11 months... Wayyy behind! :)

 I've already gotten way behind on updating Graysen's blog!!  Its been CRAZY busy!!  Full time student, part time work, and second full time shift of houswife-mommy!!  I'm not complaining though... I love the "crazy" in my life!!  Because my boys make it all worth it!!

Graysen...  10 months... Almost 19lbs and 28in long!!  Still in the 25th percentile for length and weight... BUT, I really think he has hit the 20's now and is almost 29in! ;)  I'll find out for sure tomorrow!

I took these photos today, and he will be 11 months on the 15th.  I couldn't help but tear up.  Our baby will almost be 1 YR OLD!!  Its gone by too fast!  I've loved and am loving every minute of being his mommy!! 

He is ALMOST walking... Has taken 2 or 3 steps without assistance, but still hasn't just taken off!  He actually took a few steps while my mom, dad, brother, sisters were here... and Jake and I. It was awesome to be able to share that with them! 

A few things he's picked up the past few weeks has been: Says mama, dada, baba.. calls his grandma yaya, his food nanas, and talks with baba, yaya, and chacha.  And he is constantly talking, all the time... anywhere and everywhere!!

He's waving bye bye of course, doesn't kiss a whole lot, but will... shakes his head no, brings us his bottle or food when he's hungry, high fives, plays peek-a-boo by pulling the covers over his head... talks on the phone by holding it up to his ear, puts hats on his head, tries to put his shoes on his feet (Just holds them up to the bottom of his foot), blows kisses (still don't know who or where that came from), plays catch and there's SO much more I know I'm not covering...  His mind is like a sponge right now, and it has been so fun watching him learn!  He makes us proud in so many different ways.  I can't believe he's already gonna be 1!!!  I'll update again soon... For now, I've got homework to finish, and dishes to clean up! :)
Forever Young: Audra Mae.... Our song to Graysen.  We love you so much!!

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
May you stay forever young.

                                                           May your hands always be busy,
                                                           May your feet always be swift,
                                                          May you have a strong foundation
                                                          When the winds of changes shift.
                                                           May your heart always be joyful,
                                                            May your song always be sung,
                                                            May you stay forever young,
                                                            May you stay forever young.

Lil Monkey...

So much has happened in the last month!!  Graysen says Momma all the time... especially when he's hungry or tired... He's still SO happy, and continues to amaze me each and every day.  He stands on everything, walks along the furniture, and has been climbing as well... Very scary for me... His falls don't seem to phase him much!

 He now has 3 teeth on the bottom, with a fourth bottom that just barely cut through, and the two teeth on top look like they're trying to cut though as well!  With all the teething, he hasn't been too fussy at all!!  Thank goodness.

He talks ALL the time!!  Mostly uses d's, t's and g's!  He's very animated when telling "stories"... I love listening to him!  He gets into everything, and gets SO EXCITED anytime someone (can be anyone) comes to the door... He crawls as fast as he can to them, laughing and giggling the whole way.  Its got to be the BEST welcoming ever. Lol

He recently had his 9 month checkup... His length was off last month by over an INCH He's now at 18lbs 4oz and 27.5in long.  He is in the 25th percentile for both height and weight!  Chunky Monkey is now Lil Monkey!!  Either way, he's happy and healthy... and that makes Mommy and Daddy very happy and proud parents!  Graysen LOVES people of all ages!!  I am so thankful to have family and friends that have babies just a couple of weeks in age difference!!  Graysen has plenty of playmates and buddies to grow up with!  Below is his buddy Jaden... They are 6 days apart and Jaden is just as happy as Graysen... Its always a fun and entertaining visit for Heather and I!!!! :)

WIth All That I Have!

Ok, so I'm way way behind on this!!  We have been so super busy, that I haven't gotten the chance to sit down on the computer and update Graysen's milestones and whats going on with us!

Mostly because Graysen is everywhere into everything!!!  He's on the move constantly!!  Pulls himself up on anything... walks along the furniture, and even stood on his own for a few seconds at a time.  Either way, its all way too fast... I would have been happy with a late walker!! Lol.

At 8 months I had him weighed and measured and he gained about 7oz and grew an inch since his 7 month visit... So that put him at 18lbs 6oz and a little over 29in long!  His 9 month appt is the 15th, and I can't wait to see how much he's grown... NO shots. :))

And again, these pictures won't post upright... But I posted them anyway!!  Our first 4th of July is coming up, and I am stoked for Graysen to see fireworks... Hopefully they don't scare him!! 

