Tis the Season

As I mentioned in the last post, we have been busy getting ready for Christmas. It is amazing what an extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas can do for you. I felt like we were so rushed to get the tree up, bake, and do all the other little stuff to make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. 

Growing up, each of our families had traditions that we cherish. My mom made a great Advent calendar that she used to attach presents to every day. She did this as long as I can remember...even when I was in college she kept that tradition going. Every day, we would run to the calendar and beg to open the present. We had to take turns each day since she put 3 gifts into one present. Often times we would get candy...that she stole from our Halloween buckets...and that wasn't too exciting. But there were times when we would get some great gifts. One year my dad gave us increasing amounts of money throughout the calendar until on the 24th he gave us a giant Hershey bar. Tucked between the outer wrapper and silver foil was a $50 bill. I felt like I had found the Golden Ticket on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!! After she passed away, I took the Advent calendar because I knew that was one thing I wanted to do with my family. I started giving gifts to Doug our 2nd Christmas, and have continued since. My mom also bought us a special themed ornament every year. On the 24th, I give Doug his themed ornament that has some relevance from the past year. Callen did receive his own ornament this year, but was not included on the Advent calendar. I figured Doug deserved one more year of fun (plus, Callen had no clue what was going on and needs nothing!) Next year will be different though. I can't wait to see Cal's excitement every day to open a gift and play with what is inside. 
My mom also used to bake 7-8 kinds of cookies each year. We spent a full weekend just baking. I loved this time in the kitchen with her. Icing sugar cookies, dunking chocolate balls into the chocolate, rolling the butter balls into powdered sugar...at the time I loved doing about 5 cookies before wanting to move onto making the next kind. But as I make my own Christmas cookies, I think back to those times and am so happy I was able to be in the kitchen learning and helping her. There are certain cookies that Doug really enjoys and I make those each year. I then try a few other kinds that only I will eat (more for me!). I spend a good weekend in the kitchen baking and decorating; but I love it. I love the memories it brings and helps me to keep her memory alive. These are two traditions that always stick out to me when talking about Christmas. I hope that I am able to carry on these traditions with our own kids, and let them know about their Grand Momma Lou and how wonderful she was. and what she did to make everything so special. 

This year I tried to get as much baking done while Cal was napping. I just knew that as soon as I had my hands covered in cookie dough, powdered sugar, or something sticky, Cal would get fussy and need attention. So, I figured it best that he be in his crib sleeping during the baking!! He was a great helper by napping for 1.5+ hours each day!!! That is a rarity these days, so I was one happy momma. 
Decorating the tree was fun. I know the next few years will be a blast with Cal as he is able and wants to do more decorating destruction of what we just put up! However, little man did help to put the first ornament on the tree. He also helped while we decorated the front porch. He made sure all the bows and ribbons were just right for hanging. 

We took Callen to see Santa. The Santa we saw was AWESOME. He was the best Santa helper I have ever seen. And he was sooooo good to Callen. He pulled Cal onto his lap and started talking to him like they were buddies. He wanted Cal to know what Christmas was all about, and how it worked with him and presents. Callen smiled some and finally looked at Santa and started yawning. One lady yelled out that Santa was boring him!! We also took Callen to see Christmas lights about 10 minutes from our house. We wanted to go to this one house because there are TONS of lights, and you can walk around. Cal was in awe! He just stared at everything. So cute!!!

Look at me! No tears!

I want a swing, toys, and lots of milk for Christmas! Maybe a new truck and bike too. You can fit that all on your sleigh, right?!

Helping Daddy pick out the perfect tree

We did it...in record time!

This one has a little wrinkle in it...let me straighten it out!

 

That is not where I want to put that ornament!!

Much better placement, mom!

So many lights...and blow up characters

 We wish you a Merry Christmas! 

 Santa's newest helper this year (move over Rudolph)

Thanksgiving Recap

Sorry for the delay in posting this week. We have been decorating the house as well as doing all the other activities to get ready for Christmas. Any time Callen is napping, I am baking cookies, crafting a wreath for the front door, or just picking up the mess I (not Cal) has made throughout the house! And when Cal is awake, I have tried to just live in the moment and play, play, play! 

Last week I wanted to post on Callen at 4 months, so I wasn't able to give a recap on his first Turkey Day. I have a few minutes now, so here goes...

We had my family over Thursday morning before leaving for Atlanta to spend 3 days with Doug's dad's side of the family. We didn't do anything special with my family...just had a drop in as people were able to make it before needing to get to other gatherings with their extended families. My siblings and I always have a great time when we get together. Lots of laughing, telling of funny family stories, and making of new memories. Even though we all live so close, we don't get together as a family as often as people would think. Callen has definitely brought us all closer, and allowed for more reasons to come together. So very thankful for all their love, laughter, and support.

After my family get together, we loaded up (lots of stuff!!!), and headed to Atlanta. Doug's dad, step mom (Linda), brother, grandmother, and aunt were all waiting for us. Callen was also able to meet some extended family...Linda's extended family. It was a big crowd, but so wonderful to watch everyone interact with Callen. Those meeting him for the first time just wanted to hold him and love on him. The others were amazed at how much he had grown and what all he was able to do since the last time they had seen him. 

