drew's 9mo pics

I can't believe our baby boy is 9 months already (well, 10 now)! I'm not sure what I would do without this little man in my life. He completes us. Here are some of my favorites pictures from his 9 month session.

huge thanks to jocelyn k brown photography for the beautiful images :)

gymnastics

Grady goes to gymnastics class at 'The Little Gym' in Everett each week. Its a parent-toddler class and isn't too structured at this age, so he has a lot of fun there.

We start the class each week with shakers (kind of like maracas?), which are his absolute faaaaavorite. (We were a little late one day and he started bawling when he ran in and they were just putting them away :( oops. Taught me to never be late again).

After shakers, we spend some time running in circles to music, doing different things (depending on what the theme of the week is). Then they get about 20 minutes to explore on their own - playing on the bars, rings, balance beam, wedges, etc. However, Grady mostly just runs around, jumping on the mats and spring boards, and occasionally will do a walk across the balance beam. Still not a fan of the bars or any type of structured skill. So stubborn. This is why it's good this class is more for fun than actually learning gymnastics skills - trying to get Grady to do anything you actually want him to do, doesn't work so well :)

None-the-less, he is wearing off some energy... and watching him jump around, yell, and squeal with a smile from ear-to-ear, makes me so happy.

This week I wasn't able to get off of work to go to our usual class, so we had a makeup the following day. It was a different teacher and Grady didn't like her as much. He really likes his other teacher, Brittany, and seems to really look up to her. She can get him to try things I sure can't. She has got him to do the skill of the week two weeks in a row now - amazing.

I tried to take some pictures today. Didn't work out as well as planned. Turns out Grady hates the camera (I think he is jealous of it-takes away mom's 100% attention). So, he spent most of the class running away from the camera - most of the pics are quite out of focus.

my favorite - love his smile :)

it's more fun to play WITH the equipment, than ON it

rolling down the wedge

the only thing I could get him to go on today and it lasted about 5 seconds... normally the beam is one of his favorites

Grady waits all morning watching for teacher to go to the closet to pull out the bucket of balls. We end each class with balls, then bubbles - more favorites.

He must have got knocked down by someone - such a disgusted look on his face - so dramatic.

future basketball player

yay bubbles! ...and making new friends :)

my boys

I am so blessed...

...to have these three in my life.

love, love, LOVE them

the power of m&m's

It took over an hour this morning to get grady to eat half a waffle and half of an infant-sized fruit smoothie. Eventually "two more bites, then you can ____ " had exhausted all its power.

...for me that is.

By 7am, Grady had still not eaten his breakfast and is standing next to the kitchen counter trying to turn the crank on his m&m machine, saying

"m's, m's"! After I firmly say NO to that, he quickly follows up with...

"two mo?!"

Such a smarty pants.

Yes, I gave in to the two more :)

today

I realized today that we spend very little time playing in Drew's room during the day. Most of the toys have managed to find their way downstairs - which I hate. Our family room has become a large collection of toys (aka clutter). So this afternoon we hung out in Drew's room for awhile (change of scenery...and great natural light ;) . Turns out, Drew really enjoys his crib - a lot - even while awake. And Grady loves the rocking chair - and mommy's phone - mostly mommy's phone ;)

Peek-A-Boo!

playing 'angry birds' - I think he's better than me

I see you!

Drew and Lambie - BFFs

counting cars

I think Grady has known his numbers 1-10 since as long as he could mumble the words, so over the last couple months we have been counting up to 20. Sometimes he does really well and can get each number perfect, but more often than not, he misses a number or two along the way and makes up his own number sequence. His favorite numbers vary daily, but today, I think 17 is the winner.

:) Alway making me smile...

days off

Between being a wife, a mom, and working three 12 hr days a week, I generally stay very busy. Work is sometimes a good mental break from the day to day stuff at home - laundry, cook, clean, and often times, whiny boys. But, when I am at work, all I am doing is thinking about those whiny boys and missing them like crazy. So, I again look forward to my days off with them. We usually don't spend them doing anything too exciting, but manage to stay entertained anyway.

We had another decent day this week (weather-wise), and were able to spend a little more time outside at the park and riding bikes. Grady never minds if it's raining or snowing, but I sure do. We are all looking forward to summer.

This week I also took Grady to get enrolled in preschool - yay! While I was registering him, a lady took him back to one of the classrooms to play. Grady grabbed her hand and happily walked away with her, not even looking back at me! They played with little rubber cars, trucks, planes, and busses of all different colors. Grady lined them up, counting them, naming them, and saying all the right colors. The teacher was very impressed, saying she can't believe how smart he is and this is why he never sleeps-his brain never shuts off (I had mentioned he may be a little cranky since he had been up since 4:15 that morning). Anyway, I was very happy to see how much he enjoyed himself - I think he will do well and really enjoy preschool this fall. Even though it is only twice a week, it will be a good break from the everyday routine (with a little added structure as well) and good to spend more time around other kids and adults.

After preschool enrollment we had a play date with one of my coworkers little boys at their house. Grady really enjoyed that. So many new toys to play with! Drew just hung out in the middle of all the ruckus , mellow as usual, and chewed on all the toys.

Yesterday, Grady enjoyed his weekly gymnastics class and seems to do better each week. Even though it is still a parent-toddler class, he is learning to listen to his teacher more, interacting with the other kids more, using manners, sharing, and is trying new things each day. I looked at him this week (as he was making shapes of the letters of the alphabet with his body) and realized what a proud mama I am :)

Today is raining...again... so we have been entertaining ourselves indoors again. After spending 15 minutes racing Grady's remote control lightening mcqueen car around the kitchen island and watching him chase after it, saying "again, again!" (and Drew squealing and laughing hysterically as he watched), we watched some cartoons, played with cars & trains, and painted pictures for daddy. Now is nap time, and it is quiet :)

After a busy week, back to work tomorrow... blah.

playing outside

grady has a disgusted look on his face after he realizes his truck (that he is much to big for right now anyway) won't drive on the grass

all tuckered out after gymnastics class...fell asleep with chicken nuggets in hand.

painting pictures

drew's new do - compliments of auntie kristin ;)

mohawk boy

tired boy taking a break to snuggle with his auntie

playing with rc lightening mcqueen