Christmas in Dixie

 What's the difference between a Country Christmas and Christmas in Dixie? Well a Country Christmas was filled with lights, songs, characters, visitors and go, go go. Christmas in Dixie meant time at home, warm surroundings and snow, snow, snow!

We came home Christmas eve with Mimi in tow and one little fella who had more than his fill of the car seat for the day.

A little playtime with his Little People nativity set, then it was pj time!

He wasn't crazy about the hat that coordinated with his pjs or the camera, but I got a few pictures before Jay threw in the towel.

We awoke Christmas morning to some snow flurries and Jay got to see what Santa brought and open his stocking.

Jay "loved" every new toy he got this Christmas. 

Marking each new toy with drool, he welcomed the lion into his world. 

Santa left a lion and a Fisher-Price activity center that goes along with some other toys he received over the holidays. His stocking was full of another little lion lovey, sippy cups, a paci holder, a toothbrush and toothpaste, flash cards, stacking cups and some Gerber Puffs. Then it was time for another present from Mommy and Daddy then off to Dede and Papa's for lunch and presents.

 There are three very fortunate grandsons pictured here at Dede and Papa's can you find them?

After all of the gifts, meals, family and fun of the holidays we had one tuckered out little elf. Jolly as he may have been.

We had a wonderful first Christmas and are working hard to play with all of our toys and wear our new clothes! Thanks to everyone who made this "first" so wonderful for sweet Baby Jay. We are so lucky to have wonderful family and friends to enrich our lives and Jay's life. Looking back, I wish I could have taken a picture of every single person who held him and experienced the wonder of this first Christmas with us. We love that so many people love our son and love spending time with him!

A fire kept us warm all weekend as it snowed and snowed (but didn't stick) through the 27th.

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!!