Random Pics…Enjoy!

 

Thanksgiving Recap

This year, like the past two years, I hosted Thanksgiving at our home.  I was able to take three days off that week to spend with family. Here is how it went…

Wednesday- This day started really well. I was able to get the house clean but only because I had the help of the wonderful Aunt Erin. She came over to entertain the little monster while I cleaned, washed, folded, dusted, scrubbed, and vacuumed. My mom also came over to help me with stuffing Mr. Tom Turkey. Unfortunately the day ended with myself having one heck of a massive migraine

Thursday- This day started off a little bumpy but everything turned out great. To start, I woke with my migraine still lingering so I figured I needed some caffeine to give it the bump it needed to get out of my head. For those that don’t know, I can’t have carbonated drinks so sweetened tea is my crutch. After getting up early to put the turkey in the oven, I headed out to find some tea. My preferred place to get my tea is Sonic because  1). they have Styrofoam cups, my fave, 2). the good ice, also my fave, and 3). it is close to my house and on the way to work. I pull into Sonic and realize that they aren’t open. I don’t know who’s idea to give the employees the day off but since they never get my order wrong I forgive them. I had to travel down to Jacks which is  definitely not my favorite because their tea is to dark. Moving on…I came back home after getting my tea so that BJ could go into work. He got called in and we were hoping he would be back home in time for our Thanksgiving meal. Family arrived, the meal was ready, and  BJ got home just in time. The meal was great and Grayson loved the turkey and stuffing. Seeing everyone was wonderful too. I love having all the family together.

Friday- We take our sweet time getting up  this morning. I don’t do Black Friday…so not worth it for me. I did, however, take Grayson and my mom out for lunch at our favorite Chinese place. I kinda lost a bet with mom so I owed her lunch…It was a good bet to lose. We  love that place! I come back home and put G down for  nap. He gets up with a snotty nose. This starts day one of our first head cold.

Saturday- Nursed my sweet sick baby.

Sunday- Nursed my sweet baby some more. Poor thing!

Monday- this ends my five day vacation. I welcome the morning by going to Sonic for my favorite tea…awww the little things.

So…what’s new?

I am glad you asked! Monday my sweet Grayson turned 7 months old!! Where in the world did time go? He is doing so well. Let me try and break it down...

Eating- Grayson now eats squash(all types), sweet potato, carrots, peas, green beans, apples, pears, bananas, avocados, peaches, plums, prunes, yogurt, blueberries, chicken, and bread! He loves to eat!
Development- I swear if he could he would just get up and walk around. He has started getting up on all fours and pivots when he is on his tummy to get  to his toys. He can close the boxes on his pop up toy and likes to turn pages in his books. He is sitting up very well now and loves it! He can grab his Gerber puffs and bring them to his mouth(although some times he misses) and he is experimenting with a sippy cup. He babbles like crazy and has perfected his belly laugh!
Sleeping- Grayson sleeps from 7:30pm to about 6:30 to 7:00am and still takes two naps a day. It took us awhile to get him napping in his crib but he has been for awhile.

I am just amazed at Grayson’s development because he progresses with no  help from me. Being a parent with a child with special needs, I don’t take that for granted.
In other news, our house got hit with the stomach virus this past weekend. Can I hear a collective “EWW GROSS” because it was not pleasant. We are recovering nicely although Grayson still does not want to eat his solid foods and my milk supply tanked due to the sickness but hopefully we will be back to normal soon.

My Angel Brayden

Four years ago today Brayden earned his angel wings.

Hug, kiss, and love your children because time with them is never guaranteed.

Grayson’s First Halloween

My little tiger.

His first lollipop. I think he likes it.

Can we go trick or treating already???

We ended up going to only 5 houses but he seemed to enjoy it…sorta.

He was very interested in the puppy.

Trick or Treat!!

Day at the Park

Myself, Grayson, and his Aunt Erin enjoyed a day at the park this past weekend. He really enjoyed the swings. Here are some pictures from our fun afternoon!

Bananas

Bananas have a magical property. They make any food taste better to Grayson. Literally I could take dirt off the ground and smear with Bananas and he would eat it. Of course I would never do that, just saying.
Case in point, this week I got some plain yogurt for Grayson to start on. If you have ever tried plain yogurt…Yuck and Grayson thought so too. I tried to mix it with other fruits and he was not having it…until I mixed it with bananas!
Sorry the picture is a little blurry

Fall Festival

This past week Grayson went to his first Fall Festival and he had a great time! He started out at the Duck Pond.

