Lately......

So I have been a little MIA from the blogging world lately, but honestly we have been pretty busy with traveling, getting ready for Christmas and me finishing this semester of school (thank goodness I have a little break, I haven't had one since before Grayson was born, so this should be nice)

Just thought I would flood this post with pictures of what we have been up to....

As I mentioned earlier, Grayson had his Baby Dedication at church in November. It was a great weekend, and a great ceremony as he was dedicated to the church and Tyler and I promised to raise him in a Christ centered family. We had lots of family members come and support us: Granna, Grandaddy, Aunt Sissy, Emi, Poppy, Nana, Papaw, Mamaw, and Kaye all made the trip from North Carolina, and all brought Grayson a little something special for his special weekend. We thank all of you so very much for everything. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful, caring family.

Grayson's Baby Dedication

November 13, 2011

We made the drive to South Carolina to have Thanksgiving with Tyler's family. It was Grayson's first trip to  his Emi and Poppy's house, and also his first time meeting his Uncle Brent!

It was our first road trip with a baby, and let me tell you we were packed to the gill! We were only there for the weekend but we had Tyler's little company care filled with baby stuff. You don't realize how much stuff a baby requires until you have it all packed in one place, it is crazy! We are loading up to go to Florida for Christmas, were flying so everything will have to go in suitcases, haha, that will be fun.....but before Grayson and I came home in October, Mom went ahead and bought baby essentials (pack 'n play, bouncy seat, changing pad/cover, bathtub, and some toys, because she knew she would have several more grandchildren that would need them) so those are several less things we have to pack and makes it alot easier!

Grayon's First Thanksgiving 2011

Emi and Poppy's House, South Carolina

Grayson and Uncle Brent

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

The Little Men

Thanksgiving 2011

Grayson and Emi

(I couldn't find a picture from Thanksgiving, they must all be on someone else's camera, so this one is from a week prior)

Grayson in his Christmas outfit

2011

Grayson's first visit with Santa

Christmas 2011

Grayson and his Daddy had a wonderful time playing in Bass Pro Shop's "Santa's Wonderland"

This is already on Grayson's Birthday list...lol.

Teaching him early how to shoot ducks.

Grayson and Daddy

Grayson and Mommy

Grayson and I packed our bags and took a quick little trip up to Asheville, NC to visit family and deliver Christmas gifts. We met my mom and sister in Atlanta and rode up with them. It was a quick trip, but was good for Grayson to get to visit his great grandparents, great aunts, and great-great aunts. I had a good time visiting them as well. We came back with lots of goodies and we can't wait to open! Thank you all so much.

I just realized I did not really take any pictures on our trip, probably because we were so busy running from family member to family member visiting, but here a couple cute ones I got of Grayson and a musical snowman at my Mamaw's house...he loved it!

(And he is propping himself up all by himself, what a strong boy)

Grayson watching the snowman.

(He is trying to figure this dancing and singing thing out, haha)

Well that's what we have been up to around here over the past month....we can't wait for Christmas and our trip home to Florida to visit my parent's.

Merry Christmas Everyone!







Grayson is 3 months old!

My Sweet Grayson,
    
You are 3 months old today! I cannot believe how time flies, it feels like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital. You are growing so fast and developing such a personality. Your daddy and I love discovering new things about you each and every day.

You are absolutely the sweetest thing. You smile all the time, and have the most precious cheeky grin that lights up your whole face. You are starting to laugh a little bit, you let out a little giggle and shriek when mommy talks to you in a funny excited voice or you see something you really like. You have gotten to be quite the talker, cooing, wooing, and ahhing all the time. I love it! Your still real talkative after your first morning feed and anytime your being changed. The changing table is still your favorite place, with your play gym coming in a close second. You still love your hands, they stay in your mouth all the time! You use them to soothe and comfort yourself when  your upset, I am glad it works because you refuse to take a paci! You you love playing with your toes. Your toes are constantly moving, and have been ever since you were born. That is something you get after your daddy, constantly moving and curling your toes, it is so funny!

