Grayson: Eight Months Old

Grayson: Seven Months Old

Grayson: Six Months Old

First Solid Food: Avocado

So, I held out as long as I could. I never wanted to introduce solid food this early. I planned on waiting until Grayson was at least 6 months, or older if possible. But, munchkin just wasn't satiated by breast milk alone anymore and he is sprouting teeth right and left. All signs to me that he is hungry and needs more food. So, we start with Avocado. Man, could he just stop growing now please! Where has my little baby gone?

Seeing as how he is feeding himself, I guess maybe we made the right decision.

First Valentine's Day

Grayson: Five Months Old

First Teeth Brushing

Grayson has had teeth for a little while now. He got his first tooth when he was only a little over four months old. They are just now erupted enough to start brushing. He isn't quite sure about this teeth brushing thing. He thinks it is hilarious to watch others brush their teeth, but he doesn't have it quite figured out for himself yet.

Grayson: Four Months Old

Grayson's First Christmas

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday growing up. I can say that the past few have been a little less special as we have hosted and it has seemed to fly by. I miss the days when I was a kid at Christmas and my Mom and Dad did all the work. Thankfully this year we have a new family member who helps make Christmas magical again. We had about a million presents and a house full of family. I guess it really can't get better than that.

Santa butt

Happy baby

So many presents

Half of the presents were for Grayson

Thank God Laurel got some cookies!

Aunt Laurel

Aunt Nee Nee and Uncle Bob

Nana and Papa

Nana and Pop

Papa and Great Grandma Barbara

Great Grandpa Wilbur

The Alexander Family

Four generations

Family

Meeting Great Grandma Barbara

My Grandma Barbara was supposed to visit us just after Grayson was born, but unfortunately took a tumble in her garage and was unable to come. Luckily it was just a small sprain that held her back, so she was able to visit us for Christmas. This is her first great grandchild, so it was really special for her to come and meet Grayson. I think she's in love...

Grayson and Great Grandma Barbara

Four generations

Brunch with Santa

Today Brookhaven Country Club, where Ryan and I are members, held a Brunch with Santa event. Although Grayson was a bit young to enjoy it, we wanted to take him to get his picture with Santa. Nana and Papa joined us for brunch, which was amazing. Luckily Grayson is such a good baby and so easily entertained, we were able to sit and brunch together for over two hours without a peep from the kiddo. I think we will have to make this an annual tradition.

Our Best Present Already Arrived

Although Christmas isn't quite here yet, Ryan and I both know that our best present already arrived this year.

We love you sweet Grayson!

Grayson: Three Months Old

Recipe: Chilled Cider Punch

Seriously, don't walk, run to the store to buy the ingredients for this punch. I have made many cocktails over the years, but this was the best one yet. I may or may not have had four or five of these on Thanksgiving. I promise you'll thank me after just one sip of this awesome punch.


SERVES 15-20

INGREDIENTS

8 cups apple cider
1 750 ml. bottle of dry hard cider (such as Farnum Hill's Dooryard)

3 12 oz. bottles of ginger beer (such as Reed's)

1 1/2 cups whiskey (such as Jameson)
Juice of one lemon
Several dashes orange bitters
1 orange sliced into rounds, for garnish
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the ciders, ginger beer, whiskey, lemon juice, and bitters in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Stir to combine. Top with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Ladle into ice-filled punch glasses.

Grayson's First Thanksgiving

I would argue that Thanksgiving is Ryan's favorite holiday. For most people who host a semi-large family Thanksgiving, I bet it doesn't top the list. Ryan, though, loves to cook. He could spend all day in the kitchen. Guess what? I don't mind. His food is all homemade and all amazing! This year we had Pioneer Herb Roasted Turkey with Sage Gravy, Southern Cornbread Stuffing, Bourbon Vanilla Cranberry Sauce, Sweet Potato Gratin, French Cut Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Honey Wheat Rolls (yes from scratch!), Classic Pumpkin Pie, and Apple Granola Pie with Homemade Bourbon Ice Cream.

For my part of helping with Thanksgiving, I always make cute place cards, a homemade wreath, handmade menus, and a signature cocktail. This year's cocktail was a Chilled Harvest Cider Punch. It was amazing. I will share the recipe in another post because you have to run the store and get the ingredients to make this. It was that good! I made turkey place cards and a turkey wreath this year. I went kinda cartoonish/kidlike to celebrate Grayson's first Thanksgiving.

Here are some pictures of the man of the hour, Grayson, and some of our family.

Grayson and Nana Jane

Grayson and Aunt Nee Nee

Pop showing off Grayson to Great Grandpa CW

It was a wonderful first Thanksgiving for our family and although it was a long day, we truly enjoyed having everyone over to our home and cooking for them.

Grayson Meets Great Grandpa CW

Great Grandpa CW was able to join us for Thanksgiving again this year and this time he was able to meet Grayson. While this isn't his first great grandchild, more like his eleventh I think, it is his first great grandchild from Ryan's mother's line of the family. He was very excited to meet and hold Grayson.

Grayson and Great Grandpa CW