Happy 8 Month Birthday!!

Eight months already? It seems to hard to grasp, but here we are once again amazed at how fast time goes when you are trying to keep up with a changing, growing, learning, and happy little boy.

There have been lots of changes this month, the biggest being that I have spent most of it at home with Graham full time! Being a full time mommy has been fabulous thus far. I am already convinced that there is no way I will want to go back to work in August. Perish the thought! We have settled into a nice routine that involves sleeping in (for the most part 8 or 8:30 every morning), eating, singing songs, playing with toys, eating, getting dressed and heading out on a morning adventure, eating , napping, eating, more playing when Daddy gets home, going for walks, eating some more, etc., etc., etc.

Are you starting to see a theme here? Eat, eat, eat!! I feel like we spend the better part of our day eating! And Graham is into eating lots of different things. We have expanded his culinary tastes beyond just baby foods this month, and he is LOVING it! He has had bananas, berries, potatoes, mum mums, and cheerios to date. The two new additions this month, his two bottom teeth, are making eating a whole new sensory experience as loves to use his “chompers” to crunch all different things, both food and otherwise. Graham is also trying, though not with much success, to use sippy cups and straws to drink water and frappuccino as well?!?! One morning this month, I was holding Graham on my hip with one hand and a frappuccino in the other hand. I turned my head to look behind me and when I turned back around, Graham had his mouth on my straw and was desperately trying to suck up my drink! Let’s hope he doesn’t inherit his daddy’s Starbucks habit quite this soon!
All this eating has definitely led to a lot of growing. Graham is about 15 pounds and 26 inches long. He has lengthened out a LOT and we are starting to have problems with clothes. The onesies and shorts that fit best around the middle are getting too short, while the ones that fit lengthwise, are WAY too big around the middle. I am sure that he will eventually even out, but in the meantime, it would be great if they made baby suspenders! =)

Eating and growing have also definitely helped Graham’s mobility. He is now big enough to fit comfortably in the stroller without a car seat and loves the new world around him, finally being able to face forwards and see out! We are also officially “on the move” in our world! This month, he finally got the hang of using rolling as a means of transportation and will roll his way around the floor, room, crib, etc. While Graham will get on all fours and bounce on his knees, he still shows next to no interest in crawling and wants to spend the majority of his time standing up. He would stand in his stander or holding onto one of us for hours, if we would let him. He loves to tell us that he is ready to stand by sitting and leaning backwards against us, in a kind of reverse plank, so that his feet reach the floor. Graham’s strength (and stubbornness) amazes both Chris and I, as when he is ready to stand, there is absolutely NO bending him back to a seated position.

When we can get him seated (or even when we can’t!), Graham loves to play. He still loves to play with the cats has only gotten hissed at on one occasion when he got a hold of Rescue’s tail and held on a little too long! He continues to love playing peek-a-boo and will find things he can hide behind. One morning, he was sitting on the floor in the bathroom and he had a blast playing "Peek: The Shower Curtain Edition".Graham has become a big fan of bath time and it seems to take longer and longer each night! He enjoys playing with his rubber duck and a good old Wartburg Cup. Daddy enjoys playing with Graham's hair, and he has gotten plenty of interesting "bath time do's" (don't's as I say!)!Graham also loves to play with his toys, and can dump an entire bin of toys all over the floor in a matter of seconds.
And although he has a bin full of toys, I think his current favorite “toys” are my phone and the remote control! He takes after his daddy with that one, so much so that Chris went and found one of our old remotes and gave it to him since everything still goes straight to his mouth. Speaking of mouth, have I mentioned this month that Graham loves to talk?! He is imitating all kinds of sounds and stringing more and more sounds together. This month he has discovered how to whisper and thinks that it is hilarious! While he loves whispering and can crack himself up for hours alternating between loud and soft sounds, he is also extremely tickled when we imitate him and whisper his “ba ba ba” sounds back at him! Graham definitely understands conversation patterns and responds to his name and sounds coming from all different directions. We have also seen an increase in his receptive skills and his understanding of the signs for more and milk. He laughs and smiles for “more” and since it is usually presented in conjunction with food, he will either hit the high chair tray or open his mouth in excitement rather than imitate the sign as a request. When asked if he wants milk with sign only, he will reach for me and nuzzle in towards my chest. It is pretty gosh darn cute!

