Graham is 8 months old!!

I can't believe it, 8 months old!!!  Where is the time going?

Graham you have grown and changed so much this past month.  First thing first, what a scary month we had with you being so sick and even making your first and hopefully last trip to the hospital.  I am happy to report although you still have a cough, you are much better and back to your self.

This month has also brought about a lot of other firsts for you.
You sat in a high chair for the first time at a restaurant. While you liked it at first , after a bit you got tired and preferred to just sit on Mommy and Daddy's lap.  
You are now sitting in your bath tub, which you love!!
We introduced you to meats and yogurt. You haven't been a big fan at all of pureed meat.  I'm thinking it maybe a texture thing but we will continue to work on it.  However you LOVE the yogurt.
And Graham you have finally figured out how to roll over from your back to your belly, YEAH!!!

Last week Graham you weighed 16 pounds 14 ounces.  You are definitely growing like a weed.  You are wearing  6 to 12 month clothes and still in size 3 diapers.

Aside from when you were so sick, you have been sleeping great!  You go to bed between 6 and 7 pm then we feed you a late bottle, sometime between 10 and 11 pm, and you sleep until about 7 am.  You have learned how to put your binki in your mouth, which has pretty much solved you waking up in the middle of the night.  However the past few morning you have rolled yourself onto your belly and can't get back over:((!!  We are hoping that this is just a passing fad since you have learned how to roll over. Graham you love to sleep on your side and there is not much sweeting there when I go in to check on you, finding you sleeping so peacefully.  I may have a secret obsession with peaking in on your sleeping, it is beyond sweet!

Another obsession - your dimples!!

Daddy and I were just talking yesterday that you are just like Reece in the fact that you sleep great in your own bed but the minute we try to go out say for lunch/dinner and think you will just sleep in your car seat, NOPE!!  While you will take a nap in your car seat, it only lasts as long as the car is moving.  Therefore it makes it tricky because we have learned the more you sleep, the better you sleep and happier you are.  I try to ensure that you at least get one of your naps in your crib everyday, if so you will usually nap for a good two hours.  

Graham you are a pretty happy guy, except for when you are hungry or have a poppy diaper.  Where we have always said you are a pretty laid back little man, you certainly have found your voice, especially when you see a bottle or hear the food processor, you want it now!!!

Daddy can make you laugh better than anyone else (I'm a little jealous in fact!)  You want to be in the mix of things weather it be watching your brother play basketball in the playroom, sitting on the floor playing catch, or a conversation out and about.

Graham while we have loved every stage and thought each was our favorite, who you are and were you are at right now is amazing.  

I love how when you get excited about something you shake.

I love your giggle.

I love how serious you are about watching the world, like watching every move Pressley makes.

I love that your love to be outside.

I love the way you light up when we sing to you.

I love how your are completely mesmerized by your brother.

I love how you try to get so angry when we get you dressed everyday.

I love your BOOM BOOMs and how you know exactly what you are trying to say.

I love after your last feeding of the night, how you would let me hold and snuggle you.

We love every ounce of the little man you are and treasure every moment with you.  You have definitely completed our little family!!

I feel incredibly lucky to be your Mom

I love you,
Mommy

Trying to find my way....

I try to write a blog at least once a week but I have to admit I am at a loss.  I have several ideas come to me, I sit down and there is nothing!!  Last weekend I decided to pull out my crafty side, begin decorating for spring, even attempting a few Pinterest projects, all in hopes it would get my creativity flowing.  Well the uncompleted projects still sit.

I guess I'm in a funk, emotional, and just plan exhausted.  

I met Gregg for lunch today and spent the majority of the time sitting on the iPad just aimlessly roaming for something.  When I didn't find it I tried making some small conversation trying to be engaged but when I sat back watching him feed Graham I just I preferred to be quiet.  

While I have plenty going on, and life is crazy I am feeling so disconnected.

After lunch Gregg text me saying "I love you".  Tears streamed down my face and I responded with " I hope this is all worth it!"  He of course thought I was referring to the fact that we haven't had solid consecutive nights sleep in eight months.  But my comment really had nothing to do with that.  

Many girls I go to class with ask me how I do it with two kids, a full class schedule, plus in the field work.  I guess I don't know.  As I drove home from class the other night and knowing that I hadn't seen my kids all day and wouldn't until mid day tomorrow, I realized that I don't know how I do it.  For the first time I can actually see the finish line but I truly don't know how I am going to cross it!  

So is it all worth it?  I certainly hope I can look back in five years and know that while there were times it certainly was tough, days even a fifth cup of coffee couldn't keep my eyes open, and I just want to skip class or not write another lesson plan, but I hope these years will all appear to have flown by and be able to look back with pride that as a family we trudged through.

