6 Months Old

Okay, everyone…go ahead and get out your ballots and put a big check by my name for “Mother of the Year” award.  If you’re not convinced already, I have LOTS of reasons for you in this post.  Ready?

1.  I’m a day late on this blog entry.  Reuben was 6 months old yesterday.

2.  I have a total of like 40 pictures of my sweet boy for the ENTIRE month.  For previous months, I had approximately 40 pictures a DAY.

3.  I have not filled in Reuben’s baby book or his milestone calendar since last month.

4.  Reuben hasn’t had cereal/fruits/vegetables yet.  Not because he isn’t ready…simply because I haven’t had the time to research the process of introducing foods.

Okay, are you convinced yet?  I know…I know…it’s a toss up between me and mother of 18 going on 19, Mrs. Duggar.

Whew…I feel much better with that off my chest.  This has been a BIG month for our family.  I started a new job this month and things have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.  I’m loving the flexibility of this new job that allows me to spend a lot more time with Reuben than I could have with my previous job.  Reuben is growing up so quickly.  We took him to the doctor today and he is nearly 16 pounds and 27 inches long.  This month he has started to sit up on his own for 5-10 seconds at a time, blow spit bubbles, push himself up while on his belly so that his arms are fully extended, clearly recognize Mommy and Daddy and respond with a HUGE smile when we walk in the room, giggle when playing or being tickled, and become obsessed with/addicted to his Praise Baby DVD.  Reuben is such a charmer.  I can’t go to the grocery store without several people stopping to admire my sweet little boy and comment on his contentment.  I’m so blessed to have a healthy and happy baby.  God has been so good to me.  Okay, now for the MILLIONS of pictures I took this month…

Hanging out with Daddy…front view…

Hanging out with Daddy…rear view…

When I laid Reuben down for a nap, he was laying on his tummy facing the left side of this picture.  During his nap he managed to flip over and turn side ways.  Fortunately, he stayed asleep.  Usually he does not stay asleep; therefore, we use the wedge located in the upper right hand corner of the crib to keep our sweet baby in place for his night time stretch of sleeping.  It has worked wonders.  Don’t worry friends, the wedge is placed a safe distance away from his face.

Pirate boy.

Loving his tummy time.

Cheering for TU for the first time.

Changed to his jammies but still wide awake to cheer for TU.

* I actually did manage to take some great video this month.  My next blog entry will feature some fun videos of our lil man.  I know you are all on the edge of your seats. *

Oh.My.

So, I was testing out a Flip camera that I got for work to make sure I know how to use it.  Reuben was laying on our bed talking/screaming and then this happened… (be sure to watch until the very end)

Dad’s 60th Birthday

My dad turned the big 6-0 on July 29th!  To celebrate, we hosted a luau with some friends and family.  The luau was such a fun time to love on my dad and thank him for the amazing man that he is!  Don’t worry though…there was plenty of roasting too!  Several people from from the past and present mailed in letters, cards, pictures, and videos to give to my dad as a surprise.  There were lots of laughs and a good time was had by all.  I’m so thankful that we had the opportunity to celebrate my dad.

The beautiful cake table

A display of pictures of my dad throughout the years

A table full of cards and letters from friends, family, former students, and fellow ministers

Reuben wore his hawaiian shirt for the luau

Soaking in the words of encouragement and funny memories

Steve sharing his Top 10 list

Kind words from Paula

Love from the Serna family

Stories from Dewayne

Family pic   Nice hula skirt, Dad.

Here is the video that Reuben made for his G-pa Mac:

5 Months Old

My little boy is 5 months old today!  This month has been so fun!  Reuben has FINALLY started to roll over from tummy to back and back to tummy.  He wants to sit up all the time but can’t quite do it on his own.  He is starting to giggle and still “talks” all the time.  He is definitely going to be a singer or a speaker!  Reuben loves to play games with Mommy and Daddy, read books, and explore his toys.  He is SUCH a GOOD baby.  He is SO laid back and easy going.  I am very thankful that Reuben is more like his daddy than his mommy  Enjoy the pictures…

Taking over Daddy’s spot when he leaves for work

Hey guys!

Hanging out with his new friend, Isaiah

Meeting Halle for the first time

Loving his Jumperoo

NOT loving his Jumperoo

Discovering all the cool toys on his exersaucer

Lounging in his new lawn chair

Sporting his new TU hat from Matt & Jessica

Zoning out to Praise Baby after his bath time

Hanging out in his diaper on Mommy and Daddy’s bed

Swimming for the first time

Soakin in some rays

4th of July

I realize I’m over a month late on this post…better late than never, I guess.  Reuben got to enjoy his first “Red, White, and Kaboom” 4th of July celebration at Liberty Church this year.  It was a VERY hot day so we spent the first 1/2 of the evening staying cool in the gym.  Once we went outside, we were prepared with a battery-operated fan with water mister, bug spray, and ear plugs.  Reuben did beautifully until he got hungry right before the fireworks started.  We went inside and found a quiet place for Reuben to eat and then came back outside to catch the last 5 minutes of the fireworks.  He was completely unamused with the fireworks.  The loud booms didn’t scare him and the bright lights didn’t interest him.  Oh well…I’m sure he’ll be much more excited next year!