Graham is adorable and still loves to interact with…well anyone and everyone who will smile in his direction! He has gotten lots of attention this month as we have enjoyed a family wedding in Kansas City, complete with another airplane ride,

Chris’ first Father’s Day, Sunday mornings at church, and story times at the library. He has also been on a few playdates. He loves being around other kids and is definitely watching everything they do. We have also been finding ways to stay cool, and Graham has been a real trouper in dealing with our hotter than average summer thus far! We have been swimming in both indoor and outdoor pools and are learning to enjoy wearing a hat to keep the sun at bay! This is such an amazing time, and I feel so fortunate that I get to spend the next few months at home with Graham. Chris and I are both so proud of our little boy and are having a blast watching him change from a baby to a little boy, complete with his own spunky personality and sense of adventure! And what an adventure we are on!!

Happy Father's Day!

I don't even know where to start in sharing about my first Father's Day. Like most Sundays, we got ourselves put together and headed to church. The woman who was covering the nursery offered to take Graham, but I wasn't about to give him up. We skipped the last church potluck until the fall (for those of you who know me well, you understand how monumental that is) and headed to IHOP for a healthy lunch (Graham even shared some hash browns).

Enough of all that boring stuff. I was eagerly awaiting the traditional Father's Day gifts. You know, a tie and a #1 DAD coffee mug. Jen and Graham had been sneaking around all week, and I knew they were cooking up something good. After Graham finished his nap, it was time for presents!!! I'm not sure how much help Graham was in getting the gifts wrapped, but he sure was a lot of help in unwrapping them!



While I didn't receive a coffee mug or a tie, Jen and Graham got me some pretty fantastic gifts. I got a book called I Love You, Daddy (I bet you can't guess who that one was from, huh?). Graham and I will have lots of chances to read this one, but we made sure to try it out right away. I also got a Starbucks gift card (Woo Hoo!). The last present was the "secret project" Jen and Graham (and apparently a few other people) had been working so hard to put together. Jen wrote a poem and framed it with Graham's handprints. Once I stopped crying, I was blown away by how thoughtful Jen was with this gift. The poem reads as follows:

The Hands

These are the hands you dreamt about
For such a long, long time.
And these are the hands you first saw
And said, “Son, you are mine”.

These are the hands with fingers small,
You counted them to ten.
These are the hands that will grow and change,
And what will happen then?

These are the hands that you will hold
As I learn to walk and fall,
And these are the hands that you will teach
To throw and catch a ball.

These are the hands that will chord and strum
Just like you, on the guitar,
And these are the hands that will ask for the keys,
So I can drive the car.

These are the hands that someday
May leave you for a while,
But these are the hands that will bring me home,
And hand to you my child.

These hands they will do many things,
But this I know is true;
These are the hands that give hugs and kisses and say,
“Daddy, I love you!”

There aren't words to describe how touched I was by this secret project. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love my son, and I can't wait for many more Father's Days!

(Somebody had a little too much Father's Day fun!)

Breakthrough!!

We have recently had a return to the throws of sleepless and restless newborn nights, and for good reason. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have teeth!


I know this is not the best picture, and I am sure we will get more photos of those cute little pearly whites soon, but we just had to share this latest milestone!

We knew this day was coming, sort of. For the last two weeks, Graham had been pulling at his ears, drooling buckets, chewing on everything (especially my shoulder), and just not quite his usual happy self. Upon closer inspection, we could tell that the bottom right tooth was right at the surface, and when it broke through on June 12, we thought we had a reprieve as the left tooth was nowhere to be seen.

However, just two days later, we had an extremely rough night! We were up several times, and nothing could quite seem to console our little guy! The next morning at breakfast I discovered the problem. The left bottom tooth was there, right at the surface, and as of today has almost completely broken though his gums. Poor guy...teething is hard work, but we know it will open up a whole new world of experiences for him! Hopefully (for all our sakes and sanity), sleeping through the night will be one of them once again!

Happy 7 Month Birthday!!

It is amazing how much can change in seven months! Graham is growing and developing right before our eyes, and seeing the world through his ever-changing, on-the-go perspective has definitely been the highlight of this month.

