Snow Day Update

Here are some belated shots of our most recent history-making snow storm. Grayson has seen more snow in his lifetime already than probably all the snow that's fallen in Oklahoma over my entire life combined. Pretty crazy stuff.

Some shots of the backyard (That's our pool cover on the left, not an iced-over pond. Anyone for a swim?)

The Japanese Maple in our front courtyard

And what good are snow days if not to...

Wrestle with daddy

And have a pajama playdate with Auntie Emily

How Quickly Things Change

If nothing else, this week has reminded us of how things can change in the blink of an eye. We went from 60 degree weather to being buried under 8+ inches of ice and snow, and from enjoying a snow day with friends to fighting off the stomach flu.

After a fun snow day on Thursday, I got sick Friday morning and then by 11 p.m. that same night Michael was also throwing up. Luckily, Grayson has yet to get sick and we hope it stays that way. We must have the 24-hour bug that's going around because we're on the mend now, even though we're still eating bland food just to be safe.

I would love to post new photos of all the amazing snow and icicles, but I just haven't had the energy to take one picture. Chasing around a toddler while trying to rebound from no food and dehydration is not a great recipe for blogging. I'll try to do better tomorrow.

On a related note, Grayson has been taking advantage of our weakened state to begin climbing on every surface possible. He even manages to stand on the seat of his rocking horse like it's a surfboard. He can also boost himself up into regular chairs and our sofa and then tries to stand up and enjoy the view from up high.

I have a feeling we're moving into a phase of continual forehead bruises and goose eggs while he explores this new adventurous spirit. I'll just go get the ice packs and the time out chair ready.

Snow Day

No matter what age you are, it's always fun hearing the news that school and offices are closed for a snow day. Our area is currently predicted to get up to an inch of ice and 2-4 inches of snow in the next 24 hours.

This has been a crazy winter so far in Oklahoma. We had the historic Christmas Eve snow storm then 60 degree weather last week and now another round of snow and ice.

Grayson has discovered a new love of weather radar maps. We had the news turned on this morning and he pulled up his little chair and couldn't peel his eyes off the weatherman. Hopefully he does not grow up to be a storm chaser. I would keel over from all the worry.

For now, we're staying busy playing, baking and enjoying being inside our warm house. Fingers crossed the power stays on over the next few days.

I Just Don't Get It

la la la la

I've decided to capture some of the strange things Grayson does these days that I don't understand. I'm going to chalk it up to the fact that boys are, simply put, strange.

• Kicking his right shoe off 30 seconds after we strap him into his car seat. Only his right one. Every time.
• Trying to chew on said shoe even though it's dirty and disgusting.
• Sticking his fingers in both ears and jabbering for 3-5 minutes.
• Why he loves being underneath any kind of table (large or small, he'll find a way to get under it).
• Why he turns every toy, chair, push car, ottoman, or anything else over to check out the undercarriage and mechanics.
• How he knows the on/off button for his toys at such a young age.
• Why the bathtub brings out a wild splashing beast that I never see until it's bath time.

Self Discipline

We've started implementing Time Out with Grayson since it has been introduced at school and seems to work for him. We designated a spot in our living room where he is placed every time so he knows it's the "time out" corner.

He is typically sent there for repeatedly climbing on the fireplace ledge or not sitting down in his chair all the way after we've already told him no. The few times I've caught him breaking the rules but he kept on testing the limits, I'd say something like, "Sit on your bottom in the chair or you will be going to time out."

Instead of repeating the offense, he'd get up and go put himself in time out. I was stunned the first time it happened, but he's done it several other times as well.

Literally as I write this post, Michael just told him to sit down in his little rocking chair and Grayson said, "No." We thought he was telling Michael no but it turns out he was telling himself "no" because he got up and walked himself over to the time out corner. He sat there until we told him he could get up.

We typically make him stay in time out for one minute when we put him there, but since he's putting himself there first it catches us a bit off guard. If only this self discipline could last through the teen years...

Lean, Mean Cleanin' Machine

Grayson is currently in L-O-V-E with the toy vacuum at his school. It's the first thing he goes to when we drop him off in the mornings and is typically what he's playing with when we pick him up.

If another child happens to be playing with it when we arrive, he will immediately go over and try to wrestle it away from them. This may be one reason he comes home bitten and scratched, but I must say I'm a little impressed by how unintimidated he is to take on the kids who are bigger and, in most cases, 8-10 months older than him.

Luckily, the school is transitioning a lot of children right now so the big kids are moving up to the next room (and their biting habits along with them). The bad news is Grayson has had to learn some bullying ways to survive their presence, which I'm hoping will cease now that they are not a threat.

The irony of the whole situation is that Grayson H-A-T-E-S our real vacuum at home. He cries and goes into the other room whenever it's turned on. If only I could have him wrestle it away from me so he would do some chores.

