Friday, May 21, 2010

tears

I have to get this on the blog so that I don't forget it.

To say that Graham hates his tears is an understatement. He hates them.

I noticed a couple of weeks ago when he was sick and having trouble sleeping that he'd get himself all worked up and it would just keep going....and going...and would end with him clawing at his eyes and screaming.

Then he got over his cold but the clawing at his eyes whenever he cried didn't stop.

I keep telling him that they're only tears and that when he stops crying they'll go away. He doesn't understand me.

He does understand though that I can help him wipe the tears. So now when he cries, he comes to me and points to his eyes for me to wipe them.

Sort of sweet don't you think?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

This just in...

Graham is talking.

It's just as we expected. He went from literally only 4 words to like a million. He'll repeat anything we ask him to try and say. I'd venture a guess that only about half is even close to the actual word, but at least he's trying.

His list went from: momma, daddy, yuh-yuh, and bink

Now he can say: momma, daddy, yuh-yuh, bink, nana, Guh (Matt's dad), mimi, pop, B (Bryan), Elmo (la-la), Nemo, Laura (rah-rah), yes (shi), cup (kissing sound), banana, bath, car, truck, keys, bye-bye, night-night, Baxter (bah-ber), Mable (mah-muh), please (peash), help, pants, shirt, shoes, socks....and he'll just say "buh-buh" if we ask him to say something that has sounds in it that he hasn't learned yet.

In the spirit of updates, here are a few more.

Graham isn't eating anything terribly new....but is quite good at refusing most things. He only ate raisins and his cheddar duck crackers for 2 straight days last week.

He is recently obsessed with Nemo and will actually watch the entire movie. It's amazing what I can get done. I see how quickly kids (and parents) can become dependent on the tv. He actually asks me to watch it.... don't worry (other parent and anti-tv readers) I do limit his screen time.

Graham is 19 months and I'm also 27 weeks. An exhausting combination if you ask me.

We moved some rooms around a couple of weeks ago. Note to self, do not try and move heavy furniture while this pregnant, it is a recipe for pulled muscles and many aches. Anyway, we moved Matt's office to Graham's old room. It is at the front of the house and would not have accomidated 2 babies. Plus, it separated the rest of our living space with Matt's work which will hopefully give him some more privacy and quiet.

See, our house was built as a 2 bedroom, so the other bedroom is next to the kitchen at the back of the house and we were using it as a study/catch-all for lots of odd things. About 20 years ago or something, they built an addition through the closet of that room. So, it eliminated the closet from the second bedroom and also made the back bedroom only accessible through that room. With it's 2 closets, the addition was a perfect master bedroom. And now, we moved both babies into that back room (it's the quietest) and Matt and I are in that walk-through, closet-less room. It was quite. a. move. to say the least, especially with just Matt and me to do that heavy lifting and with G underfoot.

It's turning out to be quite nice for all of us. Our room only has one window (that looks out to our neighbor's brick house 4 feet away) so is quite dark in the morning. And G loooooves his new room. If we ask him if he wants to go play in his room, he takes off and runs in there to tackle his lion and roll around on the floor. He loves having windows to look out of and more space to play. We're in the process of getting a twin bed for G to begin the transition. Not so much to free up the crib (Jackson will sleep in our room for many months if we're honest, ha!) but to give us another bed to have available to lay down with G for naps and when he wakes up early in the morning. He usually wakes up anywhere from 6:30-7:30 and then falls back asleep with us until like 8-8:30. But he's getting quite squirmy and my belly is taking up more room....so we will welcome another bed option!

I guess I can also give a pregnancy update...for those still reading...

Baby J is healthy and super active. He wakes me up and keeps me awake during the night if he gets to his flipping and jumping. I think this pregnancy is going much the same as with G, it's just harder on me to also have a toddler to chase around. We go on our walks every day that isn't raining and I'm starting my prenatal yoga class this Sunday. I'm hoping the yoga will help with the nightly leg cramps.

I've sort of had this "take it one day at a time" attitude with Graham's nursing and sleeping since January. Nursing was hard when I first found out I was pregnant because I was so darn sleepy all the time... but then it got easier. I've noticed that just as I've gotten to a sort of "breaking point" with things, G has matured or changed his ways. He lost interests and dropped one of his feedings which was nice. Then, he just started eating more and sleeping all night a few months ago. I didn't change how I was feeding him or anything, it's just like we were in sinc with each other's needs. I needed more sleep and my body needed a break...and he gave it to me. It's been quite nice to have these months of sleep before things start all over with baby Jackson. G's favorite nursing session (if that's what it's called) remains the first one in the morning. I have a feeling that he'll hang on to that one for a while. He's also begun to understand more about him needing to walk instead of me carry him everywhere. He reaches up to hold my hand and hasn't been playing "limp baby" when I won't let him run through the street or parking lot. Let me tell you, experiencing "limp baby" is so annoying and is great for the pride when in public!

