Halloween Revisited with Block Party Pics

Happy Half, Griffers!

This month, Griffin turned 18 months. A year and a half. How does that happen? I don't know, but I am trying to slow down and take it all in the best I can. The more he talks, the more I find myself getting sad that my baby boy isn't such a baby anymore. Oh, but he is and always will be to me. This boy, my Griffers, is such a clown. He loves attention and will put on a show for anyone watching. He is friendly, flirtatious and overall just a joy to be around. And that's not just his momma talking. ;)

Stats:
will update in a few weeks after dr. appt

Food:
Griffin is still on an alternative milk source due to his milk intolerance. We alternate between almond and coconut milk.

His favorite foods are avocado, raspberries, crackers, peanut butter, and eggs. He is turning out to be a great eater.

Diapers:
I have stopped cloth diapering at this point because it's not, um, as easy since he's eating a TON more food and well, what goes in, must come out. I don't have the stomach for it. He is in size 5 dipes now and those keep him leak-free throughout the night.

Clothing:
He is wearing size 12-18 months, with a little 18-24 months mixed in. The latter seem to be a bit too big, but he should be into them in a matter of months.

Teeth:
He is getting his two-year molars as we speak. I haven't seen them for sure, but I can tell they are either really close to cutting or have a tiny bit already. He has proven to be a fast and furious teether. The good news is that from start to finish, it's a pretty fast process. We are waiting for him to cut all 4 molars and we will start weaning from the pacifier, hopefully. That's the plan anyway.

Favorites......
Games:
He loves finding people he knows and pointing. Like when we say, "Where's Mommy?" He loves that game. Only now, he loves finding everyones "bib-o", or belly button. "Where's mommy's beebo? He makes sure he doesn't miss anyone when he goes around looking for our "bib-ohs" and announces it with great pride.

He loves hiding and playing peek-a-boo behind an object. For example, he'll hide behind the ottoman and pop up and say "Boo!" over and over and over again waiting for us to ask, "Where's Griffin?"

Objects:
He loves his "baba" or pacifier. We started by calling it a "pa pa" (short a) b/c it was passed down to us by the Christians, but Griff has adapted that name and given his own spin to it.

People:
Griffin loves Ava and vice versa. It's a neat bond these two have. Ava goes in everyday to greet him after nap and they spend at least 10 minutes in there giggling and talking and playing. Griff also likes to lay in Ava's bed with her and read a book, just the two of them.

Words:
"Uh-oh" is the one we hear most often, lol. "Mama" and "Dada" (which sounds like gaga)are a close second. Some other frequented words are: "Gaga" (Ava), "Boo" (cat), "Kick", "Ball", and "Bye Bye". Oh, and "Thank you" is his newest which sounds like "tink ew".

Activities:
He loves playing outside and exploring. Also, he likes to write and draw. He has an amazing pencil grip perfected and can focus for long periods of time and draw with Ava.

Songs:
We must sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" no less than 5 times at night. He halfway does the hand expressions along with it. "Hush Little Baby" is a new favorite of his. I try "You are my sunshine" and he tells me no every time. ha!

Wordless Wednesdays: Coloring

A Boy, His Cat and Spaghetti

The weather in the mornings has been beautiful lately, so we spend a lot of time outside. The other day, while sissy was at school, Griffin and Boo were hanging out outside. While cleaning the pantry, I had accidentally spilled some spaghetti noodles. Well, waste not want not. I decided to give them to Griffin and Boo to see what would happen. They enjoyed playing, breaking, stomping and batting at them. Fun for all!

Orange Belt

Don't let the serious demeanor fool you, Ava was SO proud of herself for earning her orange belt. She did work really hard, going to classes 2x a week and listening to and engaging in what the instructors had them work on. She is a strong and serious girl!

