21 months

Graham's last update as the only child! It's a long one. Mostly because I know I'll have a hard time keeping up here soon. Can't believe he'll be two in a couple months... and an older brother! The last year FLEW by.

This little toddler challenges us daily. He's got a lot of attitude and spunk and he NEVER stops moving. Still below average with his weight and height but not that big bobble head. He loves going to the park (still sits in his stoller) and kicking/throwing his sports balls. He runs around on his toes with one arm swinging. He swings from the bar at the top of the slide to give me a heart attack. His hair grows like a weed and is blond from the Summer sun. He loves the carousel and train at Nut Tree. He still takes a 2-3 hour nap.

Eating is a hit or miss. As long as he hasn't been snacking, I can get him to eat pretty well. He loves sharing fish burritos at Rubios. He likes hot dogs and ketchup, ravioli, sloppy joes, indian food, all fruit, etc. Veggies are usually consumed in minestrone soup or fruit and veg packets. The trick is getting him to eat it by myself with a utensil. It usually ends up being smeared, played with and put on the floor for Riley. But we'll get there...

He's finally getting better at nursery, dad has to take him while mom leaves for ten minutes so I don't hear him freak out.

We've been swimming lots, he jumps off the edge after yelling "red-eee-goooo", loves mo-da boat and is learning to kick his legs.

He loves looking at my belly and giving it kisses. I'm not sure if he fully understands that there's a real baby in there, even though he calls it baby.

He tackles, loves and kisses Riley daily, she acts like she hates it but when another dog nipped at him yesterday she FREAKED out. So I guess they're best buds.

I think he's getting his molars, his sleep has not been the greatest and he's moody, perfect timing Graham!

His language skills are coming a long but it's still hard to communicate sometimes. Words he uses on the daily...

Daddy and Momma, obviously.
Ri-weee
Baby
Wa wa (any drink) Also uses it for flower...
Ba-kit-ball
Chugga chugga choo choo
He-whoa? (hello)
Bubble
Woot (shoot)
Snack!
Milky and Ba ba
More
I cree (ice cream)
No way! Hook! (Jake and the Neverland pirates)
Roooom (motorcycle)
Car, Air-bee (airplane) bike, truck
Walk
Row Row da Boat (his favorite song)
Blub, Croak, Dog, Monkey, Roars, Shark, Turtle, Bear, wootee (horse)
Elmo (also uses it for animal)
Cookie, cake, apple, nana, chip and crack (cracker)
Soap
Book
Nemo
Weesh (swing)
Rock
Star
Out
All done
Jump!
Eye, nose

Wow, that's quite the list. Probably won't be able to keep up much longer! Which is good. I love his wittle voice. Most of those words are shouted at me with a lot of enthusiasm. Especially when it's time to wake up and he is screaming MA MAAAAAAA like he's in pain. Such a lovely way to start the morning.

We usually get "milky" after that and watch Octonauts or something until we wake up fully. Then it's time to eat and dress and maybe walk to the park, if it isn't too hot. We have to pick a flower a long the way for him to tear apart. There's usually an appointment or lunch with dad then nap time (often for both of us) afterwards we hang out and clean up until dad gets home. Our days are long and somewhat lazy, which I have loved, because at the end dad comes home, we get to eat dinner like a normal family and be together. We walk to the park and let Riley run. He splashes in the bath with his bubbles. Daddy reads to him and we sing. He is still in the crib until we're ready to put baby in there, hopefully with him... who knows. They are my world. So grateful for my boys!

Graham's First Birthday

Well hello there...

I've got lots of blogging plans. The problem is I'm running back and forth grabbing dog bones from Graham's mouth and poopy diapers from Riley's. Ohhh what have I done :) It is a beautifully chaotic life I live.

Little man turned one last week which seemed to come slowly but still managed to smack me in the face. I was unprepared and hung over from our Disney vacation, so we took him to Target to pick out some toys, then gave him a nice piece of corn bread cake. Lame, right? No party... no family or friends... I don't think he minded too much.

Here's the little film I made of his first year. He is so great.

-such a good but impatient eater. almost eats everything. LOVES sweet potato tots.
-walking like frankenstein with both arms in the air.
-talking a lot... only it doesn't make sense. I'm still working on mama only every time I try he laughs in my face and spits out "DAD!"
-drinking whole milk and nursing once a day but not for long.
-weighs 20 lbs and measures 29 inches long.
-never took a pacifier.
-still a terrible sleeper, waking up at least once or twice a night.
-loves Yo Gabba Gabba, ugh. I was desperate in the car, okay?
-eight teeth, four on top, four on bottom.
-walks around hitting things and throwing everything. Such a boy.
-loves his dad, soooo much. "I'm so hungry..."