Whirlwind

This week has already gotten away from us and it's only just begun. Lately, Grayson's been giving us lots of blog-worthy moments, but we either don't have the camera nearby or I haven't had time to sit down and capture them here.

Over the weekend, we enjoyed a visit from Nana and Popper (Michael's parents). Grayson and Roxy reveled in every single minute of their affection and time here. Gray has started getting upset again when people leave and he's not going with them so we had to pull a little slight of hand and put him down for a nap before they left. Luckily, by the time he woke up two hours later, he didn't think it was unusual that only mom was still there with him.

This week is full of doctor's appointments, haircuts, and even more grandparent visits. The only reason I've had a moment to post this morning is because I'm waiting to see the eye doctor.

One of my New Year's resolutions (that I've discovered a few weeks into the new year) is to get our finances in a little better order. We're in decent shape, but could always use room for improvement. We've met with a financial planner to reassess our retirement and Gray's education fund, and last night we met with a mortgage broker about refinancing our home loan to take advantage of lower interest rates.

Michael willingly comes along to these various meetings, but I must admit I really love having these financial discussions. I guess it gives me a sense of control and relieves stress during a time when our lives seem to be whizzing by. Luckily, Michael is there to balance out my crazy penny-pinching side so we're able to have a little fun and I, in turn, have helped his credit score break the 800 mark (a characteristic I find attractive while he could probably care less).

It will be interesting to see what traits Grayson picks up from each of us as he gets older. Maybe he'll turn out to be the perfect blend of both. That could happen, right?

All Eyes

Happy Friday from our brown-eyed boy!

More Grayson Home Videos

I can't get over how funny Grayson is right now. That's not to say he doesn't have his toddler moments, but overall he's at a pretty fun age right now. He's able to express himself through words and signs, and he'll do just about anything to please us or make us laugh.

Here are a few recent videos of our little guy.

He didn't realize the camera was rolling during this one. I caught him just jabbering away while doing a puzzle. Who knows what he was talking about, but he sure had a lot to say.

On the next video, he was talking on his "phone" (aka a few bristle blocks Mike put together) right before I grabbed the camera. Of course, he wouldn't repeat the action once I was filming him but it's cute at any rate.

In this one, Grayson flexes his independence. He wants to do everything himself and also shows off his new skill of trying to climb up in the chair.

Super Grayson!

Grayson received some adorable super hero pajamas for Christmas, and I thought you might get a kick out of seeing our little superhuman in action.

He drives a bullet car

Fights crimes & saves trapped toys with his red cape and boots!

Is faster than a speeding bullet.

And did I mention he's slightly unstable? Don't mess with him or you're in for serious consequences. Like a time out...or at minimum a good tickling.

Bad Hair Day

As you know, Grayson's hair growth has been an extremely slow process, but today he woke up with the craziest bed head. Despite my efforts to wet down his fine locks, they popped back up almost exactly as I found them. Then, I realized this new do bares a striking resemblance to one late night comedian. You be the judge...

Grayson has Conan O'brien hair. Not good.

Grayson at 16 months

When thinking back on Grayson's development over the last month one thing stands out above the rest...TALKING! Grayson is quite the jabber-box these days (surprise, surprise).

He's doing sign language and adding new words to his small vocabulary all the time. When he can't quite say the real word he comes up with one on his own. For example, he can't say Roxy so instead he says "googirl" which we think is a variation of when we say good girl to her. Typically when Grayson and Roxy are interacting, we're close by making sure he doesn't pull her hair and she doesn't growl at him so we often tell her "good girl." It's officially stuck as her new name.

Over the holidays, Grayson also had two more teeth break through. He now has two molars, four teeth in the front on top and four on bottom.

These days Gray enjoys sitting at his little table, playing inside the teepee his Aunt Emily and Uncle Levi made for him for Christmas, wrestling with daddy, and basically getting into everything he's not supposed to. He's also surprisingly good at doing puzzles and shape blocks. Here are a few new pictures and a short video of the little guy.

Hello there 2010

Happy New Year everyone! Not only is today the start of a new year and decade, but it also marks Grayson's 16 month birthday. Unfortunately, our family is beginning 2010 a little under the weather.

Grayson developed a cold during our post-Christmas trip to Houston and now Michael and I both have variations of it. My nose is running off my face and Michael's throat and head are killing him. Despite the rough start, we're still optimistic it's going to be a great year!

As I went to pull a photo to add to this post, I ran across photos from this time last year. It's amazing to see the difference in Grayson. He was just turning four months old, focused on trying solid foods for the first time, sitting up independently and beginning a new daycare. Man how the time flies. Here's a look at what a difference a year makes...

16 months

4 months

Best wishes for a safe and prosperous 2010 from our family to yours!