SJ's First Birthday and Thanksgiving

Happy Birthday baby boy! Can I still say that??? Baby boy? He's already 1! It's truly amazing how quickly a year can go by. We celebrated Andrews birthday on Saturday the 21st (his actual birthday) and Seth' s on Sunday (his actual birthday). It was fun to see how they reacted or I guess their lack of reaction to things. SJ was totally uninterested in any of his gifts or cards. He plays with some of his cards now and the next day he ONLY played with his new things. Too funny. He was unsure of his cake too. He looked at it for a while then put his hand in it, and left it there, then he finally put some in his mouth. I tried to make his little cake look like a cupcake so in order to build up the center, I used an ENTIRE tub of icing...can we say sugar rush!!!

The following week we made the trek down to Clemson, SC for Thanksgiving with my cousins, grandmother, and family. The 9 hour trip took 12 hours, and SJ did a good job. I sat in the back part of the time and daddy did the rest of the time. We had a great time, SJ had his first Thanksgiving meal too!!! We gave him a taste of everything and of course there was nothing he didn't like. Oh yeah, this is where I should mention that on our drive down we hit some traffic right in front of a Raising Cane's Restaurant!!! So of course we stopped and SJ also had his first experience with Cane's strips and Texas Toast. Again, he loved it!!!

In the midst of all this he's gotten his first little cold. Poor little guy with his snotty nose! He was a little fussy, and needy, and cuddly through it but he's back on track now. Our newest thing...watching Ni Hao Kai Lan in the morning when he wakes up in mommy and daddy's bed and then after his afternoon nap laying in our bed again and watching some of Wow Wow Wubzy. If Nick Jr. is on - he's a happy kid...he especially loves moose and zee!!!!

Next post will be our Santa experience...I wonder how he'll react!!?!?!!? I'm not expecting very well. If Santa were female I'm sure he'd do fine, but he doesn't do as well with male strangers!

A Day I'll ALWAYS remember

So I'm sitting in the living room, some of the Christmas decorations up, with a pregnant belly...again, and thinking about this day last year. I remember more about this day than any other day I think in my life...
I remember waking up in the morning, sending Seth off to work, making Cinnamon Rolls and listening to Kidd Kraddick on the internet while I uploaded Jimmy and Becky's Dewey Beach pictures to Shutterfly when I my mom called me to tell me Keri was in labor and asked if I could watch Emmy til Mike got off work. I got myself together, went over, picked her up and brought her to my house. I wanted to do something fun with her so we decided we'd start decorating my house for Christmas. It wasn't even Thanksgiving yet, but me being a week past my due date, I thought I better do it now. So we did, and it started snowing...so we went outside and took my camera and we took pictures of each other. We caught snowflakes on our tongues. Mike picked Emmy up, and I ate my lunch, cleaned up our mess and then got in the shower. I even remember that I painted my nails, plucked my eyebrows, and trimmed my bangs. Then off to the hospital to see how Keri was doing. I met my mom, Gilly, and Statia in the hall and then went back to Keri's room. I got to see my nephew be born with mom, Statia, Amanda, and Aunt Donna. I remember Aunt Donna telling me I was glowing, that she thought it wouldn't be long til' my little boy would be here. Seth came up to hospital and met Andrew, and off we went to get some of our last minute things at Babies R Us and then dinner at Fudruckers. As we left Babies R Us it started snowing again. I had a big ole hamburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake for dinner...Seth called his sister when we left the restaurant and when we got home I remember him laying on the floor with only the Christmas lights on talking to his friend Mickey. It was near 9pm and I told him I was exhausted and going to bed. Around midnight we both woke up to a rattling paper sound, we searched til we found the paper under the bed. It was then that I decided to go sleep in the chair so I'd be comfortable. About an hour later, I was in labor. and the next day my little boy was born.
Sitting here with only the Christmas lights on now reminds me of our first month home, napping in the afternoon together, watching Christmas shows and movies with only the Christmas lights on and then daddy coming home and hanging out with him the rest of the night. That was just the start of this whirlwind of a year. A whirlwind, full of wonderful memories. We are so blessedto have such a wonderful, happy little boy. Every night either Seth or I can't help but tell the other "I love that boy." I can't believe that before we know it, we'll have another little baby to give our love too. Seth and I have come so far, from a long distance relationship, dealing with Law School, the Bar, moving 1/2 way across the US, buying a house, marriage and now parenthood. God certainly blessed our broken road...and continues to bless us every day...

