Thursday, November 28, 2013

Gates is ONE!

On November 7th, one year ago Robbie and I went to the hospital to have our sweet baby Gates!


Benjamin Gatewood Raybon was born November 7th at 1:21pm.  8 pounds 6 ounces and healthy!  He looked just like Robbie - dark hair and same face!


Our lives were very different than when we brought Hawkins home from the hospital since we lived with your Honey and Big Daddy!  It turned out the be wonderful because Mommy needed help with two babies!



 I'll be honest and say the first 3 or 4 months were rough.  Gates had terrible reflux, which was not diagnosed until 3 months old, so there was alot of crying in the first few months :)  Then came the ear infections one after another, which was the cause of Gates not sleeping through the night until 7 months old...but we survived!  Finally after 7 months the ear infections stopped and Gates settled down and became an excellent sleeper.

We moved into our new house in Albany when he was 5 months old, and he finally got his own room!  Gates, you are such a sweet and easy going baby.  We are always on the go - running errands or picking up Hawkins and you just ride in the car with a big smile on your face.

You were right on time (and sometimes early) with all of your milestones - sitting up at 6 months, crawling at 8 months, pulling up at 9 months and walking at 11 months!  I think you want to be at the same pace as your brother, so you were quick to walk - and you are strong!

You started out a great eater around 7 or 8 months, but now you are picky just like your brother.  Grilled cheese and quesidillas all around!


Gates, you are ONE YEAR OLD!  Here is what you are up to:

-You sleep 8pm-7am - give or take.  You still take 2 naps around 9:30am and 2pm.  You love to sleep.

-You are SO sweet and easy to put to bed.  You still love your bottle - you take 8oz and then take your blankie and paci and practically jump in your crib.  No rocking to sleep for you.

-Words cannot describe how much you love your blankie.  Actually, it does not have to be a specific one.  You have 3 big Little Giraffe ones and 3 or 4 little ones and you love each one equally :)  I always have one big and one little one in your crib.  Most of the time we leave them in your crib, but sometimes you just have to take it with you.  If a blankie is laying on the floor you just dive right into it - it's the cutest thing!

-You love to smell the flowers (just like your brother did at this age)

-You started walking around 11 months old and never stopped!

-You wear mostly 18 months clothes, but maybe a few 12 month ones.

-You weigh 25 lbs

-You got ear tubes the week after you turned one.  So far they are working great!

-Hawkins just gave you RSV :(  He was able to get by with a bad cough because he is older, but it really hit you hard.  It was awful.  One night we had to do multiple breathing treatments in one night b/c you just could not breathe.

Gates, you are such a happy smiley lovable baby.  You smile constantly and brighten everyone's day.  We love you so much!


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Pumpkin patch playdate with Hawkins' playgroup

First…this was on the morning of their school pictures - little cuties!


Hawkins'  playgroup took (yet another) trip to the pumpkin patch!



Fleming, Hawkins, Fletcher, Frances and Mary Ellis



Chickfila for lunch

Gates can drink through a straw!


More October around this house...

Hawkins loves to blow the leaves with Daddy!
It was his idea to put on the goggles…smart boy


 My sick boy :(


Hawkins' cute artwork from school

Sweet boy feeling better watching brother play soccer!

Never too young to enjoy an ice cream sandwich...

Having fun at Honey and Big Daddy's house!

While Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a weekend away in Cashiers with friends

Caulie, Virginia, me and Amy








My little soccer champ!


Look at who can climb in the chair...