Christmas From Afar

5:15 AM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Christmas. Such a magical time of the year!

The lights. The trees. The music. Ah! I love all of it! It is the perfect time of year to eat way to many sweets [better pack them in before those New Years resolutions to "eat healthier" start up] and spend mass amounts of time with family & friends.

But what happens when you live thousands of miles & a giant ocean away from your family? You celebrate the best that you can.

I have been reflecting on how Christmas has changed for us through the years.

We used to wake up at our homes before the crack of dawn, peaking downstairs to see what gifts were awaiting us under the tree. Then we grew up, became less-than-enthused teens who slept in and casually strolled downstairs. Only to wake up one day to realize we're adults who have our own house and can only really by for ourselves.

Even after that, I knew once we had kids, everything would change again! And it did! Greyson brought a new meaning to our Christmas. Obviously I was happy to receive gifts from Greg and our parents, but I was way more excited to watch Greyson try to open his gifts - although that really meant mommy & daddy did it for him. He doesn't yet understand the joys of Christmas and the meanings behind it, but the memories that we are creating and the pictures we've taken will last a lifetime for us.

It's just not the same being so far from family. Skype just isn't the same when it comes to sharing very special, meaningful moments with family. We could see them and they could [kind of] see us. They watched us open the gifts they mailed and we expressed our gratitude and how much we miss them. But something about the internet and a webcam just doesn't capture that brightness of Greyson's eyes; the fascination when he sees a new toy; the obsession he has over the most random things around him. And those things are so much a part of his personality, a part of who he is.

We will never have another first Christmas for our baby. But we can take delight in knowing that there are more Christmases to come, with Greyson's understanding, excitement and joy growing each year. While this Christmas may not have been what I imagined it would be while growing up, it was still a special day for our little family. One day we will no longer be separated by an ocean and will be able to enjoy the most amazing time of the year surrounded by everyone we love.

As I am always trying to find new things to do at home with Greyson, I took advantage of the best time of the year to try some new things. Crafts happened on occasion. Painting with a baby is both messy & incredibly fun. A little difficult at times too! But we got some really adorable keepsakes to remember how small he was this year.

We did some Black Friday shopping, even though it isn't nearly as exciting here as it is stateside, complete with coffee drinks in hand & comfy clothes. And once we commenced, baby nap time went down & the Christmas tree went right up!

We also started the Christmas Eve box tradition already, complete with new PJs, a book and a new movie - contributed by both sets of grandparents & an aunt & uncle.

I wanted to drive around & look at Christmas lights, but not many people decorate outside of their houses here so it would've been a lot of driving and little excitement. Maybe next year?

And the Christmas lover I am - I am already looking forward to next year with toddler Greyson & even more traditions that we can start up!

What are some Christmas traditions you have started with baby that you plan to keep going for years to come?

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Greyson opening his stocking with daddy[/caption]

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More excited about daddy's new Browns cup than his new toys![/caption]

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Helping mommy open his new turtle toy - definitely one of his favorites![/caption]

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Merry Christmas!

4:00 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Ho Ho Ho! 'Tis the season to be merry!

Greyson's first Christmas is one we with cherish forever! And it was certainly an interesting time that we had!

We started the holiday off on Christmas Eve opening some gifts from family. We all got some Christmas PJs to wear that night & Christmas morning. And Greyson got a few new Christmas books & a new Christmas movie! Then he capped off the night by waking up just after 11 PM, being super upset & unconsolable, not going back to sleep until 145 AM! Talk about a frustrating, exhausting night!

The up-side to Greyson's late night fiasco was that we all slept in for a change! It was nice [other than it wrecking havoc on Grey's schedule]. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast casserole I had cooking overnight in the crockpot. Thanks Pinterest! :)

Christmas morning coffee in our new red Starbucks mugs

Greg helping Greyson open his stocking - while Grey chews on his new movie!

Excited to run around with daddy's new Browns cup!

"Feed me more mom!!"