Exciting Weekend

I say exciting, maybe I mean crazy, fun, hormonal...
Thursday Seth and Seth flew to New Orleans. Big Seth is in a wedding this weekend and Grandmama and Aunt Steph drove in to pick up SJ. He got to spend the weekend with his Louisiana Grandparents and Aunt and cousins. Maybe he'll come back with an accent! I know daddy would love that! With them leaving, the house has been SOOOO quiet, and that makes me sad. It's been a while since I cried as hard as I did Thursday. But each day has gotten a little easier. Friday I FINALLY got my hair cut, then ran a few errands and had lunch with mom for my birthday (a little late - but still great!) Then we ran around a little and I got fabric to make curtains for the new baby's room and fabric to cover the glider. I guess that's my new project! Friday night I put up new blinds in the kitchen and Saturday morning I put them up in the baby's room. Tomorrow I'll do the ones in Seth's room! Saturday when I got home from teaching I was surprised by a baby shower!!! A little dejavu? Yes - and very strange the whole baby girl thing is still so surreal to me. You would think it would be more real by now but it's not! We got so many cute girly outfits and a double stroller - which I can't wait to put together. We got the cutest sign "a ballerina sleeps here" from my aunt and cousin and my sister gave me the baby quilt that my grandmother made in 1985 for a neighbor. She had given it back to Keri when Emily was born and now I have it for this baby girl. So special!!! Tonight my mom and I did a little shopping. So...with my busy weekend on my feet...the swelling has begun in my hands and feet! Woo hoo!!! But I only have 9 weeks to go so I can't complain too much!
Seth seems to be having a great time in New Orleans for the wedding hanging out with old highschool buddies from his hometown...not getting much sleep...but having fun. I know he probably would like to have had more sleep since we don't have to get up with Seth...maybe for his birthday next weekend:) It's his big 3-0 and I think that means you require more sleep!
SJ seems to be doing good with everyone in Vidalia - which I'm so thankful for. I was worried that he would not do well since he doesn't see them often. And of course I worried, but he's sleeping good and they said they're all having a good time with him. So I'm so thankful that he had this opportunity to spend the time with them and that they were able to spend the time with him too. I hope they took pictures!
To update what SJ is doing now...he eats everything we eat (minus the sweets that mommy craves) and he's walking! He started walking a week after he turned 11months. I'm so thankful because he's not exactly light as a feather! He's so sweet, giving kisses, and hugs, and his "so big" and "fishy lips". His smile makes my day...
I think its good to spend time away sometimes because it makes you realize what you have. I love my boys so much and don't know what I would do without them. I HAVE enjoyed my time this weekend doing things that are hard to do with a 1 year old, but I am ready to have my boys home and get back to our schedule!
Seth loves my countdowns...so here's my latest! 1 week til daddy's 30th bday, 2 weeks til SJ's 1st birthday, 2 1/2 weeks til Thanksgiving, 3 weeks til December, 3 weeks left of teaching before maternity leave, 1 month til Christmas, our Louisiana family visiting Maryland, and then 2 weeks til baby girl is due to be born!!!

