Tate's 3rd Birthday Bash

It was a chilly start to the day for Tate's birthday party. I was a little worried-it was overcast and a little windy and pretty chilly! But luckily it warmed up and everyone got to enjoy the party!

Here are some of the decorations for the party:

Tate's birthday board...all about Tate at 3!

 "Nocculars" for all the little hunters

 Fish Bobbers and lots of other treats for this outdoorsmen/hunting-fishing theme party

 I am in love with Tate's cake! It was adorable and better yet, it tasted AWESOME! Becky's Celebration Cakes did an amazing job! 

 Tate's birthday banner now hangs in his room!

more treats

 Tater bug being silly! He was soo excited to see the bounce house when he walked in the back gate to his birthday party!

 so was Bowen

 hahah

 bounce bounce

 and he had to bring his gun in

 and Bowen played bucking bronco

 trying to get a picture with the 2 of them in the bounce house was slightly successful.

 Grammy and Tate

 Bowen loves his Great Granma

 My BIG birthday boy

 Wrestling with Grammy

 And then the guests arrived and it was time to really party! Tate was so excited to see his friend Caden!

 And sweet Carson and Uncle Ry

 And little Mallorie decided to wake up to party with us too!

 Taking a bubble break from wrestle mania in the bounce house 

 Love those big smiles

 Bowen had lots of fun too

 Love these 4 little boys! Can't believe they are growing so fast! Remi and Tate are 4 months apart and Roen and Bowen are only 2 weeks apart! It's crazy to see how much they've changed and grown over the past couple of years! They're gonna be big buds :-) 

 And sweet Brynlee was so precious! I'm pretty sure that she thought the boys were savages in the bounce house though! I can't say I blame her haha

 Sweet Remi Roo

 and Aunt Lauri getting love from Mallorie

 Boys playing in bubbles

Cousin love :-) Sweet Emme is great with Tate!

 Told ya it was like Wrestle Mania in there! A three boy doggie pile!

 I told Tate to get off and this is the look I get! Pretty sure he was saying "back off Mom, we're havin' fun!"

 Caden is a tough little booger!

 Annabelle and Momma bouncin' away

 Opening presents

 Pretty sure he was excited with his new gun! Thanks Aunt Jenna and Uncle Ry

 This is one of the only pictures I got of Tate's birthday shirt I made him

 Grammy helping him open presents

 Checkin' out his cake

 sooo shy every time someone would sing happy birthday

Happy birthday little man! So happy you loved your birthday party! 

My baby is 3

Tate turned 3 on Thursday! I don't think I'm quite ready but there's no stopping time. When he turned two he was still considered a toddler but now he's all boy. On his birthday we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast with candles. Then we played and at lunch we took him on a Mommy/Daddy date to Mr. Gattis (for the first time) and ate pizza and played games. He was sleepy so he wasn't as into it as we thought he would but that's okay. There will be plenty more trips there. Then we took him to Academy to get his very first pair of binoculars! He also wanted a set of hunting knives but I had to sneak them away from him. I don't think any of us are ready for that yet! hahah 

At 3:
-He's around 41 pounds...last time he weighed in a month ago
-He is 42" tall! Aunt Steph even joked that he's only 18" shorter than her!
-He's is soo funny! The new thing he says is "I'm a big strong man."
-He has such a bright mind and imagination! He loves to pretend he is hunting and he is really good at shooting his bow and arrow!
-He sleeps from about 9 pm-8 am. Sometimes he will stay up even later! The boy is a night owl!
-His favorite show is the Wild Kratts, Curious George, and Franklin, but he also loves hunting shows like MeatEater
-He wears his boots pretty much everyday
-His hair is super blonde and his eyes are a bright blue
-He loves to wrestle
-His favorite things to do are go to the shooting range at Middle Concho Park and shoot targets and 3D targets with his Daddy or go to the huntin' store (The Outdoorsman) and shoot his bow in the indoor range. 
-He calls Bowen "Baby"
-Bowen calls him "Brudder" and more recently has started calling for his  "Tater Bug" ahhahah
-He loves animals and knows so much about all types of animals including: caribou, elk, deer, buffalo, and all sorts of wildlife. I'm impressed with how much he knows!
-He still is having trouble breathing at night and will probably have to get his tonsils and adenoids taken out this year. 
-He is now in the big boy class at MDO! He loves it in there and he's hanging in there and doing all the stuff the big kids are doing. I think he's quite proud of himself!
-He is such a sweet heart! He'll hold Bowen's hand and help him up if he falls down. He's also started playing with him more recently. I'm loving watching their interactions change and how they communicate! We even had our first game of hide and seek recently! 


I'm emotional thinking that he's growing up so very fast but at the same time I am so excited and look forward to all of his big kid adventures that he has waiting for him. He's so very talented, funny, sweet, and adorable! I'm a proud Mama and so grateful that the Lord choose me for him! He's such a blessing!

Three Years Ago

Three years ago tonight I was in labor with excruciating pain. I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my first baby and now the time had finally arrived. No one could have ever prepared me for the mix of emotions that I went through-I tried waiting for as long as I could before I woke up Trevor but eventually it was time to go. On the way there I teared up because I was so overcome with excitement to finally meet my baby, the physical pain, and the fear of the unknown. After hours of labor and pushing we welcomed a sweet, skinny, cone-headed adorable baby, Tate Wayne Probandt into the world. It was the most rewarding and exhausting experience. I've never ever loved someone or something so much and I still feel that way every time I look at him. My heart is full and when I look at him I know that God loves me very much for giving me such a precious gift. Every day he makes me laugh. He makes me proud and watching him grow into the little boy is such a joy. 

I love you baby boy! Although you are now, as you say "a big strong man", you'll always be my baby! 

A Jaguar

Tate decided to make off with a marker. I was making lunch and so for a few quiet minutes this is what Tate did...

the kid cannot be trusted with markers apparently. I asked him "what on Earth are you doin', child?!"  and he said "Mama I am a jaguar! RAWR!" 

and that's one of the bazillion reasons I love that kid more than life! 

Snow day

We were so excited that we had a snow day. We don't get many of those in West Texas. 

 When the boys woke up I made them look out the window and they were sooo excited! 

 Tate tried to make his first snow angel. It didn't go so well. His boot slipped off and filled with snow. 

 Bowen thought it was pretty cool. He was all smiles and giggles. I loved it!

 And Tate had to bring his bow and arrow along.

 we didn't have gloves that fit so those were a bust. I was not prepared with all the proper snow equipment. I'll be better equipped with our trip to the mountains this winter.

 brudders

 Bitty was bounding through the snow

 Snow snuggles with the bubbies

 there wasn't time for adequate snuggles because it was more important to run around playing

 it was fun

 a lot of fun...but very cold

 We went and took a break at the house and tried to warm our fingers and nose

 But later Grandaddy came over and had a homemade sled! It reminded me of when I was little. 

 Bowen thought it was pretty neat.

 but he needed a warmup break for a bit

 Then it was time to help Grandaddy build a snowman. What a sweet Grandaddy!

 He was a good helper!

Love that little grin! It was so fun but I think we are better equipped for warm weather.