AND...he is ONE!

For over week I have been wierded out when people ask me how old my kids are. It is so odd to say 3 and 1. One. It has not sunk in yet! But my oh my the big boy he has become. I guess the parties proved it. These are some of my favs from the day ( and SPECIAL thanks to Alysa for her fotog eye and spin on her photos. I fell in love with the photos SHE took so much that I used hers for his thank you cards!)

The amazing cake! It was as scrumptious as it looked. I was hesitant to spend more than $20 on a cake but that motherly guilt kicked in. G has gotten the hand-me-downs of almost everything and I convinced myself he deserved something different and unique for his big day. Not that T's cakes weren't wonderful, Uncle Tommy made his Elmo and Nemo cakes from scratch and he was so creative. But, seriously look at this cake!! And the cookies were out of this world. I have this lady's card on hand for the next event, that's for sure.
Here we are doing our little tradition of icing on all of us and then Bryley got in on it...a first, surprisingly!

Such a cute photo of Alysa's daughter, Maddie and G. She adores him! So sweet.

I was so excited for T to have his own school friends to play with along with his neighborhood friends.Even though it tenses me out to see him running around like a wild animal following the craziness of kids and what they REALLY do at bday parties, I stepped back. There were plenty of people watching out for them all. And I could tell he was having a blast. He doesn't get to rough house, jump on kids, perform wrestling moves, Star Wars and whatever else they were doing on a daily basis. He was FREE! Free from mommy's wicked control and loved every minute of it. And slept awesome and late the next morning. I am just relieved no one was hurt in the chaos (These are the moments I prob sound like Kate from Jon n Kate plus 8, right? Yeah, thought so. And now you can see why I don't think she is a crazy lunatic!).

Although G did not get some huge hurrah of a party it was just perfect enough. The weather held out for us and kids had a chance to play in the yard with toys, animal stamps and playdoh. I decided on a zoo animal theme bc that is truly what G seemed to enjoy everytime we visited the zoo this summer. And he is often found cruising around with an animal puzzle piece or animal figurine in his hands. He is just starting to imitate animal sounds, too. We even did animal crackers and little animal figures as party favors. It was perfect and easy.

Yes, the house seemed cramped (we just cant seem to crank out them summer babies) but the company was great. It was low key and just enough for me to handle with the beginning of the school year. MamaC and TitaMel pulled through with all the filipino food and I made mostaccioli (the cheapo kind my mother would NOT have been proud of me to serve... these are the kinds of things I can pull off in her absence). I had fun and everyone left early. It was nice to look at the clock at 5pm and know we still had the evening to ourselves.

A nice day with great family and friends. And to think we get to do it all again in December for T with pirate pride!

Brothers at it again

A new thing the two of them came up with. T's little butt fits perfectly inside the push toy and he hops right in. G assumes the driving position and off they go. T giggles and G laughs aloud. The things that keep these two amused amazes me. They'll be pushing each other around in their 90's for goodness sake!

Candy anyone?

G has a new "like". Candyland. Months ago, cleaning up last minute before company came over I shoved T's Candyland game under a living room chair. Well, recently G found it under the chair. One of his animals rolled under it and "AHA", another discovery. He yanked out the game and whipped off the lid. In that one incident it all started out cute-T set up the game and instructed G how to play. G layed across the board messing up T's best intentions. I had to laugh.

This weekend Grayson OWNS the game! All this time I haven't had the heart to put the game away. It is hilarious watching him pull it out. Like he knows it really isn't his to touch but somehow he can. Everytime he slips it out from under the chair he smirks this big grin. Yes, it's still here! Instead of tearing it apart he now manipulates each piece. He picks up each color card, inspects and then tosses it aside. It's as if he saying to himself, " Yep, green card. Just what I thought. Yes, double red, just what I thought." I don't know what he is thinking to himself. But the wheels are turning.

In this pic I yelled, "show me red" and he raised it up high for me to see. No, he doesn't know his colors receptively, just the command 'show me'. I am a ruthless dictator ya know.

Sometimes he carefully chooses (and I mean truly contemplates and then makes a selection) one or two cards or a card and a character piece and shuffles away with his stash. Giggling, waiting for T to notice and chase him. Is it the bright colors of the game that attract him? The scrumptious candy? The fact that he is getting access to T's belongings? I am not sure but it sure is adorable. He truly has created his own rules to the game and it has become his little routine. He loves carrying his little tokens around as he crawls or cruises around the living room. His little treasures. With that huge grin of his all the while.

And today he added another level to the game. The past few weeks, he has really been into handing us items from buckets, bins, or anything he finds on the floor ( I can't tell you how many cheerios or crumbs he brings me like he's helping out the cause). We just tell him thank you each time. Well, he has taken 'thank you' and overgeneralized it! Candyland is thank yous all around. After he picks up cards and examines them he hands them to the nearest person and beats us to the "thank you" part. He places them in our hands and tells us 'thank you.' I love it! Especially since he said 'thank you' about 2 mos ago and I havent heard it since. Now I get to hear it 8-10 times in a row. And what was his inspiration? The classic game of Candyland! How simple life can be!

One Year

One year ago, on a cold ,crisp autumn day-Grayson Kedric was born. He is one year old!! Yikes, where has the time flown to? And to think this little guy filled a patch in our family I didn't even know we had?!

His smile seems to get bigger and brighter with each day.