24 weeks and 10 months

Seth is 10 months old today!! I can't believe how quickly time has passed!! Seth and I were talking tonight and it's just so much fun to come home and see him play. Just watching him...it's amazing!!! He's getting close to walking...I think he still just thinks it's easier to crawl - cause he can really get after it! He definitely knows "no" now...he shakes his head no quite often. Hope that doesn't mean we tell him no too much!! He eats almost anything we do - feeds himself finger food...says Dada, Mama...it's awesome! He loves to chew things...anything, the carpet on the stairs, his crib, furniture...doesn't matter to him, he'll lean over and try to eat anything!! We started laying our head down on a pillow and he would come over and we thought he was giving us kisses...today we found out, he's trying to bite our nose!! Little stinker! He has a new babysitter too. It's so nice to be able to let him nap if I have to go to work and the babysitter comes here. The first day she watched him I had a text with his picture when I got out of work. Of course hormonal me cried, but she immediately got bonus points from me:) Seth really seems to like her too...he ignored me when I left today because they were ready to play. I'm glad he's taking to her so well...
We also found out we're having a little girl. So SJ will have a little sister! So exciting...
She still has no name. She has her crib and dresser, and bedding set...but yep, no name! I feel huge this time, loving my sweets, and gaining the weight to show it...is it bad to want to diet when I'm preggo? I think I just need to slow down with what I'm eating! Baby girl is a mover too...and I already feel elbows and knees going across my belly...tickles!!!
This fall is definitely going to fly by...
This weekend we are cleaning out the basement for the yard sale and to move the old bedroom furniture from the nursery out. The following weekend is our community yard sale, then the next weekend is a HUGE craft show, then Fall Festival with Friends, then Seth and I get a relaxing night at the beach without SJ!!! Thanks to one of Seth's coworkers!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you! Then it's Halloween!! ALREADY!!! Can'tsay what SJ will be...it will be TOO CUTE though...Then it's November...Seth and SJ are going to Louisiana for Seth to be in a wedding and SJ to visit with Grandmama, PawPaw, Aunt Steph etc...and mommy gets a weekend to herself...happy and sad at the same time. Then Daddy turns 30, then SJ turns 1!!! Then Thanksgiving, then DECEMBER!!! 1 month til baby girl is here...oh my oh my!!! Just another countdown. I can't wait for all the excitement of this fall and winter, I can't wait to try ot just take it all in and not rush it...things will be SUPER busy come January!!!

How do you measure, measure a.....month!!!

Wow, I was reading our last blog and realized how much has happened since then. Really it's only been a month, but WOW, how things change. Since last month SJ has learned that he doesn't like to be told "no" he's figured out how to pull up, and crawl. He's eating more solid foods, fruit pieces, puffs, cheerios, green beans etc. He's also got 8 teeth and now it looks like his "fangs" are coming in...they look like they might be coming in up high, like mine were as a child, and he's been really fussy, so I guess we'll see!!! He's a mad man sometimes, and just goes goes goes!! It's a lot of fun, but I've had to clear off everything in his reach. I was hoping to be able to tell him no, HA....right!!! He IS learning no, but he doesn't like it and he tests us every time.
Other news is that I'm pregnant again. 16 weeks today! I'm due January 11th, but hoping for an early baby to get that tax break again!!! Gotta take what we can get right!!! Also, Seth's family is planning a trip to MD right after Christmas since his brother and his family are coming to the states and I won't be able to fly, and there's no way I'm gonna let Seth leave me when I only have 2 weeks til my due date!!! But how exciting if they could meet the new little one then! Really though, we're happy as long as the baby is healthy.
So things are changing, not only does it look like we're cleaning out because of SJ getting into everything, but now we have to clear out the spare bedroom, and start thinking about another nursery! We're out of bedrooms after this one, so we have to figure out how to not get pregnant again right away ;)
It IS hard to get in the baby mindset again, but the more I think about it and it all sinks in, the more excited I get. I really can't wait to have another little one, and I really don't mind being pregnant, I can't wait to feel all the little movements again, and as long as it goes as well as last time, I'll be good to go! And I'd say so far so good!! I didn't even know I was preggo til I was 11 1/2 weeks along! Things will be tough, tougher than the first go round with chasing SJ and taking care of an infant, but then I think at how quickly time went by with SJ...I mean he's already doing so much and it hasn't even been a year! So...How do you measure a year? For the last 2 years we've been measuring by smiles, tears, pregancies, babies, and everything that goes along with it...

