10 Months Old!

Apparently I never posted this - oops!

Cue the broken record - again! Good Lord this little guy is growing by leaps and bounds. Just before his 10 month birthday, Grady graced us with his first word ... "dada". He has been babbling for a few weeks now and would say "dadadadadaada". However, this time he was playing in the family room and Dave walked in and Grady looked right at him and said "dada". MELT MY HEART. I think Dave's heart skipped 5 beats. The look on his face was priceless. Since then, I've been stalking Grady saying "momma" every 10 minutes. He repeats what he thinks is momma, but its really "baba". Oh well, it will happen soon enough. He is talking nonstop now. He talks to himself, his toys, really anyone who will listen. Precious. Grandma Schoen told us he held up a ball and said "bahh", but I haven't been able to get him to repeat it :(

 

Some other firsts just before 10 months old ...he dances. So cute! He just goes up and down while standing in the same place. He mimics what you do. If you growl at him, he growls back. If you laugh at him, he laughs back. If you pat your hand on the table, he does it right back. Amazing!

 

And my favorite first, he took his first step. He actually did it Thanksgiving morning. He was walking around the coffee table, looked at the couch, let go of the table and took one step unassisted and reached the couch. Dave and I were shocked! Its only a short time before he's walking all over the place! For now, just a step or two is fine by me.

 

And as I write this, just last night Dave and I had to give him his first hair cut. Don't freak out, it was just a little snip in the back. No child of mine will rock a mullet!

With all of these firsts happening one after the other, I feel like I can't keep track of it all. I hope I don't miss something!

 XOXO,

Court

Thankful

The usual Thanksgiving tradition is to sit at a beautifully decorated table filled with amazingly delicious foods and everyone says what they are thankful for. There are not enough hours in one day for me to share with everyone what I am thankful for this year. The obvious is Grady. He is everything I imagined and then some. But not only am I grateful for him, but I'm grateful for my family. Recently we had a "family" member unexpectedly get called up to Heaven. It puts so much into perspective when something tragic like this happens. The only silver lining, if there is such a thing, is that you realize what is important. I drove to Raleigh for the funeral and left Grady and Dave in Maryland. The entire drive down I thanked God for my boys, my family, my friends. I prayed he would return me to Maryland safe and sound so that I could love on my boys. Life is so precious and sometimes too short. I made a promise to myself that I won't sweat the small stuff anymore.

 

As the holiday season is now in full swing, I hope everyone keeps a little perspective. It can be a stressful time, trying to make sure the meal is perfect, the house is spotless. Hunting and stressing over finding the perfect gifts for everyone. In reality, its not about that. Its about family. Spending those precious moments with the ones you love. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday!

Enough with the perspective talk. It was a Schoen Thanksgiving this year as we will be in Raleigh for Christmas. Here's some pics of the family - which continues to grow every year (yay baby boy Stebbins!)

 

 

XOXO,

 

Court

 

 

9 Months Old!

 

 

Its hard to believe 9 months ago I was ready to pop - literally. And in just 9 months Grady has learned so much. He's eating like a real pro now and almost doesn't want to be bothered with the pureed stuff. He likes picking up his food all by himself. He LOVES his Cheerios and cheese puffs and yogurt melts. Who am I kidding, he loves all food. He just wants to be a big boy and eat it all on his own.

I said he would be walking by around 9 months and although we're not quite there, he's so close its scary. He goes from sitting on the ground to standing all by himself. He hit a record freestand of about a minute yesterday. Boy was he proud too!

 

 

 

I thought the newborn stage was exhausting, but this brings a whole new meaning to the word! Grady is up, trying to walk, then down playing with a toy, then shoots across the room inevitably to grab something he shouldn't have, and on and on. It is so tiresome keeping up with this little guy now. But at the same time, he is more fun now than ever. I'm still amazed at his personality and sense of humor. How does he know that its really funny, or when to laugh at the perfect moment? His chitter chat in the mornings before I go get him are priceless. Whatever he's telling his little stuffed friends, he means business!

At his checkup he clocked in at almost 22 lbs. His growing slowed down a bit...he's now in the 70th percentile rather than 90th! I feel so blessed to have such a strong, healthy baby boy.

 

Im having so much fun dressing him now because he's starting to take on more of a toddler physique. I'm loving putting hats on him - he's just so cute in them. And he doesn't try to yank them off. Here's one of my favs...

 

 

 

 

First word - dada. Hmmmm. Any day now he is going to say momma, I just know it!

 

XOXO,

 

Court

 

Its Fall Y'All

Its Fall and that can only mean one thing...PUMPKIN PATCH. Wahoo, I've been waiting since January 26, 2012 to take Grady to the pumpkin patch. And we finally made it this past weekend. It was everything I wanted it to be. A little crisp in the air (could have been a little cooler, but I am so not complaining), little darlings smiling wide while sitting amongst gorgeous orange pumpkins, warm apple cider with fresh made apple cider donuts (don't knock it til you try it), and I could go on and on. I have literally been waiting and waiting for the Fall Festival to start for a long time. We met a few friends who brought their little pumpkins along too.

 

 

 

My lil pumpkin

Yep, baby TOMS. I had to!

 

 

I couldn't decide which picture I liked best, so I narrowed it down to like 20 for ya!

