In a Daze for the Holidays!

No ladies and gentlemen I have not wrapped a single present and Christmas is on Saturday. It's been a little bit of a whirlwind this Christmas Season and I think I'm doing well just having purchased presents for loved ones. My mom and I now see the wisdom in the gift bags my Grandma Harriet always gives us presents in. I wonder if everyone will be ok with Baby Boy Shower Gift Bags as opposed to Christmas Gift Bags. Maybe, just maybe, I will get around to wrapping.

Connor ended up playing Baby Jesus 3 times in the Pageant, and of course we took pictures and video each time. It was amazing to watch, and for the sweet family members who were able to make it to see him, it made it even more special. Of course mom, Kaitlyn and Leo were there, but Grandma and Grandpa Guise made a special trip and that was wonderful. It blessed me to see him, and I know others felt the same way. This picture is of him backstage before being put in swaddling clothes. Talk about a great mindset.

Here is such an adorable picture of him being raised up by the actor playing Joseph. It is such a touching and poignant part of Connor's time on stage. Think Simba in the Lion King.

On of the biggest events of our Christmas Season was my cousin Lindsey's wedding this past Saturday in Morganton, NC. A 12 hour drive both ways with a 2 month old that has reflux was a little difficult, but I was amazed at how well he did. Our drive up was filled with anticipation of seeing our loved ones, and for Connor to meet everyone. Here he is with Aunt Merilee and my cousins Megan and Lindsey.
The wedding was beautiful, and having the sparkling Christmas decorations up made it all the more dreamy and romantic. The church looked enchanting with it's Christmas splendor and it was the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous bride. I absolutely love this picture that I took after the wedding was over.
Here is my little stud in his outfit for the wedding. Of course he had to look nice, he is my son afterall! He was very well behaved for the ceremony, and Grandma Glenda only had to walk around in the back with him a little bit to keep him happy. I was busy singing for the ceremony, but my eyes were on them the whole time.
Here is Connor during one of our breaks on the drive up. He's such a sweet boy. Thank you miracle medicine erythromycin.
The whole East Coast has been getting a ton of cold weather and, aside from South Florida, snow. We couldn't wait to see our first batch, and we were really hoping the snowflakes would fall while we were there. To Tim's relief no such luck. There were little bits held over in shady spots from the last snow fall, and I got a picture with Connor and the snow.
Poor little South Florida boy bundled up for the chilly weather. We did pick up a little snow suit for him for when we go to Disney World next week! Not sure we will need it, but better safe than a cold baby.
Here he is on our trip back to Florida. He has found his hands and is playing with things within his grasp. This is a new development, and I think it's adorable. He's all smiles because he's going home to his daddy! I'm excited to spend our first Christmas as our new little family. I'm sure I won't remember much of it because I'm exhausted, but I will make the best of it. My goal is to have my Christmas cards in the mail tomorrow, and also start my wrapping. Cross your fingers, maybe we will even do some of our annual baking this week too. Merry Christmas!

Reflux Updates

This week Connor has had 4 different doctor's appointments. He has had x-rays, a swallow test, a meeting with the GI Doc, and his first set of shots. Today was his 2 month check-up complete with his first series of shots. It killed me! I cried seeing him get poked. He is very lethargic, has had a fever, and only wants to be held. He doesn't understand why he feels so yucky. Connor did weigh a grand 10lbs 11oz. What a big boy! He can still fit into most of his newborn clothes but I'm trying to graduate him into the next size. As for his reflux we are finally getting a handle on it. The erythromycin is a miracle worker. The x-ray confirmed his reflux, and the silly barium he had to drink made his tummy even worse. We were up all night! The next day included more barium for his swallow test. They did find a minor abnormality but they said it was nothing to worry about. The GI Doctor assured us that we are doing everything right, and we are so thankful he is responding well to his treatment. We have had more good days than bad recently and I couldn't be happier!! I feel like a mom!!!

For unto us a child is born!

Connor made his debut last night as Baby Jesus in the First Baptist of Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant (www.christmastickets.com). I was extremely emotional seeing my little boy portray such an important role and it made Tim and I all the more aware of how we will raise Connor in the ways of the Lord. I pray daily that he will come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and this was just the first step in exposing Connor to Him. Connor did and excellent job, and was very content only wiggling enough for the audience to know he was real. Then, as the narrator said "a voice" Connor let out a sweet little cry. Not a scream, like the ones we've become accustomed to, but a sweet little cry that said...."oh yeah, I know my cue". I cried while I watched him on stage, and just as the Lord brought hope with Him, we have so much hope in Connor to make wise choices and make the world a better place.

Happy Days are Here Again

I have had some wonderful afternoons of playtime with my sweet little Connor. I think the erythromycin is helping my little boy. Excluding yesterday I've had 2 incredible days with him. He's been happy, he's been settled, and he's been like a "normal" little baby. I just love his personality! Granted the medicine does make him extremely gassy and he can wake up screaming from pain in the middle of the night, but he's had wonderful times of waking. His gas was extreme yesterday so it was another bad day, but having had the brief experience with him the previous 2 days gave me such hope that it made me feel like I could go through anything to get him back to that! My Christmas wish is to have more times of good than bad! I'm hoping today is a good day. Next week we have 3 doctor's appointments for him one includes x-rays and a swallow test. I'm expecting this to give us the answers we need. Please pray that we can figure out the best way to treat Connor so that he is in no more pain and can function like the sweet little baby he is.

Christmas time is in the air and I love that this year we have the most amazing gift anyone could ask for. I decided to take some pictures of him under our tree....it's symbolic! Tim put up all of our lights outside this past weekend, and we truly have a winter wonderland complete with a cold front. Connor isn't a huge fan of the cold, and hates when his little hands get chilled. If he's upset checking his hands is on my list of things to figure out how to soothe him.

Connor is now going to be the newest thespian in my family because he's been asked to play baby Jesus in the First Baptist of Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant. At first I was a little hesitant thinking he may cry the entire time, but they seem to think that's authentic and are fine with it. He starts this coming weekend, I'm thinking he'll be a natural! I'll let you know if he wins a Tony for his role.

Here is our precious little gift.