Merry Christmas

With the day almost here we are feeling incredibly blessed and grateful for another amazing year.  

From our family to your.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

and 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

See you in 2013

What a week

I cannot begin without speaking of the horror which occurred to 27 innocent people and children on Friday.  As a family it has hit incredibly close to home, we have a first grader and in one year I will be a teacher in a classroom just like Sandy Hook, not to mention just the unimaginable pain that goes along with being lucky enough to love a child.  I am at loss for what to say, struggling to understand my feelings except that our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by the senselessness which occurred to such innocent teachers and children.  Tragedy is an understatement and I certainly will take every opportunity to hug my children a little tighter and appreciate every moment we have as a family!

Without taking away from loss of innocence, so much has happened in our lives this past week.  Beginning with our little man turning 5 months old today!  It is so hard to believe that Graham completed our family five months ago.  At times it is hard to remember what life was like before, while other times I cannot believe it has already been 5 months!

Graham has grown and changed so much in the past 153 days.  He now weighs 14 pounds 7 ounces and is 26 inches long.  Graham is skinny ( below the 25%) and tall (the 75%) and has a whopping head (98%).  Clearly he is going to be very smart:)  We just moved him to size 3 diapers and he is comfortably wearing 3 to 6 month clothes.

"What Mommy?  You think I look handsome"

We have started food with Graham and overall he loves it.  He started with oatmeal about a week in half ago then every three to four days have introduced something new.  We began with bananas which he loved, then went to sweet potatoes ( not such a fan).  Next Graham had pears and he loved them, crying because we weren't getting them in his mouth quickly enough.  Yesterday he had peas for the first time.  While he didn't spit them out, he certainly was not crying to speed up the spoon.  I make all of the food he has had, and I love doing it.  We steam the veggies then puree them in the food processor.  I add oatmeal and breast milk to each food.  The fruits have only needed to be pureed so far.  Our little man certainly is growing up so quickly.  While I want to keep introducing new foods, I also find myself trying to slow things down a bit because he is growing way too fast.

Not a huge fan this day

Graham has not rolled over yet but can get all the way onto his side and then gets so frustrated.  Selfishly I am just fine with laying him down and knowing he will stay in that same spot so I see no rush in helping him figure out the mobility thing just yet.  G has also found his toes.  He loves to try to get his toes into his mouth.  He can keep himself busy for a good amount of time trying to work that out!!  Graham has also taken a serious lovin' to his brother, and Reece loves nothing more than being able to get Graham to laugh.  I cannot soak it up enough. Gregg and I have talked so much about the day that they "found" each other.  It is priceless!!

Sleep is honestly all over the place.  He will occasionally sleep through the night (10 pm to 630 ish am), most nights he wakes up around 4 am to eat then falls back asleep until 730 or 8 am, but we have also had our far share of days where Graham is crying every 2 -3 hours.  I really am at a loss for why or what to do.  Although after his last check up, the doctor did tell me that he can go at least six hours without needing to eat.  So on the nights he wakes often, I send Gregg in to give him the binkie and then he falls right back asleep.  I guess truth be told we really struggle with a schedule.  Graham is clearly the second child because we often have to wake him to run Reece to one of his countless activities.  He is often sleeping in his carseat, or we omit his bedtime routine, so my Christmas break goal is to work on G's schedule.  He needs at least one nap a day in his crib and a consistent bedtime.  We will see if we can make that happen even if just five days a week.  I am also ready to get rid of the binkie.  We could have a dozen binkies but somehow can never find one of them and usually it is in the middle of a 5 month old meltdown or at 4 am in the morning.  I hate that thing but also realize that it soothes Graham especially at night.  So my plan is to not give it to him except at night time.  I also hope that this with help him learn to soothe himself without needing us to come in and put the binkie back in his mouth.  We will see....

Graham is such a happy little man.  He still loves being outside, and luckily the temperatures have not gotten too cold yet that we can bundle him up for a little vitamin D and fresh air.   Graham is really observant and loves to watch the lights, motion, and sounds, wherever he is.  It won't surprise anyone who knows us, but G is quite a chatter box.  He loves to be sung to and will coo, babble, smile, and laugh back.  His smile never gets old and certainly makes our day!!   We have also spent the past few days trying to soak in every moment of Graham's first Christmas.  

Our little helper...

