Table For Four

My Little Boy

2012-01-15T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well I have not posted on just Graham in a while so I decided it is time!
Graham you are almost 23 months old... I can not believe you are a big brother & we are starting to plan your second birthday party. The idea of you being 2 brings tears to my eyes. How did this go by SO fast??? Where is my baby boy going??? You are turning more & more into a little boy everyday. I know God has perfect timing & we would probably think stages were too long if they lasted longer than they do, but honestly I could stand for things to move a little slower!
You are the sweetest little boy ever & a smarty pants too. You talk so well & have been making full sentences for quite some time now. "Mommy I love you" is music to my ears & having you say it on your own melts my heart. You have been great with your little sister & I knew you would, but seeing it makes me ache with love for you both... How blessed are daddy & I to have these two precious kiddos entrusted to us by our Lord???
You had a hard time adjusting to our move, but you came around after about 4 weeks. It was amazing how little you were but you knew so much was changing... I could not have done this without you buddy. In so many ways we stabilized everything for you but it helped me too. We would do anything for you! Taking care of you & thinking about Harper helped me more than you will ever know... Now we are blooming where we were planted.
We are still all at home together, but we have started talking about Mothers Day Out maybe in September. This is by far going to be harder on me than you. I know you need it so badly though because we don't have any other little kids to be around so I know it would be good. You LOVE playing with kids & you could care less when we drop you off while trying out new churches... this makes it SO much easier on Mommy & Daddy. They always LOVE having you in their class & always question how old you are because of your HUGE vocabulary & how well they can understand you. We were even told you would do better in an older class!
During Christmas you started watching The Grinch with Jim Carrey & you will almost watch the ENTIRE thing. It's crazy because we have hardly ever let you watch any shows & I thought you may be scared of the Grinch but you love him?!?!?! You also have a little crush on Cindy Lou Who... Every time she sings you say "ahhh beautiful". It has been fun to cuddle on the couch or floor & watch a movie with you. This is a new stage & I am LOVING it.
I wish I had a video camera on me ALL the time... you have started to get really funny & I am ALWAYS amazed by some of the things you say to me. Here are a few stats for you these days

Weigh about 26 lbs
Some 2T's (you need a belt or a sinch thing inside your pants skinny boy)
Not sure length but you are tall... will check soon!
Size 4 diaper (starting to potty train)
Sleep 7:45-8:15
One nap 12:45-4:00
19 teeth
Sleep with 2 night nights(your blue blankie) and about 10 stuffed animals! Seriously! Kiki(green monkey & Woody are your favorite)
Size 6 shoe
Eat everything
Pretend play (copy mommy with Harper)

Baby boy if I could press pause for a while I would... I still go in your room at night just to peek at you. What a miracle you are... watching you grow up is so bittersweet for me. We are blessed by you everyday & I am reminded how grateful we are to have such a healthy happy little boy. Sorry I have not updated about you, life is getting by me. I MUST write more things down so we can go back & tell you everything you were about! Looking forward to many many more things with you, my first born. SO glad we were picked to be your parents. How precious you are to us! You are going to do great things.

Little Miss has ARRIVED!

2011-12-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well the big day has come & gone and we were left with the greatest blessing a second time. Little miss Harper Ellison Toogood was born on November 21, 2011 at 1:09 p.m. She was 7lb 12 oz (just 2 oz bigger than Graham) & she was 20.25 inches long. She has a TON of hair... in the delivery room I just could not get over how much hair she had. I just kept saying her hair, her hair, her hair?!?!?!?! over and over agin. Ha!

My labor this time was MUCH faster than with Graham. I was induced but the didn't have to do much. I went in at 7 a.m. & I was already a 5! Holy moly I was halfway there on my own! I got all hooked up & they started the antibiotic I had to have in my system this time. I did not have it with Graham & I hope to never have it again. It was terrible, made my arm feel like it was attacked by fire ants! YUCK! Anyway.... She didn't check me again until 1 because my water was about to break anyway & I had to have 2 doses of antibiotics before I had her so that we would not have to be monitored for 48 hours. Well 1 p.m. rolled around, she checked me said it was time to push & BOOM Harper was her @ 1:09. It was FAST!
She is the sweetest blessing! Graham had to take a week to warm up but he did & he loves his "little baby seester, Harper". She is such a good baby & we just can't stop staring at her! It's amazing how God picks each of us to belong to certain families & we all fit just perfectly. His plan truly is divine & feel blessed by my family everyday.

It has been kind of hard to be so far away from family during this happy time... We got to show Graham off right away & had so many visitors everyday, so it's been quite different this go around. We have had several visitors but you know it's just not the same as being in the same town. With Harper being born right before Thanksgiving we were SO blessed to have my parents stay about a week with us. My mom was SUCH a blessing!!! I am NOT one to ask for help & she is great about just DOING it without requiring me to ask her to do anything. She always running around taking food orders, playing with little Graham, and cleaning. I am definitely taking notes, she is a wonderful mom, I am truly blessed! Thanks to her we had Thanksgiving... it was MUCH smaller than ever but special. Thanks Mom! It really is amazing how much you take for granted when you have always lived so close to family... I know we are still in Texas, but it's so much further than down the street. I really do miss my family so much... Thank goodness for Keith, Graham & Harper they make this new place home to me.

You know people say that you forget things from the first baby when you have another baby & I can say I agree & disagree. It feels like yesterday Graham was this small but I have forgotten details about having a newborn. I so badly wish I would have written his EXACT schedule down @ each stage just to remember. I know Harper is a different baby so it would not be the same, but just to have something to remind me would be nice. Here is what she is up to...

Newborn diapers
Newborn clothes
Feeding every 3 hours during the day
Wakes up 1 time for feeding at night
Weighed 8.3 at 1 Week & 8.12 at 2 weeks (bigger than your brother!)
Love to be held
More & More alert everyday
HATE diaper Changes (you have pooped on everyone... even Graham)

She is such a sweet sweet baby & we are so happy to be her family!!! Harper Ellison praise the Lord for your safe arrival. You will never know how thankful we are to have you in our lives but I pray that we show you everyday just how much we love you. Children truly are a gift & our blessings from these two gifts are overflowing! May we always show our children God's love & help them to follow him in everyway. Here are some pictures from the BIG day....

