'Tis the Season

Merry Christmas!

It's weird to think that this time last year I was pregant and didn't even know it yet...

This is Nathan's first Christmas and boy has it been fun! It all started with Mason coming up on Thursday. We had so much fun with him this time. I think he's starting to get used to Nathan being around all the time. We are so lucky that Susan and Howard were there in Florida and just happened to be coming back that day. We don't ever mind going to get him, but it's nice to not have to make that 2 1/2 hour trip both ways if we don't have to. So, Thursday night Jason's sister Christy came by to see him and we then had dinner with my parents.

Friday, Mason spent the day with Mr. Mark. They just pal'd around all morning and then picked Jason up from the truck stop at lunch. Mason loves going to the truck stop so this was a real treat for him! He kept telling us that he wanted Santa to bring him a "Mac" truck like his Daddy's. Good thing I'd already gotten him one! Last year, Santa came to Mason at both our house and his mom's house, but now that Nathan's here (and since Mason's getting smarter about Santa) we decided that Santa would only come to the house that he's at Christmas eve night. That way there's no confusion as to why Santa comes to him twice and not to everybody else twice, too. Also, last year Mason had told us that he wanted trucks and cars and "digger things." However, when we went to pick him up to have Christmas with him, he said, "Santa's going to bring me airplanes and helicopters!" Jason and I were like, "oh....no!" and of course rushed around like mad people buying up airplanes and helicopters at the last minute. So, Christmas morning that child had more presents than he could have ever dreamed of. This year, we decided to scale back alot. Especially since we didn't have the pressure of playing Santa, we felt like we could get away with not having to do as much. But, between Jason's grandparents, both sets of my grandparents, Jason's mom, Jason's dad, my parents, Jason's sister, my sisters, and then us - he STILL had tons of stuff! Our boys are so lucky to have such a great family. And Jason and I feel so lucky for them, too! Here are a few picks of him opening our gifts to him...

He's so funny. As soon as he'd finish opening one, he'd be ready for the next and he played with the bubble wrap from someone else's present more than any of these, but oh well. I need another toy box, that's for sure!

Saturday, I had to work and when I got off we had Christmas with my sisters and Mason at Memaw and Big Daddy's house. Rebecca and Christy both were not going to be here for Christmas day so we had to do Christmas for them a little early. My Mom went ahead and gave my dad his present - a Wii! Oh Lord, I don't think my parents' house will ever be the same again....

Jason's mom came over that afternoon and Jason's sister came back again, too. They brought Mason even more gifts, but we couldn't play with them very long because we had to get ready for our 2nd annual Twinkle Tour! This is SO much fun and we are so glad we got to do it again this year. My cousin Alison's husband Jim's family owns a small church-type bus. He drives our Perkins family around in it to look at Christmas lights and we stop at some people's houses for appetizers. Of course, everyone brings their drink of choice which makes it hilarious. Everyone from my 65 year old Aunt and uncle to my youngest cousins were there. My mom kept Nathan for us which was so sweet of her. It was really nice for Jason and I to be able to enjoy ourselves without having to worry about him for a little while. Mason went in her place and got to ride with Big Daddy. He LOVED the lights and had lots of fun with the other kids. I'm not sure if he remembered going last year, but I hope he'll be able to go with us every year.

Sunday, we slept in late and then went to my parents house to play Wii. It was nice to have a day off to not have to do too much. We let Mason stay up late with us that night and watched "Home Alone." He thought he was so big. When I told him that he could stay up late, he was like, "are you going to let Baby Nathan stay up late, too?....He'll probably whine alot." haha. I said, "Nah, this is only for big boys." He grinned real big and climbed up onto the sofa. It was so fun for the 3 of us to hang out together like old times and I think it was good for Mason to see that things haven't changed THAT much with having Nathan here.

Jason took Mason back on Monday and I had to work then we went to my parents house to play Wii. Tuesday was sort of mellow, too, I worked - came home - played Wii. Then, Wednesday the fun started again. I worked that morning, then rushed home to start cooking for Christmas day. I went ahead and made the breakfast casserole and cheese danish for Christmas morning and then made the deviled eggs for us to have with our Christmas lunch. We got all dressed up and went to Susan and Howard's house for a little Christmas party. We had so much fun being with everyone. Nathan wasn't in much of a party mood. I've learned that when he gets sleepy he wants his bed at his house. Kinda' like his Daddy, I guess. :) He was not having me trying to get him to sleep on Susan's bed. So, we had to cut the party short a little. Too bad, because I heard there were lots of holiday cheer shots being taken which would have been fun to watch, but oh well....

