Summer

What an awesome summer it's been so far.  I was telling Stephen last week that if I don't write things down I feel like I will forget them... and usually do.  I seem to have a bad memory and remembering this stage of Grey's life is important to me so here are a few things I want to remember.

He really loves the people in his life.  Lately he goes around the house saying momma, dada, papa, nana, dada, papa, nana, mama, mama, mama.  Then he will look at me with a bewildered look and say papa? like where did that guy go? He also loves toter (Walter), Ma (Mia) caca (Melissa), and today for the first time said Grandy (my mom) or a version of it.

We have come to the realization that discipline time is about to start! He's started to look at me and throw his cup off his tray or other "defiant" pushing his boundaries behaviors.  I was talking to my friend at work who reminded me that if he doesn't push boundaries, it means he doesn't have any and won't learn any so it's good and just be consistent.  I'm just praying I do well with this and raise a well behaved child.

We are moving soon.  The house hunt almost wore me out - physically and emotionally.  We found 3 houses we loved and put offers on them to be told by 2 that they were no longer selling their house.  But our journey led us to a great house that has a lot of potential and room to improve in a great neighborhood.  We are excited to be settled into it but for now we have to pack up our sweet Delmar home.  I'm a little sad to leave this house.  We've been here 6 years since we got married and it's been such a great house for us.  I am however not sad about leaving the neighborhood.  It's not bad... but not great and people dont really take care of their homes and lawns so a change in scenery is welcome!

We had a wonderful vacation with Stephen's parents in Mexico.  We stayed at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya that used to be Adventura Spa Palace (where we stayed on our honeymoon) It was so relaxing and fun.  We enjoyed swimming every day, going to the beach, eating a lot of food, going to the spa, getting massages, and just spending time together.  Greyson learned to say "hola" while there and would say it to everyone who passed by.  He was quite a hit with the people by the time we left.

Walking and Talking

I know I'm inconsistent here but I've been wanting to document a few things that are happening right now.  Greyson started walking a few weeks ago (14 months) and has started talking a lot too! He's always had a lot to say as he babbles along but his favorite new words are: mama, dada, bye bye (all the time, also meaning I want to go outside), teeth (which sounds like teee with a rolling "e"), sock, shoes, dog!, bubu (bubbles) and probably a couple others I'm not thinking of.  He's really started to imitate more words too.  So I've been teaching him baby sign language also which may be one of the cutest things babies do - and after a year of grunting to get more food he's learned the sign for more.  I decided to teach him the sign for food which is putting your fingers by your mouth with your fingers all together... goodness! He does it all the time now! I'm not sure if he's really growing this week or what but he's now eating 6 meals a day and eats well each time.  Recently in the past couple days though I've figured out it can also mean he wants to play with bubbles (a favorite) or wants a drink.  Anyway, I love this stage right now.  Greyson is just so fun and we have a great time playing outside, going on walks, blowing bubbles, or cuddling on the couch.  

A Year

I almost can't believe it's been a year since my sweet boy was born.  I always think back to his first cry as I was laying there awaiting his arrival.  He is the sweetest.

His birthday celebration was really fun.  Last weekend we had a party for close friends and family at my mom's house.  I went over early to decorate and set things up and Stephen brought him over after his nap.  From the minute they arrived Greyson knew something special was happening and it was about him.  He really is the extrovert that Stephen and I are not.  He loved the helium balloons and shrieked with excitement when they were close.  I made a small smash mandarin orange cake that he also thoroughly enjoyed, but I think he would have equally loved a whole can of mandarin oranges since he picked through the cake and frosting to get the oranges.  He was also showered with lots of love and presents, our house is starting to be overtaken by toys.  Anyway, I will post a few pictures and videos later but I just remembered my friend Shelley is coming this weekend and I need to get some things together before her arrival!

Rambling

I sit here not really sure what to write.  I find myself still amazed that a whole year is almost past since my sweet little baby was born.  Today has been pretty typical, we went grocery shopping this morning then came home and tried to put Grey down for a nap which took about 2 hours... I'm realizing the inconsistency in Greyson's schedule during the week makes my brain (that loves schedules and consistency) have a difficult time when he does that.  He's also been teething so that could be a reason it was difficult too.