Be sure to push HD :)

Nine Months

My nine month old is...

still breastfeeding, but drinking from a bottle a lot more. He's not biting me as much which makes momma so happy...

growing lots of fluffy hair that mom is trying to tame in a flat gentlemen-like fashion

lengthening out, he's getting the Morrison, no butt, big gutt body.

teething, again! Molars this time... it's been rough, like pull your hair out rough.

loving his dad. Whenever he walks into the room, Graham smiles the biggest smile and makes some sort of funny remark like it's their inside joke.

crawling, although he's not a big fan. He'd rather hold on to something and walk around everywhere.

a big fan of water. Drinking it, splashing it... which is good, because it is so hot! We could sit outside by the water table all day.

sitting in his highchair like a big boy and eating big boy foods! Still working on picking up the pieces of food. Most of the time he grabs them and smashes them into his face with hopes that a little will get into his mouth.

waking up once a night, usually around 4-5 am, which is perfectly fine with me for the moment!

eight months and a baby daddy

Happy Father's Day!

Can't believe we're in the middle of freakin June. Days rolls by here in a hot and hazy blur. Jake's been gone a lot, and he deploys in less than a month. Big sigh...

Nevertheless we're embracing summer and all of it's beauty. Like eating ice cream at least three times a day and taking walks to the park in the early morning before it gets hot.

Graham has turned into a chubby bundle of curiosity and teeth. He wants to eat and grab everything and his smile is the most hysterical thing I have seen. I catch myself constantly gawking at him in disbelief that he is, indeed, my child. He is the most brilliant mixture of Jake and I. Recently he has learned to clap and his grunting/spitting is back leading me to call him "Chunky Monkey". He continues to scoot and stand on his own, which means we have only a few moments left of limited mobility.

Naturally Jake is gone for his first Father's Day (as was I on Mother's Day) so we'll celebrate with him later, but I wanted to tell him how much I love him. He is such a cute papa. I know there is nowhere else he'd rather be than with us but he continues to serve his country with a big smile and a unfailing sense of humor. Thanks for working hard and allowing me to stay at home with our perfect creation. We have so many great years and fun parent moments ahead of us!

To read Jake's post about being a daddy click HERE

Water Baby

When Graham was around four months old we decided to enroll in a free swim class Swim America offered. 

It was definitely the highlight of my week and it was extra special when dad could come!

I love seeing how much Graham learns week after week. 

He used to hate back floats and "up and unders" but now he's a champ.

Here's to many summers with my water baby!

Dressed in our Easter Best

Ohhh I love California Spring. Yesterday was perfectly pleasant.

Even though Graham has had the worst cold yet and I'm pretty sure he is teething.

(Notice all the drool?)

Jake was home and we had a wonderful Easter dinner outside with friends. 

So grateful for my little family. Graham is getting ridiculously cuter every day. 

If you haven't seen this short video "Because of Him" do watch it. 

We have so many blessings in our life because of Christ. 

- my husband gets to fly a massive plane to crazy places

- I get to raise a beautiful little healthy boy 

- we worship freely in the best country on earth

Easter is quickly becoming my favorite holiday. 

A day in the life of a five-almost-six month old.

I cannot believe its been six months.
Everyone says that, right? But really.
That seems like a long time, feels like one too.

Graham man STILL won't take a damn pacifier.
At least now he's starting to hold on to it on his own and chew on it.
He can roll from front to back and straighten his arms while on tummy.
We've started solids, his first was rice cereal followed by prunes, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
He can sit up on his own, still working on balancing himself fully.
He loves to scratch/feel things and he grabs everrryyyythingggg.
His hair has grown back in and looks blonde sometimes and auburn-y others.
He's got his daddy's cowlick that's impossible to manage.
He loves to gurgle and squeal, and it's the most adorable thing in the world.
His sleep habits aren't the best. Hoping to fix that soon.

Over all motherhood is getting easier and a lot more fun.
Don't get me wrong it's still more difficult that I ever imagined...
but he's worth it.

3 (almost) 4 Months

Well hello there... 

I've been in frigid Idaho for a few weeks now.

Jake's still in Africa but will be home soon! 

I can't believe Graham is nearly four months old. 

My life has been madness since the day he was born,

 but I love him more and more each day. 

