Two Dogs and Three Little Boys ...: November 2008

11.28.2008

Graham's First Thanksgiving

Graham's first Thanksgiving ended up being more about his mom and dad. Graham did what he does best - eat, sleep, and fill his pants. And, Kyle and I were able to spend time with family, relax, watch the Macy's parade, and nap. So relaxing! Kyle, my dad, and a good friend of ours, Dean, went kayaking and paddle boarding in the morning.

Kyle's newest passion - paddle boarding

Graham's great grandmother, Ammi, snuggling with a very content little boy

Nothing like throwing back the recliner and taking a nap on Thanksgiving!

The Football Hold...

Graham's Third Week

Big thanks to BB and Buddy (Brenda and Verne) for the fancy stroller!! Kyle and I took Graham for his first ride last Sunday. It's fabulous! I can see many jogs with him in his stroller...

I just can't resist these shoes/ socks. (Not sure what they are, but they sure are cute!)

Graham tackling his daddy

11.22.2008

Two Weeks Old Today

Graham is officially two weeks old today. And, this morning I took one look at the shirt he was wearing and told him it was time to retire the shirt. He wasn't too happy at first, but he really didn't want to enter the fashion world wearing a "wife beater" type shirt. So, we're retiring our first set of clothes. So, we moved on to a onesie that looks like the one in the above picture.

Graham Knox Gift

Evening snuggle time with my girls. The boppy has many uses. None of which have yet been for Graham. It's very helpful for sitting on while healing, and dogs seems to particularly enjoy it. Kona seems to snag mine every night.

Kyle just installed a dog door in our garage door. Kona totally gets it.

Molly, on the other hand...

(It's FREEZING today - thus the shirts for my girls.)

Sweet snuggle time with Kona.

11.20.2008

Coming Out of The Fog...

This week has been a really good week so far. Kyle has gone back to work, and Graham and I

are really getting to know each other. I really enjoy our snuggle time, and I love just looking at him. Especially when he opens his eyes! It's amazing to me how time is flying by! He has already changed so much. One of his outfits is already a bit snug on him. I can't believe that we will have had him for two weeks this coming Saturday. This weekend I'm hopeful to be up and around a bit. Kyle and I are going to try to take a walk (very slowly...) and I'm going to get a much-needed pedicure. I had an appt for November 8th but ended up being busy. Now it's beyond an emergency!

We tried out our sling this morning, and it was fabulous - thank you Kimberly!!

Some updated pictures are below.

I'll hold my own bottle, thanks Mom.

How many pacifiers can fit in Graham's Moses basket?

I LOVE snuggling with my girls - and they will do anything to all get on the same couch.

11.18.2008

Graham - Week Two

So, we're on week two with Graham! Sunday Kyle was able to get me and Graham out of the house for the first time. We stopped for a drink and then drove to the beach. Luckily, Graham is like me in the car - it's the perfect place to sleep! So, Kyle and I enjoyed looking at the ocean. Then we went to my parents house to check out Graham's new room and new crib. He seems to like it! Kyle went back to work on Monday - which I was really nervous about. But, Graham and I have had some great time together. His awake time is in the morning from about 8:30 - 10:30. After he eats, we have been reading. He seems interested in his books but falls asleep the minute I begin reading the Wall Street Journal. I think he's finding the current economic environment rather depressing.

I'm not quite sure about this shirt, Mom...

I am so good at this!

Two dogs and a little boy...

My mom really has a thing for my feet.

Do you think my hat is too big? (Note - this was just resting on the top of his head and fell down. It's not really completely covering his face.)

My hat says half full...

Can't a guy get some rest around here? (This is Allie Wight, Graham's new friend down the street. She was born two months ago.)

11.15.2008

Graham's One Week Birthday

So - we can't neglect our girls. They're getting more used to Graham every day. But, today they spent most of their day playing in the back yard. (Molly is the horse-like dog in the foreground, Kona in the background.) The pictures below are from the past week. It's hard to believe Graham hit his one week mark today. Kyle and I have had a really good week getting to know Graham and figuring out life as a family. Kyle and I alternate feedings at night, (Graham likes a bottle) so neither of us is delirious from lack of sleep. Yet. His schedule is pretty much the same every day. He eats every three hours, we change his diaper - which is a rather traumatic experience for him every time - and he sleeps. We have been trying to figure out who he looks like so he can break out of the "generic baby" stage. Last night Kyle weighed in, and I agree. So far, he looks most like my mom's passport picture when she moved to the United States as a baby. We'll take another guess after he grows into his features a bit more.

Fine Mom - I'll wear this outfit again. But I can't promise I won't pee on it within second of you putting it on me...

Boy and his best friend (one of them)

My parents think my feet are cute...

Kona is already very protective of me. We're going to get along great.

Who are you and why are you looking me?

Dad, doesn't my wailing give you any clue that I'm not interested in tummy time? I just want some more food!

Here are my feet again...

One of my favorite things to do. I'm a professional.

11.12.2008

Graham Knox Gift

Graham Knox Gift was born on November 8, 2008 at 9:49 in the morning. We're already smitten with him and just can't get enough of him!

Mandy's water broke around 3am on Friday evening and we were at the hospital around 4:30. (Next time we won't wait this long...) Contractions started around 4:30 and weren't too bad. They picked up rather quickly, however. In fact the nurse kept asking what my level of pain was. On a scale of 1-10, what do I have to compare this to? A sprained ankle?! So, in the middle of some rather painful contractions, I told the nurse I was at a level 4-5. She didn't believe me. I told her I was saving level 10 for the "throws" of labor which I anticipated would be much later in the afternoon or evening. Well, in the middle of my level 4-5 pain we found out I was 7 cm dilated and Graham would most likely be entering the world well before the lunch hour. In came the epidural and what relief! Kyle and I took a good nap, the nurse came in around 9:00 - 9:15 am, and we were ready to push! Graham Knox Gift was born at 9:49am weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces. He was 20 inches long. And, he has a very good working set of lungs. We think he's super cute! The girls (Kona and Molly) are still getting used to him. We're getting adjusted to the classically sleep-deprived state of parenthood, but just taking one look at his face makes everything completely worth it!

We're astonished at the amount of clothes Graham can go through in a day, the amount of food he can eat, and the amount of diapers we're changing. Kyle still can't figure out why Graham has to wear clothes since he goes through them so quickly...

Graham Knox Gift

I'm meeting my dogs for the first time. We're not quite sure what we think of each other.

My dad and my uncle Zach are trying out my mom's new equipment.

I love to sleep on my daddy.

Going home from the hospital.

My Papa is writing a book for me! He's written the introduction already. The book is going to teach me about important things in life.

My Uncle Zach and Aunt Robin drove from Tennessee to see me! And, they made the funniest clothes for me. My mom and dad are going to laugh every time I wear these...