Let it snow!

The day after Christmas we got a huge snowstorm, and our area got about 6 inches of snow. It was the first time our dogs had ever seen snow! They had a blast. It was hard to really get good pictures of it. The day after, when the sun came out and my dad and Steve cleared off the back deck for them, they realized they weren't too sure about the snowblower and shovels. But the snow itself was still tons of fun!

Merry Christmas

On Christmas Eve my sister Lindsay her partner Bill, plus my nephews Mason and Micah came up. We had a fantastic Christmas, all of us together. Too bad we didn't take more posed pictures though, especially with all the little boys, because we had a family photo shoot scheduled for the day after Christmas. Only a huge snowstorm came in and we had to cancel! But we will reschedule for later in January.

On Christmas Eve, Steve had to rescue the carrots set out for Santa's reindeer from our two dogs. I know that the photos actually look like Steve is intentionally giving the carrots to the dogs to gnaw on to make teeth marks on them, but of course the photo is just misleading in that sense. The real reindeer made those teeth marks!

Note at the bottom a picture of Mason very carefully building a marble run out of the new marble set that Santa brought him- and once again, Portia watching this marble business very closely.

Mmmmm solid foods!

The day after Steve got home we introduced Griffin to solid foods. I had planned on starting with avocado but he'd had a touch of the runs that week and the pediatrician suggested instead to start with whole grain cereal. He loved it! It was pretty runny, to be honest, mixed with breastmilk, but boy did he open his mouth like a little baby bird after each bite, wanting more! Barely a drop even made it as far as his bib! (Thanks Uncle Kris, for the awesome Barefoot bibs from Sri Lanka- they're perfect for catching baby food and looking cool!) The next couple of days I made it a bit thicker, which made for some funnier faces when he tried it. After a few days I got out the pureed avocado I made for him (I was very proud of myself, making it all up and freezing it like a good little domestic baby-food making mom!). He loved the avocado too. And frankly, that was more fun to feed him because it was bright green. Next up this week, banana....! The last couple pictures are Griffin, just before eating, greeting (smacking?) his baby cousin Micah.

Daddy's Home!

On December 21st, Steve arrived safely home from Pakistan. We were so happy to have him home with us. It was also our 3 year wedding anniversary! What a great gift, to have us all together! As soon as Griffin saw his daddy he broke out in a huge grin. And Steve was so nice to take early morning duty for a number of days after he got back so that for the first time in a long time, I could go right back to sleep...for hours! They say you know you're a mom when sleep becomes more valuable than sex, chocolate or wine. I can relate! Griffin and Steve decorating the tree!

Griffin and Steve on Christmas day, with Reid, our neighbor, in the background.

6 months old!

On December 17th, Griffin was 6 months old! At his 6 month doctor's appointment, he weighed in at 18lbs and 28 1/2 inches long. That's the 96th percentile for length! Tall baby! Here are a few photos from his half birthday, all decked out in his Santa pj's.

Cousin Micah - also getting big, almost 1 month old!

Almost 6 months and getting big!

Griffin will be 6 months old on December 17th- where does the time fly? He's finally big enough to sit in the high chair and boy does he love it. We'll start him on his first solid food probably next week after Steve gets home. As you can see he also is very interested in toys now. And he did great sitting in Santa's lap!

Happy Holidays!

A very happy holiday season to everyone!






To give you an update on Griffin, he's growing like a weed! (don't I say that in every post?) He's 5 1/2 months old and ready for 9 month size clothing. He's rolling over all over the place and trying to get his knees up but hasn't quite figured that out yet. He also loves grabbing his feet, and recently figured out that they taste really good too! Now he can not only grab things like toys, but has figured out how to put them in his mouth, which he does often because he's teething. But no signs of actual teeth yet... Last month I talked about how he had regressed with sleeping and had become a really horrible sleeper- both at night and at naps. I studied a book highly recommended by a number of my friends who are moms- Health Sleep Habits, Happy Child, and talked to a few people who had used his sleep training method. In a matter of days we had turned things around and although we still need a bit of time to get used to the new schedule, he's sleeping like a charm now! I'm completely sold on this approach and thankful to Kelly, Kim, Teresa, Jenny, and Jess for recommending the book, sending it as a gift, and/or coaching me through my questions!

Welcome new baby cousin Micah Alexander!

My sister's second son was born exactly 5 months after Griffin! On November 17th, Micah Alexander was born in Calvert County, MD. We went to visit for the weekend on the way back from DC, and then went back again for Thanksgiving. Mason is a great big brother and cousin, and my parents are so excited with all three grandsons! Note the two babies and their cutie Turkey Day outfits with turkeys on their behinds!