Just trying to keep up

To say June has been busy would be an understatement. So far we've had Grady's Baptism, a wedding in Wilmington, and an engagement party in Raleigh. Next weekend we have Sarah and Jonathan coming to visit. While everything has been awesome and catching up with old friends even better, I'm not going to lie I am EXHAUSTED. We attended Will and Claire's wedding in Wilmington - what a fun time. It flew by as I was busy catching up with old friends, so much so that I never took my camera out. Not once! Same goes for Kristin and Michael's engagement party last night. My how times have changed. In the past I would have taken 100 photos throughout the evening! Grady stayed with my parents while we were in Wilmington. Dave and I were so excited to have our first little getaway sans Grady. But, I didn't even make it an hour down the road before I called my mom to check in. And, of course, there were tears when we left. My parents were beyond excited to have him for the weekend. They converted the guest room into Grady's room - equipped with a jumper, toys, books, etc - everything he could ever need. It was too sweet for words. We came home Sunday and celebrated Father's Day with the fam. John and Christy met Grady for the first time. I think they liked him :) 

So my last post I told you how close Grady is to getting his toes in his mouth, well he finally got that big toe in his mouth. I love watching the shear determination this kid has as he grabs that chubby leg and foot and shoves that toe in his mouth. Hilarious!

 

We put Grady in his highchair for the first time and he loved it.  love him in the highchair. Although its bittersweet because it makes him look so much older. He has now had cereal, apples, and pears. For a while he fought the spoon but if I put it on my finger (no judgment) he couldn't get it in his mouth fast enough. Tonight, however, he ate from the spoon like a pro. I'm getting ready to start him on peas and if he's anything like me, he'll hate them.

Teething is still around. He has one bad day a week and it kills me when he screams in pain. I wish I could trade places him. I've been using homepathic teething gel instead of the Baby Orajel and it works pretty good. A few times we've had to give him Tylenol :( I'm really not into the Baby Orajel because it contains red 44 - what is that? I'm obsessed with keeping everything organic for Grady and unless someone can explain what the hell red 44 is, he is so not getting it!

Bathtime (and changing diaper time) are still his favorite. I think this kid just loves being naked!

And ... my new favorite trick, he reaches for me now. Melt my heart!

XOXO,

Court

Just checking in

I had a lot more free time when I wasn't working, so forgive me for my lapse in posting. Grady is 4 1/2 months old now (please don't ask me how many weeks, I have no clue!) And even though we're used to having him around, every day is still full of surprises and new events. Last week he found his toes. This week he's trying his hardest to eat them.

Rolling over is old news, now he is trying to crawl. What the heck am I going to do when he starts crawling? I have a feeling Porter will be chasing after him a lot more when Grady become mobile.

We busted out the jumperoo and although his feet don't quiet reach the floor yet, he loves sitting in it. And mommy and daddy love the music that comes with every freaking little ball or toy that's attached.

As far as food is concerned, I'm shocked. He HATES the cereal, and now he hates the apple sauce. In fact he really only wants his bottle. I thought for sure he would be beyond excited when I introduced him to baby food, but not so much. I keep trying every day though!

He had his first pool experience and I covered him from head to toe in SPF 55+, brimmed hat, longest bathing suit bottoms ever, and a top. Yep, over protective, I get it. The water was too cold for a full body emersion, but he got his little toes wet. I think he just liked all of the activity and watching the other kids play. Soon enough Grady will be loving the pool, I just know it.

Grady had some much needed Nona and PopPop time recently. But, he's about to get a whole lot more because Dave and I are having our first get away without him for our friends, Will and Claire's wedding in Wilmington. I will miss him terribly, but because I know he will be in good hands I am very excited for some adult time, and the beach, and Robert's chicken salad.

And just because, here's some of my favorite recent pictures...

XOXO,

Court

Baptism

Grady's big Baptism day was June 3. What a lucky guy, about 30 family members came over to celebrate. We couldn't have a private baptism because the Church we did it at apparently frowns upon that now, so there were other babies being baptized at the same time. Here comes proud momma moment...Grady is the only baby that didn't melt down! In fact, as the Priest was speaking, he sat on my lap with his hand on his thigh and stared right at the Priest as if he truly understood what he was saying and agreed with it. No joke, at one point he was tapping his fingers too. I swear the Priest was talking directly to Grady and he just took it all in. When it came time for the water to be poured over his head, he looked up at the Priest and gave him a huge smile. Directly behind us, however, was a meltdown for the books. I know every mom has been there and I'm sure I will have my public meltdown stories too, but good Lord! I would have died. I could see beads of sweat forming on Dave's forehead and I knew what he was thinking "if Grady does that I'm going to be so embarrassed." (If you know Dave you know this is so true - after all, he runs a tight ship!) I could tell the grandparents were beaming with pride too.

My baby boy looked so handsome too. I searched high and low for a decent boy's gown - to no avail. But my mom and I found the cutest little linen sailor outfit from the store Dave has banned me from, Janie and Jack. I wish we had more time to take pictures of him in his little sailor outfit, perhaps he will wear it again on some random day and I will take another 1,000 pics. We'll see.

Grady is saying "Ma, enough with the pictures, geesh!"

Aunt Katie and Uncle Dan - the Godparents

Aunt Nadine finally got to meet Grady!

Aunt Meghan and Uncle Jon

My loves!

Aunt Nadine and cousin Ryan

Of course I didn't get near enough pictures of everyone who came. I need to hire a full time photographer to just follow us around so we don't miss anything! Everyone was so generous and Grady received some beautiful gifts. I feel like a broken record, but we are so blessed with such an amazing support system. Thank you!

XOXO,

Courtney