A letter to Graham.

Sweet little boy, you are one year old today! I remember that day in its entirety.  Being anxious for delivery, nervous how we would be as a family of four but mostly emotional about seeing your face for the first time.  I knew you so intimately as you grew inside me.  Your kicks, your hiccups, your turns...but I was desperate to know your face, the spaces between your toes and your tiny earlobes.  I wanted to touch and love every part of you.

Our wish came true quickly as my labor pains started at 8:30am, although inconsistent and mild they came in full force at 10:45am and you arrived just a few short hours later at 5:36pm.  And you arrived in style...a full 9lbs 3oz!

Since that day you grew from a grumpy little guy to literally the happiest baby anyone has seen. Can I tell you how proud I am when I get asked (and I get asked this almost every day), "Is he always this happy?" or "You really have the happiest children I have ever seen".  I'd like to think we played a small part in all this happiness but I'm pretty sure God sent you both to us for a reason...to make us happier people.  And by God, we are.

So many things await you during this upcoming year.  You will become a walking, talking, independent little boy with so much to explore.  Every day you amaze us and every day we fall deeper in love with you.

Never stop exploring, questioning, loving, smiling and laughing.  I said in a post to Anna on her 2nd birthday that when she was born "I became a new person.  I became your mom.  And I became me."   Anna made me a mother first but you filled my heart beyond capacity.

we love you Graham!

Mom & Dad.

Mother's Day

Even before I was a mom, I loved Mother's Day.  When we were growing up, I remember thinking about what we would get mom (either collectively or individually).  Giving her flowers, cards and treating her to "mom" things.  Now, I am a mom myself....of two beautiful beings.  So this "holiday" becomes a little different...I have more "moms" in my life and I want to celebrate all of them.

First, though...I must give all credit to my sweet Mom.  I always knew she was great...but now having two kids, I am amazed how she raised all three of us with grace, love and what seemed like greatest of ease.  And I am pretty sure we were the equivalent of a circus.  I know she had a good sidekick in my Dad, for sure, but she was able to be our mom for all those years and then have a seamless transition into being my best friend.  When it happened, I am not sure, but I am forever grateful for the mother she was, is and will continue to be.

So how was my mother's day?  Pretty great.  I got to sleep in, enjoy my family and even have a little "me" time for exercise.  I got a beautiful pendant necklace with each child's name hand stamped into metal, a book I have been coveting from Kelle Hampton and a beautiful hand written card.  And a chorus of "Happy Mother's Day!" from sweet Anna.

I have to thank my husband for helping me become a mom (I certainly couldn't do it without him...well, I guess I could...Ah, I digress, you get my point).  And for my two babies that make me the mom I am.  I only hope I can do them justice.

Sweet Anna.  10/18/09

"Little" Graham. 5/23/11

Edited to add:  OFFICIAL 12 month stats!  23lb 1oz (50%) and 31 1/4 inches long (95%)!

A grown up.

Apparently Anna is no longer a toddler but a full on child.  I can't tell you the surprise in my face over the things she talks to me about.  It is like having a conversation with an adult. Seriously.

Her favorite thing to do at night after stories is "talk".  John started this with her and I love it.  We talk about school, her friends, family, the puppies, toys...you name it, we talk about it.  I promise to bring in a secret video recorder soon because someone else must witness this 2 1/2 year old awesomeness.

We are hoping her verbal skills buy her a spot in the 3 year old class come fall.  Pretty sure she is a shoo-in.  Also, she has everyone at her school wrapped around her little fingers...that can't hurt, right?

11 months

Why is it that the ONE year mark is such a big deal?  We count down to that day and then can't believe a full year has gone by.

I realized why.  It's almost impossible to realize a little tiny human that has changed you profoundly has only been in your life for one year.  It's unfathomable.

Whew...thank goodness Graham is only 11 months old and I have one more month to enjoy calling him my baby.

So little man is 11 months old.  Here he is in a nutshell...

5 teeth with more on the way; drinks only whole milk (yay! no more bottles and formula!); loves to snuggle; sleeps 12 hours at night plus two naps during the day; LOVES all dogs; still loves to pull hair (not fond of this one); when he recognizes your face, his whole world lightens up; looks more like his daddy every day; super tall and super skinny!!; Still fits in 12 month clothes but most items are 18 month; loves his mother's morning out teacher, Lacey; adores his sister; pretty sure his first word was "A-dee" aka Abbie (yep, you guessed it, our dog); super curious and wants to explore everything; loves storytime at night; sassy (pacifier) addict; basically a ball of smiles!

always crosses his feet.  i adore this.

laughter explosion!

It's up to YOU...