I miss the days of working part time with a set schedule that when I was done I could go to the gym, plan a home-cooked Pinterest meal, or even volunteer in Reece's class.  While spiritual and emotional I wasn't happy at my job it offered me the time and flexibility to do things which made me happy.  I knew in my heart I needed something more but I had no idea that jumping in with two feet would make me feel like I was drowning some days.  

So I guess as I sit hear pondering what to post I have pulled myself together enough to realize that THIS is all very worth it and while I may crawl myself into the finish, I am certain I will stand up and run across hearing Gregg and the boys cheering!

Tomorrow I am off to Joanne's to finish my projects...I will be sure to share them!

We will be celebrating this weekend because WE ARE IRISH!!

A Week in Review

What a week it has been.  Last Wednesday Gregg and I left for Vail, CO.  The Rocky Mountains are one of our favorite places, and they certainly did not disappoint.  While I prefer to ski on blue bird days, there was fresh powder every day to be had.  Needless to say two years off the mountain and a new baby left me with a very sore body.  But Vail made up for it, because that place truly is like no place else on earth, even down to the roasted marshmallow smelling fireplaces. 

Ahhh Rocky Mountain air!!

Our first of many gondola rides

Lionshead

Vail Village

Our friends, Dan and Ang, we travelled with

The boys stayed with Nana and Papa in Michigan.  They certainly had their fair share of fun as well.  Reece even conned Papa into taking him to his first Michigan basketball game against Illinois.  Papa did admit afterward that he maybe had as great of a time as Reece. 

Despite all the fun and many phone calls back and forth, we heard that Graham was congested and not feeling great.  Sunday morning we woke up to a message to call home right away.  Graham was sick, with what seemed like a very high fever.  So my mom was taking him into urgent care.  They told her that it seemed he had the flu.  In the meantime, we were trying to get down the mountain and home from Denver in a major snowstorm.  Fifteen hours after we left Vail we were FINALLY on our way back home.  Anxious was an understatement.  I told Gregg something in my gut knew that Graham was very sick.  So after arriving home early Monday morning, in a delirious state, we decided that Graham seemed slightly better.  After speaking with the pediatricians office we decided that we would reevaluate at 2 pm.  Around 1pm Graham started to go down hill.  He woke up with a very high fever, 104 to be exact . We took him into the pediatrician and  I was not in the office for more than 20 minutes when our doctor told me he needed to go to the pediatric ER.  HOLY COW!!  I could barely contain my trembling and tears.  So what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the ER. Through my tears I keep trying to remind myself of the saying " You don't know how strong you are until STRONG is the only option you have!!"  I certainly needed to pull myself together for this little man!!!

Take in a pretty hysterical 7 month old baby to the ER, they found us a room quickly.  Anyone who has ever had to take a baby to the ER knows how awful the experience is and if you haven't hopefully you will never know.   After many hours of what I swear was the worst experience of my life with an inconsolable helpless baby, we were eventually discharged and walked out of there exhausted and overwhelmed but more importantly incredibly grateful and hugging our boys a little bit tighter.

I am so happy to say that despite the fear and helplessness we felt on Monday and Tuesday, Graham is doing much better today and has been fever free for 12 hours!!!

Daddy's working on cheering him up!!

How we spend the last 72 hours

We are looking forward to spending the weekend catching up on normalcy and also hopefully a little sleep!!!

Graham is 7 months old!

Graham,

7 months have flown by.  You have changed so much this past month. 

You are such a happy guy and love to be sung  and talked to.  Graham you have become so social wanted to smile and notice everyone and everything.  When Mommy, Daddy or Reece walk into a room you light up, which we love.  You often talk back to us.  We are convinced that sometimes you completely understand what we are telling you, for instance this morning when I told you I was making breakfast, you wanted it THEN!!  You are eating three meals a day of fruits and vegetables and devour every bite.  We also just introduced you to puffs this week, and while you found them odd, you ate them up!  

Graham you also seem much more satisfied now that I am supplementing with formula once or twice a day.  What can I say you love to eat!!

Not sure about this puff thing

You definitely are growing like a weed.  Graham you now wear six to 12 month clothes.  While I am not sure about your weight exactly, I think Dr. Ober will be happy when we go back for your weight check next week., you certainly feel heavier to us!

You are now sitting up pretty securely.  You seem to really enjoy this because you are able to reach and play with your toys, instead of us handing them to you.  You also still love the door jumper.  You absolutely love bath time, you really could sit in there for hours splashing and having water poured on you.  Graham you make a sport out of putting your feet in your mouth.

Your first Valentine's day!

7 months and you certainly have begun to let us know what you don't want or like.  First on the list is getting dressed, especially when it involves putting a onesie on.  It is not often that you cry very hard but you sure do when we get you dressed.  We find ourselves giggling about how your normal cry sounds just like a little kitty cat.  Often when you get frustrated or tired you will start to blow raspberries and "boom boom"!  We have determined it is your way of letting us know that your patience is being testing, so pick up the pace Mommy and Daddy.

