Weekend in Spartanburg

We went to Spartanburg this weekend so Richard could help his Dad remodel his parents' closet. They made it go from one shelf to two and added some shoe racks. Grady and I had fun hanging out with Nana and Aunt Irene. He loved swinging on the front porch swing, swimming in the pool and snuggling with Aunt Irene's stuffed animals. We also got to visit Poppy and Grandmother.

Not so sure he wants to sit alone while he swings.

Feeling safer in Nana's lap.

Snuggling with Aunt Irene's stuffed animals.

Having a blast swinging really fast with Aunt Irene!

You would have thought he was on a roller coaster!

Saying hello to Maggie.

Getting all lotioned up for a dip in the pool.

Blocking the sun.

A visit with Grandmother and Poppy.

Tired boy.

Babysitting James

Richard and I got to babysit James while Sarah and Jamie went out for their 5th Anniversary. We enjoyed it, but Grady was very jealous (especially when James got his bottle). James was wearing one of Grady's outfits and I had to post a picture of Grady and James in the same outfit.

This is Grady at 4 weeks old. Here is James at 6 weeks old. (Jamie put the sign on James to surprise Sarah.)

James was stretching . . .

and yawning. Sleepy baby!

Sarah wanted to get a picture like the one I took holding Grady in the same outfit.

Me and Grady (3 weeks old).

My cute little Linus (and we stopped the Beaver!)

Here is my cute little Linus! For the past week Grady is always holding whatever blanket is in the crib with him every single time we go to get him when he wakes up. I have been calling him Linus ever since he started it. He won't let go of it when we take him out of the crib and even carries it to the changing table with him (which helps him stay still during diaper changes, so fine by me). I think it's the cutest thing ever, but I am his Mama. Richard ordered Grady a "CribWrap" to help prevent our Beaver from chewing up his crib rail. He seems to love it! I highly recommend the CribWrap to anyone who has a crib with wide rails! It's also very easy to wash! Always so happy after a nap!

Right after the above picture I put the CribWrap on and he of course did this. (anything soft that he touches seems to make him do this).

Grady modeling his CribWrap.

He touched something soft!

Nope, your Beaver teeth will not get through!

Playdate with Andrew

Today Grady and I met Bridget and Andrew at the Joseph-Beth Bookstore to see Mr. Nigel. He was very entertaining and sang lots of fun songs with the kids. It was close to Grady's naptime, so he was really tired, but Andrew was smiling and laughing the whole time! He was so cute! Grady had fun crawling around and checking out all the other kids. Our day must have really worn him out because he feel asleep in the car on the way home around 12:45. I put him down in his crib as soon as I got home. It's nearly 5:00 pm and he is still asleep! I have gotten a lot done this afternoon! Bridget, we need to do this every Friday! Andrew and his adorable smile!

Mama and Grady

Grady loved to touch and kiss Andrew's head. We had lunch at the food court. I think Andrew wanted some of Grady's cheerios!

Grady is 11 Months Old!

Grady is 11 months old today! We can hardly believe he's almost one! This year has flown by and has been filled with the most wonderful memories! He is babbling all the time and his two new sounds are "uck" and "gaagaa" for everything. He can stand for a few seconds on his own, but doesn't like to. Three of his favorite things right now are playing (banging) on the piano, going to the pool and talking to the neighborhood dogs on our walks. We were having "grass time" outside and a lady walked by with two dogs and he was pointing and crying as they walked away because he was so sad to see them go. I am guessing his first question will be, "Can I have a dog?" Grass time is me trying to get him to be happy playing in the grass. He does not like sand at the beach, conrete, grass or much of anything weird to be touching him. We are working on that. He is such a happy boy and we are so thankful for him! I tried to spike his hair a little for a few pictures.

He loves to play the piano and is always crawling over to play on it every chance he gets! I hope he'll love to play as much as I do!

Grady singing to his tunes.

On our way to the pool!

A visit with cousin James

We go over to Sarah and Jamie's house often, but I finally remembered to take my camera so I could get some pictures of Grady and James together. It was not easy because Grady wants to keep touching James and everyone knows a nearly 11 month old child doesn't know what "gentle" means! So, we had to put them on opposite ends of the chair for pictures and I had to hold Grady's arms down.

Uncle Richard and James Grady wanted to rub James' head while he sucked on his thumb.

I think James is keeping his eye on Grady!

Stare down!

Grady started getting excited because Nana was singing to him and James started getting in on the action too! So cute!

Sweet Baby James

Grady going in for a kiss

We tried to get a picture of Nana with her two grandsons. It didn't go so well.

Really didn't . . . (maybe next time)

James in his Moses basket.

The Beaver Strikes Again!

When Grady's bottom two teeth came in I posted pictures of how he demolished the inside of his crib rail with his teeth. Well, Grady's top four teeth all came in last week! That was a fun time. Two days ago I put him down for a nap and 15 minutes later I heard him talking to himself, then he started crying. I went in to check on him and he did the damage you see below in that short amount of time. Maybe he was crying because he couldn't find any more new spots to sink his new teeth into! We have got to find a teething rail that will fit! A view of the top and inside teeth marks.