Graham is 1

How in the world can my baby boy be one already?!  This little man is just the sweetest thing ever!  I know I have said it a million times, but Graham has the cutest personality.  He is just a ball of energy and is on the go 24/7.  I am guessing he is around 23 lbs and 30 inches tall.  We go for his 1 year visit on the 13th so I will try to remember to update his stats.  Unfortunately, Graham had his first ear infection earlier this month and along with it came snotty nose and slight cough.  At the doctor's office he weighed 22.7, so we will see how much he has grown in a couple of weeks. 

Graham LOVES to eat!  He will eat anything you put in front of him and it is impossible to eat in front of him without him going crazy for what we have.  He is still drinking 5, 5oz bottles a day and 99% of the time now he sucks them down without any problem.  Graham typically has yogurt for breakfast when he is home and at school he eats whatever the big kids are eating now for all of the meals.  Some of his favorite foods are turkey lunch meat, green beans and he loves all fruit.  He also loves chicken and even had his first taste of Chick-fil-a this month.  I am sure I will be buying him a 4 piece kids meal the next time we are there.  Graham has tried juice and milk.  He didn't really like juice, which we kind of did this on purpose because Reed was addicted to juice by one and still his.  We have to force him to drink water and Graham loves water and has it with every meal.  We think it is so cute to watch him eat and eat and eat and then stop to take a drink like a big kid already.  When he tried milk it didn't really phase him, so hopefully it will be a smooth transition off formula.

Graham still doesn't really have a favorite toy or a favorite item.  He does LOVE his paci and I scared to death to take it away.  His favorites right now are getting into the cabinets and Gracie's dog bowl. He loves Gracie and besides Ma-Ma and Da-da, doggy was his first word. He even understands, "Where is the doggy?" He drives her crazy laying on her and pulling on her tail and ears, but she puts up with him and secretly I know she loves the attention.  He also loves playing with the big storage containers we keep Gracie's food in and last weekend he even got to the scoop in the container and carried food to Gracie's bowl and dumped it.  He is really starting to mimic what we do.  Another funny thing he did was after he was watching me console Reed after he got hurt, Graham walked up and started patting and rubbing him on the back like I was doing. 

Graham is sleeping much better. We had a little rough period when he was sick, but other than that week we have had almost all 11 hour nights.  Graham usually goes to bed around 7:30 to 8 and wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30.  He is starting to prefer to be rocked facing out instead of cuddling into your chest (yes he is still rocked to sleep at night and all naps when he is home).  He still prefers to sleep on his stomach though.  Graham is still mostly taking 2 naps when he is home and one long nap at school, usually at least 2 hours.  At school he is so exhausted I think they just lay him down and pat his back to go to sleep.  We know they pat his back because we have learned that if he wakes up sometimes we can just pat him back to sleep. 

Well, walking is old news for Graham, in fact I almost for got to mention it because he is basically up to running any where he wants to go.  He also loves to dance.  I have some of the cutest videos of him bouncing to the music.  Graham's 5th tooth, on the top left just broke through last week and the one on the right side is so close.  Two more on the bottom are also very close.  Just in the last couple of days his teeth really seem to be bothering him.

Graham is wearing all 12 month clothes, size 4 diaper and size 4 or 5 shoe.  Graham had his 5th haircut this month and sat in the chair all by himself.  Graham adores his big brother and Reed loves him maybe even more.  Reed tells me all the time, "I love my baby brother!"  Melts my heart!  He also says, "He's so cuuttee!"  It really is the sweetest thing.  It is so fun to see them play together and make each other laugh.  Graham still loves bath time and has even laid on his stomach and put his face in the water a couple of times and the splashing can get out of control sometimes.

 

Graham is definitely all boy!  These pictures were almost impossible because he can move so fast!  I am just overwhelmed with how fast this year as flown by.  We have been so blessed with such a happy, healthy baby boy and I thanked God for him every single day! 

All 12 months of Graham!

Reed & Graham both at one year!  I just can't believe these 2 precious boys are mine!  So different and adorable in their own ways!

My Baby Boy is One!

I just can't believe my baby boy is one.  On one hand today I have felt a sense of "we made it" and on the other hand I feel so much sadness because my baby boy is growing up!  Deep down I know only the best is yet to come, but sometimes I wish I could just bottle up the first year with both boys and just go back in time and relive all the precious moments!  I just can't quit thinking about one year ago today having that sweet, sweet itty bitty baby curled up on my chest fast asleep.  I never want to forget that feeling!


