baby panda bear

Last night, Zac said that Grady is as cute as a baby panda bear. :)

Do you agree?

life as of late

I've fallen behind again on posting regularly. I seriously hate always having these lengthy posts that include lots of random stuff, but I guess that's what you'll get with me.

First, I love the fact that Zac is writing about his training journey. I may be biased, but I think he's a great writer and his posts make me happy. Continue reading his blog! He's encouraging, funny, and informative. If you want any advice on dieting, weight loss, exercise, training... you name it, email him. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you about it.

Second, I've got to find a job for this fall. I've been applying everywhere and would love some prayers, good vibes, etc so that I can start my career as a teacher! If you know of anywhere hiring P-4 positions within an hour of Fort Smith, please let me know!

Third, I realized this past weekend that I take completely too many pictures. It may be because Grady just tried rice cereal for the first time, and I wanted to capture every mouthful of messy, smiling cuteness... but I really do take too many pictures. So, since Monday I haven't taken a picture of Grady. I kind of feel bad because I went back to Russellville yesterday to spend some time with family and completely forgot to take any pictures! My Pawpaw "Grady" - the man little Grady is named after - turned 92 on Tuesday. I couldn't spend his birthday with him so Grady and I packed up early-ish yesterday and spent the day with him, my aunt and uncle, and parents. It was really a wonderful day. We got to Russellville about 10:45 and stopped by Grammy's (Hilda's) work so she could show of Grady to all the people at the bank. It was precious seeing all the ladies smile and ooo and aaa over him. Mr. Reeves even got to hold the little guy! It was quite adorable!! Then, we went and picked up my Granny from her apartment and went over to Pawpaw's for lunch. Now, you know I'm on this diet... so I was afraid I would eat too much. I didn't! Even though I did enjoy a nice amount of amazing pecan crusted chicken AND Pawpaw's coconut birthday cake. We had a wonderful afternoon. My mom took Grady to see my dad at his clinic. Dad really enjoyed getting to show him off to everyone there, too. It's really sweet seeing my parents and Hilda with little man. They are such proud first time grandparents :)! While Grady was gone, I had a wonderful visit with my Aunt Pam. I'll honestly say I think it was the best visit I've had with her! I look forward to spending more time with the family in two weeks at my cousin Luke's wedding. Yesterday was very nice, and I think Grady enjoyed seeing so many new faces. He's been sleeping extra well today!!

As I reread a short thing I wrote in my phone, it sounds pretty stupid. Nevertheless, I'm going to post it because at the time I found it quite amusing. My child decided he needed to eat last night at 4 in the morning. So, I fed him and went back to the bedroom to sleep. Then, my dog Coffee decided she needed to go poop. So, I let her out. As I let Coffee back inside, my other dog Mocha decided she needed to go pee. So, I let Mocha out and waited several minutes before letting her back in. As I let her inside, Coffee decided again that she needed to back outside... So, I let her back out. Finally, after what felt like half an hour, we all went back to bed where I saw my other dog Winston just laying in his unlocked cage staring at me. All my children are so demanding.

Update via Instagram Pictures:

Beautiful purple irises in my yard. They remind me so much of Momo! She always loved irises and anything purple.

My purple petunias also remind me of Momo. The first (and only) time my grandparents all came over to my house, Momo insisted on getting me a hanging basket of purple petunias.

My sweet little garden of tomatoes and jalapenos.

 I am in love with fresh blueberries! I wish they weren't so expensive.

A little vitamin C, please!

 My cute boy enjoying rice cereal for the first time.

There's nothing better than hearing the squeals and squeaks from my precious boy!

 Enjoying a nap on the front porch.

Morning lovin' with my furry children!

Grady is FOUR months old!

Where, oh where has the time gone?!?

I can honestly say I'm really enjoying Grady these days. (Does that sound bad?) It's not that I haven't always enjoyed him. I just mean he's really a lot of fun now. No, he isn't over the spitting up and making me feel sticky and milky 80% of the time. But I'm so use to it now that really I'll be fine as long as he doesn't do it at a year. I really can't complain. This little chunky guy is really quite entertaining.

