Amy Scott's Thoughts

7 months!

Time to update the world on Graham at 7 months. Last month he mastered sitting up on his own. He was so over sitting within a week. He wants to crawl or pull himself up so he can stand. Sitting is what babies do and Graham thinks he is a big boy like his brother. Sometimes he locks his body into standing position. You can’t make him sit to save your life. He loves to watch his brother. Any attention he gets from Owen makes him smile and laugh. Owen has recently learned that it’s fun to make Graham laugh. Owen will dance around Graham and this results in giggles from both boys.

Graham is growing. While he is not a big baby, he just moved up into 9 month clothes. I had fun as a pulled out the 9 month clothes and washed them. These are some of my favorite outfits! Summertime clothes and lots of plaid! I wish I could say solid foods were responsible for Graham getting bigger, but he has decided that solid foods aren’t his thing. Everything you put in his mouth results in gagging. This development is a bummer because it means that Graham is on a timer and can’t be away from Mommy for very long. At this point, I am the only food source he accepts.

Jeremy is positive that Graham has said “Da da” numerous times. Owen said “Da da” first as well. Graham is such a daddy’s boy that I am not surprised that Jeremy got the first words. Graham loves to snuggle with Daddy and will often fall asleep peacefully on Jeremy’s chest.

Graham is a sweet baby. Day time is his best time. He usually gets two naps a day, but really needs three. I’m finding that it can be hard to have a perfect baby schedule and a perfect toddler schedule. Both kiddos have to make sacrifices and the third nap is Graham’s big sacrifice. We are entering into some of my favorite baby days. I love the happy personalities and smiles that come with this age. His smile is still a big gummy one for the time being. I have a feeling in the next month we’ll see teeth due to the amount of chewing Graham does on his fingers.

I’m really curious what the update next month will hold. Graham is trying so hard to crawl. He face plants a lot and has now entered into the bruise phase of boyhood. If he really is saying “da da” then I’m sure more words are just around the corner. Hopefully, if teeth emerge, maybe the desire for solid foods will as well. No matter where we find ourselves next month, I am grateful for a healthy, happy, sweet baby.

Smiley

YUM!

Loving bathtime!

Towel time after tub time

Sending tired baby selfies to Daddy

Wearing new 9 month jammies!

Laughing and playing together in Graham’s crib. A new post-nap tradition!

Sibling life!

We experienced a first for our little family this week. Monday through Wednesday was Network Conference in Yakima. Last year, Owen stayed with my parents while Jeremy and I were away. It was our first time leaving Owen overnight. This year, Owen got to stay with my parents again, so this meant that Graham got the only child treatment for a few days. Apart from our time in the hospital, our boys have not been split up for more than a couple of hours. Owen is two. He is a handful at times. I was ready for a few days away (from him). One baby seemed like parenting bliss. Graham was an amazing travel buddy. He did wonderful keeping up with the conference schedule. Jeremy and I enjoyed our time as a family of three. Right up to the end… when Graham decided to throw up numerous times on the ride home. That was a bit of a downer. Not the ideal way to end the trip. I’m happy to report that Graham is more like himself today. But the poor kid had his six month well check today, so he now he is recovering from shots. Being a baby can be rough business. Here are Graham’s six month stats – he is 16lbs. 3oz.(20%), 25.5in (7%), head 44cm, (64%). Graham is a little dude, but healthy and happy. It was a special treat to focus on him this week. Owen had a great time with the grandparents. He came home telling us stories about walking TC dog and riding in Grandma’s Subaru. The toddler life is a good one as well (even with all the crazy he brings to it). I’m happy to home with both my boys and back to our usual chaos.

Found this selfie on my phone Monday afternoon…

Graham was digging the only child treatment!

Morning snuggles with Daddy

Eating Daddy’s lanyard

Conference nap time. I wish I could sleep anywhere, anytime and have it be socially appropriate!

Graham was taking a long nap and we were hungry for dinner. Jeremy slipped out and got us Famous Dave’s to go. Since Graham was in the living space of our hotel room, Jeremy and I ate our BBQ in bed. Kinda like breakfast in bed!

Our happy travel baby

Reunited!

Playing with Daddy

The official 6 month picture

On Tuesday, Graham reached the six month milestone! Half a year! Yay!!! This last month has been a big one for Graham. He was able to roll over from his back to his tummy. Then he learned to sit up unsupported! He continues to have many first, like his first ride facing forward in the stroller for our evening walks. He is getting so big. Graham is a happy baby (except for when he’s not, haha). He loves to smile. He loves to talk. He has started give what we call Graham Kisses. He takes your face in his hands and gives you a sloppy open mouth kiss. It’s messy, but sweet. I also think teething is in full swing because Graham always has his hand in his mouth these days.

