Bathtime in the Washpod

Bathtime with a newborn can sometimes be quite difficult and is ever changing. When they're teeny tiny and brand new you have to be extra careful not to submerge their umbilical cord in water leading to sponge baths. When they get a little older and have more neck support you can try bathing them in plastic tubs. My favorite and effortless way of bathing Grant so far has been to lay down his sponge in the tub and fill the tub with water. This way he can kick and splash all the while stretching out. My neighbor recently filled me in on the newest trend out there: the Washpod. Her baby is three weeks and too small for it so she let Grant and I give it a go. The result? I'm personally not a huge fan. You have to take extra care to hold the baby up because at one point Grant slipped off the little seat on the bottom and was completely submerged in the water. He didn't miss a beat though and kept on splashing! It was also hard to wash his little legs and bottom working with such a narrow space, I had to stand him up to scrub him down. The washpod did make for some extra cute pics. Thanks Laurie for letting us try out this new trend!

Mom, I'm not sure about this!

Look at those cute little legs at the bottom!

He still loves those fingers!

After he completely went under water, he didn't miss a beat!

This little piggy went to the market, this little piggy took a bath...

Squeaky clean

Grant in his bathrobe

Happy Birthday Ron!

Ron and I celebrated his 28th birthday on December 30th in a grand way! We took full advantage of all the babysitters around on our trip home and embarked on our first night away from Grant. We headed to Meadows of Dan, Virginia to the lovely, Primland Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains. http://www.primland.com/ Primland just opened last August and is known for their outstanding golf course, hunting, horseback riding and has an amazing observatory. Of course, we just went to relax and catch up on some much needed Zzzzzz's. We enjoyed a fabulous and intimate birthday dinner and were treated like royalty. The quality time together, extra sleep and the good clean air up there was just what the doctor ordered. We headed home the following day to reunite with our little boy. I couldn't stay away too long. Grant on another note did great! He slept through the night for the first time without feedings. He kept his Mimi and Poppy plus his great grandparents busy and not to mention his Mommy called every three hours to check up on him! Seems like he might have needed a break from us as well! :)

Deer were a common sight on the way to the resort which is located 3,000 feet up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We approached a cluster of deer on the way in and I was able to snap this photo amazingly before this one shot off. He just stood there while Ron and I were parked in the car right next to him. I even had to dig through my bags to find my camera before taking this photo.

Dear Amazing Bed,

Thank you so much for the wonderful night's sleep you allowed me. I hate that I did not get to wallow in and enjoy your luxurious down comforter and pillows that felt so great against my very tired body. Ron is allergic to your softness. I hate that we had to call in and have you stripped of all of your fabulousness softness before we even settled in for the night. I so looked forward to delighting in your incredible plushness and getting the much needed zzzzz's I deserved. Instead, I spent the night trying to stay warm under just a sheet and throw blanket. Oh, how I had looked forward to you. Darn Ron's allergies...
With Regret,
Jena

It snowed the night we were there and it was incredibly icy.

Taking in the beautiful scenery

On the way home, this deer just wanted to wish us well!

Grant's First Haircut

Official haircut anyways. I have snipped the hair around his ears and at his neck several times when I thought it had become unruley. Ron convinced me it was time... Grant's hair had become a scraggly hot mess. I've never accompanied Ron to the barber shop so this was a first for me as well. I had to make sure Mr. Barber didn't take too much off of my "baby's" head and of course, document this experience in photos...

Grant having his apron put on

Bye bye baby locks...

The apron didn't stay on very long, Grant couldn't bring his arms out from underneath it and this made for a very cranky baby.

Poppy gets his hair done too!

I was a nervous wreck hoping he didn't take too much off!

Grant did a wonderful job and was rewarded with a lollipop!

He actually had never had one and was in love

All cleaned up and ready to go!

I think Grant's first haircut looks great, don't you? :)

Grant Laughs!

I was able to catch my darling sweet boy cracking up the day before we left on our trip to NC. The following weeks, catching Grant laughing was a rareity. He now laughs everyday, (mostly at night) and it is such a pleasure and a great reward for those sometimes LONG days. I hope this video makes your day or at least brings a smile to your face! :)

xoxo, Jena

Season's Greetings

Ron, Grant and I returned to Alabama yesterday after a wonderful, LONG vacation home. I have much sorting and unpacking that awaits me but the biggest highlight of coming home was going through our HUGE stack of mail. I was overwhelmed by all of the Christmas cards we received this year and just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who put The Yaeger's on your list this year. Hope you all had the brightest of holiday seasons and I wish you the best in 2010!
Cheers,
Jena

Winter Wonderland

The day after Christmas, Ron and I packed up the car and headed to Grandfather Mountain to spend a few days with his family. Our brother-in-law, Lanier's family has a Mountain house there and was so gracious to let us stay at their place! Upon arrival we were thrilled to see all of the snow on the ground, they had received around 10 inches a few days prior to our visit. It was freezing cold but we were aching to get out and do something adventurous! We decided to go sledding and it was the most fun I have had in a very, very long time. For a few hours I forgot my obligation as "Mom" and enjoyed the sensation of flying down a mountain completely carefree. The snow was fun but it was nice knowing that we would be returning to a warmer climate at the end of the trip. Enjoy the pics!

WWEEEeeeeeeeee!!

Ron's sister, Lesley, Lanier, our nephew, George and Drake
I think I can handle this...

Making the trek back up the mountain...

Can you remember the last time you laughed until you cried? Well I couldn't prior to this trip. I fell so many times I lost count. Here I lost my balance walking back up the mountain.

Only to get up and fall again, laughing the whole time. Ginger tried to help. Do you think I can blame it on my equilibrium still being off from the pregnancy?

When I finally did reach the top of the mountain my feet flew out from underneath me and down I went. Hillarious!

And here I decided to be brave and go down face first on the real sled only to faceplant once I reached the bottom of the mountain. My entire body slid off the front of the sled right in front of Lesley and Lanier. Embarrassing.

We couldn't resist the photo op, I think this one is frameworthy?

What a fun day!

Boys Will be Boys

Grant has had the best time while vacationing in North Carolina getting to know his only cousin, George better. George turned two on the 20th and Grant has been infatuated with George's every move! George has also enjoyed showing Grant how things are done around here.

George explains to Grant that bubble baths are best. The more bubbles, the better!

George tells Grant all about puzzles and ABC's.
George loved sharing his old jungle gym with

Grant and introducing him to all of his old jungle buddies.
So much so, he just had to get down there and enjoy all of the fun with him!

He also explains that carrides can be fun as well!
George shows Grant how much he enjoys reading books

George tells Grant it is okay every now and then for your parents

to take tons and tons of pictures and make a really big deal over you.

Grant taught George a thing or two though about how to talk to chicks. George loves his baby cousin. I believe they'll be best buds...