I know I owe the blog some pictures. I've taken many and just keep forgeting to upload them. Well, that and the whole no internet during G's waking hours thing. I'm writing this post at work.

Oh, and we do still have a dog. Baxter is growing and so active and jumpy. We're having so much fun with him! I need to take some pictures of him. Also, Mable is still alive and shedding. She's the best cat ever. G loves to pick her up around her middle and try and walk around with her. She groans and meows but hasn't bitten or scratched once.

We're contemplating a fish for G's room. I'm sure it's name will be Nemo.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

four eyes

Easter

Spoiler alert....there are a million pictures. Matt says I'm breaking the internet. My apologies if loading this blog just made your computer freeze.

We celebrated Easter with much family, beautiful weather, and pure joy at what was inside the eggs.

Matt and I tell each other every year that this is becoming our favorite holiday. The gift of Salvation we celebrate on Easter morning, the joy of knowing our sins have been conquered and forgiven draws our eyes to Jesus alone. It's beautiful.

Anyway, we worshipped at Twin Oaks and then had lunch at the Steel's.

G didn't let uncle B out of his sight. As usual.
Sweet Emma Grace enjoying the treasures in her egg.
She was such a princess!
"What, there are treasures inside?"


After Graham's nap we headed over to my parents house for more eggs hunting, some deck sitting, and brunch for dinner. It was nice.

G wasn't sure what to make of his basket of treasures.
The little cars were his favorite...until he discovered the egg with fruit snacks...


Kisses for momma.
"Oh yes, I know what to do here..."






Laura and sweet T.
Tickles from Pop.

One last one of G stuffing his face. Promise.
And a family shot.
This is amazing, we're all looking and not one little guy is sad.
If you made it this far, thank you! We hope you experienced much joy this Easter season.

He is risen!

just another night in the bath


Don't mind the necklace. It's not his favorite bath toy or anything...

First trip to the zoo

Laura and I wanted to take the boys to the zoo.

It only took us like 4 hours to get there and then another 45 mins to just get everyone all settled in their strollers, all loveys, bottles, cups, snacks, and emergency diaper equipment into the zoo gates. It was 4 and they closed at 5.

But we made the best of it! Plus, the weather was perfect and most of the animals were out and performing quite nicely.

Laura and her boys.
Caleb in the jump seat. I promise he liked it.
Sweet Thomson all snuggled in.
Both boys love this kind of bundling...
Twirling.
It was a short but fun trip. Good thing the season is just beginning!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

one trip to AL, 2 adults, 3 babies

It was my mom's spring break. She and Laura were going to take T and C down to visit our family in AL. I had wanted to go (because one of my dear friends was getting married that weekend in ATL) but there wasn't going to be room for all 6 of us in my mom's 5 person vehicle. But then Laura wasn't able to get off work.....so we (very sadly) went without her. I know what you're thinking. Why in the world would 2 adults dare drive 11+ hours with a toddler and twin 5 month olds? I wish I had a better answer.... we just wanted to see our family.

So we loaded up 2 pack and plays, a double and a single stroller, a million diapers, a play gym, tons of food for one picky toddler, and what feels like 300 bottles. I think we owe the actual success of the trip to the travel DVD player that hooked to the back of the passenger seat that played The Fox and the Hound on repeat. I bet G didn't even know how much he'd like that movie.

We didn't plan the departure time on the way down there very well. It meant that we were still driving during those dreaded hours after dinner but before bath and bed where most (all) babies typically fall apart. The picture below is after all 3 were in total meltdown. We gave G more little cookies and propped up the play gym and turned it on to keep the twins distracted.

I think we were all thrilled to pull into my grandma's driveway!

We enjoyed our family. We played outside a lot. Took many walks.

And also went out to the farm to look for some cows.

We looked at rocks and sticks.



We took many a picture of the twins propped next to each other. We have countless pictures of them propped or laying next to each other....but we can't help ourselves, there are two of these adorable babers! I promise they were happy just before this shot, but T's sad face is too cute.
We were doing some yard work when G found the clippers. They were too heavy for him to lift but he was thrilled to just hold the handles and pretend that he was helping.
All we wanted was a picture of Nana with her great-grandboys.
All G wanted was those yard clippers.
See? I can't help it.
Another C next to T picture....and you're glad I posted it right? It's super cute!
We did better with the departure time on the way home. We even managed to have some daylight when we arrived! I'll never understand why G wanted to sit like this in his car seat while we unloaded the car after being in it for the last 12 hours. He even cried when we went inside.
It was a quick visit as most visits with family are. I hate living so far away from everyone! We love all of you down there and already look forward to our next trip. And Shelley, we would've for sure lost our minds without you, thank you so much for all your help. We had so much fun with you!