Almost forgot to say she wore the same outfit home that Graham did... thought it was a sweet idea to bring all of our babies home in this sweet outfit.

Our Little Pumpkin

2011-11-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Well Halloween 2011 has come & gone. Keith & I both LOVE Halloween so we hope to meet a lot of new people before next years so we can kick off our Halloween party again. We decorated a little but not like usual at all... honestly I am about to decorate for Christmas (I know it's crazy but it will be one less thing to do after little miss gets here).

Graham was a pumpkin & he really enjoyed himself! He left the hat on basically the whole night & LOVED going up to ring the doorbell for treats. He said trick or treat & thanked everyone! Such a sweetie... he also loved handing out candy with Keith when we got home. Glad our little guy is on his way to being festive for our favorite Holiday!

Also our neighborhood was AWESOME! Tons of people walking around all dressed up & Tons of decorated houses... how fun! Sometimes you just don't know how some things will be... it's like when we were moving here I asked Keith if he thought people in Austin put up Christmas lights...LOL! He thought I was crazy... I mean I figured they did but it just doesn't seem like it will feel like Christmas time when it's still in the 80's! Ha! Anyway here are a few pictures of our little pumpkin all dressed up!

Baby Belly & Baby Room

2011-10-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Well as this whole pregnancy is quickly coming to a close I figured I would post pictures of the growing bump & her precious room. I LOVE how it all turned out... No pink, but still sweet & girly. As far as the belly I have stayed quite a bit smaller this time around. I think I have done pretty good with both pregnancies really. Harper is already measuring 6 lbs's 6 oz already! Their guess is about 8 1/2 pounds if she goes full term. With her being a good size & this being my second pregnancy so close to my first they think she may show up earlier?!?!? Who knows?
Anyway I have really enjoyed being pregnant again... It's such a HUGE honor & blessing to be a mommy & I have tried to relish in it's every moment. It has definitely FLOWN by... with Graham, moving & life in general I can't believe it's almost time for her arrival! We LOVE you SO much miss Harper Ellison & we can't wait to see your precious face!

20 Weeks

24 Weeks

30 Weeks (left with Graham/ right with Harper)

36 Weeks

Now here is her sweet nursery...

And her CRAZY big brother.... Happy 20 Months Graham Weston!!!! He seriously talks about Harper 24/7.... I know he has no idea really, but it's precious non the less! We love you to pieces little boy

Ch-ch-ch- Changes!

2011-10-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well here in the Toogood household we have been through some MAJOR changes in the last 4 months....

We listed our house For Sale by Owner
Sold it in a couple weeks
Had a Gender Reveal Party.... It's a GIRL!!! (Harper Ellison Toogood)
Had a SURPRISE shower/birthday lunch
House got Packed
Stayed with my parents for a week
Now live in Cedar Park Texas
I have a GROWING belly (with a sweet little girl inside!)
Graham is 19 months & counting
Keith is getting ready to open the first of many Taco Markets

Man... I know there is more but seriously I just hit the high points! Ha! No seriously all these things have kept us running around like CRAZY PEOPLE! Moving was truly a whorl wind experience, it all just seemed to fly by me. I literally abandoned most housework & spent as much time outside with Graham, with family that I possibly could.

Our gender reveal party was a total success! It was so much fun to put together & I had 2 special people help with invites & cake. (Thank you Monica Curry & Danielle Touchstone) If you live in the Lubbock area seriously these girls are TALENTED! I really did not care boy or girl, just healthy! I know people say you just say that, but seriously we wanted to have another healthy baby not just to have a boy or girl. God knows what will fit each family perfect so I definitely trust HIS judgement! It was really great because that morning we got to go see a healthy baby on a sonogram without the anticipation of finding out the gender immediately it really took any anxiety out of the air. Then later that evening with family & friends we cut into a cake that had a layer of PINK icing! We are so excited about our little Harper... what a blessing. Graham talks about Harper ALL the time, clearly he has NO idea but I think it's sweet that he talks about her. He asks when she is going to sit by him in the car ALL the time... I'm pretty sure we have a social butterfly as of lately... Don't blame him I would be bored back in the back seat too! He is going to love her to pieces & I can't wait to see their relationship unfold!

Next up was a surprise luncheon my sister & mom put together! OMG was I surprised!!!! That is putting it lightly, seriously they had to do a lot of sneaky work to pull that thing off. I was SHOCKED, so sweet to celebrate both things together. I got some great things for Harper too! Going to have to get used to more "things" that come with having a little girl!

Then by the end of August it was time to pack up & move!!! It was truly hard to leave Lubbock. I know so many people dog on how terrible Lubbock is but it's my hometown! I loved it & love it still because all the people I love are still there! I know God has his hand in how we came down here & I am looking forward to see our lives unfold here but I would be lieng if I said it wasn't heartbreaking knowing Graham won't be as close to family (in location) as I was growing up. Now I am going to need to learn how to stay in touch really well (something I have never really been that good at long distance wise). We have been in our house for a month & a half now. It is slowly starting to feel like home to us. I am SO thankful to have Keith & graham with me on this journey. They are both what get me through being homesick... and sweet Harper will be born here! We have had SO much changing & going on that this pregnancy has FLOWN by me! I am already starting to go to my new doctor weekly this coming week! It has been crazy but I know God sent us this sweet little baby to keep our minds looking forward.

If you think of it please say a little prayer for Graham... He is SO observant and he misses everyone quite a bit! He is adjusting really well but WE ALL have our moments, ha! Something that he did the other day just melted my heart.... Keith is going to back to Lubbock to work some until the new store opens here so it was just Graham & I. I guess I was being quiet when Graham came up to me put his hand on my shoulder & said "Mommy Sad?" I said yes Mommies a little sad but it's ok. He said" I hold you hand". Talk about a tear jearker! Sweet baby boy! Here a few pic's of that sweet boy @ 19 months

Well thats all for now.... I have many posts that go back but I must find my pictures first... ha!

Harper Ellison

2011-10-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well sweet Harper...

We are counting down the hours now until your arrival & I am feeling terrible that we have been so busy. Thank you for being such a good little baby & allowing me to be so so so active moving & chasing your big (but still little) brother! We are SO looking forward to your arrival & we have finished your nursery & have everything you would need, plus TONS of love. I can't wait to see what you will look like & act like! I hope that you know we have loved you every second of your little life, even before your heart was beating we loved you! I know that just like Graham, you will change our lives in so many ways (for the better of coarse).

