More Dispatches from Nashville to Come...

More to come later in the week once we unpack. Until then, remember, if you desire pizza in the greater Joelton area, check out below. It's sooo good, they were concerned we were after their proprietary pizza recipe as we took this picture!

Hanging At Aunt Sue's Place

That was our view from the cottage of Sue and Jeff's place. We also had the unique privalege of chickens roaming through their yard from the neighbors coop. First time in my 6 month-plus life that I've had a wake-up call from a rooster...come to think of it it, I'm usually the wake-up call for Mommy and Daddy! Aunt Sue also let me "take a tub" in her sink. I love sink time and let's face it, it makes for cute pictures, too.

Belle Meade

Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa and Aunt Pam visited Belle Meade, a former plantation and race horse breeding and training farm from waaay back when...Actually, Aunt Vicki and Uncle Charlie live in a development on what used to be Belle Meade's fox hunting grounds. They toured the mansion, some of the out-buildings and walked the grounds before chatting-up the authentic "smithy" about how hot his metal was...talk about a rough job, wearing authentic period clothing in August outside playing with a fire and molten metal all day. And speaking of hot, Daddy took the opportunity to relax, southern style, by rocking on the front porch of the mansion.

Not Quite Spelunking

Grandmom's cousin, Betty, and her husband, Nick, came to visit us at Aunt Sue's house. While Sue, Betty and Grandmom fussed over me for a time, Nick, who is the state archeologist for Tennessee, took Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, Mommy and Daddy to a cave to see recently discovered Indian drawings which are apparently over 1,000 years old. It was about 40 degrees cooler in the cave, which was a welcomed relief for the "notherners" in the group. And, as you can see by one of the photos below, National Geographic will not be calling daddy for his cave photography skills anytime soon.

Uncle Roy & Me

After this trip, I am expecting to walk before I crawl. Everyone took some time to stand me up and see if I could wiggle my little legs in a walking motion. Uncle Roy spent some serious time teaching me the ropes as well as letting me play with his shoe laces. Next time, I'm going to tie them together and see what happens when he stands up!

Downtown Nashville

Aunt Vicki led us on a tour of Broad Street in downtown Nashville--the nightlife center for folks looking for good times, good food and good music. First time in my life that I have bar-hopped, but it was worth it. I was strolled through a store that sold cowboy boots while live music played on stage at the front. We even got our picture taken with Elvis--the King lives! And as you can see, despite being under-aged and confined to a stroller, I enjoyed it!

Aunt Sue and Uncle Jeff

Sue and Jeff (and their dog Sarah) were kind enough to let us stay in their guest house. What a place! Central air, my own room, even a full kitchen and bathroom for Mommy and Daddy. I was quite comfortable and rumor has it that Daddy is eyeing the cottage for future visits!

A Heart-Felt Thank You!

On behalf of mommy and daddy, I wanted to thank Aunt Sue, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Pam, Uncle Roy, Aunt Vicki, Uncle Charlie, cousins Katie, Laura and Michael and Grandmom Lin and Grandpa Matt for their hospitality, help and open-arms in welcoming us to Nashville. Let's face it, I'm quite a production, needing to be bounced, walked, fed, bathed, soothed, and otherwise comforted and everyone was so helpful and happy to keep me occupied, stimulated, "binkied" and otherwise entertained. Thank you so much for everything. In fact, we were so comfortable, we think we're coming back!

Nate's First Family Reunion

I recently attended the Sells Family Reunion in Concord, Mass. I have more relatives from more places than one could possibly imagine. I met all sorts of people, young and old, large and small, even a dog. The Sells Family is part of Grandpa Matt's family, but beyond that, I get hazy trying to figure out who's who on which branch of the family tree. What I do know is this: I was the cutest baby at the reunion. (ok, so I was the only baby at the family reunion, it's still true, right!?)

Third Tooth Spotted

Not that we need to document every tooth as they break through, but #3 is interesting in that it continues the trend of bottom teeth. Still nothing on the top, despite prognostication from friends and family that have gone through this as well: all said the next 2 would be on the top.

You Say It's Your Birthday! It's My Birthday, Too! (kinda)

I am six months old today! Thank you to everyone who has given gifts, shared kind words and, especially, those willing to babysit me or hold me for 5 minutes while mommy and daddy eat. Special thanks to Great Auntie Meg, Great Uncle Joe, cousins Brian and Justin, Grandmom Lin and Grandpa Matt, Nana Ann, Aunties Claire and Sue and cousin Luke, and "Aunties" Sheryl and Elizabeth for their much apprecated and varied contributions to my well-being. I couldn't have done it without them. Of course, some credit to Mommy for the whole gestation and delivery...I've heard that can be quite a challenge. But, as they say, I'm worth it! Right? And Dad, for translating my baby-talk into missives for the blog.