I won’t lie, the last month has been very overwhelming personally. Our family has had many ups and downs. I feel bad that I don’t have paragraphs upon paragraphs to share about six month Graham. Since my energy level is low, this blog is very concise. Rolling. Sitting. Happy. Kisses. Teething. That about sums it up! Graham is a sweet baby and adds so much joy to our lives. I am thankful to have him alongside us for these crazy life adventures.

Despite fevers and coughs, we got outside to enjoy the sunshine. This was Graham’s first time riding forward facing in the stroller.

Sitting up unsupported and playing with brother’s toys!

This is the face Graham makes when he should be napping.

Love this little sitter!

Babyzilla

When you get tired of sucking on your fingers, time to suck on your toes.

Just a few hours after my last blog post, I got a call from my mother-in-law saying that Jeremy’s grandma in South Dakota had passed away unexpectedly. Wow. This loss combined with the passing of Jeremy’s uncle has left us reeling. While we still made the most of Jeremy’s birthday and Easter weekend, there has been a haze of sadness hanging over our family. Jeremy’s birthday was spent making arrangements so we can attend the services. We started making plans and getting things covered. Making travel arrangements to attend a funeral isn’t the happiest way to spend a birthday. I felt bad for Jeremy. Jeremy’s parents came over Friday evening to celebrate the birthday boy. We enjoy a yummy dinner of salmon and rice. Jeremy requested rainbow chip cake for dessert. Owen, of course, loved “helping” blow out the candles.

On Saturday, we planned a family day of spring outings. We went to a local nursery and Jeremy got to pick out a new hanging basket. He loves his plants. We had hoped to take a ride on the local steam train, but the amount of people that showed up for the steam train was insane. All the rides were selling out hours in advance. We opted for looking and waving at the steam train. We’ll try to do a ride this summer. Apparently trains run on the weekends starting at the end of May. Saturday night, we colored Easter eggs. Funny thing is we used decorator eggs instead of hard boiled eggs. They are plastic and feel like a ping pong ball. Even though they say you can dye them, the color didn’t stay on the eggs. Owen had a great time shaking the no-spill containers of dye, so overall, it was still a fun experience. After coloring eggs, Owen got to open his Easter basket. He got books, magnets, a new toothbrush, some candy and mini donuts. All the items were happily received.

Yesterday was Easter and of course, it was a full of day of celebrating. We made it to church for the 9:00am gathering. Graham let me stay through worship, but then needed to go eat and sleep. We stayed for the beginning of the 11:00am gathering to kick things off in children’s church then I took the boys home for naps. Owen went down instantly, but Graham decided that even though he was exhausted, he would not sleep. That is usually how holidays go. When naps are super important, someone seems to boycott them. Oh well. We went over to Jeremy’s Aunt Lori’s house for our Easter meal. It was great to see the family and be with them especially at this time where Dan’s passing is so fresh in our minds. These times are important and we were glad we could celebrate the resurrection with them. We are thankful that Dan is with his resurrected Savior now. After the meal with Jeremy’s family, we went over to my parent’s house. We did an egg hunt for Owen and celebrated Jeremy’s birthday with my side of the family. It was a special day to be with loved ones and remember our risen Savior. Easter is simply amazing. Every year I am moved beyond words as I think of the sacrifice Jesus made on my behalf. He took my sin, my guilt, my shame. He gave his life so I could have everlasting life. I am grateful and humbled by such extravagant love. Even though the last week has been overwhelming with the loss of loved ones, I know that I will see them again. It’s bittersweet now, but we will have a happy reunion someday.

Below are some pictures from our weekend. Enjoy!

Helping Daddy blow out the candles

My handsome boys

Visiting the steam train

Easter Eggs and Easter Basket

Graham is happily skipping his nap time

Easter Egg Hunt

A festive cherry pie with birthday cake flavored Peeps and votive candles! It was a Easter/Birthday treat!