This week I decided to stop using the infant tub and let Greyson have full reign of the bath tub.  It's really overdue and he could have probably been doing this for months I just didn't have a plug stopper for the tub.  He loved bathtime but I think he loves it even more now.  He slides around on his belly, stands up and shouts, and sits to play --- always moving.  It's really fun to watch him.

We also got our first Groove Book yesterday.  A couple weeks ago we saw it on Shark Tank and signed up right after seeing it.  It's a monthly book of 100 picutres from your iphone for only $2.99 each month! I keep telling people about it because I think its just so cool.  I didn't do anything with my phone pictures before but always take so many so now I'm excited to have something that keeps those memories to look at from time to time.

This week has been emotional at work.  I went with a family wednesday to a doctors appointment who got news of a possible diagnosis of monoplegic cerebral palsy.  They are the sweetest family with triplets and I really enjoy working with them.  The boy I see is almost 2 and almost walking but we were concerned about asymmetry in his legs so I wanted to make sure that his hips were located properly.  Turned out that the hips were good but the doctor felt some tone in the right leg and thought it was possible so she ordered a brain MRI.  I was completely taken by surprise and so was the mom.  We had talked about possible situations before coming in and CP didn't even cross my mind... luckily I believe that means it's very mild if present at all.  I was glad to have been there with her at the appointment though!  I also picked up a little girl yesterday who was abused in a home daycare.  Those situations just make me angry that someone would hurt a perfect baby and cause possible lifelong problems.  Anyway, these situations make me thankful that I am able to be there to help families when they need it the most.  I feel so fulfilled with my job and thankful for the opportunity that God has given me

Presence not presents

I've realized even more so recently that I love Greyson SO MUCH! He really is the coolest kid and although I've loved him from the minute he was born, I feel that love just growing so much every day.  His curious personality is really coming out and he loves to explore cabinets, the dogs' bed, the soundbar speakers, and really anything.  I find myself having to look for him from time to time too.  I recently started reading a book that had been on my reading list for a few months call, "I Love You Rituals".  The author came and did an inservice for us at work talking about the importance of touch, eye contact, and bonding with infants and children through sweet songs and nursery rhymes called I love you rituals.  I started reading the book today and it's changing my life.  Here is the biggest nugget I got from the first few pages, I'm excited to read more...

• Be in the present.  - Adults seem to live in the past or future.  Children live in the present.  By me living in the future (what I need to get done) or past (failures or successes) I'm missing out on precious moments and "abandoning my baby".  
• Society tells us we can we can replace presence with presents - and that's just not true

Christmas cheer!

Once again I've fallen off the blogging train but I'm jumping back on!  Christmas was so wonderful with Greyson.  It's so exciting to see Christmas through a baby's eyes.  He was delighted with the lights, presents, and foods.  I really feel we should have started some family traditions since we don't really have many yet so I will be thinking about it through this year.   We did continue with one tradition of going to Branson to see the lights and do some shopping.  It was great as always and Greyson loved the Christmas parade.  This last week has been non-stop with family and friends coming through.  I was so glad that my grandparents came for a visit as well as my Aunt Kayla, Uncle Richard, and Brian, and Stephen's family, the Murrills.  On top of all that Shari got married yesterday so we have been busy to say the least.

................. Well it's been over a week since I left this last post and now I know why I've been so bad at blogging.  It never fails that when I sit down to blog (typically during nap time), Greyson wakes up! Anyway, my baby is 11 months old and the days are counting down to his first birthday.  I can't believe how the time has flown by!  I've started thinking a little about his birthday but haven't really decided what to do.  I imagine we will just have a small party with family and close friends but I would like to make it special in some way.  Today Greyson and I had a great day together.  He napped well, we played, ate a lot of food, played some more, read books, laughed, and just had a grand time.  He's recently learned how to climb up onto an ottoman/chair in the living room and thinks he's big stuff.  Sometimes he's really quick and other times he grunts and has to work really hard to climb up.  Initially he climbed up and then scooted off backwards, the correct way that I've been trying to teach him to get off furniture.  However, today he crawled full speed off of it and face-planted ending up with a rug burn on his nose.  It was really sad and his face was already pretty beat up from last week.  I was a little concerned since his neck seemed to really extend back with the fall but he seemed ok after a few minutes.  I have a couple videos to upload but I seem to be having troubles... maybe Stephen can help me when he gets home :)