What a wonderful blessing to have something so precious to focus on during this move. You & your brother are the light of our lives & I truly feel priviliged to be a mom. We love you so so much & hope that you want to meet us as much as we do you!

Love you baby girl
Mommy

Time is FLYING!

2011-06-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well I can not believe our sweet baby boy is 15 months old & I am 15 weeks along with baby 2!!! It has been WAY too long since my last post but as usual life got crazy. We have had serious technological problems and that has made blogging impossible. I still need to have a post dedicated to pictures as soon as I can get those uploaded.

Anyway.... Since last time I found out I was pregnant again 3 weeks after Graham turned 1 & we could not be more thrilled. We have always known we wanted our kids to be close in age & I feel blessed beyond belief to be able to have #2 so soon. I know so e people thi k we are crazy or that money, college ect. Is going to be crazy but we just feel that we are building a family & I know things will be hard but I am excited about the relationship our kids will form because they are so close. God is good & honestly this is the season that we are in so complaining about double diapers, lack of sleep ect is crazy. I know those may be things that go with having kids & i try to live in each phase because it is all passing so quickly. I honestly love being a mom & I feel so blessed!! Thanks to all who rejoice with us & thanks to everyone who calls with congrats or just to check on me... We grateful for all of you. I have felt just as good as I did with Graham & I have actually had more energy this time. What a blessing with Graham so so so busy! I am going to start posting pics at 16 weeks (Friday) since that was the first pic I took while pregnant with Graham. It will be fun to compare... Not showing yet & no weight gain. I am actually looking forward to starting to show... So cute I think. Next Monday is my 16 week check up & we also get to get the date for our big sonogram when we get to find out the gender. We honestly don't care boy or girl... Just healthy! God knows WAY more than I do what would be perfect for our family so I trust his decision. He picked Graham who is perfect for us so I am excited to meet baby 2! I will keep you updated on all things baby.

Then in April we took Graham to Florida to disneyworld. I knew this trip was more for Keith & I rather than him but he shocked us by loving every moment! We still don't let him watch tv so when we went I didn't know what he would think of the characters but he loved them... Not scared at all. Getting to go on this trip with Graham was awesome & I know it's something Keith & I will always treasure. He was great on the airplane & since that was the first time we were not home for nap taking everyday he was awesome! Such a good boy!

May was full of sweet Cape getting dedicated at church & Mothers day & a Memorial day trip to Dallas. I will do several more post with lots of pictures as soon as I can get all pics uploaded. My goal is to blog at least every 2 weeks... We have SO much going on that I will post later so that will be so much to blog about.... Until then sorry for lack of posts & I'll get pics ASAP! Enjoy these few that I have in an email until then. I also have SO many video clips of Graham talking that I need to put up, they are SO cute. He is SO chatty & still says a million things and more.

gDiapers

2011-03-05T08:59:00.000-08:00

Well we decided after Pampers changed their diapers to the new dry max (they are causing many babies diaper rash). Graham had never really had a diaper rash but maybe once & it lasted one diaper change. After we noticed the new pampers with dry max he instantly got a rash & it would NOT go away! We changed to the night time diapers all the time (no dry max) and it healed. We decided to switch everything up to gDiapers... My sister has been using them on Cape & she like's them so we are going for it! They are SO stinkin' cute that's for sure! Here is Graham with his first gDiaper on!!! Wish us luck!

Our Baby is 1!!!!!

2011-02-27T08:21:00.000-08:00

Well I am going to just write & then tons of pictures to follow!!! I have been SO behind on this lately... just in the month of February there was my nieces 4th birthday then almost 2 weeks later my nephew & my sister-in-law share their birthday on the 23rd, our anniversary (4th) was on the 24th, then Graham turned 1 & my great grandmother turned 88 on the 25th!!! Needless to say February is a taken month in our family. (It's ok if you didn't follow just know it's A LOT)

This past year has FLOWN by way too quickly for me. I feel like it was yesterday I was still feeling Graham spin around and kick while I was still pregnant. Now he is spinning around & walking all over. The first year is FULL of SO many changes for a baby. He is looking SO much more like a little boy instead of a baby everyday & I am trying to soak it all up everyday. Becoming parents has been such a joy for both Keith & I. Graham could not be more loved by so many people & we feel SO blessed everyday. He has seriously been the easiest baby( he seriously never cried.... can't say that now but it's such a pitiful one). He has always been a GREAT sleeper & I partially credit it to his nature but at the same time I credit it staying that way to us as parents. He's only this small for such a short time & it has been SO important to us to keep him on a schedule for him to be content... it's not annoying to me & it does not put me out to do these things, it's a joy to watch a content happy baby & know how his temperament will be a any part of the day because he is on a good schedule. Sometimes the easier way can be the hard way in the future.

His personality is really developing & he is talking SO much.Keith & I decided we needed to make a list of all the words he can say right now because I know I will forget. He is such a good copy cat... you can say a word a few times, show him what it is & he will pick it up almost immediately. I made a list I have it below but I think he knows about 27 words. He is also LOVING to walk & now CLIMB all over everything. The climbing started just a few days ago, it is SO scary. I looked down at my phone because Keith had just sent me a text and when I looked up he was standing on our wood bench. NO help just sheer clinging & climbing!!!

It takes Graham about 30 minutes to warm up, once that is over he is good to go... I just LOVE to watch him, he is SO much like Keith & my brother. He likes to process things before just jumping ALL in, it's SO cute & I love that he is just himself! I was worried when it came to his party that he might be SUPER shy with all the family here at once, bu he did GREAT! He had a little time after his nap to warm up when cousin Brynlee, Gigi & Bop-E got here a little early. I feel so blessed that Graham has so much family that will love & support him always. They were WAY too generous with gifts, but we were so blessed that they came to celebrate Graham's precious first year of life. We had it here at our house & I decorated (I LOVE decorating for those of yo who may not know me well). we kept it pretty simple & invited family. It was SUCH a special day, Keith & I reminisced over our day last year at the same time. Our lives have changed SO much all for the better since the moment God blessed us with this little boy... we are SO blessed & we are thankful everyday.

