Coaches and Kids

Our friend Brian brought his daughter Lydia over to meet Grady. Who would have thought these two basketball coaches would end up spending a Saturday afternoon feeding their babies? We had a great visit - but we missed Nisa, Brian's wife.

Beautiful Boy

Talking During Tummy Time

Grady's shag rug (yes, shag) is a soft spot for him to lie down and work on his tummy time activities. He can hold himself up for an extended length of time, and he eventually rolls over.

Grady is fascinated by the baby in the mirror.

Eating the rug? No, Grady is talking and shrieking. He has started to try out his vocal range lately. His pitch can be piercingly high at times - maybe he'll sing opera like his Aunt Emily! After he lets out his shrieks, he often giggles. He's a funny baby - in fact, he even laughs aloud when he's all by himself. Of course, John and I think he's hilarious (and brilliant).

Napping

Grady takes naps many days on the blanket his great-grandma Bev sent him. It is a beautiful blanket, and we are so appreciative. Chief still likes to nap by Grady.

Sleep update: Since May 20, Grady has slept through the majority of nights. Here's how it all started. One day, Grady looked at me and said, "Momma, you're looking darn tired. I think I'll be the model child and start sleeping through the night tonight to give you a break." I kissed him, told him I love him, and tucked him into bed. So, there you have the true story.

His bedtime is around 8:30 p.m., and he sleeps until sometime between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. At that time, he has a bottle and goes back to sleep within 30 minutes. He's a strong morning napper. The afternoons, however, remain sketchy, but the "books" say the afternoon nap is the last to develop.

Dedication Sunday

It is our intention to raise Grady in a Christian home, and we both pray he will come to know the Lord at an early age. On May 30, Grady was dedicated to God at Hope Church.

Grandpa Pat and Grandma Kay were both there! Grandpa was determined to come, so Brian and John picked him up at the nursing home and brought him to the church. What a blessing for John and me to look out at our church family and see all of our parents there, too. Additionally, all of our siblings on John's side and our nieces and nephews were also there. After the service, twenty-five people came to our house for lunch. Again, we are overwhelmed by the love and support of our family and friends. Grady is truly blessed by each of you, and we know you will all help us raise him to be a Christian child, boy and man. God is good!

Grandpa Wes, Grandpa Gerry and Grandma Arlene were also there.

John and I both read letters to Grady.

The first celebratory cake for Grady. The woman in the bakery wrote "Grady Patrick Your a Blessing." Funny how two English teachers would have a mistake like that on their child's cake. I thought of adding the apostrophe and the "e" in red frosting for a good laugh. I didn't have to, though, because a nice salesperson at the store took it in the back and fixed it for us.

The Aunties/sisters: Aunt Julie, Aunt Kaylene, Aunt Julie, Aunt Sarah and me. What an amazing group of women! We have so many pictures of the "boys," it's wonderful to have this one of the "girls." I know that each of you will play an important part in Grady's life. You're all so special to me, and I'm thankful to have you for sisters. Grady loves you already.

Cousins: Katie and Grady. They already have a special relationship; Grady's face lights up whenever Katie is in the room.

Happy Boy on the Couch

Grady and I spend the better part of our days playing. I'm in absolute awe of his joyful nature. He is truly gripping and studying objects now, and believe me, his grip is strong. He likes to sit up on my stomach or against my legs - sorry for the close up of my knees - and you can see that he still likes it when I bring out the camera.

Blocking Out the World, Taking In the World

Grady and me hanging out Grady's nursery window encouraging Daddy as he works on starting the sprinkler system for the year. We may have been more of a distraction than anything else.

My two handsome men checking out the 35 chicks in the brooder John built in our garage. This year's design is new and improved with 4 sections that pull out to let the used litter fall into Chief's old plastic swimming pool and get moved to the garden. By the way, squash and pumpkins love this stuff spread all around them.

Grady likes to take his afternoon nap on our bed. He has started to pull his teddy bear blanket over his eyes while he goes to sleep. I love to listen to his pre-sleep grunts and watch him block out the world. I am always nearby - don't worry, I don't let him sleep with his nose and mouth covered!