Catching up!

We haven't been on the computer much lately because we have been busy! Last Wednesday Derek and I both had to be in Frankfort so we went to Lexington for the week and Aunt Tay kept Deacon while we went to our meetings. I am almost certified to be a First Steps Provider and I can't wait! I stepped out on faith in a big way when I quit my job but I have been more than busy with PRN 3 days a week. I just can't imagine leaving Deacon 5 days a week and I'm determined to make whatever sacrifice it takes to only work 3 days a week. When I get First Steps up and going I'll start cutting back on my PRN hours until eventually I'm only doing First Steps. Hopefully I will have my First Steps caseload built up by summer.

Derek and I are taking the Polar Plunge and jumping into KY Lake on February 19th to benefit the Special Olympics. We are organizing a Valentine's Day bake sale at church so that is occupying most of my free time when Deacon is sleeping. He has been going to bed at 8 every night and that gives me so much free time. I sure do miss him while he sleeps but I'm enjoying getting so much done. I've been up until midnight most every night. I try not to do any housework when he is awake. I save that for naptime and bedtime. I've divided my chores into one or two things everyday Sunday-Wednesday so that our house is always clean going into the weekend. It's working so far.

We have been going to Jackson's Upward Basketball games on Saturdays. They are so amazing and we are blown away by this program. It is Christian based and they make the kids feel so special. There is no scoreboard and very little pressure but the kids are learning the sport so well. They do an amazing starting line-up that would put most high school programs to shame. At half time there is a prayer and a devotional. We have been blessed by attending each game. Afterwards there is a star ceremony and each kid gets an award. The first week Jackson got the Christ-like award. It is so fitting for him. We pray that Deacon has the kind gentle spirit Jackson has.

Here is the little star-number 2:


Aunt Tay had a welcome basket-such a gracious host!



Getting ready for church- I love love love hats on little boys!


Mimmie bought this outfit for him when he was about 3 weeks old. We just knew he would be adorable in it!

Winter Days

The Smith fam is ready for summer! We have enjoyed lots of family time this winter and love days at home where we play all day but the lake is calling our names!Deacon loved the lake last year so we know he will have a blast this summer. We also got season tickets to Venture River compliments of Mimmie and Poppa so we imagine lots of trips there! We got Jackson and Amelia season tickets for their birthdays so the Smith's/Boone's will be frequent visitors. Since we are literally less than two miles from the water park we can come and go as we please. Deacon has tons of trunks to try out and he can't wait! We will also be visiting Florida and posssibly Gulf Shores this summer so we are excited for that.

For now we will continue to embrace this cold dreary weather-we are heading to see Aunt Tay next week so a change of scenery should be nice!

6 months old! A little late....

What he's been up to:

Playing with daddy:


Lots of long baths:



Playing dress up in his dino outfit from Aunt Tay and Uncle Chase...so warm!


Deacon turned 6 months old on December 24 (a little late on the post I know!)


6 month stats:

• 18 pounds 8 oz
• 27 3/4" long
• Gets up 1-2 times a night to eat and takes 2-3 naps during the day
• Words- dada, momma, hey, and poppa- although none of these are consistent nor does he say them purposefully yet
• Solid foods- applesauce, bananas, pumpkin, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, prunes- all homemade by mommy and daddy
• He has also tried apple juice this month and continues with organic cereal or oatmeal for breakfast
• He eats 2-3 meals a day of solid food and then nurses 6-8 times a day
• He loves his sissy (Maddy) and squeals in delight when she comes in the room
• Favorite toys- Noah's Ark, cement truck, forrest animals, his police cars, and all his books
• He can sit up and it super close to crawling- he can army crawl across the room. He can also pull up to standing in the bathtub
• He loves everything he isn't supposed to have-cords, cameras, and iphones- we are trying to be very firm with him when we say no and his hand has been smacked a few times this month-so far no success:) he just smiles
• He is happy most of the time and smiles all day long. He loves to scream as loud as he can and does this often in church.
• He loves older kids as this all he is ever around. They are all very good to him and he just sits and watches them.
• He loves to be talked to or interacted with if he is awake. He isn't interested in the tv or playing alone. He likes for one of us to be laying in the floor playing with him at all times-so we do! We save housework and chores for his nap times which is easier now that he takes longer naps.
• We are working on teaching him his body parts and the sign for more.

If you made it through this-God Bless You! We like keeping this for our own memory and for the grandmas who care about these things!

Christmas

Christmas was so much fun this year. Deacon was a blast. He enjoyed all of his toys so much. We tried to start traditions that will teach him the true meaning of Christmas. I know that it won't always be easy but we are going to try our hardest.



I am now back on facebook and post pictures there often as it is easier to do on there. In the New Year I'm going to try and do a post a week on what we are up to and what's new with Deacon.



God Bless you all!



Our Christmas memories can be see on facebook!

Christmas

The Smith home is preparing for Christmas! We are planning lots of fun activities and traditions. We are striving to teach Deacon the true meaning of Christmas-despite the secular world we live in. We praise God for sending his son and all that he stood for.

Posing at Mimmie's house-He carried the cross in with a little help from mom and dad at hanging of the greens at church so he was decked out.


We were feeling the Christmas spirit so we gave him a little cereal. I'm not much on cereal but we had some I had bought so we are using it to get him used to texture in his mouth. We will be moving on to the good stuff in the next week.

We do Christmas with the Boone's on several occasions. We have made a tradition of going to see Santa with them and exchanging Dec. 1st gifts. We got the kids matching pajamas to wear when we do our actual Christmas with them and an advent book. They got Deacon the nativity. Mimmie and Poppa got him the wisemen and Aunt Tay got him the inn keeper so we have lots of props for the Christmas story.

They love Deacon and Deacon loves them!

They think Santa rocks!

A little different than last year.

Jackson told Santa Deacon's list

Deacon gets plenty of attention at church. There is always someone wanting to hold him which is a nice break for us. Jimbo put him right to sleep-this holiday season is wearing him out!

He turned 5 months old a couple of weeks ago-we were a little busy!