NEW YORK, NEEEWWW YOOORRRKKK!!

(are you high kickin' yet?!?)

We counted and realized this was our 5th trip together to NYC.  Ya think we like it?  Broadway shows, strolling in the Park, great food and just a chance to spend a weekend as New Yorkers. Both of us have always had a yearning to move the big city but neither made the leap or had the opportunity.  I think I learn with each trip, that a trip is almost as great.

View from the Brooklyn Bridge

This was our first vacation just the two of us since before Graham was born and we needed a little "us" time. We had friends that were unable to go with us and others schedules that just couldn't coordinate...and we can't lie, we were bummed.  But once we arrived, I think we were glad it was just us.  (mainly because we wanted to sleep alot...)

We were determined to just relax and not walk the entire island like we tend to do and I think we accomplished this.  We took a casual stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge (a first!), ate long lunches, beers at 3pm and 11:30pm dinners.  When you have to live day to day by a schedule, any variation is wanted.

Brooklyn Bridge

Our favorite little noodle shop.  Perfect on a cold night.

Even though it was pretty chilly the entire weekend, the tulips were in full bloom and absolutely beautiful.

We saw Rock of Ages and it was really, really fantastic.  Highly recommend...especially if you love 80's hair bands.  And we all know John and I do.  A lot. 

Central Park on a warm Sunday afternoon while nursing a hangover?  Yes, please.

Lighting a candle for our babies.

I admit it fully.  I love New York style pizza.  I mean, seriously...I wanted it for almost every meal.  Deeee-licious. (as Anna would say).

It was a wonderful trip but we were definitely ready to see our babies.  We are thankful that John's parents braved the sitting duties for all five days total.  They definitely needed the vacation after that.

10 months...and a life update.

You might can tell the state of our lives right now when I just realized my last post was about Graham turning 9 months old.  Whoops.  I promise to do better!

10 months.  2 more months until he is one year old.  ONE YEAR OLD?!?!  How is this possible??  Well, I understand logistically...but mentally, I just can't believe it.

Little man thinks he is big news bears lately.  He has three teeth (two bottom and one top) with the other top and two more on the bottom about to poke through.  He pulls up on everything, cruises between people/furniture/dogs/sister like a pro, walks behind his walker and waves and gives high-fives with the best of them!  Those teeth coming in have made him a little extra clingy but this momma doesn't care.

He is really big into books right now.  As soon as we sit in the rocker and grab "Mr. Brown can Moo can you?", he explodes into a fit of giggles and smiles with each sound and then turns the pages for us.  He likes to sit in the playroom and just flip pages of whatever book is nearby.  We love that our children devour books like others take down a piece of cake.

He wears 12 & 18 month clothes although they are a bit baggy around the waist.  He is SUPER tall but quite lean.  It's so different than our little chunk Anna at this age.  He is still the happiest baby on the planet and everyone we meet agrees.  I love when I pick him up from school or church and he just goes bizerk...arms flailing, mouth in a wide grin, legs kicking...pure happiness.  I adore it.



As for the rest of us, this has been a really crazy month.  John has some changes at his office which are for the better, although a little difficult to sort through.  We both feel like his career is about to jump 20 leaps forward, so it is VERY exciting.  Be on the look out for some new branding for him.  I have been doing some contract work for an old employer, which has been really, really great.  Seeing old friends and having some face to face time with adults has been really wonderful.  Most of my client interaction is through phone calls and emails!  But with working downtown most of the day, I have really had to step up my game.  Packing lunches the night before, laying out clothes are a must.  The house is a disaster, but well, we are all alive and fed.

I can officially say that all 40 baby pounds are gone...and now an additional couple more as well!  Since January 1 I have lost about 10 inches from my body in total.  Thank you running and Body Pump!

John and I are headed to NYC for our anniversary the first weekend in April.  Hopefully we can catch up, sleep and just relax in one of our favorite places.

Official stats.

Graham had his 9 month well visit last Friday and here are the official stats:

22lbs 5 oz (80%)
30.25 inches long (>97%)

He has an ear infection (which I didn't even know he was sick!) but other than that the kid is great!  We are pretty much off all pureed foods too...so much easier at meal time now!


As for me...I am .6 away from losing all baby weight!!!  That is a grand total of 40lbs.  I lost about 18lbs immediately but the rest have been a little work and slow to come off. I am making a big push to get out of a specific range of 10 into a smaller range of 10 (like the vagueness here?) by Friday.  Body pump and bike yesterday, today...watch calories.  :)

Then an additional 10 (or 15) after this goal.  Next goal is set for our anniversary of April 1 for our trip.  I like small goals of a pound or two.  Keeps me going and moving forward.