11 Months.

11 months.  Oh how time flies.  I can remember last year at this time, being super preggo and uncomfortable.  Just wanting to be able to hold my new baby in my arms.  And now look at him....he's HUGE!  

He's just starting to walk.

He LOVES Ethan so much, and craves his attention.

He likes to play in the dog bowls...especially splashing the water.

He's figured out how to climb stairs...but doesn't yet know how to safely go down.

Luckily, he still gives me TWO naps a day, how else would I get all that sewing done!??!

He and Sam can almost wear the same size clothes.

He's babbling...mostly says "eh" but a few others manage to work their way out, like baba, mama, dada.

 

{isn't that face just the cutest?!}

And he's off...

Just shy of 11months, Griffin is walking.  He is into everything.  He tries to walk all the time...but is a little top heavy {sorry G - it's cute!}  He is wearing size 18-24 month clothes.

Kindergarten here I come!!

Today was Ethan's first day of Kindergarten.  He goes to school all day from 7:55 in the morning until 2:45 in the afternoon!!  Long day for my little 5 year old!

We met his teacher the other night at Open House.  All I can say is I wasn't real impressed.  She wasn't dressed nicely or even too friendly.  She even called us the next day and said she "missed" us at Open House, after we shook her hand and she even showed Ethan where his desk was!!  Hope the year gets better.  But Ethan came home today and said he likes her.  So I guess we'll let it slide ;) It's funny, because her name is "Mrs. Smith".  Ethan can't say it, at all!  He says:

• Mrs. Smiss
• Mrs. Smiff
• Mrs. Sniff
• Mrs. Thmith
• Mrs. Sniss

Apparently we've got some practicing to do! :)  So this morning we packed his lunch as he requested: pb & j, grapes, and carrots.  I even snuck in his favorite, 2 oreos!  He brought his lunch back and only the sandwich and  oreos were eaten! ;)

Sammie missed Ethan terribly today.  He did well playing by himself, but I could tell he was lonely.  Daddy treated Sammie to McDonald's for lunch, and when Ethan got home he said "Did you guy go to McDonald's without me"?!?!?!?!  He was a little jealous!  Too funny.  Griffin even missed Ethan.  He really entertains G and G loves him so much.  He doesn't pick on him like Sam tends to do.

 

{Ethan standing in the K03 line - that's his class - waiting for the bell to ring}

It's funny, having Ethan go back to school gave me a bit of anxiety.  Not sure if I was having anxiety for him, or re-living the "joy" of starting a new school and making new friends all over again.  I certainly don't miss those days at all, and I hope the he enjoys school much more than I did.  I was really shy and missed my Mom!

 {catch a glimpse of Ethan going to his class with his classmates - he's got the orange backpack}

Overall I think Ethan had a great first day at school.  He said he made a new friend named Andrew, but he can't remember what Andrew looks like! :)  So proud of you Ethan.  You are growing up way too quick!  Mom and Dad love you so much buddy! xoxo

10 Months!!

10 months later he's.....

•  cruising the furniture {with speed - and sometimes even one handed!}
• got 8 teeth total {4 on top, 4 on bottom}
• still eating baby food.  We've tried table food, but it ends up being chocked on, or thrown on the floor with no interest - unless of course you feed it to him!
• still loving Mama's milk, I hope he switches over to milk easily!
• Waking up at night 2-3 times.  Always waking up to be comforted back to sleep.  And as much as I love that...I am ready for sleep!  5 years of being up with kids at night 6-7 nights a week really wears on your body!
• Is talking more and more every day.  He still says Dada, Baba, and uh-oh!  He will purposefully throw his sippy on the floor and say uh-oh!  Even though he doesn't like his sippy or take 1 drink from it, I think the fact that we offer it to him is good!
• Is into everything!!  He is so curious about what your doing, and what he shouldn't be doing!  If the bathroom door is left open, he speed crawls to it just to hang out right by the toilet!  Go figure!  
• He doesn't put much into his mouth yet! {I know, were lucky - I am hoping he skips this phase all together...especially since the older brothers have TONS of mini Lego's all over the place downstairs.
• He is wearing a size 5 diaper {same as Sammie} and 18-24 month sized clothes - often a 2T {which is also the same as Sammie}  The shorts end up being "shants" {short pants}on him, but the tops fit his mid-section pretty well!  At least I know he's comfortable!
• Loves playing with Ethan SO much!!  I often find him and Ethan laughing and playing for quite a while!!  Mama is going to really miss Ethan's help when he starts school!!
• Loves to take a bath with his older brothers {something new Daddy just started while Mommy is working nights}
  
