Gabe's shaking

I want to fill you all bloglanders on with something that is going on with our little Gabe. He has started having "shakes/tremors". I have already mentioned this to his dr. who seemed to shrug it off saying he was just trying to refuse his bottle because he was sleepy. This has happened about 8 times now and it all started about a month or so ago. Every time it happens he is eating a bottle and overly tired. He will be in the middle of eating a bottle and his body and head will start shaking involuntarily. I don't think it's a seizure because I can stimulate him and bring him out of it. But it is so scary to watch when it happens. I googled the other day infant tremors and I started reading other moms' stories of very similar experiences. They all said this started around 5 months (exactly when Gabe's started) and happened while eating and when their child was overly tired. They said it turned out to be some freak thing that happened and their child grew out of it by 12-18 months....with no long term effects. This is a little comforting to read, but I am no doctor and am going to talk with his dr. again about it at his 6 month check-up next week. In the meantime, have my video camera ready in case it happens again so I can take a video. Please say a prayer (or two or three) for Gabe that this shaking will stop and be nothing at all.

All I wanted for Christmas...

....was a new camera. Specifically a Cannon Rebel xs EOS. I have to say I was a little dissapointed that I had no camera after all of the presents under our tree were unwrapped. We had begun the clean-up process and we were all taking turns playing with Allie and her stash of presents that Santa left....when....ding dong. Some friends of ours came over with a present that Santa had mistakenly left under their tree with my name on it. (Thanks Rob and Stephanie for helping both Stephen and I pull off our Christmas presents this year!) I am in love with my new toy, but man....do I have lots to learn. Anyway...here are a few of my firsts, very amateur, photos of the kids.

Christmas 08

These pictures are out of order, but here is how we spent Christmas this year. We are so very blessed and had a wonderful day spending time with family. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Gabers enjoying a beatiful, warm Christmas Day in SC. He is 5 1/2 months old and growing like a weed.

My little joey (he is riding in his baby bjorn).

Daddy's special present to Allie, her very own mini golf club and pink golf balls.

Riding a Christmas treat from Santa.

Gabe playing with new Christmas toys.

Christmas dinner...burned steaks.

Leaving cookies for Santa (or Izzy).

Christmas Eve dinner we ate fresh pig (from Stephen's hunting trip to TX). Yummy BBQ.

Bathtime for Gabe.

Allie's talk with Santa

I am so proud of Allie!!!!! Last year when we took her to see Santa she was crying hysterically and peed on his leg. Here is a little video I took today of the kids and Santa this year. Allie did great and Gabe was clueless.

Stephen's first deer

Stephen went hunting in TX over the weekend. This is his first buck...a 7 point.

Quail hunting trucks.

Campfire at the ranch.

Christmas traditions: New and Old

It is a complete understatement to say I LOVE this time of year. Most people hate getting out in the mass craziness at the malls. I, however, crave it! I love the crowds and overplayed Christmas music that comes along with Christmas shopping.

This year is special. Allie is almost 3 and she will remember Christmas. We have tried to stick with some old traditions while starting a few of our own. Something I remember growing up as a child is listening to "Alabama Christmas" album. The album doesn't have your typical "Jingle Bells" or "Hark the Herald", but instead "Thistlehair the Christmas Bear", and "Santa Claus I still believe in you". Allie has taken to this cd as well. As soon as we get in the car he requests the 2 songs above. It melts my heart to watch her and hear her sing these songs that I grew up with.
Our new tradition that we started this year is the book, "Elf on the Shelf". It is a book about an elf who watches over you and reports to Santa at the end of the day if you have been good or bad. The book comes with an elf doll (Allie named him Stephanie) who moves positions each night after he has visited the North Pole. And when the kids wake in the morning, it is a game to find where the elf has hidden. It is super cute and Allie is all about it!

Lastly (and don't laugh)...I remember my mom handmade our Christmas stockings. So, I made some for us....over the course of 6 years and the fabrics don't match. Here they are, hung by the chimney with care (lots of care so they won't fall apart).

Quail hunting

Stephen has never been a hunter, but recently he has had the opportunity to....well, give it a shot. So, this past week he and a couple of guys here in Greenville went quail hunting. From what I hear, he shot 5 quail....altogether the guys shot 25ish. This is only his prep course for his big hunting trip next week to Kings Ranch in Tx...where, in addition to quail, he will be hunting deer and nelgai.



Stephen and Gus. From what Stephen explained to me, they would walk the field and the dogs would "point" when they came upon a quail nest (or whatever you call them). Then when everyone was in position...the hunting guide would kick the covey (sp?) and the birds would spread into the air.

Target practice...