Then, this morning, I woke up early to make sure I could get everything started. As soon as Jason and Nathan woke up we went to see Mr. Mark and give him the coffee mug I had made that had the boys' picture on it. My parents and grandparents came over around 9 to exchange gifts. It was so much fun and I hope we make this a tradition! We gave them each 2 mugs with a picture of each boy on both of them. They LOVED them! Jason and I decided to not give each other gifts this year so we could focus more on the kids and since we don't have alot of extra money right now. I wondered if he'd cheat, but luckily neither of us did. I was sure to remind him that this is not tradition, though!

I hated to see my family leave, but kinda' glad they did because I had to quickly get started on our Christmas lunch. I had planned on cooking a ham that I had already bought, but Wednesday, one of my clients brought me a huge beef tenderloin! What a nice gift!! So, we decided to have it instead. Jason and his dad took care of preparing the meet, but I still had to make the green beans, squash casserole, homemade mashed potatoes, rolls and sweet tea. Whew! Luckily, I squeezed a shower in there just before Jason's brother and sister got here. We had so much fun being with them and I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed my food. I am so proud of myself for getting it all taken care of and for it being so yummy. I just hope that one day my boys will tell their wives, "nobody can cook as good as my mama!" :)

After they left we went to my parents house to, you guessed it - play Wii!

Hazel Ana

Today I am reminded of all my blessings. I am a wife and a mama and that is all that I've ever wanted to be. As a little girl I would dream of what my husband would look like and what I would name my babies. Of course, a little girl doesn't dream of the silly little things that come along with life like bills, fussy children or husbands that travel. Nevertheless, I have all that I've ever wanted and I am blessed. I ran across this blog www.hazelana.blogspot.com today. I do not know these people. I do not know anyone that these people know. I have no idea really how I found it, but I started at the bottom and read up. I do believe that once you're a mama you are everyone's mama and everyone's baby is your baby. I love little Hazel. The chinese culture describes an emotion that they call mother-love as being the love that only mothers have for their children. The love that causes a woman to urge her children in the right direction, the love that makes babies want to curl up in only their mother's arms, the love that keeps us strong when our babies are sick. I can feel the mother-love that there is for Nathan. I, we, can not be more blessed and thankful for all the many mothers we have in our lives...

My favorite gift

The best gift that I ever got

Didn't really weigh a lot

It didn't have a ribbon 'round

And it sometimes made the terrible sound

The best of all it seems to me

It wasn't neath the Christmas tree

And yet, I guess I'd have to say

That it made all the other presents twice as gay

The best gift that I've ever known

I'd always wanted most to own

Yet in my dreams of sugar and spice

I never thought it could be so nice

The best gift that I ever got

Was sometimes dry and sometimes wet

Was usually pink but oftentimes red

As it lay so innocently in its bed

The best gift of the year to me

The one I hold most dear to me

A gift that simply drove me wild

Was a tiny new born child...

~"The Best Gift" by Barbra Streisand

Baby, it's cold outside!

So, I'm writing this from my parents' guest bedroom. Yes, I'm staying at my parents house tonight. No, it's not because Jason and I had a fight or because our house has been repo'd. But - our heat is out - AGAIN.

Now, I have been trying to be really patient with this idiot that installed our unit only a little over a year ago, but my patience is wearing thin. I'm not sure if he realizes that he's dealing with a woman that just gave birth 3 months ago - who's hormones aren't all intact - who's living on little sleep - and who just lost a really damn good sale at Target.

Yep, I lost the sale at Target - they aren't going to give me the coveted Britax carseat that I so desperately wanted. Let me take that back, they aren't going to give me the coveted Britax carseat at the price they said they would - however, they will sell it to me for $299. Apparently, in very small print on some part of their website it says that they have the right to cancel an order if the price was a misprint.

What - ev.

It's the week after Thanksgiving. I should be more thankful, right, instead of complaining so much, so let's take a deep breath....

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. Mason came to visit again. Every year we try to swap out going to Jason's family's Thanksgiving and going to mine. My family usually goes to Lake Junaluska so that's why we can't do both. However, since Jason's parents are divorced, we end up having 2 Thanksgivings anyway, plus my papa always has a big Thanksgiving at his house the Sunday after for our Perkins family so let me just tell you - I am TURKIED out. gobble, gobble.