We just hung out Thursday night and watched a movie and visited. Doug's family has the tradition of going hiking on Friday instead of getting in all the Black Friday madness (thank goodness! I can't stand shopping, especially in large crowds in order to save $5). We usually go to the North Georgia mountains about 2 hours away. This year we hiked around Cumming, GA, the town where Doug's grandmother lives. We wanted to be close to her so we could get back to her house sooner, and allow her more time to spend with Callen. Also, the hiking was a lot easier, allowing everyone to go. It was a great hike, and extra fun that everyone was able to go with us. Callen enjoyed his hike and Uncle Dave carrying him. After hiking, we took Callen on the slide at the playground. He was in love! I am excited for the spring and warmer weather. He is going to have so much fun at the local parks. I may have to take home 2 crying boys at the end of the day...Callen and his daddy! 

We came back Saturday in time to watch the Clemson/USC game. Enough said there! Luckily Callen slept through the entire game. Sunday, my family got back together and had our Thanksgiving meal. 

It was a wonderful few days spending time with family. We are so thankful every year for our blessings, but this year we are especially thankful. Thankful for a happy and healthy baby boy, thankful for wonderful family and friends who have helped and supported us along the way, and thankful for every opportunity we have to spend with all those who are special to us. 

 

The whole group

Great Grandmom getting some snuggle time

Callen was quite comfy with Uncle Dave

3 Generations of Morris Men

Callen tried to steal Uncle Dave's PBR!

Cal's favorite part of the day...sliding down the slide!

Post hike snooze with Grand Chuck

 

More snuggles

Happy Thanksgiving!

4 Months Old...Already?!?!

Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were anxiously awaiting our surprise arrival, wondering when and where I would go into labor, and how we were going to tell our family whether we had a girl or boy. And now 4 months later, Callen is the bright spot to our day; the most huggable, happy little boy with the gummy grin! We can't imagine a day without him in our lives. He is just awesome!!!

Callen went for his 4 month check up today. He weighed in at 14.5 lbs and 25.5". He is slowing down on his growth based on the growth curves, but his pediatrician feels he is doing great. Based on his daddy's size as a kid, he is going to come to a screeching halt with his growth before long! He had 5 vaccinations today, but they were combined into only 2 shots and an oral. There were quite a few tears after the 1st injection, but he was fine after about a minute of mommy hugs! We have decided to hold off introducing solid food until 6 months of age. So, we will discuss this topic in greater detail at his next appointment. 

At 4 months, Callen is able to roll from his tummy to his back. Sometimes I think his head does most of the work, but he has done it at least 10 times, so I know it is not a fluke. 

He has even been propped up on his elbows and reached out for an object with one hand while continuing to prop with the other arm. 

I have been working with Callen on rolling from back to tummy, but he can't quite master this skill on his own yet. Won't be long though. Callen has great head control, and has fun sitting in his Bumbo chair and playing with his toys. (I think Cal has more fun dropping them on the counter and watching mommy and daddy put them back in his lap...over and over and over!). He has started to play with some new toys besides Sophie, but he always prefers to chew on Sophie over any other toy! 

All his toys on the tray

 

Slowly starting to throw them on the counter...trying to be sly!

Still loves his Sophie

He likes this owl...lots of colors and textures

Callen is able to reach with one or both hands for a toy and then bring it to his mouth in order to chew on it. Everyone asks if he is teething because he loves to suck on his fist, fingers, or toy all the time. So far there are no teeth. I think Callen is going to be an adventure seeker. I will flip him over my knees and he comes up grinning from ear to ear. We also started placing him on a soft surface and then pushing down beside him to 'pop' him like popcorn. He laughs every time we do this to him. We also let him slide down a slide all by himself...Doug caught him at the bottom, of course! I came up just laughing and smiling.

I think Callen's favorite thing to do is play with his daddy...and I think Doug's favorite thing to do is play with Callen. The two of them together is just so cute and sweet. The grins on both faces are priceless.

Cal was shocked to see Doug in his crib when he woke from a nap!

So sweet!!

Callen is on a pretty good schedule now. This makes our lives so much easier by knowing when he is going to be hungry/sleepy/fussy based on what time it is. He is eating every 3 hours. He plays for about 1.5-2 hours before getting sleepy and then snoozes for 30-60 min. He isn't the best napper during the day, especially when placed in the crib. His pediatrician said he should have better naps by 6 months (I am hoping!!). What sleeping Cal doesn't do during the day, he makes up for at night. He is going down around 7:30pm and not getting up until almost 8:00am with one feeding during the night. Sometimes he will wake another time in the night, but Doug goes into Cal's room, comforts him, and gets him back to sleep. (I shouldn't put this in writing. I am probably jinxing myself with how well he does at night). We need to try and stop swaddling him soon. I have a feeling there are going to be a few sleepless nights in our house once we start that; Cal loves to be swaddled.


Cal is doing great. He is such a happy guy and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful little guy in our lives. I know I have said it before and will say it again...he brings so much joy to so many people.