And here is his target (from over 150 yards away).

The most wonderful time of the year.

Stephen's parents were in route from Williamsburg, VA to Marco, Florida and decided to stop in and stay a couple of nights with us to break up the trip. They offered to watch the kids while Stephen and I did a little Christmas shopping. We quickly took them up on their offer and scurried out the door. Stephen and I rarely get out together without the kids. We were browsing in Best Buy and struck up a conversation with another fellow shopper. I guess we were overly giddy to be out and about kid-free and the lady asked if we were newlyweds. Who isn't happy this time of year?! Thanks for the great pics of the kids by the tree Susan...and thank you guys for babysitting. Hurry back.

Greenville Christmas Parade

Brrr...it was cold, but I had a great time hanging out with my two precious kiddos and my adorable husband at the Greenville Christmas parade tonight.

Gabe has graduated to sitting in the stroller instead of lying in his carseat carrier in the stroller. He LOVED watching the parade. I would look over at him and catch him with a huge grin on his face. Of course, if you have ever met Gabe, you would know that is him most of the time....our happy little guy! (And I have to give a shout out to my mom's friend Kristen who let us borrow her sit and stand stroller so I can lug both kids around by myself. It has been great having around and lets me still feel like I have the freedom that I did with just one...well, sort of.)

Still enjoying the parade with daddy...

...and down for the count.

Snowy PA

I just got around to uploading the whopping 4 pics that I took over Thanksgiving...and wanted

to share a few pics of the kids in the snow. It didn't matter how cold it was outside, poor Gabe would sweat in his furry suit.

Tis the season to be busy

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving up in snowy Pennsylvania. Thanks everyone for another wonderful year!!! We had a great time getting to spend more time with Gram (Stephen's grandmother). She was kind (and brave) enough to let us and the kids spend a few nights with her. And a big thanks to Judy and Howard who so graciously opened up their home and invited in a world of chaos and family fun. We appreciate you all and we had a blast! Looking forward to our Thanksgiving cruise next year!


Posing in the snow. Allie was very confused by the snow and didn't want to walk in it.

Cousin Jodi helping the kids (Allie, Logan and Emily) make cupcakes.

Every year we get sucked into video games on Thanksgiving day. Last year it was Wii bowling. This year...rock band.

Another great picture of Stephen (I love to embarress him on my blog...thanks for being a good sport babe!)

Back up Bubba (Stephen's grandmother), it's my turn.

Picture happy

I got a little picture happy today.......

" Look out PA....here I come".

What's wrong with this picture?

RICE CEREAL!!!!

We started Gabe on solid foods yesterday (he is 4 1/2 months old). It was a complete success! He gobbled down his first full serving of rice cereal like an old pro. I remembered Allie just pushed it out with her tongue when we first tried her on solids. Gabe actually sucked the food right off the spoon. I am so proud of him. Even more proud because he had been waking up EVERY night around 2-4 for a feeding. Not last night, he slept until 7:30 a.m.! I hope this means he will start sleeping through the night again.

Girls Weekend

What a great group of girlfriends I have. We all met up this past weekend in Atlanta for a much needed girls weekend. The guys (thank you husbands) watched the kids while the moms enjoyed each others company for 2 glorious days. I love you girls, I had a great time catching up. I was ready to see my kiddos again. Allie greeted me with "I love you too much momma, I missed you while you were out of town". Gabe greeted me with a dirty diaper. Ah, back to reality.

4 months and growing...

Gabe had his 4 month dr. appt. today. He weighs 13 lb. 14 oz. (40th percentile) and is 25 inches long (50th percentile for height). Everything checked out great and we got the green light to start rice cereal. He has been reaching for our foods and drinks and will open his mouth...so I am anxious to give it a try and see how he takes it. I hope this helps him sleep through the nights on a regular basis. Currently, he sleeps through the night about every other night. AND, I figured since we were in the neighborhood, we should go ahead and get Allie's flu shot. At one point I was holding both wailing kids and I looked at the nurse and asked if I was crazy for doing both kids' shots during one visit.... and I have a sick husband at home. Pitiful Stephen has been battling a stomach virus for the past 24 hours. I think he has turned the corner, but it was a busy day trying to take care of the 3 of them.

Fly Fishing

Stephen, Rob and Charlie took a trip to the Chattooga River yesterday to hike, camp, and fly fish. This was Stephen's first experience fly fishing and from the amount of fish they caught (so they say)...I think he's hooked.

The big one got away. It's hard to focus on the fish with Stephen wearing those waders.

Back view of spandex waders two sizes too small.

The picture says it all....ouch. Stephen's Christmas wish list: XL waders