First Gobble, Gobble

Hunter's first Thanksgiving spanned just over a week! We began the weekend prior in Ocean City visiting with his Mom-mom and Pop. On Thanksgiving day, we had a lovely dinner with his Pop-pop and Granny J, then a nice visit with Faye, Jerry and Nanny. The day after Thanksgiving we spent the day in Pottstown with the Vandreys, Scotts, Wilkinsons, and Wausnocks. Hunter seemed to enjoy the visits, though was getting a little tired of his car seat. Much like his mom and dad, he doesn't seem to be a big fan of the "road warrior" holiday tradition.

Of course, we were having such a good time that we forgot to pull the camera out and take as many pictures as we would have liked. Oooops! One thing is for sure...WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!

Squealer

We definitely have a little squealer on our hands. That, or he is just appalled at all of his mommy's split ends...

A Special Delivery

As everyone knows, Hunter was not cooperative about coming out of my tummy in a timely manner and actually arrived two weeks after his due date. This tardiness was an early sign that he is indeed his father's son! Unfortunately, because of his delay, he missed meeting his Great Grandmother "Memaw" before she returned to Georgia at the end of summer. (This fact has been driving her nuts, too! She has told me on several occasions that she is green with envy because everyone else has gotten to snuggle Hunter and she hasn't even met him yet.)

Though she is several States away, it is obvious that she thinks of Hunter often. We have received several packages from her filled with blankets that she and her girlfriend Sandy have handmade for Hunter. These blankets are in several of our previous web posts because we use them daily, whether it is to put them on the floor so Hunter can play on them or to wrap him up in them so he stays warm when we are outside.

Just the other day another package showed up on our doorstep and inside was a very special blanket, named Spencer the Elephant. It is the coolest blanket that we have ever seen!! Memaw hand knitted it for Hunter and it has taken her quite a long time to complete!! She actually mentioned several times over the last few months that she didn't think she'd ever finish it and, if she did, she wouldn't have any thumbs left. (I'm happy to report that she still has use of both thumbs!)

Here are some photos of this fabulous blanket. There are also some pictures of the sweater she knitted for Hunter. He looks like he's posing as a GQ model in it! THANK YOU MEMAW...We love you MORE!

Getting Ready for Real Food

Next month, Hunter will likely start eating some rice cereal and other solid foods. To help get him prepared, we have started to place him in his high chair from time to time so he can get use to it.

These clips are from the very first time he was in his high chair. He seems to like it and he looks like such a big boy!

3 Months Old!

Today, Hunter turned 3 months old. He continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Hunter has now been going to Day Care for 1 week and is a big hit among the other children there! They often update Ryan and I on Hunter's daily activities when we pick him up in the evenings. "He talked and woke me up from my nap" or "He smiled twice and stared a lot". It's quite cute.

At 3 months old, Hunter is now able to quickly roll over from front to back; he is making new noises which sound closer to a babble than a coo; he has started to suck his thumb on occasion; he's given us the hint of a belly laugh and we are sure in another week or so he will be giving them with more gusto; and he is quick to grab toys with both hands and immediately place them in his mouth.

Here are some pictures of our handsome little man taken throughout this last month...

Happy Halloween!

Hunter spent his first Halloween at the Kenard Dale football game, where he watched his cousin Nate play his last home game as a senior. Nate made some awesome tackles and they won the game 35 to 7! After which, Hunter was so tuckered out that he fell asleep at 5:30 p.m. without even making it into his Halloween costume. Hopefully next year will be more eventful and we can actually take Hunter door to door trick or treating!

Luckily, he had worn his little monkey costume to Day Care earlier in the week and photos were taken of him with the other kids, so the costume wasn't a total loss! He also dressed up with his Opa the night before Halloween in crabbie costumes!

Our Little Music Maker

Season of Change

Here in Maryland, the leaves are beginning to change from green to red. They are quite beautiful, so today we took some photos of Hunter amongst the fall foliage.

Sadly, this changing season also marks a very difficult change in the Vandrey household. Tomorrow, I return to work after 3 months of maternity leave and Hunter starts Day Care. Every time I think about it I get choked up. Ryan is handling it much better than I. Of course he feels bad for me and knows it will be a tough transition, but he has been back to work for quite a while now, so he is use to leaving Hunter every day. I, on the other hand, have not spent more than 4 hours apart from Hunter since the day he was born.

I realize there are benefits to this change; I will have a structured schedule again; I'll be making money with which I can provide Hunter with not only everything he needs but also a lot of things he wants; Hunter will have access to many new fun toys and experiences at Day Care; he's going to learn a ton from Connie (his Day Care provider) as well as the other children she cares for. Despite knowing all of that, when I'm home playing and cuddling with Hunter in the middle of the afternoon, it's hard to think positively about anything that will end those moments. It's also heartbreaking to think of all the "firsts" I am going to miss when we are apart, and there is something very special about watching your child do something for the very first time and seeing the joy/shock/excitement/pride on his face when it happens. I know in my head that this is the very best thing for our family, but my heart just doesn't want to let go!

Here are some photos and videos of the things I'm going to miss most when we are apart:

Playing together and finding new ways to make him smile and squeal...

Checking on him during nap time to find him snoring and making sucking faces...

Afternoon walks and cuddles...

Sucker!

Thumb sucker, that is! Recently, Hunter has been experimenting with putting various things in his mouth. Sometimes it's part of a toy, many times it's his fist or fingers, occasionally it is mommy and daddy's arm or shoulder. Then, today, Ryan went to get Hunter from his nap and witnessed this, which is most definitely a first!

Popular Boy!

Hunter had a busy week filled with lots of special visitors; his Pop, Pop-Pop and Granny J, and Aunt Laurie. He enjoyed being adored by all!