On the Mends and On a Move!

Today is day number five of this awful ear infection. Bryson seemed to start feeling better yesterday. He is still not totally well, and continues to run a low grade temperature. He is SO much better, though, and we are so thankful for that! I turned my back for just a second this afternoon and this is how I found him (are we in trouble or what?):

This is how he spends most of his time these days:No more turning our backs, even for a second!

Cute Idea!!!

So, when my Mom and I went to have Bryson's pictures taken they had a really cute line to hang Christmas cards on. There was only one left, so my Mom bought it. I told her I would just make my own. I've had the stuff to make it for a few weeks now, and just got a chance to put it together. This is how it turned out:

I think it turned out really cute and was super easy to make! All I did was buy scrap booking paper and cut it into different shapes. Then I hot-glued the shapes to clothespins and hot-glued the clothespins to a ribbon. Voila! Now I have a cute way to display the Christmas cards we receive. Don't you just love this time of year? :)

Five Months Old; Hello Ear Infection!

Bryson turned five months old yesterday! He is "growing up" so fast and we are continuously amazed by this sweet little boy. When I picked him up from school on Wednesday, his teacher said "Bryson is ON THE MOVE! He is up on all fours and rolling everywhere!" The next part of what she said really struck me and may give an indication of what the very short future will hold. She said "You know, he isn't even interested in sitting up. It's like he just wants to go, go, go!" Yep! She said it- but I already knew it. If things continue to go the way they have been, I think Bryson might have Jason's patience and might start running before he walks. :) Lord, help us!
In other news, we started adding fruit to Bryson's cereal and now he is almost devouring it! He had applesauce added for the first time last Sunday (12/6), and had bananas for the first time on Tuesday (12/8). So far, so good! Hoping we don't have too picky of an eater on our hands...
And now on to the latest news. Bryson was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and an ear infection yesterday. Poor baby! It has been pretty awful. Bryson cried most of the day yesterday, ran a temperature of 103 for most of the day (with Tylenol), wouldn't eat, and was pretty much inconsolable. I took him in to see the doctor where we got antibiotics. The doctor also told us to give Motrin because Bryson is big enough size-wise to take it. Last night was not much better than the day. He kept the temperature of 103 for most of the night and we could tell he was so miserable. Jason and I took shifts, a couple of hours at a time. He has been sleeping pretty soundly this morning, so we'll see what today holds! The worst part is that on Wednesday when I picked him up from school one of the kids was out with an ear infection. All three of the other kids in his class have been battling ear infections, and we have not. I dumbly made a comment about how Bryson is the only baby that is not breastfed and the only one WITHOUT ear infections! I knocked on wood! Oh well- I learned my lesson and will never open my mouth like that again.
Jason's bosses are here from Canada and we were supposed to go eat with them at Christopher's last night. Tonight is Jason's Christmas party at work and they are all eager to see Bryson- doubt we will be making that! The timing of these things always amazes me...
All of this to say that we have the sweetest little boy and are hating the helpless feeling of having a sick little one. We know that things could be SO MUCH worse and are just thankful for all of the blessings we experience every day with Bryson. We wonder what we ever did without him.
It has been a wonderful five months!

Christmas is Coming!

It is definitely starting to look like Christmas around here! We finally got our tree set up and even got new ceramic logs for our fireplace. We have been enjoying evenings at home with the tree all lit up and a cozy fire to keep us warm. There is something extra special about Christmas with a new baby around. We are enjoying every moment!

New Friends???

It seems as though Halle MIGHT finally be starting to accept the fact that Bryson is here to stay. She used to completely turn her back to him whenever he got anywhere near her (while staying in the same place- totally snobbing him!). Now she is acting very curious and she even let him reach out and touch her today. We're making progress!

Thanksgiving Celebration and Travels

This Thanksgiving was different than any other Thanksgiving we've ever experienced. We traveled and did not stay in the same place two nights in a row! Packing, unpacking, packing, and unpacking again seemed to occupy the majority of our time. There is a lot to be said for traveling with an infant! So, lots of changes this holiday season. They are wonderful changes, though, and we wouldn't change it for anything. We had a great time just getting to see family (and friends), and enjoyed seeing Bryson interact with everyone. Aunt Amy hadn't seen Bryson since he was a few weeks old, and Great Aunt Kathy hadn't seen him since the day he was born. I loved being in one room and hearing all of our adult family members talking in baby talk to Bryson and hearing Bryson laugh and coo at them. (have you ever stopped to listen what we really sound like when we talk to babies??) This new little life that we have had the priveledge to enjoy for the last four months continues to amaze us every day. We are so thankful for our little one and the time spent with loved ones during this Thanksgiving holiday. Here are a few (or maybe more than a few :) pictures from our trip...

Great-Aunt Kathy and Grandma loving on Bryson = squished cheeks!

Sweet Aunt Amy

Great Grandma

Grandma and Cousin Kandra

Cousin Michael

Laughing at silly Uncle Matt!

PawPaw

Grandpa

Sisters-in-law!

The Hudson Family

First photo shoot of all of the cousins!

William, Bryson, Sheldon, Laynie, and Phillip

Laynie and Bryson playing sweetly together.

Laynie kept trying to get into the exersaucer with Bryson! So cute!

Uncle Will

Aunt Jessica

Aunt Julie

We are so thankful for this time we got to enjoy with our families and reflect on all of our many blessings!

Sound Familiar???

So- as I've previously mentioned our life is CRAZY right now! Today has been "one of those days." I had just gotten Bryson down for a nap (finally!) and went into our room to blow-dry my hair. I had the monitor right next to me so I could see/hear if Bryson made a peep. Have I mentioned that Bryson is still totally off schedule from our holiday traveling and woke up at 4am ready for the day? Anyways, approximately 12 minutes after Bryson went down, I heard a POUNDING on our front door. I was sure that the world must be ending for anyone to beat on our door like this, especially when we have a sign up asking people to be quiet becuase we have a sleeping baby (we leave it up at all times :). Anyways, then Halle was barking and growling, and anyone who knows this dog knows that she is anything but quiet. Next I heard Bryson screaming. Who was at the door? A UPS man, saying that I must sign for this package. I had wet hair and was wearing nothing but a robe. Halle would hardly let me open the door. I tried to pursuade him to just leave the package- Bryson was screaming, the dog was barking, I was freezing- but he would not give in. So, I opened the door partially (while hiding behind it) and reached around to sign his little electronic device. The good news??? It was our new laptop! The bad news??? My baby is still fighting going down for a nap three hours later...