Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was a long but fun day. We started out visiting with Melissa's Grandma McCartney for a little while, then traveled to Aunt Connie & Uncle Bob's house for lunch, where we had enough food to feed an army. Jon and JD surprised everyone with a brief visit (They were down for the week visiting Danielle's family) It was great to see them and for Uncle Jon and JD to meet DJ! Then after visiting for awhile after lunch, we headed to Tim's parents' house for dinner. Tim realized later in the day that DJ had seen all of his great grandparents and grandparents in that one day, something that very few children have an opportunity to do! We are so thankful for all of God's blessings this year, especially DJ! We are thankful for our new niece, Lucy Abigail Rutig, who we can't wait to meet at Christmas! We are also thankful for our dog Penny, who got to enjoy her first Thanksgiving turkey scraps!

DJ's Baby Dedication

Today, DJ was dedicated to the Lord before our family and the church. It was a special time and we truly appreciated that many of our family members could be there to share this special day. We also know that other family members were there in spirit and prayers even if they couldn't be here in person. We then had a huge lunch at our house afterwards, because no event goes by in our family without food!! DJ had a full afternoon with his family, and was passed around between different aunts, uncles, cousins and of course grandparents. Throughout it all he was his good natured self, just sleeping or talking to whoever was holding him.

DJ at 3 months

I can't believe its been three months since this wonderful child came into our lives. Everything has changed so much, but in a good way! Every day brings new joy to our lives through him. He is constantly laughing or "talking" I just enjoy every moment hugging and kissing him.

DJ has learned to "kiss" -- it's really him just opening his mouth and trying to lick me when I kiss him on the cheeks.

He also can roll over. When he gets to his stomach he is both surprised and not too happy, but when you roll him back, he just does it again. This means no more leaving him in one spot (although with all his moving, he has been scooting himself around for quite awhile now)

DJ's first few weeks at First Baptist WPB Child Development Center have been wonderful. While it was difficult the first few days (and it is never really easy to leave him), Miss Betty and Miss Lourdes are wonderful. They truly love their children. If he is sleeping in the morning when I drop him off, Miss Betty just cuddles with him while he sleeps. One of his class mates is Lucy. There is only one more baby in there until after the new year, so DJ gets lots of attention. Grandma has also been checking up on him on a regular basis.

They do crafts with them (using their hands and feet to make prints for trees and wreaths), they read to them, sing to them and by the time he is 1 year old he will know a few words of sign language. It really is the best place for him.

Halloween 2009

DJ celebrated his first Halloween! He was of course Tigger -- since mom loves Tigger so much it was fitting. The costume was not Florida friendly (since the weather did not cooperate and give us a cold front), so he was only in the costume long enough for pictures with grandma and grandpa, and then we put it on him again at the neighborhood block party. Even Penny dressed up as a jester!

The block party was great again this year. We really are blessed to live in such a wonderful neighborhood where the kids can just trick or treat without any fears. We gave away 4 bags of candy to about 20 trick or treaters (who came in three groups).

Grandpa McCartney's Funeral

Grandpa McCartney passed away on October 19, 2009. While it was a blessing that he was no longer suffering here on earth, it was sad to lose a grandparent. However, his funeral did give DJ an opportunity to meet some of his Northern relatives -- Kelli, Jana, Faith, Ty and Todd!

DJ also got to visit my childhood church -- Hollywood Bible Chapel-- and get changed and fed in the same nursery that I was in when I was a baby. Very little had changed at the Chapel -- they did redo the sanctuary carpet, but besides that nothing else.

"that in all things he might have the preeminence..."

North Carolina October 2009

Before I returned to work from maternity leave, we decided to surprise Grandma and Grandpa Hunter in North Carolina. So on Thursday, October 8th at 9:00pm, we left for North Carolina. We drove all night with DJ and Penny and arrived Friday morning around 10am to surprise Grandma and Grandpa. They were shocked to say the least! Mom and Dad arrived that night to also spend the week (theirs was planned ahead of time). We had a wonderful time just spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. Every morning Grandma would sit DJ on the table in his Boppy seat and they would just talk and play. It was a time we will always cherish.

DJ enjoyed the mountains, but didn't really like bundling up for the cold. Penny on the other hand LOVED it! Especially when it snowed on October 17th and 18th! We were also lucky enough to be there when Kim, Madison and Hunter came over for the Woolly Worm festival. DJ got to meet his Aunt Kim and cousins. Madison and Hunter also had fun in the snow!

It was a wonderful vacation before returning to the real world the following week.

Happy 2 Month Birthday DJ!!!

DJ is officially two months old today! He has become quite the traveler in the past few days...after weeks of his world consisting of our house and Grandma's house! He has been to the Pediatrician, both Grandma's work, Ft. Lauderdale, Chick fil A (very important) and Babies R Us.

He is also a very active little man. DJ just talks and giggles, and is constantly moving his legs and trying to sit up like he has places he has to go. Just a note, DJ thinks mom is hysterical!!! He is holding up his head and making feeding/burping very difficult (he's head butted mom in the cheek a couple times). We're up to 6-7 hours sleep at night before a feeding, we are working our way to a full night.

Basically, we just can't get enough of our little guy and are just amazed at every little thing he does.

DJ's Visit with McCartneys

On Saturday we went to visit Melissa's Grandfather McCartney at his new nursing home. DJ was able to meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa McCartney and Great Aunt Kathy. He was a very happy little boy -- laughing, smiling and talking to Aunt Kathy and Great Grandma. We then went shopping for some clothes at Babies R Us, as well as a car seat for Grandma and Grandpa so Grandma can pick DJ up from school some days!! Then we finished the day with dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house and DJ watched the Hurricanes v. Oklahoma football game.