Graham Month Nine

Nine months!  You've now lived outside as long as you developed inside.  How amazing that you've been in our lives, in one way or another, for a year and a half.  Nine months is such a fun age, I love how much you've developed and how responsive you are.

Stats:  You're 21 lbs putting you in the 50-75%, and your length I cannot remember but I do know it's in the 10%.  Your head, as usual, is still at 98%.  You're wearing 9-12 month clothes, not yet wearing shoes.

Sleep Schedule:  Sleep is the same as it has been over the past few months.  You still go to sleep around 8pm, sleep about 6 hours, nurse, sleep another 4 hours and you're up for the day.  Your naps at grandmas house during the week are about 90 minutes in length (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) however during the weekends you only sleep about 90 minutes.

Foods:  Again, there still isn't a food you don't like at this point.  You've started eating more big kid foods, like spaghetti, soups, quesadillas, etc.  You're a big fan of rice and yogurt melts.  You love "ice cream" which, for you, is actually a banana dessert I make (recipe to follow).

Firsts:  Big month of firsts.  First long car trip, first family vacation, first time on a beach.  After our big beach vacation we took Addie and you strawberry picking.  Not that you really got to do anything or will remember.  You're now crawling very well.  Just before vacation you began cruising on furniture and you're super proud of yourself.  You squat down and stand back up from the couch when you're trying to pick up a toy.

Favorites:  You love the xylophone and like to play music on it by banging the stick against it.  Water, you love playing in the water and especially love splashing.  It's actually rather scary how brave you are around water.  Addie always was as well, that just means we need to be even more cautious when you're around water.

I've said it before, it's so much fun to see you growing and learning so many new things.  The xylophone is one of these ways we see you figuring it all out.  We show you how to play music and you hold the little stick in your hand and hit the xylophone to get the music.  You haven't figured out how to hold the stick properly and most times it's your first hitting the xylophone but you're getting there.  Your pincher grasp is getting slightly better though you're still shoving most of your fist in your mouth.

We have lots of fun summer activities and plans for the next few months so I'm sure even more will change that we get to experience with you.  This reminds me to take more pictures, not on my cellphone.

-stephanie

Graham Month Eight

Late again this month, but better late than never?  I'm working on it.  This month you were baptized and met a big milestone so I'm sure the next few months will have big firsts as well.  I also failed to grab some fabric to take your picture on so, instead you get this fantastic picture which truly represents your personality.  Covered in your love of food, with a serious stare down going on.  Rocking the mohawk and rubberband wrists.

Stats:  Likely around 21-22lbs which is crazy!  Looking back to this post of your sisters, you are actually right around the same weight at the time.  Except you must have larger thighs than your sister has since you're in size 12 month pants/shorts to get over the thighs.  You're in size 3 diapers.

Sleep Schedule:  Sleep is still not consistent.  You have good days/nights and bad days/nights.  You typically go to sleep each night around 8 and will wake up typically once to nurse and then back down again until around 6:30.  You take 2-3 naps a day, still around 45 minutes in length with an occasional nap over an hour.

Foods:  There still really aren't any foods that you completely dislike.  You're not a huge fan of bananas individually but you will eat them blended into other foods.  Avocado remains a heavy favorite of yours along with puffs and yogurt melts.  You're still eating a good amount of cereal/oatmeal each day.  That's probably the one food you could consistently eat every day and not tire of.  You still drink about 30ounces of milk each day.

Firsts:  You had your first boat ride this month which you liked, minus when we put on your life vest...not a fan!  You also started crawling just a few days before you turned 8 months.  It's a slow crawl but it's enough to get you where you need to go.  You were baptized this month, finally!  You spent a lot of time screaming and blowing raspberries.  You stole the show!

Favorites:  Sister is still your favorite person, well outside of me, but I think some days she's the only person who can make you smile when you're crying.  That makes me smile a lot.  Your blanket is one of your favorite things now.  When I lay you down on your stomach I quickly pull up the blanket to your neck and you reach back and wrap your hands into the blanket to make sure you're snug.

We've retired a lot of items this month you no longer use.  The baby swing, which you were never much of a fan of.  The jumperoo has been sitting in the corner without much use from you lately.  Next month is going to be a month of firsts since you'll be headed out on your first vacation.

-stephanie

Quirkie Kids

Growing up I was always the quiet kid who didn't make friends easily because I was always in the background.  I nearly won the title 'Most Shy' in my senior yearbook because of it.  I wasn't very confident in myself and a lot of that is because I was super aware of everyone else around me being criticized for what they said, who they hung out with and what they were wearing.  Because of this, I tried my hardest to wear what everyone else was wearing, never standing out and being subject to mean remarks.

As many people do, I grew up and learned a lot about myself.  Looking back, high school was a tough time but I now realize, it was a tough time for nearly everyone for one reason or another.  We're all the same, we put our pants on one leg at a time even though they may be different sizes.  Being more confident and comfortable I've been able to try new things, wear clothes I wouldn't normally wear and enjoy it.  I hope I can pass along the same message to my kids and luckily there are companies like Quirkie Kids who can help.

QUIRKIE KIDS is a line of pink tees for girls AND boys.

Our tees feature playful designs of things not typically associated with the color pink.

We believe that ALL kids should be free to wear pink regardless of their gender.

Some kids like green. Some kids like blue. And some kids like pink and we say: why not?

Let me first say it's really hard to snap a good picture of an 8 month old and a 3.5 year old who doesn't like her brother touching her.  :)

Back to the stuff you want to know about Quirkie Kids...

I love, love, love these tees & onesies.  You can find the tees in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 and the onesies in 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-18 and 18-24 months. The soft tees are proudly made in the USA.  You can follow Quirkie Kids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for all the latest updates.

I seriously cannot  get enough of the cuteness with both of my kids but Graham and that rhino onesie.  dead.

Check them out and tell them I sent you!

-stephanie

Asian Ramen Salad

When I was planning Graham's baptism party, food was a big part of the planning.  We knew we were going to have pulled pork sandwiches but needed some ideas for lighter sides to accompany the sandwiches.  I decided on this fabulous Asian Ramen salad a friend of mine makes pretty regularly.

Ingredients

1 bag broccoli slaw salad

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup sliced almonds

2 bags oriental ramen noodles, crunch up noodles (save the packets)

1 cup green onions, sliced

3/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl and set to the side.  Take the next 3 ingredients (along with the two packets) and mix in a bowl.  The sugar will not fully dissolve but do your best whisking them together.  Pour the dressing mix over the top of the salad and refrigerate for about an hour before serving.

If you like a crunchier salad, hold to mix the dressing until last minute.  If you like the noddles a little softer, apply the dressing more in advance of serving.

-stephanie