4 months!

Grayson is 4 months old today! The time is flying by and we are loving our little man!

Grayson is so easy-going and laid back. He is full of smiles and giggles (especially for his big brother!)

Nicknames we have for the little guy...Gray-man, G-man, Squeaks (he squeaks a lot!), Gray-in (that's what Kennan like to call him). At this point, Grayson answers to anything!

He has been sucking on his hands/chewing on his fingers A LOT in the last few days. I bravely stuck my finger in his mouth and didn't feel any teeth trying to poke through just yet...

Grayson loves to go on walks, especially in the evening with his daddy. He used to fall asleep during them, but now he stays awake and enjoys checking out the surroundings.

We pulled out the exersaucer for Grayson the other day and he liked it (for a very short period of time).

Actually, I think Brayden liked it a little more...

Grayson continues to be the most excellent sleeper. He takes 3 good naps a day (at least 2 hours each) and goes to bed between 10 and 11pm and wakes up between 7 and 8am.

At last check (7-7-10) Grayson was 14 lbs 8 oz...with clothes and a diaper on. We go for his 4 month check up on the 19th and I am curious to see how much he will weigh then! He is still nursing during the day every 3-4 hours (which can wear a momma out!). I am thinking the doctor is going to suggest solid foods at the appointment. Not sure I am ready for that!
Grayson loves to rub blankets and burp cloths (clean...most of the time) between his fingers and on his cheek when he is sleepy. It's the cutest thing!

Brayden and Kennan adore Grayson. They include him in everything and love to try and figure out what he is "saying" when he talks to us. Here they are blasting off into space in their spaceship. (Yes, Kennan is sticking his tongue out at me.)

We love our little man!

A Walk...

Tonight we went for a walk and enjoyed cool temperatures and watched a storm roll in. The kids were concerned we were too far from home in case it started to rain...but we made it home dry!

Grayson enjoyed the walk from the comfort of the double stroller...

Brayden directed traffic...

And Kennan practiced his jumping...

Hints from Jennifer

Today has been one of those days. But, throughout the course of the day I have learned a few important things I would like to share with you, my lovely blog readers.

Problem: The children colored on the painted, textured walls with orange and blue crayons.
How to avoid the problem: Don't give your children crayons.
How to solve the problem: WD-40 and a clean cloth. Rub until the crayon marks are gone. Then rub greasy WD-40 off with a damp cloth. (Test the WD-40 on a small spot before rubbing all over the wall to make sure it doesn't damage the paint.) It was fine on my walls.

Problem: A large yellow/orange stain on hubby's white dress shirt.
How to avoid the problem: Don't put a vitamin in your pocket and forget to take it and then throw it in the wash. Or, check hubby's pockets before washing.
How to solve the problem: Spray shirt with stain remover and then wash. Do not dry. Set shirt out in the sun and the stain magically disappears! (I have to thank Alisa for this one. She taught me this trick while we were at Seminary and this was my first time to put it to use!!!!)

Problem: High-content sugar mixture burned into the ceramic cook top.
How to avoid the problem: Don't leave high-content sugar mixtures unattended on the cook top because they will boil over. If this occurs, wipe it off immediately (without burning yourself). Don't leave it to sit overnight.
How to solve the problem: I'm still working on this one, but the problem was lessened incredibly by soaking a paper towel in vinegar and setting it over the stain. I was able to wipe most of it away with the vinegar and a razor-blade type scraper. Now the hubby is puttin' his back into it to get the rest off (we hope).

There you have it. Lessons I have learned today (and it's only 4:42 CST).
What tips do you have to share?

Happy 4th of July!!

Tonight we went with some friends to shoot off fireworks.
I'll let you see for yourselves how my children felt about them...

I think next year we will stay home and watch them on TV!
What did you do to celebrate this year?

Our Little Fish...

Kennan has spent the last 5 days doing swim lessons with some friends. He has loved every minute of it and is now a lot more comfortable and confident in the water. I don't think he's quite ready for an Olympic appearance, but we're getting there!!

Working on the backstroke...

Look at him go!

This sweet thing didn't do swim lessons, but had fun on the steps!

And this precious boy was full of smiles!

Look at that form!

Kennan gives swim lessons 2 thumbs up!

Frugal Novice Giveaway!!