However, since this is a contractual activity, we will be taking a break from Martial Arts to pursue other interests. We just couldn't justify a year long contract for a wishy-washy 4 year old. She rocked her classes, it was just the getting dressed and getting there part that was like pulling teeth for mommy. So, Ava is (temporarily?) retired as an orange belt in Martial Arts and she is darn proud of it!

Pure Joy!

Griffin is in that cute phase right now. He has such a great sense of humor and can hang with playing and teasing with Ava, as if he was her peer. He totally gets her and they play so silly together. He is a smart little guy and can follow multiple step directions, even if he has few words, he knows exactly what is being said. He throws tantrums that can be knocked out with a little distraction, so it's almost comical to see how quickly he gets over things like not being able to walk around and/or play with sissy's scissors. I just look at him and realize what a big boy he has become, yet he is still so little, toddly and sweet; an age I would like to freeze forever. I love it!

Halloween!

These were taken the night before Halloween going to our neighborhood block party. The Toy Story fam, as chosen by Ava.

Pumpkin Patch Pics

Thanks again for the Irish Whistle, Grandma.

Thanks a ton. :)

17 Months and Wearing Us Out!

I forgot how tiring it is to chase a toddler. NOT that my 4 year old isn't in constant motion, all. day. long., but add a toddler in the mix and I'm one tired momma. Griffin Davis is into everything. Just this afternoon he somehow got ahold of a dry erase marker and wrote all over Ava's carpet. He scampers, he runs, he bangs, he kicks, he hits, he throws, he kisses, he loves, he is one-of-a-kind!

I love when it's time to go night-night how he says "mmmm" and puckers his lips to give kisses to everyone.

I love when he is doing something devious and gives that look and bolts.

I love how tickled he gets at my butterfly kisses.

I love when he asks for more.

I love that he waves to passers-by in the grocery store, he loves attention.

I love his smile behind his pacifier.

I love his obsession with all types of balls.

I love seeing his coordination with kicking, hitting, and throwing said balls. A basket of balls, and the boy is golden.

I love when he calls for me "meh meh" in times of need (i.e. stairs, opening doors, etc.)

I love that he has a special name for his beloved sissy, "ga-ga".

Griffin's Words:
mama, dada, pa-pa (pacifier), ga-ga (Ava), mo mo (more), yeah, baw baw (ball), kick

Signs:
More, please, all done, bunny, point-n-whine

The Highs and Lows of 4.5

This early morning, after Ava came into our bed for morning snuggles--seems to be her new thing--she decided that we needed breakfast in bed. What an amazing thing it is to have such a self-sufficient little girl who got cereal out, got the milk out, poured both and delivered it to us in bed. This small feat was a great start to our day. She then decided Griffin needed breakfast too and made him a peanut butter sandwich and banana. There was a little spill when she went to pour his milk, but that only makes for a good story.

Oh, Aves. You are one strong-willed little girl. Not surprising, seeing as how the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. However, I was a rule-following, mild-mannered, needed-to-please-kind-of-girl growing up, so your quest to have your way and pure sassiness is kind of making me pull my hair out. I mean, you are FOUR. These days, you are sent to your room no less than 2-3 times a day, I have to be honest, because of the talking back (and having learned a new phrase from where, I'm not sure, but that doesn't matter....I can't believe it, but it has happened!.......shut up!) and blatant disregard to our requests. This too shall pass. I hope. I also know that we are not alone as this seems to be prevalent in a lot of friends this age. We are just starting to get a glimpse of the brutal teenage years that lie ahead. And, oh my, have we got our hands full! There is no doubt that these same character traits will prove to be an asset for you as an adult, but for the time being, lay off the attitude a bit and we will all be more happy. I promise.

Bring on the Rain!

We finally got some much needed rain a few weeks ago. Once I determined that there was no storm threat, we headed outside to play. I LOVE watching kids play in the rain, as it reminds me of when I was young and loved playing in it. Watching Aves and Griff didn't disappoint, they were as excited as ever!