It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Grandpa Brown with Adaline / Adaline with the cat CJ made for her

It is not hard for Christmas to be one of the best times of the year, but with a new baby, I have to say that Christmas is even better. It is a time to reflect on the year and the joys that we have had as well as a time to gather with friends and family.


Adaline playing with some fun new toys

As I look at these pictures I am reminded how much has happened and changed in the last year. Adaline does not really know yet what Christmas is all about, but she certainly seemed to have enjoyed herself none the less. Part of the fun this year was trying to coordinate time together with all of the different parts of our family. We met my Dad and CJ in Raleigh at Ryan and Jennifer's house for our first Christmas celebration. We had a great time and Adaline got a couple of new toys that she really loves. (especially the colored rings!)


The holidays are a great time to do a little lounging on the couch.


Shane, Cheri, Adaline, Jennifer, and Ryan


by the tree



My Mom and Jerry and Ryan and Jennifer all came to our house this year for Christmas. We were joined on Christmas evening by Claudia and Jeff for presents and dinner. Cheri did a great job as usual decorating the tree, and Adaline got lots of attention (and presents). She did not really get the concept of unwrapping the presents, but she did understand how to hug them. We finished out our holiday with a great after Christmas meal at Cheri's parents house and a little movie watching. It was an enjoyable holiday and our only wish is that it was a little longer, so we could have more time with our families. Merry Christmas to all out there, and may the new year bring lots more wonderful times!


Grandma Brown and "Grandpoopy" :)

Getting ready for Christmas...

Adaline has really become a Daddy's girl in the last little while. The babbles she makes almost even sound like dadadada, but there is a lot of babababa in there too (not much mamamama). Anyway, we are excited that she is beginning to "talk" more, and it is fun listening to her play in her crib and on the floor. Adaline has been a bit under the weather in the last week, battling a fever, congestion, and her first tooth. The tooth hasn't quite broken the surface, but we can certainly feel the edge of it and know it is coming any time now. This last week has been a bit rough on all of us sleep wise, so we are all ready for the tooth to appear. We did take her to the doctor after a few days of the fever and found out she is now over 17 pounds. Wow!



Almost two weeks ago, we took a trip back up the mountain to celebrate Christmas with the camp staff in Sparta. The folks around camp that keep the place running throughout the year all gather together annually to eat dinner and enjoy the holiday spirit. Shane went up early with a few folks to get this picture of Santa at camp for the Cheerio Christmas card. Then we met up with him in Sparta at the dinner. Shane and his fellow office staff performed a song in silly hats to amuse the guests, and Adaline tried out one of the hats. She was not happy about it.


Shane and I take turns on weekends sleeping in. One morning I woke up to find this! :)



We have been getting ready for Christmas around our house. We got the tree and decorations up, and even had our annual Christmas party. It was great to see some friends and spend a little time catching up. Adaline did so well at the party and, after visiting people for a few hours, went right to sleep so that Shane and I could remain with our guests. Adaline has been sitting with me and playing on the floor while I wrap packages and get them ready to ship out. Just yesterday we were getting a box ready to ship, and Adaline got a bit excited about seeing what was inside. She toppled over from her sitting position, hitting her face on the corner of the box. So, she now has her first big boo-boo, right on the side of her face! :(

Friday afternoon, the forecast called for some snow and winter mix. We were released early from school, and I got to spend the afternoon at home playing as it snowed and iced. Yesterday, Shane and I took Adaline outside to experience her first snow. She was not a bit interested! Perhaps we will get more snow when she can appreciate it.

Hello all. We have not posted in a little while. It could be we are all just too tuckered out to post, but I am going to make an effort to catch up a bit. As you can see even Adaline is worn out! Several weeks ago (mid Nov.) Adaline had her 9 month check up and is now weighing in around 16 lbs, 10 oz. It is really hard to believe it has been that long. She is a little behind on some of her milestones, but nothing to be concerned with...just regular preemie stuff, and she is still catching up.



Bath time still takes both Shane and I because although Adaline is sitting up well, she still has some trouble in a slippery tub. However, she is still loving the kicking and splashing around in the water.



We have been working on more variety of textures with food, and even bigger pieces. Adaline loves the puffs and does alright with her chewing skills, however, she still needs more practice picking them up and getting them to her mouth. Mostly, she picks one up and if it doesn't make it in to her mouth right away she forgets it is there. She has gotten pretty good at taking one from my hand and putting it in her mouth...I do help position it a bit as she grabs!


Granddad Brown with Adaline / Jeff with Trixie all dressed up for the holiday season

Thanksgiving was a good time with family (although we were missing many of you). We spent the holiday here in High Point at mom and Jeff's house. Jeff prepared most of the meal (as mom was still in CO with Josh, Michelle, Tallison, and the rest of the family there) and we all spent a restful and just plain full afternoon enjoying the company of family.


Marsha, Jake, and Ken with Adaline and Trixie competing for attention / Adaline's Thanksgiving dinner...not too different from other dinners, but there is always next year


just cute

Shane, Adaline and I did go to High Point's Christmas parade with some friends, but left the camera at home. It wasn't too exciting, so you didn't miss much, but Adaline did see Santa (at a distance), some lights, and an interesting crowd. I think she enjoyed watching some of the Macy's parade with me on Thanksgiving morning more????

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving as well!