Visting a life size gingerbread house

 This is a Christmas party which was at Graham's day care... it was so much fun

Finally I have to mention that while we have been reminded how quickly life can change, we have so much to celebrate.  Gregg just accepted a new job as the superintendent of Tam O'Shanter Country Club.   Not only is it a huge promotion for him professionally but also a game changer for our family.  I couldn't be more proud of him!  Then yesterday I received my semester grades and am humbled but so proud to now be on the honor roll.  It certainly makes all the hard work and time away from my boys a little more worth the sacrifice.  Clearly 2012 has been a great year for us as a family and the future looks incredibly bright!  Christmas has come a little early for us and we will be celebrating!!!

Keepin' It Real

So I received an email the other day which really made me think, a friend was saying that even as we get older and have new and bigger responsibilities, she appreciates the fact as friends we don't glamorize things, we say it like it is.  She commented on appreciating that we don't post pictures of our crazy elves day after day, or our "our awesome weekend spent decorating with our well behaved children".  I was caught slightly off guard but appreciated the candor and realized that that's what good friends do.  I also realized that I find myself biting my tongue and not always saying exactly how I feel because "what would people think??"  Well this blog has been a place where I have really been able to be myself and say my thoughts and feelings about life, my family,  and my children.  So today I think it is time for me to get REAL !!

15 weeks ago today I dropped Reece off at school and Graham who was only six weeks old, and headed off to college, having no idea how difficult the journey would be. Not to mention having to actually put intellectual thoughts together off of maybe 6 hours of interrupted sleep. Many people had asked me if I was planning to take a semester off with having a new baby and honestly I never thought of it.  I have waited this long to go back to college, I certainly didn't want to waste anymore time, so how hard can 17 credit hours be with two kids one being a newborn?  And in hindsight I am so glad I pushed through, but HOLY COW!    I have missed so much of Reece's schooling, Graham is growing and changing, and find myself completely consumed in my own studies unable to take the time to even have Reece read me a book.  A parent asked me if I saw the note about designing a yearbook cover, honestly I haven't opened Reece's school bag in three days, not to mention getting home before he is even in bed.  About four weeks ago I remember calling my dad crying asking (well not really just needing to vent) if this is all really worth it?  I could go back to my part time job where I had time to do things like workout, plan dinner, and sit down with Reece to make fun crafts.  He assured me that "Lindsay, this is temporary, you will be done before you know it, and really what you are instilling in Reece(and Graham) about the importance of education will have far bigger rewards then being able to help out as a room mom in his classroom this year!" We spoke about goals and how much  more rewarding they are when we have to work hard to fulfill them.."Lindsay you have never chosen the easy path in life, yet it certainly has been worth it!!"  While I certainly know he is right, I struggle with not being able to do it all. 

Did I forget mention that Christmas is 12 days away.  I finally made the time to get the tree decorated two days ago, even putting a small tree in Reece's room, and our village put up (well most of it).  Reece came home from school the other day so excited to see the house decorated.  It made it all worth it!!  And so while I haven't even begun my Christmas shopping I know that after my last final today, it will be time to get out and find the perfect presents.

Yet what I have learned through all of it is that I really do treasure the moments when I have a half an hour before dark on a warm December day where Reece and I can play football, or when I lay on the floor next to Graham and laugh and coo at each other for 15 minutes straight.  My house certainly is not clean, my pants are still to tight on me, the boys are not always bathed, I holler at Gregg way to much out of my own frustration, there is laundry needing to be folded on almost every available chair in the house, yet I am really proud of my family and what we have accomplished these past 4 in a half months because of our commitment to following through and working hard.  I hope that the next two in a half weeks can be filled with lots of elf pictures and Christmas festivities with the boys being perfectly behaved (yeah right!), however quite honestly I will have no problem sharing it because I have waited a long time to be able to really enjoy it!!

But in the meantime I have one last final in two hours so I better stop procrastinating and get back to studying while Graham is sleeping!!

For Her....

With Christmas around the corner, here are a few of my wish list items....

For Her.... by lindsay-matthews featuring forever 21

Travel jacket / J.Crew j crew / UGG Australia arch shoes / Asics athletic running shoes / ALDO / BP. infinity loop scarve / Forever 21 / Sephora Collection / philosophy

19 weeks old

Well it has been a busy and eventful week in half around here...

