Our Getaway!

Preston's birthday was this Thursday, so I thought I would take him away somewhere...just the two of us. We have been away from Kaz overnight a couple of times since he was born...and those nights we were only a couple of miles away, not over an hour - so this was a first! Preston knew we had to drop Kaz off at my mom's for the night, but I kept it a secret where our destination would be until we arrived there! I'm not so good at keeping surprises...but I did it this time:)

We stayed at a wonderful Bed & Breakfast a little over an hour away. This place was gorgeous...with the river running right in the backyard. As soon as we checked in we got a tour of the entire home and given a platter of snacks to take back to our room:) The couple that managed the home was so inviting and we got all of their attention since we were luckily the only couple staying!

 We chose to have dinner at a local restaurant in this small town...it was quite tasty.

The best part of the entire trip was of course....the BREAKFAST! Yum

We got to spend some much-needed time together...just the two of us. It was so relaxing we made a pact to make it a yearly tradition:) Now, Preston is already looking forward to his other bday present...the Needtobreathe concert in April!

Snow Days!

Kaz got to experience his very first "snow day" this Friday. Since I'm a teacher, snow days are a luxury (until it's time for summer break) and a great chance to spend an extra day with my baby. I wanted to be sure and give Kaz the chance to see, taste, and feel the first snow fall of his life...so we bundled him up (helmet and all;) and headed outside to check out the field of white...

Worn out after a long day...

8-month-old LINEBACKER

Kaz celebrated turning 8 months today by being crowned with his very first helmet. It wasn't the easiest day for him, dealing with the additional piece of equipment and extra weight on his head. I'm sure he will get accustom to the new contraption in time and before we know it, his head will be fixed and there will be no more helmet needed. In the meantime however, I'm thinking the next few months will be just as challenging for mommy and daddy as they will for Mr. Kaz (he is stronger than us in most situations it seems). I hate to see my little man having to deal with the whole helmet ordeal, however we've made it through worse. Also, I know in the end we will be happy with the results of his head and he will thank us in the future if he ever wants a buzz cut;)

On another note, regarding Kaz's #1 love = FOOD, we did run into something that he is not too fond of - chicken. He really doesn't seem to care for any of the stage 1 jarred meats thus far. I guess I need to kick it in gear and figure out how to whip up some homemade meat purees for him?!:)

Every day we see progress in Kaz's motor skills. Just yesterday, he picked up a ball off the table for the first time on his own and I could have cried. Those are the proud, thankful moments. Once again, it's the small things. Those things that the average 8 month old was doing months ago are the things that I am thanking God for daily.

Praying for patience for us and comfort for my little linebacker during these next few months....

Hobby @ 30

I think I may have finally found something that I enjoy doing in my spare time. I never thought I'd be quite this "Suzy Homemakerish"...but here I am. (Seems to get worse with age;) This activity fits into my new altered lifestyle of being at home more now that there is a little one in the mix. Preston gave me a sewing machine for Christmas...something that I've had my heart set on for quite some time now.

After taking on my first-ever real sewing project last year, I immediately became interested in trying more crafty things.

The blanket I made for Kaz before he was born:)

 I love monogrammed clothes, personalized everything, and have become even more interested now with the opportunity to dress up a little boy:) I have a feeling this machine is going to come in handy in many ways.

Waiting on me to get done embroidering his onesie

After a quick tutorial from my friend Becky and reading up on all the many papers, booklets, etc. that were included with this new fine piece of equipment - I decided to take on a couple of projects of my own! I was off to a great start, after I broke 2 needles it was smooth sailing. I did manage to pull of a little onesie for Kaz to ring in the New Year:) I hope to find some fabric this weekend for a few projects that I would like to try out. I'm looking forward to knowing what it feels like to finally have a hobby (@30)!

Mommy's first embroidery job

Welcome 2012

Our family rang in 2012 with open arms, welcoming another year of life and hopeful of many blessings to come. After a surprise arrival, with our son coming early and a pretty rocky start the first few months of his life...we are thankful to have made it through the storm of 2011 and look ahead to the positive view in 2012.

We celebrated New Years at our friends, the Coppersmith's this year. It was great spending time and catching up with friends...not to mention eating lots of yummy snacks. Kaz bumped into his buddy Griffin while we were there. They seem to have more and more fun each time they get together.

Of course we didn't stay out until the ball dropped this year. With Kaz put to bed, Preston and I saw the hour of 12:00am on 1/1/2012 strike from our couch. Funny how a little person can completely change your (social) life;) I'll take it any day!

Happy New Year!

Very Merry Christmas

Santa has come and gone and now if only I could find a place to put all this stuff!:) I do believe Kaz got everything on my his list for this first Christmas. On the Eve we left cookies and eggnog out in hopes of beginning a tradition like most believers out there. I thought I'd give Kaz the opportunity to write his first letter to Santa...

Kaz's letter to Santa...he was more interested in eating it;)

Mornings are when Kaz is happiest...and that being said he woke up ready to go!

All ready to open gifts Christmas morning

Checking out what Santa brought

Having fun learning how his pop machine worked

Since Kaz has such strong legs and loves attempting to walk, Preston and I thought a walker would be a perfect gift. Luckily, he caught on quickly and before we knew it he was scooting around on the hard wood with ease. You could tell how proud he was of himself:)

Trying out his new walker

Kaz is one blessed boy, being surrounded by so many loving grandparents and even a couple great-grandparents, as well as many other family and friends that helped make sure that Kaz's first Christmas was special. Kaz received a fisher-price nativity set from his Aunt Vic just before Christmas. Obviously Kaz can't quite grasp the Christmas story and the real "reason for the season" just yet, but I know we will be putting those to good use in years to come in order to share of the baby in a manger and how he came for all of us.

"The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” - Luke 2: 11 - 12

Presents at Grandpa & Grandma Clay's

Beginning the 1st Christmas

Scoping out the crowd

The Christmas celebration started a little early, considering all of the stops we must make during the holiday season. This past weekend we got a jump start on Christmas with Pops and Mimi in Louisville. Kaz opened his first Christmas presents and seemed to be pleased...especially with all the new books! He can't get enough of reading and all the neat pictures. Books are by far his most favorite thing going...minus food;)

Kaz & Pops

Kaz & Grandma Dailey

Kaz had just enough time to fit in a nap it seemed between each Christmas celebrated this week. 

We followed up with a Kazee (Kaz's namesake) Christmas this Tuesday....

Listening to Guigui read his favorite book

Hanging with his Papaw Kazee

We enjoyed the time with our Tennessee family sharing another memorable Christmas. This one was special for us because we had a cute little one to add in the mix. 

Kaz needed some help opening his first gift

It was great getting to capture this time with his great-grandparents...Guigui spent time reading his favorite books and Papaw sang the songs that he prefers;) Kaz was most impressed with his big gift from them - the rocking horse and the cool mane he got to pull on!

Loves his rocking horse! (especially when it makes noise;) 

I'm looking forward to this weekend and sharing the first Christmas with our baby. I hope to instill in him the joy of Christmas and the thankfulness for our King in years to come.