Kelly in NC

Grayson is at that age where he has started saying the funniest things. Not always the most appropriate things, but funny none the less. So to document these converstations, I will now start the “Out of the Mouth of Grayson” Post. Enjoy!

While on the way to school, Grayson asked me “Who’s your best friend?” I explained that I had 3 best friends and rattled off their names and why. I then said to Grayson, “Who is your best friend?” He responds: “Daddy, Gage, Uncle Jo Jo, Mark, Uncle Kevin, Jack…” To which I interrupted and say, “What about me? I’m one of your best friends, right?” His response, “Uh, no Mommy! YOu’re a girl!”
I guess that sexism as begun at my house.

While on the way home from school we pass by a boat and I say to Grayson, “Look a boat!” He responds, “Boat begins with the “B” sound.” (They must be learning this at school this week.) I am impressed at his newly learned skill and begin asking him what else begins with the “B” sound. “Uh Bum Bum Bee starts with the “B” sound.” He is then stuck on what else begins with the sound and so I begin to help. “Bucket starts with the B sound. Button begins with the B sound, Brother starts with the B sound>” This must have gotten the wheels turning because he very quickly and proudly adds “BUTT HOLE. That begins with the B sound. Right Mommy?”
So the next question is- Did he give this example at school too?

And then from about a month ago… I walk into school to pick Grayson up. He is sitting in time out crying his eye balls out. I look at his teacher and say, “Not a good day?” She replies that he had a good day until just a few moments before. As the class was lining up, Grayson decided to push another little boy. Mrs. Wendy told Grayson to go to the back of the line for pushing. He did not like this idea and began to throw a tantrum. Mrs. Wendy then asked Grayson to go to time out for not listening. At this point he is infuriated and says to his teacher “You’re a Damn It, Mrs. Wendy!” She of course had no idea what he was saying and had him repeat it three times before she realized that he was cursing. As she tells me this story, I try not to smile. I know exactly where and when he picked up this word (from a certain grandparent who shall remain nameless). I apologize to Mrs. Wendy and tell her that we will also have a conversation about the ugly words. She laughs and says, “I’m not too worried. He obviously doesn’t hear it too often since he didn’t seem to know how to use the words!” By the way- did I mention that Grayson goes to a Baptist daycare?

Gage,

This month you have evolved from a boring newborn into a laughing, smiling infant. We will not know your official measurements until our next doctor’s appointment in October but my guess is that you now weigh around 13.5 pounds. Your hair is beginning to fill in and now appears to be turning blonde. Your big eyes continue to be a bright shade of blue. You have learned how to laugh, especially when we blow on your belly, tickle your cheeks, or make funny noises. Your laugh is really just a short chuckle and it sounds like music to our ears! You are easy to make laugh and you smile at everything. Maybe you will be the one to inherit my nickname of “Smiley” that I had as a child.

In physical feats, you continue to get stronger everyday. Your neck muscles have strengthened to the point that you are able to fully lift your head up when lying on your stomach and we no longer have to support your head when we lift you from a lying position. You have rolled over a few times when on your stomach, but only when your arms have been positioned underneath you. In that position you push up on your arms and then turn your head, causing your whole body to roll. Of course, you think that this is funny! Rolling is a skill that will need more time before complete mastery, but I am sure that you will get it soon. Another skill you continue to practice is standing. You are now able to support your weight with us only “spotting” your abdomen and you love for us to help you see the world in this position. Another love of yours this month has been the baby gym. You enjoy laying underneath the gym, swatting at your toys, and watching the blinking lights.

Your sleeping patterns continued to improve this month. For the majority of the month, you have gone to bed at around 9 pm, slept for about 6 hours, and woke again around 3 am to eat. After the 3 am feeding you have gone right back to sleep and woke again in 2.5- 3 hours to eat and begin your day. Even more exciting, two nights ago, you skipped your 3 am feeding and slept from 10 pm until 6 am. I am crossing my fingers that you will figure out how to do that more often and that we can really begin “sleeping through the night”.

As for eating, you have moved back to a 2.5- 3 hour eating schedule. thank goodness! You spent about 2 weeks trying out the 1.5- 2 hour schedule and I honestly thought that I was going to stop nursing you if things did not change. Luckily you took my threats seriously, and we compromised with 2.5 hours. On a funny note, you are a lazy eater. You figured out how easy it is to chug the milk during the “let down” and refuse to nurse after the milk flow slows down. Instead you keep smile up at me and refuse to latch on until I offer you the other side for another chug fest. Why work hard if you do not have to, right?

Gage, you are a wonderful blessing in my life, You are a sweet, mild tempered, easily pacified little boy. I am fortunate to have such a content, happy baby and I thank my lucky stars each and every day. You have effortlessly joined our family, stealing our hearts, and giving us new reasons to smile. You are loved without question by all of us, but especially by your big brother Grayson. Grayson had no idea what he was missing before you were born, but now that you are here he hates the thought of you not being near. On the rare occasion that I take Grayson to school by himself, he often cries- wishing that you were in the car too. You are the first thing he looks for when he comes down the stairs in the morning and he often comes running with paci in hand when you cry. I am constantly amazed at how much he loves you, his “wittle bwover”. I am more amazed by the depth of my love for you. As I prepare to return to work full time next week, I am sad thinking that I will not get to spend each and every moment with you. I wish that there was a way to stay home with you and earn money to give you the life of which both Daddy and I dream. I know that you will do well at pre-school and that your teachers will fall instantly in love with you. I just wish that I was one to see all those daytime smiles….

Gage, I love you more and more each day!

Love,
Mommy