Happy New Year

Well, both of my boys are sound asleep! I will be waking the older one up in about 10 minutes! 2008 has been a GREAT year! The number one thing of course that happened to me this year was having Dillon! I found out I was pregnant in late January, so most of the year was very focused on preparing for the little guy! Then I was fortunate enough to be able to take off 14 weeks from work when he was born. Boy did I thoroughly enjoy that time with him! I started back to work this past Monday, and yet again I have been totally blessed because my mom is watching Dillon! Leaving him was not bad at all knowing he was with his Grandmommy and having as much fun and feeling as safe as if me or Dion was with him. I could not ask for more!

I am excited about what 2009 will bring. Dion and I have preliminary plans to do a lot this year! I am anxious to get started on our list and see what other adventures we can come up with! I am also looking forward to my future with Wachovia/Wells Fargo. When I first heard the announcement exactly one week after Dillon was born that Wells had bought Wachovia I was sad. I will definitely miss working for "Wachovia", but the more I think about the Wells deal, I am excited about what the future will hold for me. I also love change, so this will be good for me ... things are sure to change! Change keeps me on my toes!

Well, Happy New Year to you all! Bring on 2009! Now, let's go wake up D! (big D!)

Christmas!

We just got home tonight from Baltimore. We had a great Christmas!

Click here to check out the pictures! There are a lot, and they are not necessarily in order - I pulled them from 3 different cameras ... my apologies!

Dion and I really enjoyed spending time with family - at our house Tuesday night and then in MD Wednesday through Saturday. Dillon did very good considering it was his first time spending multiple nights away from home, and he was passed around a lot! We could not have asked for better flights either, and not to brag, but Dillon was a perfect little angel going and coming ... okay, I know I will be eating those words later, but hey! lol

OK, check out the pics - they are good! You're back at work now with nothing to do!! ha ha!!

3 Months (Yesterday)

Dillon was 3 months old yesterday! He is growing so much! He is not sitting up by himself yet, but will sit for about a minute once propped up. He is smiling a lot, and starting to laugh! He also "talks" now ... usually the most at night. His personality is starting to come through. From what I can tell, he's going to be easy-going, laid back and comical. He is still sleeping through the night! He does not have a schedule during the day right now - as long as he's sleeping through the night, I can handle whatever during the day!

I go back to work Monday ... this time off has flown by! After this week, I will have been off 14 weeks. It really does not seem like that long! I am anxious to get back though, and get back into a routine. Being home is hard in that I don't really have a schedule. I am excited about getting back to the gym, and seriously hitting Weight Watchers starting next week. As for clothes I will wear to work for the first couple of weeks ... that is to be determined! (Nothing fits!)

Tomorrow we head to Baltimore. Dillon's first flight! Here's to hoping it's a smooth flight, especially for the passengers sitting around us! Then Dillon will be meeting all his cousins, Aunts, Uncles, GG, Dion's parents and of course, he'll get to play with Sara and Patrick again! Should be big fun!

Homemade Goodies!

In the past few days I have been disappointed with my "togetherness" (or lack there of) this holiday season. I thought being home I would have all my buying and wrapping done early, all kinds of homemade gifts prepared and blah blah blah. Well, being home has not been as easy as I imagined. Even though Dillon is a great great baby, facebook is very time consuming, those Lifetime holiday movies are addicting, and then there are all these wonderful new blogs that I have to try to keep up with! (funny, but true!!)

Tonight I finished with my homemade stuff and wanted to take a picture of what's left because they look so pretty! Then I decided to snap a couple of other things I made, and THEN I didn't feel so bad ... I actually have done quite a bit. There are several items I am not showing because they are gifts for some of you, so keep these that I am sharing in mind in combination with the gifts you get, and I think you'll be proud of me too!

These are very good - but I have sampled too many!! Wonder how many points a jar of these is?!?!

These cute Christmas trees were inspired by Crate and Barrel (or as my mom called it "crack and barrel" ... guess she had cracker barrel on her mind!) Anyway, they were easy but time consuming. The good news is I could make these while watching Lifetime (or The View, or Live with Regis and Kelly, or Desperate Housewives ...)

