Elijah's First Snow!

Our very last day in New Jersey, Elijah got to experience his first snow! I have always loved the snow and remember many afternoons and evenings sledding at Hillside Elementary with my BFF, Elizabeth Lammer (Sutherland). It is one of the things I miss most about life on the East Coast and I had not seen snow myself since the Christmas after we were married and even then it was a minimal amount. This day began with just flurries but broke out into a full blown snow storm! Cathy and I spent the day shopping before it really started to come down and it was really fun getting to ride around in the winter wonderland and see everything in the pretty white blanket. As soon as we got home we bundled Elijah up in a snow suit that had been our cousin Bobby's, as well as hat and gloves and took Elijah's very first snow photos!

We woke up to some light and very wet snow that we did not  think would stick. 

We decided to get a quick photo on our way out in case the snow was gone by the time we got back

Happily, there was a decent amount of accumulation when we returned and so I quickly put on Elijah's snow suit that I didn't think he would ever get to use!

Ready to venture outside!

My snow baby!

Trying to suck his thumb with gloves on

"Mama, can I go play now"

Such a fun moment with my boy

Our winter wonderland

Snowy fun with Mimi!

Such a special day

Seven Months

Seven Months Old. My baby is SEVEN MONTHS! He continues to be such a sweetie and all about exploring his little world.  He loves to walk with help and is trying to learn to balance when standing. He frequently lets go but topples down after a second or two. I do think that he will be legitimately walking by Christmas or shortly after. He prefers to be vertical and will crawl only to get to something to pull up on. He says "Mama" and "Mom" a lot now but not on command. We are working on Bye Bye with  hand wave. What he will sometimes do on command is smile for the camera. Sometimes he does this when I just pull out the camera which I love! He is totally my artistic muse for photography and I am having so much fun with our mini little photo shoots! The Halloween ones were so fun and  I am super excited about some ideas I have for the Christmas season! He is such a good sport through it all.

It has been really fun to watch Elijah's relationship develop with our beloved dogs, especially Wrigley. Bonnie is not too keen on tiny people but Wrigley just adores him and it is totally  mutual. Elijah is constantly pulling up on the couch to pet Wrigley (which he does very gently) and crawling across the couch to snuggle up to him. He really likes to pet his paws and his snout. And Wrigley gives him a big lick! It is so precious and sweet to see that my kiddo seems to be a natural animal lover like his Mama!

Elijah is still a fan of people and one of the friendliest babies around though when he is tired, it is all about Mama (which I love!).  The whole nap journey is moving slowly. We are still not back on track with regular naps but I do make an effort to get him down in his crib for at least one nap a day, even if it only lasts for twenty minutes. He just doesn't want to miss out on anything.  He turned seven months when we were in New Jersey but I waited until we got home to take his monthly photo shoot so I could maintain the consistency which makes the photos fun to compare!

"Mama, is it time for pictures with Mr. Bear already?!"

Look at how big our baby is!

"I hear Wrigley outside"

He is ready to go play with his doggie!

He looks like he is ready to get up and walk over to me!

"Mama, you are funny!"

Mr. Bear must have said something very intriguing. 

A Christmas Walk At Willow Run

The weekend after Thanksgiving, in Tenafly, New Jersey, we walked to this garden store called Willow Run that has an AWESOME Christmas display!  It was the first of what will be many celebrations of the Christmas season this year. There were so many things that got us into Christmas mode and it was especially fun to share this time in the cool wintery air! There was already talk of the upcoming snow, though we did not see any that day. 

Elijah loves the outdoors and was content to visually explore the neighborhood  on our walk. 

There were goats and pigs that you could feed. Elijah loved looking at the goats with Mimi

My boy just loves animals!

Aunt B had fun walking Elijah all over! 

Uncle Johnny getting in on the action

The two dudes on the walk

There were lots of cute knit hats. This one was my favorite.

We enjoyed looking at the funny ornaments. 

I just love the smell of pine trees! The ones behind us are Fraser Firs, like the ones we put up in our own home!

