Dump

I have not done a iPhone dumb, in probably 6 months at least.  I synced my phone and learned how to get photo's here without emailing them to myself ( I know, I behind the times) so hopefully I'll be able to do these more frequently.  Some of these are really old.  Like from the summer.  I obviously didn't do all the months, but picked some of my favorites. 

He convinced me to go to the park!

He always wants to sleep with the strangest things

I was happy that I have skinny kids so they could both fit in the cart!

Boppy Head

Making him work for his dinner ( not really of course)

Dylan was teaching him the playground ropes

Couch potato

Silly boy entertaining himself at a wedding reception!

pure joy costs 50 cents.

I have so many posts I need to do.  So expect a bunch in the next week or so!  We've been busy!

Yummies

So I'm sure everyone that reads this blog also knows what Pinterest is.  Well, if you don't, don't worry about it.  It's addicting, and is trying really hard to make me fat.  I have had some hits and misses with some recipes.  I wanted to quickly share with you my hits. 

Spicy Sausage pasta

 

This one was super easy and you can alter it any way you like.  If you don't like spicy, just use diced tomato's instead of rotel.  No biggie. It was yummy and didn't last very long in my house. 

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies

I made these last night.  There are not many left.  They are GOOD y'all.  Make them.  Tonight.

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

This was pretty easy, a little time consuming.  I'm thinking next time that I will not dredge the chicken in flour, might try it just seared then baked.  It was yummy.  Adam said " This is homemade?" 

If you try any of the recipes let me know what you thought!

these photo's were taken from the recipes websites.  they are not mine!:)

Lemonade

"If life deals you lemons, make lemonade."

 

This past weekend didn't go according to plan.  I am sure that I had mentioned that I was going to play in a soccer tournament.  Adam was heading down to College Station to the football game, and Grandma and Grandpa had already signed up for babysitting.

 

All was fine until Thursday night.  We had a soccer game that was a makeup.  I walked out the door and Adam yelled " Don't hurt yourself."  About half time, I was trying to keep my girl from scoring, and well I hurt myself.  My ankle.  At least she didn't score right?  I tried to walk it off, but it wasn't happening.  I had some guy help me to the sideline where my ankle continued to throb.  It was looking like I might be on the sidelines for the tournament. 

 

Friday morning, I woke up and was completely unable to put any pressure on my foot. At. All.  I was crying and panicking about how I was going to handle the boys and getting them to their grandparents.  By this time, I knew I had to see a Doctor, and that going to Tulsa was out of the question. Adam ended up rushing to get the boys packed and taking them over to his parents on his way to work.  I crutched along ( funny, Adam's parents had given us two sets of crutches on Thursday because they found them and didn't want them.) and tried to find a doc who could get me in, of course, no one could.  So I called my insurance to see if they would cover an urgent care type place.  Luckily they would.  Now, I wouldn't have gone to a dr, but the pain was on the inside of my foot, not the outside.  Doctor Google had lead me to believe that if the pain is on the inside, it's most likely a break as well because well, I don't know why, but that's what they said.  So of course I start freaking out.  A few X-rays later, I'm diagnosed with a "severe sprain"  I've sprained my ankles before people, this hurt so much worse than anything, and I'm not really a baby. 

 

So the weekend was spent with my sister, who was coming over to watch the dogs.  We ordered pizza, rented movies, and just vegged.  It was nice not having the boys!  Saturday I went with her over to her girlfriends house, and we drank and ate.  It was a good time.  I was afraid that I was going to be in so much pain and not want to do anything.  My pain has subsided but I still walk with quiet a limp because the joint is so swollen.  It's starting to bruise so that is fun. 

 

 

The Ducks

He was a fan of the big ones!

Monday morning, I woke up and thought that it would be fun to picnic at the park.  We hadn't done it in a while, and Dylan really likes to eat outside. They had a picnic at school last Thursday, and he had pretty much been asking to eat outside every meal since. 

Graham has been recovering from his upset tummy last week, so I put him down for a nap, and packed our lunch.  Becca was bringing goodies, so I made some PB&J's, grapes, Dylan insisted on string cheese ( which he didn't even eat) and some tiny pears we got in the co-op this week.   Most importantly, I found some moldy bagels in the bottom of the bread basket ( yes, I still haven't cleaned out my pantry) I thought they would be perfect for feeding the ducks.  Don't worry, I picked off all the moldy parts:) 

I promise, they thought this was fun!

We headed to the park, where most of the food was not eaten.  The big boys were way to concerned with playing.  Graham did attack a pear though.  I know what I'm going to give him in the high chair to entertain him!:) They went down slides, and we all swang, went potty then headed over to the ducks.  Dylan wanted to ride in the stroller, I didn't bring my double.  Lucky for him, Becca did so he got to catch a ride on his besties lap!

All the bread was gone.

They loved the ducks.  Dylan was a fan of the larger ducks.  He would squat to get to their level, hold out food for them to take from his hand, then as they would walk closer, he would throw it.  It was adorable.  There were tons of ducks there.  As soon as they saw us walk up, they all waddled our way.  It's like they know kids always bring bread for them.  As soon as we were done, another stroller walked up and they quickly relocated.  Smart ducks.