- He's in his last package of size 2 diapers. His little booty is ready for more room. :)
- He primarily wears 6 month clothes but occasionally I dress him in 3 months or 3-6 month clothes. I've GOT to go through and organize his clothes soon.
- He is babbling and giggling so much more. Lately he's been "talking" to hanging toys and batting at them regularly. It's rather cute. His babbling has changed some, and he does it longer too. He also has a cute little squeal he lets loose occasionally.
- He sleeps wonderfully in his own crib. We haven't had to regress at all. I've actually been amazed by how well he sleeps alone in his room. We've had the occasional crying when he gets put down to sleep but really I can't complain. Some nights I lay him down and don't hear him until after 9 in the morning. So, he sleeps from 11-12 to 9 most nights. It's been wonderful!
- He has complete head control!! I was a little concerned because he seemed to not have it completely at 3 months... but I guess his big ole noggin was a lot to hold and just took his little muscles a little longer than I expected. But he seems to be doing great now!
- I forgot to mention at 3 months that he's losing his hair. It's crazy how much his hair has changed since birth but that's normal. Now he's sporting somewhat of a mullet. He's baldish in the front with longer hair in the lower back (underneath the bare area from laying down). Even though he's turning baldish, I think it's rather cute. I do see more blond hair coming in and filling in where his former "daddy's hairline" lacked.
- Little man can stand on his feet briefly bearing some weight. He doesn't roll yet, but we aren't concerned. He twists his torso so I'm sure it won't be long.
- He loves to sit up. He still needs some support but can sit alone in the middle of the couch leaning against it without support for some time. When we lay him down and he doesn't want to lay down, he starts raising his head trying to sit up. Then he gets fussy so we move him.
- No teeth yet! I doubt he'll have any before 6 months, to be honest. He's drooling more and bringing things to his mouth, but I don't see any indication of teeth in the near future (which is fine by this nursing mom).
- He has started a nice routine. The norm is that he wakes up between 9-10. Eats, plays, gets sleepy again about 1.5-2 hrs later. Sleeps for about 30 minutes. Spends lunch time talking to daddy. Eats, plays, gets sleepy again about 1-2. Sleeps for sometimes an hour to an hour and a half. Sometimes less, rarely more. Eats, plays, and sometimes sleeps again about 2-3 hours later. He is usually awake unless we go somewhere (he sleeps well in the car) until about 8:30-9. He eats more often at night. He takes another 30 minutes to hour nap. Then wants to be up for another hour or two. Then, he eats and goes to bed for the night about 11-12.

Such a happy baby!! He had his four month appointment yesterday. He weighed 17lbs 7oz and was 27 inches long. They didn't tell us what percentile he was in; however, I found an online calculator that said, "Length = between 90 and 95, Weight = between 75 and 90, and Head Circumference = above 95." He's a healthy, growing boy with a massive noggin (big brains, right?!)! Zac and I couldn't be prouder.

Much love,
Em

Weekly Highlights

Yesterday marked day three in a row running 25 minutes without stopping. Today marked day four of running, and I ran 30 minutes. It feels great! Not to mention that I was able to run all of those times without having to push a stroller! :) SOOO nice!! I hate to say it, but I'm loving this spring and summerish weather. Yes, this winter/fall person is enjoying the sunshine.

My momma came up yesterday and hung out. I got a lot done, to say the least. I finally got a hair cut. It is a good 5-6 inches shorter (picture coming soon...). I planted (with a lot of help from my mom) four jalapeno plants and two tomato plants. I also have a large potted tomato plant on the porch. And my mom bought me some petunias and begonias. I think Pawpaw would be so proud. After yesterday, I really think I may have a larger garden at some point (ask me again in three months...).

This past Saturday, our friends Chris and Jade came up and hung out all day. It was so nice! I finally got to run with someone else and clearly it has done me some good and energized me enough to push myself to run alone. I'll be running in my first 5k in ages on May 11th. I have a lot of work to do but am determined to do it. Running with Jade will definitely help!!

The weather is beautiful!! My dogs are loving being outside. Sunday, Zac and I went to Carol Ann Cross Park to walk/run. Then we met up with some other friends at La Huerta. I have my first sunburn of the season. I may be as tan as I was back in high school by the end of the summer. :)

My husband has joined the blogging world!! Go check out his website and learn more about fitness, training, and the man he is today.

Here's some recent pictures for you to enjoy. (Of course when I upload so many pictures at one time, they get all mixed up. :( and I don't have time to reorganize them. Oh well!)

sweet cousin Mila LOVES Grady already!

rockin' the overalls

sweetest expression

He's a talker already!

watching a music video with dad :)

Friday visits with Grampaw!

the life

I think Grady about has her beat in size...

cousin Jenny loving on Grady

such a good dad

my sweet boys sleeping

starting him early!!

Much love,

Em