the little things

Meeting Santa

Last week we took Grayson to go meet Santa. He did so good!  No crying or fussing. However, he wasn't really overjoyed either. Haha. He just didn't know what to think!

The place we went to to see santa is a local home where the homeowner takes his whole large front porch and creates window dislays every, single year.  He's such a nice guy and only asks for everyone to have a good time. No donations, no money, nothing.

As we waited in line we were able to look at all the fun Christmas figurines and such all down the porch. It was so much fun and was really something to be able to have a little one to take with us!

It was a memorable night I won't soon forget.

Hmmm...what else is new around here? 

Just keeping busy with life. Working and being a mom is tough work. I am so tired and constantly have things to do. I haven't scrapped in so long. Actually, I took most of my scrap stuff upstairs. Makes me sad, but I either don't have the time to do it or don't have the energy.  Someday I'll get back to it though.

We've been keeping up with our nightly Christmas book reading though! It's been pretty fun!

Grayson has been enjoying filling his days with getting into things. Such as wipes, the DVD case, baskets, cabinets (all is safe though!)and boxes in his room. He cracks me up!

Our home is ready for (our very simple) Christmas! Grayson's gifts are wrapped and we've been doing our Advent calendar every day as well! It's been so much fun.

I miss getting to blog and surf the net as much as I used to, but being a mama is SO much more fun and important!

Oh! And we got to hear baby #2's heartbeat this week and scheduled our anatomy appointment for next Thursday! Can't wait to see what Baby Duenke will be! :)

month 8.

Before I get started, I just want to say thank you so much for all the warm, well wishes about Baby #2! They mean so much to me and our family. Thank you!

Dear Grayson,

As you may be able to tell from the above photo, it is getting very hard to keep you in one place for long! You are on the go ALL. THE. TIME!

This month has been a big one for you on many levels. The day you turned 8 months (November 30th), you got your first big OUCH! You lost your balance while standing in your crib just after waking and clunked your sweet face on the corner of your crib :( I panicked. Then called grandma! That little gash was bleeding so bad, but after a brief cry and a warm bath you were good to go! Daddy says it's bound to be the first of many ouches, but I'm trying to think positive! ;)

You also shared the news with many people that you are going to be a big brother in May!  You like the idea, I think!

You also attended your first wedding. For our friends, Amy and Jay Shrader.  Aside from stealing my roll at dinner, you did fantastic. You loved all the attention, especially from grandma and grandpa Frase and great gram and gramp!

You try to stand by yourself all the time!  You're just so over this "sitting/crawling" business! You love pulling yourself up on me or daddy. We love it.

You attended your first Holiday event with cousin Roman in Wooster where you got to see Santa for the first time! It was so much fun hanging out with grandma and grandpa and cousin Roman!

You're all done with pureed food. You self-feed about 95% of the time!  Aside from yogurt and applesauce. You also drink from a sippy cup all throughout the day now.

You love blueberries, applesauce and chicken!

As of November 8th you weighed 17 lbs. 4 oz and are a shorty at just 26.5 inches long!

You wear a size 3 diaper and are in clothes sizes 6-9 months.

Did I mention you love pulling yourself up on everything? Cuz ya do!

This month you also enjoyed your very first Thanksgiving. You had so much fun seeing family and playing with your cousins! Everyone loved your homemade Turkey shirt and you especially loved the meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a roll you feasted on! ;)

You still love Mickey Mouse, as well as Cookie Monster, Elmo and Chicka on Sprout!

You are also a big fan of mama and daddy's cell phones, the remote, checking yourself out in our bedroom mirror and taking baths!

You can sit in highchairs at restaurants now and also sit in the front of carts when we go shopping. You kind of think you're a big deal. Hehe.

You are VERY into exploring these days. You love finding new things, such as my cookie cutters and candles. You also lovethe Tupperware cabinet and getting toys from your basket.

You're a big fan of cars and trucks, going for car rides and other babies.

And while I know you love me, you are getting exceptionally close with your dad (I think it's this whole mom going back to work thing?) and I LOVE it. You two are so cute together and I can see your love for daddy each time you see him, hear him or hear his name. I kind of melt.

And while we are so sad that you're growing so, so fast, we are SO proud of who you are becoming as a little person and absolutely love watching you grow and learn every single day.

You are our pride and joy and we love you more than you will ever know. Happy 8 Months, little man!

Love,

Mama and Daddy :)