It was so cool to watch Greyson open his gifts! He didn't really understand what was happening, but he was so cute trying! We got him to rip some paper off of gifts & although we did most of the work for him, he liked the end result of all the new toys! I already can't wait until next year when he is older & understands a little more what is happening!

We watched one of my favorite Christmas movies as we opened our gifts - A Christmas Story

Mommy helping Greyson open his gift, his musical turtle

CAT MegaBloks Truck that we got him & he was so into it!

We Skyped with our parents & my sister to open the gifts they sent to us! It was nice to get to see them & chat with them - even if it was through a computer screen. The holidays have always been one of my favorite times of the year & now that Greyson is here, they are even more amazing!

Greg LOVES his new jersey that I got him! Best Wife Award over here! :)

Wearing my new Vera Bradley apron as I get our Christmas dinner ready!

My first Christmas dinner entirely made by myself - Ham with brown sugar & pineapples, Sweet potatoes & crescent rolls! Yum!

But it is very difficult living in Germany so far from the ones we love most! Christmas was always such a busy time for us - going to multiple houses, having big dinners & being surrounded by lots of people & love. So it was a little weird being home with just the 3 of us. But I love my boys & I wouldn't change having them here to spend my days with! Very blessed to have such an amazing husband & adorably awesome son! Not to mention our loving families!

Just a few more days left of 2013! Ready to round out the rest of the year & bring in the new year soon!

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10 Months

5:09 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

This little handsome man is 10 months old today! :)

Favorite "Toys:" Learning Walker, cups, remote control, leftover dishes, books

Favorite Foods: Bananas, Blueberries, Sweet potato fries, Chicken, Meatloaf, Toast with jam, Scrambled Eggs

Milestones: Greyson is walking like a champ, has 6 teeth now, babbling so much as he says "mama" & "baba" [trying to say "dada"]

We celebrated Greyson's first Thanksgiving with some wonderful friends who invited us to join in on their festivities! We enjoyed great company & Greyson got to play with some little baby friends. Food was delicious & Greyson went crazy when the food was gone!

Christmas lights are mesmerizing!

We went to a Christmas party for kids hosted by Greg's unit! Lots of fun games & prizes for the kids. And a visit from Santa! I've been waiting for this since we found out I was pregnant - and Greyson hated Santa! You would have thought the jolly old guy was just murdering him! This is what tired, hungry & stranger danger looks like when it hits a baby all at once!

Poor Santa - haha

We went to our first Christmas Market here in Germany! We ventured out to Saarbrucken, enjoyed some gluhwein & looked at some fun German goodies! It was a tad bit nippy out but that didn't stop Greyson from passing out in the baby carrier!

Eyeballing daddy's gluhwein! Yes he wanted some, no he didn't get any! ;)

Family Photo - we were so festive in our red outfits!

And of course we decorated the house for Christmas! I did most of the decorating while Greyson was sleeping as I could imagine the ~~fun~~ hassle of untangling Christmas lights while also trying to wrangle them away from an infant! So far so good on the decorations front with Greyson - he is interested in the gifts under the tree & has inspected branches a few times, but hasn't tried anything funny... yet! He does like the nutcrackers though! He carries them around & puts them in various places around the living room. & even talks to the fake Santa!

Couldn't help but snap a few ~~hundred~~ pictures of Greyson in front of the tree all lit up! Isn't he just presh?!

Lot of holiday fun coming up very quickly! We have all of Greyson's gifts from us ready to go & only waiting on a few in the mail for Christmas morning! I have some delicious meals planned that I'm excited to make! I've never made a whole big holiday meal on my own before so I hope it goes well! Can't wait to see Greyson open his gifts & get to play with them - more than checking them out in the store to make sure he likes them!

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Thankful.

3:26 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

I have so much to be thankful for this year! We all have our ups & downs, but these few things are always there for me & have made this past year [& many prior to this one] awesome! I wouldn't be where I am today without the very special people in my life!

