WOW! 3 Years!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband.  

Three years has flown by!  

I love you more and more each day. 

*I have posted these before but since it is our anniversary I thought I would again! 

Audra said her hair would not curl...it did.  Ha! 

It was the perfect day.  

5 Months Old!

Dear Grayson,

    You are 5 months old!  Where in the world did all of that time go?  It seems like we just met you!  I look at pictures of you from your birthday and am amazed how different you are.  I still see you as that little newborn baby.  I told Daddy that it makes me sad because what if you are our only baby?  Boy have you been busy this month!  You rolled over, you have started eating real food, celebrated your first Christmas,  met another baby, got your first cold, and visited The Christmas Shop for the first time.

You laugh and smile all of time.  That makes Daddy and I very happy...between 3 and 4 months you hit stage that we could not make you happy.  We were worried something was wrong! There would be periods of 5-10 minutes of happiness but then angry baby would come back.  We finally decided it was a communication error...you see, we speak English and you must speak a form of Swahili.  Since then we have worked it out.

I love to just sit and watch you.  You really are a hoot!  Santa brought you a Jumparoo for Christmas and you love it.  You are very active and now you have a place to exert that energy.  Along with the energy comes a temper!  We also have started seeing that temper more and more these days...YIKES!  If it is something you do not want to do, you will arch your back and give us the mean beam.  Especially getting in the carseat!

(this was one of those times- you did not want to sit back in the chair!)

You are growing and learning everyday.  Here are some stats from this last month....

• You weigh 17 or 18 pounds now.  That is just above the 50th percentile for kids your age.   
• You are a great sleeper and are finally a great napper!  Wahoo! 
• You love food.  You like a variety of fruits and vegetables.  But you still are on a 90% formula diet. 
• You like a paci at times...more than you ever have but still not a staple.  You like to go to sleep with it.  
• You are in a size 3 diaper.
• You wear 6-9 month but they are kind of short on your legs ha! 
• Your sleeping schedule has been weird this month and you want to stay up until 10pm! I think it is because you are actually napping now! 

We love you so much! You make us so happy.  Daddy and I are starting the finalization process for your adoption.  That will be my second favorite day ever.

Love,
Momma and Daddy

First Christmas

Yesterday was a whirlwind of wrapping paper, food and family.  I would not have it any other way.   We had a wonderful Christmas as a family of three.  However on Christmas Eve Gray was so sick.  He woke up that morning congested and it progressively got worse through out the day.  It took him forever to go to sleep and then he woke up several times in the night just screaming.  I felt terrible for him.  We even had to miss Christmas Eve service at church. When he woke up yesterday morning I was prepared for the worst but he was not that bad!  Artie and I were so relieved, he still was congested but was in better mood.  I can not believe his first Christmas is already over...it went too fast!  Here are some pictures from the day.

The days started out with Artie, Grayson and myself exchanging presents.  Here is Gray with his big gift from Santa- A Jumparoo!  He also loved his new Elmo toy that we got him!

Looking cute in his Christmas jammies

Opening gifts from Momma and Daddy

Once we exchanged out gifts, we got busy in the kitchen.  Artie and I host our family for breakfast every year.  It is my favorite part of the day.  After breakfast we all sat down in the living room to exchange gifts.  First we had to try out the jumparoo! The family decided to only buy for Gray this year...we all have so much and do not need one darn thing.  It was so fun to watch him with the gifts!

He did not know what to do with it as first...so he chewed on it!

He finally figured it all out! 

We all rested for a bit and then headed to my in law's house for dinner.  We were so surprised but the whole day it snowed!  It was the first time in 17 years that our area had a white Christmas!  The snow was so beautiful and made it really feel festive.  

There was a full house at dinner- Artie's great aunt and uncle, my parents, his parents and Devin and Ashley!  It was so much fun spending time with everyone and the food was delicious.  I ate way too much.  But can I help it that there were so many choices?  I think not.  

Aunt Margie and Uncle Homer with Grayson

Ashley and Gray

Once we were all stuffed and full of good cheer it was time to go home.  Artie and I put Gray to bed and fell into ours as well.  It is hard to believe it is over.  Today, life goes...there are dishes to be done and laundry to be folded.  At least the feeling of yesterday will stay with us for a while.   

Merry Christmas

  Merry Christmas from my family to yours. 

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; 

      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

On the 12th my oldest (haha not in age) and dearest friend turned 30!  It is hard to believe we are entering this season of our lives.  It seems like we were just 12 years old!

The birthday girl! 

Saturday I went to celebrate with her and had a blast!  It was at a beautiful loft in downtown Knoxville. She went all out!  I was happy that I was able to go...although I never thought I would make it-I was stuck on the interstate for hours!!

Hello gorgeous cake! 

And this is where my camera died...boo!  Everyone had such a good time and the food was delicious.  Just imagine a really cute loft decorated in lime green and black ok?  OK.   

Can I just say I love party food?  Does it's small size make it more appealing?  Maybe the size inhibits my guilt for eating so much?  Not sure...all I know is that i consumed my fair share of the following Chic fil a nuggets, baby carrots, sausage balls, cubed cheese, various hot and cold dips with crackers and chips, and cake.  Remember the cake?  Oh my.  I had to roll myself out of the party.  This time of year is a hard one on the ole waist line.     

Anyway.   

Rebecca I love you dearly and hope the next 30 years are just as wonderful as the last!  Thanks for letting me share in your special day!!  

Still Here

I have been terrible at blogging the past few months.  Every time I sit down to blog I get distracted!  

We are having a busy Christmas season!  I am so sad that Christmas is almost here. I really love this time of year and it goes by so quickly!  Artie and I are soaking up every minute we can of Grayson's first Christmas season.  I have a question for mom's who have had a young baby during Christmas.  What did you do with their gifts?  Santa is coming with his gifts, but what about the gift's from Artie and myself?  Do you wrap them even though you will just be unwrapping them yourself?  I think I will wrap a few at least.  

We had a snow storm this week followed by an ice storm.  It was pretty scary for a few days.  The kids have had an extended Christmas break though, so they are super happy! All of their finals have been rescheduled for after the first of the year.  

I had ALL intentions of putting up pictures this week of all the Christmas decor...isn't there a saying about the best laid plans?  

Look how cute Gray looks in his moose pajamas...is there anything sweeter than a baby in pajamas?  I think not! 

I hope you are having a great holiday season!

Gray Eats!

Soon after Gray turned 4 months old, Artie and I decided to let Grayson eat something solid.  We did our research and consulted our physician about which food was best to start with.  We had decided against starting with rice cereal instead we choose bananas.  He loved them!

Not sure what the heck to do

 What in the world was that Mom? 

Try again

I might have the hang of it

Hey where did that spoon thing go?

Sweet messy face

 I like this stuff! 

 I LOVE THIS!! 

Well if you are not going to give me anymore I will just eat this! 

He has now had carrots as well and is doing great.  It is so fun to watch him eat!  He gets so excited and happy about the food.  

I hope you have a had a great week!  I am trying to get ready for The Nester's and Kelly's Christmas Tour on Monday.  I am so excited!