Graham's First Birthday

Since it has been some time since I posted, I figured as I begin again I should take you back.  So let's go back to Graham's first birthday.  Just like Addie, Graham's first birthday fell on a Saturday so we were really excited.  I decided on a whale theme, because I think whales are about the cutest thing.  I never had this fascination before but for some reason, I love whales.  I made the cutest invitation but can't locate the picture file at this time.

I decided to make the food related to our whale theme.  We had sea shells (tortilla chips) along with caviar (cowboy caviar).

Along with seaweed dip (spin & artichoke dip).

The sea urchin (sweet meatballs) were a big hit!

Sea anemone (broccoli slaw) is a big favorite of mine.

Chicken of the seashells (chicken salad) was also a big hit for the adults.

While sea snails (pigs in a blanket) were a big hit with the kiddos.

Addie and I painted the whale sign that we hung above the gift table the day before his party.

I made the cupcakes and coordinated them with the colors of the party.  His cake should have been sitting in the spot on the table but the icing was in serious danger of melting off his cake.

My girlfriend helped make the sign above, however he was not 28lbs at one.  I misjudged and we hadn't gone for his year check yet.  He was actually 23lbs.

Miss Addie spent her time watching cartoons while we set up.

I wish it was warm enough for shorts and tanks right now.

Unlike Addie, Graham was ready to eat cake.  So much so that I barely made it to him and the tray locked down for him to begin.

It's much easier to bring your face to the cake than the cake to your face.  Everyone had a great time, especially Graham who didn't even nap the entire day.  Caused for a cranky night, but how many times do you turn one?!

-stephanie

Creative Play for Kids

We're thinking of moving from the house we've lived in for nearly 10 years to a larger home.  In preparation for this, we've started making some small updates now so we aren't working on several large projects as we get closer to selling.  Upgrading our appliances was one of those projects.  We decided to swap out our old white appliances for new stainless steel.  In doing this, we were left with a decent sized box that Rick was going to throw away.  

It was starting to drizzle the Saturday after we had them installed so the kids were getting bored being cooped up indoors.  I decided to bring in the box and do some wall tear downs so they could easily go in and out.

someone is teething

They both loved it. They climb in and sit and talk to each other.  Graham babbles of course.  Addie brings in her blankets and acts like she's taking a nap.

I cut out a front door and this side window.  At one point it was a walk up window to order food, sometimes a house window, and my favorite, the puppet show window.

Addie has used it as a parking garage as noticeable in the above picture.

Friday after work, Rick was at happy hour with a couple coworkers so it was just the kids and me.  It was so nice outside and I knew it was probably one of our last nice days of the year so I pulled the house outside for the kiddos to play.  

The fresh air starting getting to the kids and they soon were knocking their house down and climbing on it's exterior walls.

The do it yourself home didn't last after that rumble tumble and it's been tossed to the trash.

The best part, I get to sit back on my deck and drink a glass of moscato while the two of them get to use their imaginations.  Easy, free fun for such a long period of time.  I think we'll actually need to purchase an outdoor playhouse next year since we won't be purchasing anymore dishwashers.

-stephanie

Graham Month Twelve

My sweet baby is not a baby any longer.  You're a whopping one year old!  I can't get over how much I love you.  It's amazing how that happens.  You fall so in love with your first baby and can't imagine a love that can go as deep as it does for your first baby.  Have another and you shall see it can happen.  Saturday was filled with lots of fun that I'll share here soon.

Stats:  You weigh 23lbs and are 28.5" tall.  You wear a size 4w shoe and are in 12 month clothes.

Sleep Schedule:  Sleep is the same as it has been in months before.  Naps are a bit inconsistent and more difficult than the nighttime routine.  Last month you were crying a lot before bed and this month I think I've figured you out.  You have your milk before bed and then play for a few minutes before we walk into your room.  The room is dark with your white noise playing and I stand next to your crib with you in my arms. If you're really tired you'll lean over into your crib so I put you down and walk out of your room and you go straight to sleep.  It's amazing!

Food:  Still love it all.  You're starting to reject some meats so I think it's a consistency thing and is difficult for you to chew it all up.  You had honey for the first time and will be transitioning to whole milk today.  Your drinking 24 ounces a day and love water out of your sippy.

Firsts:  You had your first overnight stay with grandma and grandpa along with your sister.  You also had your first big tumble.  You are super proud that you can walk really well so you start picking up speed and before you know it, you've crashed into the corner of a wall. You experienced your first trip to the corn festival and at directly off the cob!

Favorites:  Your favorite thing now are balls.  You walk around the house with a ball in your hand saying "ball".  You still love water and terrify me in the tub.  You love to be outside and enjoy walking/running around.