My little family - Greg, Greyson & I

I am so grateful to have the 2 of them to spend my days & my life with! I love being a wife & mom. I've had so many dreams of where I would end up in life & in every scenario, those are the 2 things that never change! Almost every night, as I rock Greyson to sleep & smell his beautiful baby head, I can't help but think to myself that I was meant to be a mom. So thankful that I've been given this blessing in life.

Greg - my amazing husband & loving father to Greyson

I'm thankful everyday to have him as the one I get to spend my life with. Even after 8 years together & 2 years of marriage, I love him to pieces & love spending every minute I can with him. He is so supportive of me & my dreams & encourages me to reach for the stars!

Greyson - my loving little baby boy

This bundle of energy is the craziest, smartest, most loving little boy I could ever imagine & I am so thankful that I get to be his mommy! He lights up our lives everyday with all that he does. Its been a whirlwind 9.5 months since he joined our lives, but oh such an amazing time its been. Can't wait to keep watching him grow & see what he becomes!

Dexter & Gaia - our crazy, cuddly pups

Dexter is a ball-chasing maniac who doesn't stop but is just the best cuddler around! And Gaia is like an independent teenager who wants to do her own thing, but she will snuggle right up & lay her head on your lap & just melt your heart. These are our first "babies" & I love seeing them interact with Greyson & knowing the bond that is between them already

Terra - my amazing little sister & Debbie - my loving mom

The 2 of them keep me going & are 2 of my best friends! They both mean the world to me & I am so thankful to have spent my whole life with them by my side [figuratively at this point! ha]. The days when I get to chat with them are some of my best days. They both help me be a better, stronger person & they have shaped the woman, mother & wife that I am today.

John, Don, Debbie, Crystal & Joe - My dad, step-dad, mom, mother-in-law & father-in-law

The 5 of them together have provided Greg, Greyson & I with so much love & support over the years its not even funny! I am thankful for all that each one has done for us. Also for knowing that they are there for us in the good times & the bad.

I have so much more to be thankful for: friends, extended family, our house, the Air Force, the opportunity to get to experience living abroad. Our lives aren't perfect, but we have much love & happiness all around.

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25 Days of Christmas

10:19 AM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Having a baby brings a whole new excitement to the holiday that are quickly approaching! I can't wait for him to try all the yummy Thanksgiving foods & starting new family traditions.

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year since I was a kid. I love decorating, spending time with family, taking in mass amounts of peppermint, listening to Christmas music 24/7 & of course shopping for gifts to give to those closest to me.

I have obviously already started thinking about what fun we can have for Greyson's first Christmas this year & want to find a way to incorporate Christmas into all 25 days of December leading up to Christmas morning. Its unrealistic to do some things still since Greyson is so young, but I was able to come up with a Christmas Bucket List to do with baby this year! Here is my list:

1. Go to a Christmas market & drink gluhwein [Warm, spiced red wine very popular here in Germany during the winter]

2. Make Christmas paintings with Greyson
3. Take pictures in front of the Christmas tree in our festive gear
4. Paint nails & wear all red & green one day
5. Go to a Christmas tree farm
6. Make Christmas cards & a Christmas card display
7. Take Greyson to see Santa
8. Spend all day in PJs drinking warm, yummy drinks & watching Christmas movies all day

9. Make cinnamon handprint ornaments
10. Pay for someone's coffee behind us in line at coffee place
11. Make treats for friends & leave them as a surprise at doorstep
12. Wrap Christmas gifts while watching Christmas movies on repeat
13. Make a gingerbread house
14. Go Christmas shopping & enjoy peppermint mochas while walking around
15. Drive around & look at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate

16. Play in the snow & make a snowman
17. Make cotton ball snowmen art with Greyson
18. Take pictures somewhere in the snow
19. Bake & decorate Christmas cutout cookies
20. Go to a Christmas party
21. Play the Christmas Vacation drinking game [courtesy of Little Baby Garvin blog] & drink egg nog
22. Stuff stockings with goodies

23. Make cookies for Santa
24. Enjoy a festive Christmas-theme
d meal & yummy drinks
25. Open Christmas Eve box [PJs, Christmas book & hot cocoa]

My goal is to do everything on this list &
I know some will happen more than once!
And of course take pictures to share here!