Oh, Grayson! Mama's sushi. You are absolutely phenomenal to me. Your daddy and I are so proud of all your accomplishments in one years time. The things that make me light up about you are some of these...but so much more:

• the way anything and everything your big bro does makes you laugh...like this one. The day your bro was pretending to be Dr. B and checking my baby belly shortly after you were born.
• your silly way of giving kisses...you lean your forehead toward us for a kiss over and over again and sometimes it turns into a headbutt, but I love it anyway.
• when I put your socks and shoes on you hand me each sock and shoe in order as I do your feet one by one. You even wait for me to finish each step before handing me the next item. Too cute. Thank you my little helper.
• how you love to "rough house" in the big bed with daddy. Your laugh is so contagious even Bryley and Triston join in.
• Even though you look forward to seeing me and daddy as you wake up it is as if your day cannot start until you see T. Daddy and I get smiles as we enter your room each morning but T, no....he gets laughter. He even gets an extra tiny laugh when he brings you your milk at 5:30 am ( a nice little "responsibility" big bro T wanted to take on aka lazy mom behavior). I have strategically placed each of their morning milks on the fridge door that T cannot wait to retrieve each morning. Works out great for me! T brings G's straight to his crib and happily says, "Good morning, Grayson!" and then I hear the giggle from G until the sippy cup reaches his mouth. Then I get silence for another 30 min on good days).
• Your fascination with animals and cars and hearing you spit your way through the words "vroom vroom" as you copy T running his cars and trains on the floor. You just follow right behind him with your own car or train. Each time I see it it's the perfect kodak moment.
• Watching you stand for longer and longer periods of time all by yourself this week. This past week you took several steps forward all on your own for longer distances than the usual table to couch and couch to chair. You are getting braver.
• I am beginning to understand your stubborness and need for time. You are your own individual and WILL do things WHEN YOU are ready. I see the wheels turn faster and faster in your head contemplating your timing and execution. You are full of surprises and I like that about you. You are in control. Your confidence is building.
• I like that you are "our sensitive soul". Things "hurt" you more and it takes you time to get over them. But it means you are different from your "charge thru life" bro. You have your own speed. You will reach the finish line. May not be at the same time as T but you will get there. And mommy and daddy will be waiting for you each time you round that bend for each and every goal you set forth. You can count on that!
• I love watching you dance. The way you shake that little butt. You even attempt to dance in your high chair. Your bro always enjoyed music and has quite the memory for words and tunes, he is always humming something. You seem to take to the rhythm and sway of it all. What a rock band combo the two of you will make! Titz McGee (your daddy and uncles' rock band name) is always looking for new recruits. I will have T write up and submit your applications.
• You are so happy all of the time. When you are upset I try my hardest not to laugh bc your drama cracks me up. I hope your happiness is evidence that you truly ARE happy and content with us. That daddy and I are doing it right? That T is someone you look up to and count on for that morning giggle? That you love your life and world today? I hope.
• You are a great eater! Piggie as a matter of fact. Keep packing on those pounds, shorty.
• You love chocolate and pop. Grandma should be proud! Good thing you like brushing your teeth!
• I HAVE been able to count some cuddles in the books the past month! Ha! Thank you for making mommy and daddy feel some sort of affection! You've even been reaching out to us lately and that is a wonderful feeling.
• Thank you for giving me that smile to look forward to coming home to everyday after work. It has been a trying school year thus far and I have difficulties picturing how I am gonna make it to the end. With your smiles and T's daily hiding and yelling out 'surprise' I enjoy my ride home to greet you.
• I gleem while I observe your adoration for T. It amazes me what you watch and imitate from him so quickly. You want to do literally everything he does. You didn't tolerate teeth brushing til you saw him do it and I let you guys do it side by side in the mirror. Same thing with toys, playdoh and coloring. I would not have even given you a marker to scribble with but you threw the biggest fit when I took one away that you found on the floor. I couldn't figure out why you were so upset until I saw you pulling at T's paper and then it hit me. I sat you in my lap and and you looked at T, grabbed the marker and scribbled away. I have your first drawing earlier than your bro's. It's proudly displayed in your room. You even decorated Halloween masks together. Your first art project together and you loved it. It was too sweet. I even think it was T's love for books that boosted your interest (sure wasn't mommy and her slacking off in that department). Now when you see T with a book, magazine or catalog you pull out a book of your own from the bin in the living room and bring it to him. You either read side by side or he reads it to you. Mommy promises to step it up and read to you more!

I love you, sushi. You are my handsome lil guy and we love you so much! Keep on keepin'. Love, Mommy

As Triston says,

"Brothers-Brave together, brave forever" -from Winnie the Pooh

Spoken for the first time in Winter 2008

Cheers me up

Way back in the last week of August, we got in the habit of walks right afterschool. I walk G in the stroller and T rides his bike. We explore the neighborhood, practice bike safety rules ( I am officially convinced T is the only kid in the hood who even follows safety rules. It is insane how kids these days just fly thru the streets and NOT wear helmets!) I wanted to start this little habit for us. For us to spend time together. For me to unwind after work. For exercise, fresh air and relaxation. Not to mention the way it makes the afternoon fly by. We get home from our walks, T helps me cook dinner, we eat early and then before I know it it's time for baths and bed. It is the best way to keep T up so he goes to bed early. I try to avoid the whole nap thing as much as I can. If he has already passed out by the time I get home, oh well. He obviously needed it when he does. BUT, if I can help it-I tak advantage of the 5:30 bedtimes and get some shuteye myself.

Well, one particular day in August as I was thinking about how we would be singing our annual Fall song soon, we rounded the corner and found this......

I couldn't believe how early in the season it was for this! I grabbed my iphone and snapped a pic. How ironic I was just rehearsing the lyrics to our fall song (a silly one I made up when T was a baby). Look at the yellows, oranges and reds!! Luv it!! I looked around and there was no other like it anywhere in sight. The needle in the haysack. My first sign of Fall. My fav season. It was so nice to see. I told T to look up and his eyes lit up. Wow is all he said. When I began the fall song he chimed right in. Now to teach it to G. This is the kinda stuff that cheers me up.