Here is a list of all of the words Graham is saying these days-

mama
dada or daddy (he just started saying daddy last week)
nana
papa
Boss (what he calls my dad)
hot
down
clock
Boo!
Murr (what we called my grandmother... I have shown him MANY pictures)
Cracker
balloon (comes out baboon)
More ( he says & signs it now)
car
ball
bath
uh oh
wee (only while sliding)
cool
baby
bye bye
no no
night night
Bottle (baba)
bird (burr)
book
bubba (we call hm bubba & he calls himself bubba... I am hoping he know his name is Graham ha!)
we will say 1... then he will say 2 free!!!

He will also follow these commands-

rub your hands together (hand sanitizer)
blow your nose
come here get your ________
he will point at almost anything when you ask him where something is
he barks when you say puppy

We are weaning him from a blottle s he is on whole milk & he has 3 bottles & 1 sippy soon to drop another bottle. He LOVES straw cups & has ever since he was 10 months.
He is still taking two, 2 hour naps... one at 10 & one at 2.
He sleeps from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. everyday. ( we have enjoyed this since he was an infant, thank you Graham & a lttle help from Babywise)
He has been eating all table food since about 9.5 months
He has 8 teeth & is working on his 4 molars.

It is SO amazing to watch him learn & see how much he has changed in a year! I love that country song "I saw God today" bc I seriously feel that way everyday!

Graham,
We love you SO SO SO much. I pray everyday that someday you will truly know what a blessing you have been to us. You are sweet, curious, smart, sometimes cautious, beautiful, loving little boy. The last year has gone way too fast for me, but I am going to enjoy each stage & I look forward to what your second year of life will bring our way.

Thank you Lord for entrusting Keith & I to take care of such a sweet baby boy. You truly know how to pick the baby that will fit so perfectly into each family! We are blessed you picked Graham for us!

Here are some pictures of 1 year & Birthday bash!

Getting in the Spirit!

2010-11-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

So I thought this was hilarious! I will post pictures soon of our house decorated... We can not wait to enjoy Graham's First Christmas! I can not believe it's this time of year already.

BAD Mommy!!!

2010-11-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

OMG so Graham has been oh so busy I have not posted in almost 2 MONTHS!!! 2 MONTHS PEOPLE... SO many things have happened since my last post. Also I totally forgot to take his 7 month picture, I am so sad bc I had been doing SO well & because I can't turn back time & take his picture.

The last couple of months have FLOWn by & I know it will only get busier. I love every single second with Graham & my absolute fav is when Keith is here with us too. I absolutely fall in love all over again with both of my guys when I see them together. Graham's entire body gets excited when daddy gets home. It is the sweetest thing! As much as I am enjoying each & every new thing I have had a couple of real moments lately...

First, there was a moment when I was giving Graham his morning bath when I truly looked at him. The way you look at your baby when you first bring them home with you... I cried because I saw a little boy not an infant. ( I am BEYOND blessed that he is healthy & growing but it's hard to know he will never be this size again. I literally soak up every moment everyday... I have NO idea how some people say they don't like little bitty babies??? I have LOVED it all!)

Second, I came across a newborn diaper today & almost freaked out.... he seriously wore those???? They are TINY!!! It's amazing how a diaper can be so cute. We are in a 4 now... he def needs it for the length.

Finally, since my sister had Cape 2 months after Graham we have been able to hand down a TON ( you know me) of clothes. What I like to dress my little guy, so shoot me. Anyway... she gave me back a couple of sack full of clothes back & I HAD to go through every single outfit. I remember each moment I got to put some of my favorite clothes on him & how precious he was & still is to us. Oh and for those people who say girls are more fun to dress, I LOVE dressing my little boy!

Anyway here are a few things Graham is up to since my last post...

-Crawling SUPER fast now! He has been going since he turned 6 months & has NOT slowed down.
-Cruising around the furniture & turning to go to another object
-He has been in his "big boy" car seat facing backward for 2 months now
-Feeding himself "puffs"
- Mastered the sippy cup
-Signing more in sign language during mealtime
- We taught him how to clear his throat when you do
- Says dada & now associates it with Keith
- Bye Bye or Bubba not sure... we call him bubba ALL the time
- Knows the command "no" & listens 95% of the time
- Now has 3 big teeth & 2 more broke through the skin this week for 5 total
- He gives head "bumps" when you say bump to him
- Gives kisses to me when I get him from his afternoon nap
-Eating Cereal morning & evening along with lunch & dinner
-Sleeps from 8:30-8:15
-takes 2, 2 hour naps

I am not kidding when I say he makes NO fuss when we put him down for bed at night or nap time. SUPER SUPER easy to put down, he LOVES his sleep & has since 6 weeks! I LOVE mine too & I love Babywise for this gift.

On another note we made a trip to Dallas & saw Keith's family. We also went to the state fair & the Tech/Baylor game. It was a SUPER packed weekend but we had a blast & Graham did awesome. So glad we were able to spend some family & cousin time together with the kiddos. Graham and one of his other cousins Lawson are 2 days a part... so needless to say Lawson is crawling now too & the next time we are all together we are going to be SUPER busy! I'll have to post pictures later because I seriously forgot my camera! I was SAD!

Finally, HALLOWEEN!!!

Keith & I both really LOVE Halloween. We have been looking forward to dressing up our little guy & having a fun get together. It was a BLAST & the party went off with a bang! Let me just take a minute to say I literally could NOT have done this without my AMAZING husband. He was awesome & such a help to me that day. It was just us two making everything, decorating everything, and we still had little Graham at home with us. In the end I was SO proud of our little family for pulling it all together. Thanks babe... you truly are my partner & I love you SO much. Thanks for everything you do for us & with us everyday! Here are a few pictures from the night... (Graham was a bat, but he HATED the head part... it was really cute though).

Sorry for the lack of posts lately!

Seriously 6 Months !?!?!

2010-09-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

Oh my is Graham seriously 6 months old???? Half of a year already... I know I say it every month but time just keeps flying by & we are continuing to LOVE every minute with our little man. He is getting busier by the minute. He is learning to crawl ( I say learning because he is definitely getting places but he still has a few hitches in his giddy-up... it;s so cute). I am hoping to be able to post a video of it very soon if I can have time to grab my phone for the video. I am always trying to just make sure he doesn't hurt himself so it will take some planning & fast moving to take a video clip. These are a few things we are up to today:

1. Still sleeping great & taking god naps... 2 2hour naps ( we are in the SLOW process of trying to drop his last nap... somedays he still needs it so thats ok. It's a process)
2. 1 tooth in & working on another one right now
3. Crawling
4. Pulling up to standing on everything
5. 3 bottles & 1 feeding from Mommy (we are in the weaning process)
6. I have oatmeal or multi grain cereal in the morning & evening.
7. I have tried peas, pears, prunes, and peaches... I LOVE them all!
8. I just went to my first Texas Tech football game & I did great ( we left early bc it was hotter than hades!)