This weekend

So this weekend SJ and I took a trip to Bossier, LA to a friends house for her baby shower. I got to hang out with Lacey and Michelle for the weekend while Seth hung out in Maryland with Mickey. It was a great visit, although too quick. And, SJ got to visit with Grandmama, Aunt Steph, and Cousin Sarah and give mommy a break while we were there!
The actual flight was quite and experience that could have been much worse if SJ wasn't such a good kid. To start things off I got to Reagan National and had to park at a complete seperate concourse. Then I got to the ticket counter and realized the car seat base was still in the car. Thank goodness we had enough time that I could check my bag and car seat carrier and go back to the car for the base. The trip home was another experience. I got to the airport to find out our flight was delayed. They didn't know for how long and rebooked us to get home at 10pm. We were orginally scheduled to get home at 5:45. I was not too happy AND I only had enough food/formula to get us through the original time. Thank goodness for Michelle and John who went to the grocery and brought us more formula. The delayed flight ended up getting us to Memphis 20 minutes before our originally scheduled flight departed. So we ran, 2 diaper bags, a stroller, and SJ in the baby bjorn, through the airport to the gate. WOO HOO!!! We made it and they were able to get us on that plane. Everythings great!! Right??? Well, we got in the air and then I realized, what are the chances our luggage got on this flight...yeah, probably not. And I checked the car seat and base. Great! Now what? So as soon as we landed I had Seth call a car rental place to see if we could rent one so he wouldn't have to drive an hour to bring one. Well, all I can say is Northwest Airlines became very accomodating. When I reported the bags missing, they gave us a carseat and base. Brand new, and they don't take them back so we now have an extra car seat and base. And $50 towards another flight!!! WOO HOO!!! SJ slept through all the flights, so I couldn't have been more relieved and the terrible experience was better than it could have been.
So, while I was in LA, Seth and Mickey I thought were hanging out. But to my surprise when I got home I found a redone kitchen!! They put in new countertops and tile backsplash. Mickey is very handy and helped Seth SO much!! We're so lucky to have such great friends! Both of us! They did hang out some in the middle of it all and played Rock Band, Mario Kart, and even a trip to an O's game! The downside, they worked until 3:30 am. So they're "relaxing weekend" was chock full of projects. I'm excited they'll get to hang out again (for real) in a few weeks when we go to Tampa.
So now I'm waiting on my luggage...oh what fun...
In the meantime, here are some pics of my new kitchen!! We still want to knock down a wall and repaint, and lay wood floors, so this will only push us to get it done sooner rather than later!

The Old Kitchen

Tile done

Tile done, countertop in!

Our New Kitchen!!!

6 Months!

Here are some cute pictures from the last 2 months

We had our 6 month check up Friday!! Seth is 17 1/2 lbs, 27 1/2 inches long. Such a big boy. We saw a new doctor this visit - our old doctor sadly left the practice. But this doctor was wonderful!!! She was so thorough and talked to me for a good 15 minutes, asking me questions and letting me ask her questions. She said we can start him on small finger foods, let him start getting used to a sippy cup, brush his teeth, give him water, put sunscreen on him. And she told us to watch out because he seems like a very active thing and she has no doubt that the next time we see her he'll be crawling and pulling up. We'll see...crazy to think that in 3 more months he'll be really getting into stuff!

His accomplishments this far are rolling over - although he's pretty lazy and won't always put forth the effort. He's sitting up pretty well too and learning how to catch himself when he starts to topple over. He's eating 3 meals a day and yes, we started him with some finger foods. I thought mashed up banana pieces would be best, but he made gross coughing choking noises with that...and I hated it. So we tried the gerber graduates puffs and he does much better with those. He gums them and then swallows well. He started splashing in the bathtub so I was so excited to get him a baby pool. This weekend we got one and played twice. Both times he played for a good 45 minutes in it!! I'm very much looking forward to taking him to the beach now!!! Hopefully he'll do just as well! He's also grabbing EVERYTHING in site. It's fun but annoying at the same time.

Pics from Uncle Ed and Aunt Laura

They always look like they're getting into something when they're together!

Henry: But wait a minute!

SJ: NO! Don't say anything.

Caught in the Act!!!

4+ Months

So SJ is now almost 5 months. It still amazes me at how fast he's growing. Everyone tells you that will happen, but you can't believe it until you spend every day with an infant. He is the best thing in the world to us. Our world is completely overtaken by him - every conversation etc. IT'S AWESOME!

Seth Jr/SJ is now 24 inches (no real growth there) and 14lbs (or he was 1 month ago). He looks so big to everyone but he really only measured in the 25th percentile on weight and height, but his big ole head (Thanks daddy) is the 97th percentile:) It's all those brains!!!

