Just some pictures from today

Trying on dad's hat.

Just hanging out.
Coloring.

Sigh...

Gibson's new thing is to say "I no-lika dat/dis" aka "I don't like that/this!" He says this to everything (diaper changes, food, sleeping, bathtime, everything!). It's most annoying. I think I would rather have him asking "Why?" although, that has it's issues too...

Some new Gibson sayings

Gibson's vocabulary has really exploded the last few months. He has some new funny sayings...

1. "We meeeed aboat." said very matter of factly (and a and boat are one word). Then it goes into..."Honey, we meeeed aboat. We meeeed a ferry boat, a speed boat, we meeeeed a TUG boat." (of course, I am SURE his dad taugh him this, my answer is still NO even though my adorable child is asking)

2. "I probwee wake Grayee up." Which he runs up to me and says anytime Grady wakes up from his nap, wether he has woken him up or not. It's a crack up.

3. "I need a new train layout." This is said as an order usually, although we are working on that.

4. "Das anawt fair" (aka, that's not fair). I am not exactly sure where he got this one.

5. "Stop at a red light. stop stop stop" "Go at a green light, go go go". When you ask "Gibson, what do you do at a yellow light?" He says "GO FASSER!" (Thanks Daddy)

Dr. Karen

On Thursday, I had a Chiropractor appointment and Karen (Dr Karen, as Gibson calls her) was asking how things were going and so I was telling her all that was going on with Grady and his sleeping issues and the reflux we have been dealing with. I asked her if she could take a look at him to see if anything was "out of place". She told me that she has patients that come and see her every 2-3 weeks for their reflux so they can keep it under control. I figured it couldn't hurt to have her check him out. She thought everything looked fine with him. He liked having her massage his back and neck, it was cute. Gibson of course thought it was fun that Grady was laying on the table like mommy does.

Small update: Grady's sleeping is no better, it's actually worse. We are back to the all night wakings. We are now on the Prevacid but we only have a week of it under out belt. According to the doctor it can take up to 2-3 weeks to fully kick in and start working, so we are getting by, barely. I have been sleeping in the recliner with Grady so that the two of us can attempt to get some sleep and so that I can partially function. Hence the need for the Chiropractor visit. My back is really bothering me.

Gibson's new helmet

Gibson has officially outgrown his "mushroom" bike helmet and so we went out tonight and got him a big boy bike helmet (at a "big boy" price compared to the toddler helmet!). It's so cool! He picked it out and everything. He was very clear on which ones he liked and which ones he didn't. He wouldn't let us get any that he didn't like anywhere near him, let alone, let us try them on him. (wonder where he gets that? certianly not his mother. wink, wink).

The old helmet

(sorry for the pictures quality on this one, I didn't have anything that wasn't blurry)

The NEW helmet!

The boys

Some pics of my boys from yesterday!

Who are you and what have you done with *MY* Grady?

So, today I met a few girlfriends at a local indoor playground for a little get-together (I had a couple friends who I wanted to introduce!) While we were there it was naptime for Grady. So, I had brought the stroller in anticipation of this. I sat down, wrapped Grady up, nursed him and then "rocked" him to sleep. Now, if you know Grady, by looking at this picture you will know that there are 2 things "wrong". 1. Grady generally doesn't take a pacifier...although, I have been offering for a week or so because I read that it helps with reflux to have the babe suck on a pacifier after feeding to keep the food down and thought I would give it a try so, for the past few days, it's been his favorite thing for going to sleep. I say, whatever works and helps him get to sleep and stay asleep (although we are still working on that part!), I am all for it. 2. the kid is sleeping on his back. He hasn't slept on his back in months. He is a big time stomach sleeper and usually immediately rolls over to his tummy when we put him down and if he rolls over to his back while he is asleep he immediately wakes up and screams.

So, I ask...who is this child? And where is *MY* Grady?

He sure is a sweet looking babe though, isn't he?