I am very proud of myself, though! It's always fun for me to cook meals that my mother-in-law is really good at making to see if I can even get close to making them like she does. So since we were hosting my father-in-law's family at our house this year, I decided to do most of the cooking. I made a Turkey Breast, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, a Chocolate Pie and Deviled Eggs (or "doubled" eggs as Mason called them). Everything turned out so nice! My deviled eggs could have been a little less mustard-y and a little thicker texture, but that's okay. I even got a great big hug from my hubby and he told me how nice it was for me to have gone to so much trouble for them. :) Makes me want to stay at home all day and be a little Betty Crocker.

My Dad got a new camera recently so I had him come up to the house to help me take Christmas pictures of Nathan for our Christmas cards. I thought of this cute idea and am so glad they turned out so well....here's a couple we're debating against...

I'm just so proud of my little pumpkin.

We "may" be starting to teeth. It's really early for that, but I got teeth pretty early so I've kinda been expecting it. He's started drooling aLOT and chewing on his hands pretty aggresively. Also, his diapers have been pretty loose - not a lot in them, but loose. I'm hoping this doesn't mean we're fixing to get alot less sleep. Just keep your fingers crossed for me that those little suckers pop on out pretty quickly.

Alright, I'm off to try to get some sleep in this strange bed....keep the heating and air man in your prayers!

How's your pregnancy going...SIR?

Ugh. He's gone and done it again. Not only did he freak everyone out by getting pregnant once, but noe he's pregnant again! The only good I can see in all of this craziness is that his sweet little girl won't be the only one who's dad gave birth to her....ick. And you want to know what really drives me nuts? He got to deliver VAGINALLY as in - through his vagina. I couln't even do that!

Blogging one handed is pretty difficult, but necessary. My baby boy is recovering from a cold and needing lots of snuggle time - which is fine with me! So, please excuse the typos!

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas! It actually dropped below freezing last night. Maybe I can get Jason to help me put up Christmas decorations during Thanksgiving. He made the BEST chili yesterday! I'm so lucky that he can cook. Looking forward to having day-old chili (even better than fresh) with Mom and dad tonight. Here's what i spent yesterday evening watching...

.......awww!!!

In other exciting news, my friend Hillary emailed me last night to let me know that the Britax Marathon carseat was on sale at Target from $280 to $46!!!

This is one of the best carseats made and i could not believe it. So, I went to the website and sure enough, plain as day there it was for $46. You better believe I snatched one up. Today, though, there are rumors circling that it may been a mistake. So keep your fingers crossed that they still honor it!

Alright, I'm off to heat up the chili!

shot to the heart...

Quick update!
Nathan's 2 month doctor's appointment was today. He got such a good report! He weighed in at a whopping 12 lbs. 4 oz and is 24 inches long! That means he's grown 4 inches in 2 months! :) He's in the 90th percentile for his height and weight and he's in the 95th percentile for his head. (typical dewberry, hehe) My little baby is growing up...



He's got excema on his face that I'm having to treat with some Hydrocortisone Ointment. Dr. Jackson doesn't think it will stick with him for the rest of his life, but should be gone by 6 months or so. I've always had pretty sensitive skin so it doesn't surprise me that he does a little, too.



Nathan's been spitting up a lot and with him hating to be on his back it's made me wonder if he has reflux. Dr. Jackson said that it does sound like he may have it, but he's gaining weight great and so unless it starts visibly bothering him or becomes worse, I could just treat it by adding cereal to his formula (he gets 2 bottles of formula a day while he's at the sitter's). Yay! I've been anxious to give him something different as I'm sure he's getting pretty bored with the same ole' formula/breastmilk/formula/breastmilk meal plan. We tried it this afternoon and I must say - he loved it! haha.



(FYI: after doing some research on the whole vaccines=autism debate, we decided to follow our doctor's recommendations of going ahead with the vaccines. We believe that this is the right of every parent to treat their child how they wish. Jason and I feel very strongly that our doctor has been educated far more than we have and having known him most of my life I very strongly trust his opinion.)

