Future Fire Fighter??

If Grady's head grows any bigger between now and Halloween he may be a hatless fire fighter!!

Who are we kidding... Grady is going to be an accountant!

Family Photos

Yesterday we headed out with Erin and Chad from Fulleredge Photography for Grady's 1 year photo shoot. You may notice that Grady is not in fact one yet... but they were having such a good sale on sitting fees that I decided it was close enough. I have been 'blog-stalking' them since we got married in 2005. Still regret not going with them as they were just starting up and were half the price of what we paid!! Check out their blog. They specialize in 'edgy' photos. To get an idea of what kind of pictures they took... we met at an old abandoned building with graffiti and dandy lions all over the place for our first set of pictures, sat in the middle of a back alley, sat on old used tires, on the dirt in front of said used tires etc etc. I did NOT expect to be covered in dirt by the end of the shoot.. but it was well worth it!

Grady was a champ!! The shoot was at 5pm and 45 minutes from our house... so he missed supper. I fed him some yogurt and minigo (which he loves right now) at the site and then he didn't get to eat the rest of his supper until 7pm!! And since we got so dirty at the shoot Grady also needed to take a bath when we got home. Grady did not shed any tears the whole shoot! He was full of smiles and loved to laugh at Chad who brought along a squeaky dog toy to get his attention. It worked like a charm! The total shoot only lasted 45 minutes once we got on location (traffic was awful so we were all running late) compared to our 5 hour newborn shoot. That is another story though.

My biggest concern at this point is being able to narrow it down... I haven't even seen the pictures yet but just know they are going to be great! I will keep you posted!

You Might be a Redneck if.....

... you started the evening dressed nicely in a golf shirt and jeans like this:

Then ended the evening eating a burger and fries topless with only a bib... something like this:

A Reminder for All Parents as Pool Season Approaches!

Grady and I went to the pool today and there were about 10 people total at the pool all consisting of parents and kids up to 5 years old. There were 2 moms that were gabbing while the 2 kids played around in the water. I didn't see exactly what happened but I heard a mom gasp and I turned around to see a little boy between 2 and 3 under water with his legs and arms flinging around. His mom was directly accross the quite large pool from him. Thankfully a Dad grabbed him and brought him to the surface. The little guy didn't even shed a tear. But I can't say the same for the mom. She started crying instantly and hugging her little boy. It was quite a sight and a good reminder that 'if you are more than an arms length away you are to far'. There is a poster at the pool that says that. You better beleive I kept an extra close eye on Grady for the remainder of the swim.

My New Red Car

Grandma Paulette brought this bright shiny red car for Grady to play with over the next few summers. What is it with men and cars..

If you could judge the quality of a car by how the steering wheel tastes... Grady would be an expert. In case you are curious... he would also be an expert on the TL since we sit in there and I turn on the wipers and he chews the steering wheel until... he hears the music on his movie which is when we go to the backseat and Grady gets buckled in.

So far the car rides pretty smooth... hmmm maybe that is because we are moving at a slow pace - or not at all.

Good thing gas in this car is free. My allowance is not big enough to cover the cost of real gas.

One year minus a Month!

As usual.... the month has past by in a blink of an eye. Did time always go this fast??? This month Grady has been a busy boy and here are the hightlights!

1. Grady is pleased to announce that his mommy is staying home with him longer than expected. I keep keep reminding him that this is not permanent just a delay in my return to work. My company sold back in September and just this month they confirmed that there is no longer a position for me. This is what James and I had hoped for as it will give me some time to look for a new job that I like and to stay home with Grady just a little longer. Don't worry about us though... we have been taken care of quite nicely :) I have just started my job search as I do not want to go back to work any earlier than July. So in the meantime - Grady and I are enjoying the sun and our time together.

2. The biggest change we have seen in Grady this month is is improved mobility. He is crawling at lightning speed now. Thankfully he is still quite loud as he thumps around so he is hard to loose! He is pulling himself up on furniture easily, standing holding on with only one hand and boogying around the furniture often. As you saw in the video I posted earlier this week is also learned to walk with his toys and using fingers. It won't be long until he is walking on his own.... unbeleivable!!

3. We had lots of company this month and Grady did great! Grandpa Lorne and family were here earlier in the month and Grandma Paulette and Grandpa John just left last week! Grady enjoyed playing with different people... and I enjoyed some baby free shopping trips. Win-Win situation if you ask me!!

4. James left Grady and I behind while he headed on his man-cation to NYC last week. We survived our first long stretch without dad. Technically I only deserve half the credit as Grandma Paulette was quite a help!

5. Grady does not like breakfast. He used to eat tons and tons of cereal and fruit in the morning... he was a bottomless pit. This is no longer the case. I have tried toast, yogurt, egg, cherios and milk, cereal etc etc. Nothing seems to go down. Any suggestion out there???

6. On the topic of food.... Grady LOVES eating 'table' food. AT the moment, he has his supper at 5pm and then when we eat after 6 he eats off my plate as well. Grilled cheese is a favorite right now. He also seems to like meat. Can't complain there!!! He still has a healthy appetite at lunch and dinner and a belly to show for it.

