Snow?!

I am totally stealing this picture of her pool from my friend Erin because although we had snow in Southern Highands, it did not stick quite like it did in Summerlin and I needed proof that it seriously snowed in Las Vegas! It made for a very cozy day and almost made me feel like I was living in Portland again - it was awesome! Chase loved it too and was occupied by the snowfall outside for quite some time (even though he had to admire it from inside I was afraid to take him outside all day for fear of a cold!).

In other happenings...we got out for our first night alone (and with friends) since having Chase for my work Christmas party and the Annual Pulliam Toys for Tots Party on Saturday. It was a strange feeling to leave Chase for the first time...but not quite as strange as putting on a dress for the first time in months. Oh, and heels too - that's right, I really worked it. I don't think Mike recognized me! We had a blast as usual and hopefully raised a lot of toys for those in need. This year more than any has made me so thankful for everything that we have.

Also, a big congrats to Dave & Erin Merrill for the news that they are pregnant with their first!

Mike teaches Chase some of the finer points in life...

Do you think Chase will hate me for this one?A beautiful Las Vegas sunset... Chase and Rigley love the lights!

I Caught Him!

Check out Chase's morning smiles....

So this is going to get my baby to sleep?

Just thought I would give you all another look at the "lifesaving" and "sleep making" baby hammock that was supposed to cure Chase of all his problems...before I put it on Craigslist! Let this be a lesson to us all, MARKETING is a subject in college that warrants an entire degree for a reason - it gets dummies like me to buy products I don't need!!!

So...anyone interested in purchasing this little lifesaver from me? I will make you a great deal!

Things That Happened This Week....

Tummy time turned nap time....

Awake for Stephine & Erin! Trying to get a smile shot...

Breakfast with Grandpa

Bath time - he loves it!

Swing time is finally getting to be a little more fun.

Bella wants to know why Chase won't play!

This is the overpriced contraption designed to help him sleep...let's hope so or I'll just have another item for my future baby garage sale!

Life in the world of Chase has definitely had a breakthrough this week....HIS FIRST SMILE!!!! I so wish I could get it on camera, but it is a little hard to catch. We now have official smiles in both the morning and evening - times when he is most awake. His first smile came about without true recognition. On Thursday when we were having our morning talk and kiss time (an every morning ritual for us, I like to discuss our very important day ahead with him and ask him how many kisses he would like on that particular morning, and then I make up a number that I think he would like and smother him)...on about kiss number 8, I got a smirk out of him...a real live smirk that felt like more than a gassy little smile. There was something else to it, and it was an amazing feeling. But, I still could not be 100% SURE that it was a smile and not just the usual gas....those gassy smiles can be tricky!!! Anyway, on Saturday, Mike was trying to recreate the moment and...like magic...that sweet little smirky smile came out. Mike had the best way of recognizing that it was indeed a smile and not just gas - he said that you can "see it in his eyes." SO true - Chase's eyes really do light up when he is smiling and it just melts my heart (and of course Mike's too :)). Grandpa and Granny got to see the smiles last night too - he was happy as a clam and let us know it! It is such an amazing thing to know that the little guy is finally recognizing that there is a world around him and he can show his emotions through smiling!!!!

Other things that came about this week:

1. Chase got his first nail clipping (without tears or bleeding!)

2. He can now fit into some of his 3-6 month clothes, a good thing since his tiny little body is already too long for most of his 0-3 month clothes

3. He has already developed a liking for music in the car (Coldplay is his FAV!)

4. Dr. Carrie diagnosed Chase with reflux, same thing that us adults take ant-acids for, but much more painful in little ones.

5. He is still having a hell of a time sleeping on his back...new contraption for sleeping is pictured above, my fingers are crossed that it works).

Thanksgiving & Such

Baby's 1st Thanksgiving....and mommy's first beer - hurray for pump and dump!

Grandma Iris

First time meeting Lauren's new b/f - Chase liked him!

Kisses for Chase

The frog's are coming!

Can you lay off the flash?!

Sweet Baby - LOVE this shot!

Who knew being stuffed in a box could be such fun!

Six months ago you could not have paid me to take a "posed" Christmas picture!

I LOVE DECEMBER!!!!! The temperature has finally dropped in Las Vegas, the Christmas tree is up, we have the best Christmas present ever (Chase, of course) and life is good! This week was a busy week with Thanksgiving and Chase's first photo shoot. It was a lot of fun as we were able to finally get Chase out of the house (and mommy too!). One quick note about the "holiday" photos - I walked into the photo shop with the intention of doing naked baby newborn pics ONLY. I was SO not into the Christmas pictures...but, as you can see above , I had a change of heart. Babies can do that to you - I sure did end up taking not only Christmas pics of Chase, but one of the whole family too! Oh, well, my too cool for Christmas photos plan has been changed! I STILL LOVE DECEMBER!

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