Happy Easter from Bluefield!

Niko and I are getting a bit of spring fever...
The park, camping, and starting our first garden are things we are getting more and more anxious to do.
But in the meantime, Easter is right around the corner.
Niko got his very first Easter card from Grandma and Grandpa Paul.
We were excited for the little taste of sunshine that came along with it...

Think warm like...

The beach, lobsters, and crabs...

Sailboats and smiley whales...

And Grandma and Grandpas house!!!

Thank you guys...
Cross your fingers for our warm weather days!

Big N in the big boy chair...

Niko had his first cereal meal in his big boy chair....

Auntie Lindsey and I really enjoyed this monumental moment!





At first he was afraid...

Whoa!
He figured out he liked it....and required more!

still wanted to suck like it was a baa baa...

Finally he mastered the spoon!

Whats next?


APPLES AND BANANAS!

I just read Niko his night night story and put him to bed...

Tonight we read :

I love this book because it has tons of lovable creatures. It has pop up tabs, textures and colors and is very sturdy so he can be completely hands on. It seems his attention span is growing for things like stories and imagination daily!

I love my little boy!

He's had quite the week...check it out!

Kicked back!

Niko and his new pal!

Toy time!

Mommies holiday and Niko's vacation.

Well, Where do I begin....

Lets start with St. Patty's Day!
I worked St. Patty's Day. For those who are not familiar with Macados, there three biggest days of the year are Black Friday, Halloween, and St. Patty's day. When you walk into the store you'll notice a lot of decor. Not unlike an Applebees...but much more tasteful (in my opinion.) Lots of old movie art, cardboard cutouts of Wizard of Oz characters, signed baseballs from local and world renound player, we even have a West Virginia room with vintage pictures and railroad lights and signs.
But, what seems to catch many eyes are the dozens of collages of past St. Patty's Day and Halloween party pictures. If you live in the surrounding area - Macados is the place to be (or at least show face) on those designated party days!
Here are a few pictures that may make the cut on a future collage board!

We danced to the funky jams....

Mike did a lot of clapping

Here's Tina (the sweetest manager ever) with her sister Sue (the sweetest retail/server ever)

Ashley (off duty) with Lindsey (on duty)

My good old friend Josh and Lou Lou!

Notice how Mike has the, "this isn't happening face" amongst all of the chaos...

We love our cooks!!!

Michelle and Steph (dueling blonds)

Sue and her stack of cash! / Lindsey with the million dollar smile

They had no idea I snuck in the picture *snickers*

Oh yeah, they survived!

Mike was ready for the night to END!

Tina and I posted up in the dish room!



Whilst all the chaos was going on with me at work. Little Niko had a wonderful vacation to McDowell county with his Auntie Teresa. She took some good pictures...all that's missing is some of her with the baby :(

Gotta love the face!

All dressed up for the country!!!

Hanging out with Grandma Farmer

Getting some heavy eyes despite the outfit...

Dustin was a good play mate...

And Adam made a good cuddle buddy!


All and all the past few days have been some good memories. Niko is home now (and I missed him terribly) It's interesting how 2 days can feel like a million years when your away from your child...but you appreciate them all the more when they're back in your arms!!!

Niko is almost three months old...
I'm still debating upon how genuine that calculation is due to the fact that February is a short month. Either way though, I see change in him daily. For instance...

EXHIBIT A:

His startle reflex is much more controlled.
Baby boy would cry and flail when the camera was in his face before.
Not to mention when the flash went off his arms would shoot straight up into the air as if he had natural instinct to protect himself from the sudden and scary flash of light.
These days when I pull out the camera I get the, "Really mom, we're doing this again?" look.

EXHIBIT B:

Niko is a smiling fool!
He seemed to hit this particular milestone early. (before two months to be exact)
If that wasn't enough to make the Grinch's heart grow three sizes, you should see Niko's smiles these days! Frequent, big, and he even tries to laugh!
I wouldn't get too excited though...we have a long way to go before that gurgle develops into a chuckle...

EXHIBIT C:

Look, he's even developing a personality...this one's, "Niko Suave"

EXHIBIT D:

Over all cuteness is tripling by the hour!

I spent mine at....

My second night of work...I ran food for everyone...
Hopefully I'll get some tables on Monday.
Thankfully all the servers aren't as evil as I expected...there is a choice few though (like any restaurant environment) but all in all I had a pretty decent night!
I'm just thankful that in the times we are in, with the economy down the drain, that I have a job.


I intend on spending the rest of my night winding down and hitting the sheets!


Tomorrow : Catch up on house work...
then
Catch up on homework!

Goal for the upcoming week: Don't fall behind!

NIKO IS...

2 months old today!!!!!

+ PLUS +

He can smile now!

Happy milestone day Niko!