A Country Christmas

To start the Christmas festivities we traveled to Nashville for the first time as a family on the 23rd.Once we checked into our room at The Opryland Hotel (I am native Nashvillian, I am not obligated to use it's full name, sorry Gaylord) we were soon joined by the Long-Russell family for Patience's first chance to meet Jay and a very quick gift exchange. Next year we will plan better and get to spend more time together. This year was lightning fast.

Cadence and Chase are getting so big and were cute as ever.

Then we were off to Charles and Karla's for our family Christmas with Mimi and kids....Jay had a great time getting lots of love from everyone and showing off his rolling over skills. He was also very interested in the wrapping paper and bags...

With pj's on we packed up and went back to the hotel. Christmas Eve morning we were joined by Uncle H for breakfast, gift giving and LOTS of photos. We took Jay through most of the hotel after breakfast. Jay was an angel the whole time- he even napped while mommy, daddy and HG enjoyed a nice leisurely breakfast and lots of coffee and conversation, then spent an hour or two taking it all in...

Jay got to take his first ride in the umbrella stroller--his first time in a
forward facing stroller and boy was there a lot to see!

Kris Kringle and the Penguin at breakfast

Wake up, Jay--this is why we stayed at the hotel!

Teddy Bear topiary

Daddy was trying to show him the fish in the pond, but there was just SO much to look at!

Its a lion! Jay loves lions! Okay, Mommy was more excited about this than Jay, but whatever. 

We also got to visit with both of Jay's Great-Grandmothers in Nashville--but did I take a single photo? No. After visiting with Grandmommy we picked up Mimi and stopped by to see Nanny and Cece, then came home to Alabama. It was a whirlwind 24 hours for sure! 

Life at 5 Months

Here is a look at Jay at 5 months!

He's still sleeping great-from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. with a few naps during the day.

Enjoying breakfast and dinner in the highchair and foods include rice cereal, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, apples, pears, peaches, mixed veggies, and mixed fruits. Everything has been easy and well received by our little guy!

He is of course still rolling, busy and discovering more everyday!

He is curious about everything- remotes, phones, cameras--but it has become really difficult to capture a "smile" more often we get this inquisitive look.

 As you can see, he is figuring out how to get where he wants to go and grab things. He is inching and scooting around, using his face as another appendage, thus the bumps around his chin.
Drool+ scooching on your face=irritation.

He has found those cute little feet at the end of his legs and he could give away most of his toys if he could just play with his feet most days.

Other fun facts about this age-
* 2 teeth along the bottom- 1st November 29, 2nd December 4th
* Size 3 diapers
* Most of our 6 month clothes have been packed away- 9 month clothes and 12-24 month socks
* Weight is right around 19 pounds
* Has become quite the entertainer- his routine includes razz and motorboat, fake cough, and repeating vowel sounds- "I Love You" and "E-I-E-I-O" are his faves. He will look around and if no one is talking he will start his routine to get attention or make you laugh. It is AWESOME.
* We have packed away the swing and bouncy seat- Jay is serious about trying to sit up and has been for weeks, we stopped using both a few days after Thanksgiving.
* Tri-pod sitting and now can push himself back upright while sitting after lowering down.
* To end all debate, he is in fact a coppertop--it has been back and forth but the red has definitely taken over.

Details on our first Christmas and New Year to come!!

4 Months!

Whoa. We have been busy, busy bees lately so this will be a bit of a hodge-podge for life as we know it at 4 months old.

Jay went to the doctor for a check up and shots--at 26" long he weighed 17 pounds, 12 ounces! He is in a size 3 diaper, rolling over from his back to his tummy like a pro and supporting his chest off of the floor after he rolls over. He has not rolled over yet in the bed (sigh of relief) but will roll on the floor, while playing on our bed, on the couch and tries to roll while in the bouncy seat and in the bathtub. I am afraid he will get too adventurous soon, but am glad to see him growing and hitting these milestones.

He still adores the changing table and bath time. The high chair is moving up the list as well--he is learning that the high chair means a meal and provides a great vantage point to observe the dogs.

On his 4 month birthday we went to Breakfast with Santa with my friends at the Junior League of Tuscaloosa. Jay was not feeling great when we got there (just a little gas, but it happens at the worst times!), so I did not get many photos--let's hope the professional who took the Santa picture got some good ones!

Mimi was also here for about 10 days to help babysit since Mommy had to work so much the middle to end of November. We had a great visit!

Jay is officially 4 months old now and has the pictures to prove it. He is very curious about the camera, phones and really anything new, he is quickly learning how to attack new things.

We also started "real" baby food instead of just rice cereal. He seems to like it, although we have only tried one thing so far.....SWEET POTATOES--here was the best "discovery" face he gave us during his introduction to sweet potatoes.

Then we celebrated Jay's 1st Thanksgiving by watching the Macy's parade, National Dog Show and going to eat at Gina and Chris' with the Wests, Myers and Uncle Johnny and Aunt Shirley, Gina, Chris, Isabella and Lucy. Here are a few random shots of the day. (Yes, we had 3 Thanksgiving outfits.)

This Thanksgiving was so special because we have our own little family now and so much to be thankful for. It seems like everything has more meaning now that we have Jay in our lives. I spent a good part of the day reflecting on the memories we have of this year and the love we've shared.

We're so thankful for our family and friends who have helped surround Jay with love and security this year. I am also grateful for the people who helped to shape Joseph's life and my own. We love sharing this with our friends and families, but I was sad to think of the ones who are not here to share it. I know Jay has a number of angels in heaven who proudly look after him and smile on these holidays--I just wish they were still with us here so I could see their faces when they beamed knowing the joy Jay has and we have with him everyday.