It was a great morning, with beautiful weather.  It wore the boys out, so Dylan took a great nap.  Graham refused to take on after, so really joke was on me. But I'm betting we will be visiting those ducks more in the next few months since the weather is perfect for the park.

12 Month Check up!

This morning I had to take Graham to his check up.  It's never fun knowing your baby is going to get 4 shots.  But hey, they help more than they hurt so there you go!  He was such a trouper too.  He wasn't afraid of the Dr, and he just let him check his ears and eyes, and belly and all the other things that he checks. 

Graham's heart mummer is still there, so I guess I have to call and get another appointment with the cardiologist.  I was supposed to do this months ago, I just keep forgetting.  He is still a growing boy, though his growing has slowed down a lot.  I'm pretty sure it's because he is a wiggle worm, and doesn't hardly ever sit still.  He gain just over a pound since his nine month check, and about an inch and a half. 

I'm happy that's he is still healthy and growing, but I guess I'm just going to have skinny kids!:)

Weight: 19 lbs 7 oz- (10%)
Length: 31 inches- (90%)

Blue and Green Bash

Graham's birthday has come and gone.  I spent way too much time thinking about it, and too much time working on it. I didn't even do much, a simple pennant banner, high chair skirt, and I spray painted a few things.

I would say though, another success full party was had.  We do pretty small birthday's for our kids, I only invite people who have actually seen, or had some roll in their lives.  Even with a small group I always feel overwhelmed.  I went with colors this year, just as before, no themes, if you haven't figured it out, I'm not a theme kind of person.  Navy blue, baby blue and shades of green were the colors this year.  I think everything came out very well. 

We did a birthday brunch, the menu included, a yogurt bar, with homemade granola, ham and cheese quiche, pigs in a blanket, pineapple chicken salad with croissants,Brown sugar bacon and the hit with the kids were the donut hole pops!  Oh, and the most important, mimosa's, and several different varieties of coffee set up on the Keurig.  We thought we made enough food for about 50 people, but surprisingly, there wasn't much left!  Everyone enjoyed everything. 

Graham wasn't in the best of moods, he woke up with a snotty nose, and well, he didn't want to skip his nap that day.  Once he got a little( a lot) cake in him , he got a second wind and was ready to open presents.  Everyone got him awesome toys.  Somehow not one things was a duplicate.  Even with toys we already had, so that was pretty awesome.  So far, the favorites are the dinosaur's from the Murray family, and the octopus from my childhood friend Lauren. 

The cake.  Oh my Graham loved his cake. He got soooo mad when we wouldn't let him touch the fire.  The audacity of us right? but once he could touch that cake, it was all over.  He ate pretty much the whole thing.  good thing it was much smaller than Dylan's was or we would have had an issue! Once again, I went all out on the cake.  I used a different bakery this year, and I was very impressed.  It was yummy, and everyone loved it.



Notice my excitement for Dylan, Graham is playing in the background!

 I still can't believe that my baby is one, and I can't believe I have another party to start planning for December.  Why did I have babies with only 2 months between birthdays?

I hope that you enjoy these pictures.  Since I deleted them off my photo card before they got to my computer, it cost me $40 to retreieve them.  I just couldn't not have documentation of his birthday.

Graham {12 Months}

We made it.  One year.  It certainly doesn't seem like Graham has been here that long. I remember so vividly going to the hospital.  I don't remember the nights in the beginning when he wasn't sleeping well.  Adam reminds me of them, but I don't remember.  Funny how that happens isn't it. 

Graham has turned into such a little boy this month.  He started walking, throwing tantrums when something gets taken away from him.  He has an opinion on what he eats, and drinks, and does.  I'm not so sure we will escape toddler hood as easily as it seems we might with Dylan. 

Graham's birthday brought sickness to our house.  The thirty degree temperature drop didn't help at all.  The day of Graham's party, he woke up with a snotty nose.  Sunday, and Monday he just wasn't himself.  Today, back to normal.  Still no fever.  We made it over a year without a fever.  I think he is going to have my immune system. ( thank goodness)

Aside from turning one, the biggest milestone is walking.  He is walking a few months before Dylan, which is no surprise. I like that he walks, I can put him down in public and he can't get to far that quickly yet, and I can free my hands.  He also currently follows me, or Dylan so I don't worry much.  He certainly walks more than he crawls so that is nice.

 We are also trying to wean off of bottles and formula.  We've dropped one bottle, and he is currently only getting 6 oz of formula, the rest just milk.  He isn't sure of the milk out of a sippy cup yet though. 

He has become such a giggly,happy boy this month.  He loves to be thrown around by daddy, or "hopped" as we call it.  He thinks it is hilarious. 

He has also been full of funny faces this month.  I'm glad he is becoming animated, but it's funny, he still won't smile at strangers.  Well he will if they are acting really silly to get him too. I think it's a game he likes to play.  " You look stupid, and I'll smile"

I have kind of dropped him down to one nap.  It makes it much easier to be able to do Jump Mania, Gymnastics, or anything in the morning with him not taking that nap.  If we are home he will take a morning nap, but then sometimes the afternoon nap is nonexistent.  I'm ok with that since I can put him in his crib and he will just play.  When we are out and about he will nap in the afternoon the same time as Dylan so that I can have some down time.  It's nice.

