Rice Cereal - De-Lish!

On Friday night, Chesson and I took the bull by the horns and started rice cereal. I started feeding it to him, and he started eating it (I didn't try any myself). I should use the term 'eating' very loosely. Mostly he just rolled it around in his mouth and spit it back out. But, he seemed to enjoy it, smiling and laughing while he "ate." Since then we've had a bit more success. And, today I think he swallowed more than he spit out! woo-hoo!

Here are a few pictures from our 1st eating endeavor.

This is his 1st time in his high chair. He seems a bit unsure of where he is:o)

He opens his mouth wide each time the spoon comes near him.

The end result was quite a mess, but completely worth it!

Normal - A wonderful word

We have had quite an eventful 2 weeks. I think it's accurate for me to compare it to a roller coaster ride of some sort. Two weeks ago today, at a routine check up, our pediatrician diagnosed Chesson with an eye condition called nystagmus (he said he had only seen in 3 times in 15 years). This is a condition that affects Chesson's vision. Basically his eyes move back and forth continuously, so everything probably looks kind of blurry to him. Anyway, as you can imagine I was a bit stunned as our doctor called in other doctors to look at Chesson, and then he called a pediatric ophthalmologist and neurologist for us to meet with the following day. Of course, Corbin was in a meeting in Orlando. So, I'm sending him text messages (attempting to act calm in the doctor's office) to call me when he's headed to the airport b/c our doctor is talking about specialists. Since then, we have seen a 2nd ophthalmologist (at Duke) and Chesson had an MRI. Today, I heard the most wonderful words I have heard in my 30 years...."the MRI is normal." Yes, Chesson has nystagmus, but that's it. He does have vision. Praise God. We won't know the full extent of his nystagmus until he is older, and he can tell us what he sees. For now, we are in the process of getting a vision therapist to come to our house to work with Chesson on a regular basis. I have never been more thankful to live in Raleigh where we have excellent doctors surrounding us! ~ Corbin has been calm and composed as usual. Reminding me that we have been through tough things before and we will get through this as well. As he said, "We'll just figure it out, we always figure it out." He also gently reminded me that God is in this..whatever Chesson may lack in vision he will naturally compensate for in other ways. Corbin is a man wise beyond his years (when he needs to be...haha). Tonight, we are thankful for our happy, healthy baby boy!

Corbin & I were cleaning out the garage yesterday. Chesson was all bundled up & watching us from a sunny spot in the driveway. He loves to be outside!

Chesson's 1st Christmas

I LOVE Christmas! Chesson had a wonderful 1st Christmas. We celebrated at my parents house in Apex. Becca and Brian were there to round out the party. It could not have been more perfect. On Christmas morning, we ate breakfast while Chesson took his morning nap. Then, we all sat in the den and opened our gifts.

Since Chesson is just 4 months old, he didn't get too many presents. As you can see, he was happy just to be with his family:o)

Here are a few of Chesson's Christmas outfits. There are a few more - but, I can't seem to find any pictures of them. I had the most fun getting him dressed each day around Christmas. I can't help it, I just think he's the cutest thing I've ever seen!

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.