Already getting the the spirit rocking out to Christmas music
while dancing with Greyson around the house!
I'm sure Greg thinks I'm nuts - although he does amuse me sometimes & puts in a
Christmas movie since he knows I love them!

'Tis the season to be ~~Mary~~ Merry! ;)

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Greyson is 9 Months

12:00 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Greyson is officially 9 months old! We could not be more blessed to have such an amazing, silly, loving, adorable little boy!

Weight: 16 lbs 14 oz

Length: 27.2 inches

Head circumference: 46 cm

Favorite foods: Chicken & dumplings, yogurt, bananas, sweet potato fries, pasta, meatloaf

Favorite activities: walking toy, sharing his toys with mommy, daddy & the dogs, pulling books & DVDs off the bookshelves, climbing on anything & everything, watching the Big Bang Theory opening song, dancing around to Christmas songs with mommy, sitting in the cart at stores like a big boy, trying to grab our coffee mugs, playing peek-a-boo with the doors

Least favorite things: diaper changes, mommy & daddy taking things he shouldn't have away from him, when we take too long to get his food to him

Notable Milestones: Greyson is cruising around everything like a champ, he took his first unassisted steps on November 13, his top left lateral incisor is making its way down with the right one just behind as well, lots of babbles that are starting to sound more like real words every day

Greyson's personality is starting to show itself more each day! He is almost always making a funny facial expression, ones that make us laugh daily. He loves getting to hang out with mommy & daddy - although he isn't as cuddly as when he was little since he just HAS to be on the move 24/7. He even starts moving the moment he wakes up, as he just stirs for a second then pops up onto his knees & is off!

You wouldn't know it by his size, but Greyson loves to eat! We can't eat anything around here without him coming up to us & trying to snatch some for himself! Maybe that's where his desire to share everything with us stems from - he will find random things & hold them out for us, such as a sock, DVD, teething toy.

His frog teether is one of his favorites - trying to make those pesky teeth coming in feel better

He loves walking around with this toy! So proud of himself!

And he just loves it when he gives it to us, especially when we amuse him & "chew" on his teething toys like he does! He will sit there & do it over & over. Its seriously so cute! Watching him play with the dogs, especially Dexter, is just so cute! He will laugh so hard sometimes when Dexter chases something or if he is playing tug with the rope. The racquet ball is a hot commodity around here as Greyson & Dexter both love them & will sit & share one all day!

Finally crawling on his knees more often!

And trying to stand! Haha

I seriously love this little boy so much! He amazes me more everyday with the things he is learning & everything he does! In just a short time, we will be planning his first birthday party & I can't believe it! Seems like just yesterday that we brought him home! But before I get ahead of myself, bring on the holidays!

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Breastfeeding Journey - Part 3

7:52 AM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Things have gotten immensely better on the breastfeeding front!

Right around 6 months, we started Greyson on solids. We were ready & he was showing all of the signs of being interested so we went with it. First up - sweet potatoes. Yum! We worked into them slowly, giving them at dinner and only after nursing first. He loved to grab the spoon & put it in his mouth himself. I greatly believe that introducing the spoon & the skills required to use his tongue with the spoon helped to make him a better nurser.

At his 6 month check-up, our pediatrician informed me that he was still considered "failure to thrive" as he was still in the 0 percentile for his age on both the WHO & CDC charts. He had gained weight & it was following the curve, just sitting below it. Yet again, I got the "You should supplement with formula" speech. Yeah too bad I was pumping my life away while nursing all day as well.. He was getting the extra food & gaining weight so I knew he was doing fine & just kept doing what my gut told me.

Greyson loves bananas - & the dogs love when he ~~feeds them to them~~ eats them

After about 2.5 months of pumping and nursing, using some bottles or adding breastmilk to oatmeal, we were able to back off of the supplements and get back into the game of exclusive breastfeeding! I was nervous as could be - was he getting enough? Did we wean off the supplements too soon?

