Naps and Bottles and Binks, Oh My!

Well, since we now have a 1-year-old in our house, we have begun making some of the changes in routine that you are "supposed" to do at this point.  First up was the bottle.  I was READY for this change!  The week before Greyson's birthday, we started switching him to cow's milk slowly from formula, and he transitioned great.  No stomach issues at all.  Then we started slowly replacing bottles with sippie cups and snacks or meals.  Gradually, over the last two weeks he has slowly reduced down to just his bedtime bottle!  I am soooo glad we are done buying formula and almost done washing those stinkin' bottles!  I know the bedtime one is going to be a bit of a stretch, just because it is definitely his routine.  But, he is slowing down on how much he even wants to drink of it, so I am hoping he will just transition himself off of it pretty soon.

Next up is naps.  I am NOT ready for this one, and I have to admit I didn't think it would come this soon!  We are definitely in a nap transition time right now.  Some days he gets up late and isn't ready for a nap until 10 or 11.  Those days he definitely doesn't need an afternoon nap.  Other days he gets up really early and needs a nap by 9:30 or so.  Then by 3, I am ready for him to lay down again, but he doesn't seem to want to!  So, I can foresee a once-a-day napper in our near future.  Ugh.  I know, I know, its bound to happen sometime.

Third is the pacifier, or as we have dubbed it, "binks."  Don't ask me, it just stuck.  Before Greyson was born, I was one of those "My kids will never use a pacifier!" people.  But then Greyson had colic.  And eventually we came to where we are now:  the kid won't go to sleep without it.  Double Ugh.  We haven't tackled this battle yet, but it is coming soon.  Not sure yet how to do it or when, but I don't want to wait too long.  Sigh...we shall just see, I guess.

Also, I forgot to post this before.  We took a 3 generation Yankee photo when Greyson was a newborn, so we did another one for his b-day.  I can't seem to find the one from last year (its on Dan's computer), so here's the one from last week.  So sweet!

Whew!

We made it!  Greyson turned ONE year on Saturday the 17th and we couldn't have had a better time celebrating it.  We are fortunate enough to have parents with flexible summer schedules so we spent the last two weeks with visiting family who all want nothing more than to celebrate Greyson's awesome 1st year.  Thank you Mom, Dad, Amy, Mari & Ed for being such great and loving family for our little boy to grow up with.  He is truly blessed (as are we!)

We can hardly believe he is already 1.  I can hardly find the words to express what this past year has been for Dan and I.  How two became three.  How our world has been turned upside down, and how that seems like how it always should have been.  How the ups and downs have been the most rewarding experiences of our life and how we wouldn't trade one moment.  We are so proud of our big man and all he is.  Here is a little 1-year update:

Height: 30 1/2 inches (75th percentile)
Weight:  23 lbs 15 oz (75th percentile)
Physical Abilities:  pulling up on all furniture, standing on his own, stacking 3 or 4 blocks, turning pages in books, putting lids on and off, eating all finger foods, crawling everywhere, imitates basic tasks (cleaning, putting objects away, talking on phone, etc).
Language Abilities:  signs the words for more, please, all done, water and says "mama," "dada," "dog," "ball," "bye," "all done," and can sometimes say "more."
Favorite Pastimes:  looking at books, banging blocks together, playing with the tupperware cupboard, opening and closing doors, calling Java to the back door, talking on the phone, pushing buttons, watching mommy and daddy on their computers, swimming, riding in his wagon, and figuring out how things work.
Favorite Books:  Dog, Peek-A-Zoo, My First Book of Animals
Favorite Song:  If You're Happy And You Know It
Favorite Foods:  yogurt, cheese, beans, tomatoes, and most fruit

Not sure what else to add, other than he is growing and learning by leaps and bounds.  Every day there is something new.  He is waving bye-bye all the time, and loves to communicate.  The signing has really given him the ability to have his voice heard and he LOVES it.  He comprehension is way beyond what I thought it would be and it blows me away to watch him do what I ask him to do.

Here are some photos of the past couple of weeks (warning: there are a lot).

The "official" 1-year photo :)

Opening presents from family

Grandpa Ed handmade this awesome car carrier truck for him

Talking on his cell phone while working on his laptop being chauffeured in his "red convertible"  :)

I love my new clothes!

Blocks from Aunt Amy

Putting together the wagon from Grandpa & Grandma Hunter

Maybe the box is more fun!

Oh my...

Birthday breakfast.  "More chocolate chip pancakes, please!"

Party time!

Beautiful and yummy cake made by our talented friend, Jihae!

Hmmm....what IS this deliciousness??

I don't know and I don't care!!  Its amazing!!

All good things must come to an "end."  :)

Thanks all who made Greyson's birthday so memorable!  Here's to another great year!  We love you Greyson!

Oh Yeah...

Also, I thought maybe I should update you on Greyson's new skills of the week.  One of the reasons I keep this blog is so that I can look back and see where he was each month.  So, bear with my proud-mommy updates!

