Kelly in NC

Grayson-
When did you turn into a little boy? I am sure that it has been a gradual process but it seems as if in the last few weeks, you have crested the hill in turning from baby to kid. It’s funny because even though there is a part of me that is sad that you no longer “need” me for every little thing, there is the another side of me who loves the new you! You are full of energy and love to learn. From books to slides, you’ve been busy perfecting your verbal and motor skills.
This month you have grown to love your books more than ever! The second I sit on the floor you run over with a book, sit in my lap, and then start turning pages, insiting that I tell you the names of every item at which you point. Your receptive vocabulary continues to grow. I am amazed at how much you know and am often surprised when I give you instructions and you actually follow them. You are a whiz at using non-verbal skills to communicate your needs and wants, but words still escape you. Unless of course you are referring to a few of your favorite items: clocks (”tick-tock”), balls (”ba”), truck/cars (”vroom,vroom”), Bubble (”bu-bu”), ice (”I-sss”) and your favorite question: What’s that/this? (”whada/whadis”). Those are the words that you use most often and will produce upon command. You use other words intermittently, but because you do not use them regularly, I am not sure that I should consider them as part of your vocabulary: Ozzy, Mamma, Dada, oink, boat, etc.
Now in the area of motor skills you have shown lots of growth. You have spent the most energy figuring out your new slide. You have practiced and practiced and can now climb the three steps, standup and sit down on the top, and slide down completely by yourself. Helping you learn this skills has been a challenge for me, since the new independent you has begun to refuse any assistance that I might provide. Also in motor development, you have begun trying to jump without holding on to anything. Your attempts at trying this have led to learning how to stomp (which is pretty awesome) and for some reason it has also led to walking backwards and spinning in circles. On two occasions, I have witnessed you jump with both feet leaving the floor at the same time. You may have gained less that 1/4″ vertical height, but I was still impressed and to be honest, I think that you were impressed too! You are now fairly good at managing the stairs and use a variety of methods to accomplish this task. From using the wall or railings to sitting and sliding, you will not let steps get in your way. You have gotten faster at running but will still sometimes walk on your tip-toes. YOu now spin in circles (and often fall) and can walk backwards. You help with getting dressed and undressed and haved stated using crayons.
Last week, you moved to the 12-24 month classroom at school. This has been a welcome change for you since your day is now scheduled out in 30 minute increments. You never have the opportunity to get bored. Your new teachers, Mrs. Mia and Mrs. Elaine, keep you busy with art projects, circle time, story books, centers, and your absolute favorite- outside recess! You now sleep on a cot for nap time and eat at a table. They work with you on using a spoon and fork (which you are already pretty good at) and on drinking from a cup.
Gray- I know that I have said this before- but I really do think that this month has been your best ever! At 16 months, you have really developed a love for everything in your world. You make everyday seem special by filling them with laughter. I love that you will now run over to me, wrap your arms around my legs, and insist that I pick you up. I love how you blow kisses and when we are lucky will give us hugs. I love that you give me a reason every morning to get out of bed. I love you for more reasons that I could ever write in a letter.
I love you each and everyday.
Love Always,
Mommy

It has been a few weeks since I had the opportunity to visit our new house. I finally made it out there on Sunday. Click HERE to see updated pictures of both the interior and exterior. (FYI- there are a few photos of Grayson at the begining of the slide show.) The house is really moving along now and it continues to be on schedule. We are crossing our fingers that everything will continue to progress smoothly. Since my last post about the house, the exterior siding is now complete, sheetrock is hung, and the hardwood floors are installed. This week tile, interior doors & trim, and the cabinets will be installed. It is amazing how much the house changes from one day to the next. Only 2 more months!!!
Also, on another note… We are very close to selling our current home. Our neighbor’s brother came by to see the house on Friday and we are now working on the contract. It will be such a relief to not have to worry about this house anymore…and to not be concerned with showings. I have no idea how people with children can “show” a house…but then again- maybe that explains some of the houses I have had the pleasure of seeing.

Tomorrow we will be “showing” our current home to 2 different potenital buyers. Our house isn’t officially on the market but these buyers both found out about it by word of mouth. One person I work with and the other family is our neighbor’s brother. We have decided to try to sell it by owner for a month before shelling out the $$ for a realtor. Really it will be the buyer who will pay for the realtor because we will raise the price by 6%. So anyhow, cross your fingers. Maybe it will sell tomorrow and then I will have one less worry on my plate.

As for the new house, the sheetrock is finished. Hardwood floors will start on Wednesday and our kitchen and master cabinets will be installed next weekend. It’s moving along nicely and I can’t wait to move in!

