Santa Visits 2011

I am back and finally blogging!  December was extremely busy but so fun.  We celebrated lots of Christmas firsts with Grady and Layla was Christmas crazy.  Speaking of crazy, the number of Santa visits was a bit out of control this year.  Grady racked up four visits on St. Nick's lap and Layla sat with the jolly fella seven times.  Proof is in the pictures below.

#1-Classic Santa in the mall picture

#2-Met with Santa after the "Walk with Santa" in a neighboring town

#3-Family Christmas party Santa

#4-Met with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the American Legion Christmas party with Ryan's parents

#5-Layla got comfortable and chatty on Santa's lap at a mini train ride/light display in a neighboring town. 

#6-We had so much fun with the mini train ride, we had to bring Shea back the following weekend!

#7-And the last Santa visit of 2011! 

This was at another family party and Layla was somewhat of pro by this point :) 

More Christmas and catch-up posts coming soon!!

Layla's First Christmas Program

It will be the first of many.  I know we will have many, many programs, recitals, sporting events and concerts to attend, but this was our first one and it was SO cute.  Really, you put three and four years in front of a crowd and cute things are bound to happen.  My parents, Ryan's mom and Ryan, Grady and I were all in the crowd to watch Layla sing.

Layla and her buddy, Emma

 

 

Next stop...dance recital!!

Sayonara, Doc Band!

On Thursday, Grady had his picture taken for his head "after shots" and we took our last trip to Cranial Technologies.  Grady officially graduated from his Doc Band and was also given some parting gifts....his helmet and his head mold, which we lovingly refer to as head on a stick :)  The head mold was used to compare Grady's "before head" to his "in treatment head" during the appointments.  I see a very good "Show and Tell" idea for the future!

Grady wanted to see how it tasted!

And one last squeeze from our clinician, Amy. 

We are so happy to be done but honestly Grady really didn't mind the process one bit.  He actually had a rough night sleep during his first night out of the band.  It must have felt very different than what he was used to!

Craft Show

I took another try at a craft show this week.  This time around I made some appliqued shirts/onesies/bibs, bow holders, hangers, headbands and nursing covers.  I didn't really sell much but now I have lots of stock to put on Etsy or sell to friends.  Let me know if you are interested :)

And on the very bright side, someone has been benefiting from my extra stock :) 

Tis the Season!

Last weekend we had the "Walk with Santa" and four parties.  On Saturday, we celebrated our buddy Mason's 2nd birthday and Christmas with Ryan's staff.  On Sunday, we celebrated with my dad's side of the family and then my mom's side of the family.  We really kicked off December with a bang!!  Below are pictures from our Sunday parties.

Layla and Shea

Being very sweet together

Hee hee.  Layla was not thrilled with Shea for the moment :)  She bounced back quickly but I thought this picture was funny!

Santa comes to the party!

Liam not so sure...

Grady not really caring who is holding him...just happy to be held!  I am guessing that next year he will react like Liam!

Seamus...trying not to smile :)  Love this picture.

Layla is a bit nervous.  Classic hand in mouth :)

All the kiddos!  Do you like how Grady and Liam are being held up by their dads? 
And in Liam's opinion, he is still a little too close to Santa!

Next up, party at Joan's house!!

We attempted to surprise Joan with a computer and Internet. 
Unfortunately, Comcast spilled the beans with a trail of dust and cords :)

Grady, Ann, Cass & my mom

Layla and Shea played a lot in Grandma B's room during the party. 
It was very sweet and I think they may have chatted her ear off!

We cannot wait for more Christmas parties!

Walk with Santa

Santa came to town last Friday night.  Santa arrives in a firetruck each year and then walks down the street with the crowd to the courthouse for the lighting of the Christmas trees.  It is a simple and sweet event that I look forward to each year.  Layla was thrilled that my parents joined us for the walk this year, and Grady was happy to see them too!

Layla walking down the street with Grandma Barb & Papa Pete.  She was so excited to be walking on the street without cars.

Papa Pete and Layla.  They are a very tight twosome.

Sweet Grady.  Last photo of him in the Doc Band!

Layla and Grady meeting Santa

Complete

Grady had his 6 month pictures taken a couple weeks ago.  I had the photographer take a photo of him in the Doc Band so we could have a really nice picture to remember this time. 

After six weeks and one day, Grady is finished with the Doc Band.  His head has been growing quickly and we received word on Thursday that he had one week left of treatment.   The clinician told me to be on the lookout for red spots on Grady's head.  The red spots indicate that Grady's head is too large for the band and also tells us that Grady is finished with this band.  Sure enough, on Friday, Grady had deep red spots above his left eyebrow and it was time for the process to come to an end.  Fortunately, Grady will not require another band.  His head looks great.  We have one more exit appointment for the "after" pictures and then we will be finished!!!  Woo hoo!