Friday, June 27, 2008

A couple "firsts" this month...

Adam saw his first movie in the theatre this month. While "Kung Fu Panda" is probably not going to become a classic, Adam had a wonderful time seeing his first movie with his Daddy. He came back from the experience talking about "popcorns" (another first!) and big pandas. While he didn't sit through all of it (we didn't expect him to!), he did see about an hour of it before he started to get squirmy (note to self: don't sit through all of the previews next time). A wonderful way to spend a lazy Father's Day morning.

Another "first:" Miles giggled! I was sitting on the chair in the living room and he was sitting on my lap. I'm sure I was doing something completely ridiculous in order to engage him, but it paid off - a giggle erupted from his little body. More giggles soon followed, and it didn't take long before Adam was sitting on the chair as well and all three of us were laughing. It was a special moment for me - sitting with my two boys, having a great time.

Looking forward to more giggles, that's for sure.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Goodnight, Adam!

Putting Adam to bed is always bittersweet. By the end of the day, I'm beat and ready for some peace and quiet. However, he's usually on his best behavior when it's time for bed, and some of the sweetest moments are to be had.

Bedtime for Adam consists of the usual change into pj's and brushing teeth. Then it's time for a story or two (or three, if Jeff is putting him to bed!). Prayer comes next, and he's just now reciting our little prayer all by himself:

"Dear Jesus. Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray guide me through the night and wake me with the morning light. AMEN!!!"

Then we move onto thanking Jesus for people and things in our lives. "I love Daddy. I love Miles. I love Kristin. I love Carter. I love Uncle Ben. I love Uncle Allan. I love lawnmowers." Tonight he made sure to thank Jesus for lawnmowers. He's all boy, folks.

Hugs and kisses. Tuck Adam in, tuck Lightening McQueen and Dinoco goodnight (if they're not in bed with him, they're nearby). Turn fan on. Close door. Pray he stays in bed and falls asleep quickly.

Unless he's corrected, he completely forgets the "I pray the lord my soul to keep. May Angels guide me..." Nonetheless, his version of the prayer just as sweet. In time (probably sooner rather than later) he won't need to be reminded of the missing part. He'll do it all on his own. It'll be just one more thing that I won't have to coach him on - and with that comes the realization that he's growing up so quickly.

So quickly, yet he's still my baby. My afraid-of-pooping-still-wearing-a-diaper baby. So I guess he's not growing up that fast.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Straightjackets and Smiles...

I don't know what it is about my kids, but they love to be swaddled.

We tried a couple of swaddle blankets with Adam, but ended up using the Miracle Blanket the most. Adam, being a very high-strung, easily startled baby immediately loved to be swaddled.

Miles initially hated being swaddled, preferring to sleep with his arms above his head. However, after a few nights of off again, on again sleep, it was Jeff's idea to put him in the Miracle Blanket. After a few grunts and trying to fight it, Miles settled down and fell into sweet sleep. Relief for all of us!

At 3 months old, Miles has recently started sleeping through the night (usually 10pm - 6am). After our last nursing session of the day, I tiptoe him into his bedroom, lay him down in his crib and start the swaddling process. Lately, however, he's been wide awake during the wrapping and just looks up at me with a huge gummy grin, sometimes cooing as if to say "I'm alright now mommy - I've got a full belly, i'm happy, and I may just let you sleep tonight."

It really doesn't get any sweeter than that smile, that I know for sure!

Friday, June 6, 2008

You start at the very beginning...

...a very good place to start....

Me? Blogging? I never would have predicted I would start a blog. This year, however, we had a speaker at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) encourage us moms to keep a journal - writing about anything and/or everything- from the mundane to the noteworthy. Often, i've thought to myself "I should write this down - I don't want to forget Adam/Miles doing/saying this!" All of this brings me to this place where I can reflect upon the happenings in the Gray Household: The funny things Adam says; The cute things Miles is just starting to do as a wide-eyed 3 month old; The tantrums and chaos; The quiet times, and maybe a little about me as well.

So, let's begin.

I love babies. What I really love, however, is when they stop being little baby who just needs to eat/sleep/burp all the time, and literally "wake up" to notice the world around them for the first time. In the last two weeks, Miles has made this exciting transition. He now follows us with his eyes, returns our ridiculously huge in-your-face smiles with his gummy baby smiles, and coos back at us. Interestingly enough, and perhaps not surprising, he loves watching Adam. When he watches Adam I wonder what he is thinking. Does Adam seem like the fun body that never stops moving? The little body that makes loud siren noises? Sings his John Deere song over and over and over again? All I know is that even at this young age, they make each other smile and as a mother, I wish them a lifetime of smiles.