Easter Eggstravaganza was a big hit in the Scott household. Owen got to pet a tortoise, sit in a fire truck, hold a balloon for 1.5 minutes before it floated away. We got to the church an hour before the event officially started because I know how busy it can get.  Jeremy took Owen backstage to look at the animals for the wild animal show. We didn’t think he would sit through the show. Next year he will probably love the animal show and be super excited for it. Owen’s big lament of the day was not being able to go on the swing ride. He remembered it from this summer and kept leading us back there. I know that one ride wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but once Owen got on, it would have been the only thing he wanted to do all day. He would have wailed when he had to get off. I decided that the drama was unnecessary. We looked at the ponies, but I also avoided pony rides. Maybe next year, kid. When it came to the actual egg hunt, Owen was really upset he had to wait to go into the field. Not only could he see the eggs right in front of his face, but his Dad, Papa, and Grandpa were all in the middle of the field. I was keeping him from his men who were obviously allowed in the field. When the horn went off, Owen went to work. He collected probably 20 eggs. I didn’t count them… I didn’t help him pick them up. I pointed out a few but I didn’t want to be one of those crazy parents who take the egg hunt way too seriously. Owen got candy that he’ll never eat… lots of Tootsie Rolls and Starbursts. It was an experience. We didn’t go for the candy. All the photos I got of Owen hunting are super serious as well. You would never know the kid had fun. After his hunt, he went home with Grandma for his normal routine and nap time. Graham and I stayed to help with the MOPS bake sale which went really well. We made over $400 and we talked with lots of young moms about our group. Sadly, once I got home from the big day, I developed a sore throat that has led to me being sick this whole week. My throat is hoarse and I developed a migraine last night that practically took me out. This time of year is a germy one, so I’m not surprised that I finally went down with something. I’m not 100% myself yet, but I’m hoping to improve soon.

A few highlights from the morning at Easter Eggstravaganza

One piece of sad news is Jeremy’s Uncle Dan passed away on Sunday. It was expected but still hard. I know it’s been weighing on Jeremy. Easter season is a busy time at work and we have been fighting illness around our house. The loss of a loved one is a lot to throw into our already crazy mix. It’s been a somber week at times as we reflect and grieve. The great news is Dan is now healed and with his Savior. There is no better place for him to be and we rejoice that he is no longer in pain.

Jeremy sent me this photo of himself while visiting with his family after Dan’s passing. I asked Owen who was in this picture and he told me “That’s Owen right there!”

Despite not feeling well, my mom and I braved Carter’s this week to get the boys Easter outfits. I remember that I didn’t like matching with April when I was little, but now that I am a mom, I am drawn to matching clothes for the boys. My mom reminded me that there is only a short window where I will be allowed to dress them in matching clothes, so I went for it. Poor kids. Because Easter morning will most likely be hurried and crazy, I decided to do Easter pictures with the boys Tuesday afternoon. Owen’s hair was a bit bed-headish, but these are real memories… This isn’t a photo studio. This is real life and honestly, I have never been able to tame Owen’s hair. I was happy that I got couple of smiley shots. It seems like getting the toddler to smile for pictures is nearly impossible, so this was a big win for me.

Happy Easter from Owen & Graham

Just for fun: Three Easters for Owen. It’s amazing how much he changes each year!

Now for the potty training update. Owen has been totally dry for over a week now! He has done all his business in the potty for the last three days!!! Woo hoo! He is even mostly dry when it comes to nap time and getting up in the morning. When we go out to stores, we take him to the restroom right when we get there and when we leave. Tuesday while at Carter’s he asked to use the restroom without any prompting from me. The only downside to having such a motivated potty trainer is the pee that gets everywhere. He doesn’t always wait for me to help him and we have had some messy moments as he tries to do things on his own. Yesterday I was cleaning in the kitchen when I walked into the bathroom to discover that Owen had pooped. In getting off the toilet, he had made a mess and he informed me that there was “poop everywhere.” Yes, my child, you are right. On the floor, on the toilet, on the toddler. Best intentions… Each week he seems to get a better grasp of the concept. I’m not sure when things will get less messy, but I’m guessing “clean” potty training isn’t a top priority for Owen. Overall, he is doing great. I’m tempted to try cotton underwear next week.

Owen discovered Super Why on a cereal box! He loves the alphabet. This cereal is right up his alley!

I know you all are thrilled to read about the bathroom habits of my two year old. However, this is my life right now. Cleaning up poop, pee, and spit up… You better believe my house smells awesome! So do the kids… Hmm… Not so much.

Tomorrow is Jeremy’s birthday and this weekend is Easter. We have lots of springtime fun planned. I filled eggs for Owen’s egg hunt during his nap today. Owen won’t be too picky about what is in the eggs this year so I used spare change, stickers he got for Christmas and bouncy balls that he got last Easter! I am winning in the parenting department as you can tell. Yep. My sister called me resourceful. I’m really just cheap.

My awesome Easter eggs are ready for this weekend! Gotta love spare change, stickers and bouncy balls!