Those are just a few things Graham is up to these days. I am going to do a couple of different posts coming soon. One definitely about Babywise. I have had several people send me questions & I just want to talk a little about what a blessing this book was to me. I know before I had Graham I just wanted any information that could possibly help me... so I just want information that helped to help others who want more information about schedules or just parenting. I know I am always learning & wanting new information so I think it's good for all those who have kiddos to share ideas.

These last 6 months have been the greatest adventure for Keith & I. Becoming parents was the best thing that happened to us. We have grown so much as a couple & family since Graham was born. I have the most wonderful responsibilities in the world... a wife & mother. I am SO blessed & I literally can not describe how much I love being at home with Graham. I thank Keith often, but probably not often enough for being so supportive of me to stay at home with Graham. I would not trade one minute & I feel very blessed. I was not sure before i had him just how I would feel about not being around adults all the time like when I was working. I do miss people from work but there has not been a single day where I wish I was anywhere else.

Graham I thank God everyday that he Chose me & your dada to be your parents. I know it won't be until you have your own baby that you will truly figure out just how much we love you. My heart bursts' when I look at you & I know that my love will only continue to grow. I thought I understood God's love for us, but I feel as though it's just now, that I am beginning to truly understand his love for us. Graham you truly are a gift... thank you for being in our family!

Playing Catch Up!

2010-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Oh my it has been way too long since my last post. we have done so many things since then & many things have changed!

First my family had a terrible loss... my grandmother (Murr) went to be with the Lord on July 5th. It was a hard time but I am so very thankful that she got to meet Graham and that I know she will always be watching over him and all of our family from heaven now. We are blessed to have had so many great years and many, many memories of our wonderful Murr. Graham will definitely know her through stories, it's so important to me!

Second Graham turned 4 months started serious teething and got his first illness... an ear infection. It was not fun, my happy little guy was a different baby for almost 2 weeks, but we just loved on him & he is back to his regular self! I was so scared bc he started waking up at 6 30 rather than the usual 9. I thought it was going to become a permanent thing but he bounced right back to his routine after he felt better just as he should! I just love love love Babywise! Every time I start think I'm not sure on something just as predicted he follows the Babywise pattern. Since 3 months he eats 4 times a day... 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and last at 9 p.m. He naps 3 times a day 10:30-1, 3-5 and a cat nap before bed time at 7-8... he LOVES his sleep. We added rice cereal at 4 months and he has really taken to it. For those of you new moms my sister-in-law Amanda showed me Happy Bellies ceral & Graham LOVEs it! Its better on their tummies & he seems to like the taste WAY better than Gerber rice cereal.

Third Graham's Gigi (Keith's mom Cheri) came in town for a week to visit! We loved having her & I know Graham loved her being here too. It was nice to hang out & for her to spend some time with Graham by herself. She rode down with us at the end of the week when we headed down to Horseshoe Bay for the next week and Ed (Keith's dad) picked her up. We were so glad they got to b there with us the first couple of days there!

So we were in Horseshoe Bay for a week & Graham turned 5 months! He started sitting up really good before we left so it was nice that he could it and play with his toys. My entire family was at the lake & we had a blast. Graham had his ear infection while we were there but all in all he did so well! He loved going on the boat. one afternoon he was out on the boat with us from 1030 until 130. He was great! Graham's cousin Cape was there also and he is really starting to notice Graham it will be fun when they can really interact!

It's has been SO fun to watch Graham grow over the last couple of moths... he has always been long and he had gained weight super fast but he has really slowed down recently. We call him our long skinny mini. Its hilarious how huge pants are on him. He was 27 inches long and 14.8 lb's at his 4 month and he is still that length and not quite a lb. heavier yet. He is still wearing 0-3 month shorts, and even has a pair of newborn shorts that fit. I have a feeling this may be a problem for a while... my brother is still skinny and long & so is Keith.

Also he is sitting up from the laying position... he had accomplished the legs underneath him several times in his bed and has passed out and slept like that.... it looked so painful! I guess he like it considering he was frank breech for my entire pregnancy that may explain a lot. The other morning I went in his room to get him and he was sitting straight up grabbing onto the side of his bed, s it is getting moved down TODAY! Scary! He really is a mover & a shaker, he loves to bounce in his bouncy seat that goes in the doorway & he has started rocking on all fours already! I am hoping the rocking lasts at least a little bit so I can child proof some more things before he is everywhere! Here is video of him sitting up on his own....

Anyway I just needed to play catch up so I can hopefully get back on track with blogging. The last couple of months have been amazing I can't believe in a little over a week my little guy will be 6 months! It has truly FLOWN by and I have loved every second. Sometimes I still look at him and get a choked up thinking bout how God has given this little person to us. What a gift & I am looking forward to all the fun we have to come. Keith & I both love him to pieces and it's hard to remember life without him. We are truly blessed! He is a special little guy. Here are some pictures over the last couple of months. I'll be back soon!

We Have A Roller!

2010-06-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

I am so glad we have a blog that will allow family & friends who don't get t see Graham all the time, to see him grow. This one is for you Gigi & Bob- E!
Here is a video we took of Graham rolling from his back to his front. He has gotten really good at it. He did it a couple of weeks ago for Boss (my dad). Then he wouldn't do it again until the other day, now he does it every time we lay him on the ground. He can roll front to back too but it happens so fast I have not been able to video it... He is getting SO strong. You can tell how much it takes for them to roll this way since he doesn't use his arms... we are so proud. WAY TO GO GRAHAM!

Oh and please ignore all talking... it's so funny to hear yourself after the fact. Also sorry for the shaking video, Graham gets camera shy if you just point the camera at him so I have to hold it out while keeping eye contact with him. It's amazing I even got him in the video!