Pacific Science Center Railroad Show

Today, Gregg took Gibson to the Pacific Science Center Railroad Show so that he could see all the trains on display. Gibson had a great time. Gregg said that when it was time to leave, he had to carry Gibson out screaming because he didn't want to go. Gregg also took Gibson around the rest of the center. Apparently, Gibson is quite scared of anamatronic dinosaurs. He came home talking about the "dinosaur scare me".

Here are a few pictures from the adventure.

Greenlake

Today the boys and I went down to Greenlake to meet my friend, Brooke and her boys (if you're keeping track that is 4 boys to us 2 mommas). It was cold out today but we bundled everyone up and had a great time. We walked all the way around the lake and then let the boys play at the park there. It took us a while to get around the lake with all the "I need a snack", "I need juice", "I wanna walk", "Gibson, you need to catch up to us" etc. But it was still good fun.
I put Grady in the swing for the first time ever today. He had a great time. He thought it was alot of fun! We will have to do that some more.

The fresh air is good for the boys too...Grady has been asleep since 12:50pm and it's now 3:40pm, that is more than he slept last night and Gibson went down at 1:30pm and is still asleep also. Things are blissfully quiet at my house. I probably should have laid down too, but I figured the boys would not sleep this long and since I am no good unless I can get at least 45 minutes, I didn't lay down. Oh well, live and learn. I think I might have to take the boys outside like that more often!

Anyway, here are some pics from the park today!

Can we say we are having a good time?
Kai
Gibson on the merry go round. He thought that was good fun to go "'roun & 'roun"
Beau all bundled up
Brooke handling both babies while I dealt with the big kids on the swings. Grady was trying to escape.
I thought this was a cool picture. Gibson and Kai swings "super fas" as Gibson says

Grady's 6 month check up!

Today I took Grady to his 6 month check up! It was our last visit with our favorite doctor, Dr. Chang. I cried (typical for me!). Anyway, Grady is 18 lbs 13 ounces and 26 3/4 inches long. (at this age Gibson was 18lbs 8 ounces and 27.5 inches long). She said that Grady looks good. We talked about his Silent Reflux and how some things are better as a result of the Zantac, but not everything, so we decided that we would put Grady on Prevacid and he how he does. I am going to give it another 3 weeks and then if there is no improvement from where we are today (mainly with his sleeping) we are going to need to see a specialist. He also got 3 shots today. Poor baby, he was soooo not happy with that part.

We made our next appt with our new doctor. Dr. Chang helped me decide on which doctor to go with, so I feel really good about the choice we made.

We tried some more food today (and yesterday). I think I can safely say that Grady doesn't like food much. He spits it all out and then he won't even open his mouth for me. Stinker. Something more to work on with him. This kid is a subborn one. VERY adorable and TOTALLY cute, but oh so stubborn. sigh....

Grady's First Food

Grady is 6 months old tomorrow and so it's time for some solid food. We tried the food today instead of tomorrow so that Gregg could feed him and have the experience since he will be at work tomorrow when I feed Grady. I fed Gibson his first food when I was at my parents house and Gregg wasn't there yet, so I wanted Gregg to feed Grady. I am not sure Grady really liked it. We gave him about 5-6 small bites of sweet potatoes and then he pretty much had it. We will try again tomorrow. Here is a video of the even so that you can all take part and feel like you were there.

'Poo free.

No, not that kind of poo. Shampoo. I have a week of being shampoo free under my belt. Now, I know some of you are going to be thinking I am walking up the hill sideways and am crazy, but really, let me explain.
I was at my neighbors house the other day commenting on how great her hair looked, not only that she was growing it out but that it looked really healthy. She says "I'm 'poo free". Now, I have heard of 'poo free before, because I have read about it online, but I have never met anyone in real life who has done it and actually kinda thought it was a little too "natural" for me but I must tell you, her hair looks, feels and even smells fabulous (and yes, I did smell her hair, and no, that is not weird). So, I decided after talking to her about it and looking it up online that I was going to give it a try. So, I went to the store and got all the items I needed....baking soda and some apple cider vinegar and then I also got some Lavendar Oil for some "smell".

