Tooth #2

After several hellish nights of Anson waking and screaming several times, we have tooth #2! I can't believe he has 18 more to go...

Baby's First Thanksgiving

Since I have been posting about Grady a lot lately, I figured I needed to do a little update on Anson. We had a great time celebrating his first Thanksgiving with him! Gaga and Grandpa Carl came down to visit, and we ate lots of yummy food, of course. Anson had sweet potatoes while we feasted. He seemed happy with that!

Wearing his "Baby's First Thanksgiving" onsie with Gaga




There was an "incident" so we stripped him down



Then we dressed him in his dressy duds





Chillin' with Grandpa







And last night Grady got a tub in our big jetted tub. Right before he got out, after most of the water drained, we popped Anson in there too. They were both so excited! Once Anson can still very well we may have to start doing combined tubs.



Anson has been trying to get tooth #2. It's obviously causing him some distress, so we hope it pops through soon!

Grady is FOUR!

Four years ago at this moment I am sure I was sitting in the hospital room, holding Grady and just staring at his little face, trying to memorize every detail. I could not believe he was real and that he was my very own baby! In some ways that day seems like yesterday, and in some ways it seems like a lifetime ago. Having little Grady in our lives has certainly changed everything, but we can't imagine life without him. He enjoys life to the fullest - everything excites him, everything interests him. He is also extremely loving - with his friends and his family - especially his brother. This past year has had its ups and downs, and it has certainly brought quite a bit of change. But through it all I have consistently seen Grady's strengths come shining through. He has especially impressed me with the unselfish way in which he welcomed another little person into our family and happily shared his parents with him. He loves his baby brother with a depth that I didn't think was possible for such a small child. He also impresses me time and time again with the way he can bring a smile to someone's face - whether it is a stranger or a good friend. If Grady is around people just seem happier. Little did I know what a special little boy he would become when I gazed into that tiny face 4 years ago. I can't wait to see what the next 4 years will bring!

So what is Grady interested in these days?

*school
*trucks - still!
*space
*bugs
*making up songs - he writes them while he lays in bed during "quiet time" - HA!
*dancing
*friends - he is so social
*baking/cooking
*geography
*running - he talks about running in races, and I would like to find a "fun run" for him to try soon
*reading
*coloring/drawing - this took a while, but he is finally really into it
*puzzles
*his brother - seriously - he just loves playing with him


Some recent pictures of Grady...

Playing with his new crane toy from Grandpa Jim:



Making an apple pie with Mama on Thanksgiving:



sparkling apple cider - what joy!



Decorating his playroom Christmas tree:





Birthday breakfast at Perkins:



Anson was there too!



Trying on Grandpa's glasses:







With his birthday crown:





The family at our little birthday celebration this evening:



eating cake



Messy!

Grady 4 years ago...

At a month old:



At 2 months old:



I can't believe my little guy is getting so big. Of course when I told him "You're not my little baby anymore - you're getting so big!" he told me "I'll always be your little baby, Mama." Of course you will Grady.

Grady's Bouncy Space Party

We celebrated Grady's 4th birthday a bit early last weekend with a space/Buzz Lightyear themed party at Pump It Up (a jumpy place). I have to say that it was a pretty low-stress party for me, but it was still a lot of fun for everyone. Grady had a blast, as did his 25 or so friends who came. Though PIU does not let you do too much as far as decorating, I was able to put a few personal touches on the party to make it special.


On the big slide - it was hard to get good pictures in the bouncy rooms because (1) Grady was moving way too fast; (2) it was dark



Waiting to go into the second bouncy room:



Listening to the rules:



Grady, his best friend Drew, and Colin (the only other boy in his class at school) - they jumped together a lot:



Cake table - I made the cupcakes but Strossners made the cake:



Awesome cake:



I made these guys with a bunch of help from Nana - thank you!




Gifts - lucky boy!



This is what the tables looked like:



This is not even all of the kids - we had so many friends there!



In the party room:





Anson arrived fashionably late:



"Gimme the crown!"



King Grady



And Drew





He had a little trouble blowing out those candles!



Cupcake!



Hangin' with some lady friends



Enjoying his brother's party



Opening gifts back at the house:









Grady is such a lucky boy to have so many people who care about him! We are very thankful that so many friends (and family) could be there to celebrate with us. It means so much!

Now we will celebrate again on Saturday, which is his actual birthday!