Catching Up

I was much better at keeping up with this blog before Stephen arrived!  I had plenty of time to write down my thoughts and feelings while waiting for his arrival.  Now, my days are filled with changing diapers, feeding this growing boy, and trying to keep up with the laundry…and I love every minute of it!

Stephen is growing and changing every day.  He loves playing on his Mr. Ladybug playmat, looking in the mirror, playing with Ollie Octopus, watching shadows, walking around the neighborhood in his stroller, and listening to music.  He’s not a huge fan of tummy time, nap time, or watching the rest of us eat.

I returned to work after Labor Day.  It was very difficult to leave Stephen, but he’s in good hands.  He hasn’t cried when I’ve dropped him off yet, and he’s always smiling when I pick him up.  His babysitter, Ms. Debbie, is spoiling him rotten!  There are about five other kids at her house during the day, but Stephen is the only baby there!  Stephen goes to daycare almost every day, unless we have a special event planned.

We’ve kept him out of daycare a few times, mostly for travel.  Even though he’s only three months old, Stephen has flown on an airplane twice, and visited four different states!  We’ve been to Virginia for a weekend, Illinois to visit Shawn’s family, a family reunion in Oklahoma, and Connecticut for the Apple Harvest Festival.  He’s a great traveler; he sleeps most of the way!  On the way home from Connecticut, he was awake on the plane, but was content.  I’m so glad he wasn’t one of “those” babies…you know, the ones that cry for the entire flight!  Stephen has met most members of our families, and of course, they just love him!

We’ve been taking pictures of Stephen each month, and it is bittersweet to see each picture.  I love watching him grow up, but I hate how fast it goes!  Just look:

Halloween is coming up, and Stephen is already getting ready!  He has three costumes this year (and I always swore I’d never turn into one of “those” mothers….You know, the ones that go overboard for holidays when the kids are too young to realize it…..Yup, I’m one of “those” now.)  He wore his Tigger costume when we decorated the house.  We’re hoping to get to the Pumpkin Patch soon, too.  He’ll stay at home with me when Shawn takes Abi trick-or-treating, but he’ll have a cute costume for that, too. 

We’re coming up on the holiday season soon, and it will be so magical with Stephen here this year.  He’ll sit at the Thanksgiving table with us (and maybe even eat some “food”, too!).  He loves watching lights, so I can’t wait to see him when we light the Christmas tree.  With all the excitement, we’re enjoying every minute of our time with him. 

Just a Few Pictures

I've had a request for more pictures, so here are a few!  (You're welcome, Dad!!)

The teether made Stephen feel better.



They won't stop taking my picture!!



I'm so darn cute!



Stephen loves to play on his activity mat.



Still smilin'!

 

Family Ties Us Together

Stephen has been very busy for the past few weeks.  He’s had the chance to meet and spend time with several family members.  He still has many more to meet, but we’re off to a good start.

Stephen’s Aunt Kayla came with her family, Sue and Julie one afternoon.  That same day, Stephen’s cousin, Braxton and Aunt Emily came, too.  We had a great time spending the day with everyone.  Kayla laughed at Stephen when he cried out or made funny noises, and the boys showed they’re going to be life-long friends.  I can’t wait for them to be able to grow up together….I’m looking forward to the sleepovers, campfires, Family Torture Days, and everything that comes along with cousins.



Aunt Kayla loves to watch Stephen



Making faces



Cousins are friends for life!



Two weeks ago, Stephen went on his first road trip!  Along with Abi and Aunt Katie, we drove to Winchester, VA to meet Mom, Dad, and Grandma.  Abi is going to Camp Sloper again this year, so we decided to meet half-way to drop her off.  This was the first time Grandma was able to meet Stephen, and (of course!) she just loved him!  He was a great traveler (he slept most of the way) and even behaved when we went out to dinner and breakfast.  The best part?  Stephen actually slept through the night when we returned to North Carolina.  (He hasn’t made a habit of that, though, but it was exciting to see him get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.  I did not get that much sleep, though, as I kept getting up to make sure he was breathing!)



Stephen is Great-Grandma's sixth great-grandchild!  No wonder she looks like a natural!



Four Generations

One week later, Stephen made another road trip…this one much longer!  We drove to Illinois to visit Shawn’s family.  On the way up there, we broke the trip into two days;  we stopped in Kentucky to spend the night, and got into Mt. Erie, IL on Friday afternoon.  Stephen was, again, a great traveler.  I think the fresh air (or maybe all the corn?) was good for him; he slept great while we were there.  Stephen was a popular little guy in IL, and had fun with his family.  Next year, we think he’ll be running around with the “big kids” on the Slip and Slide!


Stephen can't wait to play with his cousin, Mitchell



Maybe a little jealous that he can't play on the Slip-n-Slide with Malcolm?



Getting kisses from Grandma Williams



Stephen was the center of attention!

Needless to say, Stephen has had a busy summer.  We’re going to test out Stephen’s true travel skills by flying to Oklahoma in September for a family reunion.  We’re also hoping to get to Connecticut in October (around Apple Harvest-time…can’t resist those fritters!).  Of course, we’re always happy to have family visit us, too!  Later today, Mom, Dad, and Uncle Paul will be here.  They’re spending the week, though I wish they could stay longer.

Say Cheese

Two weeks ago, Samantha from Two Little Monkeys Photography spent a few hours at our house taking pictures of Stephen.  Needless to say, I was so excited to find the CD of the pictures we ordered in our mailbox this afternoon!  These pictures are amazing, and I would love to share them with you:

Stephen was laying on a bean bag chair covered in this lime green blanket.  He was so squishy during the photo session, and let us pose him in so many different ways.

We thought the owl hat would be perfect, since Stephen's room has owls in it, too.  Doesn't he look cute?

I wasn't sure if I would like this picture when our photographer showed us the hat.  But, as soon as I saw him in it, I knew I would love it!  I'm thinking he needs a stocking cap like this one for winter!

This was on the "must-have" list of photos Shawn wanted.  I just love the curly tail!

This is one of my favorites, although it is definately difficult to pick a favorite since they're all so wonderful!  Stephen is sleeping in the cradle made by my great-uncle, and in the background you can see the quilt my aunt made using my wedding gown and Abi's junior bridesmaid gown.

Another one sleeping with the wedding quilt.

This is another one of my favorites.  He is still in the cradle, but this time with a blanket and pillow that my friend, Michele, crocheted for him.  The set looks perfect in the cradle!

Here's one of Shawn's favorites, although he had a hard time deciding if he liked this one, or the same shot in black and white better.  We ordered a print of the black and white one, and I have a feeling both of these will be hanging in the Man Cave very soon.

I just love Abi's face in this picture!  Stephen was crying, and Abi was afraid to hold him without his diaper on.  We had already had a few accidents that day, and she was not excited about the possibility of being a part of another one.  I love that this picture doesn't look posed...its just a natural shot.

The two boys that have stolen my heart.

I am so in love.  I had no idea it would be possible to love him this much.

And, finally, our first family photo.

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing."  ~Unknown