Health:

As you can see by the rolls Graham is accumulating, he is a growing boy.  I am not exactly sure on his weight as he doesn't go back to the doctor until Dec. 7.  However as we do with each appointment, we have a family contest as who is closest to G's weight.  I am guessing 14 pounds 7 ounces.  Reece said 15 pounds and Gregg hasn't voted yet!

Sleep:

Well I was going to say that Graham is doing awesome with his naps and is only waking up once a night usually between 4 and 5 am, knowing that as I wrote it I would jinx ourselves.  Sure enough he is laying in his bed right now exhausted but fighting going to sleep, so sure enough I am not sure.   I seems to be exhibiting some signs of teething but I am so hesitant to think that.  Starting around this age Reece was doing many of the same traits, hands in his mouth, sometimes stuffy, drooling, and crabby crabby at bed time.  The pediatrician assured us it was teething and YEP Reece didn't cut his first tooth until he was a year old!  So while I know all kids are different and maybe Graham will teeth earlier, I am not buying it until I see a tooth!  So for now I think he may just be going through a little something in regards to going to sleep, lucky it as not yet interfered with his nighttime sleep! (fingers crossed)

We are sporting our Christmas clothes now that it is December!

Diet:

We are still all breast milk.  When he takes a bottle it is usually 5 ounces I have pumped.  I try to pump at least once a day but I am not getting enough for one bottle at each pump so we have had to go to our reserves a few times.  I am hoping over Christmas to be able to get back in a better pumping schedule and build my supply back up.  I was also trying to slowly introduce some dairy back into my diet, which I had only had a little cheese sprinkled on top of a meal.  After about a week I noticed Graham was really starting to struggle so I am back to 100% dairy free.  I realized that the more I tried to dabble in a little bit here and there the more I craved dairy.  When I cut it out completely I am fine!

Likes:

Graham has changed so much in the past week or so.  He is so much more alert and social.  He wants to be looking out and checking out the world.  He loves to play and hold onto toys.  He will notice us across the room and laugh or smile.  He loves to kick his legs when he is happy or excited.  And while he still can be very serious, he is such a happy baby.  He wants to put everything in his mouth, including seeing how far he can get his fists in there!  

Milestones:

Graham met Santa for the first time!  Sure enough he sleep through most of it.  He did decide to wake up for just a few minutes in order for us get a few pictures of just him and Santa.  (I will be doing a holiday happenings post later this week now that we are in Christmas countdown mode)  Early Friday morning my best friend, Brittany, had her baby we have been patiently waiting for.  Malone Charlotte was born at 1:21 am weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces.  Of course Graham could not wait to meet her!  It will be so amazing to have the kids be so close in age growing up.  I'm sure these two will be having a lot of fun together for a long time!!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa, by lindsay-matthews featuring a bobble hat

Miso bobble hat, $16 / Habitat Psyche Rock Complete 7.75 x 31.6 / Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Singin' Soccer Ball / Boys 8-20 Sereno 11 Polyester Track Suit / Handelshaus toys Kids Wooden Pull Along Dragon, $7.95 / Kathe Kruse Soft Toy Rattle Dragon at My Wooden Toys, $31 / Nike CTR360 Trequartista III Women's Firm-Ground Soccer Cleats - Blue... / Fisher-Price Precious Planet Crib and Floor Piano Fisher-Price / Minnetonka Velcro Front Strap Bootie (Infant/Toddler) / Haba Wooden Baby Toys Viva / Amazon.com Bell Venture Bike Helmet / Reebok Fingersave Soccer Goalie Goalkeeper Gloves Size 11 300x300px... / junie b jones

Johnnie is reporting back to you on our behavior each day and we really hope we wake up on Christmas morning to find some of these things under our tree!!!

Love, 

Reece and Graham

Graham is 18 weeks old

Sleep:  

Well I am happy to say Graham seems to be back on a schedule.  He goes to bed for the night between 6 and 7 pm.   He is still waking up at night but only once, usually around 3 or 3:30 am.  I haven't had the courage to just let him cry to see if he will go back to sleep so for now I just feed him and he is right back to sleep until around 6:30 am.  Graham is still awake for about an hour after eating and then ready for a nap.  He really prefers to sleep in his crib and does not want to be rocked or held.  Although he does need a few visits back in his room to either put the binki in or just a few minute head rub.