Basically, all you do is make a paste of baking soda and massage it into your scalp and then rinse your hair with warm water and then take the apple cider vinegar and mix it with water and all the oil (if you want) and rinse your hair with that. Most women only do this once or twice a week. At this point, I am doing every other day. I must say the first time I didn't wash it I looked like a grease ball, it wasn't pretty at all...but it has gotten better since then, and I must say my hair is super shiny and wow is it soft! My hair will continue to "adjust" as the natural oils regulate, so I can only look forward to "better" hair in the next coming weeks...

"I'm a train player"

says Gibson. We ask him "Are you a book reader?" "Are you a car player?" "Are you 'insert whatever he is doing here' player?" He always says "No, I a train player", we say "are you sure?" He always says "Yes, I a train player". Ok.

So, lately Gregg's new favorite thing to eat is Little Cesar's pizza (reminds him of his college days, he tells me!). A new one just opened up about 4 miles from us and they have pizza for $5.55 and you just go in and pick it up, no need to order (I know, I know what you are thinking YUCK. but they aren't that bad and they are cheap, so I guess they are chokeable). Anyway, tonight we had to run a few errands and so Gregg wanted to get pizza on the way home, so we did. Anyway, we are at home and we are asking Gibson "Are you a pizza eater?" And what do you think the response is...you guessed it "No, I a train player".

Ok, so without further wordage, here are some pictures of my "pizza eating train player."

In my attempts to have civilized, polite young men, I am teaching Gibson to clean up after himself and this includes walking his plate to the kitchen after dinner (or any meal/snack) and putting it in the sink or on the counter. This is him doing that tonight. It cracks me up the way he holds the plate, often times I do have to clean up food/crums that he spills along the way, but it's ok, he is learning.

WOW!

A sampling of a night here at 'Casa De G's All Around Me'. This is how my evening/overnight went last Sunday and this is a very typical night for the last probably 2 months.

8:oopmish - Attempt to get Grady to bed
8:45pm - Grady's actually goes to sleep
between 9:30-10:30pm Grady is up twice, and requires me to come up and talk to him
11:00pm-12:30am Grady is up and for whatever reason I cannot get him back to sleep, finally at 12:30am, I do and I am able to go to bed.
1:30am Grady up
2:00am Grady up
2:30am Grady up
3:30-4:40am Grady up, I am rocking, nursing, swaying, whatever. FINALLY, at 4:40, I woke up Gregg to ask him for help rocking because I couldn't keep my eyes open and I was afraid I would drop Grady.
Gregg then sleeps with Grady on his shoulder in the recliner until he has to get up for work, at which time I get up and nurse Grady and put him back to bed. I think that is around 5:30am.
7:00am Grady is up, so I pull him in to bed with me, nurse him back to sleep and we sleep til 8:30am when Gibson wakes up.

Ugly, huh? Not much sleep for me.

:drum roll please:

*This* was last night...

8:30pm Grady to bed
11:30pm Grady up - I went in there and nursed him
5:10am Grady up - again, I went in there to nurse him
7:30am Grady up for the day.

Amazing. I am not sure what went right last night, but I'll take it. I am stil exhausted, there is no way one night of sleep makes up for months of no sleep, but it's a start. :knock on wood: I hope this is a start of a beautiful pattern. *this* I can handle. Getting up twice a night, even three times, is totally do-able! Way to go, Grady! :hugs/kisses from momma:

Oh, and I will mention also, that yesterday Grady took a 2.5 hour nap also (with only one waking), which he hasn't done since he was about 8 weeks old! I know why though...my girlfriend, Gabby, was here with her new babe that she just adopted (her name is Cate, and let me tell you she is a doll! So beautiful!) and I wanted them to meet Grady, so that is why he slept.

So keep us in your thoughts and prayers that Grady's sleeping is coming around!