7. Grady loves to be outside. He likes to eat rocks (if he sneaks one by mom and dad), throw the grass, crawl around, look at bugs, and investigate everything. Grady does NOT like his hat. Go figure. We will have some power struggles on our hands this summer I think!

We have a busy month ahead with a trip to PA for Aunty Kolby's graduation and 3 birthday parties for Grady. Yes, THREE parties. If that doesn't equal spoiled I'm not sure what does!

PS - be sure to check out the updated pictures in the May picassa folder!

Until next month......

Mommy's little helper!

 

 

Dear Grandma

Thank you for coming to visit me this week. Me and mom had a blast! We got to do so many fun things like play in the yard, go to the park, practise walking, and you even let me have a small piece of your pizza! I am going to miss seeing you first thing in the morning when I get up and having you feed me my bottle before bed. I am already counting down the days until June when I get to see you again!

Love,
Grady

Look what Grandma taught Grady this Time!!!

We Miss You Dad!!

James in on a man-cation in New York.... so Grandma and Grandmpa are here to help out and play with the G-dawg!

We miss you Dad!

Family Swim Day!

James had Friday off so we headed over to the local pool to play. I have been taking Grady weekly for a few months now and really wanted James to see how much fun we have.

These are the only pictures I was able to take before they told me you couldn't take pictures. What kind of dumb rule is that... how are you supposed to document these important days of your child's life??? Anyhow... he didn't make me delete the ones I had taken.

Nice picture of Grady.

Nice picture of Dad.

Nice picture of Grady's swimsuit.

Nice picture of Mom.







Wait there is no picture of Grady and Mom at the pool. I really was there... I swear.

Mother's Day

Just wanted to share a few pictures captured on a perfect first Mother's Day! Thanks Grady and Dad for making it such a special day!

PS - I added more pics to the picassa link!

Like Mother, Like Son

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the mom's out there... I am very excited to be celebrating my first of many! I'd especially like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to Nana Marla and Grandma Paulette. Grady, James, and I hope you have a very special day whether you are celebrating here in Calgary with us or far away in PA (boo). (Don't worry Grandma, we will make up for it when you are here next week.... we can't wait to see you)

In the meantime I wanted to share some more pictures (surprise, surprise) of the G-dawg taking after his dear Mother!


Grady enjoying a (empty) medium skinny vanilla bean latte from second cup. Mommy loves these...

Oooops. Wrong end!

Grady chugging the coffee back just trying to get one drop out... sorry big guy... mommy cleaned it up!

An hour well spent!

Although at first skeptical... I decided to go to a used baby clothing and gear sale today. It started at 8am and I left the house at 8:00 not wanting to be the first and only person there. When I pulled in, the lot was full and people were already leaving with tons of stuff. Now I am hustling to get in there and find the deals everyone was finding. And boy was I happy I went! Check out my purchases totalling a whopping $74!!! What a steal. Keep in mind that one item awas $35 which was half the total!!

This first item was $10... and I wasn't sure I really needed it as we already have a walker toy. I like this one because of the lights and the basket. I debated this one for a long time and decided for $10 to just go for it. I brought it home and Grady was a big fan... so good choice on my part!



Those of you that have stayed with us will think that we already have this sleep sack... but it is exactly the same one we already have in a size bigger! It was half what we paid for his current one. It was also the big ticket item that cost $35. So worth it though. It is a part of his bedtime routine and stops him from being to mobile in the crib. Notice how it is pink in the inside incase we have a girl the next time around... I am all about gender neutral on items like these if at all possible.



Yes... this is a halloween costume. Don't laugh. It was $10. Now I don't have to speed across town in August to buy Grady a costume when they first come out to make sure I get one. Who's laughing now! Don't be surprised if Grady is a fire fighter for 2 or 3 years judging by the size. It said 18-36 months!



Both these pairs of pants are from the Children's Place and were under $10 fro the pair.

PJs = $2. Seriously.

Cute little Merrill shoes like Dad's = $4. Are you kidding me????

Carter's jacket - $6.

Why pay full price if you can get it for this cheap!! Can't wait until next year's sale!

Why is it that...

Why is it that after over 10 months I still get peed on?

Why is it that I find my self shielding pee so it flows back down onto the blanket instead of in the air once day?

Why is it that every time the above occurs Grady laughs as if to say 'I told you so'?

Why is it that now if Grady only pees on his clothes 'a little' I don't change his outfit? When he was first born if there was a drop of pee to be found he was cleaned up immediately.

Why is it that James claims this doesn't happen too him?

Like Father, Like Son

For those of you who know Grady's Daddy... need I say more??

Busy Weekend!

This weekend my Dad and family were here to cheer on the hitmen (Go Broda Bo!) and to visit with Grady (and James and I). There was some eating, shopping, visiting, and lots of playing! Grady had a blast! Here are a few pics from the weekend... most from this morning before the crew left.

Grady thought Grandpa Lorne was pretty funny!

Playtime for Grady and Grandma Sheila!

Grady is going to miss Aunty Kolby!

Although Aunty Blaire did not want this picture taken... it was the only one with her and Grady... This was right before nap time hence the not so smiley face!

Can't wait until we see the whole gang again next month! Thanks for the visit!