Diet:

 Graham is eating about every 3 to 4 hours.  This week there have been times I have had to wake him during the day to feed him (but I only do this during the day).  We haven't been to his 4 month appointment yet so I haven't introduced any cereal as I previously considered doing.  After talking with some other mom's we may wait until 6 months.  It seems that many doctors are recommending waiting to start food.

Health:

I am not sure on Graham's weight but guessing he is around 14 pounds.  He is working hard at filling out his legs, and even has some well earned rolls which we love.  Graham still has a blocked tear duct which flairs up occasionally but really doesn't bother him. Otherwise we have a happy, healthy, growing boy!!

Milestones: 

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving as a family of 4!  We went downtown and I ran in the Turkey Trot then we all watched the parade.  Graham loved it so much, he slept through the whole parade!!  We had dinner over at my sister, Kristen's house.  Our Aunt Ethel joined us, she will be 95 years old in February.  SO this was a very special milestone for Graham to celebrate with her.  Graham is also so close to rolling over from his front to his back.  He can get over to his side but just can't figure out how to get all the way over.  This is causing him a lot of frustration but not sure he'll be happy once he gets all the way to his belly!

Aunt Ethel and G

Likes:  

Graham is loving holding onto toys, hands, blankets, really anything he can get his hands on.  It is amazing to watch his eyes find the toy then bring it up to his face to see.  He also just found his feet which he is trying his darniest to get in his mouth but he hasn't quite figured out how.  Graham also loves being sung to, especially Patty Cake and the Wheels on the Bus.  We get big belly laughs out of him when we play peek-a-boo or make lip sounds (this includes raspberries, clicking, popping whatever we can muster to get a laugh)

I want those pig pigs

Post Partum : 

I ran my first race, the Turkey Trot which was a 5K.  I certainly didn't break any speed records but just happy that I ran the whole way.  I haven't been counting my calories since Thanksgiving but looking forward to tomorrow and getting back on track.  All in all I seem to do better on a schedule as well!! (Although I have thoroughly enjoyed a 5 day break!!)

We are walking to the starting line!!

Giving Thanks

After several attempts of writing this post, I am now a day late but have put my thoughts together.  Like so many others our life is busy.  We manage through everyday and before we know it another week has passed.  And wow now it is already Thanksgiving and the holiday season.  I didn't feel prepared at all or should I say emotionally in the holiday spirit.  We usual love the holidays and with this being Graham's first, I want it to be that much more special.  So I needed a hard kick to get in the spirit of things.

Beyond thankful for this little Turkey!!

My niece and nephew had their traditional Thanksgiving program with the preschool they attend.  This is also the place I worked for six years and where Reece went to school starting at 11 weeks old.  So needless to say there are so many memories for us especially with the Thanksgiving program.  It was a busy week for us and of course we were running a few minutes late.  After a bathroom stop we found our seats.  The curtains open and I was overcome.  While it was great to watch the kids preform, I found myself waist deep in memories.  Here I sat in the audience with my six year old who sat at the edge of his chair and quietly sang along to the songs he quickly remembered, my new son, and my husband. I realized watching my boys in the forefront with the preschool singing behind in my view all that we have to be thankful for this year.  

My most handsome guys watching the parade downtown!

Certainly everything in our lives has a purpose and my life has changed so much in the past year in a half since making the decision to leave my job and follow my passion of becoming a teacher.  We are in such a good place right now.   It certainly has not been an easy journey to get where we are right now but I wouldn't trade the journey for anything.  I always hoped that my life would feel as full as it is right now. So on this Thanksgiving I feel so grateful for what God has given us. 

And I am certainly thankful that we made the time to as Reece said "support Aly and Brady" in their performance, it was perfect!!

A perfect way to end our amazing day...reminiscing about memories with family!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Graham is 4 months old!

Graham -

It is hard to believe you joined our family 4 months ago today.  We never anticipated that you would be arriving that Thursday July 19th.   Once I got my head around the fact that yes in deed you were coming,  we were ecstatic to meet you and see who you exactly were.  Now four months later you are certainly coming into your own.  You are getting more and more handsome everyday, if that is possible ( and yes we may be a bit biased!) While you are definitely laid back you also know what you like and do not like.  You no longer want to fall asleep anywhere other than in your crib.  Graham you really get upset when we swaddle you and lay you down but then we give you your little bunny, and all is good.  You definitely like to have something in your hand when you are falling asleep, whether one of your Aden + Anais blankets or your bunny.  You have the nap thing down pat but let's talk about night time buddy???  Graham I promise you won't miss anything and we could party during the day if you just remembered how great it was to sleep all night, PLEASE!!!!

