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 :)