New Years

For New Years the whole Gifford Clan stuffed into our little house.  Which was so much fun.  It was nice to be all together for the holiday.  Caelyn did not know what to think of that many people in our house, but sure did enjoy all the attention.  She didn't mind being held by her Aunts Tabitha and Sarah and her Uncles Daniel and Matthew.  She especially liked hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Gifford.  We had a great time ringing in the New Year together and exchanging Christmas presents, even if it was a little late.

New Camera

We have been looking for a new camera for quite sometime and have never been able to find a good deal.  Well right after Christmas we came across a great deal on Ebay and using our "Christmas Money" invested in a Canon Digital Rebel XTi.  Which takes much better pictures than our old one.  Here are some of our first pictures.

Caelyn's First Christmas

Caelyn was diagnosed with her first ear infection the day after Christmas.  Needless to say it was not the happiest first Christmas.  However, she did put a smile on her face for the camera and enjoyed ripping at the paper.  After we opened up presents at our house and took a nap we went to Grandma and Grandpa Brady's for lunch and more present opening.  Here are some pictures from our day.

A little fuzzy, but Caelyn knew she was supposed to be smiling for the camera.

Caelyn loved playing with her new presents and couldn't wait to get them out of the package.

She still loves her slightly used pony.

Uncle David helped her open her presents at Grammy and Grandpa's house.

When Caelyn thought no one was looking she tried to break into Grandpa's M&Ms.

Delinquent

So we have been a little delinquent in our blogging as of late. And as per the request of my brother David I will update my blog over the next few days. Alot has happened since the middle of December.  Caelyn has started crawling and pulling up.  She is extremely vocal with her baabaas and dadas, and the occasional mama.  

Every Little Girl Wants a Pony

A few weeks ago Phil and I went on our monthly Sam's Club run.  We decided to peruse the toy aisle, there we came across a pony.  Phil decided that this would be a great 1st Christmas for Caelyn.  However, Phil could not wait for Christmas and put Caelyn on it when we got home.  Let's just say, Caelyn has already put her mark on the pony.

Loves to Read

She loves to "read" her bright colored picture books on the floor and bat at the pages.  I like this picture because she looks like she is reading something very important, I think it was the number 5.

Wrong Side, Right Side

This is the day that we have been waiting for.  Not really, but it makes bed time a little bit easier.  Caelyn has figured out how to put her pacifier in her mouth.  It sometimes takes a couple tries.  She likes to chew on the "wrong side" before she gets the "right side" in.

Playing Piano

Caelyn loves to play piano with her dad.  She isn't very good yet, but she loves to pound on the keys. 

First Trip to the Zoo

It was a beautiful day yesterday in Ohio.  We took the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the day.  After joining Phil's mom for lunch we headed on to the Cleveland Zoo.  We had a great day walking around and enjoying all the exhibits.  Caelyn didn't care about the giraffes, zebras, rhinos, or any of the larger animals.  She loved the little fish and the monkeys. 

Caelyn loved to follow the fishes, but she didn't quite understand the glass.

Caelyn loved to watch the monkeys swinging around and got excited when the got close to the glass.

Riding up on the tram.

Riding in the Bjorn.

Caelyn wasn't sure what to think of the bronze monkey.

She did not like being measured against the giraffe.

I love Vera Bradley!

Halloween

We dressed Caelyn up for Halloween.  We didn't go anywhere, but planned to show her off to our neighbors and trick or treaters.  However, she fell asleep before anyone got to our house.  She wasn't too fond of the costume either.  We actually had to take some pictures the next day because she didn't really care to be in the costume for too long.

Caelyn on the front porch with the pumpkins.

Look at me!

Phil modeling the costume.

5 Months

Caelyn is 5 months old today.  We are going to spend the day with Grandpa and Grandma Gifford.

 

Tagged

I've been tagged.  Lauren tagged me over a week ago and I have been procrastinating.  Mostly because I know I am boring, and I am very comfortable with that fact.  I am letting you know in advance that I am not tagging anyone at the end of this post.  Mostly because anyone I would tag has already been tagged.

1.  I have been to 5 of the 7 continents.  Four of which I visited during the last 3 years of my five years in college.  The next fact will be the reason it took me longer than normal to finish college.  My goal is to get to Australia, some day.  I think I will scratch Antarctica, it's too cold there.

2.  As previously mentioned, it took me 5 yrs to go to college.  In September 2001 I went to Kenya with a group of Liberty students.  Our goal was to stay until April 2002.   On September 11, the direction of my life was changed.  

3.  I used to be adventurous with my hair.  It has been extremely short and extremely long.  I have had thick blond chunks and red chunks.  Phil swears that I had a purple streak in my hair when we met, but I am pretty sure it was red.

4.  I love Christmas.  All of it.  Except you will never see multi-colored lights on the outside of my house.  

5.  I used to love dill pickles.  I used to eat pickles and pepperoni as a snack.  Once I got pregnant I stopped eating pickles.  

6.  I love drinking through a straw.  It started in college because the cups in the cafeteria never seemed quite clean enough.  

7.  My senior year of college I drove a 1990 Ford Ranger.  My friends nicknamed it the "Executive"  because of the bed cover that was taller than the roof of the truck.  It was sweet.   You could fit a recliner in it standing up.  My brother still drives the truck.

Milestones

Yesterday we began vegetables.  We started with carrots.  She isn't too sure about them, but eats them anyway.  Today she also rolled over from belly to back and back to belly without any prompting.  Fun Times!  She has also become increasingly "talkative", especially when she is tired and right before bed time she is very giggly.

