It's all fun until someone gets hurt

Bella and Graydon's new thing is dancing in the living room. They put in their Worship Jamz cd, grab hands, and begin their hyped-up version of ring-around-the-rosie. This always ends with them purposefully falling to the ground, laughing hysterically.

One time, however, it didn't end that way.

Graydon ended up falling to the ground and smacking his head on the radiator. Within seconds, a goose-egg appeared on his forehead. It looked to me like a tumor coming out of his head. He, of course, was crying hysterically.

Most of the swelling is down now. This is how it looks a few days later. I really don't think that the camera does justice to how truly gnarly it looks.

But I guess he's not too worse for wear.

Smarty pants

A few months ago, Graydon learned the alphabet song. I was pleased enough that he knew all of the letters and the order they came in. The other day, he took it a step further.  While reading a letter book, he started saying the letters before I got a chance to.  He named each of them correctly except "G" and "X".  I'm impressed!

Bella has been into "Knock knock' jokes lately.  They go a little something like this:

Bella:  "Knock knock!"
Me:  "Who's there?"
Bella: "Window"
Me:  "Window who?"
Bella: "Window - You forgot to look out your window last night"
Bella: (hysterical laughing)

Her Knock Knock jokes always follow the pattern of something that I forgot to do last night.

Well, Graydon came up with his own Knock Knock joke.  I'll let him share it with you himself.


The counting is a pretty recent development as well.

So proud of this little guy!

I heard crinkling coming from the kitchen. . .

I went to investigate and found this:

I shouldn't have left the valentine candy on the counter. 

Wisconsin Visit - Part 2

December 31, 2010:  Graydon's turns two!!!

We had a traditional Benetti-style birthday celebration at my parents' house. Pizza and ice cream cake.

I hung up some decorations from birthdays past.

And made some new ones.

Cheers!

Graydon is usually allowed only sips of soda here and there; so having his own bottle of rootbeer was pretty special.

Our birthday boy!

Bella loves cake.

Even Curtis celebrated.

Presents!

Graydon acted every bit his age that day. By that, I mean there were lots of fits, whining, and some screaming. In his defense, we later located a new molar that is growing in. Maybe that had something to do with it.

I have a feeling that this little two-year-old is going to be keeping me pretty busy this year.

Happy Birthday Graydon!

Dear Graydon,

I saw your sweet face for the first time two years ago today.  When I close my eyes, I can still see you.  Brand new.  All wrapped up.  Here.  In my arms.  One of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.  Our early days were a little rough.  You cried.  A LOT!  But I couldn't help but love you so much.  You taught me such a great lesson in unconditional love. 

As the months went on, things got easier.  You smiled more.  Laughed more.  Learned more.  Soon you were scooting around and exploring things on your own.  That's when things really started to get fun for you.  Before we knew it, your first birthday was here.  You took your first steps and you've been on the go ever since.

Over this past year, you have really transformed from a baby to a little boy.  You became a big brother!  Your vocabulary is growing everyday.  You are playing (and fighting) with your sister.  You have the best laugh (and loudest scream) that I have ever heard!  When it's time for nap or bed, you won't let us put you down without reading some of your favorite books (The Foot Book, Off to the Park, The Lullabible).  You like to watch Baby Einstein and Praise Baby videos.  Some of your favorite foods are cheese, goldfish crackers, apples, and chocolate milk.  You love to play with cars, balls, blocks, and puzzles and (often at the same time, creating quite the mess).

Some of my favorite times with you are still snuggling just before putting you to bed.  You often fall asleep in my arms while I sing to you.  I don't know how long this will last, but I will savor it while it does.

You are two today!  Hip hip hooray!  You are growing into such a sweet little boy.  I pray that you catch even a glimpse of how loved you are by so many.

Happy Birthday Graydon!

Love,
Mommy

"Saucy"

Translation:  "Sorry"

And what does this innocent-looking boy have to be sorry about?

Take a look. . .

This was the first of three murals that he created in our kitchen that day.  I guess he didn't learn his lesson. 

Or maybe I didn't learn mine.   

Don't be too grossed out. . .

. . . it's only peanut butter.  :)

8 years of marriage, 3 months of life

Two days ago, we celebrated our eighth anniversary.  (A sneaky little lady made her way into our photo). Some friends from church came to watch all three kids which allowed us to go out for a nice dinner. We talked, over coffee, about our eight years and all that we've been through together. It's been a great ride and we're looking forward to more of it!

On the same day as our anniversary, this young boy turned three months old!  He giggled at me for the first time today.  I just love being his mommy.  

(Please try to ignore the fact that he just spit up all over himself.)

This blog has been hijacked!

It's Graydon here.

Figured I'd take over the blog for a bit. Bella had a whole post devoted to her going to school. Curtis had a post about his doctor appointment. What about me? As the middle kid in this family, I have to do what I can to make sure I get noticed around here. If that includes posting a picture of myself in nothing but a diaper, then so be it.

