SANTA....I KNOW HIM!!!!

Mac went to meet Santa on Saturday 12/3. To say he loved him is putting it lightly. I know most kids are not big fans of Santa the first time they meet him but Mac didn't seem to have a problem!

This is the picture we used for our 2011 Christmas card! I love that he is holding on to Santa finger!

Sweet Boy!

Look at that Smile...our own little Chris Kringle!

Santa was pretty fond of him as well. I'm sure we will get plenty of crying pictures but I'm happy to have at least one where he is smiling!!

CLC

Christmas Catch Up Part 1

The day before the devil flu hit the Chiles house we did make it out to pick out our first family of three Christmas tree. I have been thinking about this day for a while. Grant and I always get our tree the day after Thanksgiving but this year we had to push it back a day b/c of the Macster not feeling well (little did we know). So we got up the Saturday after Thanksgiving and headed out to get our tree.

Right now Grant and I both drive sedans, this will be changing b/c it is impossible to transport all of our stuff, Mac's stuff plus the dogs! Luckily Grant is restoring his Papa's old truck so he was able to drive it to get the tree while Mac and I followed behind in safer vehicle :)

We have always bought our tree at Lowe's and this year was no different. I would eventually like to go to a tree farm and cut down our own but that won't be until Mac gets a little bit older. The last few years we have actually gone home with the first tree that we pick out, we look at others but always come back to the first one. The same thing happened this year...it was nice!

Here is daddy and Mac in the old truck...not sure if you can tell but the seat is covered in a yellow and brown plaid...fancy!

The Chiles Family of Three Christmas Tree!!!!

Christmas Catch Up Part 2 will cover Christmas in WR, Christmas Morning and Christmas with the Chiles....stay tuned!

CLC

The Devil Flu....

As fun as Thanksgiving was the week following was HELL. It all started Friday morning. When I went into Mac's room to get him up I noticed he has thrown up all over himself and his crib. It wasn't a LARGE amount so I fed him and 10 minutes later he did it again. This continued all day Friday and Saturday. Just as I was thinking it was passing he would get sick again. I called the doctor Saturday morning and they told me as long as he is having wet diapers not to worry. It was probably a virus and it could last up to 10 DAYS!!! Honestly at this point I just figured it would pass and all would be fine. Well Saturday afternoon it hit Grant. I was at Micheal's buying Christmas decorations when he called and told me I needed to get home. About an hour after I got home it hit me. All 3 of us sick at one time...AWFUL. I could barely take care of myself so taking care of Mac took everything we had left. At this point Mac wasn't eating or drinking. We couldn't get him to keep down pedialite and we noticed that he wasn't wetting his diapers and he was crying with no tears. I called the on call nurse at Children's around 2am and we were told to bring him in immediately. Long story short getting him to the hospital was the toughest part. Grant and I both were so sick. Once we got there they decided they were going to go ahead and put in a line to take blood and just in case he needed fluids they wouldn't have to stick him again. They couldn't get it after 3 tries so they pricked his foot to test his levels. He wasn't dehydrated yet but was VERY CLOSE so they decided to go ahead and give him fluids. Thankfully they got his line started this time on the first try so all in all he was poked 5 times...I felt so bad for my baby!!!! The staff at Children's was AMAZING! They told us we looked so bad and they felt sorry for us so they pulled in an extra bed in Mac's room so we could sleep while he was getting his fluids. After 6 long hours in the ER we were released to go home. I thought the battle was over. We all three slept for 5 hours once we got home. Grant and I were feeling better compared to how we felt but we were still not anywhere close to 100%. Neither one of us was feeling well enough to go to work so we stayed home. Mac was still throwing up and I was getting worried. Finally on Tuesday I called the doctor and told them I needed to bring him in that I was worried he wasn't eating and I was nervous about his weight. Well call it mother's instinct but I was correct. He had lost 1lb and 6 ounces. They sent me home with two medicines and I had to bring him back two days later for a weight check. The anti nausea medicine was working but he was still only eating 2-4 ounces at a time compared to the 8 he was eating before he got sick. When I took him back on Thursday he had only gained 2 ounces. I was told to bring him back on Monday for another weight check. He gained another 2 ounces and they sent me home with reflux medicine. At this point he was done throwing up and the doctors were happy with his 4oz weight gain. I'm taking him back one more time this upcoming Friday for a final weight check. With all of this sickness with Mac and myself my supply was shot. We ended up having to give Mac a few ounces of Formula on 12/7. As sad as it made me I'm happy that he is gaining weight. I'm hoping for a happy and healthy December!!