Staying cool with Auntie Shan

Just chillin with Cammie

Relaxin in the lawn chair

Takin a little nap before the fireworks start

Lookin like Shrek with his adult sized earplugs

“Watching” fireworks with Daddy

His burp cloth is apparently more interesting than the huge fireworks display above his head

Reuben Mac & Troyer Keane

Reuben is very blessed to have his older “cousin,” Troyer Keane, to blaze the trail of life and show him the ropes.  Troyer and Reuben are destined to be the best of buds, either naturally or just because their parents don’t really give them a choice  Troyer and Reuben have already taken quite a liking to one another.  I think Reuben has gained himself a personal bodyguard; although, at the rate Reuben is growing, the roles might be eventually reversed!

Troyer’s just hangin out in the window of the hospital room wondering where Reuben is

Troyer is getting his first glimpse of Reuben Mac

Troyer:  Hey you!  Wanna share my toys?

Reuben:  Uh…I’m kinda sleeping right now.

Troyer:  Hey!  My name is on your shirt!

Remember this?  

Troyer is not too sure how he feels about Reuben being in his mommy’s lap.

I like how Uncle Iman is protecting Reuben’s head and Aunt Karen has ahold of Troyer’s hand

Troyer gets to hold Reuben for the first time.

Cheese!!!

Troyer:  Okay…I’m finished guys!

Troyer likes to check on Reuben while he’s in his car seat…Troyer pounds Reuben’s fist and tickles his toes.

Troyer:  I dominate this exersaucer!

Reuben:  Umm…I’m a little overwhelmed.

The three amigos:  Troyer, Reuben, and Diego

Reuben gets kisses from Troyer while Diego patiently waits for his turn.

My Talking Boy

In the last month or so, Reuben has really started to speak up!  His form of communication consists of coos and screams and it sure is CUTE!  Reuben loves to lay on the bed and talk to Mommy and Daddy late at night.  Here’s a little glimpse…

3 Year Anniversary

Three years ago today, I married my best friend.

The last 3 years have been the most adventurous, fun, encouraging, exciting, and spontaneous years of my life.  Nick is the perfect compliment to me.  He challenges me, supports me, balances me out, loves me unconditionally, cracks me up, listens to me and genuinely cares what I’m saying.  Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love Nick more, our little boy was born.  Nick has completely blown me away as a daddy.  He is very hands on and supportive.  He goes above and beyond to help out and be present with Reuben.  Just watching Nick interact with Reuben and the smile that comes across both of their faces when Nick comes home from work or church is enough to melt my heart.  So, today, on our 3 year anniversary, I feel like the most blessed wife and mother around.  I can never truly express the gratitude in my heart that I’m fortunate enough to call Nick my husband and the father of my son.

I love you, Nick!  I’m so excited for many, many more years and adventures to come!

Family Dedication Service

Over the 4th of July weekend, several members of the Agimudie family traveled to Tulsa from all over the U.S. and Trinidad for a family reunion and a chance to meet Reuben Mac.  The weekend provided lots of time to catch up with out-of-town relatives but Reuben seemed to be the center of attention  On Friday night, August 3rd, we had a family dedication service for Reuben.  Nick’s Uncle Ulric performed the dedication ceremony.  This was special because Uncle Ulric also performed part of our wedding ceremony.  The dedication service was such a neat time to be reminded that our ultimate purpose as parents is to raise Reuben according to Biblical principles so that he might ultimately be a life that brings glory to God.

Family hanging out before the service begins

More family and friends

Opening prayer for Reuben’s dedication service

Family singing an old hymn

Auntie Grace, Sydney, and Uncle Ulric singing, “Thank you, Lord, for Your Blessings On Me”

Uncle Ulric saying a prayer of dedication for Reuben Mac

Reuben’s nice and comfortable with Uncle Dave

Hanging out with Stevie

Spending some quality time with Auntie Grace

Auntie Grace calming Reuben with “Jesus Loves Me”

Reuben’s 1st REAL Haircut

Today was a big day for Mr. Reuben!  He had his 4 month check up and did SO well with his shots!  He demonstrated a lot more courage than his mommy!  I was right about his weight…14 lbs 3 oz!  He’s a growing boy!  After his appointment, we took him for some pampering at Studio 2 with Miss Liz.  I thought he might sleep through the whole haircut but I was wrong.  He was wide awake and ready to charm anyone and everyone that would pay attention.  I collected as many hairs as I could to save in a little baggie for his baby book.  I’ll let the pictures tell you the rest of the story.

Daddy was very nervous!

Sittin nice and still for Miss Liz.

Hi guys.  I’m just gettin a haircut.

Snip!  Snip!  Snip!

I want to eat the cape.

Miss Liz is telling Daddy that everything is going to be okay.

Am I finished yet?

How do you like the slicked down look?

You want it spiked?  Okay!

A little gel action.

What do you think, guys?!?

Eat your heart out, ladies.