The Bates Family: November 2010

Thanksgiving this year gave me a whole new meaning to the word "thankful." I have always been thankful for everything that god has given me. But this year, Adler has given a new meaning to the word. I am SO very thankful god has blessed our lives with this little guy. I have no idea what we did with our time before he came along, but I hope that we never had to find out because life doesn't get any better then this! Everyday he amazes me with new little "quirks" that he is learning. Words can't explain how it feels to walk into a room and he sees you and smiles from ear to ear. He is getting quite the little personality. He doesn't like to be where he can't see someone, if there is no one in sight he will start fussing, that is until someone walks back into the room and then he will giggle. Despite our every attempt at trying to keep his tiny little thumb out of his mouth, I am afraid he is going to be a thumb sucker. He sure does think it is something special. May the good lord help us when it comes time to try and break him of sucking his thumb. Although I am not giving up yet, I still take his thumb out of his mouth and replace it with his pacifier. He has figured out that he can stand up in our laps and he thinks that is the best thing ever. He is changing so fast!
This year I experienced what "Black Friday" shopping was like first hand. I got up and went to Wal-Mart at midnight for their sales, and everyone else in Northwest Oklahoma had that very same idea. It was a mad house. Then the next morning I set out for Enid, and it only got worse from there. There are too many "crazies" out there for me. Although I did get a new washer and dryer at a great price (thanks to Sadie), I'm not sure I will be doing any Black Friday shopping ever again! Instead I am thinking the "Cyber Monday" experience is so much better, as I set here today and do all of my Christmas shopping with no long lines, or inconsiderate people here to run into me.
Well my first day back to work wasn't too great. I cried all the tears I thought I could have possibly cried before going to work, that is until I got to work where I continued to cry through out the day. But I am happy to say that it is getting easier to go to work. I didn't say easy but easier. :) I am very thankful that I work in a profession that I don't have to work 5 days a week, or else I think I might go crazy. I am very thankful for the 4 days a week that I get to spend with my little man.
Well I guess I better get to moving I have a lot to get done before nap time is over!

Thanksgiving 2010

It's official, Adler is 12 weeks old, as of yesterday. Grandma Sandra and I took Adler to Enid yesterday to have his 3 month pictures taken. He was perfect, acting like a "pro". He was full of all kinds of smiles. We got to pick up the proofs before leaving town, and they are adorable. He looks so handsome. I will post pictures soon.
The 12 week mark also means it is time for me to return to work. My first day back is this Saturday. Grandma Sandra is going to come stay at our house for a few days, just in case I might need to run home and get a "quick fix."
This last weekend we took in the Turnip Festival in Cherokee. It was a beautiful day for it and we had a really good time. Adler had a turnip race car that competed and did quite well (that is until Aunt Sadie's car beat his)! Dad, Jared, and Stephen had a blast shooting the turnip guns, and were successful as nobody got hurt. The best part of the whole day was Adler slept all night long when we got home, and has been ever since (I hope I'm not jinxing it)!
Well I think Adler is trying to tell me it is time for supper, I better get to moving because he isn't very patient when it comes to eating!