Here is my sweet boy before hey started poking him!

This is a terrible picture but he was so sleepy once they gave him the fluids that he slept on my chest the entire time.

As thankful as I am for everyone at Children's I hope I never have to go there again! Thankfully the Macster is back to his cheerful fat little self and we couldn't be happier!!

CLC

Thanksgiving!

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!! For the past 7 years Grant and I have hosted Thanksgiving at our house for both sides of our family! As crazy as it is getting everything together and cramming 16 people in our house it is a great time! It is strange to think that this time last year we were revealing that our little bundle was a boy and this year he was here to celebrate with us!!

My mom, dad, brother and nephew

Grant's Mom, Dad, Sister and Bother in-law

Grant always fries and Turkey and it is DELISH! I was trying to take a picture of the Grant and the Turkey but he was not participating so my Mom did :)

Mac and Arleen. She is finally starting to come around!

Mac in his Turkey Shirt!

Mac and his BFF Greta! He LOVES her....

Family Photo!

Micheal, Daniella and Jason. Micheal is Eve's boss and they are from Germany. They have joined us for the last 4 years!

Next year Mac will be able to enjoy all the yummy food. I can't wait!

CLC

7 months

Mac celebrated 7 months on November 20th...yeah I know I'm late. Let's just say a lot happened after this and it was not pretty but that is a different post!

Mac is growing like crazy! He is wearing 9 months and up in clothes and he is almost in a size 3 diaper ( we have a few more twos left!). I finally witness him ROLL this month (11/28) but he is still not rolling consistently. He will turn all the way on his side and then just flop back over. I'm pretty sure he thinks rolling is for babies so he is too good for that milestone :). He is trying VERY hard to get his knees under him when he is on his tummy but no real scooting yet. He sits up like a champ and he starting clapping this month. He eats 4 bottles/nurses a day and he is eating 3 "meals". I also started introducing the sippy cup this month. He did pretty good the first time but really he just wants to chew on the spout. Speaking of chewing he is drooling and chewing like crazy but no tooth. You can see a little white spot on his gums and it is raised but nothing has popped through.

He is such a happy little guy who is always smiling and/or laughing! I can't believe my baby is 7 months old...I've already started the first birthday planning...it will be here before i know it!!

Happy 7 months buddy - we LOVE you!

CLC

Burts

This past weekend The Chiles and The Wrights traveled WAY up north to visit Burt's Pumpkin Patch. We had some professional pictures taken by the wonderful Lindsey @ Sweet Moments Photos and of course picked out pumpkins!!! We thought about the hayride but realized that the boys, who are 6 and 10 months old, probably wouldn't get much out of it so we skipped it and headed home...it was a long morning!

Now get ready for picture over load! They are not in order so just bare with me!

Our goodies!

Yes - I made Grant stand in front of this sign with the baby carrier on so I could take a picture...he did not love it!

I love this b/c 1/2 of the kids there were doing exactly what they said NOT to do ;)

This was at the very end of the morning...Mac passed out in what looks like a very uncomfortable position.

I liked the signs....

Awww...here is my little Carter man. He did not love the pumpkins!

Here is my little man. Grant took this picture. He should be a professional.

