I think I got Gray's cold, which started in my chest and has now moved to my head. My major accomplishments from Saturday through Monday included moving from one couch to another, then back to the bed. I did manage to pull it together enough to go back to work on Tuesday, but it's been a rough week.
Luckily, I have two sweet guys to take care of me. Michael keeps me fed and hydrated, while Gray cuddles up under my blanket on the opposite end of the couch and "reads" me stories.
We haven't been doing much this week (since I've been going to bed earlier than Gray some nights), but I hope to have more updates on our silly boy for you soon. Stay tuned.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
TV reality check
Have any of you recently received a blank TV diary in the mail from Nielsen Research asking you to log your TV time for a week? We started ours last Thursday and it's been interesting to look back and see what we watch.
We usually let Gray watch 30-60 minutes of PBS in the evening while I'm fixing dinner and we're waiting on daddy to get home. Other than that, he doesn't watch TV until the weekend when we let him watch a few additional PBS shows like Sesame Street.
Michael and I have always tried to limit Gray's TV time, and when he does get to watch TV it's always PBS or something educational (except for the OU football game last Saturday). This diary exercise makes me wonder about other families and what is "normal" viewing time for kids. Part of me feels like he should probably watch less, and then on the flip-side I don't really care what everyone else does or thinks.
I love PBS because they don't play commercials, so Grayson isn't bombarded by the latest toys, sugary cereal, etc. Plus, each show has some kind of educational component like learning letters or vocabulary words.
I'm probably justifying his TV time a little too much, but I have to say, I think it's pretty balanced with everything else Gray does throughout the day. He would always watch more if we'd let him (and doesn't hesitate to ask), but I think we're all pretty content with the current arrangement.
All that said, I would love to see the results of the Nielsen data once everything is collected and compiled. Is there any national correlation between households with kids who love PBS, men who love NOVA/science shows and women who love House Hunters or Bravo! shows? Or are we a TV viewing phenomenon?
We usually let Gray watch 30-60 minutes of PBS in the evening while I'm fixing dinner and we're waiting on daddy to get home. Other than that, he doesn't watch TV until the weekend when we let him watch a few additional PBS shows like Sesame Street.
Michael and I have always tried to limit Gray's TV time, and when he does get to watch TV it's always PBS or something educational (except for the OU football game last Saturday). This diary exercise makes me wonder about other families and what is "normal" viewing time for kids. Part of me feels like he should probably watch less, and then on the flip-side I don't really care what everyone else does or thinks.
I love PBS because they don't play commercials, so Grayson isn't bombarded by the latest toys, sugary cereal, etc. Plus, each show has some kind of educational component like learning letters or vocabulary words.
I'm probably justifying his TV time a little too much, but I have to say, I think it's pretty balanced with everything else Gray does throughout the day. He would always watch more if we'd let him (and doesn't hesitate to ask), but I think we're all pretty content with the current arrangement.
All that said, I would love to see the results of the Nielsen data once everything is collected and compiled. Is there any national correlation between households with kids who love PBS, men who love NOVA/science shows and women who love House Hunters or Bravo! shows? Or are we a TV viewing phenomenon?
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Shaken Up
We've been getting a lot of calls and texts from friends and family checking on us after last night's record earthquake. We're doing fine and don't have any noticeable damage to our house or property.
A little before 11 p.m., central Oklahoma experienced a 5.6 magnitude earthquake, the largest ever recorded in the state. Less than 24 hours before, there was a 4.7 magnitude quake, but we were sleeping and didn't feel it. This time, even if we had been asleep, the shaking was strong enough to have woken us up.
Michael and I were in the living room watching TV when the house started swaying and the rumbling began. Nothing came off the walls, but the blinds were shaking and you could feel the entire house moving side to side. Pretty crazy.
We got up and stood under the doorway to our kitchen (which we later realized is underneath the AC unit in the attic, so probably not the best place to stand). Since it wasn't enough to shake things off the shelves, we didn't get Gray out of bed, but went in to check on him and he was sound asleep.
I will admit the whole thing was surreal and Michael and I were a bit stunned by the situation. Growing up in Oklahoma, I've gone through countless tornado drills and don't think twice about the tornado sirens being tested every Saturday at noon. I've never been in an earthquake or even gone through a safety drill. Probably time to double check our homeowners insurance to see if we even have coverage.
A little before 11 p.m., central Oklahoma experienced a 5.6 magnitude earthquake, the largest ever recorded in the state. Less than 24 hours before, there was a 4.7 magnitude quake, but we were sleeping and didn't feel it. This time, even if we had been asleep, the shaking was strong enough to have woken us up.
Michael and I were in the living room watching TV when the house started swaying and the rumbling began. Nothing came off the walls, but the blinds were shaking and you could feel the entire house moving side to side. Pretty crazy.
We got up and stood under the doorway to our kitchen (which we later realized is underneath the AC unit in the attic, so probably not the best place to stand). Since it wasn't enough to shake things off the shelves, we didn't get Gray out of bed, but went in to check on him and he was sound asleep.
I will admit the whole thing was surreal and Michael and I were a bit stunned by the situation. Growing up in Oklahoma, I've gone through countless tornado drills and don't think twice about the tornado sirens being tested every Saturday at noon. I've never been in an earthquake or even gone through a safety drill. Probably time to double check our homeowners insurance to see if we even have coverage.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Our Local Hero
We are celebrating for Uncle Levi who this week was offered his dream job with the Norman fire department. You can read more about the journey on my sister Emily's blog here.