3 Months!

2010-06-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry this post is seriously late! Well Graham is almost 4 months so I figure I need to get a few pictures up from last month. I thought I would post 3 funny parenting moments for Grahams 3 months in our family. Lord knows there have been plenty! Whata fun ride we have been on... Hope you find these stories as entertaining as we do.

1. So I decided one evening when Keith got home I was going to run really quick to Pets Mart for a cat food run. Poor lil' kitties... since Graham has joined us they are def a little left out. Anyway, I open the garage jump in my car... man I feel so naked not needing to load up Graham. I am on the move FAST! I throw it in reverse and BOOM! I'm am thinking what in the world was that?? I mean I had the garage door down what could I have possibly hit, I know the door itself was open & our garage basically holds our cars and thats it! I jump out run behind my car after I had to pull forward back over it... IT WAS MY STINKIN' STROLLER!!! No more trip to Pet's Mart it turned into a trip to Babies R Us instead (I literally use it everyday for everything... I LOVE my stroller). They don't make my exact stroller color anymore so it's a little different but honestly I like it even more! Super cute! Keith told me "if you really wanted a new stroller you could have just asked....oh my! Anyway not really a parenting story but funny none the less. Here are some pictures of the old bent up stroller & the new one. The new has a place to hook up my ipod and speakers so I can bump my tunes while walking or running!

2. OK so the second story is from the first week we brought Graham home. We had set up all his diaper changing stuff in our room so that we would not have to run across the house for all kinds of things. It was in the bathroom so that he would not tinkle or poop all over our ivory bedding. Thank goodness because a few nights in Keith was up changing Grahams diaper so that I could feed him (this was our routine he changed him then I fed him... nice helper!) anyway I hear a OH MY GOSH.... from the bathroom. I sat up and said everything ok??? What happened? This is how the conversation went... He peed EVERYWHERE... on you?? No!... Where did it go???? I have NO idea I can't see a thing... I died laughing. We kept the rom dark the whole time during the night and rarely talked so that Graham would learn that it was night time NOT playtime. So Keith could not see where the pee went... the next the morning we found out where the potty went... he made all in the bath tub! Easy to clean up I guess. No pictures for this one!

3. Ok so there is no picture for the 3rd story either... this is a good thing & you will see why. The other day I took Graham to the doctor to have a weight check. I wanted to make sure he was still gaining good weight because he wants to go to bed at 8 and he will sleep about 10-11 hours... he also only eats every 4 hours during the day so he only eats 4 times during the day. I was worried he was going to start gaining slower because he wanted to sleep so much... NOT TRUE thank goodness! He is right at about 14lb's. Anyway... I am waiting to get in to the doc & of coarse he is doing his dirty business, me & everyone else in there can hear him. So we get back there get him weighed & I go into the bathroom after we are finished to change him before we leave. I take off his diaper and grab at my bag for wipes and a clean diaper... NONE!!! WHAT???? OMG he is sitting there staring at me with his nasty bottom... what did I do with the stuff in my DIAPER bag? Hello! I realize I accidentally put all that in our pool bag after we went to the pool the day before. So I wipe him with toilet paper & snap up his clothes with NO diaper ( DANGEROUS). I know I could have asked for some from the dr. but I am already in the middle of it & I can't just leave Graham in the bathroom. I put him in his car seat & on the way over to his seat he is peeing and it is dripping on the floor. OMG seriously??? I set him in the seat grab stuff clean the floor quickly open the door & basically run to my car. Thank goodness I have my pool bag still in my car. I clean him up take off his clothes and put on a clean diaper. I am about to put on a clean outfit when I stand him up & he spits up all over him & me. My goodness what an ordeal! Graham rides home in his diaper & we go straight home, I was exhausted! HILARIOUS now & while it was happening I could not stop laughing. I will never put the important things in the pool bag again! Learned my lesson!!!!

Well there are 3 funny stories. This last month was fun & we are looking for to many more to come. Being a parent is one of God's greatest blessings & I am in a continual state of learning. Graham Mommy & Daddy love you SO much & we love watching you grow everyday. Even though I think it has gone by a little too fast I look forward to everyday with you... a new exciting adventure!!

Here are a few pics...

First Trip

2010-05-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well I have needed to update but I find it hard to find time to update as much as necessary these days. Graham is growing like crazy! It's amazing how fast time flies when you are watching it progress literally day by day. I will post more about Graham over his last month soon, but this one is about our first over night out of town trip. We went to Dallas to see Keith's family, go to a wedding & have a meet and greet party for our one and only Graham Toogood. It was such an awesome trip... Graham does not usually enjoy being cooped up in his car seat so I was a little nervous about the six hour trip. He was AWESOME all the way there & ALL the way back.It rained SO much we could literally not see the front of our car at times! Talk about SCARY, but praise the Lord we made it! There were a couple of meltdowns while we were in Dallas from being in the car WAY more than usual, but he was SO good. He slept all night like usual and was a happy sweet baby at his meet and greet. He got to be with his cousins Brynlee & Lawson. It was good to have family time & I pray that someday Graham will be close with all his cousins on both sides like I always was... it makes life so sweet when you have cousins to share memories together!

We went to a wedding the day we got there & we left the reception pretty early but we were glad we got to be there at all. Graham did well & he wore a little suit... it was too cute. The next afternoon Keith & I went on a little shopping adventure & to lunch while Gigi & Boppy took care of the little guy. It was nice to get to go and hang out for a bit. It was so funny though because I really felt weird no to have this little person tagging along. Then that evening we went to his meet & greet... he literally cried all the way there & all the way back (like I said not a fan of the car seat). He did not cry once at the party though & he let everyone hold him, no problem. I can say my boy is a cuddly little guy & smiley too. It was SO much fun & we were so excited that Keith's friends & family all got meet him. Any way enough chat here are some pictues from that weekend.

Like I said check back soon bc I will posting more several days in a row!Mothers Day, 3 Months... you get the picture I'm behind!I am working on it though

2 Months!!!

2010-05-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it but our little baby is now 2 months! It has truly flown by & we continue to savor every moment. He got his first set of vaccination's today & it was really sad. He did good, but it's hard to hear him cry... like really cry. Not going to lie I definitely got a huge knot in my throat. He is a trooper though & after sleeping for several hours he smiled at me while I changed his diaper so I know he is not holding a grudge. Here are his stats & a few things he is doing now...

