wintery delights?

How much Grey really enjoyed the snow is still up for question. But, he suffered through the ordeal of multiple pictures with his parents outside in the freezing cold. such a good sport!
A few pictures from this weekend . . .


getting ready to go outside, in his white bunny suit (yesterday) . . .

our snowy street . . .

pictures from Matt's iphone (as our camera kept running out of batteries every 15 min - something is definitely wrong with it) . . .

here is Grey at the Harris Teeter today, a very exhausting experience, riding in the buggy, going up and down every aisle in the store . . .

last night, Grey on the couch . . .

Outside, yesterday, for snow pics . . .

Matt thinks we both look quite miserable in these pictures . . .

Oh, goodness gracious, it's snowing outside, and my fur just isn't keeping me warm enough, and gosh, am I relieved to see that mom turned on the fire so I can warm my little toes . . .

the newest member of the clan . . .

The newest member of the clan . . . is a boy! (apparently, Matt is part Scottish, so I though "clan" was appropriate.)

Anyway, I am now 18 weeks prego, and things are going well. I've had very little nausea, unlike my first go-round, and so far, no swelling! I've only gained about 5 or 6 lb so far. The ultrasound last week was done at 17 weeks, 4 days, and it clocked him at 17 weeks, 2 days (so we're right on track). Everything looked in order - size of the head, arms, legs, fingers, toes, spinal cord, heart, kidneys - they checked it all! And, he had his palm open, seemingly to wave at us. We learned that is a very good sign. He was 213 grams, or 7 oz. Just this week, I've started feeling a little movement. It seems like whenever I feed Grey, he just goes hay-wire - kicking me like crazy! (maybe it's just my imagination, or gas, who knows) Anyway, my clothes are definitely getting tighter, but the need to eat everything in sight has abated (although, I'm still hungry a lot!).

A few ultrasound pictures . . . the front of his face (alien shot) - his face is turned 90 degrees to the left, if you are having trouble deciphering it . . . (looks like he is grinning)




and of course, we had to include a picture proving that he is indeed a boy!



My next appt is the end of February, so we'll keep you posted. We've switched OB practices; we're now seeing a group of midwives at UNC. So far, we like them a lot better, and it is a small group (5 of them). You get to see all of them, and one of the 5 will be at the delivery. (unless it's a c-section, then you get whatever doctor is on call, but oh well - can't have everything!)

Happy Half Birthday

Grey turned 6 months old on Jackie's birthday, January 9th . . . a half birthday and a whole birthday! Growin' like a weed! Grey has cut his first tooth - the bottom left incisor is just peeking through those pink gums, and he is chewing on everything he can get his hands on. Drooling, too. That little chin just stays chapped!
A few pictures from the last couple weeks . .

Matt's parents came for a visit on Grey's half birthday . . . these are some pictures taken on Jan 9th . .

Preparing for the cold weather . . . this is Grey's warmest hat, and he wears it everytime we go out (matches his eyes!).

Grey's first Christmas

We spent Christmas at the grandparents' this year, first to Southern Pines and then to Gastonia. We arrived in SP on Christmas Eve day and celebrated with the Camerons that evening - home cooking and a gift exchange. Christmas morning we opened presents with Grandma & Grandpa Raynor and then stopped by Bert and Brenda's for a Christmas morning visit. Then, on to Gastonia - we arrived a little late for the afternoon dinner at my parents' house, and everyone was very excited to see Grey.
Here are a few pictures from Christmas morning . . .

Grey in his new walker at Grandma & Grandpa Akulis' . . .

playing on the floor . . .

Christmas afternoon at my parents' . . .

Grey saying hello to his second cousin, Cayden . . .

Grey test-driving the new pedal car that Pa built for Noah . . .

the trip back to Chapel Hill . . . Grey and Frankie both excited to be travelling together

if my arm was just a little longer . . .

Back at our house in Chapel Hill, Sally and Shelton brought over more presents for us . . .

GG (great-grandma) came for a visit the week of New Years to watch Grey while our nanny was on vacation. I can't tell who had more fun - Grey or GG!

So, to be honest, I was a little nervous travelling so much with Grey, but he did great! He continued to sleep through the night and be his usual good-natured self at both the grandparents' houses. Not to mention, I think he really enjoyed all the attention from the family! We have so much to look forward to, and we are so grateful to have Grey!

We hope your Christmas was as blessed as ours. We'll post again soon!

Expecting the Unexpected . . . .

Need I say more?

For those of you who haven't yet heard, I am 14 weeks pregnant today (1/2/09). My due date is July 3rd. Yes, yes, we know . . . Irish twins. Yes, yes, they will be less than a year apart. Yes, yes, we know . . . we should have known better.
All-in-all, we are very excited and believe this to be God's hand in our lives. We are praying for a healthy baby, be it boy or girl. Although, I think my mother, sister, and nanny are praying for a girl!
I will post about our Christmas soon. this week for sure. I've got some really cute pics of Grey from over the holidays!

growin', growin', growin'

Look Ma, my legs are longer than my pants! Yes, Grey is growing so fast, we can't even believe it. He has outgrown his 6 month baby clothes and now wears 9-12 month size! I was browsing through his newborn pics today, and he looks nothing like those photos now! He's definitely put on the chub!


Sitting up (almost)!

Yes, his cheeks really are that big . . .

Think I would like to try some coke . . .

A few of mom's favorite pics . . .

a few Thanksgiving pics . . .

Thanksgiving was at our house this year, in Chapel Hill, and my parents and sister's family celebrated Thanksgiving here with us. Here is Grey, sampling the sweet potatoes. Grey started on solid food about two months ago now (beginning of November), and now loves his rice cereal with fruit and veggies. Sweet potatoes are one of his very favorites!