Finally, these are my favorite! I painted up a few ornaments of Dillon's hand and footprints! His tiny little features are toooo precious!

Dillon Today

This morning we visited Dean and Joy and their babies. Dillon and Lauren had fun looking at each other! This is their second meeting!

Then these pics were taken just moments ago. Dillon had to wear his winter hat out today because, it was you know, 41 degrees! I love that little hat!
We were talking about Poppy's birthday present ... see that grin? He'll never tell ... until Monday that is!
Happy Early Birthday Poppy!!

Dillon and Santa

Here's a picture of Dillon with the Santa in our neighborhood. How precious! Dillon didn't cry one bit - he knows who Santa is!

Crafts by Charpy

My good ole cousin Christine is quite the little painter - and I want her to paint some more for me this year, so ... here's to you, Christine! A little reminder of what I have already received!! LOL



LOVE YOU!!

Sleeping Like a Baby

KNOCK ON WOOD - Dillon has been sleeping through the night for the past several nights!!!! I know I am going to jinx it as sure as I am typing this, but I am so delirious from a full night's sleep, I can't help myself! At any rate ... here's a picture of the precious little thing ... da da da ... "sleeping like a baby" ... FINALLY!! LOL Way to go lil D!!!

Thanksgiving Week

Patrick and Sara were here this past week. Click here to see pictures from their visit ... we baked cookies, picked out a Christmas tree, decorated gingerbread men, decorated the tree, ate a great Thanksgiving dinner, and of course, played with Dillon! Enjoy!

Dillon - Already Sharing!

This thumb is kind of hard to keep in ... I see why he has trouble! :o)

Here Comes Santa Claus ...

Patrick and "Little Patrick"

First of all, Patrick loved the boppy pillow. He must have thought it was a cool kind of hat we have here in North Carolina!

Patrick was the first to feed Dillon. He was a little unsure about the burping part ... didn't want to get anything on his new furry hoodie! But nonetheless, he did a great job!

Then last night Patrick held Dillon while we watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. They were bonding! I have a feeling they are going to be great friends!

Sara Meets Lil' Dill

Sara was the first to hug and love on Dillon yesterday! He just loved his big sister. Here are a couple of pictures from their first encounter.


Sara is a total natural! She just knew exactly what to do with the little guy!

Dillon and His Thumb

Dillon is not always able to get his thumb in his mouth when he wants it to go there, so when he does get it in, he is not going to purposefully take it out! Point in case ... here he is with his thumb AND the bottle in his mouth! It's kind of hard to see, but it cracked us up! Dion was all "hurry, hurry! get the camera!" Turns out there was no rush ... he kept it in there until the first burp! Too funny ...

He doesn't always suck his thumb, but he is definitely starting to more now ... we'll see.

Dillon's 2 Month Update

Dillon's Stats

11 lbs 2 oz (50th percentile)
23 inches long (50th percentile)

Dillon is progressing exactly as the Doctor had hoped! We are so thrilled! Those early days of him being lazy and not eating are long gone! Now Dillon is smiling and cooing ... he even rolled over for the first time at the Doctor's office today! He scared himself to death when he did it, but he did it!! Who knows what he'll be up to next!

Patrick and Sara are in the air right now on their way to meet Dillon! I will post more pictures and comments once they land. Dillon is taking a good little nap right now so he'll be ready to play when they get here!

Early November - lots of first!

I guess the next several years will be full of firsts! But here's a few of the first firsts! ha ha

Here is Dillon meeting Wilson and Jack officially. The boys were so cute together! Wilson was mesmerized by Dillon's small feet! It was too precious! And Jack loved patting Dillon's head! I can see they are going to be the best of friends!

