Drawing Names

If your family is like mine there are always decisions to be made a Christmas. Getting a whole family together and figuring out the best way to do gifts can be challenging.

My family has a tradition of drawing names for stockings. We have done this my whole life and it is so fun. We actually sit around and watch each person unload their stocking. Crazy huh? The only problem is someone has to know who has everyone or if someone forgets their people it turns into a nightmare. We have only had 1 person not get anything and 1 person get 2 stockings one time to my knowlege.

Anyway, we would love for it to be a secret so I went searching and I came across http://www.drawnames.com/.

Here's how it works...

1.Send out invitations

You may indicate the date of your exchange. Next, enter the number of members in your Group (you may change this later if you need to). Next, enter the names and email addresses. Check the box if you wish to indicate exclusions for the draw. Click on “continue” to enter exclusions and write your email message to the Group. You (the Organizer) will receive the first email to authorize the sending of your email invitations. Click on the link in this email to return to DrawNames.com and send the email invitations to your Group.

2.Everyone responds to their email invitation
Everybody clicks the link in their email invitation to join the Group. They may also complete their wish list.

3.Draw Names!
After everyone clicks the link in their email to join the Group, the names will be drawn. Each member will receive another email directing them to their drawn name.

4.Ask questions anonymously
From the wish list of your drawn person, you may send questions and receive the answers anonymously to help you choose the perfect gift!

5.Help! Someone lost their email link
It's okay, we all lose things sometimes. Here's where you can retrieve the links to the Wish List and the Organizer page. The Organizer may re-send someone their drawn name via the Organizer page.

Other FAQ:

Can each person draw two names, in the same group of people?

Yes, Just give each person 2 names, such as Patricia 1 and Patricia 2. Then make sure you set the exclusions so that Patricia 1 can’t draw Patricia 2, and Patricia 2 can’t draw Patricia 1. That should do it! You may add other exclusions if you wish. Occasionally however, since the draw is random, a member may pick the same name twice.

Does the Organizer of the Group know who has drawn which name?

No. This is a secret to everybody. The Organizer doesn’t even know every match, only his/her own.

Bath and Books

September 27

On Monday, we went with the Owen's to the library. We tried to go to Babies and Books but weren't too successful! Chandler was sleeping but soon started crying during the class and on top of that my cell phone rang. I'm pretty sure they will lock the door next time they see me coming. :) I did get this awesome book White on Black by Tana Hoban. Chandler absolutely LOVES this book. He will seriously lay for an hour looking at the different pages.

I introduced it during bath time. We were trying to add some "happiness" to the bath. He is starting to like it more but definitely not to the love stage.

Getting all warm after the bath.

Still figuring out that tongue. :)

"Airing out" that diaper rash and reading with Mommy.

Happy Boy

Here's a short video of Mr. Chandler.

Yesterday he officially started "really" smiling.

So fun.

Lil' Groves

 Have I mentioned how sweet this girl is??

Miranda made this adorable Lil' Groves onesie for Chandler long before we knew he was Chandler AND sent him these adorable burp cloths last week. Thanks so much Bunchie!

Lots of faces.

Serious.

Cute little cross-eyed boy.

 Squirmy.

Laughing.

Tired Boy

September 23

Chandler was being a good little sleeper.

He was wiped out for his nap!

The many faces of Chandler

Little smiles.

Figuring out that tongue.

Grumpy face.

So serious.

Oh, stretch!

Sweet boy.

Candice made Chandler this precious shirt.

Thanks Candice, we LOVE it.

Bath time + Cates House

Bath time. He is starting to kinda like baths.

This past weekend my parents came into town to keep Parker for the Aggie game. We went over to Caleb and Ashley's house to eat together before the game. This was Chandler's first visit to their house. Parker and Chandler pretty much slept the whole time.

Uncle C and Chandler

He loves falling asleep on your shoulder.

Aunt "Lash" and little man

We were laughing in the picture because they were commenting about how you can't even see Chandler, just the back of his head.

9/17-19

September 17

Smiling at his daddy.

Chandler loves his changing pad for some reason.

September 18

Gram and Papa sent Chandler clothes from Hawaii and Miranda mailed him an adorable "cutest pumpkin in the patch" onesie.

September 19

Chandler signing I love you. :)

Some of our Newborn Favorites

We LOVED our sweet newborn pictures of our little man. Ryan and Sara were very patient with our fussy babe. I know you can't tell from the pictures but he wasn't happy about the photoshoot. It is crazy to already look back and see how much he has grown. All those cute wrinkles are starting to fade fast.

http://www.ryanpricephoto.com/

September 14

So, I can't figure out how to get this picture turned right. It looks fine on the computer but every time I upload its upside down.

Chandler has been sleeping from about 11pm to 5am or so. Last night though I swaddled him and put him down at about 9:30 and we decided just to let him sleep and I would feed him when he woke up. He later started crying and I went to feed him. When I unwrapped him to change him I remembered his onesie and had to laugh. The one night he wore this was the one night he woke up at 2am.

I showed Chandler his musical giraffe for the first time yesterday. He loved reaching for it and listening to the music.

Not sure what is going on with his hands. :) He's looking so much bigger in his bouncy seat these days.

Little cute man

Hanging out with his mommy!

Ami came to visit for the weekend and we had such a great time. He loves his aunt!

{Update} 1 month

Sweet boy. It's hard to believe you are already 1 month old. I am still adjusting to being your mommy but I am loving every minute. Even those hard middle of the night feedings. I love that you melt in my arms and fall fast asleep in an instant. I love how you rest your head on my shoulder and snuggle into my neck. You are absolutely precious.

At 1 month old, Chandler...
-has the hiccups ALOT still
-is sleeping from about 11pm to 5am every night and eats about every 3 hours during the day
-weighs about 9 pounds or so
-is still wearing Newborn diapers
-is still too small for most of his clothes (0-3 months)
-has a very strong neck/legs already, he likes to push up with his legs and hold his head up as I am burping him


Likes:
-milk
-sleeping in the swaddle
-looking at the bird on his playmat
-being held (of course)
-grape Tylenol/Gripe water
-his hands
-tummy time
-his "smiley face" pacifier
-his carseat
-being in the Moby wrap

Doesn't like so much:
-getting his diaper changed
-when I take to long to feed him
-when you tickle his feet
-baths 

Weekend Fun

September 11

Cody's parents came in for a visit. We went to Rudy's for breakfast tacos. Yum!

Chandler Man sleeping away at Rudy's

Paw and his boy

Nana and her little precious

Cody's mom had a marathon photo shoot during Chandler's nap. This is one of the many! :)

Laura gave Chandler a light up snail that plays music and has a mirror. He loves it. Lots of tummy time fun. Thanks Laura!!

Candice brought Chandler a new onesie yesterday. So fun.