Becca's House!

Last weekend my sister threw the perfect extended family Christmas party!! We had the most fun with Aunt Becca and Uncle Brn:o) My parents, and the entire Chesson clan were there (Chesson is my mom's maiden name). Here are a few fun pics from our trip.

This is my parents, sister, and brother-in-law! We have the most fun when we are together! My Aunt Beth works with horses, so she gave Chesson this amazing stuffed animal. Check him out, holding the reigns. I think he wants to be a cowboy. All we need is a baby cowboy hat!

Chesson was having fun watching all is aunts, uncles, and cousins as they opened their Christmas presents.

I couldn't resist adding this picture of the happy man! We were trying to get a Christmas card pic. We didn't end up using this one...but his face pretty much sums up my days at home with him....so fun!

Exersaucer!

Chesson has just started using his exersaucer. I think he's still a little overwhelmed by all that is on it:o) He can stay in it about 15 minutes at a time. Just recently, he has discovered that he likes to "stand." So, this is perfect for him. He never really enjoyed his Bumbo - possibly because his chunky little legs get stuck in it:o) As his mama, I'm thrilled that he has something else to do. I mean, he can lay on his back, roll to his stomach, or sit in his bouncy seat....but, this has opened up a whole new world!

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Every year, I get super excited about buying a Christmas Tree. This year was no exception. I think I was even more excited than usual because it was Chesson's first time going to pick out a tree. ~ He told me that he thought it was really fun.

I love to put the lights on and decorate the tree. All my life, my parents have given me (and my sister) a Christmas ornament on Christmas Eve. So, I currently have 29 ornaments from them...my dad writes my name and the year on each one. They are all special because each ornament is significant to that year. There is a soccer ball for the year I started soccer, a snorkeler for the year we went to key west, a snowboarded for the year I went to App, a church for the year Corbin and I were married, and so on. Every year, Becca and I would guess what the ornament would be, and we loved the great reveal! Now I have them to hang on my own tree, and it makes decorating the tree a truly special time! I think we'll continue the tradition for Chesson.

So much to be thankful for...

We spent our Thanksgiving in Florida with Corbin's family. I was a bit nervous about traveling so far with a 3 month old, but Chesson was a champ! Here are a few pictures from our wonderful trip.

Chesson loved being the center of attention. Here we are with Gigi, G'daddy, Lawton, and Sarah.

As soon as we arrived at the family Thanksgiving celebration, Chesson was kidnapped by 2 of Corbin's cousins. He came back to me dressed as a Seminole:o)

Above are the 4 generations of the Gordon family tree, and to the left are the 4 generations of the Graves family tree.

3 months old!

I just can't believe that tomorrow Chesson will be 3 months old. Corbin and I were just talking about how it seems like Chesson has always been a part of our family. We are very thankful to have a sweet baby. He is laughing and making all kinds of noises these days. His very favorite thing to do is sit in his bouncy seat and kick his bears. He thinks it is so fun!

Earlier this week it snowed. It was so strange because the sun was shining and the sky was blue. I tried to get Chesson bundled up and outside to get a few pictures, but of course, by the time we go out there - the snow had stopped. So, you'll just have to trust me.

This is a big week because Chesson has started napping in his crib again. He has terrible reflux. The reflux doesn't cause him pain anymore because of the medicine he takes. But, the medicine (unfortunately) doesn't stop the continual spit-up. We go through bibs and burp cloths like you wouldn't believe. We don't dare do anything in the house or go anywhere without a bib on and a burb cloth nearby. Otherwise, I would have to change his clothes at least 10 times a day. Anyway, because of the spit-up issue, the doctor said to have him sleep in his carseat. (Sleeping upright helps prevent ear infections - b/c the spit up will just end up in his ear...yuck. He also would just lay in a big wet spot....yuck again.) Chesson has slept in his carseat for his naps and bedtime since he was about 3 weeks old. We almost always put his carseat in his crib, so he knows where he's supposed to sleep:o) ~ I am excited to say, this week as he has napped in his crib he has been quite content! Hopefully, in the next few weeks he'll be sleeping there at night as well! yay!

A Fun New Adventure

Chesson has decided that he is no longer content to just be still and look around. He is constantly kicking his feet when he is on his back, and he is determined to crawl. Unfortunately for him, his arms aren't quite strong enough to support his weight. But, he has nearly mastered an "army crawl." It's quite a sight. ~ Also, Corbin and I have just discovered that Chesson loves to pull himself up to a sitting position from his boppy. I completely underestimated how excited I would be to see him accomplish little milestones in his young life. I am smitten.

Falls Lake

Today was one of those perfect days. The temperature was in the mid 70's, the sky was blue, and the leaves were all beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange. So, when Dorothy called inviting us to go on a picnic at Falls Lake, Chesson and I didn't dare decline. We spent three hours enjoying the unusually warm November weather.

Chesson was a happy camper on the picnic table (on his boppy...I'm a rebel that way) while Dorth and I enjoyed our lunch. I'm so happy that he loves the outdoors!

All Dressed Up

We survived our 1st football game, and Chesson was such a trooper. Which is really no surprise since he's such a laid back little boy...just like his dad and his Papa. The weather was a little unpredictable that day with scattered showers. So, every now and then Chesson and I would go walk around in the concession area to keep out of the rain. Fortunately, for us, he loves to be in his carrier. ~ ~ My biggest victory of the day was successfully changing his diaper (multiple times) in the public restroom, but not before he peed all over his cute Carolina onesie (while on the changing table). So, we had to have a mid-game "costume" change:o)

Speaking of costumes....(haha)...We are headed to the beach today, so I hadn't intended to dress Chesson up for Halloween. But, a friend sent this costume to us, and I just couldn't resist. It works out great, because he was just telling me that he really wanted to be a dragon for Halloween. :o) ~ ~ I told him to look tough and scary for this picture, but all he would give me were giggles and kicks. We'll keep working on it. The best thing about this costume is the roaring sound it makes when you squeeze the dragons hand. (or is it a paw?) Chesson might just roar all the way to the beach.

My First Post

Well, here I am. I always said that I would never have a blog. Never say never I suppose. Recently, I have enjoyed keeping up with my friends through their blogs. Not to mention all the great tips, ideas,and encouragement I have received since becoming a new mom. So, I'm attempting to figure out how to blog. Currently, I can't figure out how to make the picture go where I want it to...and I can't seem to change it once I've saved it. Any tips?

Chesson is now 2 months old. This week he received his first set of shots, and he was a champ. He is a chunk of a boy, weighing in at 14 lbs and 24.5 inches long. Corbin is hoping that he will continue to stay in the 90th percentile for height and weight and become a pro athlete of some sort. Although, genetics would indicate that he will be an average size as he gets older.

Tomorrow we are planning to take Chesson to his first football game. I am a bit concerned about where I will change his diaper. So, I might chicken out and stay home with him. Wish me luck!