He is going to be my independent boy.  He will wonder off and play without caring where I am.  A vast difference from his big brother.  I love watching him play.  He currently loves to put things in, and take out.  The shoe box of blocks is his favorite. 

This kid will also eat anything.  But real bananas.  his favorite since his birthday party have been blueberries, he just can't get enough.  He also likes toast, and Kraft mac and cheese.  Go figure, Dylan just started eating that, so I'm happy it's an easy meal.  I'm glad I have an eater though.  One of my fears of stopping formula is that he will stop gaining weight.  So I predict that we will be in the high chair a lot this coming month!

Graham also has started giving kisses on demand.  He actually was doing it last month, but I forgot to put it in the update.  I looove his big open mouth kisses.  I forgot how adorable those were.  He doesn't wave yet, but I think he is thinking about it.  He claps a lot, and recently has started doing it on command. "Uh Oh" is his word of the week.  It's funny to hear him say it, because we waited such a long time for Dylan to speak, it's sweet to hear Graham's little voice.  " Bop " is still a popular one.  I think that's it.  Mama occasionally.

 

12 Month Stats:

 Weight: 20ish lbs.

Length: 32 ish inches

Wearing size 12 and 18 month onsies 12 month sleepers

One, sometimes two naps a day

Eating mostly solid food

One

Today, at 1:16 pm, My baby boy turns one.  I cannot believe it.  Where has this year gone?  He has gained so much personality.  He is sweet, wild, headstrong, and determined.  He walks, and even says a couple of things.  He is getting so big.  It makes me feel old.

Happy Birthday Graham Wesley!

We love you!

Connecticut Wedding

Despite running a little behind, the wedding went off without a hitch.  The boys were doing great, luckily it was outside, they were playing and pretty quiet during the ceremony.  Of course, we were bribing Dylan with cake. " You need to be quiet if you want cake" "You need to sit down if you want cake." " Do you want cake?  Ok come here"  I'm not above it people.  It works. 

I loved seeing both my boys dressed up and looking nice.  did I mention that Graham decided being a full time walker would be a pretty fun idea while we were on vacation?  He walked pretty much everywhere. 

He thinks that baby is pretty cute!

The boys spent the cocktail hour wrestling each other on the ground.  I had no less than 5 people come and tell me how adorable they were, so I figured they weren't really bothering anyone, so we didn't make them stop.  They were entertaining themselves, so I try to stay out of it!

brotherly love

The DJ had lights set up and all the little kids enjoyed chasing them on the floor.  Adam and I had realized that this was the first wedding that we had been too that had a bunch of kids.  It was fun to watch them all, it probably helped that they were all acting pretty good. 

Cake drunk

Dylan ate pretty well, so we granted him his cake.  His great Aunt also got him another piece, so he was pretty cake drunk by the end of the night.  Luckily he is still a tiny thing, so I felt like I did my part to fatten him up that day.  The next morning, Adam's parents offered to take the boys for the day so Adam and I could go do our own thing.  We went to Newport and toured a couple of mansions.  Sadly, they won't let you take pictures inside of them.  We went to the Vanderbilt's mansion, The Breaker house, and we went to the Marble house.  Both were incredible.  To see something like that built in today's world would be awesome.  Won't ever happen though, wayyy to spendy!

It was nice to see Adam's side of the family that doesn't live in Texas, but we were equally glad to be heading home and back to our normal routines with the boys.  They did great, but even still, it's pretty stress full traveling with two kids.  The flight home was just about as great at the one there, this time, Dylan took a nap too. 

We thought the kids had done so great, that we even agreed to go to Australia with them in February.  Plans have changed for the better( for Adam and me) and they won't be going.  Maybe in a few years when they can appreciate a trip like that. 

I'm too old

This past weekend, I decided I am way to old to stay up late.  It started on Friday night.  I had an 11:06 pm soccer game.  I didn't get home until about 12:30.  But couldn't get to sleep until after 1.  Of course I woke up at 7:30 like usual.  We spent that rainy Saturday at Becca and Garets house, watching football, eating, and drinking mimosas.  People I'm not kidding.  We had a drink in our hand from about 10:30- 3:30.  Somehow I wasn't drunk, just full!  We left to go get a quick nap before going out for a birthday party. The 1 hour nap didn't work for me.  I was exhausted.  yet, we went out, and stayed out partying until after two am.  Not ok.  I was tired! 

Luckily, I was able to sleep in until 8:30 Sunday morning.  We went back over to Becca and Garets later in the day to watch more football, and let the boys play some more.  I'll tell you though, my hiney was dragging.  I went to bed pretty early.  Monday morning rolled around, I needed coffee.

Sadly, I'm going to have several late nights this week too.  A soccer game on Wednesday at 8:45, won't be home until after 10:30 probably, a soccer game on Friday at 10, then ladies night on Saturday.  I've decided I should only have one late night a week.  I'm too old for any more than that.