I had spent so much time going to have him weighed, sometimes every week, that I was getting so stressed out & not focusing on just loving my son & enjoying my time with him. So I took a break! It was so hard when Tuesdays would come. My urge to go to the breastfeeding group was so strong I had to distract myself & force myself to forget about it. Taking a trip back to the states to visit family & friends was just the thing I needed.

Hey mom! I'm ready to eat!

Exclusively nursing while travelling, in my opinion, made the whole trip so much easier! I took my pump, just in case, but never touched it in the weeks we were stateside. Greyson was nursed on the first take-off and did great the whole trip! He was such a little angel on the plane & looong car rides!

By the time we got back [& got over our stomach bugs], I hadn't had Greyson weighed in just over a month. My heart was beating when it was time to weigh him that week! And the result of our hard work - he had gained 1 lb 3 oz in 6 weeks! It doesn't sound like much, but babies his age have typically plateaued in their weight from being so active. And by the next week - 6 more ounces! I was ecstatic! I plugged all of his info into an app I was told about - 6th percentile based on weight for age!!

Greyson still wakes up several times a night to nurse, but he's so cute to I don't mind so much

We are coming up on Greyson's 9 month mark & I am so happy to be in a great place with nursing! We struggled SO much in the beginning - poor latch, nipple damage, tongue tie, supply issues, plugged ducts - and overcame all of it! We are just over 3 months away from my goal of exclusively breastfeeding for 1 year! A goal I was very unsure we would ever make it to!

I just want to help encourage & inspire any new mom who is struggling or feeling doubt with themselves in their own breastfeeding journey. With determination & a great support system, anything is possible! I wouldn't have made it this far without the help & support of my awesome husband or my constant visits [& breakdowns] with my cheerleader of an IBCLC, who makes me feel like Superwoman!

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Our Day in Pictures

12:57 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Well fall has basically come & gone already here in Germany! The leaves changed for a hot second & have been falling to the ground all week. We are finally back on a normal schedule since returning from our visit in the states. Greyson is doing well with naps but still having a little trouble sleeping long stretches at night.

I was thinking. We take pictures of all the big moments - the firsts, fancy times and just things we think we have to document. Well what about the everyday stuff? Greyson & I do almost the same thing every day but I love it & wouldn't change it for the world. So why not remember the little things to?! The silly faces he makes as his personality grows daily. The random things he gets his little hands on that he probably shouldn't. The everyday love between us that isn't posed or choreographed.

Well this is it. This is us.

A little Pinterest & coffee while Greyson hangs out & I wake up

Breakfast with my lil guy - this particular morning was mango

Play time! His weapon of choice - the remote of course!

He climbs up there all by himself. Staring down the floor trying how to get back down

"Hey mom! I need to eat the camera now!"

Climbing on mommy. I make a pretty sweet baby mountain!

Story time! He spends most of the time trying to rip out the pages or eat the book, but it works!

Post-nap #1. "Mom! No cameras!!"

At least a solid 5 minutes of peek-a-boo! One of his favorite things to do!

Lunch. This day he wanted some of my garlic bread. I'm nice so I share!

He loves the music and lights on the walking toy

Puppy kisses!

Cup ninja swiped my water! Hasn't quite mastered the straw yet!

RIP F1 key! You will surely be missed..

Post-Nap #2. Being playful in his crib!

My adorable little guy. He loves posing for some pictures

"I look ridiculous! Get this thing off of my head!" Yeah.. it lasted about 10 seconds. As did our walk since it was colder than I expected

Daddy's home! He gets so excited now when daddy comes home to play!

He just needed a little coffee..

Helping daddy make dinner. Maybe I should get him a little apron? Ha

Telling daddy about his day! He is so chatty during dinner. Only a matter of time before he's actually saying words!

Nothing monumental happened this day. But I am so happy to have these pictures & to be able to have them to share. Greyson is growing up faster than I could've imagined & I just hope I can remember him being this small for as long as I can!