February 2013!

Each month with Houston gets more and more fun! As I look back on pictures, sometimes I'm sad because he's growing so fast, but then I think about how much he's grown, how his little personality is growing and all of his new "1sts!" Here's a recap in pictures of what we did this month :)

When we need to get out, we head to  Target (where else?) Our little friend across the street, Wyatt, turned 1. We were going to be out of town for his birthday party, so we stopped in Target to get him a fun present!

Proud of the present he helped pick out and wrap! 

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling!

How could you ever resist kissing these sweet cheeks!

He rang in his 5th Month (2/5/13) with a big 'ol blow-out diaper, so we took a bath at 8am! Isn't he cute in his dinosaur hoodie towel?

Headed to the Moore family Mountain House for some R&R in the Virginia mountains!

Enjoying the scenic views from the porch! Part of the family went skiing at Winterplace.. me, Houston and Beth stayed behind to relax. I'm sure Matt will have him snowboarding soon, but for now, he stays back with Momma!

Posing on the porch before we hit the road. His little smile in this picture just makes my heart melt!

Another quick pick with Ma-Ma and Pop-Pop

Bye-Bye Furry Fox Lane, we will be back soon!

I just love this sweet pic of him drinking his bottle in the car. Nothing better than snoozing in the car on a rainy day and getting fed a bottle of your favorite stuff on demand!

2/11... 1st "real" solid food- Avacado! He loved it! And, loved making a mess!

He also figured out how to give Anniston a little snack too. Just another reason for Anniston to fall in love with the new family member.

Happy Valentine's Day!

His homemade Valentine's supper- Sweet Potatoes made with love! By this time, he usually gets a bath and was in bed by 7pm. So, Matt brought home a delicious take-out meal from Outback (my fav!) and we enjoyed an "at home" date after Houston went to bed!

Have I mentioned he loves to eat? So far has loved everything we offer.. he enjoyed his Valentine's meal! Also, you can notice he's getting neater and neater... can't waste that food by dropping it on his bib!

Getting more and more spunky and loves playing with his toys. He loves this bear because it sings to him!

This month he really started noticing the dogs! He will get really still and just watch them! On this night, we were waiting for daddy to get home, so I just let him sit in the high chair and let the dogs wrestle around in side. Pure Entertainment!

He's sleeping well these days.. but we had a night of possible teething! No teeth have poked through yet, but supposedly things might be shifting around in there.. we got to spend some quality time together the previous night, so we were sleepy and cuddling in bed the next morning :)

I just love this view!

...And this one! He was taking a break from rolling
all over the nursery

One of my fav pictures to date. I was on the floor with him while he played and was writing an email... I looked over and this was my view!I am blessed, blessed blessed!

January 2013!

We had lots of fun in January! Houston continues to get more and more spunky! He is more aware each day and continues to be such a smiley, laid-back little fella. I am very grateful for that- he is such a joy! We have been working on rolling over... He gets about halfway then will plop back where he started :) We had plenty of big "1sts" this month as well!

I noticed on the 1st that he started trying to sit-up from a seated position... so sitting won't be too far away either! He will strain his little neck and you can see his abs tighten.. he's trying hard, but as of yet, isn't going anywhere!

On the 2nd, he took his 1st crib nap.. we were waiting until after the holidays to switch him over to his crib... so now begins the transition! He did great! Up until now, he's been sleeping in the Fisher Price Rock and Play sleeper which has served us well and was SO easy to travel with! By 1/10, he was officially in his crib for all his sleeping.. this was his first full night sleeping in the crib! I was so proud of him, but a little sad he wasn't a tiny baby sleeping next to my bed every night!

We've been working on our sleep schedule and getting solid naps in during the day. Our travels around Christmas set us back a while so we had a hard few weeks trying to get back on track- this also was affected by a cold he came back with from Christmas as well! Up until now, he will sleep 45 minutes and wake and cry for a while then go back to sleep... on 1/18, he had his first SOLID nap.. slept 1.5 hours without making a peep! At this point, he was still going to bed with us around 9:30pm waking up around 2-3am and 5am to nurse, then waking up for the day around 7:30am. Then, taking 3 naps a day.. usually from 9-11... 12:30-2:30 and then 3:30-5.

We've been working hard on our Chub. I could just eat this baby up! So much sweet, silky baby skin to love on!

My little man and I before church one Sunday! He's looking stylish in an outfit his Aunt Sarah got him for Christmas!

My Smiley side-kick helping me make dinner one night!

We love our neighborhood and enjoy going on walks together! He's all bundled up in the stroller!

