More Christmas Pictures...

Playing with Cyn Cyn and the cousins

What a great first Christmas :-)

LOVE this picture...playing with Pop!

Morgan, Declan, Jason and Chris

Meeting cousin Kyle!

4 months!

The D man had his 4 month check-up! He is 15lbs. 10 oz., 26 inches and his head is 17. He is pretty much in the 75th percentile across the board. He was sick when we went to the appointment BUT he has been since before Thanksgiving. I am so ready for this cold to be gone. Unfortunately there is nothing you can give him, but just continue what we have been doing. Dr. Elliott said he is growing like a weed and a perfectly healthy and happy baby. Of course I knew that, but it is nice to hear it from a man who sees hundreds of kids a week. I am continuing to love Dr. Elliott and just think the world of him. I only had a couple of questions...

1. Declan does not finish his bottles all of the time and is only eating 5 oz, is that normal?
-Very normal...clearly he is growing and putting on weight. If he is not hungry don't make him eat.

2. His belly button looks different, right?
-He has an umbilical hernia. They will keep an eye on it, but it is nothing serious...just the way the cord was cut.

3. The Prevacid is working, should we continue?
-Don't refill it next time and see if the symptoms are gone (I am waiting until he goes back to staying at his Aunt Staci's for this one...ha ha) If the symptoms are there fill it...if not stop it

4. Solid foods?
-He likes to start babies on rice cereal at 5 months and then introduce baby food at 6 months, but if I wanted to start early that was okay too. I think we will wait. He will be 5 months in a few weeks.

5. Sleeping through the night? How long can he go?
-A baby his age and size should be sleeping 10-12 hours a night. That would be a dream come true. I am ready to do it as soon as we GET RID OF THIS COUGH!

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Definitely the most precious gift of all!

Santa was good to me!

Sick Christmas Eve :-(

Declan and his great grand parents!

Well...this was officially the BEST Christmas EVER! We got our present a little early...like August 11th. Declan was definitely the most precious gift of all this year. It is so wierd to think that we told our family and friends that I was pregnant on Christmas last year and now he is here! I said so many times last year..."I can't believe we will have a baby this time next year to celebrate with us!"

Declan has been sick since before Thanksgiving. He cannot seem to kick this cold and low grade fever. He has begun teething too on top of it. But I will have you know he is still the world's happiest baby! He just cooes, smiles and carries on like nothing is wrong with him. How did we get so lucky??? He was an angel on Christmas Eve and Christmas...

Christmas Eve

We went to Jason's grandmother's house. She always cooks the best meals and she never has me bring anything. I am so good with that! Declan was showered with gifts and had a great time.

We then took Declan to meet his great grandfather. I had never met Charles Edward Sr. either so it was a special day. We are not sure how much longer he will be with us, so I was so happy that they could meet each other. Family is so important!

After that we enjoyed a night by the fire with some cocktails and Christmas movies as a family...absolutely perfect (except for poor D coughing all night).

Christmas

We gave Declan his stocking and gifts! Even though he was sick, he seemed to really enjoy it!

We then went over to the Cullinan's house. Declan got so many gifts it was unbelievable! This kid is spoiled rotten. Jason and I definitely scored with the best gift too...my parents are giving us a 3 day trip getaway anywhere that Air Tran flies and they will keep Declan! Are you kidding me? A very much needed and appreciated gift. We are sooooooo lucky!

My brother-in-law cooked probably one of the best meals I have ever had in my entire life! The kids seem to have a blast too. They were all so gracious and so much fun.

We definitely remembered the reason for the season too. It was a perfect CHRISTmas!

Angela

One of my closest friends and Declan's "Auntie" Angela came to visit us over the break. Angela and I began teaching together in 2002. We have been close ever since then and will remain that way forever. She is one of the most kind hearted people I have ever met in my life! I love to spend time with her and we are so happy to have her and her family in our lives! She has raised 5 amazing kids one being one with special needs, so she is definitely one I go to when I need mom advice! She has also gotten her master's, specialist, and soon to get her PHD while raising the "fab five" as I like to call them! Definitely someone I will always look up to! Love you Auntie Angela!!!

Nicole

Hanging out in their pj's!

Playing in Sawyer's Bumbo

Sharing and playing

Friends forever

Awww...a little smooch

One of my best friends in the entire world has not had the easiest time lately. Without going in to too much detail...her husband made some very bad choices and she is now getting a divorce and raising a 5 month old pretty much on her own. I cannot even begin to tell you what an amazing mother and woman she is and how strong she is being for her little girl, Sawyer. He definitely lost the best thing he will EVER have. She is handling everything so well with the support of her wonderful family and friends. I am just so proud of her. I don't know how she does it, but she is. We love you Nicole and we are always here for you!

Declan and I decided it would be a good idea to go and see Nicole and Sawyer. We went out for Mexican and watched movies and had a spend the night. Declan and Sawyer really liked each other! It was so much fun!

