Graham at 8 months

Our baby boy, Graham Augustus, is eight months old today.  Oh, how time flies.  I really do remember the day he was born as if it were yesterday.  He has grown and changed an incredible amount in just this short span of life.  Here is a rundown of everything about you, my sweet boy.

You love your toes and will hold onto them even when I'm carrying you around.

You truly dislike a dirty diaper-unlike your older brother that could sit in one for days.

You love food-and a lot of it. There really isn't anything you won't eat right now.  A few of the things you like are avocado, sweet potato, plain yogurt, creme fraiche with cantaloupe, any fruit, chicken, salmon, beef tenderloin, lamb, oatmeal, beef broth with carrots, and egg yolk. I have to admit, there are times when I get you out of your highchair simply because it's been fourty-five minutes and you're still eating. 

You are not a long sleeper.  I could count on a two to three hour nap with your siblings but not with you.  You take a morning nap at 8:30ish and an afternoon nap at 1:30ish.  Usually, they last about an hour or so.

You have your two lower incisors and are your maxillary lateral incisors have now emerged.  Where are your maxillary central incisors? 

You've been battling eczema on your cheeks and chin.  We're trying changes in diet to see if it provides any relief as well as a few different treatment remedies that seem to be helping.

You began sitting on your own just after your seven month birthday.  You can now sit and play with toys for long periods of time.  Today, you were on your hands and knees but didn't quite know what to do next.

You adore your sister and laugh at all of her shenanigans.

You love to touch the face of the one holding you.

You always do a big "X" stretch when you wake up from a nap. 

You've developed quite an attitude and are now testing the patience of your parents.  For example, if I'm feeding you and walk away for a second, you scream.  We'll get through this.  I know you're just learning what we find acceptable in this house.

When you are put in your crib for sleep time, you automatically reach for your lovey or blanket to pull over your face.  It's your "thing" that calms you and puts you to sleep.  There were many nights when you were younger that your dad and I would stay awake at wee hours of the morning just waiting to be sure you were asleep so we could pull the blanket off of your head.

You love your voice and are yelling, screaming, and "talking" all the time.

You smile with your entire body.  Your entire face squishes together when you laugh.  You have the cutest nose that wrinkles at the bridge and a big, open mouth laugh.  Many acquaintances have called you "cheeks" when they see how much you've grown.

Your bedtime is 6:30.  I love rocking you until you're drowsy each night although I've started to put you in bed while you are wide awake and am finding that you look forward to your falling asleep routine.  You awake each morning between three and four for a feeding and finally wake up at six to begin your day.

Your favorite toys are my spatulas and silicone marinade brushes.  You love to play with your daddy's belt and also love your wooden toys.  Eebee is your best friend.  However, you are beginning the stage where you want to play with anything that isn't considered a baby toy.

You love bath time, especially since you have your new Primo bathtub.  You kick and splash until most of the water has spilled over the side.

We had to buy you a new carseat at seven months of age because you had outgrown your infant carseat.  Your siblings were in the same infant seat until they were a year old. 

You love your jumper. L.O.V.E. it. Delightful squeals always accompany the jumping.

You love to be scared.  You think it's funny.

You're bassinet is still in our room even though you don't sleep in it.   I can't bring myself to disassemble it and put it in storage. 

You make me smile.

sweet dreams

You are just shy of 8 months.  Today, you slept on your tummy for the first time.  Tonight, I dressed you according to your new routine.  You slept in warmer jammies and without being swaddled.  Baby Graham, you have waited longer than your two siblings to reach this milestone....and I love that about you.  Thank you for entertaining the Mom in me that always has a difficult time accepting that you wee ones are getting older.  Does this mean I have to stop burping you now?

I remember when you were still in my belly and the doctor said, "Enjoy this.  Your baby is more dependant on you than he/she will ever be.  Once your baby is born, he/she will be able to breathe on his/her own.  It will be the very first step of independance.".

This is another.

Sweet dreams, my love. 

time to reprioritize

In the car today:

Grace: "Mom, look at what I drew!"

Me: "Gracie, I can't right now, I'm driving."