Why am I the only happy looking one in this picture. :) 

This would be a great Christmas card!

Elijah as baby Jesus. Mama and Mimi just couldn't resist!

Mimi and Elijah looking at the fun displays!

A New Jersey Thanksgiving

Chip, Elijah and I spent Thanksgiving this year with my New Jersey family. It had been probably about 15 years since I had an East Coast Thanksgiving complete with cold weather!  I so miss East Coast holidays that really feel like.....Thanksgiving....Christmas.....New Years, even Halloween. I grew up with these days being cold days and even, occasionally, full of snow. Through my years in Texas, the holiday season has come to have a different feel to me but it is still so nice (and nostalgic!) to go back for a cool brisk Thanksgiving and share that with my husband and son.  Elijah enjoyed spending his first Thanksgiving with his Papa John, Mimi, Great Grandmom, Aunt B(rianna), Uncle Johnny, Great Uncle Bobby, Great Aunt Mariel, Cousin Bobby and man other friends of the family. He had smiles for everyone and enjoyed getting passed around the room. Chip had a major first this year. He cooked his very first turkey!  A assumption was made that since Chip was a Texas boy he would know how to deep fry a turkey (poor bird!). Well he had never done it before but had seen it done so he was up to the challenge and, as you will see, it was a major success....ok not in the eyes of the bird. I enjoyed making my contribution of Janet Parishes (Grandma's) Sweet Potoates and Janet Shooks (Granny's) cornbread stuffing and they were a HUGE hit! It was a wonderful day, amazing food and fabulous company!

Good Morning, Elijah. Happy first Thanksgiving!

Elijah loved being on my back while I made the Parish specialities of sweet potatoes and cornbread stuffing!

The guys headed out to a local high school Thanksgiving day football game. 

Cathy was hard at work in the kitchen all day

Elijah got very cozy and fell asleep while I was cooking. 

Quick family photo shoot before guests begin to arrive!

I just love my boys. 

Such a cute boy

"Ok Mama, is it time for some grub?!"

Sweet boy smiles

Some cuddles with Daddy

Brianna created a centrepiece for the kids table using plants from the backyard

Mmmm....Parish Sweet Potatoes. My favorite! 

My love

Johnny is gearing up for some football

Brianna was such a huge help!

Chip, moments before his fried turkey endevor!

There goes the bird

Cooking away

My handsome hubby

Cathy set a beautiful table

Visiting with Mariel and Uncle Bobby

Great Grandmom just adores her first great grandchild!

Chip is very proud of his masterpiece. 

Love my Thanksgiving baby!

Chip and Grandmom getting silly. Don't let them fool you. They have Gin Rummy feud going on!

Cathy still hard at work in the kitchen. 

Elijah is sporting an adorable bib from Grandma Parish. Precious. 

Elijah and Papa John...hanging out. 

He was quite taken with Mariel. 

I sported a very daring ensemble for Thanksgiving.....sort of piratey. :)

The guys watching football

Elijah looks ready for some Thanksgiving grub!

Sweet Mariel kisses!

Elijah looking pensive

Our first Thanksgiving as 3 Parishes. 

"Um hello....I'm ready for the good stuff!"

Elijah fed himself with a spoon for the first time!

Yummy potatoes!

A little water to wash it down. 

"Aw Daddy! Gee!"

My two favorite boys!

The girls had big fun playing with Elijah

Cuddling with Mama after a very delicious Thanksgiving dinner!

This photo cracked me up. It makes me think of a particular story of a very young little Chip Parish that was so excited when he received My Pet Monster for Christmas he exclaimed "Praise Ye, My Pet Monster!" Lol. 

"Did I eat too much, does my butt look big?"

So...we have a pack N Play at home that I really just use for naps or if I have to run to the bathroom. Elijah actually played in one while we traveled a bit and he was quite fascinated with the mesh. Apparently it felt really good to press his face against it. 

Relaxing with Aunt B