This week Greyson is standing on his own more than ever, but our cautious boy refuses to try and take any steps, even when holding our hands.  He knows he can crawl super fast, so why try anything new?  Also, recently tooth number 8 has poked through, giving us all some relief from the pain.  :)  It is bottom left (i think).  Greyson can also sign "more," "all done," and "ball," and we are working on "please."  He also can SAY "all done."  Yep, that's right.  :)  We ask him if he's all done, and he says, "all duh."  Pretty good if you ask me.  He loves swimming, and jumps off the side of the pool, under the water, and into our arms. He loves it and I think we might have a budding fish on our hands!  Alright, I think that might be it for now.  But only a week and a half left until his BIRTHDAY, so stay tuned!!  I really cannot believe its already here!

Happy 3rd and 5th of July!

Well Greyson had kind of an uneventful first fourth.  His third and fifth were great, though!  On Saturday (the 3rd) we went to the Diamondbacks game (for free!) and Greyson loved it.  He did so awesome all through the game and even stayed awake for the fireworks spectacular at the end.  Seriously, it was like 10:30 by the time it was all over (thanks to a horribly long game) and he still was clapping and pointing at the fireworks, which was super-fun.  On Sunday we went to church and just hung out, which was great.  Then, on Monday (the 5th) we had our small group peeps over for a fun bbq.  It was great to finally have other people using our backyard after all that work we put into in this spring!  I stole the photos from Cindy's blog because she (or Mike) actually took some.  I, the photographer, tend to forget to snap shots of the normal stuff you are supposed to take pictures of.  Anyway, here are some fun photos of last night :)

The amazing flying Braden King

Sweet little Brielle :)

Camping - Part 2

Alrighty, part 2.  If you haven't read "camping - part 1" scroll down and read that post first.  This is Saturday and Sunday...

On Saturday, we drove back up to Big Lake, this time with sunny weather and a Forest Service map in hand.  We trekked back on some dirt roads and found a 6-mile round trip trail that lead to a river at the bottom of a canyon.  It was a GREAT hike!  Such beautiful country and hardly anyone around!  Java especially had a great time.  And Greyson loved his pack.  Here he is getting a snack on the trail :)

On the way down to the bottom of the canyon...

Enjoying the water

So pretty, and so worth the climb

On Sunday we packed up camp and headed home.  It was time.  We were tired.  We were dirty.  But, it was such a great time.  Here are some shots we stopped on the side of the road to get.

Thanks for reading!  :)

Camping - Part 1

Well hello out there...its been awhile!  Sorry about that...we've had a crazy busy June, which I totally wasn't expecting.  This is my first real summer off with a baby.  Last year, Greyson waited until the end of summer to be born, and then it was the whirlwind of having a newborn.  But this summer, its non-stop going going going, and I realize how much I loved being able to work a few mornings a week and let someone else take him for a few hours!  (haha does that make me a bad mom?!)  Anyway, this month I've been super busy with photo shoots and we shot a wedding a couple of weeks ago, so that editing has been consuming me since.  Also, I am completely re-doing my website because I am really frustrated and disappointed with the site I currently have.  Its going to be awesome when its done, but its taking time, time, time!  Also, two weeks ago, Dan was laid off and had his last day last Tuesday.  Big time bummer.  But, for some reason, this time, both of us have this strange peace about it.  I think Dan was relieved because of how much he hated his job.   And for some reason, I just know things are going to work out.  God has always provided for us in the past, and He's not going to stop now.  ANYWAY, so that's been our June.  And then, hence the title of this post, we took off and went camping for 5 days last week!  It was so great to just get away and have family time together and it turned out really great.  We went up to Springerville/Eagar and it was beautiful the entire time (well except for the torrential downpours on Friday).  We took so many pictures that I decided to break them up into two posts.  So here we go with the first bunch...

On the way up...we were wondering if there would ever be any trees...

But we found them!  Our campsite was beautiful, the best one in the whole campground.  There was tons of woods around it and a creek running through.  This is Greyson trying out his new backpack and going to find some firewood with Daddy.

Studying their handiwork...

Hiking our 6-mile hike on Thursday.  The trail left from our campground and followed the creek.  We enjoyed the COLD water too!

Chillin' like a big boy

Making dinner

Thursday evening was kind of drizzly, so we ate in the van :)

After dinner Thursday, we were a little stir crazy from being cooped up in the tent all afternoon, so we took a drive.  Thanks for the beautiful rain, God, it was awesome!

And beautiful rain clouds make for amazing sunsets!

Pancakes Friday morning :)

Greyson and Dan played in the creek by our site, throwing rocks like all good little boys should do :)

Then Friday morning we drove up to Big Lake hoping for a picnic and hike.

Once we got there, the downpours started.  Let's just say that thunder, lightning, hail, and rain don't make for the best lake picnic day ever...Here's our view of Big Lake:

Cows crossing the road on the way back down the hill

After spending the afternoon in our tent, sopping up puddles, the rain finally stopped and we had a great evening.  Greyson loved hanging out by the fire.

And of course, his first taste of roasted marshmallow :)

Stay tuned for Saturday and Sunday!