You are a pretty serious little guy.  Or should I say you are not going to be giving away smiles for free, we really have to work you to get a smile out of you, except in the middle of the night of course when we come in and check on you!  Daddy is the best at getting you to laugh.  Reece and I on the other hand struggle a little more at figuring out what you think is silly, but we certainly look silly trying to figure it out.

Graham you are talking up a storm.  While we have no idea what you are thinking or saying to us, you certainly know exactly what you are saying.  I could listen to your little coos and babbles all day!!

You love to play on your mat in the morning, kicking your legs, pulling on the animals, and talking away.  Come afternoon you only want to be up right.  You are doing much better in your exer-saucer but you get tired having to hold your head up for more than 10 minutes in there.  You are mesmerized by the TV and honestly I think you could sit and watch it all day, uh oh!!!  You also love to hold your hands and then try to suck on them both together.

We are really excited to start the holidays because there will be so many firsts for you. While you will really have no idea how special the moments will be right now, we certainly hope you sense our love.  

Graham it is hard to believe it has only been four months, because we have spent so many years talking, planning, and dreaming about having another member of our family.  You certainly have been more than we could have dreamed about.  

We love you and are so thankful for you, G!!

Graham is 16 weeks old!!

Working it out!!

So we are a few days late in this post and with each day I am happy to say Graham is getting back in the swing of things

Sleep:

G's sleep has definitely improved but some nights are better than others.  We seem to be making progress on his naps and even bed time.  We swaddle Graham, lay his cozy bunny next to his head, turn on music and he is out with little fussing.  He still is not always sure about the binki but we always try it.  Also at night we turn off his lights and turn on a projector which he seems to really like and help ease him into sleep.

Health:

Graham still has his blocked tear duck in his left eye.  It is not nearly as bad as it had been but it is still there so we will definitely be asking about it at his next doctor appointment.  Graham has also had a slight cough the past few days but it doesn't seem to bother him at all.  We have just been running his humidifier at night, which seems to be helping.

Diet:

We are thinking once he officially turns 4 months we may start to introduce oatmeal cereal. ( I have to say there will be no rice cereal for the little man.  I am just being a little cautious in regards to the high arsenic levels which they reported this summer so we will just start with oatmeal).  Otherwise he is nursing or taking a bottle which I pump about every 3.5 hours.  He would go longer but I thought maybe pushing him to every 4 hours may have attributed to waking back up again at night, because he wasn't getting enough during the day.  Maybe its just a fluke with moving up his feedings but G is back to sleeping longer.

Size:

We aren't sure on Graham's weight but I would guess he is around 14 pounds.  He is sporting size 2 diapers and officially wearing all 3-6 month clothes.  He has also started to grow out of some of his gowns so Graham has started wearing footed pjs to bed, so cozy.

Milestones:

We have brought out the exer-saucer.  Everyday Graham gets a little more comfy in it.  We prop a  blanket behind his back to help support him.  I have to say he wasn't that crazy about it at first, maybe just too much stimulation but every day he warms up to it a bit more.  Graham has also found his hands.  He is really starting to grasp onto toys.  It is also adorable to watch him bring his hands in front of his face and just move his fingers slowly fixated on them.

Likes:

The little man is only liking standing up right and out front.  ( This is one of the reasons we brought out the exer-saucer)  Graham still likes to lie on his mat in the morning but after that he wants to be up right. He loves to be talked and sung to.  We can't get enough of how he talks back to us.  Graham is still loving being outside.  We had beautiful weather this weekend so we tried to soak up as much time outside as possible, as this morning there was snow on the ground!!  

Post Partum:

So it has been about two weeks and I am back to the gym averaging about 3 days a week.  I am running and lifting weights.  While some days are much harder than other, I always leave feeling great!!  I weighed myself for the first time since I was at my last OB appointment at 9 weeks.  I haven't lost a single pound.  That was quite an awakening especially since I am no longer eating dairy and feel like I am so limited on my food.  I decided if I can't be eating what I want then at least I could be losing weight, but clearly have not been.  So I got back onto MyFitnessPal account and am religiously counting my calories, every bite I take.  I am hoping to see some weight lose results soon.