You love your play gym and you play on it several times a day, it will occupy you longer than anything else. You get so excited when your playing on it, you wave your arms and kick your legs so fast, I love watching you, and I love that you love it so much.It has a mirror attached to the top and you have the best time looking at yourself and smiling. You have learned to grab the toys that are hanging down and shake them to see what they can do. I love how your curiosity has come out, just today I caught you trying to open a box and pull the tissue paper out of it that was sitting by your bumbo on the counter, I ran to get my camera because I thought it was just too cute. It kinda makes me think you might be into EVERYTHING when you get older. I have heard stories about your daddy as a baby, so I am sure it is inevitable, haha.

You have started to really like toys. You love your Sophie giraffe, and a mini sophie-teether Granna got you. I now know why they are so popular, babies love them! You also have started to really take a liking to your bunny lovie (see pic). You will hold onto it and put it up to your face. It is so sweet. I am constantly having to keep a bib on you, you drool constantly, maybe your starting to think about teething? I know I got my first tooth at 4 months, so we may be in for an interesting month ahead! You love your swing! It can my mommy and daddy's best friend on the nights where nothing seems to please you. It is a sure thing to get you to relax and fall asleep. You are also a fan of your bumbo seat. We keep in on the kitchen counter so you can watch mommy clean and cook dinner. You are so content sitting in there and taking everything in.

Grayson you still HATE the cold weather! You will be perfectly fine but then a cold wind will hit you and you make the (cutest) little scared/surprised face and you start screaming, you don't stop until you get inside and bundled up. It is pitiful. It is going to make for a very interesting winter between me and you, because I hate the cold weather too.

You love love love bathtime! You love the water and have gotten to where you love to splash and kick the water. Our days are limited of having bathtime on the kitchen counter, sometimes I feel like more water makes it on the counter and floor than stays in your tub. Daddy is in charge of bathtime, and does it all by himself. I think you love that you get to spend that special time with your dad, and I know he loves it too. And you FINALLY  like lotion time after bath! I thought the time would never come where you didn't scream at the top of your lungs during lotion time, but finally it has, and you actually like it now. I has become one of your most talkative times of the day.

Grayson I love you so much, and look forward to seeing who you become each and every day!

Love,

Mommy

Monthly Stats:

Weight: 14 lbs 9 oz

Length: a little over 24 inches (according to mommy and daddy's measurements)

Diaper Size: size 2 (Pampers Swaddlers)

Clothes: mostly 3-6 months, very few 3 months, and a couple 6 months!

Eating: Breastfeeding every 2.5 to 3 hours, and 4 oz bottles when mommy works.

Sleeping: Your sleeping a solid 8 hours a night.

Were working on a more set schedule (per "Babywise") to get you sleeping a little longer. Going to bed at 8pm, waking for a dreamfeed at 10 then back to bed until about 6:30am. Your taking a 1.5 hour nap mid-morning, and a 1.5 hour nap in the afternoon. We try and squeeze in a couple 45 minute catnaps too.

Aunt Sissy Is Here....!

Our family is coming in this weekend for sweet baby boy's Family Dedication at church, but we got a suprise early...my sister called us Monday and said she was hopping on a plane that afternoon and coming down to spend some extra time with us! We are so excited around here!! Now Grayson and I have someone to hang out with this week while Ty's at work. She even offered to babysit so Ty and I can go out for a date night, and......she brought us two free movie tix! We're taking her up on her offer tonight and going out, since we've only been out once since Grayson was born we are due for another date night.

Well we're off for a fun day of shopping....!

Halloween 2011

Grayson was a pumpkin for his first halloween, just like I was on my first, well actually my second being as I was born on Halloween. I must say he made a cute little pumpkin! We kinda played it low key this year, Ty and I did not dress up, we did not go out for my birthday, unless you count a chic-fil-a sandwhich in the church parking lot, haha (I just wasn't feeling it, I preferred to watch Grayson all dresed up at Halloween) and we went to our trunk or treat at our church and spent time with our Sunday school class and their kids. It was a nice cool evening, and I was able to get a cute fall picture of my little man, so it was worth it.

Mommy's Little Pumpkin

And....enough pictures, haha.

