THREE!!!

2 weeks old

1st birthday

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

Dear Grayson, 

  Three years ago today, you were born! My first child, my son, my monkey, my little buddy. You have brought unbelievable joy into our lives from the moment we found out we were expecting you. I still remember your first cry like it was yesterday...you were so small, only 6 lb. 13 oz., with a full head of dark hair that stuck straight up. You taught me so many things, even as a tiny newborn---how to breast feed, how to change a diaper without getting sprayed, how to survive on two hours of broken-up sleep, and how to love more than I ever had before. 

  You are such a loving boy, always telling us that you love us and giving hugs and kisses---there is nothing better than having you climb up in my lap, put your arms around my neck, and give me a big, sloppy kiss. You are 100% boy...obsessed with cars, trucks, trains, balls, and DIRT! You're a dirt magnet---I don't know how, but you can be outside for five minutes and come back in completely covered with dirt from your head to your toes. I love everything about you, my sweet Grayson---your gorgeous blue eyes with your long lashes, your chubby little hands, the way you can play with Lightning McQueen for hours on end, your sensitivity and compassion for others, your love for all things sweet, the way you repeat everything you hear...I could go on for days! You are incredibly stubborn and hard-headed, something your daddy says you get from your mommy. :) I hope that this will serve you well later in life as you have to stand up for your choices. You are loud and you are silly. You make us laugh countless times every day. You play independently so well---I love to watch you get absorbed in your toys and listen to you talk to them as you act out the stories in your head. You are sweet and compassionate---if you see me sad or upset, you run over to give me a hug and tell me, "it's okay, Mommy! I wuv you!". You don't care what others think, and you've always done things on your own schedule--a great lesson for mommy on patience! :)

 

  Grayson, your daddy and I love you more than you will ever know. 10:32pm on August 31st, 2005, is a moment I will never forget--the exact moment that our lives really began. I don't know what we ever did without you, and I cannot wait to watch you continue to grow and learn. You are my heart and soul, my sweet boy. Happy birthday!!

Love, Mommy

Trip to Maryland

We spent a few days in Patuxent River, MD, with our great friends, Gretchen and Ben, last weekend. Ben had an architecture conference in DC (about an hour and a half away from Pax River) on Sunday so we decided to make a trip out of it so we could visit our friends. I've blogged about them before, but in case you're new to the blog and don't know about our friends, the Hogans (nickname, not really their last name), their little boy, Henry, is 11 days older than Grayson and their daughter, Ruby, is 10 days younger than Emma Claire. We couldn't have planned it better! :) Anyway, we try to get together every few months even though we live 9 hours away from each other, and this was another awesome visit together.

We arrived Friday afternoon and spent the rest of the day playing outside and catching up. The kids get along great (most of the time) and it was fun seeing how much fun they have together. On Saturday we spent part of the day being tourists in DC (my first time seeing the sights there!). It wasn't very easy with 4 children, 2 double strollers, diaper changes, lunch, and fussy babies, but we definitely made the most of it and were able to see a few of the DC highlights. We walked around and saw the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the White House, and a short tour of the Museum of Natural History. I can't wait to go back (without children!) and see even more---what an amazing city! 

Here are just a few of the almost 300 pictures that we took while we were there---how cute are these children?!?! :) Thanks so much for having us, Hogies---we love you all dearly!! 

Current favorite

This is the CUTEST book ever! I got it the other day at a consignment store and it's become our new favorite book. I recommend it to anybody with young children---you won't regret buying it! The image is a little small, so in case you can't see it, it's called Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. Now hurry up and go buy it! :)

Uh oh...

Me: Grayson, I said to sit in your chair! Get back in your chair right now, please!

Grayson: You stop talking to me in your mouth!!!!!! 

I had to try my hardest not to laugh while I reprimanded him for telling me what to do. I think I'm in for it...

Birthday party

We had a four-way birthday party for Grayson and three of his friends this past Sunday. They all have August birthdays so the mommies decided that we'd do one big party instead of four separate parties. Grayson and Sanders are the 3-year-olds and Vann and Anna Kate are the 2-year-olds. We had a pool party and the thunderstorms stopped just in time for a really fun party. Grayson's 3rd birthday is in eleven days so this helped him to start gearing up for the big THREE!!! 

Clothes, Clothes, Everywhere!!

Chez Ami

Shrimp and Grits Kids

It's one of my favorite times of year--trunk show time!! This year I hosted a Chez Ami show and a Shrimp and Grits Kids show. SO many cute clothes, and I got a discount for hosting! I also hit up Kelly's Kids (my favorite!) and Orient Expressed. Grayson and Emma Claire are going to be terribly cute in all of their new clothes!! They should arrive just in time for the cool weather in November. Here are some pictures of what my living room looked like during the shows...isn't it fun?!!? 

Giveaway!

Go check out a new favorite blog, The Fun House, and click on her giveaway button in the sidebar to win a basket of awesome bath goodies! 

Day at Edisto

We drove up to Edisto for the day yesterday to hang out with my friend Rebecca and her boyfriend, Dave. Christie, Brad, Sanders, and Gibson also went and it was a great beach day. Grayson and Sanders ran around and wore themselves out, and Gibson and Emma Claire played until they passed out on their daddies! I have been terrible at remembering my camera lately, so THANK YOU to Rebecca for taking all of these pictures and emailing them to me so quickly! I love the ones of the babies sleeping--so sweet! :)