And the three questions I chose to answer are:

1. J.K. Rowling demonstrates an impressive ability to integrate symbolism throughout her books. Even in her epilogue, James and Albus Severus, Potter’s children, continue the teasing/taunting relationship that is indicative of the people for whom they were named. Therefore, in keeping with the theme of symbolism, if you were a character in Harry Potter, what animal would be your patronus and why?
I think that my patronus would be a labrador retriever. I am a loyal friend who can be depended on to stand up for others. This is an interesting question- because I wonder what my friends would expect my patronus to be.

3. If faced with certain death, would you walk into the situation to save the ones you love - knowing there was no time for goodbyes?
Yes. I mean is there a more significant way to say goodbye than to lay down your life to prove your love? I think that as a mom, I have a much better idea of how much I would sacrifice to save my son.

5. Harry named his son after Snape. Do you think Harry should have forgiven Snape after all he had done? Do you think it was appropriate to name his child after Snape?
Renee’ is this your question??? Because I know that this was your favorite part of the book! I have to admit that I was very moved by this part of the story line. In the last book, I was very angry about Snape killing Dumbledore and couldn’t understand why D. trusted him so much. Once I read about Snapes devotion to Lilly and how that love transcended to Harry, I could only then truley appreciate this character. I think that once Harry could see the real Snape, then he could then understand Sanpe’s motives. In the end, I think that Harry was honoring Snape and the sacrifices he made in order to save Harry. So yes to all the questions!

No, I am not talking just about the prime number, or the lowest number that is impossible to score with two darts, or for that matter the flight that crashed over Scotland in 1988. (That would be Pan-Am Flight #103 for those who are interested.) Instead I am referring to the record that was set in Charlotte today. 103 degrees. Man is it hot. Due to the heat,Grayson has found the best way to remain cool in our house:

Yes, he is sitting on the air conditioning vent. Too funny! You see, Grayson inherited what I like to refer to as “The Sweat Gene”. FYI-this is from my husband’s family. Both Tim and a few of his siblings (who will remain nameless- you know who you are) have hyper-sensitive sweat glands. Within only a moment of eating something hot or walking into air that is higher than 79 degrees, Tim will get a bead of sweat along his brow. If he continues in those conditions, his body will continue to sweat until he is a disgusting, wet mess. Now of course most of you reading this are thinking- “Yuck! How disgusting. How can you be married to someone who is so sweaty?” But since I just shared all the information with you, I must also tell you that Tim is one of the cleanest people I know; taking multiple showers thought the day, changing shirts frequently, etc. Anyhow, I guess about 2 months ago, I discovered that Grayson had inherited this trait, poor kid. We were out at the new house and had only been outside a few moments when I looked at his face and saw beads of sweat accross his upper lip. Within less than a two minutes, I swear! Anyhow, poor Grayson has inherited the sweat gene and he is surely not appreciating this heat wave.
Speaking of the house, I guess that it has been a while since I have posted a photo of that. Check this one out:

This photo was taken on Monday. The windows are in, the siding is going up, insulation is finished, and sheetrock hanging will start tomorrow. If you look really hard, you can almost see the color (green) I selected for the house. I painted a test square on the garage. The kitchen cabinets should be in on the 24th of this month, so Tim is busting his a** to have the house ready by then.
The past few weeks, since I returned to work, have been very difficult on Tim. I honestly do feel sorry for him. He works over 12 hours a day between his job and managing our house. Many times in the past few weeks, he has only gotten to see Grayson first thing in the morning. As you might imagine, working those long hours does not make him the easiest person to deal with. I just try to keep in perspective that I only have 2 and half more months before the house will be finished and I will have my old husband back…hopefully. Pray that my marriage will make it that long. (Ok that was just a joke…if anything it is our marriage that is keeping Tim sane through this process!) I guess I finally understand all those comments about, “If your marriage can make it though building a house, it can make it through anything.” Of course I heard the same thing about child birth.
Lastly, I have had lots of good news in the past month that I have not had the opportunity to share. First, one of my very best friends, Carri got engaged. I have been waiting on the engagement FOREVER since this marriage will officially tie her to NC! Yipee! That means we will live near each other until we grow old and die…hopefully! (I also really like her fiance- especially since he is Tim’s “hobby twin”.) Second, my in-laws have put a contract on a house that will only be 10 minutes from our new house! They have talked about moving here for over a year and it looks like it will finally be a reality. To make this news even better, my MIL told me that their new yard will be big enough for a pool! Splish-splash, here I come! Third, Tim’s best friend Carter also got engaged. Tim was asked to be the best man and I was lucky enough to be sitting next to him when he got the call and see him get all teary-eyed. (It isn’t everyday you can make my husband feel emotional.)
So there you have it. Lots of information that I have wanted to share, but haven’t had the time.