Caelyn's First Trip to Lynchburg

On Thursday we made the 3 1/2 hour trek over to Lynchburg.  We left at 6:30 am to miss the traffic, which was great since Caelyn slept the first half of the trip.   We went straight to the school/TRBC and saw some friends who still work on campus and to see Phil's uncle and cousin.  That evening we went and ate dinner with Matthew and Sarah G., Phil's brother and his wife.  The next day we ate lunch with my brother and then went back to the school and ran into Phil's other cousin Sarah D.   We also got to see my dear friend Melissa who works in the Alumni office.  Grandma made us a great dinner which we shared with Phil's aunt, Sarah G., and Cindy.  On Saturday we went to the Sounds of Liberty reunion, it was nice to see some old friends.  We had planned to stay for the football game, but it was raining outside and didn't want to be outside with Caelyn.  So we headed home, Caelyn and I slept until we got to Richmond.  When she woke up, she was MAD.  After about 15 minutes of screaming we decided to stop for dinner and let her get her get out of the car and stretch out.  When we got back in the car she was fine for about 15 minutes, then fussy, for 15 more, and then all out screaming, for the next 30.  Good Times!  We now know that when we head for Ohio next week that we need lots of distractions and maybe some earplugs.

Here are some pictures from our time with Grandma & Grandpa.

Sleeping with Grandma!

Playing on the floor

Day 2

We tried cereal again today with much success.  Caelyn figured out that eating is much easier if the spoon goes in her mouth.  Today she was all smiles and pulling my hand with the spoon to her mouth.  A lot of the cereal ended up all over face, but we will work on neatness later.  

1st Taste

Today we went to see Dr. Baust for Caelyn's four month check-up.  She is 25 inches long now and 13 lbs 13 oz.  Dr. Baust was very happy with her and gave us the thumbs up to start eating cereal.  Phil bought some while out at the grocery store, so we thought we would give it a try.  She wasn't too sure about it, but at least let me put it in her mouth.

We tried the airplane to make her smile...it only lasted for so long.

No screaming or turning away, just scowls... We'll try again tomorrow.

Mommy & Me

Fast Asleep

Yesterday we went over to my parent's house to visit with my brother who is home from LU on fall break.  Caelyn was hanging out with my dad resisting falling asleep.  She had been "studying" the floor when all of a sudden she fell asleep.  Don't you wish you could fall asleep so quickly and in any position?

Fall Fun

This morning was nice and cool, so I took the opportunity to put Caelyn in this cute sweater and take some pictures outside.  Here are my favorites.

All I Wanted Was Some Tights...

In the past I have run some quick errands after church and Caelyn has fallen asleep in her car seat.  Today was not the case... 

The weather is getting cooler, so I decided that I needed to get some tights for church on Sunday.  We headed off to Target and Caelyn was quite content riding in the car.  I put her in the sling for the trip inside rather than trying to unload the stroller.  Before we even got in the door she was out.  I took my time walking around and finally got to the baby section.  No tights.  So I decided to head next door to Toys'R'Us.  Just as I was checking out her eyes popped open and she was wide awake.  We walked back to the car and the wind hit her in the face upsetting her.  So, when I put her back in her car seat she was MAD!  She screamed the whole 25 minute ride back to Poquoson. 

I thought that all we have been doing the last month to get her to sleep on a schedule hadn't sunk in, so I thought this little adventure would be uneventful.  I guess I was wrong.

We're Back

It has been quite a long time since we have last posted.  A very, very, very long time.  So I thought I might take it up again.  A lot has happened in the last year.  Sold a house, bought a house, moved from PA to VA, Phil took a new job, I took a new position, and had a baby.  With a whole lot of other things squished in between.  

I don't really expect anyone to read this often, but I thought I would put my thoughts down as our little girl grows up and our family expands.  Phil has been photo blogging on our family website http://web.mac.com/gpgifford/Family/Welcome.html.  Bear with me as I figure this blogging thing out.

I am the wife of an absolutely wonderful man, Phil and the mother of an absolutely precious 4 month old little girl, Caelyn.  I am excited for all that is to come as our little girl grows up and we continue on our journey.

Our first family picture and then Caelyn and I yesterday.

Phil's Going To Jamaica

So, it's been a year since we last posted. Which is really sad on our part, I think we forget about it sometimes. However, our life has not been that exciting this year. We have kept on going and perserving as we minister up here in Johnstown. We have had 2 months of snow, which has not been fun for this girl from Virginia. However, there is hope, spring is coming.

But the fun news is, Phil is going to Jamaica. Phil was approached about 3 weeks ago by Don Schrier of Mission Discovery about leading worship for a team going to Jamaica. The answer to this oppurtunity was obvious, YES!

The first hurdle we had to overcome was Phil's lack of a passport, but thanks to the Washington Passport and Visa Service he received it yesterday. Things seem to be falling into place for this trip, which is truly exciting. Please pray for Phil as he travels. He will keep you updated as he is in Jamaica, hopefully.

We Need To Update More Often

We are absolutely horrible about updating this. I think Phil may have forgotten that we have it. I just wanted to write a quick note to say hello to our family. We are keeping quite busy and are getting ready for the Easter season. Daniel (Phil's brother) is coming to be an intern at the church & will be with us for the summer, we are excited. Our house is coming along nicely & we are enjoying fixing up & "personalizing." We will try and get better at this as time goes by & keep everyone updated.