Last Friday was gorgeous in Huntersville! Dion got the boat out and took some of his work friends to lunch. Dillon and I met them. We would have ridden on the boat, but little Dill doesn't have a life jacket yet. Can't wait until next summer when I can finally ride on the boat without worry! (Well, I say without worry now! I guess next summer will come with its own worries! This past summer I was always worried I was going to bounce Dillon out, or knock a brain cell loose, so I opted to stay at home during almost all the boat outings ... I even missed shake the lake! HA!)

Final first of this week was Dillon going to Boone! YEAH! I asked him if he was going to go to Appalachian ... he didn't answer! Never too early to start talking about it!! Anyway, the first picture is Mom and Dillon at Boone bagelery ... oh yeah, we had the bagelicious ... be very jealous! And then you will see Dillon and I walking down Main St in Blowing Rock. I had on my App sweatshirt and the baby bjorn ... how much did I fit in? Incredibly well! I definitely looked the part of a Boone hippie! And loved every minute of it! Man, do I miss Boone!!!

Summer's Back?

Today Dillon and I took a walk through the neighborhood and into the shops. We did a little shopping as well. Dillon wore a short-sleeve onsie and I wore shorts and a t-shirt! Is summer back? It's gorgeous outside today!!

Oh - and this is a hoot ... they are putting up the neighborhood Christmas tree. It was funny to see the tree going on while all the shoppers had on their flip flops with bare legs!

Dillon enjoys being outside - he looked around a little, then snoozed a little. I enjoyed getting out! I also got some ideas for homemade Christmas gifts while shopping. Good times!

6 Weeks

Monday was 6 weeks, and in 3 words ...

WE MADE IT!

That sums it up! LOL Things are so much easier now when I think back to those first 2 weeks! As you can see, Dillon is a precious cutie! We are having lots of fun with him these days. This past weekend he really started smiling and reacting - that was so cool! Those first smiles are the best!

Starting this week I decided to get up every morning and shower, fix my hair and get dressed ... I know it's only Wednesday, but so far so good! This way when Dion or someone calls for lunch at the last minute, I will be ready (and not still in my PJs and without a shower for days!) I am also trying to leave the house everyday. Monday Mom and I went shopping, Tuesday I went to Weight Watchers (big night out!), and today I went out to lunch and visited with some work friends, then stopped by Dion's work. Not sure what we'll get into tomorrow, but I do feel much better getting out some! Maybe we'll head to MegArt and work on the Christmas presents some more. Tonight I also reactivated my gym membership ... it will be good to get back into somewhat of a routine (well, I have been in a routine ... it goes like this - 6am, watch news; 9am, watch Regis & Kelly; 10am, watch Bringing Home Baby; 11am, watch Jon & Kate Plus 8; 12pm, Desperate Housewives ... you get the picture!!)

1st Halloween

Dillon in his pumpkin onsie! He wore this almost all day today and rather enjoyed being a pumpkin!
Here's Dillon in his "I love my Mummy" t-shirt and gray pants! He was rocking the gray pants! Looks like a little boy in the 2 piece outfit!
Dillon and Daddy sporting the striped "It's My First Halloween, Don't Scare Me" get up!
Same outfit with Mom with the added pumpkin hat ... Patrick, that's for you. What cool hat did you sport today??
And this is Dillon totally pooped out in the swing! When the neighbors come by to check him out, this is what they see! He's living it up tonight!!

Couple of Pics

Here are some pictures from the past week ...
This picture is not an action shot! Dillon was sleeping in the swing with his hands and arms up like that! Too cute! I wonder what he was dreaming about??
Cooking with Mommy! This is when we were making supper for Laurie and her crew ... yep, L, Dillon helped make that meal! Guess I should have warned you earlier! :o)
Notice the measuring spoons in his hand! He was a big helper ...
... while he was awake! He pooped out as we were making the pumpkin muffins! Oh well - it was fun while it lasted!!
And finally here's a picture of Dillon with his lovey! We need a name for Mr Frog ... that's the best I have come up with so far, and I am not real pleased with it. Any ideas???

Happy Halloween

Here is our cute pumpkin! And his bear dressed up like a bunny! (Cute, huh? Thanks Sara!)