Grace: "Just real quick, look."

Me: "I can't. If I turn around then we might crash.  You see those people walking along the road? We wouldn't want to run into them."

Grace: "You're right, Mom.  We need to take care of our car."

Maybe this is my fault.  You see, when I was in my early twenties, I "t-boned" our boat while riding a jet ski.  I really wasn't paying attention and cut it too close to the beach and the boat while going pretty darn fast.  I was attempting to make a swooping turn to spray friends and family on the beach.  Oops.  I distinctly remember when I was a fraction of a second from hitting the boat that I was going to be in big trouble if I damaged the boat.  So, I lurched forward and tried to throw myself between the jet ski and the boat to cushion the blow.  Not so smart.  I missed and the boat ended a day with a hole in the side. 

Parenting rule #437: "People first. Things second."

beachin' it

Handy husband cashed in a vacation day to enjoy an extra long weekend with yours truly and our three truly loveable kids.  We have thoroughly enjoyed this weather and are amazed at how kindly we treat one another and how we prance around our yard with giddy little smiles in all our faces.  Yes, Vitamin D is a miracle. 

After baby Graham woke up from his morning nap, we headed to the Edmonds waterfront for a few hours at the beach.

 The only time he looked up in the few hours we were there.

 This photo makes me ooze with joy.  I wish you could hear the squealing that accompanied the running.

 Gracie's new shades that she picked out herself.

 "Where are my legs?"

 This here, this is a true summer girl.  She requested a shirt with no sleeves and pants without legs because "the sun feels so good on my skin". 

 My salty sea pup.

 "Get this off of me...I'm too cute to wear a hat!"

Baby toes in the sand for the first time.

We simply had the best day.  One of those days that makes you want ten more kids right this minute.  The weekend officially restored my faith in sibling love.  Fighting was rare and sibling laughter and playing together was constant.  My heart is full of love and happiness tonight as I recount the many smiles and squeals of joy on the faces of these divine kids of ours.  Pure joy.

you are cordially invited

Dear Summer,

You are cordially invited to stay as long as you like.  We are ready for you. Actually, we're tired of waiting on you.   We spent this gorgeous weekend fitting in as many summer events that we possibly could, just so you would know how welcome you are.  See for yourself.

 Our little book worm on his way to ice cream.

Satisfied with strawberry.

" Let me have a better look."

This little man of mine felt the grass on his bare toes for the first time this weekend.

After filling our bellies with ice cream, we took Koby to his favorite swimming hole. 

 Apparently, there are some kind dog owners in these parts.  The swimming hole was all stocked up.

 We dusted off the hammock and hung it under our prized chesnut tree.

 Graham's inaugural swing.

 The view....just gorgeous.

 A tired pup.

We dined outside.

We jumped in the doorway.

We got out the pool.

 These kids and their tongues....always out when they are in a groove.

We pedalled so fast we lost our clothes.

 Thank goodness for strategic placement.

And we finished off the weekend with S'mores on the patio.

Please come back.  Actually, please don't leave. 

whatta you say...

...we make a run for it?

You go first.

sniff sniff

Now you know your ABC's.

Colors, shapes, and days.

You sang some songs,

Learned some poems, rhymes, and fingerplays.

We played outside on sunny days

And inside when it rained.

Your little hands and little feet were busy every day.

Your teachers sure did like you,

you kept us on our toes,

We tied your shoes, zipped your coat,

and even wiped your nose.

But now it's time to say "good-bye"

To all your preshcool friends.

Preschool is over, summer's here,

But learning never ends.

Gracie had her school picnic today to commemorate the end of the year.  The kids ran around at the park until the rain came and sent us inside the school for snacks and more playtime. 
We loved Miss Karen, Gracie's teacher, and will miss her dearly.  She sent every child home with a personalized and handmade book full of pictures of each child that had been taken during the year. 

Oh, where does the time go?

 Handy husband met us there and became the designated book reader.

 Miss Karen and Gracie

First day of preschool. September 2010.

 Putting her bucket away for the first time.

 My last picture as I walked out the door on that first day.  They always say, it's harder on the parents. Apparently, this was my truth.