Graham’s perspective changed a lot this month because 2 days after his 7 month birthday he starting sitting independently. I got to Natalie’s at lunchtime on Thursday, and when she didn’t have Graham in her arms, I assumed he was sleeping. She just opened the door and pointed to the middle of living room where there he was sitting all by himself. She said he was just so proud of himself and had been sitting like that for most of the morning! I was so EXCITED that I didn’t even have time to be jealous that he did this for Natalie first! Of course Graham had to show off his new talent to Chris when he got home and both sets of grandparents via the webcam!
It seems crazy now, but at the time, Chris and I were both just blown away by this accomplishment. It was so awesome to think that one day, he couldn’t sit up without support, and the next day, he just could. If only we had known that we would feel that way about every milestone from here on out! Sitting has definitely opened up a brand new world, as now Graham reaches for everything and anything that is remotely near him.

His favorite things to reach for by far are the cats!! This month, it seems as though they each really discovered each other! Graham LOVES LOVES LOVES the cats!! He watches their every move and smiles and squeals when they come into sight. Rescue loves the attention and is content to sit with Graham and let him pull on his ears, tail, and whiskers. Of course, Rescue gives it right back when he tries to head-butt Graham just like he does the rest of us. We take it as a sign that Rescue now sees Graham as a member of the family. Frankie on the other hand is still not a huge fan of Graham’s flapping arms, flailing hands, or high pitched yelps! Needless to say when Graham can catch a piece of Frankie’s tail, he gets really excited. We have discovered, however, that Frankie does like to be near Graham and when Graham is sleeping in his crib, Frankie is often on one of the rugs in his room or when Graham is sleeping on our bed, Frankie can be found curled up in a corner (as far away as possible, but still on the bed). We figure there is hope yet (at least until Graham really becomes mobile and tries to ride Frankie like a pony)!

So I have mentioned that Graham both squeals and yelps. As of this month, he also talks NON-STOP and laughs hilariously (see the piggy video a few posts back if you missed it!). Graham is definitely going to be a talker. He likes to babble back and forth and is really starting to get the ebb and flow of a conversation. He loves it when someone answers back and he gets to respond. He is stringing together both consonant and vowels sounds and having great chats with anyone or thing that will listen. Apparently, his pacifier and Sophie both make great audiences as he has been overheard giving both of the what-for at various times!
We are starting to use a few simple signs with him (more, milk, and waving for hi and bye) and although he is not doing them independently yet, we know he is starting to understand what they mean. In addition to talking, Graham has spent he month learning to make all sorts of interesting raspberry and vibrating lips noises as well! He thinks it is just great, and let’s face it, Chris and I do too and we encourage every bit! He still coos and smiles for everyone he meets and loves to use those "baby blues" to flirt with people everywhere we go!

Using his mouth seems to be a theme for the month, as Graham has not only started talking, but also really started eating…everything…food…books…even his toes! For beginning life as a slow eater, Graham has definitely picked up the pace. He loves to eat anything and everything that we have given him. We are well into the stage 2 baby foods and have yet to find something that he doesn’t like. As a result, he has continued to grow and is about 14 ¼ lbs. at this point. While he is still able to wear his 3-6 month clothes, we are finding that they are getting a little short, so we may be making a move to bigger things soon!

Graham has definitely been on the move this month! He continues to stand up whenever possible, and is showing a definite interest in moving about. He rolls from his back to his stomach and flip flops back the other way. He still hasn’t completed a full “revolution”, but we know it is coming soon. Although he likes to move, Graham is still happy as can be sitting on our laps listening to stories or singing songs, and the snuggle and quiet time is greatly appreciated by all of us.

There were a lot of first this month (most of which were covered in other blog posts); my first Mother’s Day, my first go-round as a “single parent” when Chris was in Orlando for the State Special Olympics meet, Graham’s first airplane ride, (and subsequent flight delay) Graham’s first wedding (and suit), and the list goes on and on! With Graham changing so fast, it seems as though everything is a first and we have to stop and enjoy every minute. For this month (and I am sure from here on out), I think Ferris Bueller might have said it best: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. So, here’s to not missing a moment!

Jet Setter

The end of May saw us introducing Graham to a new method of transportation…flying! For two weeks in a row, we flew back to the Midwest for weddings. We were not at all sure what to expect, but discovered that Graham is a great traveler and did really well with all the changes in his routine. Of course, it didn’t hurt that both weekends also included visits (and spoiling sessions) with the grandparents and one uncle, two aunts, and three cousins!

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Caroline, got married in Chicago the third weekend in May. We flew from Tallahassee to Chicago via Atlanta and had smooth flights all the way.
My parents drove in from Des Moines and met us at the airport. We spent most of the weekend at the hotel taking part in all the wedding festivities. It was so great to have my mom and dad get to spend so much time with Graham and see all his new tricks; sitting, eating, “standing”, etc.

