Thursday, June 30, 2005

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

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

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

Thursday, May 12, 2005

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

Friday, April 22, 2005

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!

Friday, March 11, 2005

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

Saturday, February 19, 2005

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

Friday, January 21, 2005

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.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

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

Monday, January 03, 2005

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

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Merry Christmas to all

I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas this year. Its been a long bittersweet year for a lot of people. Lots of highs and many more lows! I know we've all been there. But please, at tihs time of year - remember your loved ones, remember my mom. just know they are in heaven looking down at us and are with us in spirit. Celebrating all the while with us. Its hard to feel it many days - but please try. My mom would want us to be happy and remember her joy and smiles and laugh. She would not want us to sit and be sad all the time or remembering that bad times at the end. So - go out and smile and laugh for my mom. have the Friday at 4's that she started at Citizens. If there were anyone in my office or cube land - I'd start that too. unfortunately - very few people are left.

Be thankful for the ones you have with you now. If you are fighting or for some strange reason, can't remember why you don't talk to someone - mend that fence now. You don't know when you will have that chance again! This is the time. Make 2005 a year of change and loving the life and people you do have. Its hard - but do it. I know I cherish as much time as I can get with my family. I want us to be happy and we will be. Heck - we have a cute little boy that will live through mom's spirit and love. He'll start talking about her someday like he was there - so just do that.

sorry for the craziness - not sure what that's about - I just need to have mom remembered - so remember your loved ones. I know many people are struggling with many other issues - so take care of yourselves and live every day like its your last. Don't go to bed mad or angry - always kiss your family good night.

I hope the snow doesn't hit everyone too hard this week - drive careful and ring in the new year!
love,
Gail (and gang)

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Dedication, Rolling and sitting

Well we have had a big week! Last Sunday, Nate was dedicated at grandpa Doug's church! It was very special. That is the same place Uncle Marcus and I were dedciated at years ago! We had lots of the family from Michigan there to share in the day (with a few friends added in too). Nate even had his Aunt Jen and Ann from NY here for the special day. He LOVED being with both of them. His aunt Jen and him got along great! He loves her tons and tons.

Today we celebrated the Wilcox Christmas with aunt Darlene and gang. We had a good time. Nate started to roll over from back to front. He still needed a tad assitance, but almost has it. He also was able to sit up with out any assistance holding him up. Well both tasks need a LOT of practice. The sitting up MUST be monitored because he likes to tumble over still. It only lasts a few minutes. But today was the longest. It was just a fun day.

Nate also helped us do some Christmas shopping yesterday. He had fun flirting with anyone and everyone that would take a look at him. He impressed one man so much that he actually gave Nate $1! That was really sweet. WEll this week is a 4 day week for the holiday. We'll be spending lots of time with the family for Christmas eve and day. We'll miss Grandma, aunt Jen and Tj though. Next year!

Better get going - big week at work this week. The Big three are totally pulling all their work out of our plants. So we'll be shutting down much sooner than they ever anticipated. What fun that will be. HOpefully we'll make it through this week! But I"m allowed to look for jobs at work now - so that is good.

Time to get going - both of us are exhausted today. Long and busy weekend.

Friday, December 10, 2004

Big update

Well this will have to be a big update - I didn't realize its been so long since the last post - ops.

Life just has been really busy with the holidays and all that. Nate's doing great - he's enjoying his cereal a lot. He's also adjusted to the soy formula - it seems to be helping! WE haven't given him cold medicine for about a week now! So that is a huge plus! He's happy as can be. He's making new noises of "glee" now. Its cute. I guess he had a belly bustin laugh yesterday at daycare. They had him laying on the floor with another little boy and then suddenly just heard someone laughing! It was Nate! They said it was the cutest thing! WE can't wait to hear it ourselves! But he's just as happy as can be, so that is good.

Last night, we attended a candlelight service to remember mom and grandpa and everyone else. It was really nice. Nate wanted to talk through the whole thing. Craig did take him out to another room - a large empty room. So he realized how his voice can echo Craig said! He was enjoying that new excitement as well! Craig said he was really talking up a storm - very loudly and making all sorts of noises to hear them echo! Too cute.

He's also 5 months old yesterday! Yeah - getting big and out growing clothes left and right. This weekend we are having him dedicated in dad's church! So that will be nice - we are very excited. Craig's sister and "aunt" Ann are coming in for it as well. So this will be a very special event for our family.

Us - doing great. Craig's finally got some interviews going to find a replacement for his job so he can focus on the promotion to manager! That will really help - he's enjoying his job a lot too! My job - well Oxford Automotive finally declared bankruptcy this past week! So life has been interesting and finally coming to an end. They did start laying people off this week -b ut I was told I should be ok - probably till March 31st. That is the deadline -either there will be nothing, or they will sell the operating plants by then. WE hope for the sale. One company is very interested, but slow in making things final. And with this weeks move - the plants are now on the auction block for the highest bidder. So we'll see. IF the interested party gets moving - its possible I can stay there. One good thing, they are looking at office space in Plymouth! Yeah - closer to home and Nate's daycare!!!! Bad thing - 15-20% pay cut fromt he start! Now that will be a huge hit to anyone. But things can change with the wind - so until its done and over I'm there. I don't know if I totally trust some people that say I"m safe till the end of March -

Other than that - I've been enjoying 8 days of vacation - I haven't had a full week since before thanksgiving and won't until next year! I took another 2 days this week and 2 more next! Yeah. Then I"m getting the week between the holidays off as well - can't wait! I'm so spoiled at this point.

Well I should go - the house is a mess and needs some major attention.
Love,
Gail - and family

Saturday, November 27, 2004

Eating Cereal

Well Nate had his first taste of spoon fed cereal this evening! He wasn't sure exactly what to think at first, but then started to really like it. He was opening his mouth for the spoon and all! It was fun to take picutres of having all the cereal - ALL over his face and bib - images of orange, green and other colors come to mind. Baby food colors will be tested in a few months! We took video so Nate's grandparents can enjoy it all.

He also had his first bath in the bath tub today! Usually we sit his tub on the kitchen counter - but he's been outgrowing that. So today we put it in the tub - he liked having the water to kick around. It was enjoyable.

Nate also enjoyed his first thankgiving this year at Aunt Doris and Uncle Jonnies! He had a lot of fun with the family. He did give them a first at his crying - he was really tired. Yes - he is a really baby and cries sometimes.

Enjoy the weekend - its almost over. I had a long 5 day weekend and will have the same next weekend! TAking all my vacation (which I didn't realize I had) before I lose it.
Love,
Gail