Finally First Food Fun!

So now that I am technologically proficient at loading videos, here is the one I wanted to load a month ago of Alexander's first feeding. It is hilarious!

Snow Baby!

We have had the most unusual weather in Georgia for this time of year. It actually snowed on Sunday! We never get snow here before late January or February and when we do it is very light and melts quickly. But it snowed most of Sunday and has been flurrying every day this week. So my little Georgia boy was able to experience his first snowfall. Now mind you there was not enough accumulation to even gather together a small snowball but it was exciting nonetheless. Xander was nonplussed by the whole event and even a little confused by the small flakes landing on him, but we got some pictures of our little boy in the snow. It definitely feels more like Christmas around here!

Mama and Xander out when it first started snowing

You can see the small flakes better against Justin's black thermal

Xander really doesn't know what to think!

The accumulation on our adirondack chair

Tex Rides Again!

Tex is a jumperoo that came to us from another family. They had named it Tex and Justin and I loved it and decided to let him keep his name sake. Alexander LOVES jumping in Tex, as of now it is his absolute favorite thing to do. He will jump and jump until he is so exhausted but he loves it so much that he will not stop. He has even been crying for whatever reasons, still jumping. I finally am learning how to load videos! So here is a video of our little cowboy riding his horse Tex.

~First Fir~

This has been a fun week in the Neal household. Alexander has been able to experience his first start to the Christmas season. We went last Thursday to Pike Nurseries to pick out Alexander's first fir! He was a lot of help in selecting the perfect tree to display this Christmas. {Actually he was rather useless and was just trying to adjust to the cold temps..the first of his short life!} But I know that this is the start to a great tradition in our household and we look forward to the coming years when he will be the one to deem the tree perfect for our living room. He also hung out while Justin and I hustled and bustled around the house putting up our various decorations. It was definitely fun to include our little man in these experiences this year. Here are some pictures from our decorating bonanza!

Under the Merry Christmas sign at Pike

Bubs checking out the flocked trees

Family photo in front of the perfect tree!

Xander approving our selected tree

Family photo in front of the poinsettias

Bubs helping me decorate

The boys putting the lights on

Things to be Thankful For

     The Neal family had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Every year I really enjoy the holiday as a time to reflect on the numerous blessings that God has poured into our lives and a time to enjoy the calm before the madness of preparing for the Christmas season. We always go to Nashville for Thanksgiving and spend time with my family. This year was so fun and there is more to be thankful for than ever with our little buddy here. We are thankful for his arrival and for his amazing health and growth these six months {it is hard to believe that he is six months old!!!!} As with all the firsts in your child's life it was so surreal to watch as he celebrated his first Thanksgiving. Since he is eating some solids now he was able to have somewhat of a Thanksgiving dinner as well. Pureed butternut squash mmmmm!
     The first night that we were in Nashville I attended a drama production at my high school to commemorate the school turning 150! It was so good to go back and see so many familiar faces and I was so glad to be a part of this amazing time for the school. St. Cecilia Academy is truly a unique and special place and will always have a place in my heart.
     The rest of the trip we spent amazing time with my Mom and Dad and my sister and her husband. We really didn't do too much, just relaxed and all spent time together. They were all glad to spend time with Bubba and I am glad that he was able to spend time with them.
     Here are some of the things that Justin and I are thankful for this Thanksgiving:
{The love and grace of God and his son Jesus Christ}

{The birth of our sweet baby boy and his continued health and growth}

{Our amazing and supportive family and friends. We could not have asked for better support and love for us and our baby boy}

{Our jobs...Justin is so blessed to be doing what he is doing and I am so lucky to be able to continue teaching and doing the thing that I love so dearly}

{Our house!}
    
     Here are some pictures from the trip!

Bubba eating his version of Thanksgiving dinner..butternut squash

Messy eating!!

Our first Thanksgiving dinner picture all together! Justin is trying to get Bubba to smile by distracting him

My Mom, Auntie K and Uncle Micah at the table with us:)

One more Thanksgiving family photo with Bubs Turkey Outfit

Grandpops and MeMe with Alexander

Bubba finally warms up to his Uncle Micah!

Alexander and Friends

Alexander is quite a social little man. He is quite lucky to have so many friends to play with and spend time with. A "playdate" up until this point in time consists of laying on a blanket with his friend and looking at them. Up until a month or so ago he didn't even know anyone else was in the room really! But I know that as he grows he will cherish his time with these friends and will learn so many things through the interaction and play they will provide. Justin and I are truly lucky to have so many wonderful friends in our lives that have such sweet children. Here are some pictures of Alexander and his friends!

Alexander and sweet Connor
Alexander is about a month old and Connor is 3 months

Alexader and Connor Again!
Alexander is 4 months and Connor is 7 months

Alexander and Alexis
Alexander is about a month and Alexis is 4 months

Alexander, Alexis and her big sis Michaela

Alexander and his twin friends Dai and Ella

Alexander and his friend William at the Stone Mountain Laser Show

Alexander and Mary Frances
Alexander is 6 months and Mary Frances is 5 months

Bubs in the Belly!

So I know this post is kind of like a foregone conclusion but I was organizing pictures the other day and ran across some "maternity" pictures that a dear friend Rebekah Laney took for me. I did not schedule a maternity photo session so Rebekah {who is a phenomenal photographer} took some for me while we were on a girls trip to San Fransisco and I could not have asked for better photos. They are absolutely beautiful. So I thought I would share a few pictures with bubs in the belly! For those who did not see me week in and week out during my pregnancy, I had a wonderful pregnancy. I was not sick and really was able to enjoy the experience. Bubs just decided to make his entrance into the world a little early and with me being the planner that I am, his week and a half early entrance really threw me for a loop! I was not even packed for the hospital. My water broke and I was running around the house, leaving things out for my recitals I knew I would miss and packing Justin and I's bags. What a wild ride! But here they are! I am seven and a half months pregnant in these photos.