11 on 11-1-11

Grayson you are 11 weeks old today on 11/1/11, isn't that neat?! haha. Granted it would have been a bit cooler if it was 11/11/11 but we'll take what we got. I just wanted to take a minute and tell you that I love you sweet boy! You are precious and you have grown so much so fast. It is so exciting to watch you grow but it makes your mommy sad at the same time. You are so aware of your surroundings now, always looking around and smiling at everything! Your smile is so contagious, it lights up your whole face making it impossible not to smile right back and kiss those sweet little cheeks. You are most happy and talkative in the mornings right after your first feeding, and we use that as special Mommy and Grayson bonding time. We sit and talk and laugh back and forth for close to an hour each morning, my favorite time of the day!
Happy 11 weeks boogie!

Happy Fall Yall

This past weekend we decided to get into the Fall spirit. We made the decision to wait and make the drive to the big pumpkin patch next year when Grayson is old enough to enjoy the hay rides, pumpkin picking, and everything else it offers. So we opted instead for a local church sponsored pumpkin patch. I had high hopes to get the perfect picture of him in his cute fall shirt amongst pumpkins, but he had other plans. The weather was quite chilly and he made sure to let us know that the pumpkin patch was not for him. This child hates the cold, just like his momma. The minute we got out of the car and the cool wind hit his sweet cheeks he was over it!

So we went with plan B and bought a couple of pumpkins to try for some pictures at home and in front of our neighbors beautiful porch display. Buuuut.....He still wasn't crazy about the idea. Oh well, these will have to do. Maybe next year I will get that perfect picture!

Bless his little heart.

After these failed attempts we decided to get warm and go buy our halloween candy to hand out to the trick or treaters and some apple cider to enjoy on these cool fall nights. Grayson was much happier all bundled up.

Florida Trip

Grayson and I got back several days ago from his first trip to Florida to visit Granna, Granddaddy, and Aunt Sissy. We left at the crack of dawn on Thursday morning and flew to Orlando and stayed until the following Sunday. We were gone a total of 10 days! Tyler had a business trip and was going to be out of town anyways so I thought it would be a great opportunity to get down to Florida and spend time with my parents. We had a great time visiting and Grayson had a great time gettting spoiled by everyone. Mom and Dad could not get enough of him, imagine that! And Grayson completely fell in love with his Aunt Sissy, he thinks she is the funniest thing and he had the best time 'talking' to her, they formed a special bond "wooing" back and forth.

We had a great time and hated to leave but were so excited to get back and see Tyler. Grayson sure did miss his daddy and they both were all smiles when they finally reunited, I do have to say it was pretty cute. On the other hand I think us leaving sent Granna, Granddaddy, and Aunt Sissy into a depressed state of mind :( It would me too if I had to leave those sweet little cheeks!

Here is a few pictures of our trip:

Up early getting ready to fly to Florida.

Grayson's first plane ride (he slept the entire way.)

Arriving in Orlando. Traveling by plane, by yourself with a 2 month old is an adventure, but we made it. Luckily on our way back my friend Jamie was returning to Birmingham from a conference and was on our same plane, she helped me so much and was such a lifesaver!

The 'Welcome' sign that was on my parent's mailbox as we arrived.

Grayson's basket of goodies that Granna, Granddaddy, and Aunt Sissy had waiting on him.

Just some of the adorable clothes that Granna, Granddaddy, & Aunt Sissy had waiting on Grayson.
I couldn't fit the rest in our suitcases, spoiled little boy :)

He loved his pack 'n play my mom and dad had bought and set up for him.

And of course it was filled with extra toys.

His first trip to Tijuana Flats!
 (Mommy and Daddy's favorite place to eat in Oviedo.)

The Florida sunshine was so bright, he wouldn't open his eyes outside, so Granddaddy bought him a hat & some shades.

He suprisingly didn't mind them at all, haha.

Grayson with his Aunt Sissy.

Grayson and I on the exact park bench in beautiful Winter Park, FL where Tyler and I got engaged.

With Granna and Granddaddy in Winter Park.

Mom threw Grayson and I a "Sip 'n See" for our Florida friends to come visit and meet Grayson. It was so great to get to see everyone, and thank you all for the sweet gifts, that was too kind of you.

At the Sip 'n See.

Grayson on groovy Aunt Sissy's bed on his 2 month birthday.

Sweet little baby.

My two boys the night we got home, all tuckered out after a busy week, but oh so glad to see eachother.

We had such a good time on our trip and enjoyed getting to spend quality time with everyone. Thank you so much for everything mom, dad and Bai, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!