And he got one!! He really had to fight the urge to just dive in and swim.

Next he moved on to making a pumpkin with Aunt Erin.

He worked very intently on making it just right.

Finished! And now he says, “ Ah! It is my best work ever! It will hang it every major museum around the world!”

He wasn’t all that thrilled with the goat however…

He loved the puppy. This puppy is being trained to be a therapy dog ad Grayson says that he passed the test!

In case you haven’t noticed, he was really fighting the urge not to open mouth kiss the puppy.

Remembering

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you.

There is a lot of catching up to do...

So the baby is taking his nap, the dishes are clean, the laundry is ...well...mostly finished AND there isn't a giant Fall Festival for me to plan. I guess that means I can no longer delay this update.

I truly don't know what has kept me away so long. I guess I just haven't wanted to write much. Who knows!

Grayson will be turning 6 months old this week. It shocks me that he is that old! Here is a run down of what he has been doing.
He rolls from his back to his stomach and his stomach to his back and he is also very close to sitting up on his own. He will push himself backwards when his is on his stomach and he will pivot to get to his toys.

He chews on everything...nothing is safe in our house! He also loves this rice cakes that are for babies and he loves the wagon wheels too. He is so curious and active and he studies everything.

In terms of food, he loves to eat and here is what he has tried so far

• Apples- he loves them!
• Pears- loves those too
• Squash- he loves butternut squash but not the summer squash
• Sweet Potatoes- he thinks they are the best thing ever
• Carrots- he didn't like them at first but does now, however, I have to mix them with another vegetable otherwise we will have an orange stained rear end if you know what I mean
• Peas- he has tasted better but will he will eat them with pears mixed in
• Green Beans- same thing  as the peas
• Bananas- LOVES THEM!!!
• Avocados- he prefers them with bananas
• Peaches- think they are great!

This boy also loves oatmeal and would eat it at every meal if I let him. This week we are starting on Prunes, Plums, Nectarines,Yogurt, and Chicken. He also loves to eat the little Gerber puffs too.

He is still on only breast milk but that is mostly just pumped milk at this point. He may nurse once or maybe twice a week. I would love for him to nurse more to give me a break from the pump but he has to be in the mood to do it. He is has two teeth on the bottom and I think he is cutting another as we speak. Poor thing! I went and got him weighed yesterday and he is now up to 17 pounds and 9 ounces. He wears size three diapers and 6-9 months clothes. He is such a happy baby and we are so blessed to have him!!!

Things that have suffered since I have had a baby...

1. My emails
2. My picture taking
3. My facebook
4. and my blog

I will be back shortly to post some updates....just know that we are doing great!

Grayson's First Cereal

We started rice cereal this week and he did so awesome. He is such a pro at it. So proud! In other news, he had his 4 month well check up today and he now weighs 14 pounds and 10 ounces and is 24 inches long. He scored in the 30 percentile for weight and the 10 percentile for height and head circumference. He is doing so well developmentally and he is very healthy. We are so happy!

Toothpaste and Love

Tonight I gathered up all the toothpaste tubes in our home. Why? Because my hubby constantly moves the toothpaste. He is a traveler while he brushes. It used to be my number one pet peeve, seriously drove me mad! Imagine it, you get up in the morning and need to be to work on time but you can't leave until you brush your teeth...and you can't find the toothpaste. I have literally found a tube of toothpaste in every room in our house, minus the baby's room.

Now I just smile. I just don't care anymore. No matter where I place it before I go to bed it is always moved to another part of the house.  I love that part of him. I would rather search for the toothpaste in the morning than see it in the bathroom drawer. What can I say? We are in love...

Daddy picked my outfit out...

Enough said

Lately...and some words to catch up

Lately I feel like I am always rushing. I have to rush to get to work on time...rush to get finished at work to get my baby...and rush to get home to spend time with him before he goes to bed. Here is my attempt to slow down and give some details about our daily life lately.

BJ went back to work last week and I spent the week being on my own. I was so exhausted...I don't know how single moms do it. Kudos to them. Grayson got settled at his school. He is attending the daycare on site at my work(otherwise known as transition care) until he starts to stay with his Aunt Vicky in August. I am feeling very blessed that both BJ and I have access to this wonderful daycare. It's sole purpose is transition care and back up care for the employees and their teachers are amazing and so caring. They certainly have made it easier to work and not have to worry about your little one.