I LOVE these two pictures... In the one above, I catch his personality... He is still so happy, even with 5 teeth coming in at once... He's always smiling and talking... Loves people, and it makes me so so happy!!  And my other favorite picture captures his purity and innocence.  I love him so much!

I can't believe he's gonna be 9 months next month.  It's gone by so fast. I see pictures of my friends' newborns, and can't believe Graysen was ever that small!!  We've come to learn that he LOVES the water.  He has a blast for about 10 minutes at a time before he wears himself out.  5 minutes later he's back at it, splashing, laughing, trying to head dive in the water, and all limbs just going crazy!!  Here in the past couple of weeks, he has been a tad bit clingier... If he sees me leave, he gets upset (Which doesn't last long at all).  He laughs and makes his way towards Jake when he gets home from work... Which melts my heart every time!!  Its so sweet to see the two of them so happy to see one another after a long day!!

He's been our whole world, and our rock!  Jake and I have a strong, beautiful marriage... and I am so blessed to be able to call him my son's daddy... and my husband.  Love them both with all that I have!!

Just A Little Something! ;)

Our little man is doing more and more every day!!  He still won't get off his belly to crawl, but has definitely mastered the army crawl (scooting on his belly.)  We've noticed he does alot with his left hand... and when he scoots, he mostly pushes off with his left leg... Does this mean we will have a lefty?? No idea!!  I don't believe we have any left-handed people in either of our families! Lol.

He's been getting in this push up stance alot...  He doesn't move anywhere, he just lifts himself up and stays in place for a few seconds and then moves on to whatever it is he wants to do next!!  I love this little tushy in the air!!  He's also been trying to climb everything!!  Which can be a little scary for me.  I never take my eye off him!!  I know it just gets worse once he starts really crawling and/or walking... I'm definitely not rushing that!!

He still loves to talk and sing!  He's got so much to say. ;) Lol.  He is learning more and more sounds, consonant and vowel sounds.  He's also picked up what we call "Secrets"...  We whisper in his ear, and he whispers back with a smile!!  It is the cutest thing!! When we're teaching him words, his watches our mouths, and then moves his mouth like he's trying to do the same.   I'll be taking him to our hometown clinic to weigh and measure him for his 8 month measurements!  I'm guessing he's between 18-19lbs now, and 28-29 in long... But we will see!!

Lucky for Dad, Graysen loves Kung Fu Panda!!  I had to get this picture while they were watching... Both are comfy in their favorite chairs.  Graysen is taking note from Daddy!! ;)  I love these moments, admiring my baby boy and his daddy!!  This is all I have for today, but will update after his 8 month appt!! :))  

Life Changing

It's amazing how much your life can change in just a little amount of time... Whether its good or bad.  It moves so fast that sometimes you forget to enjoy the little things, the little beauties around you.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every part of my life... But there are times I overlook these things because I'm too focused on the bigger picture... 




Living life in the fast lane... I guess it'll be inevitable!  Lol, but I will adapt... learn to live in the fast lane, and catch and appreciate every little and big thing that God shows me.  This bloom on the left blooms overnight... starts as a small bud, and opens up into a beautiful flower in just 24 hrs.  This is my life...  Its beautiful.

The flower blooming is alot like Graysen growing up... Takes a little more than 24 hrs, but it races! Lol.  I can remember him at 1 week old at 7lbs, curled up on my chest.  He was so tiny... Little twigs for limbs. 

7 months later, 18lbs and now we have chunky trunks for limbs! ;)  Every minute is a blessing... holding him in my arms, and admiring his sweet little face.

I can't express in enough words how much I love this little boy.  It's the kind of love that brings butterflies to your tummy when you think of them...  Graysen has so much character, and he's so full of life and smiles!  Don't get me wrong, he has his moments, but there few and far in between!




Baby Einsten time. :)



 These two are my life... And I smile every single day solely because of them and what they do for me.  I love and appreciate Jake so much... I've said this a thousand times before, but I thank God he blessed me with such a supportive, genuine, caring husband and father.  Without him, we wouldn't be sharing this beautiful happy baby boy.  Life can change so quickly... friends have come and gone, we've lost loved ones, we've become wives, mothers, aunts, grandmothers... etc etc.  You learn to accept these things, good or bad, and you move on to make the best life possible for your family!  I love my family, my extended family, and the people that have remained in my life.  I have everything I need or want, and I will appreciate and enjoy what God has blessed me with. 