While we know how blessed we are with you, we often remind ourselves how lucky we are that you are so laid back.  You go wherever we take you without complaining a bit.  Often you have to spend many hours out and about.  You are so content just checking out the new sights.  Being such a busy guy these days means that you have been sleeping great at night also, usually 12 hours with one feeding around 10 pm.  

Happy to report you are sleeping in your bed, and you love it!!

Tonight Mommy and Daddy will be leaving you for the first time.  While we are excited to get away for a little vacation we are going to miss you and your brother like crazy.  Although we also know that Nana and Papa will give you so much love!  We hope you don't change an ounce before we get back.

Graham you have made our lives so much more complete these past 7 months.  We feel so lucky to be your parents!  You certainly make our days much brighter.  

Love this smile

Graham Edward, we love you soooo much!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Because we certainly cannot tell those in our lives often enough how special and important they are to us.

On this day of celebrating love, we feel incredibly lucky and in love!!

We wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's day

6 Month Favorites

6 Month Favorites by lindsay-matthews featuring noodle & boo

Noodle boo
neimanmarcus.com
Graham received this lotion has a gift when he a newborn.  It really is amazing and worth the little bit of extra money

Fisher Price Pink Tree Party Space Saver High Chair
diapers.com
While our chair is not pink, this is a must have now that meal time has become such an important part of Grahams day

Cuisinart "Mini-Prep Plus" 3-Cup Food Processor
bloomingdales.com
We make all of Graham's food.  After steaming, everything gets put into the processor.  We love that it will completely puree something or leave it slightly chunky as we are increasing the texture in Graham's food.

'plushee' Fleece Bunting (Infant)
nordstrom.com
Being winter in Michigan, this is a must.  We love spending time outside, as does Graham.  I do still have to put mittens, boots, and a hat on him, but the North Face does a great job at keeping him warm.

Graham is 28 weeks old

Health:

well we are working on packing on the pounds on our "little man".  At Grahams six month check up last week he weighed 15 pounds 7 ounces.  The months prior he had been in the 25% for weight but this time dropped down to below the 10%.  He continues to be very long, now 27 and 3/4 inches.  Graham will go back in a few weeks for a weight check (see diet below).  Otherwise Graham has a pretty good case of congestion going on right now, but he doesn't seem too unhappy about it.

Diet:

Because of his weight we have decided to start giving him a bottle of formula a day, usually mid day or early evening.  He loves it!!  We have also increased Graham to three meals a day of food.  He is still on fruits and veggies.  Despite the doctors suggestion not to, I have started to combine some of the fruits and veggies with oatmeal.  This is the only way I can get him to eat some of the vegetables, sweet potatoes and butternut squash primarily.  Although he loves broccoli and green beans!  

 Sleep:

We seem to have a pretty good routine down for sleep.  He usually takes one long nap in the morning and than one or two shorter naps the rest of the day.  Graham goes to bed around 6:30 pm.  I will wake him for a late night feeding around 10 pm ish, then he sleeps until around 6 or 6:30am.  While its a little earlier than I like, I will take sleeping through the night and work on the wake up time!! 

 Likes:

Graham has found his hands and feet.  He loves to pull his feet up and try to get his toes in his mouth when he is on his back.  He is quite the acrobat!!  He wants to put everything in his mouth before he plays with it, guess he's checking to make sure it is acceptable:) Graham has also become quite social.  He loves to talk to everyone and anyone who will talk to him.  He definitely has a lot to tell the world!  We had a few unseasonably warm days this past week giving us the chance to spend some time outside.  He would spend all day outside if we let him.  Makes me wish warm weather was around the corner.

Dislikes:

There really isn't much that makes Graham upset except for a few things. He hates to sit in a poopy diaper.  Graham is usually quite tolerable of the chaos that sometimes occurs in our house but when he is tired and say Reece is practicing his slam dunks, Graham is not too happy about it.  Also I'm pretty sure Graham hates the pickup line at Reece's school as much as I do.  I am convinced he knows that they second our car stops in the line, he cries until we move.  I hate to say it but we are going to have to start to bundle up and walk up to get Reece because 30 minutes of crying at the end of a long day is no fun for any of us!!

Milestones:

Graham is mastering the art of sitting up.  Although put some toys in front of him, he gets excited and he becomes webbles wobble!  

Graham you are such a happy and content little guy.  Your big blue eyes melt our heart.  One of my favorite times of day is first thing in the morning after we get you out of bed and turn your light on, you get the biggest smile on your face when we lock eyes, L.O.V.E!!

 Graham you have made our little family so much brighter!