More on Food....................................................

Graham baby you have been eating solid food for just over two months. I was ready for a battle, I had heard the stories. Baby only eats food when it is hot, baby takes 35 minutes to finish a 1/4 of a cup, baby will only eat orange veggies, baby hated seven different types of spoons, you name I was prepared. But guess what Graham baby, you love it all, and lots of it. We are sailing through the stage two foods and gearing up for meat! (pureed meat = gross) We have even given you a few puffs, you love to chew them up when I put them in your mouth. You can't quite figure out how to take the puff from your hand to your mouth, but its only a problem for second or two, as you quickly remember to bob your head down like a chicken to pick up the snack. GENIUS!

7 months old.......

This baby is just so darn cute! I can brag, its my blog and only like 4 people read it. Seriously, he was referred to as the "Gerber Baby" 3 times yesterday, at Costco, the Gym, AND the grocery store, I mean its all but written in stone. We are busy, busy, buying a home, and making plans for our life in the burbs but baby boy is keeping us happy and laughing.

Snow Day.............................................................

Today was the biggest snow fall in Chicago since 1999! 20+ inches of snow fell Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Schools closed down for the first time in twelve years, Lake Shore Drive was shut down, and we all stayed up late to watch the Thundersnow fall. Your Daddy stayed home from work to play with us all day, we cooked and snuggled all day long (and around 5pm, bored to tears Mom and Dad cracked open a bottle of wine). It's 9:30pm, our street still has not been plowed and we may not be able to move our car until March but we loved your first blizzard baby boy!

Solid....................................................................

6 months old, enter a whole new ballgame. It is time for solid food, and as predicted you eat it all like a champ. We gingerly introduced bland boring easy to tolerate strained green peas. You gobbled down the entire jar in less than a minute, and eyed those smashed sweet potatoes like you knew better stuff was out there and you just had to figure out how to get your hands on it. You have sailed through the vegetables and moved on to fruit. It is so much fun to feed you in your high chair. It is a big sloppy mess with left over food in the most unexpected places. Green Beans in your diaper? Carrots on your knees? Two ears covered separately in bananas and prunes? I don't know how it happens but I am sure to wipe your face before we head out to ensure you don't show up to play group as the sticky kid.
As it is my right as a new Mom, I will comment on your poop. It's gross. And stinky. Vegetables and fruit and changed the poop routine entirely, and as anyone who has ever spent anytime on Weigh Watchers will tell you that much fiber leads to some serious business. We uphold standard "Whoever smelt it -deals with it -rules around here so both your Daddy and I are taking plenty of turns.

Well Look at That.................................................

Sitting up, what a big boy!

Christmas...........................................................

Graham's first Christmas! You were five months old on your first Christmas and just as cute as can be.

I spent the weeks leading up to Christmas creating your first Christmas stocking. Sparkles, glitter, and felt adorn it, please note that you are never to ask for another one, or an upgrade. That is your stocking, like it or not. My creative talents are limited and I must save my strength for when you are nominated to be 3rd sheep from the left in the Christmas pagent and I am tasked to glue cotton balls on a white hoodie.

We traveled to Omaha, again by car. Just a tip little buddy, want to save yourself and the rest of us from these tretuorous car rides in the middle of winter across boring, boring, Iowa? act.up.in.the.car. Just once, do it. I promise you that Dad of yours won't stand for it and we will have Southwest tickets booked in no time. But if you keep up this perfect car ride stuff we are doomed. Sleeping all the way to Iowa City?! You're crazy, kid. Wake up, scream your face off, do what ever it takes, but get your old Momma out of the car on into A31.

Once we arrived in Omaha it was all snuggles and Santa suits for you little man. Aunties Jennifer and Jessi took turn snatching you away from Grandma, and we all had fun stuffing you into the 36 Christmas themed outfits Grandma had waiting for you .

You recieved every toy known to man for your first Christmas. If it sings, wiggles, talks or lights up we have, and we love it. Your Aunties decked you out in a whole new wardrobe, their is not a 6 month old baby this side of the Mississippi with more hoodies, sweatpants, or onesies. Your Uncle Justin brought you a fun monkey blanket and is starting to learn the term "Uncle" might be as big of a hit with the ladies as "Dog Walker". Your Grandma loaded you up with toys, toys, toys, and a Johnny Jumper she is sure will keep up entertained for hours. Grandpa Brink built you a very special toy box with his own two hands. Grandma and Grandpa Thornton helped to build your stylish wardrobe and found you a car that will be perfect for zooming around this summer!

We love taking you home to spend time with your family. And we felt very lucky to spend Christmas with such an awesome little man.

5 Month Photos....................................................

Santa Visit ..............................................Check

You loved it. The Big Guy thought it was great to see you, I have a feeling the two of you will get along nicely.

I Wish Turkey Only Cost a Nickel..........................

For your first thanksgiving we loaded up the card and headed west. West Des Moines was our location of choice. We took a week long hiaitus from big city life to enjoy family, snow, LOTS of food, and relaxation. You were amazing in the car (it's kind of your thing) and barely let out a peep in the entire 6 hour trek across Iowa.
In addition to turkey and family we hit some major milestones while in Des Moines. You were four months old and had yet to take a nap. Seriously, you never napped. ever. The dr. broke the news to me that we had to make it happen, the old fashion way. Your Grandmas called it "Crying it Out" we prefer the term "Sleep Training", either way we left you alone in your crib to come to terms with the power of a little day time snoozer, and we wisely used Grandma and Grandpa Thornton's two story house give it a try. Day 1 of "Training" the Dr. convinced me to let you cry (train) in for 45 mins, you my wonderful little boy gave it your all for a solid 43. 43 minutes of pure Mommy torture you screamed and screamed and finally, as I waited on the other side of the door waiting, waiting, waiting for the 45 minute mark you faded off to sleep. Wonderful daytime sleep for an whole hour. Day 2 30 Minutes, Day 3 10 minutes, Today? You find your thumb pop it in your mouth and snooze away 3-4 times a day. I have not figured out if the training is to teach the baby to sleep or teach the Mommy not to pick him up.

You also rolled over while we were in West Des Moines, ahem, finally. You hit your major 4 month mile stone like a champ. Up and over you went tummy to back surprising yourself and all of us right along with you!

Back by Popular Demand.......................................

Request have been rolling in for the return and update of my blog. I refuse to let down my adoring public, so in a month dedicated to resolution and renew I return to writing and updating my increasingly popular blog. My wine glass is full, I have a computer full of pictures, and I can remember or make up everything that has happend since November.