• Loves riding in his stroller after dinner.  That's when he's "bored" and loves getting out and about...what are we going to do during the winter months??  eek!
• Still naps in his swing, with no intention of ever napping in his crib!  I've tried.  He'd rather hang out in it then cry and cry and cry!  But as soon as he goes in his swing - he's sound asleep.  Which by the way...he has definitely OUTGROWN and I actually have 10lb weights holding each leg down! :)
• Getting very difficult to hold, change diapers and take pictures of.  He is always arching his back {not because of a tantrum...but he must like the way it feels...so holding him is hard - especially since he is 25 + pounds} changing diapers all he does is roll around and giggle!  And for taking pictures..he refuses to sit.still!  He is constantly on the go!  I had to give him boppy pins, a yellow circle toy thing to wear on his head and my camera lens cover to play with just to get some mediocre shots!
• Has inherited the names: G-dawg, Griff-dawg, Griff-a-lot, Griffy Griff, big boy {all from big brother Ethan!}  Mommy of course prefers pumpkin and love muffin {not sure why they all involve food!?}

 {not at all interested in the camera!}

 {the toy I made him wear in order to sit still for one millisecond...you can actually see him arm reaching for it}

 

{a little blury - kid won't stop moving}

 {here he is chillin in his swing right after waking up}

We all love you Griffin!!

Nakie Boy!

Sammie LOVES to be nakie.  Especially getting rid of his diaper.  You would think he would want to learn how to use the big boy potty, but he still has no interest {just like his brother did at his age}

{cute little bum watering Mommy's flowers}

{it's not what you think, it's the hose!}

when Ethan came out to see us, he was mortified that Sam was standing in the backyard watering plants with no diaper on!  He didn't even want to look!

Vistors from Cali!

We had my family from California come visit us this week!  They DROVE all the way from California.  It took them about 4 days to get here.  I was super excited to see them, and even more excited for them to see the boys, and how much they have grown.

Opa had a great time goofing off with the boys:

{uncle Erik and G}

{sweet memories}

{uncle Ryan}

{the whole family and visitors from MN}

{sparkler time}

We all had a great time with them.  It was sad to see them go.  We spent time at the falls park {which was super hot and humid}.  The weather really put a damper on things we could do with the heat and humidity.  The boys really got attached to Opa and Grandma.  I can't wait until we can see them again.  It was especially great to have them here for fireworks!!

9 Months!

Thought I would share this fun picture with you:

{ 9 months inside the belly - wow, my belly was massive!}

{ 9 months outside the belly}

Amazing isn't it?!  I just love his little face in that picture!  He looks so grumpy, but he really wasn't!  Such a stinking cutie pie!! :)  In the past few weeks he has began to say uh-oh!  He will purposefully throw his cup on the floor and then say "uh-oh".  It's pretty funny.  I have tried cheerios with him, but he is just not ready yet.  Maybe in another month or so!?  He is great at crawling around now, and actually enjoys standing on his head.

See what I mean?  He does it all the time!  It's fun to play peek a boo with him like that, he just laughs and laughs.  Sometimes he will even crawl like that, but with his head up, of course. :)

Griffin has also started to pull up to stand on some furniture.  He's pretty wobbly still, and really isn't sure what the heck he's doing.  It's almost scary watching him.  I'm afraid he is just going to topple over!

{love those little lips}

{before I took this picture, I was sad that I didn't have any nakie pictures of Griffin, and that I would soon forget just how cute he was with all his baby rolls.  So I snapped a few!}

Happy 9 month birthday Griffin!  We love you so much!