Dear Graham,

      What a year it has been!  You have been such a blessing to our family, more than we could have ever imagined!  From the second you were born you have been my little cuddle bug and I have loved every second.  While I was pregnant I remember wondering what you would look like and I always thought you and your brother would look a lot a like, but I was so wrong.  The two of you are almost polar opposites in everything you do and how you look and it has made this year even more fun (except for maybe your sleeping habits)!  You have been our little guy, but you are quickly catching up!  You love to eat and will eat anything we put in front of you.  You have the cutest big eyes and adorable curly hair that just won't stop growing.  You are constantly on the move and into everything! You have the sweetest little personality and just loved to be loved on.  Graham, I have felt a love I never thought possible by having you.  My love for you and your brother just goes beyond what I could ever imagine.  I just can't get enough of you and could kiss those sweet cheeks all day.  I love you too the moon and back and I thank God every day for your precious little life.  As much as I want you to be my little curly headed baby forever, I can't wait to see what big plans God has in store for your life.  Always know that your Daddy and I love you more than anything!

I love you so much baby Graham!

Love,

Mommy 

Halloween Night

 Before we headed out for a night of Trick-or-Treating my Mom came over to bring some Halloween goodies and we attempted a few pictures of her with the boys.

We manage to get a few cute ones out of the 100 we took!

This is the little bucket of candy Reed got from Gran and there were stickers to decorate it, we couldn't leave until every sticker was on the bucket.

Just a few more...the best we got with both of them.

The Hines Family invited us over to ride on a trailer around the neighborhood.  This is Reed and Montgomery they go to school and church together and even share the same birthday.  They are best buddies!

And it looks like Graham and Justice, Montgomery's little brother will be best buddies before you know it.  Justice was being so sweet playing with Graham. 

And he wouldn't stop hugging him....so sweet!

Once the kiddos played a little in the house we were off to get on the trailer.  

Reed & Montgomery before we took off.  There were so many kids all of the parents just walked along the side. 

The kids had a blast running from house to house and then jumping back on the trailer to ride a few more feet down the road and then jump off again. 

Reed is asking this lady for a different piece of candy!  At the first few houses he was trying to be picky but he quickly learned that to keep up he just needed to grab and go!

Being picky again....

Graham & Daddy hanging out watching all the chaos!

The boys and their loot....way to much!!

The holidays get more and more fun every year!  Reed was really into Halloween this year and it was so fun seeing Graham walk around every where in his little costume!  I can only imagine how fun next year will be!



NLC Fall Festival

We had a great time at NLC Fall Festival this year!  It was little chilly and the wind was brutal but we made the best of it.

Family Shot! 

Graham & Aunt Amy

There was a fire truck in the parking lot and we thought for sure Reed would be so excited, but he was scared and wouldn't get in the truck until we put Graham in there and then he climbed right in.

Finally excited to be driving the truck

This is how Graham spent most of the night because it was so cold.

Reed playing a few games and getting lots of candy!



Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures but we had a great night and we are so blessed to call New Life our church home.

Halloween Fun!

The weekend before Halloween, Maumelle had several events in town to celebrate.  This year with Reed being a little older I decided we would at least try everything out at least once.  I am so glad we did because Reed had a blast.  Josh was gone hunting, so Gigi came and we had a fun night together. 

Before we left I tried my best to get a few pictures of the boys in their costumes. 

Reed the police officer

With his prisoner, Graham!

Serious faces

Our first stop was at Lake Willastein where they were having a balloon festival.  Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got because I left the camera in the car and it got dark 10 minutes after we got there.  I captured this one of Reed with my phone before the sun went down.  It was really neat seeing all of the balloons up close, but it was FREEZING cold so we didn't stay long.

Our next stop was the Community Center where they were having a fall carnival.  We almost didn't go in because the parking lot was empty and it just didn't look like there was much going on, but I talked myself into just trying it and it was so much fun for the boys.

Can you tell they were just ready to go?

Graham & Gigi

I am so thankful Gigi came along, because this is all Graham did all night....run everywhere! (Sorry, for the horrible quality, I am being lazy and not editing any of these pictures).

Run away prisoner....

Reed's favorite part was the huge jump house and Graham LOVED bouncing on the side. 

Reed would have stayed in here all night, he basically had it to himself and he loved it.

We finally pulled Reed away from the bounce house to play a few games.

This game was so cute and simple, it was just a peg board with suckers sticking out of it.  Each child got a turn pulling a sucker out and if the end of the sucker was painted black you got an additional prize.  It was so funny because of course Reed went first and got a white stick and then Graham walked right up and pulled a black one.  It was so cute and so funny at the same time!  Of course Reed was elated because he got the extra prize and Graham was just off to the next thing he could get into.

Graham made a friend!  This guy was taking tickets for the bounce house and Graham would NOT stay out of his lap.  He kept trying to put him down and Graham would just turn around and hold his hands in the air until he picked him up again.  It was too cute!  This was the only time he was still all night! :)

Cutest baby prisoner ever (everyone loved his tattoos)!

Reed's second favorite part of the night....candy and more candy!

Trying out the BIG basketball game.

Graham still running!

We had a great night and hopefully we can make this a tradition every year!