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!