18 Months....

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." 

-Stacia Tauscher

My Dearest Garrison,

Where to begin? It seems as if we just did begin. Although, everyday I am reminded that you are not a baby anymore. I no longer have a baby anymore. I have TWO walking, talking, counting, singing, screaming, eating, sleeping waking, loving toddlers!

Garrison, you are the funniest child I know. You are so interested in the world around you and way too smart for your age. When others meet you - they notice one very evident thing about you - you, my child, are gifted. You have a very special gift. We are not sure what this gift is yet.. but there is no doubt you are gifted. There isn't another word that could describe you as well. Smart, Musical, Strong, Loving, Nurturing, Compassionate, Stubborn, Adorable - you are all those things but in such a deeper way. You can say the entire alphabet, count to ten, repeat everything you see and hear and know the name of a lot of animals (you LOVE animals).

You have THE BEST hair. Uncle Bill thinks you have hair like Adam Levine. Since you most likely will have not a clue who he is, let's just leave it at you have rock star hair. You have the most piercing blue eyes. You do these things with your eyebrows that only you and your sister can do. Your eyebrows are my kryptonite. They get you what you want, when you want it and have managed to get you out of trouble on more than one occasion.

You charm everyone you meet with your adorable grin and sweet little voice. Everyone can't help but smile back at you. 

Your sister adores you in every way. She loves to pretend she's your mommy. You two balance your time between fighting and playing -- some days it is more fighting than playing. She has recently been calling you a new nickname, "Mister". It is so sweet hearing it come out of her tiny little mouth and I love that you know she is talking to you. Although you both are alike in many ways - you are more mellow and relaxed at this point. You give me no attitude, which I appreciate since your sister is bent on testing my patience and sanity daily.

You love to be outside, just like your sister. You love to go on walks and squeal in excitement if we come across a dog or cat. The park is our second home. We are often there once or twice a day. You don't stay on the baby/toddler equipment. You head right to the biggest, darkest, loopiest slide. Again, much like your sister- you have no fear. 

Although you have changed dramatically in the last 18 months. One thing remains constant - I am and will always be overwhelmed with love for you.

Mommy

Always there to lend a hand

Those eyebrows!

Ear Surgery

In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything.  You just need a lot of love and luck - and, of course, courage.  ~Bill Cosby, Fatherhood, 1986

Dearest Grayson & Garrison,

Last week you both had ear surgery. The four of us drove to Fairfax and did some of your most favorite things: stayed in a hotel, ate out and went swimming!

The next morning we were at the surgery center by 6a. You both were such troopers and didn't complain at all that we had woke you up so early & didn't let you have anything to eat or drink.

The nurse gave you each a stuffed animal - Gigi a giraffe and Gio a bear - so you were instantly in love with her. You both were amazingly well behaved given the circumstances. We put you in your little matching gowns and talked to the doctors. The doctors and nurses had a plan in place of who was going first and so on and so forth. It put my mind somewhat at ease that they had it all figured out.

Garrison, you went first. Your dad carried you into the OR while I waited impatiently with your sister. It was so hard to see you being carried away from me into the unknown. It's a good thing I was distracted by your sister. Before I knew it, your dad was back and explaining to me that you fought the anesthesiologist with everything you had in you - that's my boy!  Soon after the doctor came in the room to tell us the surgery went well and that very soon you should be able to hear better and be pain free. Your dad went off to the recovery room to wait for you, while I stayed with Gigi.

Grayson, next was your turn. I carried you into the OR. It was such a scary looking room. The room was cold and bright with a big metal table and lots of people with masks on (including me). I had tears running down my face as I laid you on the big table and they put the mask on your face. The doctor asked you about your Christmas and you were so calm and politely told him about the different toys you and your brother got. I gave you a kiss and walked away. The nurse walked me back to the room.. I guess she thought I might try to stay near. Before I knew it - we were all in the recovery room. You both were awake and calm, no tears or screaming. We all snuggled as we waited for the anesthesia to wear off. 

Before we left, there were four more children brought into recovery. All four, were screaming and seemed to not have control over their actions. Which brought me to you two, both in obvious discomfort but in control of yoursleves.

I don't often take parenting advice from The Duggar's (or from anyone, for that matter) but something Jim Bob said years ago, has stuck with me. He spoke on how important it is for children to learn self control. That it is imperative in life that you be able to control your sadness, discomfort, anger, anxiety, etc. Since then, I have always tried to teach you to have self control (especially while in public). 

I couldn't be more proud of you, Grayson. You were incredibly brave and courageous, showing so much self control through your fears and pain. 

I love you both dearly and wish I could have taken both of your places that day. However, I am so happy that you are both so much healthier now. You both will be on antibiotics for such a short time longer, but are doing remarkably well. Garrison, you espicially! You started sleeping through the night(the day of your surgery)! Yes, 15 months you slept through the night for the first time! No more waking up 5-6 times a night. You must feel SO MUCH better! 

Now I know you both can hear me -- here's to hoping you both listen!

Love,

Mommy

13 Months

Dearest Garrison,

Whooaah! This month flew by! And I am positive you grew about an inch a week, learned a new word everyday and have made me fall even deeper in love with you!

We celebrated your first birthday last weekend with a big harvest party. You had an amazing time, even though you slept through a little of it.

Everyone that has ever been around you have definitely determined you are a man's man. You LOVE beer - so much that your daddy has to pour it into a colored glass.. because if you see the beer bottle, you go CRAZY until you get some.You have even gone crazy over Colby's apple juice that was in a beer mug. You love anything with wheels and can throw/kick a ball like a champ! You have even been known to sit and watch a football game, which is a big deal for you.. you never sit! And last but not least - you are infatuated with your daddy. You would rather be in his arms than anywhere else in the world. It is safe to say you are daddy's boy!

Your vocabulary is growing everyday. Here are some of the words you have added:

Gio -- Grandma -- Horsey -- Aussie -- Drink -- More -- Done -- Riley -- Maddie -- Titi -- Shoe -- Bath -- Zebra  -- Night Night -- Row, Row Your Boat -- Dream -- Hat -- Banana -- Eat

 Although some things you aren't able to say yet.. you know what almost everything means! If I ask you to go get the soccer ball & kick it - you do just that! 

You are without a doubt the best baby ever. You sleep 12-13 hours a night and take one 3-3.5 hour nap or two 1.5 naps. You smile all day long. Give kisses and hugs that melt my heart and share everything with your sister.

You have been having some difficulty breathing, so I took you into the doctor and your oxygen levels were too low. So, you have been on nebulizer treatments ever since. You are supposed to get them every 4 hours.. but to be honest - we don't do it that much. You REALLY dislike them and usually scream for the whole 5 minute treatment. They don't hurt you - but I think you are disturbed by the noise of the machine. You go back to the doctor on Monday for your 1 year well-check and I am hoping we will no longer need to give you anymore treatments. 

 

I hope this month goes a little slower than last. I am looking forward to enjoying the fall season with you! 

Love You Always,

Mommy

You still have a little baby left in you :)

Always being silly

I just love this boy!

That smile! Those eyes! The chubby cheeks!