Eight Months

My blogging really needs a boost if I follow through with my intention to make a book out of this. 2013 won't take up nearly as much space as 2011. This does bother me when I stop to think about it, but just like what happened two seconds ago when Reese came and hugged my neck and said, "Mom, I love you," I don't stop to think about my blog too often. I took a video this morning of Reese showing Graham all of his toys and saying, "maybe this is your favorite." Or "I love you so much, Brother." I definitely have enough stories, moments, pictures, and thoughts to blog about, but they just don't get recorded on here. Maybe if I write these thoughts enough I'll actually start blogging more. I'll work on it.
Anyways, Graham is EIGHT months old, and this definitely warrants a blog post. And in this update, I'll fill you (and my future blog book) in on what's been going on the past several weeks.

Graham at eight months:

*He has my heart. I mean, seriously, this little guy makes me melt. He cuddles, he grins, he babbles, he plays, he sits, he laughs. When he's tired, he rubs his head into my shoulder or chest. When he sees someone he loves he smiles really big. When he hears others around him, he shows off his favorite consonant sounds "da" or "ba". When plopped on the floor, he plays with whatever toy he wants instead of what I place in his hands. When I plop him down, he doesn't fall over. Most of the time. And when Sister laughs, he laughs. When I tickle him, he laughs. He's the best.

*Graham is a good sleeper, too. I'm not sure if we are moving to a slightly different schedule because he's been waking up later in the mornings the past few days, but here is our day yesterday just as a sample day...
7:45 Wake/Nurse
8:15 Breakfast
9:30 Nap
11:45 I had to wake him up from his nap. And then I nursed him.
12:45 Lunch
1:45 Nap
3:00 Wake
3:30 Bottle
4:45 Nap
5:45 I woke him from this nap.
6:00 Dinner
6:40 Nurse/Bed
He sometimes gets a third nap if we are home and one of his other naps wasn't too solid. Yesterday, his afternoon nap was short, so I knew he would need another sleep before bed time.
Up until two days ago, he napped at 9 and 1, so I'm not sure what's going on with this later schedule. We will see what happens, and I will be sure to have something set soon. I don't do too well without a somewhat predictable routine.

*Graham takes a bottle!!! I left for two nights and three days last weekend, so Graham had to learn. Now he's a champ. But he only takes latex bottles. A friend gave me this tip, and it was the best advice I had ever received. Now we just need to work on the sippy cup. He still just gnaws on it instead of actually drinking from it.

*Speaking of a weekend away, Brooke and I drove to Nashville last Friday to celebrate our friend Lauren. She's getting married at the beach at the end of June, and all of my closest friends from college will be there. We. Can't. Wait. The weekend was super fun, and we got to meet a lot of the other girls who will be in the wedding. Counting down the days for the beach wedding, and then we are staying the next week for vacation! Ahhh!!!

We have been going to Pressroom for lunch most Saturdays the past few months. It unintentionally has become a pretty awesome tradition. Reese loves her grilled cheese, fruit, coloring, and getting to talk to everyone. I crave the roast chicken salad. Graham loves looking around and devouring his own lunch. And Wes seems to try something new each week. It's all good. So good.

Rogers prom was a few weeks ago, and I had the thought that Reese would like to see some of the girls dressed up for pictures. I was spot on.

Former student and a personal fave, Meagan. Graduating this year and headed to become a Razorback!

Some of my cell group girls. GORGEOUS.

Reese's favorite babysitter, Maris.

Getting charmed by the boys, and charming them, too. Love these kids.

Looking at the tulips with Leigh Leigh.

Acting shy with Brenna.

Before school one day. So squeezable.

Another Pressroom Saturday.

She rarely falls asleep at school, but this week, she was so out that I had to wake her up when I got there. Lights on, people talking, etc. couldn't wake her.

Bible Study. Our study of Genesis this year has been beyond incredible, and these ladies and their kids are pretty great, too.

We skipped the gym one day and walked outside instead. Good choice.

Sarah's 3rd Birthday Party! Princesses everywhere!

ANOTHER Pressroom Saturday.

At Bible study last week, the children joined us to sing our hymns. Reese pretended to be shy, but it was such a neat treat. 

And Bible study wears this guy out. Every week.

Impromptu lunch date with Daddy earlier this week. Reese picked out her own very Bohemian outfit. 

This little friendship has begun. Reese is always going over to sit by Graham, show him a few things, tell him she loves him, hug him...but if he gets too close to whatever she has in her hands, it's over.

Date night at Crystal Bridges. Attention! Seriously. If you haven't seen the Norman Rockwell exhibit, it closes May 27th, and you NEED to see it. So so fascinating.

Another skip the gym day. Lunch and walks with Stella, Brooke, and Charlie.

And after we exercise, we like to eat cupcakes with more friends. (Graham had puffs.)

The OFFICIAL 8 Month Pictures.

We have a big weekend ahead, and I WILL blog about it. 

The temperatures finally seem to be stable, park dates have resumed, and the smell of sunscreen is in the air.