It was also fun to meet several of Caroline’s close friends whom I have heard her talk so much about. Cindy and Heather are both awesome people, and it was nice to finally meet them in person. All three of us commented that, after having met each other, we now understand why Caroline is friends with each of us. We are very similar, and Cindy and I even finished each other’s sentences a few times by the end of the weekend.

Graham’s first wedding experience was really a first for all of us as well. Caroline and her husband, Neil (oh my goodness it seems so surreal to say that!) are both Jewish, and the wedding was very traditional. It was held on Sunday, May 22, and included two distinct Jewish Wedding Rituals, the Kabbalat Panim and the Chuppah. It was so interesting to take part in their celebration and see the similarities (and differences) to weddings we have attended in the past. This wedding was very distinctly Caroline, and it was perfect for her!



Sadly, we had to leave the Midwest and fly home to Florida on Monday. We returned to Tallahassee via Atlanta where Graham got to experience the first of what I am confident will be many delays at Hartsfield-Jackson International. We were pleased that they took the time to fix the air conditioning on the plane, but it would have been nicer had it not taken an extra hour. Graham was a trooper though as we survived!


We had a short, but hectic work week before we turned around and left on Friday afterschool for Panama City. We spent the night with my cousin Kathy in order to make a flight to Kansas City at the crack of dawn Saturday morning! Despite cutting it a little close for departure (partly our fault and partly the overzealous TSA representatives a the Northwest Beaches International Airport), we made it to Atlanta with no problem. We even departed for Kansas City on time…only to sit in a line at least 25 planes long waiting to take off. At one point, the teenager next to us asked if we were driving the plane to KC! Although antsy, Graham again did a great job and was rewarded with plenty of hugs and kisses from Chris’ parents who met us at the Kansas City airport.

The wedding this weekend was the daughter of a close family friend. Rachel was really like the Reece kids’ sister growing up, and so not only were Chris’ parents there, but also his sister and brother and sister in-law and their three kids! Aleck, Rhaena, and Micah met Graham at Christmas, but he was still so little that they weren’t all that interested. This time around, however, they were very intrigued by him and he was all about watching them! It was fun to see the cousins altogether!



Rachel’s wedding was at the Crown Plaza in downtown Kansas City, and because the wedding didn’t start until 6:00 PM, we all spent the night at the Plaza! It was so beautiful, and we all had a great time.
Sunday night, we moved to a Holiday Inn near the airport and Graham got to experience another first, his first swimming pool. The water was a little cold and the cousins were a little excited, so we are not really sure how much he enjoyed it, but living in Florida, he will have to get used to it fast!



Again, the weekend flew by way too fast and we were headed back to Florida before we knew it! Graham got a few extra snuggles and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa Reece to hold him over until we can visit this summer. The flights home were extremely uneventful, and although we had a fabulous time, we were all ready to be home for a while.

Although it was two incredibly frantic weeks, we are so glad that we were able to attend both weddings and let Graham have time with both sets of grandparents. We learned a lot about flying with a baby (namely that the most strict airport/TSA representatives reside in Panama City?!?), and are already looking forward to our next adventure with our little traveler. We know if he could talk, Graham would be asking, "Where are we flying to this weekend?"

New Job!

I am beyond excited that I now have a new (albeit temporary) job. I am now officially a Stay at Home Mommy! We have had a rather interesting spring with lots of ups and downs, and although my being at home all summer was the original plan, it had been called into question by several recent events. After lots of talks, tears, and prayers, we have decided to stick to the plan, since knowing I would be home all summer was the only thing that made going back to work in January bearable! Needless to say, I have been looking forward to summer since last October 26th, and I am so excited to see what it will bring. Graham is at such a fun age right now where he is so interactive, curious, and ready to be on the go! So starting today, here we go!

Graham and I spent our first day together sleeping in (until almost 7:30!), watching Meredith Vieria’s last morning on the Today Show, going to story time at the library, and running a few errands. It fabulous…and exhausting! Here's to sweet dreams of all the adventures the rest of the summer will bring!

Mazel Tov

So Graham had a busy weekend (which is another post all together), but for now, we just wanted to say "Mazel Tov" to Caroline and Neil! We were so excited to celebrate with you! We love you both and are so happy for you!