Grady- 13 Months

Grady loves....

graham crackers
getting up once a night but sleeping a bit later in the morning (waking between 8-9) 
taking a bottle (I love giving a bottle to Grady too. It is the only time that he is still in my arms now. On occasion, he still lets me rock him to sleep too).
waving bye bye
dancing
his lovie
"jumping" into the swimming pool 
signing more
opening and closing doors
taking two naps a day
signing all done
raising both hands in the air when you ask him "Raise your hand if..."
taking baths
climbing up stairs
spoons, forks and plates
walks in the stroller
pulling bows out of Layla's hair
playing in the toy kitchen
exploring

Grady doesn't love....

eggs
sitting in our laps when he could be on the ground
teething (9 teeth in...1 more close to breaking through)
sitting still for stories
to walk quite yet...

Spoon practice!

Our solution for a squirmy Grady during stories?  Layla and I read books to him during breakfast and lunch.  His very favorite book is Peek a Hoo by Nina Laden.  He will even sit for that one!

Our little pool boy!

13 months...he might be busy but he is such a sweet boy. 

Grandma

Last week, we lost my grandma (my mom's mom).  She lived a good 89 years but she will be so greatly missed.  She was a fun grandma, quirky and always sure to say something that would bring a quick chuckle and smile to your face. 

I am so grateful that my grandma got to meet and hold and get to know my kids.  When she met Layla, she was shocked by her tiny size.  As she watched Grady grow this year, she loved to talk about what a big boy he was.  And I will always smile when I think of my grandma offering up her bed for naps for the kids. 

With my grandma passing, it really is the end of an era.  She was the last member of her family to pass away and she was the very last living grandparent for both Ryan and me.  We love our grandparents so fiercely as we grow up, it is tough to say good-bye.

I will always be extremely thankful for my grandma's generosity.  My grandma was a major part of me being able to stay home with Layla.  My grandma helped Ryan and I get through the first year of me becoming a stay at home mom.  I will always be grateful for this and I hope that I am able to help family out in a similar way in the future.

Layla has definitely felt the loss.  She understands so much more now.  She has asked so many questions. 

"Who will take care of the pets?" 
(This was her very first question....Layla definitely has my mom's animal lover family in her!)

"Can I still visit Joan?"
"Why did she go to heaven?"
"Will I see her again?"
"When will I go to heaven?"
"Can she walk again?"
"Can she run again?"
"Can I send her a thank you note for making it to heaven?"
"How can I get a thank you note to grandma in heaven?"
 "Why does grandma not have a mommy anymore?"
"When grandma goes outside in heaven, does she put on wings?"

So many good questions Layla has.  She mostly loves for me to tell her over and over and over again that grandma can run again. 

I am pretty sure she can run again.  At least my hope is that my grandma is in heaven running hand in hand with my grandpa who passed away almost 30 years ago.  I just hope they remember to put on their wings before they step outside.

Happy Father's Day!

Party 4 a Princess

On Friday, we celebrated Layla's birthday with her big princess party.  I had a hard time deciding what to do this year.  With Grady's first birthday, I knew I wanted his party to be separate so we could celebrate just Grady.  But all of the sudden, two parties were coming quickly and they were coming close together!  It really wasn't that bad and Layla's party was on a much smaller scale.  It was Layla's first little kid party and all of the kids did really well.  We lucked out again with the weather and the party was held mostly outside.  Pictures galore below!

The four year old!

One last backyard party before we move!

Here were the favors.  Each child received a crown, wand and Disney book.  I made the crowns out of felt by the yard  and elastic from Joann Fabric.  I had looked at a few options to buy and the best deal was if I made them.  They took a couple hours one night to sew but I think they were about .20 to make each!  The books were found a couple months ago in some deal bins at a local grocery store.  It was a fun find!

The wands!  Once again, I looked at many options to buy.  The best deal was if I made them.  I bought wooden stars and wooden dowel rods and spray painted them gold.  I used the hot glue gun to secure everything together.  I love to spray paint and hot glue!

It is not a party unless a mason jar is involved :)

The table before all of the food was out

Royal guests!

Flowers for the kid tables.  The jars were saved from Grady's baby food days and the flowers were from Aldi!

The kids loved the dress up station, but it was so warm that the dressing up didn't last too long!

Prince Liam!

The magic fairy dust was a hit.  The kids poured sand and glitter into plastic bottles and then a lot of them blew it into the air.  I had read online that this was a fun activity but didn't quite understand until I saw the kids in action.  Shea is now requesting fairy dust for Liam's birthday party :)

Royal shoe and shield station

My mom gave me most of the heels from cleaning out her shoe collection and I sprayed painted them gold. 

Cinderella made a grand entrance!

Our sweet family friend, Haylee, played the role of Cinderella.  She is the sweetest person you will ever meet.  Haylee did awesome as Cinderella and had a little pack of kids following her around!

Cinderella read a story, played "Cinderella Says," and took pictures with the little kids.  Thank you to my mom for renting the costume and getting it to Haylee!

Layla brought Cinderella into her room to show her...well, everything :)  Grady also got to meet Cinderella.  He had just woken up.  Grady almost slept through the entire party!

Good-bye Cinderella!

Cake time!

Thank you Jessie for this picture!  I love it!

The royal family minus one.  Grady had already gone to bed at this point.

We ended the night with a first viewing of Cinderella for Layla and Shea.  They loved it.  Well, mostly loved it.  Layla spent most of the movie behind this blanket.  She is very sensitive to anything mildly scary in movies (the cat chasing the mice was her worry in Cinderella).  The ominous music gets her every time!

Sweet Liam and Blue fell asleep on the couch during Cinderella.  Liam was tuckered from the party!

 Happy 4th birthday, Layla!  We are glad you enjoyed your princess party so much.  

She asked me the next day if she could have one again soon :)

  Now...onto our next adventure....packing and moving.  We have an accepted offer in on a house.  It is a great house, but it is a short sale.  Short sales can be heart breakers.  Cross your fingers for us!!

Turning four

 

Whew!  Turning four makes for a busy day.  

Ryan was able to take the day off so we made the most of the day, bouncing from one activity to the next.  Layla had a great day and tomorrow...we will rest!

Birth time picture...3:36 p.m.

Do you think Layla had a good day?

 

Checking out the turtles together

 

Grady was as excited as Layla...he loved all of her gifts!

Now onto the princess party with all of your buddies...what a week!