First for Everything ;)

OK, I am SO behind...  We've made so much progress in the past month!!

1.  Graysen started cutting his first two teeth... Luckily, the cutting process wasn't long, so the fussiness wasn't too long as well! ;)

Along with cutting teeth, his nose runs continuously, chews on everything he can get his hands on, and drools excessively! 

2. First haircut!!!  He did absolutely GREAT!  Momma and Daddy were very proud...  I saved some hair for his scrap book and took plenty of pictures!!  Sorry that they're not uploading upright!  Tried everything I could to fix that... But nothing has worked! :(

3.  First ride to the store without his carseat!  He LOVED it, and I loved it too!!  It made grocery shopping so much easier and alot more fun!!  He was talking and laughing at everyone we walked by!! Luckily I carry around lysol wipes with me, and I sanitized the cart with two or three wipes... time to get a cart cover!! Lol. 

4.  First Mother's Day.  Being a mom is one of the most rewarding  feelings I''ve ever felt in my life.  Graysen has made this experience for me amazing!!  I love every minute of it...  Even the tiny fits he throws before we put him to bed!  Hah.  I love and adore this little guy so much, and I know by the way he looks at me, and responds to my voice with a smile, that he loves and adores me just as much.  I can't wait for the many Mother's Days to come!  As a special memory on my first Mother's Day, we had Graysen's Baby Dedication with our church... Which is basically dedicating to raise Graysen as a christian.  We love our church family, and was so blessed to be able to share this with them!

5. Graysen is crawling... Right after his 6 month appt, he started an army crawl, moving around by dragging himself with his arms...  Gradually he started using his legs, but still laying flat on his belly... And now he has picked himself up off the floor, and is into anything and everything he can reach!!  Its been so fun watching him grow!!  I took him to the doctor yesterday, and since his 6 month appt, he has gained a pound, and grown an inch and a half, putting him at 17lbs 12 oz, and a little over 28in long!! 

6.  Our last first of the month, we are sitting up on our own!!  A little wobbly, but he keeps himself up.  And it is adorable!!  I love playing with him, and reading to him!  He makes it an absolute blast!!!!

I tried to make this as brief as possible!!  With everything going on and everything he's done, it was hard to do so! I fall in love with my family more and more every day!  Jake has been an amazing husband and father.  I can't express in enough words how happy he makes me, and sharing this experience with him is so so so special!!!  I can't imagine doing this without him, and hope I never have to!!  God has blessed us as a family, and we will live our lives through him.  Happy and In Love!

Since then...

Birth: 6lbs 11oz, 20" long
1 week: 7lbs, 20.25" long
2 weeks: 8lbs, 21" long
2 months: 12lbs 2oz, 23.25" long
4 months: 14lbs 2oz, 25" long
6 months: 16lbs 12oz, 26.75" long


I see other newborns, and I can't believe Graysen was EVER that small!!  He's growing so fast... and his personality shows through more and more every day!!

Today:







 At 6 months old, Graysen can roll, hold his on bottle and sippy cup, talks like CRAZY, receives kisses, walks in his walker, attempting to crawl (just scoots right now), is now onto 1st and 2nd baby foods, moves constantly (he's never in the same place for more than 30 seconds)... I'm afraid he'll be a climber too... sings along to music (it sounds like yelling), and is starting to make letter sounds... like d's, n's and l's so far.... ending with the ah's... dah, nah, and lah... Haha!  I love it... there is probably so much more I could go into detail about... but I'll keep it short and sweet!

Yesterday, for the first time, Graysen grabbed my face and brought it to his mouth... a big open mouth kiss to the cheek... and what made it even cuter is he held it there for a few seconds.  I was beyond happy, and I could have held him in my arms for the rest of the day...  It literally gave me butterflies and a huge boost to my mommy ego... He loves Mommy as much as Mommy loves him!

Things we are working on...

Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma. Lol.... CRAWLING, we help him by lifting him slightly so that he can put his legs and arms underneath him, and then moving forward slowly... Incorporating MEATS to his baby food, SIGN LANGUAGE for things like bottle, water, and more.

Its so hard not express how proud I am without sounding overly proud...  I love my family so so so much, and have so much to praise and thank God for.  I'm blessed with an amazing husband and father to our child, and with an equally as amazing baby boy!!  My life is nothing short of amazing, and I've got everything to look forward to and nothing holding me back!





