January?

Today was not a typical January day. We took advantage and splashed in some big puddles, played a bit outside and pretended it was spring as we enjoyed  the almost 60 degree weather. 

The puddle jumping was not exactly the plan.  We were taking Howie for a quick stroll and Layla was going to jump in a few puddles before Grady's nap.  Well, Grady was not happy about missing out on the fun.  So we found a safe and puddle-filled cul-de-sac and I let him jump too.  In one of his two pair of shoes that fit his feet.  I think he may need a pair of rain boots!  His shoes washed up beautifully though.  And all of his clothes too.  He was completely soaked.  Layla had two drops of water on her.  She counted :)

 

 

 

Tomorrow...back to winter and the snow!

Grady- 19 months

Meet Grady the 19 month old (for 2 more days!).

Things I want to remember about Grady at this age:

Grady loves his lovies.  In an attempt to get him not so attached to his favorite one, I started encouraging two others.  Now he is obsessed with all three lovies.  Oh and for Grady, paci and lovie go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Grady loves balls.  His favorite way to play is by shooting hoops from inside the ottoman.  He also has a very good day when they are on his shirt.

Grady is tough to grocery shop with.  He yells for everything that he wants.  And he pretty much wants everything.  The aisles that are the toughest to go down are the cracker/cookie aisle and the produce section.  Seriously, the title of bossiest little boy who doesn't talk very much...goes to Grady :)

Grady loves to show his belly.  He is so cute when he does it.  He likes to flash his belly often at us.

In typical little brother fashion, Grady does whatever Layla does.  He also likes to play with every toy she plays with.  As you can imagine, this can mean a battle or two during the day.  But they are also very cute together.  They like to do a lot of running in circles together.

Grady loves electronics.  He enjoys a good iPhone, computer, t.v. on/off switch and remote.  BUT he will not watch any t.v.  He does not sit still long enough to be bothered with cartoons.  Layla really liked Barney at this age, but Grady is at full speed unless he is eating, sleeping or riding in the car.  Fitting in a shower can be interesting some days :)

Grady loves to brush his teeth.  As soon as I mention the word, he is on the stool passing Layla's toothbrush to her and grabbing his out of the drawer.

This past month, Grady has started understanding so much and he is even listening a tad better (we may even start storytime again!).  It is fun to watch him grow in this way.  Layla gets a kick out of it too.  We can tell him to go grab an item in the other room or throw away garbage and he will go toddling away to get the job done.  We are hoping more words come as his receptive language grows!

I love this age.  Round, cute and very silly.  But onto 20 months we must go!

 

 

Snow?

 

We have had just a tiny bit of snow this year.  

I would love if the grass wasn't poking through, but a little snow is better than none at all.

I just wish Grady would get into the snow fun a bit more this year...

Okay, Grady loves the snow. But do not even think about trying to stuff his feet into snow boots :)

A Final Christmas Wrap Up

Oh my...it is almost a month after Christmas.  And I am still forcing Christmas photos upon you.  

But with a 2012 blog book in mind, the pictures must go up!  

Here are the final photos from our festivities :) 

Christmas Eve

We always have a fun night and Ryan's parents' house.  Our Christmas Eve consisted of lots of laughs, food, presents and communicating with Katie, Truan and Truan in Hawaii.  Big Truan is stationed in Hawaii and the family will be there for the next few years.  We missed them this Christmas.

 

The walking doll!  After a hiatus, dolls are back in play mode in our house!  

I would say it was Layla going through a different toy phase, but it might have been the large amount of toys we didn't unpack until Christmas break :)

 

Christmas Day

We celebrated Christmas Day at my parents' house.   What a nice day.  The kids were so excited this year.  I don't know if they, as a group of four, will ever be this fun and into Christmas as they were this year.  They were just so cute and wrapped up in the whirlwind of the holiday.  We opened (and opened) presents, ate lots of food, shot lots of photos and video and enjoyed the day and night with many family members and Ryan's parents too!

Headed to the present room!

Grady was so much more into opening than I anticipated this year.   He gave some great reactions and loved unwrapping the gifts.

Breakfast!

Layla's keyboard from Cassie, Jamie, Shea and Liam was the hit present of Christmas.  It has a keyboard, microphone and recorder all in one.  Cass was singing Grady a Christmas song here.  He really liked her dance moves too ;)

 

We were so excited Joan joined us for Christmas this year!  

More fun with the keyboard!

 We had three dogs at my parents' house on Christmas day.  The pets got along really well.  Tessa trumps Howie in the dog world so all was calm!

Some pictures of the fab four!  One of the four is always a bit off from the others...try to find which one :)

And one last jam session to end the night!  Look at Liam in this shot!

And one last Merry Christmas!  And my present to you is no more Christmas pictures :)