We are excited about handing out candy tonight! Happy Halloween to all! Check back later for some more costume changes ... we have several ... not as many as Regis and Kelly this morning, but a few!!

Saturday's Visit

Yesterday Dillon and I took another road trip to Winston. Papaw John was at my parent's and he had not yet met the little man. Here are some pictures from the visit ... and no, he wasn't held the whole time ... he was laid down to be changed a couple times!! :o)

Papaw John feeding Dillon! Too cute! He could not get enough of holding Dillon! Kept asking "want me to take him now?"
Papaw holding Dillon. Papaw was a little hesitant because it had been a long time since he held a baby, but you can see he looked like a pro! Dillon looks pretty happy!!
Memaw in the floor with Dillon! She has come over twice each time I have visited ... she can't get enough! Too sweet!
Dad and Dillon chillin'. Dad held me this way (there are many pictures to prove it ...) Now he is starting again with Dillon. You can see they both love it!
Mom and Dillon - finally! After a long day of sharing, Mom finally got to hold her little one! She sure didn't want to give him up when I had to head back home!




And yes, your eyes do not deceive you ... he is in the same outfit in all the pictures except the last one (his pj's). He didn't have any "accidents" yesterday that required an outfit change!

YouTube ... It's Got Everything!

Ashley found that sond on YouTube ... I should have checked there. This summer, we learned from the kids that everything is on YouTube ... you can find anything you want there. I suppose I am now a believer! If anyone is interested in hearing the song, Ashley posted it on her blog. Click here and enjoy! THANKS ASH!

Lydia oh Lydia, I wish I didn't get riddi-ya ...

Lydia I miss your rose tattoo!

Ash - Do you remember yet? This is the song I am referring to the in blog below. The name is "Move It Like This" by K7. Here are a few more lyrics ...

In some secluded rendezvous
That overlooks the avenue
He stepped into the streets and walked up to this girl
He had a cap tooth made of gold
He had an earing in his nose
And her looks, that a night he liked to twirl*
*I always thought this line was something about a dredlock he liked to twirl ... ?

Does anybody know what I am talking about?! You can't buy this song on iTunes, but I really want it on my iPod!! LOL

One Month Update

We just got back from Dillon's one month check-up. He's doing great! He now weighs 8lbs 14oz (50th percentile) and is 22 inches long (he was 20 inches long at birth - this is the 75th percentile). He did have to get a shot today. He did well, but now we are worried his leg will be sore for a couple days. Right now he is sleeping. Hopefully he will just sleep and eat it off! His next Dr visit is in a month ... that day he will get 2 shots ... and Sara and Patrick - it's the first day of your visit, so he might not be too happy of a camper at first! Sorry!!

Yesterday we headed North to meet Julie and Alex. This was Dillon and Alex's first meeting! (As you can see, they were thrilled!) Alex is 6 1/2 weeks older than Dillon. I can't believe Dillon is going to be that big before Christmas!
We had a great visit, and a great dinner at Chili's. It's fun to think about 12 years ago when Julie and I met to now ... so much has happened! 11 years ago is when we met you, Ashley! Life sure happens fast, huh? Speaking of you Ashley - I would love you to put that song "Move It Like That" on your blog. Not the normal "Move It Like That", but the one about the girl with the rose tatoo ... you know the one. I can't find that song anywhere on the net. Do you still have the CD? Me, you and Julie used to sit in White Hall and jam out to that one ... okay, maybe not, but I am sure we listened to it a time or two in the dorm!

My Boys

If they don't wake up soon, they are going to miss who gets kicked off Dancing with the Stars!

Have you ever seen anything so sweet??

Dillon's First Trip

Yesterday we headed to Winston-Salem to see some family and friends! Dillon had a great time! He was a perfect angel in the car and was a real trooper being passed around to all the people who couldn't wait to get their hands on him! Here are a few pictures from the trip ...

Dillon and his proud Granddad!
Memaw and Papaw getting their first look at the little guy!

Dillon and Aunt Ash!
Dillon with Pat and Ashley