The night we got there we had a huge seafood feast. The seafood is fresh out of the water, which makes it even better! Oysters were the only seafood I used to not like but that changed once I became a Hicks. When they are fresh and cooked over a fire, it just doesn't get any better.
Gray fell in love with Jack and Dixie (Nana and Grandpa's boxers) from the second we got there. Dixie was just concerned Gray would take her spot on the couch but Jack felt the same way and they shared several toys, hugs and even a few smooches.
Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Laura had to leave the next day so we soaked up some good time with them that afternoon and evening. We talked and laughed, oohed and aahed over Gray's cuteness and then opened more presents. Gray got even more clothes, books and toys, including his first basketball goal and Jack in the Box-Sock Monkey style.
Paul's parents gave me a super cute scarf and some jewelry and a very generous and exciting gift of my blog in a book. Jonathan and Laura broke the rules of "we aren't exchanging gifts this year" and got us a canvas of our little family. I LOVE canvases and it's one of my favorite pictures from Gray's 3 month photo shoot. I guess we won't be too mad at them for breaking the rules ;)
Night one of sleeping at Nana and Grandpa's did not go very well. For not only Gray, but everyone else too. Their house was built in the 1800s so the floors are creaky and the doors are loud. He had to sleep in our room the first night since Jonathan and Laura were still there. He went down without much of a fight but as soon as we opened the door to go to bed, he woke up. I think it really scared him and then on top of that he wasn't familiar with where he was. We would finally have him calmed down and as soon as we'd put him back down, he'd cry again. We kept picking him back up because we knew Jonathan and Laura wouldn't be able to sleep and it was really late and they were getting up early the next morning to leave. Unfortunately every time we put him back down he got upset all over so we finally had to let him cry it out. Sorry again uncle Jon and aunt Laura! ;)
The next day Paul's parents had a couple of appointments and were going to be gone most of the day so we headed to Wilmington to spend the day with my cousin, our godson and the newest addition to the Bardsley family-Ruby Rose. We had such a great day but I always leave wishing we lived closer to them.
That night Paul and I moved to the other bedroom and Gray slept a little better in the room by himself. He woke up twice and once we had to go in and help soothe him back to sleep.
Nana and Grandpa only live about 6 or 7 miles from Topsail Island so we get as many trips in to the beach as possible every time we visit. Our last day there it was pretty warm so we loaded up the baby Cadillac and off we went. Gray enjoyed the stroll and checking out the waves and the seagulls.
There's just something about an ocean breeze and salt air. Gray fell asleep as soon as we got in the car to leave the beach.
These are the sweetest little hands!
Gray slept even better by the third night-I think he only woke up once. Considering this was only his second time traveling (the first was Thanksgiving) and sleeping in a pack n play, he didn't do too bad. And he napped pretty good the whole time, we just need to work on night sleeping away from home.
Gray didn't have a clue it was his first Christmas but we sure did and it was so special. It's crazy to think about him being 18 months next Christmas and running around everywhere. I am not wishing the time away but I know we have a lot more fun memories with our boy ahead of us. We are SO BLESSED!!!
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