First Swim!

Hello again to all! I'm going to be updating a lot more often the next couple of weeks since Daddy is waiting for pictures and videos. I really wanted to add one more video of Graham crawling (he is really catching on- he knows what he wants to do and tries SO hard!) but I can't seem to get it to upload. Instead I'll add some pictures of his first time swimming. After an inital few minutes of uncertainty, he absolutely loved the pool. He splashed water all over both of us, and after a while had a pretty good doggy-paddle going. Hopefuly he didn't swallow too much chlorine... His appetite is also expanding. Tonight, after I had already fed him as much milk as he would eat he sat in his high-chair and gobbled down some cereal, applesauce, and then smashed bananas; every time I finished one bowl full, he would starting yelling (literally) for more. I can't imagine how it will be when he's a teenager.

Love to all! Kate (and Graham)

Trying to crawl!

I am going to try to upload a video of Graham trying to get mobile! I can't believe how he's growing, and wanting so badly to get around now. It happened so fast! Last night after dinner we put a blanket on the floor and let him practice his skills, and he was just determined to move. All it took was a little arm to push off from, and he repeatedly moved all the way across the blanket. Boy, was he proud! I was just a little bit, too... I love my boy so much! He's going to have all kinds of new skills to show his dad.

Love to all! Kate

It's spoilin' time!

Well here we are in Glendale after our long travels from the West! I couldn't have asked for Graham to be better on our long journey- he took it like a trooper and did very little fussing, as well as lots of flirting with fellow passengers (he especially liked the stewardesses). Since arriving in Glendale he's been amazed by the animals, entranced by the plants, but most of all thrilled to see Grandma and Granddad! He's also been sleeping a lot in our cozy little room to make up for our crazy day yesterday. Works for me! Other big news in Graham's life: he started rolling over last week, and now has tummy-to-back thoroughly down pat. He still needs the tiniest push (or the side rail of his crib) to go from back-to-tummy, but he will be there in no time. We miss Jonathan/Daddy terribly already, but it's fun to visit his blog and see how things are unfolding in Thailand. Graham was checking out all of the men on the plane to see if he could find that one special one that he's missing. He even kept tapping the shoulder of the guy next to us--I'm pretty sure he was hoping that when he turned around he would be transformed into Daddy, as he was a young man with a similar haircut. Fortunately the next three weeks will be filled with lots of fun and laughter to help us get by!

His First Babysitter!

Wheeeee! Graham likes this new trick.












Another first, Graham had his first baby sitter, a totally awesome former-youth now friend, Lindsey Lewis. They seemed to have a great night together while Kate and I got some one-on-one time, and Graham was full of smiles when we got home. Success!












After barely any nap time and two hours together they are still both smiling. A miracle.

Much love,

jon and kate

First Solid Foods

Here are some snapshots of Graham's first meal of solid food. Delicious rice cereal!

Here we go!














He seems interested in the possibility:















1/4 in mouth, 3/4 around mouth:















After some time (3-4 spoonfulls) we are getting full















Mmmm, delicious.














He is such a sweet guy! Every day we realize more and more what a great and pleasant spirit he has. He loves to flirt with the ladies and is sleeping so much better recently.

We feel very lucky and blessed.

Love,

Jon and Kate

Check-up Stats

Hello everyone! We just got home from our appointment, and Graham is already sleeping; two months ago when I made the appointment I didn't know yet that I was making it during prime nap time. Hopefully it helped that he was so tired, though--he cried for about 15 seconds during his shots and that was that. He settled right down to sleep immediately after, so I think this round went just fine. He nows weighs in at 15lbs (so he's pretty much doubled his birth weight) which lands him at 50th percentile, and he is a whopping 27inches long, which is off the charts! Maybe he'll have his granddad's long lean figure? The doctor also told us we can start feeding him some rice cereal since he is big and strong, and hopefully that will help him start sleeping through the night again. I think all of the trips, guests, and changes with me going back to work are still going to take some adjusting, though.

In other news, I (Kate) managed to contract pink-eye to go along with my cold. I must have had a contagious patient at work that I wasn't aware of. Our pediatrician (who is also a church friend) was kind enough to check me out and give me a prescription at Graham's appointment, so it saved me a trip to the office! Now I'm just praying that the guys won't get it from me. Yesterday before my eyes really started showing it I gave Graham an awful lot of kisses...

I'll also try and post a little video, just so you can see him in action. Unfortunately he is quite captivated by the camera, so we have spent many minutes trying to get him to interact with us as if it isn't there, all to no avail. So, these aren't any of his best smiles or giggles, but still pretty cute.

Well Graham's been up for a while sitting beside me and is getting bored, so I should stop for now.
Love! Kate

4 months old!

While Graham is finishing up his long afternoon nap I thought I'd add a couple more pictures. We'll try to blog again tomorrow after Graham's 4 month appointment to let you know the new height and weight and other vital statistics! But, in the meantime, I thought we should do a simple leg chubbiness comparison to illustrate what a big boy he's becoming. Check out the difference between week 2 and 4 months!

Graham continues to be such a joy in our lives. He is more fun all the time, and such a sweet snuggly boy. This picture with his dad also shows off his new favorite pose with his hands thoughtfully clasped together. He is so purposeful and serious with the way he uses his hands, I love it! There's no thrashing about with them for him. He prefers gentle touches and then a firm grip if it's something really cool.

Going back to work has been good, but I miss my boys so much during the day! My biggest consolation is the size of the smiles I get when I get home. It makes me feel so loved to see those huge dimples and the excited body-wiggling that accompanies them! I'm so blessed.

Continue to pray for us as we try to make decisions about the coming year(s). There is so much to think about these days, but we're also just trying to enjoy each day and all of the fun it brings. Watching Graham discover his world helps us do that. Love to all!