Hands always in our mouth.



Mommy-Baby Lovin

Daddy-Baby Lovin



4/15/11~ 6 months old!!!



Graysen's Easter Bunny

























Fun with Our Boys

Lindsey Hughes Bromley... Amazing wife, mommy, and friend!!!  And I am SO blessed that we are family... But even if we weren't, I'd deifnitely go out of my way to be her friend. 

She and her boys came to see Graysen and me this Monday... and we attempted pictures!!  Her oldest, 2 yr old Dreyton is full of life, energy, and curiosity...  So it was almost impossible to get a picture of him, but we did it! Lol... Love this kid!!!  This one definitely keeps his Mommy on her toes!

And Mr Photogenic goes to her other son, Ryker!!!  He is Graysen's age, just a couple of weeks younger.  I loved taking pictures of Ryker...  he was so happy, and perfect in any pose or place we put him!  His awesome red hair, and peircing blue eyes made working with the photos so much more fun! 

Talks and moves as much as Graysen... I love that our boys will grow up together.  As friends and cousins.  When they were visiting, Dreyton was so so so sweet, kissing the babies on the foreheads, and rubbing there hands.  He loves his baby brother... and makes me happy to see him lovin on Graysen too.  He's gonna be an amazing big brother for Ryker!  I hope Graysen will be just as amazing with his younger future sibling(s).

And finally Graysen... As photogenic as he normally is, and as excited as I was to take some pictures of him, he didn't cooperate quite like I had planned! Lol...  We got a couple of good ones for our Easter cards, so its ok!!  I was just reminded as to how unpredictable babies can be. :)  His 6 month appt is Friday, so I plan to post about his milestones and accomplishmetns soon after, and we have scheduled our first family pictures in May... So I am super super excited about that!!! 

I love being able to hangout with Lindsey, cause is such an amazing person!!  Every visit makes me wish we lived so much closer!!!!  She's really been a big influence on me as a mom.... I admire her passion, commitement, and dedication to her husband and boys... and hope that I can be the same for mine!!  Love you Lindsey!!!!



Every Reason to Smile

I can't tell you how many times I've heard parents say... "I can't wait for him/her to start walking and talking!"  Which I'm very sure that is SUPER exciting, but why rush it??  I want to enjoy ever stage, memory, and milestone even before that.  I can't think too far ahead because I don't want to miss what's happening now!  Graysen is moving so much more, making so many more different sounds.  I love every minute!! 

Every morning, and after every nap, I absolutely love laying him in bed with me.  Thats probably my favorite "Mommy- Baby" bonding time.  I can't describe the feelings that go through me, when he looks up at me smiling, reaching for me whether its for me to pick him up or just hold him tight and cuddle for a little bit.  He's so innocent and pure... God's most amazing creation in my arms.  After crawling comes walking, after walking comes running... I'm not thinking ahead, I will enjoy every minute of now and every minute in between the milestones.  Just seeing him working his legs and arms underneath him is exciting!  Even if he's working them and staying in place. 

We see more and more personality every day.  He's so dang happy!!  All I have to do is look at him, and he smiles...  He laughs at the sound of his own voice (or whatever sound he makes)... He smiles at the dog walking by... loves any cartoon with puppets... Loves peek-a-boo... giggles when you blow in his face... And my favorite smile is his Daddy's smile, getting home from work to a happy baby boy.  I fall in love all over again! 

We're now eating baby foods, or have been the past couple of weeks or so!  He has had green beans and sweet potatoes.  Next on the menu will be squash, and then after thats tackled we will incorporate a fruit!  He's taking 3, every now and then 4, 6oz bottles a day, and two helpings of baby food.  He's healthy and growing!!

God has blessed me in so many ways!!  He has given me every reason to smile.   

ALL Love and Smiles...

These past couple of days, Graysen is going through this giggle stage... and I absolutely LOVE it!!!  It started one day after he woke up from a nap...  He was just giggling away... For no apparent reason.  Now, its through out the day... He may be playing on the floor, on a stroller ride, riding in the car seat, waking up from a nap... Just anywhere, anytime.  I had to video and share it, cause it's just the cutest thing!!

SOOOO we tried cereal last night... and he loved it!!  He ate about an ounce... not too much, but he did great!!  He's probably been ready, because he really didn't make that big of a mess.  The only problem was as soon as he took some, his hands would go to his mouth too!!


