too! That shold be fun.

better go - I'm at work - enjoy the pictures.
Love,
Gail

CRawling

Well dad was babysitting today and helped us out with daycare duties this week while Craig had his big user conference at work. Anyhow - I called and Nate crawled today. More than just scooting. He looks so cute trying to crawl and not totally coordinated yet - its adorable.

We are all well - we celebrated mom's 59th birthday yesterday with a new tradition. I bought a dozen balloons and we each let one go and then I let the rest of the bunch go. Figured Nate and his future siblings and cousins will enjoy this! IT was actually a very peaceful and pretty site.

Work is crazy for me - but I've jumped right into it and trying to help them pass these audits. WE'll see if we make it - I unfortunately work with people that don't want to change - in my own department. I'm the "ogre" becuase I'm trying to do the work they need to be doing. Oh well.

Anyhow - we've started the first of a lot of imporant sad times the last week - so far we are all doing well.

Marcus is good - he made an offer on a house that has 20 acres of land in Howell - they are trying to get to a decent price. So we'll see what happens.

Gotta go relax.
Love,
GAil

Wow - long time posting

Well I guess I need to get on here more often - I know many have told me they keep looking. I know Craig said he needed to update some pictures - not sure if we even had the Christmas ones posted.

Life has been crazy to say the least. Nate's been growing and been sick, I have a new job and Craig's been busy with his manager role. But life is good.

Nate is now 9 months old, was 23 pounds and 4.5 ounces, 28.5 inches tall! He really wants to move and has learned to scoot all over the place on his butt. He loves the walker and can manuever that around now too. Its cute. He wants to stand and walk - but just not there yet. He's been fighting an ear infection for over a month now - and the doctors keep trying everything. They think he may have asthma - but not 100% sure yet - they don't know. But he's on breathing treatments 3 times/day right now and antibiotics for the ear. WE will need to do breathing treatments for a while as maintenance once we finally get out of this spell. Come to find out it really runs on both families - well the Backus and Britt sides. I know mom had it - but her's didnt' show up till later in life. So if she had it - I think I may have it too - just havne't had problems yet. So we'll see.

Me - I was hired by the company I worked for as a contractor just last week - General Dynamics - an excellent company. I am doing environmetnal, health and safety for them. It was really nice because I had two job offers at the same time! And was told by another company they wanted to make an offer but stopped when I had 2. It was really cool - hard to make the right decsion- but I know I did for our family. I will travel very little and the benefits are excellent - which helps us out too.

Craig - he's had to travel for his job a little bit - lots of conventions and stuff. He's good at it - trying to manage the people and get stuff done. They implemented some new system which sounds really cool - he's excited about it. So that is good - more job security for him.

Dad and Marcus are doing well - dad had a trip to Missouri and Tennesse around Easter and then came home to spend it with us!!! I was really happy! marcus is now out west with a friend just hanging out - hiking and stuff. I'm sure doing guy stuff - he should be home soon. He's been busy with his job and buildign up his practice and all that.

Not much going on - just work and Nate! But loving every minute. My goal this weekend is to enter Nate into the Baby Bob contest for Quizno's! Strangers keep telling us he looks like the baby in the commercials and they have some contest out now. So wish us luck! I think he looks like the other kid - so that will be fun. WE need to submit a picture and a video - so taht will be interesting.

Need to get back to work - more meetings, one after another it seems like.

Love you all -
the Backus clan!

Catching up

Well life is definately busy with work and Nate - he's just too much fun and I would rather play with him than keep up on this - so sorry to everyone out there.

Nate and I are feeling better - Craig too. Glad things are passing - now lets hope that someday he'll be immune to all the things when he's in school? Yeah right.

At the last appointment they were concenred about his head - and the ultrasounds on his head was this week. The nurse called this morning to say he's JUST FINE! Yeah - after a few panic attacks on my part - he just has a big head - but heck - it runs in the family. So we are very happy - he's a normal and healthy 8 month old!

Last week Nate and his friend Tommy met the Easter Bunny - we'll have to try and post all the pictures one of these days soon. But it was fun - the boys are really getting "into" each other now - its a lot of fun.

