Another baby gate...

We've got a monkey on our hands and our monkey isn't getting any smaller. Graham climbs everything! Bookshelves, coffee tables, his toys, and he's recently become a record breaking stair climber as well. He's been able to get up the stairs for a while now, but his new found speed is actually amusing. Graham is so quick, that he can get up an entire flight almost before we've noticed he's rounded the corner in the family room and begun his trek upwards. This is the reason for our new gate. We've had a gate at the top of the stairs for months, but we just added a gate at the bottom. It's great for Jeff and I beccause we know that Graham is safe, but I'm not sure Graham thinks the new gate is so great. He seemed confused the first time he came up to his blockade and spent a good deal of time pounding on it and surprise, surprise, trying to climb it. Luckily, it held strong and our monkey is contained.

I think Graham and Annie are plotting a way to break through the gate!

Swedish Meatballs and Uncle Peter!

Uncle Peter was doing some shopping at Ikea today, so we decided to meet up with him for lunch and a little stroll around that gigantic store. Graham had never been there before and seemed impressed by all the ceiling fixtures. Yes, he's still obsessed with ceiling lights and has to point out each one that appears above his stroller. What impressed me about our lunch today was Graham's apparent love for Swedish Meatballs....who would have guessed? Graham has become increasingly picky lately with his food. He only wants what he wants, and the rest is thrown on the floor. He couldn't get enough meatballs today though and I was happy to keep spooning them into his mouth! Once he started eating his lunch, I was amazed at how much this little guy could pack away....Swedish Meatballs, string cheese, hot dog, apple chunks, orange slices, and cucumber....all in one meal! I guess he's just making up for his very small meals the past few days. Hopefully, this is the return of the Graham who eats everything, but I won't be surprised when most of his dinner ends up on the floor tonight. I guess this is just what toddlers do.

Happy at Ikea

Uncle Peter was telling a funny story and Graham was trying to be part of the conversation. Peter and I were laughing and Graham was trying to fake laugh to be like us. It was pretty cute!

Enjoying one of the random Ikea toys.

Sunny Days Ahead!

Although we've still got a long ways to go before the sun shines and temperature rises here in Minnesota, Graham is getting ready for warmer times. We're heading to sunny Arizona in just two weeks and a trip to Florida to visit Graham's Great Grandparents is currently in the works for sometime next month. With these upcoming adventures, we thought it was time for Graham to get some cool shades!

Graham is ready for some fun in the sun!

The Bellybutton and the Toothbrush

You're probably wondering what in the world a bellybutton and a toothbrush can possibly have in common. To most people, they're completely unrelated and have not a thing to do with the other. In Graham's world though, it makes complete sense that the two go together. Before I explain the relationship, it's important to know that last week Graham discovered his belly button. We, as parents, have discovered this week that Graham actually enjoys having his teeth brushed...that is as long as he's in the bathtub. and as long as he's got his own toothbrush to hold. So, Jeff was brushing Graham's teeth and Graham was of course clutching his own toothbrush. Graham sat patiently while his Daddy made sure his teeth were sparkling clean and came up with an idea of his own. He decided that his bellybutton needed a good brushing too! We couldn't stop laughing and Graham just stared back at us like "Why are you laughing? Isn't this what I'm supposed to be doing?"

Getting ready to have his teeth brushed...

Searching for his bellybutton...

Now that Graham has successfully located his bellybutton, it's time for him to brush it!

Our little mohawk man!

A lunch date with Daddy...

It's been quite some time since we've had lunch at General Mills, so that's what we did today. Graham is VERY mobile now, and while it used to be easy to contain him in the booth while we ate, easy is not how I'd describe it anymore. I had to laugh, because Jeff and I were having a conversation about how it's increasingly difficult to have Graham eat when he isn't strapped into a highchair, and Jeff decides now, after Graham has been home for 4 months, to tell me that General Mills has TONS of highchairs for guests to use. This information is better late than never I guess! Hopefully, the next time we visit Jeff for lunch, with the help of a highchair, Graham will spend more time eating and less time trying to scale the walls or climb onto the table!

Going for the oranges... There are certain foods that Graham will only eat on certain days. It's almost like a puzzle to try and figure out why he'll eat chicken one day and not the next. Oranges though, he never wavers on. They are the constant favorite!

Graham had absolutely no need for a spoon at this meal, but because the "big kids" eat with utensils, Graham needed to hold one too.

It's hard to tell what Graham is clutching in his fist, but it's his new favorite vegetable....a cucumber! He won't eat them cut up, he only eats them if we allow him the entire slice to chew apart himself.

Graham likes to do, or at least try, everything that mommy and daddy do. Jeff and I were sharing the Dr. Pepper at lunch and of course Graham wasn't allowed to have any, but that didn't stop him from holding the bottle as he downed his milk!

School Day!

We still attend and enjoy our little class each Thursday morning. It's been a while since I've posted any pictures of Graham at school, so here they are. Enjoy!

Graham and his friend Evie-they were trying to hold hands!

Checking out the new toys for the week!

Graham really enjoys pulling each and every toy off of this shelf. This week he found a new favorite activity though....see the last picture for some more explaination!

Snack time!

Graham's activity of choice today (and the reason for my very throbbing headache) was pounding, no seriously he was POUNDING, on this table for about 15 minutes. I tried to redirect him to a different activity but he kept going back. His teacher just laughed, said that he was learning, and let him go on with it. There are only three boys in the entire class, but by the end of class, all three boys were pounding together....unfortunately my camera was put away by that point. It seems as though I've got a ring leader on my hands. He was able to rally the boys together to really create some noise! His hands are an absolute blur in this picture because they were moving so fast. Lately, it seems like the louder the noice, the more Graham is drawn to that activity.

Messy, messy, messy

According to the many parenting books I've read as well as at the advice of our pediatrician, mealtime for a child should be without distraction. We're doing our best to set a good example at meals and keep things calm. We want Graham to understand that when he's sitting in the highchair his one and only job is to eat. So, Jeff and I attempt to model good "mealtime behavior" while Graham frequently throws himself a personal party. His cup is thrown (and retrieved by us) countless times causing milk to splatter everywhere then he offers food to Annie and giggles to himself when the pasta hits her head rather than her mouth. What a treat it is to pick dried pasta from Annie's fur at the end of the day! I have officially given up on trying to clean up after Graham in the kitchen as the day progresses. I realized I was losing a never ending battle with Graham, the highchair, and the kitchen floor. The mess will still be there after Graham is tucked safely into bed for the night, so that is when the mess will be taken care of.

Graham's newest thing is trying to feed me while he eats. Occasionally, I'll actually open my mouth for him, and do my best to swallow whatever mashed up food it is that he's offered. Graham had a tomato stuck on the end of his finger that he wouldn't eat. He's trying to get me to eat it in this picture!

Indulging in his favorite fruit-mandarin oranges!

Graham loves his milk!

Being silly for the camera!

When Graham is done eating he tries to pull his bib off....just like he's doing here!