Thursday, July 25, 2013

Grady is SEVEN months old!

I'm a week behind posting a seven month update on Grady. Life has just been too busy!
- I just upped him to size 4 diapers. I find securing the diaper easier with a little wiggle room.
- He still wears some 6 month outfits just because they are convenient; however, I'm planning to go through his clothes this week to sort out the small outfits and add in some new big boy clothes that Zac's cousin Nikki gave us (thanks Nikki!!). Grady primarily wears 9-12 month clothes. I think he'll be rocking some 18th month outfits in the near future. He has so many new, cute summer clothes that were Rhett's (Nikki's little guy) that I really want him to wear soon.
- As of just a few days ago, he has started clapping his hands together. It is sooooo cute!
- Grady sleeps completely on his back. He doesn't move a whole lot in bed, which is strange. But he's definitely a good sleeper. He goes to bed between 9:30-10:30 most nights. The last two nights he's gone to bed at 9:30. Maybe it will start a new routine for him. Then, he wakes up anytime between 8:00-9:00. Sometimes we start to hear him stir about 7:00. I can't complain!
- He sits like a champ and really doesn't enjoy laying down unless he's sleepy. Lately he's started rocking backwards when he gets mad. I don't like how he pushes away like that, but I guess that's his little temper/personality shining through.
- His hair is getting really long. I love how soft and fine it is. It's definitely a light brown, blondish color.
- If I thought he was grabbing things around him a month ago, now he is seriously grabbing, pulling, and wanting everything within arms reach. I'm sure it will only get worse in the next few months when he decides to start crawling.
- When we lay him on his tummy/all fours to move around, he gets so frustrated and starts whining because he wants to move/crawl but just isn't quite ready.
- Grady loves the water! He got to go swimming at the beach in Chicago, at a friend's pool, and in the big boy bathtub. I LOVE seeing him start to splash the water and play with toys in the water.
- Grady has been such a trooper in the car. We went to visit my brother in Chicago (12 hour drive one way), and he did great. We've also made way too many trips back to Russellville lately... for the pottery class once a week and several weekends for various reasons. I've been amazed by how well he's done on trips.
- He is talking up a storm. One week his thing was the "dada" sound. The next week he started the "bubu" sound. And he loves to fake laugh! He has this coughing fake laugh that really gets us laughing.
Happy Baby!!
He immediately had to touch the chalkboard. 
He loved bouncing on his bed :)!
Loving his Razorback Rocker from Grammy!!
Bathtime fun
Happy about going to see Aunt Jes and Uncle Nate in Chicago
Snoozin' in Aunt Jes' bookstore
Just going for a walk with Aunt and Uncle
Loving the beach!!
Family fun at the beach
:)
First time in a big boy bathtub
Tired guy after such a busy day in Chicago
Missy Lou taking G to see big G
Fun with cousin Rhett
Cousin lovin's
"Check out my sweet hair!"
after bathtime smiles
Swimming with daddy and Madison
Family fun in the pool
Fun with Aunt Hilery
Such a big boy enjoying his first day of bible class with his new
friend Ethan (on left) and second cousin Rhett (on right)
Grady looks so big sitting up, paying attention to Aunt Hilery teach.
I just loved how the boys helped Grady look at himself (and them) in the mirror.
ADORABLE!
He clearly had a great time in class :)
Visiting great-grandma Wesley
Lovvvvvvvvve cousin Jenny's adorable elephant quilt!!
Reading with GranMolly
Just playing with GranMolly
Snuggling with Mrs. Lindsey
Thank you SOOO much for watching him while we took a pottery class!
<3
Nightly walks with dad
Yes, I know there are WAY too many pictures. I waited too long to update and had a hard time picking just a few to post.... and I do plan to post even more from our Chicago trip soon.

Grady is such a happy, healthy baby. These past seven months have flown by so quickly! I can't believe it's almost time for me to start working and trust others to care for him during the day. It's bittersweet, to be honest. I'm excited and nervous all at once. Who knew just how much love I could have for one precious little boy.

Much love,
Em

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Forgetting to Post

Lately I've been forgetting to post. Oops!! So here's an update on life.

The weekend before last, a group of friends hung out at Lake Tenkiller. We had our first craw fish boil and enjoyed another weekend away celebrating our friend Ben's birthday.
Zac loved it. It was way too spicy for me!
Zac is the little guy on the floaty way off in the distance.
Last Tuesday Mom and I had our second pottery class. We are both really enjoying the class and have already made several neat things. We also got to use the pottery wheel, which I must say is a lot of fun!
This is actually my mom's beautiful bowl.
It's messy and fun!
Please check out my momma's original creation.
Let's just say the clay had a mind of its own at first. ;)
Here's my little bowl.
Mr. Taylor trimming the base.
She had a lot of fun.
Missy's mug.
Mr. Taylor trimming the base on my mug.
Our cute little set up.
Originally Zac was going to compete in the Firecracker Sprint Triathlon in Russellville on the Fourth of July; however, he's somehow injured his knee and couldn't participate. He's pretty down about it. Tomorrow he goes to the orthopedic doctor to see what's up with his knee. So, we spent the fourth as a family of three... grilling burgers and relaxing at home.
July 5th marked one year since Momo passed away. I went back to Russellville to spend the day with my mom. My aunt and uncle were in town from Texas, too. It was a pleasant day with family. I have so many wonderful memories with Momo that I will forever cherish. I watched a sweet video of her reciting a poem she memorized in grade school that we recorded several years ago on July 4th. I loved hearing her precious voice again. I'm so blessed to have her voice and image recorded for me to forever hear.
Sweet picture of Grady with his Great Aunt Pam.
Teaching baby G to play 42 :)
Grampa feeding little man a little cereal.
Tomorrow Zac, our friend Ben, Grady, and I leave for Chicago. I can't wait to spend some quality time with my brother, sis-in-law, and friends. We plan on going to a friend's wedding, spending Saturday grilling out on the beach, and taking a tour through the Half Acre Brewery. Hope we stay safe and keep Grady happy on our long 12 hour trip!
Zac trying out the carrier for a little "pre-trip" experience.
Let's just say that Grady loved kicking his legs!!
Maybe the carrier will work after all for hauling the big guy through the windy city.
And here's one last picture that I took last night. Grady loves to stand and laugh. These two boys have stolen my heart!
Much love,
Em