Uncle Kip and Mac

Grant took this as well...he said "this is a picture you would put in your kitchen during the fall"..he thinks he is pretty good at this picture taking stuff.

Another one of Grant's pictures.....I actually like this one a lot!

This was right after our photo shoot. Mac needed a bottle. Obviously his dad was too busy looking cool in his sunglasses and sweater and his Mom was too busy taking pictures. Thank goodness for Aunt CA!

Jamie and Jamie...also known as Carter

The Wrights

The Chiles

We had a great time! I'm already looking forward to next year when Mac can run around and participate in all the other fun activities!! I love starting family traditions (Hank Williams JR song..anyone?).

CLC

Happy 1/2 Birthday Macster!

It happened....today my little baby turned 6 months old!! I know, I know how will I react when he turns a year old? Much worse than this :) Anyways we celebrated in style with a trip to the pediatrician and then we came home and tore into a red velvet cupcake! Well Mac just had pictures take with it!!

Here are Mac's stats -

6 months

Weight - 16lbs 60zs

Length - 25 3/4 inches

Head Circ - 16 1/2

And just for comparison -

4 months

Weight - 14lbs 6.6ozs

Length - 24 1/2 inches

Head Circ - 15 3/4

2 months

Weight - 10 lbs 12ozs

Length - 22 3/4

Head Circ - 15

He is between the 25th and 50th percentile for both weight and length ;)

He had one oral and 2 shot vaccines AND he got his flu shot. He did so good during the shot portion...I think he cried for maybe 5 seconds.....BUT before the shots took place they had to clean out his ears so they could get a better look and he cried BIG tears for over 5 minutes. I felt so bad for him b/c as soon as we got him settled down they stuck him with the needles. Poor little fella, he had a rough day of sore legs and just general crankiness but was smiling at me when I put him to bed tonight so that makes me feel better!

Now on to the pictures!

Here he is with his 1/2 birthday cupcake!

Mommy and Me with the cupcake!

Always with the hand in the mouth!

Daddy being silly!

Daddy and Mac!

I can't believe how fast our little man is growing up! He is such a blessing and we have really enjoyed these last 6 months. It is hard to imagine what life was like without him. We may have gotten a lot more sleep and been able to go out to dinner after 7pm but I wouldn't change this for the world!!

CLC

Eye Candy photo dump!

He LOVES his spoon...not so much the oatmeal!

Arleen is starting to come around - finally!!!

Seriously...how cute is he in his Masters outfit!!!

I love this face!!!






Yes - this is a picture of just the two of us!! We were on our way to a wedding!!



CLC

24 and 25 weeks!

Mac will be 6 MONTHS tomorrow....tomorrow people!!! My baby will be 1/2 a year old. I can't think about that right now. He is changing every day...every minute....every second and I'm not ready. Why must they grow up so fast? Age old question I know....and I'm happy that he is growing and changing but I'm not happy about how fast it is going by!!

24 weeks -

25 weeks -

Mac's 6 month appointment is tomorrow. I can't wait to find out all of his stats! I will be doing a big 1/2 year birthday post hopefully tomorrow!

CLC

Rice Cereal....The verdict is still out!

We gave Mac rice cereal for the first time tonight! I know I am behind the curve on this but our doctor told us to hold off as long as possible on giving him solid food only b/c once you give it to him you have to always give it to him. He told us to start around 5-5 1/2 weeks and since I'm a rule follower that is exactly what I did! He didn't hate it but he didn't love it either!

This was right before...he looks pretty excited!

I had to take a picture of the nasty stuff along with his silver spoon...it has his name on it :)
First bite.....

Second bite....

Hmmm...not real sure what to think.....

Let's pause for a minute for a photo with Mom....I look HEINOUS but I had to document this moment!

Grant's looks much better....hate him.

Still not sure what to think about!

I'm pretty sure we had more fun than he did! I'm hoping tomorrow he will lean more towards the loving it side than he did tonight! This kid has to love to eat...he is my son!!!

CLC