Two peas in a pod

These two, they kind of light up my life.  

They are two peas in a pod these two.
Much to Nana's chagrin, who does Graham call for first thing when we drive up to their house?  Boppa!  This is the boy who has all of about 5 words, one being Boppa, of course.
We just spent the last 3 weeks with Nana and Boppa and despite Graham's constant desire to get into everything, I think my dad kind of enjoyed it.  He is his little side kick, his garage companion, his "helper", and the watchdog of all things that could possibly be Boppa's.  Stray phone lying around, or remote control,  never fear, Graham will find it and promptly deliver it yelling, "Boppa's Boppa's".  I am pretty sure he studies Boppa's every move with the ultimate desire to do everything he does.  Even down to his cup of milk that he will hide behind the tv cabinet door like boppa hides his wine glass from him.  It's hilarious.  In the morning, what does he do, takes his bottle and places it in the coffee maker like boppa does his cup for him morning cup of coffee.  
I love that he loves his boppa.  But even more, I love that his boppa loves him!

Oh Alexander!

There are days, lots of days, when I am pretty sure this kid is going to do me in. He is, literally, the most stubborn child I know. He puts his dad to shame. When he makes up his mind about something it's over. He has spent 3 hours in his room simply because he didn't want to apologize to a babysitter. Not sure what is more impressive, his will power to stay in his room, or the follow through of the babysitter. Maybe his most notable feat is bearing the freezing cold simply to prove a point... he didn't want to go to coffee, he wanted to go home.  He sat outside with teeth chattering and lips blue without so much as a blink of his eye despite the nice warm cup of coco that waited for him inside.   There is no bribery, threatening, or tricking him into anything. This kid doesn't fall for it. Someday this stubbornness is going to bode him well... If he makes it to someday.

It's a darn good thing he is so cute.

18 months and counting...

Graham Cracker, as we affectionately call him, is growing by leaps and bounds.  He, we have decided, is our busiest little guys yet.  He is always in on whatever it may be his older brothers or cousins may be doing.  He has earned the nickname Trouble from Grandma B, which I have to agree, suits him well.  Despite his busy nature, his words have not quite caught up.  He has a few frequently used words including, mama, dada, aaaa (which means Alex), shoes, socks, ball, boppa, and ju (for juice).  Being his momma I can decipher many of his noises into words he is trying to make but I wouldn't quite call them words.  I can't help but wonder if his cleft has delayed his speech, but at this point I am not too worried about it, nor is his pediatrician.  I only wish, for his sake, that his words would come.  Ok, for my sake too.  He is frustrated, and therefore whines and cries, A LOT.
This boy can eat!  On any given day he will out eat both of his brothers.  Some of his favorites right now are... Who am I kidding, the kid eats just about anything!  His newest and best trick is drinking his milk from his cereal bowl.  Monkey see, monkey do!  He doesn't quite get that he should eat all the cereal first though.
Sleep.  While I can't complain about the very average sleep patterns he has, it is tough following his older brother who was a sleep champion.  Graham usually wakes when the house gets going, around 0730.  He has recently fully transitioned out of his morning nap and is on to one nap.  He goes down at about 12 and sleeps any where from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.  Then it is on until bedtime between 7 and 730.  When he is awake, he is going at full force.  There is no stopping, no resting, no watching a program, just pure energy.
Graham takes everything in.  There is not a day that goes by that he doesn't amaze me with his antics.  The other day he found boppa's coffee mug, put it on the counter next to the coffee maker, went to find his stool, climbed up and placed the mug in the maker, all ready for boppa to make his coffee.  He sees everything!
Graham, you challenge me each and every day to be the best mom I can be.  You make me smile, you make me laugh, and yes, sometimes you make me cry.  You are such a joy to have in our family.  I couldn't imagine life without you.  Thank you for being you!  I love you to the moon and back.



This is the epitome of you... So anxious to get in the bath, you climbed in fully dressed while I was getting towels. Ugh!