Happy Boy!

He loves his bouncy from Aunt KK and Grandma Bean!

Winter

Don't you want to eat hi leg!

Playing with Pop!

Big boy!

Declan is 4 months old and Jason turned 31 this month and the holidays are around the corner?! Seriously...where did the time go?!

I have one more week of work and then I am off until January 4th! I cannot wait for the break! I just want to relax and spend time with friends and family.

I am taking Declan to the doctor for his 4 month check-up next Monday, so I will update after that. He is so much fun! He is belly laughing and cooing all of the time. It is just so much fun to watch him grow and become more aware of his surroundings. Today he was sitting on my lap and grabbing our cat's ears and laughing out loud. It was precious. He is looking more and more like his dad. Which is just fine with me :-) He is FINALLY finished with being sick too! It was a rough 2 weeks. I am so happy he feels better.

We had our first night out without Declan to celebrate Jason's birthday. We went to our annual charity party called "Night of the Shining Stars." It is a big event to "give back" with some important people. Declan and I went shopping and bought gifts for boys ages 3-5 to give to the Miracle Network and Jars of Clay. Last year we left the party early because I wasn't feeling well (found out I was preggers 3 days later), so it was nice to stay later. Jason and I went to Cabernet after that and enjoyed a steak dinner and more cocktails and then we got a hotel room so we did not have to drive. It was such a nice, fun, and very much needed night out. It was really nice to spend some time alone with Jason. My parents watched Declan. It is the best feeling in the world to leave him with them and not worry about him at all. I missed him, but definitely not worried! I continue to thank God for our wonderful family everyday!

Family pics!

My friend Shelley took pictures of me and my fam this past weekend...She is INCREDIBLE!!! I can't show them all to you because they are part of our Christmas card, but they are awesome! Shelley and I go back about 4 years. I taught her step-daughter and we got very close after that. Talk about good people...she is one of them! I adore her and family and would do anything for them. Thanks for the fun pics...despite everyone being sick :-(

Friends

Friends...so lucky to have them...

Emma and Madison

THE BOYS...Coleton and Declan

Phil and DSo lucky...

If you are my friend you know that you are family and how much I adore you!!! Well, I had the pleasure of hanging out with my friends this past weekend and their babies. We are all so lucky and I love my friends so much and their kids!!!

The Croup, Thanksgiving and time with friends!

Cyn-Cyn and GiGi!

Great Uncle Ted and Declan

Great Aunt Susan and Uncle Ted

Our precious boy...

Poor baby...notfeeling well...

Declan had the croup...and still has a cold. Poor guy! I am so lucky to have an amazing family and wonderful husband to get me through all of this. I think it is funny no one tells you this stuff can happen when you are preggers...don't get me wrong...it is worth it, but it has been rough. There is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer...I count my blessings everyday that it is just a cold. Again...God only gives you what you can handle!

Let me think what I was most thankful for this Thanksgiving....(in no particular order...after Declan of course)

- My new adorable, perfect, amazing, healthy baby boy...Declan Edward Wood

-My husband who I fall more in love with daily!!! I am so lucky to be married to my best friend!!!

- My sister...It is so wonderful to know Declan is in good hands and taken care of and so loved daily. He gets to spend time with his aunt, uncle and cousins daily...what could be better???

My mom and dad aka...Pop and Cyn Cyn! The most amazing parents and grandparents alive! No words can explain how grateful I am to them daily!!!

-My job and students...it is so hard for people to go to work, but not me. I look forward to seeing my students daily! They are my world...another part of it, but still a part of it. They make me smile and laugh everyday! I adore them and what I do!

-My friends and their families. You know who you are. No way I could make it without you! I cherish our friendship more than you now!!!

-My coworkers/friends...you guys are so much fun to work with with and keep me sane! I am so thankful for that!

Kara and Declan

Here is one more of my precious Niece Kara and Declan! They absolutely adore one another! Kara says "Declan is MY baby." She shares her mom with Declan everyday and is just so sweet with him. She is not jealous one bit...just wants to be with him and show him off!

Declan and his Bug

Declan has loved this bug since he was a week old! My mom put it on his swing and that is where it has stayed. This video is so cute! My parents gave us a FLIP Mino the day Declan was born! I have lots of videos, but have been terrible about posting them! So...here is a reccent one! Enjoy!

Declan sleeps and has his first sleep over (with his parents)!

Rylan and Declan!

Aunt KK and Declan!

The poor baby is so torn! It was definitely a Georgia win that night!

Watching college football at the Nau's sure has changed...but in the BEST way! Look at these beautiful babies!!!

Our happy baby boy! He seriously has this smile 95% of the time when he is awake.