He received his first 4 vaccines while we were there. I can't remember right off what all they were for. It was pretty painful to say the least! They had me hold his little arms down while they poked him not once - but three times! :( As soon as he thought it was over, they stuck him again. It was THE SADDEST thing ever. Luckily, it was over quickly and he wasn't looking at me while they were doing it so hopefully he didn't think it was me doing it to him (which was my fear). Here's a picture of his battle wounds...

Dr. Jackson told me that he might have a few side effects from the vaccines like soreness, fatigue, low-grade fever and loose bowels. So, this afternoon my mom came over to see our little trooper. We noticed that while she was holding him he started straining and his face turned bright red. "Uh oh!" we said, "He must be going poo!" Mom stood up with him so I could try to get a better picture of his little legs when suddenly....yep, you guessed it....he exploded. It was coming out his diaper - onto mom's hand - and then onto the floor! lol. Poor Memaw! Normally, she would be the one to quickly come to the rescue and clean up, but since she was holding him, it was up to me! haha. I had to think fast - so we started stripping him and just set him in the empty sink. This led to him "ice skating" in the poo and spreading it all around, but have no fear! With him out of mom's arms, she was able to help me get everything cleaned up (even the floor) and get him into the bath. *PSA: Before you decide to never eat at my house again, I did clorox everything thoroughly!*

So, that sums up our day today. I've got laundry done, dishes washed, baby in bed and now it's time for me to lay down too. Jason's in Pennsylvania and we're missing him badly. Hoping he'll make it home soon and then have several days off for Thanksgiving. Here's to hoping we don't have dreams of needles and mean nurses tonight....

Oh Brother, where art thou?

It's been a whole month since I last blogged. Ugh! I get so mad at myself when I get so behind like this. A month is a long time for someone so little - it's half of Nathan's life! haha. So much has been happening. He's 9 weeks now and we are adjusting easier and easier all the time.

It CAN be a little overwhelming at times. He's a little like his Daddy in that he isn't very patient. He'll let you know real quick if something isn't right. He makes the cutest little pouty face that I'm trying to catch on camera. (stay tuned). He sticks out that bottom lip and frowns - it's just pitiful to look at and it works! He very quickly gets what he wants.

He's smiling ALL the time. Especially in the morning. He's been sleeping FABULOUSLY! A week or so ago he magically started sleeping 7-8 hours a night!!! Oh my gosh, I've never felt so refreshed. It seems like just a couple weeks ago that I was savoring a 4 hour stretch. haha. I usually put him down around 9 and he will sleep until around 5:00 or so. The best part about nursing is I can then bring him into bed with me and nurse him while I continue to sleep. Hello, Happy Mama! Isn't he just the cutest thing?

He's begun sucking his thumb. He was doing this during some of his ultrasounds, but I thought this it may just be a fluke and a couple of times when he was just born he'd find it, but I thought that it must have been on accident. Lately, it's the only thing he'll take. He HATES the pacifier (we've tried several kinds) and only wants his right thumb. It's great because as soon as he starts giving me his sleepy cues I lay him in his crib, he'll find his thumb and soothe himself to sleep. I just might have the best baby in the world. :)

Mason came up for Nathan's baptism. It was the first time they had met. It went pretty well. I was a little nervous that Mason would be a little jealous of his new little brother, but he really didn't seem to pay him too much attention. The only thing that made me wonder was when he said, "Sara...I think the baby is crying because he knows he can't play with my toys because these are MY toys." I just smiled at him and he continued on with what he was doing. Hopefully they are far enough apart that this won't be too much of an issue. Here's a pic of the brothers together.

As I mentioned earlier, we had Nathan baptised on October 26 at First Methodist. It was really special because my Preacher Pa was there and helped with the service. Fortunately for us, the Bishop and the District Superintendent were also there! It couldn't have been nicer. Nathan wore the baptismal gown that Preacher Pa's mom, "Mama Weeze," made and was remarkably good. Jason held him almost the whole time and was so sweet with him. Everyone commented on how good Jason was with him. It just makes my heart swell to see the two of them together. If only Jason could be home more often....sigh.

The only bad part of the weekend was that around midnight the night of the baptism, Mason started throwing up. He threw up on the hour every hour for the rest of the night. Turns out, it spread around through almost the entire family. :( I feel so bad that people seemed to get it coming to the baptism of our little baby.

Nathan has to get his 2 month shots tomorrow. I think I'm going to be a bigger mess than he is. Here's a picture of him smiling as he probably won't be doing much of it tomorrow. Wish us (me) luck!!