Out of the mouths of babes....

Veda came home from school today very giddy and talking non stop then she says "guess what mommy"? Yes Veda? "Mommy, I know who I'm going to marry now, AND it's a boy, he is so handsome and funny, he laughs all the time". Wow Veda! What's his name. "Ummm, I don't remember mommy" ( insert long pause) "oh, I remember now, it's Cody! Mommy, isn't Cody a great name for a boy"?

Man on man I'm in trouble! Already has a crush on a boy from preschool!

8 months

Wow! Time is flying, didn't I just post about you turning 7 months? Grant your getting SO big!! This month you grew out of your army crawl and now use your hands and knees. You pull yourself to a stand and put EVERYTHING that fits, into your mouth. I have to watch you like a hawk! Just today you attempted crawling up the stairs, which is something I dislike very much.Daddy has taught you to give a "high five" and just today you waved for the first time. I have started using sign language for a few certain things like milk, eat, and drink so that you can start communicating your needs to mommy. Im sure you will pick up on them in the months to come. You are really enjoying food now, there isn't too much that you don't like but your favorite is Cheerios and yogurt. You smile and laugh every single day,in fact, it's quite contagious. As I write this, you are snuggled in my lap fast asleep. I can't get enough. I'm looking forward to what this next month brings. I love you sweet boy!

It's time for a check up!

We headed off to the dentist this morning for 6 month check ups. I am always so eager to see if we have managed to remain cavity free. I am ecstatic to say that we have! Our brushing efforts continuing to pay off. Veda, you were excited as always and hoped right up in the chair and opened your mouth. Grayson, you were a bit timid but when mommy said she would hold your hand you were very brave and climbed into the chair and let them clean your pearly whites! After the hygienist was finished the dentistry arrived to inspect your teeth. He said you were doing a fantastic job brushing! Way to go kiddos! Of course mommy and daddy still help you a bit to make sure they are getting very clean. The only down side to the appointment was the dentist said that Gray needs to ditch opie and D. His teeth are starting to show signs of him constantly sucking on his blanket. When you heard the news you immediately panicked a little. Mommy will not rip your blanket from you. This will be a slow process, I promise. I know how special these items are to you!

Birth photos

I was going through all the folders that had photos in them on the laptop and was eliminating things that were from the photography business and happened upon hospital photos off all three of the little ones.....brings me right back to the sweet moments that each of them were born.

Happy Valentines Day!

Every day is full of love, hugs, and kisses but on Valentines we celebrate our love a little extra with cards, decorations, school parties, and treats! Happy Valentines day my loves!

Who needs a couch.....

When you have a Lego bucket to sit in and watch cartoons!

Play dough!

Play dough is a big hit around the house and even though mommy is not a fan of the huge mess it leaves behind, or amount of it that ends up under your fingernails we play with it often. Today you found joy in using the cookie cutters to make shapes and letters of the alphabet. Grayson, you refused to wear anything but your underwear! Such a silly boy!

Grayson is THREE!!

Grayson, it wows me that you are already three years old. It seems impossible. It feels like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms for the first time. I will never forget what that moment felt like. You were so alert, the way you looked at me melted my heart, and daddy was gleaming with pride. Today at 3 years old you melt my heart the same way. You have the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen and your smile could light up an entire room.

You have accomplished so many new things since your second birthday. You tackled and mastered potty learning at 26 months and just a few days ago stopped wearing pull-ups to bed. You are hilarious when you run to mommy and daddy shouting to us that you had gone poop and wanting to know if your butt is clean, meanwhile backing up to us with your booty in our direction. Only you Gray. I laugh out loud as I write this because you make me smile.

Mommy tries and tries to teach you things but clearly my idea of fun learning is very boring to you, I can hold your attention no longer than 5 minutes. This hasn't stopped you from learning the alphabet and counting to 15. You know all of your colors and most of your shapes. I'm so proud! Your vocabulary has really taken off and you are talking all the time, sometimes you say things that get you AND daddy into trouble but I won't mention those words here!

Your sister is your best friend and you always want to be where she is, even when she tries to lock you out of her room. The two of you play so nicely most of the time but wow can you fight! Always over silly things. Neither of you want to share your toys. You have a true sibling bond and I hope it stays that way forever. Just recently, during a trip to the pediatrician, you Grayson, asked for a sucker for sissy too and wouldn't eat yours until we got home to give sissy hers. This has happened numerous times between the two of you. So sweet.

The biggest thing to happen to you this year is that you became a big brother to Grant! You loved him at first, even for the first few months but slowly I started noticing the jealousy. You and I always had a very special bond and I think you felt betrayed because mommy was spending a lot of time with Grant. This has been such a struggle for me because I never ever want any of my children to feel less important than the other. I love you with my whole heart and I never for one second want you to feel any different. You have always been sweet to Grant, your frustrations were mostly seen in your behavior. You can throw an amazing tantrum and I often wonder if the neighbors can hear you? It has been a challenge on what consequences work for you when you are naughty but we are figuring it out and things are getting much better. Mommy has been trying to spend more alone time with each of you so that you can have my one on one attention and that seems to help. Today was awesome! We snuggled for an hour and a half, just you and I, which is amazing because unless you are sleeping, you do not stay still that long! Thank you for that, it warmed my heart and took me back to that very special moment when I held you for the very first time.

Today we celebrated Spider Man style. You woke up to a Spider Man decorated table and a Spider Man cake courtesy of daddy and his skills. You couldn't wait to open your presents but we made you wait until your party at 2. However, we had a special surprise waiting in the basement. A train table!! This kept you happy and content for a while! Papa, Uncle Skip, and Auntie joined us for your party. Nana was in Sweden for work and Grandma Rita wasn't feeling well so they were unable to make it. It didn't matter to you how many people where present, you have a great time. You rushed through eating so you could have cake and ice cream.....who could blame you? It was delicious! Then it was time for presents! You received a fire truck, a car, some clothes, coloring books, and a train set. You were thrilled with all of it. After everyone left daddy took you and Veda out to play in the snow. Aside from presents, this was your favorite part of the day. I hope you enjoyed your birthday as much as I did. Happy Birthday Grayson! I love you to the moon and back! XOXOXO Mommy.

Reading

A few days ago, while at Costco I discovered they sell BOB books, which are beginner books with a guide for mommy and daddy to help our little ones when they are ready to read. Last night Veda and I snuggled up in her bed and read the first book, then we read it again..... Actually SHE read it the second time and with very little guidance! We were both so exciting and proud! Your uncontrollable giggle after you accomplished this book was amazing. I love to see you that happy! I cannot wait to continue our reading journey with a new book each night. I couldn't be more proud of you Veda!!