Putting up the Christmas tree with Mrs. Fearnow's

Last Sunday evening we headed out to get our first real Christmas tree. In the past years we have used our fake tree but there was just something about baby Hunter being here that made me want to start getting real trees for him (ok and me:)). No crazy cut down ourselves trip (although I would love to do that one day) this year we just headed to Lowes. You can't beat a 6/7ft tree for 30 bucks!









And we like to get Jake envolved in the decorating too....he was less than impressed :)






For the record he got himself into this bind...we did not do this to him :)

When you have a busy night ahead of putting up the tree you want a dinner that's warm, cozy yet quick and easy. Have no fear Mrs. Fearnow's is here!! Have you all every heard of or had Mrs. Fearnow's?? Best Brunswick stew you can eat ...ok here goes...out of a can!!! Of course chef Hunter doctors it up a bit, just like his Gram used to growing up.



Empty the can of stew to a pot, add about 2 cups chicken broth, a can of corn, can of butter beans, and a can of okra if you'd like.





Also flavor with worstshire to taste, some pepper, garlic salt pretty much whatever other seasonings sound good to you.





Serve it up with some corn muffins or garlic bread and wala, easiest dinner ever!!!0

One Month Old!!

Your one month old little man!



Birth weight: 7lbs 4oz
One month weight: 10lbs 7oz (75%tile)

Birth length: 20 3/4 inches
One month length: 22 1/2 inches (75%tile)

Clothes/Diapers: Your a big boy growing fast but your height and weight are proportional. You out grew your newborn clothes around 3 weeks and currently fit nicely in 0-3month or 3month clothes. We are closing in on the last few newborn size diapers and then you'll be in size 1... Probably by tomorrow. This week we started putting you in size one diapers at night to prevent you from peeing through the newborn ones.



Eating: Mommy pumps during the day and nurses you at night. Your first three weeks you were eating 3-3.5 ounces every 2.5-3 hrs. At three weeks when you outgrew your newborn clothes you went through a growth spurt and we increased your food to 4-4.5 ounces every 3 hrs. Smetimes you'll even eat 5 ounces... Oink oink. I'm so thankful from day 5 you started taking to the bottle and breast both very well! Talented little boy u are! :)



Sleeping: You are my little text book baby up every three hours even in the night to eat. Since we upped your food you will go 3.5 maybe 4 hours some nights. Your very good at self soothing and as long as you aren't hungry, gassy,or over tired/stimulated we can lay you in your crib awake and you will fall asleep on your own. Making us proud already.

Likes: staring at bright lights, having a full belly, your bath (if the bath water is warm enough), being held and rocked, sleeping in your crib, riding in the car and tummy time. You held up your head so high and for such a long time during your one month checkup that the pediatrition said you were showing off... She WAS quite impressed :) oh, and you love (attack) your paci, and mom loves that you love your paci being that it stops you from crying most the time, distracts you from your gas pain and holds you off until feeding time!



Dislikes: waiting for mommy to heat up your bottle (mr. Impatient), having gas. And that's all I can think off... You really are a great baby.



At one month your days are filled with... Eating, sleeping, burping, pooping, smiling and staring at mommy when I talk to you, playing on your activity mat, watching your mobile in your crib and holding your head up during tummy time. You also became a master at getting out of the swaddle blanket so we have had to resort to the velcro straight jacket type of swaddle. You may be strong but mommy and daddy are smarter :)

For comparison kicks here was your newborn picture! A bit more hair you had back then :)

Hunters newborn pictures

We have a wonderful friend who does photography on the side as a hobby. Lucky us because she's as good as a professional!! Ginger Salmon Photography thank you thank you for these beautiful images that we wil cherish forever :)

Thanksgiving 2011

We were so looking forward to Thanksgiving this year because baby Hunter would be with us and also my whole family would be together. I have one brother who lives in California, another who lives in NY and nieces who all live in NY so you can imagine it's not often it works out that we are at the same place, same time. Everyone traveled to my parents new home in Northern Virginia and the quality time began! I'll let the pictures do the talking :)


Our nieces with baby Hunter



My middle brother Joe and his wife Jenny. Their daughter is Riley in the pink dress above :)


Our first Thanksgiving as a family of three


My dad AKA "papa" with his first grandson :)


Hunter sporting his pumpkin onesie for turkey day!

We had beautiful weather Thanksgiving day so we all spent most of the time outside playing with the kids!




Our niece Emma...isn't she beautiful???






My oldest brother Matt is a marine and was deployed last Saturday. Thanksgiving was bitter sweet for him and his girls. The quality time was something to be thankful for but I know in the back of their heads thoughts of having to say goodbye soon were there :( He's such an amazing dad though!



After hours of playing outside and waiting our 23 pound turkey was finally ready!



The next day the boys hit the pub to watch football while the ladies shopped. That night we had a family game of sherades...it was pretty hystercal.





Saturday we had to say bye to Matt. Joe, Hunter and Dad went to the UVA VT game in Charlottesville and the rest of us relaxed at home.
Hunter V cheered on the hokies from nana and papas.


Aunt Jenny is a reading teacher, she worked with Maddie on her sight words.

Check out their family blog blog and the Minnie Mouse themed 2nd birthday party she just did for Riley. It's adorable and full of great DIY projects ideas!!


Aun Jenny and I with Hunter

Can't end without showing these pics of Riley being sweet with baby Hunter



I love my family and these kids! Hunter and I are so thankful to be contributing a munchkin to the fam now :)

Blog back log...

Can we say blog back log?! I have so many blogs I want to share but clearly not enough time in the day with a newborn. We'll work this out though, Thanksgiving 2011, HL5s new born pics, family birthdays including Mommys 30th, and Hunters one month post all coming right up!! Stay tuned.....