He started cereal, which he goes to town on, and has now tried, peas, green beans, and sweet potatoes. He did ok with the peas the first couple times, but when we talked to Grandmama and Paw Paw on Skype he decided to put on a show and act like he didn't like them! He's a STINKER!

He's also gotten his first tooth! ALREADY! It's broken the skin and is very visible. A second tooth is starting to come in right next to the first. We're doing a lot more formula these days:) Mommy's a little afraid of the teeth!

SJ got to meet his other new cousin this past week, Henry. Henry didn't care too much about SJ but SJ stared Henry down. He's a lucky boy to have so 2 cousins so close in age. Now we just have to get Aunt Laura and Uncle Ed back in the states!!! Seeing Henry was awesome for us too, it brought back memories of how little SJ was and made us remember some of the things he used to do.
We have some cute pics of the 2 of them on our shutterfly site. greers.shutterfly.com

I'm waiting on the pics from Laura and Ed - they took some really great ones!!!

Another Month gone by...

Our little boy changes everyday. It is truly amazing how quickly babies learn and grow...and how slowly we as adults learn! Imagine if we continued to learn as quickly as babies...wow...

So, after 2 people told us about the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby we bought it. Not that we ever had issues sleeping at night, but naps were few, and had to be in someone's arms. It was wonderful to cuddle with him and sleep with him in the afternoon - he'd sleep for 3 hours if we held him, but that's 3 hours of not moving, not getting chores done etc. And as my husband constantly tells me and my mom would agree too (from my childhood) I'm the world BIGGEST wiggle worm! I can't sit still that long! So I'm sure SJ wasn't getting the sleep he really needed. At the same time, he wouldn't sleep in his crib during the day and the doctor said he was too young to "cry it out."

Well, if there are 2 things I would reccomend to new parents, they would be that book and a bouncy seat that has lights and sounds. Not just any bouncy seat - lights and sounds make a difference once they're older!

So it's been about 2 weeks now that we've put SJ to bed at night before 8pm, let him cry (our method is to go 5 minutes, calm him down, let him go 10 minutes, calm him down, 15min..etc). So far we haven't gotten past 15minutes and he's asleep for the night until 6ish. We used to be in his room for an hour or more getting him to sleep. I guess because of that, in turn he has learned to nap in his bed. He's been taking morning naps for a week now and the last 2 days has taken an afternoon nap! Today he's been up there for 2 WHOLE HOURS!!! IN HIS BED!!! It's WONDERFUL!

Granted our first 3 months haven't been as hard as they could have been, I feel like we have truly gotten through the hardest times, and we can get through the rest...I know we've been spoiled with him...we are SO THANKFUL that he's been this easy!

Other firsts this month...giggles, a couple squeals, family pictures, rolling over from tummy to back...

Month # 2

Wow, so much happens in just a month. Time seems to go by so fast these days. Seth (SJ) just had his 2 month appointment. He's now 11lbs 11oz and 24 inches tall! He's grown 3 inches in a month and is now officially too big for "newborn" size clothes. He has found his hands and is getting so good and putting them in his mouth, although he's partial to his right hand already...we'll see if that lasts and he'll be right handed! He's also getting really good control of his head and will sit in a Bumbo and talk to us. That's the best, he smiles and coos a TON! It's awesome and amazing how quickly he's changed.
The doctor told us that because he sleeps so long at night, it tells her that he can put himself back to sleep...I LOVED hearing that...and then last night he proved it. Seth doesn't make ANY baby noises while he's a sleep...he seems to sleep pretty hard, but around 5am this morning (after going to bed at 10:30) he started making his waking up noises. Being selfish this morning I thought, please don't be ready to get up...and what do you know, the little bugger put himself back to sleep and didn't get up til 7:15!!
He's getting to be like a little baby and not a newborn anymore! He only ate 5 times yesterday instead of how he used to eat every 2 hours, now its already 5-7 times, and he'll eat as much as you give him usually...so the doctor told us if he wants 8oz that's fine...he's such a big strong boy.
Oh, and he has another new cousin! A little boy, Henry Greer born 1/22. Exactly 2 months apart! He's so lucky to have other cousins so close to his age. Andrew was born 1 day before him and now Henry 2 months after. It's going to be so fun for him growing up!!!