WHAT A FUN GUY

I tell ya, life just keeps getting better with our little guy. Grayson continues to grow way too fast, but boy has he turned into a character. He keeps us laughing all the time and continues to make friends every time we are out.

Mr. Personality continues to enjoy greeting any and everyone. There are now several cashiers at Target who know him by name. Now, I will admit that living right at Target means we go there way too often. However, most of you would agree that if you ran out of a necessity or if you forgot something you needed for your dinner recipe then I am sure you would run right up to that Super Target and shop away. At any rate, Grayson has several friends there and makes new ones each time we go.

He is now saying lots of cute little words. His favorite this week is "uh-oh". Since he completely understands what it means, he finds it rather amusing to drop something on the floor just so that he can say uh-oh. He is also using "ma-ma" (occasionally "mommy" which melts my heart) and "da-da" in many funny ways these days. Just last week he called down to us during our small group bible study. The kiddos stay upstairs with Aunt Meg and are blocked from joining our study by the baby gate at the top of the stairs. Grayson decided he wanted to join our party and went to the baby gate first calling "MAAAA?!?!?". When he didn't get an answer he called out "DAAAAAAAAAAA?!?!?!?" Fortunately he could not see us laughing. We wouldn't want to teach him that his inappropriate interruptions are funny. Grayson, being the friendly guy he is, also likes to say hi. We have heard other words here and there (fish, car, shoe, stop, all done, and go) but he isn't using these words regularly yet.

Grayson's favorite summer activity is the pool. We most often go to the Spray Ground and Kiddie Pool at one of the local parks. At that kiddie pool he can stand holding onto the side. He loves to creep along the side playing with any toy in his reach. We have also been over to friend's pools (thanks Matt and Kelly for our most recent outing). There Grayson likes to sit on the side with his feet in the water, be carried by mommy and daddy, or float in his baby float.

I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Grayson this summer. I am enjoying every minute of teaching him, taking him to play with friends, and watching him grow into a little boy.

Just today we went out to his picnic table to color. It was his first real experience with crayons and he did a wonderful job. Can you tell I am proud? Not only is he an artist in this since, but I am convinced he has amazing musical talents. Grayson can dance like no other and he is always right on beat! He also loves to sing. He often serenades us in the car and, without modesty, claps wildly for himself when he is finished. What a star!!!

Again, things continue to be amazing with our little guy. He is so much fun. At least once every day he has us in absolute stitches. It doesn't get any better than that.

OVER-DUE

I know that I have been lazy lately about keeping these postings current so this will be a long one. We have been very busy and it seems to be staying that way. Obviously there have been a lot of changes and new developments with our little fella.

Grayson had a weight check at the doctor's office last week. He is still only 18 pounds, 10 ounces, but the doctor was happy to see that he is staying on his growth curve. He has gotten a lot taller and that seemed to have happened overnight. On Sunday, May 17th, we were in Wade for our twin's burial. Grayson took a little truck he likes to stand behind and push around. It has a seat, but he was too short at that time to sit on it and push himself around because his feet were far from reaching the floor. Literally 2 weeks later his feet were easily touching the floor and he had learned to push himself around. We thought he seemed to be getting taller, but where shocked at how much he had grown so quickly.

Grayson isn't walking yet. He will walk around all day holding your hand, but as soon as you let go he sits down on his little bottom. During our visit to the doctor we were told that he is completely capable and able to walk, he is just a little afraid. AWWWWWWW! The doctor also stated that she was "fine" with him not walking until after his 15-month appointment because she is hoping he will still be maintaining his growth curve at that appointment. Walking may mean he moves more, burns more calories, and possibly trims down some. He can't afford any trimming down.

Grayson continues to have a million hilarious expressions and amazes us every day with his many talents. He can blow his nose like a big boy. He has actually been able to do that for a while now, but that is something that regularly impresses people who see him do it. He can climb all the way up the stairs with no help, but still tries to come down headfirst. He is saying ball, cup, dog, yes, uh-oh, mama, and dada. Actually he thinks all animals are dogs and makes a very cute bark noise when he sees or hears them. Any time he hears a lawn mower he says, “da?” because watching Justin mow the lawn is one of his favorite things to do. If he is mad about not getting to do something or doesn't want something he scrunches his nose. He also has an adorable surprised expression that I have yet to be able to get on camera.

Grayson has developed lots of favorites. He loves to eat spaghetti and even literally licked his bowl clean the last time he had some for dinner. That, I was able to get on camera. His favorite toy, by far, is a ball. That is pretty much what he does most of the day. He throws the ball and then crawls after it. He has an amazing arm and we are starting to think we may have a future Quarterback on our hands. Besides his ball, he really likes books and his bear. He has been sleeping with his bear blanket since birth, but only recently did he seem to really become attached to it. For the first time last week he handed it to me after nap and pointed to the door. I assumed he meant he wanted to take the bear downstairs. When I picked him up he took the bear from my hand, kissed it, put it under his arm, and pointed to the door. THAT was a priceless moment. Grayson loves dancing and music. He has even developed a bit of a preference for pop music, which is kind of bizarre. If you sing, he will try to sing with you and in the car he tries to sing along with the radio. Grayson loves to be outside and will stay in his sand box FOREVER. He still loves to be on the go and is quick to get cabin fever if mommy keeps him at home too much.

Justin and I are enjoying ever minute of our little guy. We have been blessed to have Justin's sister, Megan, staying with us for the summer. She offered her help when I was first put on bed rest. At that same time it turned out that I needed some help in my office too. Since Megan is a speech pathology student, that was a great opportunity for a summer job. It was decided then that, regardless of the outcome of my pregnancy, she would come live with us for the summer to work at my office part-time and help me at home part-time. Since I am no longer unable to take care of myself, having her around has enabled us to take Grayson out of daycare for the summer. Megan is in the office three days per week while I get to stay home with Grayson, and I go into the office the other two days while she takes care of Grayson. I am still doing full-time work, which can be a challenge to get done with only two days in the office and three days at home trying to work and be a mommy, but I wouldn't trade this time for the world. It has been an AMAZING blessing to have Megan in our house and at my office. My days are a little hectic with Grayson, but being able to be with him so much more has helped me deal with the loss of our baby girls. He is great to love on just when I need those good hugs.

Speaking of our little angels, Faith and Avery, there is hardly a moment that passes that they aren't far from my thoughts and in most moments I am thinking of them. I mentioned earlier that we had a burial for them on the 17th of May. It was just a short service for us and some of our family. Our very dear friend, Bryce, led the service and did an amazing job despite the hurricane-like rain and wind. Peyton, Grayson's little cousin, brought two balloons for Grayson to release in memory of his little sisters. It was so sweet to watch them float up into the clouds and out of sight. We are doing well given the circumstances. There are moments that seem unbearable and there are days that I can think of them and smile, which is something I prayed for. For a while it seemed I would never be able to think of them without crying.

I have gotten back the results of all of the tests that the hospital did and everything came back negative. That news was a little difficult because when you lose something, "why" is the question you want answered. We will likely not get that answer during this lifetime and that has been a little hard to accept. My OB-GYN wants to do one more test in the next couple of months just to make sure EVERYTHING has been checked and we can rule out all possible causes that might impact any future pregnancies.

Justin and I are both staying busy at work, which is a blessing in this economy. The rest of our summer looks pretty busy with lots of fun things to do with Grayson, family, and friends. Every event and activity reminds us of just how blessed we are and what a wonderful life we have as crazy as it may be at times.