We went to the Nau's for the Georgia/Auburn Game. We decided if we were going to partake in any beverages that we were going to stay the night...so we did. Declan loves his Aunt KK and Uncle Bryan's house! We also got to see the Brigman family! The twin girls are SO beautiful! We are all so lucky to have such healthy babies. Everyone is supposed to get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving so I should have some more pictures.

I also noticed that Kendra had Rylan on a bit of a schedule and was curious to why Rylan was sleeping through the night and Declan was not. Declan is close to 15 lbs. (according to our scale) and should technically be sleeping through the night. I then mentioned to Staci and she agreed that he should be sleeping through the night too. Thank GOD for Aunt KK and Aunt Staci...Declan is now sleeping 8-10 hours at night. AMAZING! Everyone said it would get better (the sleeping part) and it does.

My problem was every time Declan got fussy I was shoving a bottle in his mouth, hence his weight). Ha ha! So...I now have him scheduled and it was not even painful for either one of us. I am hoping this will make things easier for Staci in the morning too. He seemed to be hungry as she was getting everyone ready for school.

Jason is still working out of town during the week, but Declan and I are used to it and have our routine now...finally. We definitely miss him and look forward to the weekends, but we are just fine. He has picked up some more jobs in NC...which is somewhat bittersweet. I know that he will continue working out of town...but I also know I can handle it!

I will update more after Thanksgiving!

Friends

My wonderful friend Sarah! She used to teach next door to me and I miss her so much! Declan LOVES his Aunt Sarah!!! (Sorry you are sideways, Sarah)

Latasha, Declan, and Diane! Latasha also used to teach next door to me and has moved to another school (Maybe it is me...she and Sarah both moved schools after teaching next door to me...ha ha)! I miss her soooooooo much and love her!

Diane and I teach special ed. together (she has never taught next door to me...probably why she has not changed schools yet). She took over for me for grade chair while I was out on maternity leave! I don't know what I would do without her! I adore her!

Jason brought Declan up to school so I could go out with some of my "teacher" friends. They all got a chance to love on Declan. He was in heaven and so were they! I LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!

3 Months Old

Declan is 3 months old! I can't believe that he is 3 months old and that Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. We don't really have any big news or major events to share. Jason has been home this week and it has been wonderful. Declan just hangs out with him and laughs. He might just be a daddy's boy...for now anyway. Ha ha! The Prevacid is working and he is just about the happiest baby in the world! We go to the doctor next month for his 4 month check-up and more shots.

We will head to the Nau's for the UGA/Auburn game this weekend. I am sure I will have some cute pictures to post. Jason and I don't always watch this game together, but we figured that both of our teams are awful, so what the hell! Good times with good friends.

I am still teaching ESY (extended school year) on the weekends. I am getting kind of burned out, but hanging in there! I am also hoping to get a family picture taken this weekend. Yes...I am going to attempt to send out Christmas cards this year...I know, I know I don't even do thank you notes, so we will see.

***I AM NOT SURE WHY THE PICTURES ARE SIDEWAYS!!! I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THEM =( SORRY!

I will post again soon =)

Halloween!

The Scooby Gang! Cousins!

The cutest Scooby Doo in the world!

The amazing Big Kara and Declan!

The cousins in the Mystery Machine!

So cute! Owen, Kara, Declan, and Gavin!

Oh my gosh...we had the BEST Halloween! We watched the terrible Georgia/Florida game at home after I got done working with a student and headed to the Cullinan's. Declan was so happy when we got there. I thin he knows it is his second home. We were greeted by the three other cutest kids in the world...Shaggy (Owen), Daphne (Kara), and Freddie (Gavin). They were so excited to see Declan and could not wait for him to put on his costume. He was Scooby Doo! Owen asked why he wasn't Scrappy? Smart kid...didn't even think about that.

It is so nice to have my family around the corner and be able to share these moments together. Peter cooked, we had wine and seasonal beer and took the kids out. Well...the guys (Jason, Peter and Dad...aka Pop) stayed at the house and Cyn Cyn, Staci, and Big Kara and I took the kids out. They had a blast...and so did we!

Declan has definitely taken to Jason recently. His dad calms him immediately. It melts my heart when I see the two of them hanging out. Jason watched him a lot this weekend while I was working and running errands. I know that it is what dads are supposed to do, but mine does it willingly and happily. I just love our new little family. I have an amazing husband who is a wonderful father and a perfect little boy. Life could not be more perfect right now...well...if Jason were home it would be, but oh well. We are in our routine now and it gets easier everyday! Declan's reflux seems to be getting better too! I am so happy he is not hurting anymore!!!

I also want everyone to know how much our family loves and appreciates Big Kara. Big Kara is Staci's best friend from college and pretty much my other sister. Obviously she means a lot to my sister...her daughter is named after her, but she also means the world to me. She has been there for everyone in our family and attends every damn function we have. There are not that many genuine, caring, and down to earth people as Kara. She is amazing and I love her!!!