If you like photos of me then you're in for a treat.

Here's another of me in a diaper. My mom is a real slacker when it comes to keeping me dressed.

If there was sound to this picture, you'd be hearing "hoe-ee". (Translation: "Hold me")

I think it's pretty cool having a little brother. I did go through a phase when I liked to hit him a lot, but I don't do that as much anymore. I know my mom loves it when she catches me doing this.This is what I do when Mom tells me to smile for a picture.Can't make it too easy for her.

Of course, here and there she does catch me in my happy moments.

I'm out of photos now, but I'll be back with more if I think this blog needs another dose of Graydon.

Graydon's new skill. . .

is not one that I'm enjoying so much.

Graydon has learned the art of climbing.

If it was just on chairs like both of these photographs, it wouldn't be a big deal. But he is climbing on the toy box and coffee table. I caught him crawling across the back rest of the couch - kind of like a cat would. And after I snapped the photo below, he stood up on the chair and tried to make his way onto the table - which he would have done had I not foiled his attempt.
No, I do not like this new skill. Not one bit.

On a recent trip to the grocery store. . .

Graydon was the perfect angel while he sat in the wagon, smiling and saying, "Hiiieeeee" to each person we passed.He didn't give just any smile, but his cheesy grin complete with squinted eyes and all of his top teeth on display. I absolutely need to get a photo of it at some point.

For now, here's a close-up of his sweet face.

Messy!!!

Graydon
loves

spaghetti

night!

Can you tell?

He awakens from his sleep

. . . and waits.

Sometimes he talkes to himself in there. Sometimes he is silent. I suspect that he is awake for much longer than I realize. I wonder what goes on during those moments between Graydon waking up and me coming to get him. It's not like I try to leave him in there for a long time. . . it's just that it's not always obvious exactly when he wakes up.

At 9:15 this morning, I was surprised that Graydon could still be asleep. His day usually starts somewhere around 7:30-8:00am. I quietly peeked in his room to check on him and there he sat. . .

in his crib
paci in mouth
holding his blanket
completely content.

As soon as I enter, he perks up and greets me. I try to discern his jibber jabber which is even less discernable as it's muffled by the paci. I just assume he is telling me all about his dreams and we "talk" about that for a little bit.

Before long I am chasing him around the room, trying to change his diaper.

This little guy baffles me. Never would I have pegged him as a happy riser who patiently entertained himself while waiting for Mommy to come get him. He was not that kind of baby.

But he's come a long way.

15 months old!

I love this age - this in-between time when I can embrace Graydon as my baby and my big-boy-in-the-making. He is very much my baby when we snuggle together and rock before sleep times. I treasure when he uses my shoulder for a pillow and drifts off to sleep. I could put him down, but I don’t. Not for a while anyway. These are moments that I will absolutely miss.

I know it.

Then there are those moments when he is very much my big boy. Like at meals, for example. He’s got molars. . . and he wants to use ’em! How did he let me know this? Simple. By throwing the cut-up pieces to the floor and then whining for the food on my plate. I watched him eat a full slice of pear and what-do-ya-know. . . he bit off little pieces and chewed them up. Yes. He is ready. We know he's finished when he starts throwing food again or he fanatically waves his arms around, signing "all done". His signing and verbal vocabulary are both growing. In addition to 'all done', he signs 'milk', 'thank you', 'baby', and 'please'. I've got to say that the 'please' one is hard to resist. As soon as his chubby fingers start circling over his chest, I pretty much give in to whatever he requests.

I'll get stronger. Eventually.

There's a mischevious side to this little man. He's at the beginning stages of discerning right from wrong. At least some times. I'll be watching him and he'll, let's say, reach for an outlet. But before actually touching it. . . He stops. Looks at me. And waits - at least for a moment. What is Mom's reaction going to be? Will it be the same as last time? Yes, Graydon - my reaction is still the same. And, no - you can't play with the outlet.Does that always stop him? Not a chance.

I suppose listening skills come later.
He's definitely got the patience of a one-year-old. And by that. . . I mean that he has none.

It's hard to wait for Mommy to hold him when she's cooking dinner over a hot stove. It really stinks when he has to wait for us to get him out of the high chair. And, it's no fun to take turns with big sister when playing with Daddy (which is what's going on in this photo).
But he's gotten so good at entertaining himself. I really think our lives all changed around here when Graydon became mobile. He was suddenly much more content. He revels is his increased independence and this whole world (or at least, house) all around him that is waiting to be discovered.

I must admit that this joy is as much mine as it is his.When crawling turned to walking and walking turned to running, my ability to photograph this kid took an all-time low. Which is why this is the only photo I have of him smiling and looking at the camera.If you could see below where the photo cuts off, you'd see that I have him pinned down while my foot tickles him.

You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Graydon is 15 months old now. In three months, we'll call him an official Big Brother.

Big Brother - such a "big boy" thing to be.

But I have no plans to stop calling him My Baby Boy any time soon.