24.5 inches long- 90th percentile
12.2 pounds- 50th percentile
already has 4 tooth buds (she said he will be an early teether...oh goodness)
Also just a side note but he has some SERIOUS eyelashes. Not kidding they are some sweeping black eyelashes. All of the sudden there they were!
Also his eyes just keep getting light & light blue! BABY BLUE! Never thought Keith & I would have a blue eyed baby boy! What a sweet surprise

He is....
Sleeping from 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Goes 4 hours in between feedings
2 longer naps a day ( still naps in between too)
Smiling & cooing ALL the time
Loves to stand up
Loves bath time
Loves his time on the floor & kicking at his toys.

Also I wanted to write down a few of my favorite things so that someday we can look back & remember what we really used & what we really loved when Graham was a newbie. I hear all the time how much you forget.

Things we LOVE...
Angel Care Monitor- it detects breathing & movement... if it goes longer than 20 seconds an alarm goes off! It has made me sleep peacefully from the start. Also with him about to move into his room it will make an easier transition for me.

Clean Water bathtub- It has a constant flow of water through & out of the top of the tub o have constant clean water. It also has a thermometer to keep the perfect temp water for baby. He loves it & so do I... I know he is clean when he gets out of the bath tub. No more sitting in baby potty water!

Wipes Warmer- Def. not a necessity but he loves it

Diaper Genie Elite- Amazing we have this in our room since he has been in his bassinet & I have yet to ever smell and diaper smell in our house.

Medela Steam Bags- The are amazing to disinfect everything... just add water & put in the microwave for 1 min 30 sec & boom it's sanitized!

Medela Pump- for obvious reasons

Noodle & Boo- I can not say enough about ALL the Noodle & Boo products. Not only does it all smell amazing & baby like, but it healed Graham's sensitive skin. I have used all of it from baby was, shampoo, lotion, wipes, hand sanitizer, room spray. You name it & I love it!

On another note my sister Amber, & her hubby Kyle had their precious little boy, Cape. He is just too cute for words & we are so thankful for another healthy baby boy. I will get pic's of him VERY soon... I really need to get better about taking a camera with me places! It's crazy because Graham looks HUGE compared to little Cape. It's insane how fast they grow. Welcome baby Cape, we love you SO much. Congrats Amber & Kyle what a lucky little boy Mr. Cape is!

Just a little word to Graham... We love you SO much & we are so blessed to have such a precious & sweet baby. I count my blessings everyday... I have two great guys to love & who love me. What a lucky girl I am!

Here are a few more recent pictures of Graham over the last month.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

It was such a blessing to be able to spend Easter with family. I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter & praise the Lord for we are saved!

(Thanks Nana for some of these pictures!)

Also we got a 5 generation picture! What a blessing!!!

1 Month Old!

2010-03-31T23:25:00.001-07:00

WOW where in the world did this month go??? Graham is now over a month old and growing like a weed! He is almost 11 lb's and he is really becoming more engaged. I didn't talk about it before because I was afraid I would jinx ourselves but I must talk about it... he is the BEST sleeper ever! I have to brag on my little guy just a bit, I mean even if his sleeping habits change I feel so blessed by our first 5 weeks. He came home and only woke up 2 times a night to eat 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. I am not kidding & no waking up or fussing at all in between. He eats diligently and then goes right back to sleep! I am telling you honestly I was expecting to get NO sleep ever again, but honestly I have gotten no shorter than 6 hours since we came home. He now wakes up only once & we will shortly be working on making it all the way through the night. Our pediatrician says it's best to wait until they are at 11 lb.'s so that their blood sugar levels can be regulated. Any who I think he mat accomplish this pretty fast considering we usually wake him up to eat! Also I was told that babies make SO much noise at night so it's hard when they are in your room. Graham is a very quiet sleeper so I set an alarm to wake up & I can honestly say the best thing we received was from my brother & sister-in-law. It is an angel care monitor that monitors their breathing. I sleep very well because of this device! I would HIGHLY recommend it for all parents with little ones! Ok enough bragging about that, but I just have felt so blessed I just HAD to talk about it... I told Keith our next baby will probably never sleep, not want to eat, and cry all the time because Graham has been such a breeze! I think Keith & I both could have several kiddos if they were all like our little man! No but seriously I know if I never got any sleep it would all still be worth every second with our little one... they are such a blessing! OK here are some things Graham is doing in his first month & some pictures I have finally uploaded.

Milestones/Likes/Dislikes
- Following the great Babywise schedule... since the day he was born!
- Basically holding his head up all the time & turning it side to side
- Making GREAT eye contact
- Smiling on purpose (it was only for Keith for a while... he would save all his smiles for Keth when he would come home from work. Now he is sharng!)
- Gooing
-Rolling from side to side ( I was Shocked how many times he did this in one sitting)
-Size 1 diapers
- Almost 11 lb s
- Some Newborn clothes still fit and some 0-3 month but those are mostly still too big
- Loves having floor time
-Loves his wipes warmer
_Loves his stroller & going for walks or out shopping
-Loves bath time (minus when we have to rinse out his hair)
-Loves his mommy & daddy of coarse
-Still is not a fan of getting in his car seat but it's getting better
-Finally We went on our first road trip to Amber's Amarillo shower & he was a doll!

I am loving every minute of staying home with Graham & I am looking forward to the many many more memories we will all make together. Here are several pictures from the last month...

The BIG Day!