2 Month Check-Up and Shots

Today was our 2 month doctor's visit and with that visit comes the first round of shots. I was so worried, I had heard stories from friends about how horrible and sad it was to watch your little baby get stuck and how the following 24 hours would be filled with crying, fever and soreness. I was so nervous for my little guy, but he did great! He got two shots per thigh and although he cried hard when they were given he was quickly consoled after some mommy lovin and a paci, I even got a couple smiles before we left the office. What a trooper my little man is, I'm so proud of him, he is so tough.....like mother, like son, haha. Hopefully the next 24 hours go well!

The doctor was very impressed with his growth and development, he said he was a very healthy baby and that we are very lucky to have a breastfed baby sleep through the night like he does!

2 month (9 weeks and 6 days) stats:

Weight: 13 lbs 5 oz

Length: 23.25 inches

Grayson on his way to his check-up

Grayson is 2 months old!

Grayson you are 2 months old!

You turned two months several days ago while on your first trip to Florida to visit Granna, Granddaddy, and Aunt Sissy. We have been so busy visiting that mommy has not had a chance to blog until now. Boogie you have grown so much in the last month, you certainly are thriving! We have not yet been to your 2 month appointment since we have been in Florida, but at our breastfeeding class we go to each week you weighed 12lbs 3oz at 8 weeks! And that was almost two weeks ago. We go Monday for your appointment and mommy is is real anxious to see how much you have gained and how long you have gotten. It is not hard to see that you love to eat! We have started to give you pumped bottles every so often, you weren't crazy about them at first, but you soon realize there is milk in there and then your all about it.

You are wearing 3 month or 3 to 6 month clothing and in size 1 diapers. You have actually been in size 1 diapers since the week after you came home from the hospital, and that is only because your daddy and I were determined to get our money's worth out of the newborn diapers that we had already bought and thought you would wear.

You are growing so fast, you can now hold your head up on your own and love to look around and take in your surroundings. You love people's faces. You have learned to smile and laugh a little and coo and ahh, it is absolutely PRECIOUS and I cannot get enough of it. I will catch you just 'talking' to your daddy when he gets home from work, as if you are telling him everything you and mommy did all day, it is just the cutest thing.

You are getting better with taking naps during the day. You pretty consistently take a long morning nap from around 8 to about 10, and you will take catnaps throughout the day then a longer nap again in the evening. You sleep very well at night, we are lucky. I put you to bed after a final feeding at 9 pm then if you wake you will at 4 am and feed and a couple of nights you have slept till 6am! You are doing so well.

You have started to suck on your fist. It is so funny, you are really not a fan of a paci unless you are really tired and mad, but you love your hand. You keep your hands balled up into tight fists and you love to put them in your mouth, you do it all of the time. I'm wondering if it is only a matter of time before you find your thumb and become a thumb sucker, hopefully that doesn't happen.

You still love music. You love listening to your rainforest lullaby CD to put you to sleep, and if your upset you love it when mommy sings to you, but the two songs that are sure to calm you down when they are sung to you are "Hush Little Baby" and "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" (family version - we go through everyone: Grayson Coleman Little, Mommy and Daddy, Maybelle and BoBo, Granna and Granddaddy, Emi and Poppy, Groovy Aunt Sissy, Big Uncle Brent, Jackson and Lola, and Silly Little Millie....you love it). You also love listening Pandora on mommy's iphone, it can sometimes make for more peaceful shopping trips.

Grayson you hate your car seat! It is so weird, I thought all babies liked there car seat and riding in the car, but nope, not you, not at all. It makes it for a tough initial ten to fifteen minutes every time we get in the car, constant crying and screaming until you get tired and go to sleep. Hopefully that is something you will outgrow.

You are just so adorable and I love you so much. You look just like I did as a baby, I mean just like me ( I think daddy gets a little sad when he hears that, but it's true) You looked just like daddy when you were first born, but not so much anymore, although you have your days when you look just like him. It's funny.

You went on your first plane ride this month, mommy was so worried that you might not like it and she would be left to help you all on her own, but you did amazing! I am so proud of you, now I only hope you are the same on our way back tomorrow. I will post about your first trip to Florida when we get back, there is so much to tell!

Grayson your Daddy and I love you more than words can express. We can't get enough of you. I look forward to learning more and more about you each and every day.

We love you and happy 2 months sweet boy!