On 1/19, he got his first taste of rice cereal! 

Super Excited!

Over-all he was more preoccupied with this crinkly bib than he was with the cereal, but that quickly faded and now this boy LOVES to eat!

Just a quick pic before church one Sunday. After I posted this, a bunch of people commented that he was "Teo'ing" haha! I just love this sweet, smiley boy! And, I love that belly!

On 1/29, he rolled for the 1st time!! It was belly to back in his nursery while we were playing between naps... Luckily I had my phone handy to snap a quick pick right after it happened. I was SO excited for him and he looks excited and proud of himself too! Shout out to Alison for this cute PJ outfit! :)

He also got to experience his 1st Snow! It snowed overnight on a Friday, so Matt was home to experience playing in the snow with us!

"Houston's 1st Snow" is what the porch says!

Posing with my boy! The snow confused him- he hasn't felt anything that cold before... we put some in his hand he was so confused at first!

Just another bath pic to document the growing chub and the fact that he is quickly filling up this baby bath tub! He is enjoying the water more and more! He kicks his little legs and it looks like he's doing some sort of river dance jig! So funny!

2nd round of rice cereal was way more successful but we sure do make a mess! He just LOVES to stick his hands in his face which helps create his big mess and we have to shovel that food in FAST or he gets impatient! 

Houston's 1st Christmas: Part II

After Spending Christmas in Greenville, we kept moving to Irmo, SC to spend a few days with my family in Whitney and Jeremy's new home! They moved in just a few weeks before! We were able to spend some good family time all together which only happens a few times a year with ALL of us together and we were able to go to Whitney & Jeremy's new church where Jeremy is the worship pastor!

Houston loves hanging with Aunt Linny because she gives him treats ;)

A sweet lady from our church got him this bunny coat around Christmas time. I just think it's THE cutest thing!

Here are a few pics of the cousin love we experienced! Houston is spoiled with all these sweet older cousins to love on him!

Sadie giving him some kisses the 1st night

The boys!

Sweet Bella holding H!

Papa sitting with his boys! Jackson and Houston wore their matching sweater outfits from  Mimi... they were in the same Sunday School class at church and people kept thinking they were twins! Matt and I went to get everybody out of the nursery after church and we were walking to the sanctuary with the boys and Bella. A few people said "wow! you have your hands full!" I love all these babies, but I'm glad I don't have 3 under 3! haha

We did some snuggling in Whit's bed while the boys watched a movie. And, Houston discovered his feet for the first time on 12/27!

Houston's 1st Christmas: Part I

I took this on one sweet morning Mid-December... Houston was napping his his swing next to the Christmas tree. I was sipping on some White Mocha coffee. So peaceful... These are the memories I don't want to forget! I'm trying to soak them in as much as I can!

We started a few new Christmas traditions with Houston this year! One of them is to mark his height on the Santa growth chart... Here is daddy holding him up to be measured :)

I just loved this outfit on him!

This year, it was our turn to spend Christmas with the "Moore" side of the family! So, we loaded up the baby, dogs, presents, and WAY too much baby gear and headed to Granny's house in SC!

We got in town pretty late, but Houston was able to meet his Great Granny in the morning! So sweet!I feel so thankful Houston has been able to meet 2 Great Grandma's! God is good!

Matt's parents watched Houston so we could have a date night in Greenville! We went to the Sushi restaurant where we had our 1st date and Matt gave me an early Christmas present which was a Sapphire necklace representing Houston's birthstone!

Sweet thing on Christmas Eve Morning!

All ready to go up to Aunt Paula & Uncle Ken's house to celebrate Christmas Eve with Matt's extended family! I just love this baby!!

He got to meet and hang with 2nd cousin Jacob (Paul & Caroline's 1st baby who was born in May). Houston was happier about this than he looks! haha!We didn't exactly take and adult pictures, but I guess it's most important to capture the babies, right?

Uncle Jimmy & Keith with all of Houston's 2nd cousins!

Just a little family snuggle before bedtime on Christmas Eve! Houston was listening for reindeer hooves on the roof!

Christmas Morning!!

The best family pic we could get. Thanks Anniston, for cooperating! (not!) haha!

Houston's loot! Santa is extra good to you if you're the 1st grandchild in the family ;)

After a busy day of lots of presents, food, family and celebrating Jesus' birth, we got to spend a little quiet family time by Granny's fireplace! My heart was so full - Christmas is DEFINITELY way more fun with a little one! And, I'm sure will continue to be more fun as he starts to understand what is going on! We got a video of him "opening" his first present... pretty much blank stares.. but he has played with his toys many times since then!