My baby is growing up too fast!

Last night, as previously mentioned, when we went to dinner Grady got to sit in a high chair for the first time. He had to be padded a little, but he is totally big enough to sit there and join us at the big table. Where has the time gone? Didn't I just have him a week ago? How is he old enough to sit in a high chair? Oh, today was his first experience in a shopping cart.

Big things happenin' here, I tell ya!

a classic Grady face.

Gibson Stories

Gibson has been cracking us up lately with the stuff he comes up with. Here are a couple things that had us really laughing and so I wanted to write them down. So, you all get to share in our laughter!

Story 1.

I am in the kitchen yesterday, Gibson is playing at his train table and he runs in and says to me "nipples stuck in the shits, Honey" (remember he calls me Honey, 75% of the time). I said "what?" and he repeats "a get nipples stuck in the shits". So, I said "Honey (because I call him Honey too), you have to show Mommy what you mean, I don't understand. So, he runs over to his train table, bends down, point to the Station House which he calls the "SHEDS", points and says "Nipples in the shits". It's at this point that I realize that Nevelle (one of the trains) is stuck in the shed....ok.

Glad we cleared that up.

Story 2.

Last night we went out to dinner with 1/2 of the Van Liew family, Phil & Chloe. After dinner, I needed to run to JoAnn's to get some fabric and so we decide to head over there and Gregg would hang in the car with Grady and I could take Gibson in with me. Grady needed to nap, so this was a good opportunity to nap in peace and quiet with Gibson screaming "GRAYEEEE SLLEEEEEEEEPINNNG Honey". Gee, thanks, I would have never guessed that. Anyway, I digress. So, Gibson decided that he really doesn't want to go with me because I won't let him take his "dinner box" in with him. So, I give him my ad to hang on to and off we go. We are in the store about 20 minutes and then we come out get in the car and are on our way home. Gibson still having a firm grib on the store's ad. Anyway, Gregg is talking to Gibson and he says "You still reading the paper?" and Gibson very casually says "No, I just picking my nose".

Ummmm, ok, alright. Did you catch that? We could hardly contain our laughter.

Today I had a total of 4 kids here...

All 3 and under! It was fun. In addition to my 2, I had Tiernan who is 6 months old (born on Gibson's birthday, actually!) and Kealan who is almost 3.5 year old. My girlfriend, Sonnet, and I trade babysitting each week so that we can get errands run. Usually we just trade the oldest 2, but today, she put Tiernan down for a nap here (for fear he would be overtired and have a meltdown in the middle of her Costco trip!) and then left to run her errands (meanwhile, the kid is amazing with his sleep, it was super loud here with the older two and he slept right though it and slept an hour and a 1/2. He needs to have a serious chat with Grady about how to accomplish that, but I digress).

Here are a few pictures. Gibson and Kea had a lot of fun playing with Gibson's train table. Oh, and you will notice Gibson has a new "track" in the center of his train table. Yesterday, when we were at the mall, we were outside of the little play area and there is this cart there where they sell these tracks with cars that go around and around. Well, all the kids love to stop there and play with the displays they have set up. Yesterday, they were taking it all down because they usually take Jan/Feb off for vacation, so I was standing there talking to the guy that has the cart while Gibson was playing and I was telling the guy how Gibson really likes playing with his and for his birthday I was thinking we would get him one. So, the guy say, nah, he is going to get this display right here. I am going to bag it up for you and you are going to take it home. I said "really?" He said yes, that he was just going to throw it away anyway, and I might as well have it...so, it now is ours and it's the latest obsession here at "casa de Gibson". He has played with is non stop today...

Tiernan is giving me the "what are you doing, woman" look.

I love this picture of Tiernan. He has the sweetest face. He is really a mellow soul, he didn't fuss once the whole time he was here (of course he slept for most of it, but still!)

This picture cracks me up. It looks like the two of them are having a little chat.

I told Gibson to lay down next to the kids...this is what I get. Sigh....