He's growing so fast.  I look back at pictures when he was just a month old, and it almost makes me sad!  I love this baby so much!!  I know he'll be just as fun later on, and there SO many more fun memories in store for us, but I wish he could just stay this size forever!!!  I'm making the best of every single minute I have with him and my husband.


Jake has been so amazing... in so many ways.  We celebrated our 1yr anniversary this past weekend!!  Already... Seems like this past year flew by so fast, and so many memories were made, and so many more are to be made!!  He's been everything a husband should be, and more!!  I feel like we're a SUPER couple!!  As husband and wife, and mommy and daddy.  I'm so proud of my family... And I don't like bragging or boasting, but I am absolutely in love with Jake, and have no doubt in my mind that he loves me back just as much.  And we have so much more love to share!  Which is why Graysen has been one of the best blessings for us!!  Love, love, love!  

Mom

I obviously haven't been a mother for very long... but its amazing how much your world can change in even that little of time.  Being a mommy now, I understand mine SO much better.  I'm able to connect with my mom on a different level, and we are so much closer because of that.  She is literally my best friend... In the past, I'd get upset when she was honest with me, because it wasn't always what I wanted to hear.  But she's been real with me since day one... and her main priority was my happiness and my well-being.  And that hasn't changed. 

I was holding Graysen soon after he was born, looking and admiring everything about him, bonding more and more every second with my child.  Beautiful, perfect, and everything I'd dreamed of... I thought about everything I wanted for him in life... his happiness and his well-being; I couldn't stop smiling, I was so proud to be his momma.  I looked up to notice my mom staring at me... smiling. It dawned on me; this feeling never goes away.  Whether your 2 weeks old or 24 yrs old... that love and sense of pride will always be with you.  I cannot tell you how excited I am about every single minute that I have to spend with my son.

Graysen discovers something new every day.  Here recently, its that he can make different sounds, experimenting with his voice all the time.  Jake swears he's said Dada... of course he does. ;)  He puts everything in his mouth, toys, blankets, my phone, his feet...... He's constantly moving which makes it a battle when holding him; climbing you like a tree.  He LOVES kisses!!  And kisses back, grabbing you with both hands with a big open mouth.  Rolling more and more, he's never in the same spot or position after just two minutes.  I believe he will cut teeth ANY day now, he's becoming more and more stable when I sit him up, and he WILL say mama!! Lol   

Beautiful Existence

A tiny heart beats with in me

A blessing from above

with tiny hands and tiny feet

A new and exciting love

The most beautiful existence

Day by day you grow

As does my love for you

More than you'll ever know

I can't wait for the day

To finally see you
To hold you in my arms
A dream come true

It was a Thursday night when I went into labor.  After what seemed like a long night, ugly contractions and a sweet epidural, Jake at my bed side holding my hand the whole time... Our baby boy was born.

October 15, 2010 at 7:32AM

6lbs 11ozs and 20in long

We cried when they placed him in my arms.  He was perfect, and everything we thought he'd be and more.  He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.  Watching Jake hold him for the first time, seeing how happy he was, made me think of all the memories to come for us as a couple... and new parents.

     Today, Graysen is almost 5 months old!!!  Happy, smiling, and talking all the time.  So far we have been blessed; he has really taken it easy on us first time parents.  It seems like from the first week home, he was smiling.  "Its just gas"... I'm sure its been said before, and I'll say it again.  He smiles because he is a healthy and happy baby, gas or no gas.

     We started rolling about a month ago, although the very first roll was when he was 3 months... Anyway, its mostly from his belly to his back, and every now and then from his back to his belly.  He has started to try and bring his knees underneath him as well... Instead of keeping his arms in front of him like he usually does, they go straight out like he's trying to fly! 

     I love it.  Every minute with this boy is fun, sweet, and precious!!!  That handsome grin, and those pretty eyes melt my heart every day...  I wish he would stay this size forever!!

Mommy loves you baby boy!!

Happiness Starts Here

Smart, funny, charming, loving and genuine... All these things describe my husband... Along with hard headed, "always right" attitude, and smart ass!  But with that said, the good and bad make him who he is... Which is everything I want in my life.  From the first date, I knew that there was something special between us.  Every day with Jake is an absolute blessing!

Excited... Nervous... Anxious... Joyful.  I felt all the emotions, and more, when I learned I was expecting.  One beautiful agreement Jake and I had was that one day we would have children.  So sharing this news with him that we created a tiny life between us was one of the most rewarding and special moments in my life.