I hope to get things going soon on more pictures.
Talk to you all soon.
Love, Gail and the Backus Clan

Been a long time

Hi all - its been a long time - sorry I have been busy. Enjoyed the time being laid off and now I'm back to work full time - I think it was two and a half weeks off - so nto bad. I'm not working as a contractor at General Dynamics - so we'll see if that can turn into something more permenant. I sure hope so - it seems like a good company to work for.

We are all doing well - Nate and I are fighting upper respiratory infections and he also has an ear infection. All thanks to the co-worker of mine - nice guy huh? I'm sure I can say a LOT more - he's not the #1 favorite person of mine lately. But we are on the medicines and hope to feel better soon.

Nate is now 7 months and weighs 22 pounds 12 ounces! He didn't gain too much weight in the last month. HOwever, his head the doctors say is a little on the large side. They think its ok and just in the genes, but have to be sure there is no fluid on the brain. So we have to get an ultrasound of his head. I"m very scared and nervous, but the doctor told me he's not really concerned at all. He just has to document that he is right. I understand that.

Craig's busy at his job - he should move into his new office this coming week! They ahd to build it just for him! So that is nice - he's trying to learn all the personalities that now report to him - its interesting. He's lucky I think the people that report to him are all really good - so not really problems to say.

I better run- the little man is napping. We need to run when he wakes up -
Love you all -
Gail and gang

6 Month Pictures

BTW - I added the digital images of Nate's 6 month pictures to the Yahoo! Pictures so that you can scroll through them. We have some more from Christmas that I need to get added, but these are the most recent.

6 Months

WEll its been a few weeks - but Nate was 6 months on January 9th - at a whopping 21 pounds 2 ounces. He's alost 26 inches long now! Very healthy and over the cold virus. They say his head may be too big, but may be because of all the weight gain. So now he's on 3 meals a day and a lot less formual! He loves the food. NOt sure about the peas or carrots, but the sweet potatos are a little better. Apple sauce isn't too bad either. ITs defiantely fun.

He looks to have two teeth coming in anytime now. Poor guy is in a lot of pain - lots of drool too! He's been a drool machine for a while now -but its neat to see the teeth.

Nate's also sitting up on his own and can roll over! He did that at Grandma's 88th brithday celebration for all of our amuzment! HIs cousin Travis thought it was pretty cool. Nate' loves Travis a lot -

Me - well it finally happened, I'm unemployed! I'm actually enjoying it now - I am home with Nate 3 days a week. His daycare is awsome - they are lettitng us take him there 2 full days to hold his spot to return full time! Wow - that is pretty nice of them. I had an interview yesterday and it sounds pretty good. I also had a job offer today for a company that thought they'd make the offer in November! So I'm pretty excited. We'll see. I'd like one over the other - but figured the income is better than unemployment. and it helps - for some reason people like to hire you when you are already working somewhere else! So who knows.

Well the Mr. Gabber box wants to play - so we are off to play with the "Learning Puppy" he got for christmas - he LOVES his puppy! It plays soungs, teachs colors and body parts.
Happy new year to all - hope this blog up date finds you all well.
Love the Backus clan

More Peas Please

Happy New Year everyone!
We hope you had a safe and joyous new year and holiday season! The Backus household sure had a nice holiday - filled with love and family! That's all the really matters - huh? Anyhow - Nate was a great little guy for Christmas - smiling and happy. He enjoys ALL his new toys! He's been playing with them a lot. He and I had fun playing with most of them last week. (we both had the week off).

Unfortunatel - Nate was sick last week - we think it was either RSV or asthma. But he's doing SO much better now. The three medicines they put him on last week worked wonders. HE's only on 2 now and will be on 1 after tomorrow. Yeah! Then next week he goes in for his 6 month check up and shots!~ Oh - last week he weighed 20 pounds 11 ounces! He's a big butter ball! But a happy one at that.

And the big news for today - PEAS! We started eating peas for dinner tonight. He's going to start having "food" at daycare now too! So this is a big step. He's also sitting up a lot on his own now. We still stay close or prop pillows or the boppy around - just incase. HE likes to flop back and see things still. The little bugger is strong.

Ok - off to relax - first day back to work after a nice week off. Work is still there - no one knows for how long. I'm trying to apply to a few government jobs - so keep your fingers crossed. HOpefully the market will pick up this month.
Love - the Backus family