Happy Birthday Gregg!

Happy Birthday to my husband !!

Gregg,  you have certainly brought so much more joy, happiness, and love into my life than I ever knew was possible.  To watch you with our boys in nothing short of incredible.  You are truly an amazing father and I am so lucky to have you in our lives.  Today I am grateful for all you do for me and the boys.  I certainly do not tell you often enough but I couldn't do it without you.  Thank you for your unconditional love and support !  We love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Happy Sunday!

We had the opportunity to get a few pictures of the boys and wanted to share a couple of our favorites.I am a few days late on Graham's 16 week update but it will be coming in the next day or so!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!!

Graham is 15 weeks old

Well just when I thought we were smooth sailing, we have hit some rough seas!

Where to begin...
Sleep: Well I honestly have no idea what has happened, but Graham is back to waking up every 4 hours at night.  Better yet he fights going down for naps during the day ( except of course at daycare yesterday he sleep for 4 hours, the ladies certainly thought I was crazy when I told them of his sleeping issues).  I feel a little lost on what to do.  At this point I have implemented a new "rule" during the day - no more sleeping in the swing!!  My thought is maybe he has no idea how to get to sleep.  The past two nights we have laid him in his crib and let him fuss a bit, going in every few minutes to put his Binky in or just help comfort him.  It has worked - he falls asleep laying in his bed, on his own!!  I told Gregg if he is going to arch his back, and scream while we are holding and rocking him, let him do it in his bed.  He actually seems calmer laying in his own bed ( not that he doesn't still cry but he isn't arching his back screaming!!)  Also the reality is being a second child I have to wake Graham up mid nap to drop Reece off at school, or get Reece to Catechism.  As with both of the boys, the worse they sleep during the day, the worse the night goes, so my hope is  to plan and at least get him some stability and regularity during his day time naps.

How can you not love pumpkins when you see this little man?!

Next rough wave, the poor little man has a blocked tear duck which seems to be infected.  He had this several weeks back and the doctor said it is very common and for us just to watch it.  They told us simply to wipe his eye with a warm wash cloth applying pressure right below the eye.  It hasn't seemed to help much this time around.  The doctor did say he is still too young to do anything about it so I guess at this point we just have to keep with the pressure and wash cloth.  It makes me feel awful because some days it looks so bad.

Mommy you are making me blush

Ok so some happy news:
Graham is now officially wearing 3- 6 month clothes.  I love getting him dressed everyday.  I struggle with dressing him like a handsome little man or soaking in as much baby as I can squeeze out of him.  Regardless I have to admit it sure beats the arguments every morning from Reece about a wanting to wear a sports short sleeve shirt.  I'll take all the 3-6 month clothes I can get.

Other than when Graham is tired, he is such a happy and content boy.  He is talking ( Yes we know it is really cooing) up a storm.  Gregg and I both said the other day how much we love to hear him talk ( we don't remember if Reece talked quite this much, which yes maybe scary for anyone who knows what a chatter box Reece is !!)  Graham is starting to rock from side to side when we lay him down to play.  I don't think it will be long before he is rolling over.  He is also doing much better holding his head up, although it does get him exhausted , quickly:)  Graham has become rather observant of his surroundings and tell us all about what he is seeing, LOVE THIS!!

Today I took Graham to the daycare at the gym for the first time.  He was a champ which helps motivate me to find the time to get there more often!!  While I certainly could tell I haven't been working out regularly, I felt great walking out!

Halloween was nearly perfect.  Graham spent the afternoon sleeping through Reece's school party and parade. He was resting up for what was sure to be a BIG night for him.  Graham was Roary the Lion, The Detroit Lions mascot, and Reece was Calvin Johnson.  While Graham wasn't much for his costume which we took off 5 minutes into trick or treating, he loved being out and about with all the trick or treaters.  It certainly was a fun night for a 15 week old!!

ROOAAARRR!! One cute Lion

We are getting on board with the thirty days of being grateful in November.

  I will be sure to update often because we certainly need to count our blessing more often:

Today I am thankful for my two amazing, healthy sons and the smile they bring to my face.

Reece - " I am thankful for my brother"

Gregg - " I am thankful for (Gosh I am embarrassed to write this) my beautiful wife and the best mother to our two great kids!"