for those who love griffin...

This little picture right here is just extra for your enjoyment and actually wasn't necessary for this post. I just can't help myself. Here he is in all of his glory. I think he was asking me why he has a hat on when it is in the nineties. Hmmmm....good question.

Since one of the purposes of this blog is to keep loved ones updated, I'm posting a video of Griffin displaying his awesome giggle. But beware, you will also hear some fairly annoying baby-talk coming from yours truly. All I can say is that it was for a very good purpose...

Five Months...

Griffin's five month birthday was on the seventh. For some reason, telling people that he is five months seems like a big deal--he's no longer a newborn whatsoever. People no longer make the "brand-new" type of comments. This is fine by me. I don't mind being done with the newborn stage because I love older babies. However, to say that these past five months have gone fast would be a huge understatement. It isn't even like time has gone fast...it is like time hasn't even been an element, or even a consideration since Griffin's been home. It makes me panic just a tad bit because I know that things will start flying by even faster now...and I'd really like to camp out at this age.

We're really, really enjoying Griffin right now. His personality is coming out full force and we're actually a bit surprised! He's still sweet, lovable, easy, and loves to snuggle, but now he has something new: spirit! "Spirit" might be a mama's loving way of describing a strong-will...which tends to run in the family;) Almost all of the time he is our sweet, seemingly passive little boy, but then that spirit comes out and WHAM, hits us over the head! He likes to do things by himself and if he doesn't get his way, he sure lets us know with his newly found voice or his fast-maturing muscles! He's been practicing rolling over from back to front and when he isn't successful, he gets MAD and real tears come streaming down his face. He tends to practice this move when he is getting his diaper changed and we then have to wrestle. So far, I'm still winning, but it won't be long.

He's eating solid foods now, which he LOVES! And boy, does this guy eat! Favorites right now include squash and bananas. If I let him, he'll eat the entire banana...at FIVE months! Griffin would do anything to be able to hold his bottle himself, but I'm not letting him yet and we have to have "talks" about the issue during every feeding.

Griffin still has me wrapped around his little finger, of course! He loves to play by himself, but I've been trying to carry him around more in my sling. I also sometimes lay down with him for the first few minutes of his morning nap--the one nap he gets to sleep on our bed. I love these special times with my little boy. I think Joel might think I'm a bit silly for warming up all of his bottles because Parker took them cold right out of the fridge. But I guess I'm becoming more sensitive...or something.

Griffin still hangs out with me while Daddy and Parker rough house after Joel gets home from work, but I guarantee you that it won't be long till he joins them. We often sit and watch them and Griffin just about jumps out of my lap with excitement. He is simply amazed by the two of them. I'm hoping that I stay interesting for a bit longer...I love having my little guy with me!

Happy five month birthday to my littlest man! Don't grow up too fast...

Three generations of women

My mom, my Grandma Dee, me, and possibly a 4th generation girl growing in my tummy!

This year my grandma is 75, my mom is 50, and I'm 25. We just recently figured out that this was a pretty cool thing. Even more cool...if this baby is a girl, then a quarter century down the road, we are looking at a family celebration of women at 100, 75, 50 and 25! (I totally just stole the words in italics straight from my parent's Christmas letter...but I know they won't press charges because they like me:) In any case, I just think this is a pretty special picture taken on Christmas Eve and I wanted to share.

The Half Birthday!

I realized that I missed an important post...Parker's 1/2 birthday:) I have been finding that the second year of life is going even faster than his first. Oh no! Here is my boy in pictures: First 3 pics are from the day after birth (middle one with Auntie Vicky) and 7 weeks. Second 3 are from 5 and 6 months and the third set is current, of course!

I just wanted to edit this to add that I don't even remember Parker looking like this first picture. Aaaahhhh...he is so beautiful and I regret missing this very brief stage:) It isn't because I have just forgotten that they can look this small but I seriously don't have any recollection of his second day! I was seriously loopy and was still repeating my sentences over and over. I think I had a strong reaction to one of the drugs. Good think we have tons of pictures...as you can see!!

I was on a little outing yesterday by myself and I went into Barnes and Noble and drank a decaf latte. I picked up a little book about mothers and sons and I remembered again why I love being my son's mama. One of the quotes said something like this...

*As a baby, your son will always be searching for your face. This will never change.*

I love this because I find it to be so true. While little boys are born to be little independent adventurers with all of their car sounds and filthy faces, Parker is always looking for my face for reassurance. I am so blessed.

~I must add that I now feel more excited to have a daughter someday...whether it be in a little over 3 months or down the road. Right now, I'm just enjoying my role as Parker's mama:)