My friend Christi is at it again! This time she is giving away a new VTech V. Reader. It looks really cool and would be perfect for my handsome-getting ready to go to kindergarden-5 year old!!!

Our Life in Pictures

What have we been up to lately?
I'll show you in pictures!

We've been silly...

We've been creative (and silly)...

We've eaten home grown tomatoes...

We've finished t-ball season...

We've visited with Lala and Grumpy...

We've sold lemonade...

We've celebrated fathers...

We've built a play set in the backyard...
(I use the word "we've" very loosely...I really mean Kenny and his dad!!)

We've been swinging...

We've smiled...

We've laughed...

We've been growing...
Grayson is now 3 1/2 months old. He weighs 13 lbs 12 oz and is 24 inches long. (For those of you keeping record, he's grown 2 lbs 6 oz and 1/2 inch in 6 weeks.)

We've been rocking...

And we've been swimming...

We've been busy!! What have you been doing?

Celebrating Fathers

I'm sad I didn't get to celebrate Father's Day with my dad this year. I guess that's what happens when you grow up and start your own family. I love my dad. I love watching my dad love my kids. I am grateful for the wonderful example he has set for my family...as a businessman, a Christian and a loving husband to my mom. I have learned a lot from my dad and am thankful that God made me his daughter!

Kennan and Pops on Kennan's 5th birthday...

We did get to spend this weekend with my father-in-law, Ken. Grumpy (as the kids call him) and Lala (Kenny's mom) flew out to see us for the weekend. Ken and Kenny put about 14 hours of sweat, cuts and bruises into this fantastic play set for the kids. This is a perfect example of my father-in-law, a selfless man who would spend his weekend doing something like this instead of relaxing in a cool house. Ken is also an amazing cook. We love to go back to visit them and taste some of his delicious meals...another way he shows us his love. Thanks Grumpy! The kids love the play set!!!

Ken and Kenny with the finished play set!

And last, but not least, the father of my children. The love of my life, my main squeeze, my baby daddy. I would not want to go through the journey of parenthood with anyone else. I am thankful for the day we met 11 years ago, for the trials and joys we have experienced together. I love seeing the kid's faces light up when he walks in the room. I am grateful he has a smile on his face when he sees me, even if I still have on my pajamas and no makeup at 5 o'clock in the evening. I am even more grateful when he does the dishes or sweeps up the crumbs I have neglected all day. I love you babe!

Story time with dad...

Another Frugal Novice Giveaway!

My friend Christi over at Frugal Novice is doing another giveaway! This time she is giving away an EatSmart Digital Food Scale. Check it out!

Just for Grins...

Grayson Benjamin, 8 days old

Grayson Benjamin, 3 months and 3 days old

I think it's safe to say he isn't so little anymore!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!!

Our little man is 3 months old!! Where has the time gone?

At 3 months, I can still say that Grayson is the most laid-back easy going baby. (I thought Kennan was the easiest baby until Grayson came along!)

At 3 months, Grayson loves to talk and laugh. He really found his voice over the last few days while we were at summer camp, where he also had his first swim!

At 3 months, Grayson sleeps from 10pm to 7am. Gotta love a great sleeper (he's been doing this for about 4 weeks so I think we can say it's official!!).

At 3 months, Grayson has pretty good head and neck control. We tried out the Bumbo for the first time tonight and I think it's safe to say he loved it!

At 3 months, Grayson is the chunkiest baby I have had. He actually has rolls on his thighs and upper arms. To most moms this is no big deal, but Kennan and Brayden were both in the 5-10% for their weight. Grayson is in the "normal" range and I love to squeeze those cheeks!

We love you Grayson!!

The Frugal Novice Giveaway

My friend Christi has a blog called The Frugal Novice and she is having a giveaway!! You should check it out! It's all about meal planning and you could win a $25 cift card to the grocery store of your choice!

Summertime!

Signs Summer has arrived...

Mosquito netting around the baby...

A sassy 2 1/2 year old in a cute swimsuit...

Yummy, cold, refreshing popsicles...

Fun laughs in the water...

And just for kicks...this picture demonstrates defiance in it's purest form. I specifically asked Brayden NOT to pour water on my flip flop about 2 minutes before this picture was taken...

It's kind of hard to get mad at that face!