You have 8 teeth and more are breaking through.  This first year has gone by so quickly it's unbelievable that a year ago at this time I was in a hospital room counting your fingers and toes.  I'm sure the next year will go by just as quickly so I hope to savor the moments with you and take pictures to remember it all.

-stephanie

Graham Month Eleven

My sweet Graham, you're 11 months old.  Just one month shy of your one year birthday and what a year it has been.  Time has flown by.  We've loved watching you grow and learn over the past 11 months but I wish it would slow.  You change so quickly that we don't get to enjoy the beautiful moments in between.

Stats:  My guess is you weigh about 24lbs, you're still short and your head is still big.  You're in 12 month clothes and just got fitted for your first pair of shoes.  You're a size 4w.

Sleep Schedule:  Sleep is still consistent with bedtime routine.  You're down by 8 and up at 6:30.  I'd love to push that 6:30 wake up call back by an hour but I'm happy you're sleeping through the night still.  The process to put you down for the night or a nap is still a challenge.  You've actually developed a trick.  When I walk you into your room to put you down for the night, you quiver your lip and begin to cry.  We rock for a few minutes but you seem very tired and are always trying to get off my lap.  You don't like to go to sleep at all.  Naps are still short and I believe we'll begin the process to transition down to one a days.  Hoping this helps both nap time and nighttime.

Food:  You love it all. You really like meat which is something your sister still doesn't enjoy.  Fruit is a big favorite as is pasta and Mexican food.  You are now trying to feed yourself though it's a challenge.  Water is becoming a big favorite of yours as well.  You can't get enough water though you're still learning to drink slowly.

Firsts:  You are walking running at this point.  You began taking your first couple steps around 10.5 months and by 11 months you were taking multiple steps and are now trying to run.  It's fun to watch you "run" because your head leads the charge but not long before you topple over.  You're getting good at picking yourself up each time you fall.  You went on your first overnight trip with us up to Middle Bass Island and had your first real camping experience.

Favorites:  There's one thing you love more than everything else.  Your sister Addie.  Probably even more so than me and you really love me.  You love to walk over to her and lay your head on her head.  You actually like to lay directly on her and pin her down.  The wrestling begins...  You love Chloe as well and have spent some time laying with her as well.

We're weeks away from your first birthday and it's all very bittersweet.  I cannot wait for your big day but I try to cherish each moment with you as you grow.

-mama

The Beginning of the End

As I sit writing this post, I'm pumping my very last pump session.  I'm beginning to wean Graham from nursing so I'll be ready for vacation in early September.  Rick and I are headed out for our first solo trip in nearly 4 years.  Because we're traveling across the US, I didn't want to deal with the pump and the milk and stopping our vacation to pump 4 times a day.

Graham is over a month away from his first birthday so I felt confident in transitioning now.  Of course I battled with this decision.  I nursed Addie for 13 months but have only nursed Graham for 11.  There are days when I'm so excited the end is in sight and then there are days when I think, 'I'm going to miss this'.  I'm a big advocate for breastfeeding so there is a part of me that feels selfish and that I could keep up with the pumping while on vacation.  At the same time I know that I've done a lot for him so far.  He's a beefy boy and is clearly getting enough nutrition.

Here was my schedule pre shut down:

6am        Nurse
9am        Pump
12pm      Pump
3pm        Pump
7:30pm   Nurse

So I begin to transition from nursing/pumping and had to create a schedule:

6am        Nurse
11am      Pump
3pm        Pump
7:30pm   Nurse

I did this for 2 weeks, then moved on to the following schedule:

6am        Nurse
12pm      Pump
7:30pm   Nurse

I did this for 2 weeks, then moved on to the following schedule:

6am        Nurse
7:30pm   Nurse

And that's where I am today.  I'm one day away from transitioning one of those sessions out and replacing with a sippy cup of formula.  I'm having a hard time battling with which to hang on to.  On one hand, I'd like to keep the night nursing because I love nursing him into a slumber, but it's also nice not making a bottle when he wakes up at 6:30.  Either way, I'm about to begin my last week of nursing.  Probably forever and this may be a difficult week for me.

I want to take the couple nursing sessions Graham and I have together as a peaceful time for us to connect and enjoy these last few moments we'll have together.  Soon enough we'll be celebrating his one year birthday and I still remember those first few moments with him resting on my chest snoring his little heart out.

-stephanie

Ice Cream for Babies

Say wait?  Ice cream for babies?  Big no, no mama.  Or is it?  Not this kind, it's super healthy and is a-okay for everyone in the family!  Unless you have a peanut allergy, then I'd suggest avoiding.  We went to a local ice cream shop a couple weeks ago and if you follow me on Instagram, you saw this pic.