Six months down, let's recap:
Born on due date, came pretty fast, born at 1:31pm, 7lb 4 oz, 21.5 inches, give or take.
Have flown twice, checked out the cultural attractions of our nation's capital, been to a Red Sox game, have two teeth, can roll from my back to my tummy, can sit up, can sleep through the night, I'm very cute, like to smile and people-watch, enjoy bathing, drooling and grabbing. I'm willing to put just about anything in my mouth. I've been on the T. I've risked life and limb going through the Big Dig tunnels (and Dad's driving). My blond lockes and blue eyes stop the girls in their tracks. Did I mention I'm cute? I've become a regular at Mommy's Monday night dinner. Have developed nicknames like Squiggles, Squiggiford, Nathanimal, Nate-dog, A-vast-yee-Natey, Miles of Smiles...Have been to pools, been bitten by a mosquito, been Baby-Bjourned and survived family gatherings.

I'm sure I've missed something, but, with six months under my belt, rest assured, I'll be doing more and more interesting things.

Thanks and Happy Half-of-a-Birthday to Me!

Parting Shots From Bethesda, MD

What a trip it was! A tooth made its first appearance, I slept in my new pack and play, Maggie didn't eat me, I swam (ok, well not quite, but I got wet wearing a bathing suit, that counts!) and I got to see lots of people that think I'm just so cute! And, I started sitting up...or at least being sat up by others and not toppling over (for the most part).

Can you spot Maggie's tail?

Surf's Up, Dude!

OK, so I'm not quite ready to do laps, but Mommy and I had some serious fun in the pool. So much fun, in fact, that we got a little pool for home to splash in as well.

Pool Time, Another First

Mommy, Grandmom and I hit the Y for some pool time to cool off one day. Interesting stuff, water...very easy to get it in my mouth...although it tastes kind of funny.

Is There Anything Cuter Than Grandparents and Grandchildren?

If we're talking degrees of cuteness, then yes, the answer is "pictures of me with grandparents."

Number "2th" With A Bullet

I have a second tooth poking through. Man, does it hurt! It makes me fussy, which in turn makes those around me fussy. Ah, the joys of raising me!

Dispatch From Bethesda...

Developmental Milestone...a first tooth spotted...lower right front...Nate also displaying greater ability to sit up by stabilizing himself...for the record, Dad said that Nate would be showing a tooth by time he returned...

Off To Bethesda, MD

Bethesda, MD? Sounds like a new medical drama on CBS. It's not, it's home to Grandmom and Grandpa, Maggie the dog and maybe a visit from Uncle Louis. I've had a busy few weeks, learning to roll over, jumping and bumping in my Jumperoo, going to my first Red Sox game, visiting Dad's office...I need a break, to get away from it all for a while and recharge my batteries for the rest of the summer.

Happy Fourth of July to one and all and in the words of the Guvernator of Khaliforniah, "I'll be back!"

Bjorn Free!

We went for a walk at World's End in Hingham, a peninsula comprised of two drumlins formed by glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. Dad knows that because he did a report on Eskers, Kettle Ponds and Drumlins in the 6th grade and he was able to find examples of each in the vicinity. Or so he claims--I take him with a grain of baby rice at this point. Anyway, Mommy and Daddy did the walking...I was snuggled into the Baby Bjorn, allowing Daddy to do all the work of carrying me around. Rumor has it that Bjorn Borg, the former tennis player, created this device to hold his extra tennis balls after he retired and became too old to bend down to pick them up after missing a return of service. As I approach 20 pounds, let me tell you, Daddy was pretty tired by the end of 3 or 4 mile walk. Me, I was well rested, visually stimulated and fairly cool, given how hot and sticky it has been since the Biblical proportion type rains ceased a week ago.

Hhhhhhmmmmm...Yummy (Semi)Solid Food

OK, so Mommy and Daddy are calling it solid food, but to me, it's liquid in a spoon. I like it, but it just isn't the same thing as nursing with Mommy...it lacks that human touch, if you know what I mean. Bye the way, that splotch on Daddy's arm is a birthmark. He keeps looking for one on me, but alas, since I decided to be born on my actual due date, there was no chance of being "well-done" like Daddy, who was three weeks late!!!