Last Two Weeks

Well, It has been over 2 weeks and I have not updated the blog. I am so sorry! A lot has happened in the past 2 weeks so I will try and catch you up on what has been going on in the White House. With the election and everything, as you can imagine the White House has been quite crazy!

Trick-or-Treat

I decided not to dress him up this Halloween but he had 2 adorable Halloween onesies that he wore-one of which his MeMe (my mother) gave him. Because our neighborhood doesn't have many trick-or-treaters, we went over to Erin and Greg's house (Bobby's boss) to see their Sarah as a princess and John as a cow. Sarah is two and John is 11 weeks. Bobby had fun trick-or-treating with Sarah and Greg.

MeMe Came to Visit

MeMe had a conference here in Columbia and we were so happy that she came and spent the afternoon with us after her conference was over. Trace loves his MeMe. MeMe and Papa Boo are very excited about keeping Trace when Bobby and I go to the bowl game in December or January and we are so thankful that they don't mind. My mom actually put the Carolina Football team on her prayer list at church that they would do well and go to a good bowl so that Bobby and I would go and she could keep him. How funny!! Hopefully her prayers will be answered.

GO COCKS!!
Trace and I were very excited that Daddy decided to stay at home with us instead of going to the Tennessee game. We dressed up like we were at the game and had our own little tailgating party. Bobby grilled out bacon wrapped filets (again...I'm addicted) and baked potatoes and we had a blast spending time with Daddy.
For those Clemson fans reading this, Trace is not upset in this picture because he has on Gamecock gear but because I had just told him that Clemson actually beat Boston College and he was a little upset. He is definitely already a diehard Gamecock! Lake Murray Dam
Trace and I met April and Anderson (friends from Sunday School) to walk the Lake Murray Dam. The dam was recently renovated and is now pedestrian friendly and great for walking, running or riding bikes. It is beautiful but I forgot to take a picture of the lake from the actual dam. If you ever get a chance to go out there, you need to do it. It is well worth it. Anderson is 2 weeks younger than Trace and so cute with a head full of hair.

Trace's First Visit to Spartanburg
On Sunday, we went to my grandparents house to celebrate my and Bobby's birthdays. Trace met his Great Uncle Mark for the first time and enjoyed playing with MeMe, Papa Boo, Papa Hoover, Grandma, Uncle Robert and Aunt Autumn. Needless to say Trace is so spoiled. Grandma cooked our favorites....Ham, mac-n-cheese, creamed corn, fried okra, green beans, deviled eggs, potato salad, pineapple casserole and topped it off with Red Velvet Cake. YUMMY!!! Growing Boy!!
Trace is growing so fast. He was 6 weeks old on Monday. Where does the time go? He has changed so much in these past 6 weeks.
He is talking back to us when we talk to him, he lays on his gym mat and talks and kicks his feet, he's slowly finding his thumb, he holds his head up when on his stomach, he watches his mobile on his swing, he loves looking at his mommy and daddy, he follows us when we walk by, he loves laying on his changing table, he smiles at us, and that is just a few of things we are enjoying so much about him.
I took him to the doctor yesterday because I thought he was having trouble going to the bathroom. The doctor said he was normal. haha That seems to be what he tells me everytime I go. I am a complete worrier! He weighs 8 lbs. 15 oz. He is growing so fast.

Props to Publix

So yesterday I decided to take Trace on his first outing to Publix Grocery Store and my first trip there since he arrived. I was a little anxious not knowing if he was going to be fussy, having to carry the big diaper bag and also being clueless on how to put the carseat on the buggy.
I called my friend Erin, who has 2 children of her own, for a little support before I made the trip. She explained to me how to put the carseat on the buggy. I had planned on carrying the diaper bag because I have been using it as my purse as well. She said I probably didn't need to take the it since I was going straight there and coming right back home. Don't ask me why but I carry my license in a little license holder and not in my wallet. So all I needed was my license, debit card, blanket for Trace, grocery list, pen and of course-Trace.
I put Trace in his carseat and we headed on. Trace was a champ! He was asleep at first and then once we were in the store he woke up but was sooo good. I took my time as I was trying to take it all in. I forgot what the grocery store looked like and was kind of overwhelmed with all the options. I wanted to buy EVERYTHING!! Of course I had a list, but got waaayyy to much.
So it came time to check-out and I get in line and the gentleman clerk was commenting on how cute Trace was and I was telling him that is was our first "outing" since his birth. He congratulated me and then was telling me about his grandchildren. The people at Publix are too kind. He and another clerk put all of my groceries on the belt. I guess I looked helpless...haha! The clerk started to scan my items and I went to get my debit card and what did I not pack??? MY DEBIT CARD!! I blurted out "OH NO!!" He said how can I help you ma'am? I was so embarrassed and told him I did not have my debit card. Usually I would have my purse which has my checkbook in it. But no, I didn't bring my purse. The only thing I had was my license. He was soo nice and told me that it would be ok and if it didn't happen this time then it was sure to happen eventually with a newborn. He said he would go ahead and ring up my groceries and put them in the cooler in the back and I could just bring my debit card back and pay for the groceries at the customer service counter. Are you serious? I can not believe I have done this. So off Trace and I went back to house groceryless to get my debit card. When I returned to pay for my groceries, I repeatedly told the clerk at the customer service desk how embarrassed I was and they were just so reasurring to tell me that this happens much more often than I think. Do you think they were just telling me that? Well, it did make me feel better. The manager then took my groceries to my car and loaded them. I was so impressed by Publix and their employees and I appreciate their hospitality in not making me feel like a complete idiot. So I give LOUD props to Publix!! They are my favorite! :)

One Month Old!!