- loves his new jumper, thanks grandma!

- starting to grab toys, always manages to grab my hair

- chews on everything he can get a hold of 

- sleeps 6-8 night hours at a time

- his head is getting so big that his hair can't keep up.. patchy grandpa hair :)

-starting to laugh, squeals like crazy no more grunting!

- loves bath time, kicks and kicks

- has an aversion to feeding from my left side... have to trick him into it

- still will not take a pacifier, vomits a lot when given one

-getting much better at putting himself to sleep

- weighing in at about 15 pounds

thanks nicole maxfield for these beautiful photos.

Blessing Day

a gift from nana nance

four generations and his uncle/twin

 always studying...

Baty and Bart Baty, his namesakes.

 those cheeeeeeks!

blue steel.

After almost a month unplugged in Idaho, I'm back home trying to recover from an amazing Christmas vacation. Our living room is covered in dirty clothes, leftover candy and mail. lots of mail. After a ten hour drive I was thrilled to be home with my little family. We hadn't been home 24 hours before Jake was told he needs to leave again for a 21 day mission to Africa. Ugh. Will life ever slow down?

I'm taking a break from the craziness to reflect on this special day we had last weekend. My aunt and uncle were generous enough to let us use their home for the event and it was jam packed with our family and friends. I was overwhelmed with how many people drove out of their way to see little Graham. Jake used the priesthood to give him a tender heartfelt blessing. There was such a strong spirit there, it was a wonderful way to start off the new year.

January be kind to me!

2 Months

my 2 month baby is...

smiling a lot. especially when you sing ridiculous songs and make weird noises.

sleeping well at night, eight hours this week!

still super fussy in the evenings.

taking Zantac for acid reflux, we think it's helping...

weighing in 11 lbs and 4 ounces. big chubby boy!

has a umbilical hernia that's squishy and weird.

getting a big Morrison head which makes his hair line look like an old man.

better at the pacifer. still likes the soothie more than the mam.

recognizing mom and dad, can follow us around the room.


we love our graham man... he's serious and stubborn and oh so strong.

week six

week six was tough. 

Daddy left for his first mission, so we spent a lot of time bonding. It wasn't easy to have him gone, but you were a good boy. One night you slept six straight hours! It rained and blew all week long, so we stayed indoors a lot (except for that special trip to Trader Joes). You just get more and more adorable. You're starting to recognize me and your legs are getting so strong! We love you little squishy. Please stop vomiting. 

Mom. 

week 5

week five was a busy one.

auntie lauren came to visit from the east coast which never happens! We spent a lot of time catching up on the latest TV shows and showing her the best fast food has to offer. she also got to witness some new mom meltdowns. those are all too common...

my dad and step mom Nicole also came for the weekend and we were able to take another day trip to SF to show lauren the wharf. I miss them all terribly. I hate how empty the house feels now that I'm all alone. Jake went on his first trip for work and after panicking for days beforehand, I'm trying to make the most of it.

Graham and I will be doing some serious bonding this week. He is still colicky in the evenings but I'm learning how to handle it. Thanks so much for your tips and advice, keep them coming! He is finally fitting into his 0-3 month clothing and growing some cute little rolls. He loves bath time, but hates getting out. He's giving me the occasional 4-5 hours periods of sleep at night, thank heavens. His head is getting huge and strong and he likes to roll from side to side. I love him terribly :)

Here's to a new week of Christmas crafting, book reading, and baby snuggling!

One Month/Due Date

week one

week two

 week three

Happy Due Date Graham Man.

Can't believe we've lived to see the one month mark. What a wild ride it's been so far! Can't say it's been easy. You're getting more and more fussy. It's extremely frustrating late at night when we just want to sleep and you just seem to be so unhappy. When we finally get you to sleep, you're the most adorable thing on the planet. You look so peaceful and plump. Then you cry and wake up an hour later.

We noticed that you love car rides and being bounced. You still haven't gotten the hang of your pacifier but we're working on it. You enjoy our evening walks to the park in the Ergo carrier. You prefer to be in the shower with daddy over the bath with mom. Some how you manage to get out of your swaddle wrap every time. I am super paranoid about your stomach issues. Every time I think I have it figured out, you mystify me once again.

Motherhood is hard. Really hard. I just wish you could talk to me and tell me what you need! Here's to hoping we can get through the next month... and the one after that. It'll be a long holiday season :) but I'm glad I get to spend it with you little buddy. Your exhausted mom and dad love you more than sleep. In fact, they love you more than anything.

Mom.