Baby's First Christmas

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It's been extra special for us this year since it was Ian's very first Christmas. He took his very first road trip and we headed over the river and through the woods (or at least over the river and down I/65) to Aba's (Kirk's mom's) house on Christmas Eve to spend a few days with his family. Somehow we managed to, as Kirk put it, stuff 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb space and off we headed. It's amazing just how much stuff you need to take on a trip with you when you have an itty bitty baby (swing, bouncy seat, diapers, wipes, clothes, the list goes on and on). Ian did great on both the trip there and back and slept the whole hour and a half, we just made sure to feed him and put him into a "milk coma" prior to loading him into the car. Works like a charm every time. Car in motion + full belly = sleeping/happy baby.

We had lots of fun catching up with family, meeting our new niece Marlee Sue, and showing off/passing around both babies. It's fun to think about the coming years and getting to see these two grow up together. I had so much fun with my cousins through the years growing up and hope Ian and Marlee Sue are able to have the same experience. A trip to Grandma's is definitely more fun when you have someone around your own age to play with when the adults get boring!

Even though Ian doesn't know it he was spoiled rotten and got lots of cool things this year: books, toys, clothes, and some other necessities and odds and ends. He really is a lucky little guy to have so many people who love him. We still have one more Christmas to go with my family and I can only imagine he will continue to rack up. I also racked up as I got one of the coolest gifts EVER from Kirk this year my very first, very own, laptop, woohoo!!! It's a beautiful new Dell in midnight blue. I'm so excited and can't wait to get it. No more fighting with Kirk over who gets to use the computer!!

So far it's been a fun holiday season as we've had our little boy here to spend it with. Having him here with us is by far the best gift we could recieve and we are so excited to think about the coming years of experiencing the magic of Christmas and the holidays through his eyes.

The Williams Family Christmas tree

Christmas Eve

Family Photo

Three Weeks old

Baby Ian is three weeks old today. I can't believe how quickly the time is passing now that we have him. Next week he will be one whole month old. It's amazing how much he's already changed in the few weeks since he's been born. Last week we had his two week check with the pediatrician and he was 8lbs, 9oz and 22 inches long. His favorite things to do these days it seems are eat and sleep of course. Kirk and I are most enjoying his wakeful periods when he is wide eyed and alert and just seems to be hanging out and taking it all in. I feel like I am finally starting to get the hang of this mommy thing now and we are starting to get in somewhat of a routine and things definitely don't feel as stressful now as they did a couple of weeks ago. Kirk headed back to work today but my mom is spending the week with us to help out so we don't officially go it alone until next week so that will be a whole new experience for us. Until then we're enjoying being pampered.

We had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving this year and Ian got to take his first trip to his Grandma and Grandpa Tutten's house where he spent the evening being passed from one set of arms to the other. The only time he got put down all night long was when we had to put him in the car seat to go home. Kirk and I have so much to be thankful for this year: a nice home, great jobs, loving family with brand new niece who we can finally meet in a few weeks, wonderful friends, and most of all our sweet baby boy. We are also thankful for all the help we have had since we have brought little Ian home. We have had many friends and family stop by and bring us meals, offer advice, encouragement and support and we can't thank everyone enough for all that they have done for us. We feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. As Kirk always says "it takes a village" and we feel very lucky to have one.

Pictures from this past week:
Grandpa giving Ian one of many of his first Thanksgiving dinners:

Q.T with Aunt Katie

Hangin' with Uncle Chris

How he spent most of Thanksgiving

Napping with Mommy