O Christmas Tree, 2015

It's that time of year! Time for my favorite Christmas tradition, picking out our Christmas tree. This year was extra special because it was Henry's first time to "help" pick a tree.

The hunt begins.

 

 The winner!

Emerson was just happy to run around.

"I'm freeeee!"

Traditional Jesse's-bringing-in-the-tree photo.

 And now I get to enjoy the wonderful fresh pine smell...and dig pine needles out of Henry's mouth : )

Our Family Thanksgiving, 2015

Leaves, matching shirts, beautiful weather, LOTS of wonderful food, and family...yep, that sums our family Thanksgiving. 

We had lots of fun traveling to Nashville to spend Thanksgiving with Jesse's family. 

The boys did great on the car ride, had fun playing with their cousins (first, second, once removed...whatever), and slept like champs despite all the chaos. All around great trip! 

Our best attempt at a family photo.

So much fun in the leaves!

 

Henry's first Thanksgiving!

"Grrr, I'm going to crush these leaves"

Brother photos may be my new favorite thing. They are so awkward and so sweet.

 

Going in for a kiss! 

Play time at the park with the adults and kids.

All those cousins (first, second, once removed...whatever).

 

The second day we went to Jesse's grandparents farm and spent the day with family. Emerson had the time of his life riding on the back of a pick up truck through the pasture and climbing up into BIG tractors. Wish I would have taken more of this day, but somehow only found ONE picture (which I stole from my MILs Facebook page. Thanks, Kim).

Emerson was in heaven riding on the back of the truck. He was especially tickled when he saw a cow poop. *sorry for the gross image

So many blessings this Thanksgiving. Hope you all were able to count yours.

Henry's 10 Months Old

There were so many Fall firsts for Henry this month. First pumpkin patch, trunk-or-treat and Halloween! I love that I get to help make these wonderful memories for Henry.

Also, baby curls, lots of travel, and pulling up and bumping into everything pretty much sums up everything else that happened this month.

 

Here is what's new this month:

Eating: It finally happened, something most breastfeeding women dread...being bit! Ouch! Once he bites, he is done nursing, so hopefully he gets the picture fast.

He tried Spaghetti for the first time and loved it!

Per doctors request, I have been doing my very best to fatten my child up, so he has been eating a lot more fatty meats, dairy and rich fruits/veggies. I've even been putting butter on his toast, which of course he loves. He gained two pounds, so I guess the better on the toast trick worked : )

Activity: Henry loves to clap his hands, especially right after bath time. I guess that's when he's happiest? He has also started shaking his head "no", although, I don't think he knows what it means yet.


This boy! He pulls up on everything, thus creating lots of falls. This month he fell right on his upper lip (the Frenectomy) and busted it. There was so much blood! But thankfully it healed and is looking well.

Well, hello there, sticker. 

He figured out that he can take the sticker off. Grrr.

Sleeping: Two words, time change. We had finally caught a break on the sleeping issues. He had been sleeping 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. if not later for a few weeks and then BAM, the cursed time change occurred (that I once adored) and it messed up everything for Henry. He now wakes up before 7 no matter how much a try and tweak his schedule. Maybe it will even out in a few more weeks.


Doctor Visit Stats: 

• Height: 29 inches
• Weight: 19 lbs 7 oz
• Other: Had his blood drawn to check for iron levels and it was a horrible experience (mainly for me to watch). Thankfully all came back normal, so we don't have to do it again.
  

 Likes, Dislikes and Other Milestones:

•  Has started to pat my back when I pat his.
• Celebrated first Halloween, dressed up as a Dalmatian puppy while big bro went as a firefighter.
• Went to his first pumpkin patch.
• Laughs at himself when he scrunches up his nose and snorts.
• Flew to Virgina for the first time for a wedding and had many other firsts: strayed up way too late, rode a carousel and saw Aunt Molly, Uncle Jonathan and Cousin Cassidy.
• Climbed a few steps on the stairs, yikes!
• Cutting 3 new teeth!

He is just the happiest baby!

Emerson's First Vacation

Jesse had a work event in Galveston this week so Emerson and I joined him one evening.

It was more like a mini vacation because we were only gone 24 hours, but it was a vacation none-the- less. There were several firsts on this trip. 

First time to:

- drive a "long" distance in the car (1.5 hours)

- stay the night in a hotel

- go to the beach

- leave the house/normal routine (gone longer than two hours)

 In the car and ready to go to Galveston. He did great on the drive down.

Where we stayed, Hotel Galvez.

 

There was a gift shop within walking distance from our hotel that was right on the beach and had a huge porch with rocking chairs. For hours E and I sat in those chairs listening to the ocean and letting the sea breeze cool us, perfect for napping, which is what E did.

We also walked on the beach, explored our historic hotel and did a little shopping. E slept most of the time, which I fully expected. When he was awake, he loved listening to all of his new surroundings.

First time at the beach and he missed the whole thing : )

 

We purchased Emerson's first Christmas ornament. Jesse and I started the tradition when we got married that we would always buy a Christmas ornament when we took trips to new places and we wanted to do the same for our kids. Let the collection begin!

While we were there, I wanted to do my best to keep his nap and bed time routine the same as it would have been at home, this includes bath time, which was interesting. Thankfully the hotel had a tub, but next time (if he fits) I will just bathe him in the sink. He hated his bath in the hotel and I found it challenging as well. Any tips from the moms out there on bathing without a baby bath while traveling?  

My in-laws bought us this neat travel bed for Emerson which we were planning on taking, however after Jesse evaluated the size of our room (super tiny!), we opted not to take it this time. So guess were baby slept? In bed with us, yes I said it. For one whole night we co-slept with him and he did not die. In case you don't know, co-sleeping is one of those controversial parent topics. We don't co-sleep at home because we don't want to create the habit for him to only know how to sleep right next to me or on me, but my goodness it was super convenient to have him right there and not get up and down all night long. I now know why some parents are all about it, but sorry kid, it's back to the crib when we get home : ) 

The whole time we were in the hotel room I was so conscience of what our neighbors thought of his crying. He was a good boy, but anytime he made a peep, I rushed right to him to comfort him. Emerson probably loved all the extra attention. 

With all of these firsts, new environments and changes in his schedule, I was afraid the little guy would be a nightmare at night, but no! He actually slept "through the night"! And by "through the night" I mean five hours straight. I could not believe it! He slept from 8- 11:30 p.m. and then from 12-5 a.m.. Way to go, Emerson. I am one happy momma. The only downside was that he was wide awake at 5 a.m., but I would rather him do that then wake up every two hours all night long. He actually slept through the night at home the night before, so let's all hope and pray this continues. 

We have a few more vacations planned coming up this summer, one to my parents house for the Fourth of July and the other to a family reunion with Jesse's family in AZ. Can't wait for both of them!