Grayson, thank the Lord above!, is still sleeping really well. He goes to bed around 7:30 and gets up between 5 and 6. He eats between 20 to 25 ounces a day and we are real excited to get started with some solid food soon. He still is only on breast milk and he weighs 14 pounds. His 4 month check up is coming up in early August so I am interested to see his stats. Speaking of food...

I recently tried my hand at making some baby food. I had gotten some home grown squash from GG so I cooked it up and I have to say that making baby food is so easy. I am excited to make more soon.
Here is a picture of my latest creation.

Here are a few more pictures to share...

Grayson's social smile is really starting to come out. He cracks me up because when he is in the car he talks to himself and smiles a lot. I have no idea what is entertaining him...

 Relaxing with Dad. They have really missed each other since BJ went back to work.

I'm still here...

I'm still here, Grayson is still as cute as ever. I am just trying to balance being a mommy, wife, and a working mommy and I am just plain exhausted. I promise to work on a better post. Stay tuned!

A boy and his pup...

My name is Grayson and this is my pup!

 

Aside from trying to stick my entire fist in my mouth, my pup is my favorite thing to chew on.

 

His name is lil' bow wow.

 

 And he is a great friend.

July 4th, 2011

My Boys

I can't believe how much I love my boys...

Aren't they just the most beautiful boys you have ever seen?

I'm Back

Sorry for the neglected blog thing again. What can I say? I am a working mom and when I get home the only thing I want to do is spend time with my little man. Plus, during the normal day time hours he prefers to be held and if he isn't held, he complains... very VERY loudly. 

At Grayson's 8 week appointment he weighed 11 pounds and 13 ounces. He currently eats 5 ounces of milk every three to four hours. He is also be sleeping 9 to 9 1/2 hours at night for the last week. I feel like a normal person again. :) Some days he wants to nurse and some days he doesn't, but he takes the bottle just fine during the day so I am okay with that. I pump twice at home and three times at work and I have been able to keep up with him and we haven't had to dip into the freezer stash in awhile. The company that I work for offers the employees a hospital grade breast pump to use when we come back to work so I feel that that has really helped with increasing and keeping my milk supply up.

One of Grayson's favorite things to do during the day is dance and sing with daddy so I plan to enroll him in baby Kindermusik in the fall. I think we will love it. BJ goes back to work in two weeks and I don't think he is looking forward to it (I don't think Grayson is either). He has really enjoyed his time home with his boy. I am so glad that they have had this time together.

Otherwise we have fallen into a routine that suits us and we just continue to spend time and love on our little one. Here is a video of his most recent milestone...

Happenings

Things that have happened...

• I went back to work and BJ started his time of being a stay at home dad. I am very tired and exhausted but we are making it through.
• BJ and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. Yay us!!
• To celebrate our anniversary, we dropped Grayson off for the first time for the day with his GG and we spent the day in Auburn spending time together. It was great!
• Grayson, even though he loves his GG, did not appreciate us leaving him. I  think I have a momma's boy on my hands.
• I had my first "I just came back to work" appointment with our lactation consultant. We discovered that Grayson is tongue tied, well we already knew that, but he would have a more effective latch if we got it clipped.
• Grayson had his appointment with his ENT and had his tongue clipped. Very easy, no recovery time, and he didn't need to be put to sleep or anything. He now has full use of his tongue!
• At that appointment we found out he weighs 11 pounds and 6 ounces. Grow baby, grow!!
• After much discussion between BJ and myself, we decided to take Grayson of the Zantac that his GI doctor put him on. He has since stopped spitting up. I knew we were right about our decision.
• I had Grayson checked out by the most wonderful Physical Therapist ever because of some issues with his feet and he was pronounced typically developing. I am so relieved. I apparently know to much about CP and I tend to overreact but I am surrounded by wonderful professionals and mothers to pull me off of the ceiling.

That's about covers any important happenings in our lives. To fill in any other gaps, we spend time holding, hugging, and kissing our beautiful baby boy!

BJ is loving his time  at home with Grayson.

Cutest baby ever snuggling with Nana!

Sleeping, snoozing, and swinging on a Saturday morning.