Wow! Can you believe Trace is already one month old already? We definitely can not. It seems as if only yesterday I was in the hospital waiting on his arrival.

Trace has grown a lot in the past month. He doesn't go back to the doctor until his 8 week check up which will be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. But yesterday I got on the scale here at home and then stood on the scale with him and it was 7.5 lbs heavier. YAY!! He is growing!!!

He is starting to "coo" and "ooh" a little bit and pay more attention to our faces and all his surroundings. He has finally outgrown his premie clothes and is beginning to fill out his NB clothes. Trace's grandmother came to see him yesterday and enjoyed cuddling with him while he took one of his afternoon naps.

Date Night

Tonight my parents and brother came down from Chesnee (Spartanburg) to watch Trace so Bobby and I could have a date night. I was sooo excited about this!! That is one thing that has been hard for me is not being able to spend alone time with just me and Bobby anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love Trace to death and wouldn't trade anything in the world for him but I do miss that alone time. I always here that once you have children, when you are alone with your spouse, it is hard not to talk about your children. I went into date night and laid out the ground rules for us "No talking about Trace!" Ok-so that is so much easier said than done. How in the world do people do that? I am the one that stated the rule and I am the one that couldn't follow it. Bobby did a great job! I asked Bobby what we talked about before we had Trace and we couldn't remember. I tried really hard but probably made a C+.

We had a great time even though it was a short time. We went to Outback and I had a bacon wrapped filet and it was GREAT!! Although not near as good as the one Bobby grilled us the other night. Even though I talked about Trace a little bit, it was so great just to be with Bobby for an hour and a half. We laughed, joked, and talked about adult things instead of talking in baby talk. :)

Trace had so much fun with Grandma and Papa Andrews and Uncle Robert (Bubba). My mom fed him, changed his diaper, gave him his medicine and did a great job. My dad and brother played with him, cuddled with him and just loved on him. I have a feeling like I said in an earlier blog...they are going to become "Irmo Regulars." (Which will be fine with us!) I love seeing them and I love seeing them love on my child. Trace is so loved!!

Trace having fun with Uncle Robert!

Cuddling with Papa!

Uncle Robert loving on Trace

Precious!!!

Can you tell Uncle Robert loves Trace??

Trace is exhausted after playing with Grandma, Papa and Uncle Robert!
Come back soon, I love ya'll!! -Trace

Growing Like a Weed

Trace is now 16 days old and as of yesterday he weighed 6 lbs. .09 oz. Last week he had grown an inch already. Everyday he is becoming more and more alert and aware of his surroundings. He loves for me to put him on my knees and he will smile as I sing and do the hand motions with him to "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

We are kind of worried about what he is going to want to be when he grows up. If today has any indication of his future, we might be in some kind of trouble. He doesn't like to get his clothes changed but loves lounging around in just his diaper. Lets hope he doesn't grow up wanting to lay around in his underwear. haha

Family and Friends

Bobby, Trace and I are so blessed to have the most wonderful family and friends! Thanks to everyone for the phone calls, visits and dinners. The support has been so appreciated and I do not know what I would have done without all of you.

Trace has already met so many of his new family members and friends. I was so thankful that my mom was able to come and stay with me the day we came home from the hospital until the following Saturday. She really enjoyed spoiling Trace every chance she got and I really enjoyed getting to spend this time with her as well. I can't wait for her to come back. She and Dad came up one week night just to see Trace. They will be "Irmo Regulars" sooner than they thought. That 1.5 hour drive from home just got shorter.

Grandma and Papa Andrews (What they will be called has been left up to Trace)

Nana and Papa White

My grandmother also came to stay with us for a few days to help out around the house. We enjoyed her cooking and Trace enjoyed his cuddle time with his great grandmother. She will be back soon!!

Great Grandma Hayes with Trace (my grandma)

Great Grandpapa Hayes (My papa)

Great Grandpop and Grandma Flake (Bobby's Grandparents)

Trace has Arrived!!

WOW!! Okay, so I know I am two weeks late, but things have been pretty crazy around the White House and of course-leave it to me-but I forgot my password to get on here and update the blog and just remembered it today! So here we are again back in action!!

On September 29th, 2008 at 8:16 pm Robert Laurence White, III (Trace) decided it was time to greet the world. My doctor admitted me to the hospital that morning around 9:00 am. My blood pressure had been high the last 3 weeks of my pregnancy and so she decided to go ahead and induce me to make sure it didn't get any worse. Trace was 1 week and 2 days early. Everyone (iucluding myself) knew I was going to give birth to a 10 lb. baby after looking at me and knowing the size of his daddy. As Trace was arriving the doctor said "Oh he is a tiny little thing." I was thinking there is no way you are talking about MY baby being small. She said oh yeah he is probably just over 5 pounds. WHAT?? 5 POUNDS?? Are you kidding me? She was right. Trace weighed 5 lbs 10.1 oz. and was 18 in. long. God has blessed us with the most amazing miracle of all.