Tuesday Talk

Things have been quiet on my blog lately (with the exception of Grayer's latest monthly update) because LIFE HAS BEEN KICKING OUR BUTTS. #yesineededallcapsforthat

I don't know how many times I have said to Eric that I just wish our lives were uneventful for a little while. Hasn't happened yet. Needless to say, blogging has taken a backseat, but I am trying to jump back in - what better way than with a fun link-up?

And since I've been MIA for several weeks, the "talk about anything" topic is pretty perfect! :) 

Here we go:

- The House Situation -

I feel like I am constantly explaining this insane situation. Long story short: we sold our house last summer and were scheduled to move in to a new one about a month or so later. We decided to move into a small apartment just for that short time. Well, for a number of reasons, we backed out of that house and continued looking. Lord willing, we have FINALLY found the house for us. It is being sold by a friend of ours, and the whole thing has been such a Godsend - a great neighborhood, best school district, and plenty of room. Assuming that everything gets ironed out in the next week or two, we will set a closing date. The only catch is that they are not moving into their new house until early-mid April. After much discussion, Eric, the boys, and I will be moving in with my parents for the next two and a half months to save money (our apartment rent is RIDICULOUS). It is going to be an adjustment for all of us, but we are thankful for them allowing us to bunk there and save some moolah!

- End of Breastfeeding -

I posted this on Facebook yesterday:

Today is the first day in 3.5 years that I haven't been pregnant and/or nursing. Bittersweet. I am one of those girls that LOVES being pregnant and have been blessed to be able to nurse my boys till their (almost) 1st birthdays. I don't take one single second of it for granted. Lord willing, I will get to do it all again (Eric says I have to wait a little longer between kiddos this time!). But for now, my body is trying to remember what it's like to sustain life for just one person! 

#iworeadresstoday #nursingmamasunderstandthathashtag

- First Birthday -

Grayer turns one in less than two weeks! And I have a LOT to do to get ready for his party! Just like we did for Wells, he is having a "First Fiesta" theme. I was so excited to pick up these balloons from the Target Dollar Spot the other day.

- Sickness - 

Even though it has barely been cold at all here this winter, that hasn't stopped my children from getting sick! They've passed a couple of colds back and forth, and last week Wells came down with Hand Foot & Mouth. IT WAS AWFUL. He was in such pain, and it was pitiful to watch. They don't give medicine for it, so you feel so helpless. He ate numerous Popsicles and watched a lot of TV (gotta do what you gotta do when they don't feel their best), and I am happy to say he is better now. And praise the Lord, Grayer did not catch it! Do any of you mamas use essential oils to prevent sickness at home? If you do, please comment! Sick babies are no joke, and I want to do all I can to prevent it! 

- Potty Training -

Wells has been a rockstar with potty training. We really buckled down about two months ago with wearing "big boy undies" all the time, and he has done so great! He rarely has accidents. We traveled a lot during the holidays, and it didn't set him back at all. And is there anything cuter than a toddler in undies? Nope, there isn't.

- Quality Family Time -

We were able to spend lots of time with each other and also with immediate and extended family over the holidays. We LOVE having Eric back in the teaching field because it means he gets lots of vacation days :) One of my favorite times this season was Christmas Eve Eve at the GA Aquarium while we were visiting family in Atlanta. As the boys get older, it is so fun to watch them experience such fun places! I loved seeing Wells' face during the dolphin show :) Here is the only shot of all 4 of us we got - while walking into the aquarium. And to be honest, this is about the best I can ask for at this stage in life. Ha! #toddlertoobusytosmile #babydoesntknowwhattodo

- Dinner -

I saw this recipe of Shay's last week and am making it for dinner tonight. It looks so yummy, and I am pumped! 

Can't wait to read everyone else's Tuesday Talk posts! Happy Tuesday-that-feels-like-a-Monday!

Grayer is ELEVEN Months!

And just like that, we are less than a month away from Grayer turning ONE YEAR OLD. Our boy is seeming to grow so quick! True to form, he wanted nothing to do with this monthly photo shoot. #samestoryeverymonth

Here's what he's been up to this month:

Weighs: I think he weighed in at around 21 lbs the last time we went to the doctor.

Sleeps: I'm beginning to think that this child will never sleep through the night. It's hard for me to remember that Wells was the same way at this age and still got up once a night, but he did. However, Grayer is sometimes up two or three times every night. I have stopped nursing him every time he wakes up since I am sure that is not helping the situation. Sometimes he will go right back to sleep if you give him his paci and lay him back down, but there are other times that he is awake for 30 minutes to an hour. And there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why some nights he sleeps better than others. None.at.all. On the nap front, he still takes two naps. He takes a shorter one (about an hour or so) in the mid morning. And then he takes his longer nap in the early-mid afternoon. The second nap lasts about 2 hours.

Eats: He is still a great eater, and there isn't much he doesn't like. He eats three solid meals a day with a couple of snacks throughout the day as well. We have started the weaning process, with him only nursing at night, in the morning, and once or twice during the day.

Wears: He is wearing 12-month and 12-18 month clothes. He can wear a size 3 or 4 diaper. .

Plays: This month Grayer discovered the toilet. We now have to keep the lid down or the bathroom doors shut to keep him out. Grayer got a number of new toys for Christmas, including a little activity push-toy. As soon as we opened it up and let him stand behind it, he immediately started pushing it and walking, I was amazed at how well he did that first time, He has been "cruising" along the furniture a little bit, but that was the first time he has ever walked forward. He can stand without holding anything for several seconds but hasn't taken any steps on his own yet. One of his favorite gifts from Christmas is a little first words texture book. He likes to sit and turn the pages and feel the fur on the picture of the dog. Grayer pulls up on EVERYTHING. And he loves to clap whenever you say "yay." He will also give high fives.

Milestones: All Grayer wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth - literally. He cut the top two teeth just a couple of weeks ago. He finally said his first word (other than babbling "dada" and "mama"). We always play the uh-oh game. He'll drop something, I'll say "uh-oh," and then pick it up. And then we do it over and over again - until I'm tired of picking it up :) If he drops something now, he will say "uh." It's funny to note that this was Wells' first word too!

Grayer's personality develops and shines through more and more each day. He is so funny and SO active. He is a busy body who has to be doing something at all times. Nothing keeps his attention for long, and his is still a big time mama's boy. If I am around, I am the only person he wants. He will crawl around the house to find me just so I'll pick him up. I can't believe this crazy guy will be one in less than a month! He has brought so much joy to our little family, and we love him bunches!