 

I'm thinking I didn't get enough of a fix so Grady and I may venture back next weekend :)

 

XOXO,

 

Court

 

Addition Update

Oh the addition. Depending upon the hour, I either love it or hate it. For instance, two hours ago I cursed the day we decided to build an addition and just swore off ever, ever, EVER, renovating a house we were currently living in. Dave, in true Dave fashion, gave me his best blank stare but I know what he was thinking..."what will I do for the rest of time then?" Its true, he LOVES building especially when he can enjoy the fruits of his labor. I have always joined in his enthusiasm for around-the-house projects and re-dos. UNTIL NOW. Bad timing on our part to decide to build an addition while having a baby in the house. I know I've said this before, but I tip my hat to single parents. How the hell do you manage? With Dave trying desperately to finish our new master bedroom and bathroom (and live by the saying someone wise once told him "happy wife happy life"), I've been left with all things Grady, domestic, etc. This is exhausting to say the least. Again, kudos to all single parents because if this lasts more than the three-four weeks I've been promised, I will flat out loose it.

 

However, as I type this (and realize how ungrateful I sound), I remember how much I love the addition. So far we've agreed on almost everything, except the budget. (He is crazy if he thinks I can furnish, and we're talking everything from matress, boxspring, headboard, dresser, night stands, etc., along with a new TV, linens, bathroom decor, etc. for $2,000!) Anyway, I'm doing my best to stay in budget and Dave has only gone over budget by $400. This little beauty put us over but I just had to!

 

Note to self - I need to find a basket or two for under the new vanity!

 

If you're paying attention, you now know I've been promised a finish date of 3-4 weeks. Some may think that sounds long. Well, Dave started this in early July so when he tells me 3-4 weeks it sounds like a blip of time and I can barely contain myself! Here's where we are so far...

 

Do you love the trim detail as much as I do? Our bed will go up against it.

Ha ha, just noticed the old vanity and toilet hanging out in the new master bedroom! Don't judge!

Water view from bed = ahhhh

Finally getting the shower bench I've been talking about for years

 

My fingers are crossed that the next time I blog about the addition, it will be showing pictures of the finished product!

 

XOXO,

 

Court

8 months old

Trying to get this guy to sit still in his chair for his monthly photo op is impossible now!

 

 

And here comes the broken record, but I can't believe how fast Grady is growing. He's an expert crawler, but that isn't enough anymore. ALL he wants to do is climb up and stand on things - his toys, the media console, the step up from the family room into the dining room, pretty much anywhere he isn't supposed to be is exactly where he wants to be!

 

 

 

So let's see, we have some firsts. First foods like crackers, Cheerios (I still don't know why I was soooo excited to give him Cheerios - weird!), turkey, apple juice, etc. We're allowed to try toast and cheese and stuff, but he still chokes on me so I'm taking this solid food thing VERY slowly! He is Mr. Independent and wants to feed himself too. He has mastered the sippy cup and even takes his water down one handed sometimes. He still twists his feet while eating - hence the nickname fancy feet, happy feet and/or twinkle toes.

 

 

 And for my not-so-favorite first - he got sick for the first time. It was absolutely heartbraking. He woke up one night in the middle of the night screaming (very unusual) so I went in and he was burning up with a 102.8 fever. I panicked and woke Dave up (not sure why I thought that was a good idea but whatever) and pretty much stayed up with him all night. Took him to the dr. the next morning and they said sorry, he's caught a virus and there's nothing to do by Tylenol for the fever and lots of TLC. But, this developed into a nasty cold followed by bronchitis. His cough is the most pitiful thing I have ever heard. Because of the bronchitis, we have to do nebulizer treatments :( He hates it and crys at first, but after a minute of us smiling as big as we can and singing every nursery rhyme we know, he just sits and takes it until we've finished. I swear - he is so good at life! (Incidentally, he HATES Old McDonald Had a Farm - upper lip comes up and everything. And I secretely sing it sometimes just to see that upper lip come up - wouldn't you?)

 

 

He's now standing up in the crib - precious. I watch him in the mornings on the video monitor for as long as he lets me. He sits up, talks, plays with his crib friends, stands up, chews on the railings, and trys to stand without using his hands (which obviously doesn't work yet) so he falls down and starts the whole process all over again. Some mornings he'll do this for an hour, some not so much. Either way he's such a sweet pumpkin head in the mornings.

 

 

 

I'm noticing more and more the transformation from infant to toddler. Example, he's feet are growing longer and less chubby :( His legs are getting stronger and longer. He's starting to thin out :( His hair is getting longer. And the teeth are coming in at an alarming rate - 5 are totally in and 2 more are on their way down. On the plus side, his weight gain has slowed and he's holding steady at 20 lbs. The way he plays with his toys has changed alot too. He plays hide and seek with them, he inspects them, and he loves manipulating things - especially in the bath. He is fascinated with pushing his squirt toys down under the water and watching them come up to the surface. Every time he does this and the toy comes up he turns and looks at me with the biggest grin - almost like he's saying did you see thaaaaat mom?

 

 

And my favorite new thing, his curls. I could stare at them all darn day. Especially the ones that come out from where his ears are...good Lord they are too cute for words! But with this came his first gender mistake. The lady at Sams Club commented on how cute our baby girl was. Dave's stink eye was priceless. I just said thanks and we went on our way.

 

I have a feeling he'll be walking by 9 months!

XOXO,
Court