Grayson was already smitten with his uncle for many reasons...he lets Gray climb all over him, he'll play anything his nephew requests and his current day job is driving an ambulance (which Gray watches for every time we're on the road).
When I learned the news about Levi's new job, I told Grayson and immediately regretted not video taping his reaction. He gasped in excitement and said, "Uncle Levi's going to ride on a fire truck?!"
After talking about it for a minute, we dropped the subject and went on about our day. Then thirty minutes later Gray brought it up again like he was still processing the fact that he would know a real-life fireman. I think he may be the one person in the world more excited than Levi himself.
I'd say Uncle Levi's pedestal just got a little taller to a certain three year-old.
Congratulations Uncle Levi! We're so proud of you and can't wait to come visit at the fire station!
Grayson was already smitten with his uncle for many reasons...he lets Gray climb all over him, he'll play anything his nephew requests and his current day job is driving an ambulance (which Gray watches for every time we're on the road).
When I learned the news about Levi's new job, I told Grayson and immediately regretted not video taping his reaction. He gasped in excitement and said, "Uncle Levi's going to ride on a fire truck?!"
After talking about it for a minute, we dropped the subject and went on about our day. Then thirty minutes later Gray brought it up again like he was still processing the fact that he would know a real-life fireman. I think he may be the one person in the world more excited than Levi himself.
I'd say Uncle Levi's pedestal just got a little taller to a certain three year-old.
Congratulations Uncle Levi! We're so proud of you and can't wait to come visit at the fire station!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Going Batty
Michael and I went to a Halloween party last weekend and had to come up with two costumes in less than 24 hours. We needed something quick and easy that wouldn't cost a fortune. I ran across a no-sew bat costume online which used black clothes we already owned and had instructions for rigging umbrellas as the bat wings. Pretty clever.
We ended up only having to buy two $5 umbrellas and two black masks, which meant we made both costumes for around $15 total. It does help to have a handy husband who likes trouble-shooting.
We ended up only having to buy two $5 umbrellas and two black masks, which meant we made both costumes for around $15 total. It does help to have a handy husband who likes trouble-shooting.
When we dropped Gray off at my parent's house he asked to be in the picture and told us he wanted to be a bat instead of a robot for Halloween. Too late for that, buddy!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
Grayson stayed home from school today with a fever and cough, but he rallied enough to trick-or-treat to a few houses on our block. Despite practicing saying "trick-or-treat!" he wouldn't speak once people came to the door. He did manage to say "thank you" once they handed him the candy.
Here's a slide show as he got into character as "Grayson robot:"
Here's a slide show as he got into character as "Grayson robot:"
The circle panel actually lit up and the first time Gray saw it he said, "Daddy, I'm a real robot!" The letters and serial number are his initials and birthday. So clever, Daddy!
Approaching the first house we realized stairs were going to be a bit of a challenge, but he managed to navigate everything without falling.
He kept saying, "I-am Gray-son ro-bot" in his best robot voice.
Once we got home, you can see he was pretty tuckered out. We only went to about seven houses, but his cold has really taken it out of him. It was enough to get a good candy stash and make some memories.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Pumpkin Patch 2011
Do you ever try to cram too many activities into one day? We did that on Saturday and then Gray came down with a fever on Sunday so we're paying the price.
It all started with a trip to the pumpkin patch. We went to TG Farms, the same place we go every year and, as always, they've added new activities to enjoy.
After the pumpkin patch, Gray took a nap and then went over to Aunt Emily and Uncle Levi's for their 3rd Annual Pumpkin Painting Party. You can read more about that on her blog here. Then we went to an OU football watch party and cookout. After that, we headed up to Edmond and dropped Gray off to spend the night with my parents while Michael and I went to a costume party.
It was a crazy busy day, but we had lots of fun. I just hope Grayson can shake his fever in time to trick-or-treat on Monday. Daddy spent way too many hours on his robot costume to not enjoy it.
It all started with a trip to the pumpkin patch. We went to TG Farms, the same place we go every year and, as always, they've added new activities to enjoy.
Snoopy looking over our shoulder.
Coming down the hay bale slide.
This was the first year Gray was old enough to go through the corn maze. Unfortunately, the summer's historic heat wave took a toll on the corn so it was a bit short in spots. Once you got into the middle of the maze the corn got taller and it ended up being more of a challenge.
Which way do we go?
They had some "hay livestock" set up for roping, so Daddy took the opportunity to let his inner cowboy out. His Uncle Steve would be proud.
We had the hayride all to ourselves.
The hayride took us past the "squarecrow" as Grayson calls him.
Out of all the activities, Grayson loved riding the John Deere tricycles the most.
After the pumpkin patch, Gray took a nap and then went over to Aunt Emily and Uncle Levi's for their 3rd Annual Pumpkin Painting Party. You can read more about that on her blog here. Then we went to an OU football watch party and cookout. After that, we headed up to Edmond and dropped Gray off to spend the night with my parents while Michael and I went to a costume party.
It was a crazy busy day, but we had lots of fun. I just hope Grayson can shake his fever in time to trick-or-treat on Monday. Daddy spent way too many hours on his robot costume to not enjoy it.
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