Nate turns 3!

September 10 was Nate's third birthday, but because it fell on a Wednesday there wasn't too much that we could do to celebrate except open presents in the morning before Robert had to go to work.
Look at all those presents! We tried not to spoil him but it seems that Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles think otherwise.
I think it's a little surreal that he's three. The years have gone by so quickly. I'm a little broken hearted when I think about how he used to fit so nicely in my arms. Now he's all long arms and legs. He's so independent now, too, that sometimes I wonder if I'll wake up the next morning and he won't need me anymore. One thing is certain though, I definitely need him. He's such a bright spot in my life. I love being his mom.
I took the picture right in the middle of Nate's "cheese" but I had to get a picture of my boys together. Nate didn't have a clue what was going on. He just thought we were having tons of fun playing with the camera. After all, cameras are his new favorite things.
Soon he caught on to the whole present thing and he was so excited to open his big Optimus Prime fly-paper. Robert was just as excited as Nate. Nothing like living vicariously through your children.
The two of them had so much fun with this that the next day Robert went back to the store and got Nate a Bumblebee fly-paper to match. Now when I walk into Nate's room I'm greeted by the Transformers.
Nate's Aunt Bec and Uncle Jr. sent him a gift from Scottsdale. He wasn't quite sure how to open it, but once the paper was off it revealed...

A mitt and ball just Nate's size! Let me tell you, it was a hit! Nate loves baseball and he doesn't really have anything just his size so now he can play with his dad. He loved it so much that he didn't really care about opening the other gifts, he just wanted to play baseball. It took some coaxing, but he eventually got started on the other gifts. He wouldn't put down the glove, though. :)
Great Grandma Hinman and Great Aunt Diane also sent a gift from Arizona. It was the DVD Mile and Otis. Nate loves animals so I'm sure he'll love it.
Grandma and Grandpa Ross spoiled Nate with two big presents from Casa Grande, AZ.

The first of his grandparents' presents was an outfit with a jacket, baseball shirt, and jeans all plastered with patches of baseball and other baseball related themes. Do they know my kid or what?
The other present was an outfit with a Stegasaurus on it. Nate love Dinosaurs, too. This is a picture of him roaring at his shirt. Could he be any more boy?? I submit he could not.

In the Ross family there's a running joke about how Grandpa Ross (Robert's dad) is always wearing Hawaiian shirts when he kicks back. Apparently, he needs a buddy so he sent this shirt just for Nate. They can be twins now. Now all I need is a picture of the two of them together with them on.
Enclosed in their gifts, the Ross' put some Cars stickers. It just so happens that Cars is Nate's favorite Disney movie.
Also, because Robert's mom is a school teacher we always get great books for Nate on birthdays and holidays. After we finished with presents, Nate and I cuddled up and read his new books. I hope he always has the love for books he does now.
After storytime ended the boys had to be boys and Robert helped Nate put up his Optimus Prime right above the head of his bed. The two of them were having way too much fun.

Since we couldn't celebrate on the actual day, we had a party for Nate the following Sunday. I haven't been able to make Nate a fun cake for any of his previous birthdays because we'd been travelling so this year I was so excited to make him a Nemo cake. It probably took us about 5 hours start to finish, but it was so much fun thinking about how excited Nate would be when he saw it. Robert did all of the black icing.
My sister Liz says he looks like he has Down Syndrome but I think it turned out well for first-timers who happen to be complete novices to cake decorating.

Before dinner Nate's cousin, Sydney, helped Nate open a gift she'd bought and picked out for him herself. It couldn't have been more perfect.

Syd was able to find Nate is very own camera. It tells you to say "cheese" and even makes the shutter sounds. I love that he has one of his own now so I don't have to worry about him trying to play with our real camera. How do they always manage to find the most expensive or irreplaceable things and make them their newest toys? I'm so happy! Way to go Syd!!!

We also took Nate to the pet store the day of his birthday and let him pick out his own fish. He managed to find a fish that reminded him of Nemo. I love this picture because it's him trying to capture his favorite moments of his party with his new camera. Of course the fish would be a perfect subject. Incidentally, when we asked him what he wanted to name his new fish he responded, "Fish!", so we are the proud owners of Fish and Goldfish.

Dinner was lasagna, breadsticks, green salad and watermelon. Yum!

So, when my family gets together we get weird. I don't know how else to explain it. Jason, far left, just puts up with me and my sister Liz when we get goofy.

My little brother John and his wife Jessica. They have a little boy that's one so he and Nate and Sydney where out causing destruction together inbetween dinner and cake.

Nate blowing out the candles. It took two breaths. We have to explain the wish and one breath thing to him next year so he can take part in that ancient tradition.

He was so proud of himself! It's tough blowing out candles on a birthday cake! Everybody, round of applause!

Mmmmm, blue frosting. Nemo made for a very satisfactory dessert.

You might think that's cake on his fork, but you'd be wrong. It's the ice-cream. All at once and no brainfreeze. How does he do that?

I hope that Nate had a good third birthday and I hope he might remember some of it when he looks at the pictures later on in his life. We are so grateful to have him in our lives. We are also grateful for family and the time and effort they each put into making Nate's birthday a special day for him. We all look forward to celebrating many more!