Christmas at our house

It has been a very busy Christmas season for the Bugbee's.  There has been  no lack of excitement coming from the boys too.  They were so excited when our Elf on the Shelf finally came to visit us.  Each morning we are greeted with "have you seen Elf?" instead of "good morning".  

The tree is up, decorated and, much to my surprise, it has not been the source of any contention with Graham. 

 In the midst of trying to prepare for a remodel beginning on the 2nd of January, I have managed to get a few decorations up.  The boys were a huge help.  They even posed for a few photo ops.

We've also managed to decorate a few cookies, in between spoonfuls of frosting being eaten.

Last, but definitely not least, we were lucky enough to have been invited to the MS Santa Breakfast with Grandma B again!  The boys love this event, as do I!  Such a special outing for our family.

  Thank you Grandma B and the Hofmeister's!

Off to wrap some presents and prepare for 3 more days of craziness!

We are so excited...

to announce...

We are having a little, healthy baby

GIRL!

Pink!  Pink?  I am still in shock and the information is still settling in for this little family of 5, soon to be 6... and complete.
The boys aren't quite as excited as their momma.  Tyler's first reaction "Oh, yeah... for mom".  Alex's reaction, "well, we can't have two babies, we will have to get rid of Graham".
I have no doubt the excitement of having a little sister will hit once the little princess arrives.
Until then, watch out Nordstrom, this momma is in the market for some pink!

A Thank-full Thanksgiving

Holding true to our tradition we made the trek down to California to spend Thanksgiving with the Bugbee/Byrne side of the family.  Because this is a post about being thankful I am going to skip over the horrendous flight down here.

Thanksgiving was spent with most of the family.   The boys loved seeing everyone, especially their cousin Maddie.  Alex and she are like two peas in a pod.  They were inseparable the entire visit.  Well, until the end when the time arguing got to be more than the time getting along.  

One of our many feeble attempts to get a picture of all four grandkids.

This year I have been reminded over and over of the precious nature of life.  Despite the many ups and downs we face, I continually am reminding myself of the gifts I have been given...  my three healthy children and a healthy family.









The kids had so much fun and, luckily, the chickens even preformed a few times while we were here.


And what's Thanksgiving without a little post meal football?




Time to feed with Grandpa.


Graham kept his distance from the horses.


And when they did let out a "Nay" came running back to Mama.


Catching a lift with Grandpa back to the barn.

...And this was only day one!

We have so much to be Thankful for!

Graham's Cleft: 1 year later

It still baffles my mind that we have gone from this

 to this

in what seems like a minute.

I still remember the day we found out like it was yesterday.  The pain, the tears, the unknown.  It almost seemed to much to handle at the time.  How were we going to survive this?  How was our little boy going to survive this?  Would he nurse?  Would he eat?  Would he require numerous surgeries?  These were just a few of the questions that played on repeat in my head for months after.  Well, until the day we met this little guy really.
Now, one year later I look back and I thank God for my little cleft baby.  He made me a better mom.  He reminded me of how precious life is.  He taught us strength, unconditional love and acceptance.  He was the best lesson I could have provided for my two older boys.

A few weeks ago we had his one year follow up with his craniofacial surgeon, Dr. H.  Graham has amazed everyone with his success.  The original plan was for him to have a "touch up" surgery at about 4-5 years and then maybe again as a teenager.  Well, the general feeling is that he most likely will not anything more until his teenage years!  Yeah!  That, of course, is separate from all of his dental or orthodontia procedures that he will almost certainly need at some point.  He is missing at least one tooth and a few are coming in sideways.  I'll take it though!
Now we won't be seen with our Cranio docs until 4!  Truth be told, I'm going to miss them.  They brought us through such a stressful time in our lives.
I can't thank the Craniofacial team at Seattle Children's enough!


Mr.  Cheeseball at his appointment.

I am so bummed I didn't think to get a picture of him with his doctor's at this appointment.