The little number seven

Seven

Months

Old

Graham Crackers you are growing up too fast for this momma.  You simply must slow down.

Ok, I guess that's not an option.  Someday I'll get over it.  

You continue to be momma's little boy... thank you for that.  You also continue to be mostly happy although the fussiness has been increasing over the past few weeks.  Teeth, mile stones, your cold... who knows?  Lucky for me you generally settle in with a few snuggles and some nursing.  Unlucky for your brothers, you are attached to my hip (or boob) when you are awake.  We survive though.  

Your sleep habits are improving.  Thank goodness!  We have fallen into a pretty nice routine.  You tend to nap twice a day in your bed for anywhere from 1-2 hours and catch a few catnaps in between while on the go.  Bedtime is 8pm on. the. dot. for you.  You don't seem to make it much past that before you are rubbing your eyes and wanting to be nursed and put down.  We have found that waking you to feed you around 11pm (when we are getting ready for bed) works nicely and you tend to then sleep until 7-8am.  On days that I work I wake you to feed you again at 6am and you have been known to sleep until 9:30. 

You eat, a little, but you don't seem to prefer it.  Banana's and sweet potatoes seem to be your favorite today.  The avacado caused a severe gagging reaction as if I was trying to poison you.  You LOVE your mum mum's and are just now beginning to be able to pick up puffs and get about every eighth one to your mouth.  You make Bella a happy dog.

You still have a big gummy smile with no signs of teeth as of yet.  

A certain someone (eh-em) is trying to teach you to do all those big boy things like crawling and standing.  But you seem to be quite content sitting, playing with your toys and watching your brothers.  I love love love that you love me.  If I put you down and walk away, even 3 feet, you look at me with the saddest puppy dog eyes and pouty little face.  When I get home from work and call your name you look all around until you find me.  Then you reach for me with excitement and snuggle your little head into me.  HEAVEN!
Graham baby, you are heaven sent.  It has been exactly one year since we found out you were a boy.  And although it may have been a shock at the time, I couldn't imagine my life any other way.  You were indeed meant for this family.  You have taught us so much in your short 7 months.  Understanding, compassion, acceptance and unconditional love are lessons that you have brought to each one of us.  Thank you for being you Crackers.  We love you to the moon and back and back again!

  

366 day 13 and 14

This is my Daddy-O.
Despite much tension and excitement during the 49er's/Saint's game, he found time to take a little nap.  I think it was all a little too much for him.
Love you Dad!

Yes, he was napping through all of this!



One little boy's room continues to be the bane of my existence. 

And this is what it looks like when it is clean!

I am in the midst of "organizing" millions of Lego's into different bins based on size and color.  Yes, that entire black thing is full of Lego's.  It's tedious, it's annoying and I fear that I am going to get this all done, take a picture of it (to prove to myself that at one point it was done) and that will be the end of that.  Now if only I could get Tyler as excited about it as I am, maybe it would last. 

Day 4-12 of 366

Tub time with the boys... priceless.


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The moments that I wish I could hold onto forever.

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Day 10.  Graham is 7 months today!  Say it ain't so!



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I kind of L.O.V.E these chubby little legs.



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This is what we get to see out our back window most mornings of the week.
And THIS is why I love the northwest.  We like to call him Baldy.



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Day 7:  We finally got a play date with our friend William.



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Dinner with my mom and sibs... so.much.fun.


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The love birds.
There is not a day that goes by that this little girl is not talked about in our house.  What was the FIRST thing he said after going poop on the potty for the first time, "Mommy, A-win will be so pwoud of me.".
Yes Alex, yes she will!


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Who doesn't love a baby in a cardigan sweater?

Getting there....

I am going to admit it right now.  I will tell you that a majority of my project 365+1 photos will be of Graham.  No, it's not because I love him more.  It's simply because he is the only one of my children that can't run away from me when I pull out the camera.

I am loving watching Ty in all his sports.  

Currently we are in basketball season and he is having a blast.

Project 365 + 1

Ok, I'm doing it.  I am jumping in with both feet.

I may be 2 weeks late but I WILL do it.

I HAVE to.

Let's start with day 1

The next 13 days coming at you... tomorrow.
Goodnight.

My Big Sis

and her girl.

I have always looked up to my big sister, that's no lie.  She kind of rocks.  Unfortunately, she had to go and get her NNP.  Then she had to go and leave Children's.  I miss working with her.  Anyone who knows Colleen probably can't believe I am saying this, but I do.  I miss her 5 S'ing ways.  Her perfectly straight charting.  Her perfectly organized morning rounds and even the missing coffee's.  We all complained when she was in the midst of her "arranging", but little did we know we would miss it when she was gone.  Swedish is pretty darn lucky to have you!
Lucky for me I get to see her, occasionally, outside of work.  Lucky for me she has the most wonderful 8 year old that I get to call my niece.  And lucky for me, I get to take pictures of them whenever I want.  On this particular day Claire was sick with a 100.8 degree temp and strep throat.  You wouldn't know it though.  Such a trooper.  Thanks for putting up with us Claire Bear.
Love you two to peices!

Our little Christmas

Merry and Bright!

It all started out when we picked out our tree.

Although a certain mom was VERY ill prepared for some VERY cold weather it turned out to be a success.  Thank goodness for bonfires to warm our hands and hot cider to warm our hearts.  Lauren and Jeff, lets do it again next year, but this time we will bring jackets and wear socks.

Then came the decorating.  Graham was a huge help finding all the dead bulbs on the light strand.
I couldn't have done it without him.


Christmas Eve was here before we knew it.  We dressed in our Holiday best and headed off to mass.  Following service was the annual Rockwell Christmas Eve dinner.

The Big Guy in red even made an appearance.

Anxious to see what he might bring them the boys had a tough time going, and staying, asleep.
After a late night of making sure everything was perfect for Santa I hopped into bed at 0200.  Not more than 45 minutes later we hear the pitter patter of Tyler's feet out in the living room.  He came running into our room proclaiming, "Santa came and I got Lego's!".  Much to his dismay we shooed him back to bed for at least a few more hours.  15 minutes later there is a rustle in the living room.  Could it be Santa again?  Nope, just Tyler back to see his loot.  After much coercion, and maybe some threats, he got back into bed with strict instructions to not get out until at least 6:30am.
Somehow we made it to 7.  We woke up the little boys and made the traditional stroll to the living room.  That's when Alex finally got it.  "A twain set.  Santa brought me a twain set, wif Thomas and Percy too!".




My best gift of the day, a no pay.  ALL. DAY. LONG.
I got to be home and celebrate with my family!

We played, rested, and played some more until it was time for dinner at Nana and Boppa's.



I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend Christmas.  All my boys are happy and healthy and I couldn't be more thankful!