I feel bad when we have treats but Graham can't have them.  I feel like before one is a no go for ice cream and avoid it as much as possible even after one.  So here's a simple treat for your littles that's yummy and easy to make.

Ingredients

3 super ripe bananas, sliced and frozen

1 tablespoon of peanut butter

Blend in a blender.

That's it. Best thing ever and I like to make enough and put in one of those containers and freeze so I can grab one quick for Graham when we're headed to the ice cream shop.

-stephanie

Graham Month Ten

Like every month before, this month was one where we really saw you grow.  You've learned a lot along the way but this month was so much fun because we continue to see your personality developing.

Stats:  You are definitely 25lbs at this point, my haus.  You are wearing size 3 diapers, size 9-12 month clothes though you're closer to the 12 month size.  Not yet into shoes though I'm sure we need  to get you sized very soon.

Sleep Schedule:  Sleep is getting better because I've finally realized I have to force you to put yourself to sleep.  It's not fun for either of us and you cry for upwards of 30 minutes. I feel terrible, but it's working.  You go to sleep at night around 8/8:30 and sleep until 6:30/7.  Now we need to work on you laying down and putting yourself to sleep each night.  Naps are still a little sporadic and inconsistent but generally you sleep for about an hour and a half in the morning and again about an hour in the afternoon.

Foods: You've really started eating more meats though it's difficult for you since you only have two teeth.  I mentioned there are not very many foods you dislike but you're not a fan of bananas and not a huge fan of hummus though I suspect that was because it was red pepper.

Firsts:  You are cruising everywhere!  You love to stand up and balance standing by yourself and then you plop back down.  You do this all of the time in the bath tub and it freaks me out!  You walk pretty well holding someones hand but it's very mummy/Frankenstein like.  You prefer to walk sideways, side stepping.  Your first festival at Comfest, your first 4th of July, your first seafood boil where you tried mussels for the first time.  You clapped for the first time.

Favorites:  Your sister, water, especially baths, food in general.  You don't really have a lovey or favorite stuffed animal.  You like the xylophone and the balls in Addie's ball pit.  You actually really like balls and pick them up and bounce them.

As always, I look forward to seeing what you learn next month and how you change.  I suspect you'll have more teeth and you'll be walking by your next update.

-stephanie

Fourth of July 2014

Each fourth of July, or rather, third of July we rotate going to my in laws lake house to watch fireworks or to Red, White & Boom with my family.  This year was the year of the boom!  Knowing the kids would be up rather late I put Addie down for a nap a couple hours prior to leaving.  Of course she feel asleep about 30 minutes before we were to leave so we got this.

Crabby pants.  So shortly after arriving, I grabbed this.

My dad is a firefighter and every year for the fourth, they have a big party for all the firefighters an their families at their union hall.  Free food, free beer, and a front row seat to the fireworks.

They even put up that fantastic fencing since you need a wristband to attend.  

Very American with the hot dog & burger dinner.  Pasta salad and cowboy beans...it doesn't get much more American.

We were at the party for about 6 hours so Addie was getting a bit bored after hours of bouncing in the bounce house.  Rick took her out into the crowds to walk around and she came back with Elsa face paint.

It looked fantastic with her blue eyes. So pretty.

Rick and I decided to leave the kids with my parents and take a walk ourselves out into the traffic.  Thousands of people in attendance.

Addie loved the fireworks.

As did Graham for about 5 minutes and then he fell asleep.

We had unseasonably cool weather.  We were wearing sweatshirts in the middle of summer.  So the next morning we were able to take a walk without sweating buckets.

Then we went to Mary's house for a seafood boil.  

Addie ate every last one of the mussels in the picture below.

Graham spent the afternoon playing and smiling!

We even got to go to a parade.  Addie caught a lot of candy and had we not told her to come back she probably would've ran a mile down the road to pick up any lone candies.

Such a fantastic weekend!

-stephanie

Strawberry Picking

A couple weeks ago I saw that a local farm was promoting their u-pick strawberries so I packed everyone into the car at 8am to race over before the fields were picked over.

Addie was in heaven.  Hardly any strawberries she picked made it into the basket.  Most made it to her mouth and that was it.

Strawberry picking is hard work when you're baby wearing so I highly suggest bringing along a friend or a husband to help out.

I also highly suggest wearing closed shoes.  Flip flops + itchy pokey hay = not a happy girl.

Graham did pass out briefly.  The reflection in my sunglasses is so pretty.  Fields of green.

Addie finally filled her basket full of strawberries.

The farm also had fresh made, warm strawberry donuts.  I'm sort of a plain jane girl when it comes to donuts but omg, the strawberry donut was amazing!

Blackberry picking is next on our summer to do list!

-stephanie