Grey's World: 16 Months

I said that I was going to blog more often, and I've "failed".  More than a month has passed since my last post.  Life just happens, you know?

As life was "just happening", this little guy turned 16 Months!  Can you believe it?!  I did post a proper 15 months update, so I'll catch you up.  I just absolutely adore watching this little guy's personality develop.  He's so funny!  And that belly laugh!!!!  It's contagious!!  

If I could pick one word to describe Grey at this point, it would be "cautious".  He's cautious in most of his actions, who he interacts with, etc.  He didn't take his first steps on his own until he was 14 3/4 months.  It wasn't because he couldn't.  He had been walking while holding onto our hand for some time and was quite balanced with it.  I think  he was being cautious.  He needed to have more confidence in himself.  He finally started walking on his own (without much coaxing from us) right at 16 months.  

I must admit at first I was a little concerned that he was such a late walker.  The other babies in the neighborhood are several months younger and literally "running" circles around him.  I wasn't concerned that he couldn't do it, as I could see him making little bits of progress.  I just didn't understand why he wouldn't do it.  I just needed to learn that Grey was going to do it in his own time.  #patience

He didn't any other milestones during the last month.  I guess he was using all his energy for walking...as he should have.  He's been racking them up since though, but those are stories for the next month's post.

I'll leave you with some fun pics for now...

Birthday Party Fun

Not sure what's happening here, but it's proof that it's not always roses in Grey's World

Teepee fun

Watching the trains at Union Station with Daddy

Daycare Life

Grey and his besties on Pajama Day...

...and NFL Day

Taking care of baby

Painting

More of our 16 Month photoshoot

Cheers!

Catching Up: Part 2

Wow, two posts in the same week!  I'm on a roll!  LOL.  

Grey turned 14 months in early December!  Holy cow!  Unbelievable!  His personality is really starting to shine through these days.  :)

Grandpa Bill and Grandma Mary Sue came for a visit in mid-December.  Grey had a good time showing him all his toys and walking all around everywhere with Grandpa.  We ended the weekend with brunch at Harvey's in Union Station.  I always love visiting Union Station at Christmas.  They have the best decorations!!  It's a must see if you ever visit KC around the holidays!

Also in mid-December I had the pleasure of spending a week in Minneapolis (with negative temperatures) at our corporate headquarters.  Holy cow, it was cold!!  Brrrr!!!!  I hate leaving the boys, but I appreciate how Grey's daycare staff send me pics throughout the week.  Leaving would be much easier if they were sending me to Florida!  LOL.

Prior to heading back to STL for the holidays, Grey had ear tubes inserted.  We were quite nervous about the procedure, but all went very well.  We couldn't have asked for a better experience.  Grey recovered wonderfully and has been doing well since.

After a very busy month, we finally headed home for the holidays.  Lots of family time, cards and Red Rooster.  (You'll have to ask me about that.  Delish!)  Grey was more interested in the Christmas activities this time around, which made it a bit more fun this year.

Unfortunately, we lost a beloved member of our household once we returned home from the Christmas holiday.  Smokey had been sick for several years, and it had finally taken its toll.  It was a difficult decision for us, but we feel it was for the best.  We love and miss his terribly.

We celebrated the end of 2016 with our neighbors, and Grey's BFFs.  We're so lucky to have such great neighbors that I can call friends.  It's been a great year.  More on my 2016 reflection soon!

More posts to come, I promise.

Cheers!

Catching Up: Part 1

Wow!  It's literally been 4 months since I last blogged.  I guess the last few months of 2016 got away from me.  I'm not surprised in the least.  It was a crazy busy last quarter.


In October, we celebrated Grey's 1st birthday.  I can hardly believe that our little guy is truly a "little guy".  We've entered the kingdom of toddler-hood...and boy is it different than infant-hood.  I'm having to learn how to care for him all over again.  He likes different things...wants different things...needs different things.  It's an adventure for sure!

We also attempted our annual family photos in October.  In my mind I pictured cozy knits and plaids outside in the crisp air.  Of course Mother Nature pictured something different...think 80 degrees.  We were sweating our booties off hiking around the Nelson Akins Art Museum grounds.  We managed to get a few good ones despite Grey's ever-changing mood and the sweltering temps.

We spent the end of October/early November in Ft. Lauderdale for our first vacation since Grey was born.  Unfortunately Mother Nature worked against us here also, as the temps were low and the winds were strong.  Despite the weather, we did enjoy ourselves and got a bit of beach/pool time.

Grey and I tagged along with Chad on a work trip back to Florida later in November - but in Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral this time.  Chad's work has revolved around the GOES-R satellite for the last several years, and it was being launched into orbit.  We had much better weather this trip, but our health took a turn for the worse.  We ended up at Urgent Care on Day 2 where Grey was diagnosed with his 5th ear infection in less than 1 year.  Shortly after that both Chad and I caught colds.  We just weren't meant to vacation in 2016.  LOL.  We did manage to have some good moments though.  However,  I was grateful for the room service, the tiki bar/cafe on the pool deck, and the waitress that packed up my lunch and bloody mary when Grey started screaming.  :)

Last, but not least, we managed to have Grey's picture taken "with" Santa in November.  This was taken on a warm day in a neighborhood near where we live.  This was our first Santa attempt, since I couldn't bear to take my little newborn to the germ-infested Santa areas last year.

Best.  Pic.  Ever.

I'll write more about the rest of our year very soon!

Cheers!