2010-03-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

Well as most know Graham Weston was born February 25th 2010 at 6:34 P.M. He was 7 lb. 10 oz & 21 inches long. I went in that morning at 5 to begin my induction. I swear getting my iv was the worst part of the entire birth process, & I said all along that I was scared to get my iv! Ha man was i right... I have terrible veins so it took several tries but about 4 minutes later the iv was set up. I felt great & I was having regular contractions & I started progressing from the get go. I got my epidural around 12:30 due to some increasing serious back pain. I knew at that moment that Graham would be sunny side up because you tend to have back labor when the baby is facing up. The epidural was amazing & did NOT hurt at all I might say... best decision. So from that point it was just waiting... I ended up falling asleep & when I woke up about an hour later I was a 9! Yes I was OUT!!! It was hilarious, Keith & my dad were amazed that I was sleeping and chatting with everyone. I really felt so calm & comfortable. I was ready to meet the little man who had been growing inside m for the last 9 months. I started pushing at about 4:30 ish & he was born 2 hours later. It was the most amazing experience, I literally can not even put into words the love that Keith & I both felt when he was born. I cried and Keith choked up too. It was so surreal to finally see what he looked like & to hold and touch him. It truly is amazing how we went from a family of Keith & I to a family of three! Aside from marriage, children are God's greatest blessing & Keith & I have just been on cloud 9! He is an amazing little baby... good sleeper, great eater, and he just has a sweet disposition. We are enjoying him & trying to store away precious memories of this time. It has all gone fast already & he is already growing. We went for his 2 week check up and he has already gained a pound from the last time we were there! Like I sad he is a GOOD eater...lol! He wakes up once after midnight to eat & goes right back to sleep. He definitely gets both his sleeping & eating habits from his daddy! Also I can't say enough about how awesome Keith has been during all of this... he just loves and hugs on Graham when he's home from work & he has helped change diapers and has made me feel like we are most definitely a team in this together. You know while I was pregnant people would tell Keith to get ready to get in the back seat because Graham would take over his passenger seat position in my life. I can't disagree more! We are so much closer & I need Keith right next to me now more than ever not in the back seat... the thought of that makes me sad!. Keith is such a good daddy already! Anyway I will rap this up for now because I could go on & on about how much in love I am with our son... He is the greatest thing I have ever done along with marrying Keith. God has given us such an amazing blessing & the perfect addition to our family. I am humbled daily with this blessing! Here are a couple of pictures Christiane Wheatley took the other day of our little guy.

The Countdown

2010-02-16T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well we have started counting down the days until we get to meet our little man. We are so excited words can not describe the emotions we are feeling about all that we are about to experience. God is good, and we feel so lucky to have Graham's arrival right before us. Please pray for a healthy arrival and a smooth labor. Here are some pictures of Graham's room... it's basically finished besides a couple of small things that can be finished later. Also the belly pic is me at 37 weeks... thank you in advance for everyones thoughts and prayers as we enter this new adventure with our growing family!

Maternity Pictures

2010-02-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

Well I finally gave in.... Keith really wanted me to take some maternity pictures & for a while I refused. I mean I am not huge, not as huge as I feel I mean. So I was not so sure I wanted a ton of pictures to remember this point of my pregnancy. Well I MUST say the pictures turned out really good thanks to Christiane Wheatley our photographer. We really love the pictures & I am glad we took them... someday Graham can see me pregnant with him in some beautiful & sweet pictures. It was also pretty cute how badly Keith wanted me to take the pictures... he has been wonderful throughout this pregnancy. He is always telling me how cute I am & I can actually tell he is being honest. He loves me being pregnant! I feel very blessed. Here are some of the wonderful pictures she took on Sunday. ( I am 36 weeks in these pictures)

There are just a few pictures... On another note we had our shower along with my sister. It was so much fun! Keith & I were SO blessed & humbled that so many people came out to support us & that so many people wanted to help get us all ready for Graham. It really helped us be more prepared for his big arrival. All his clothes are washed, bassinet put together, room basically finished, changing table stocked with diapers and wipes. I guess we are getting as ready as we can everything else we can't really "prepare" for, we'll just have to wing it...ha. I will get pictures of his room & other cute things soon. Also I need to get some pictures from the shower... of coarse I didn't even take a camera. It's so hard to step back & take pictures I love being all involved.

Anyway sorry if this blog is scattered... I feel a bit scattered lately. My last day of work is tomorrow & I am hoping to get a lot done from now until Graham makes his big debut. You will be hearing from me again soon because we find out if has turned Monday... say a prayer for us it's a big day!

Look at Those LIPS!

2010-01-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

Well we saw our sweet baby Graham again today & man did he grow even more! He weighs 5 lb's which explains why I can hardly eat. He is taking up ALL the room I have & more! I am glad to say that everything looked great & we don't have to go to that particular Dr. again to check my fluid levels. They said everything looked great and would not need to monitor me. We did get to get several awesome pictures while we were there & he is just precious & healthy, we could not ask for more. God is good, and I just pray he continues to watch over little Graham & help him continue to grow (and turn from the frank breech position he is still in now). It won't be long from now & we will meet our little boy! Here our the fabulous pictures. He was very photogenic this time!

This first one is his foot.... the rest are of his face.

Sweet Cheeks!

2009-12-29T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well we went to see what we thought was our last sonogram today & we were able t get a couple of pic's... their a little difficult to make out but he was being very shy. He is breach right now & he is actually in a frank breach position where his feet are in his face... so basically folded in half! Flexible little guy! We will be going back to the Doctor in 2 weeks to ensure my fluid levels are staying the same... they are a little high & they just want to ensure they don't go higher. He weighs 3 lb 13 ounces right now which sounds big to me already but he said he is average but could be a big baby for me. We feel truly blessed to have been able to see him today it's always mind blowing to see how much he has grown & now he looks so much like a real baby!!!! Anyway I will post a couple of pic's & try and help you make out where his face is bc he is so smashed it can be hard to make him out sometimes. He has such a sweet little face & sweet cheeks from what we can see... we can't wait to meet our little sweet cheeks!

Here is Graham his feet and hands are on the left side of the picture & his face is on the right side facing his feet & arms. You can see his sweet cheeks & little nose is being seriously smashed by his arms & legs.

Here is little Graham and his face is still on the right & you can see his eye a little, it's closed & his foot is on the left facing forward & his hand is on the left up by his head.

Anyway not sure if everyone will be able to make out where everything is but we LOVE seeing him & thought you might too.

Happy Holiday's!!!

2009-12-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

30 weeks growing & growing!

Well sorry it's been so long since my last post. Time has really gotten away from me since before Thanksgiving. It seems to just be flying by these days as I get closer and closer to Graham's big due date. We went to Dallas for Thanksgiving with Keith's family. I was so happy we were able to make the trip happen and stay for a few days. This was the first time Keith & I were able to go since we have been married & I know it meant a lot to him to be with his family. Then it has seemed that since we got back it was full on Christmas time already! We decorated for Christmas & I can honestly say it was the first time I felt like my body was NOT the same... I felt as though I had been run over by an 18 wheeler the day after decorating. It was well worth it & I just love all the decorations it really put me in the holiday spirit.

Also this past weekend Keith's family came down to celebrate an early Christmas with us at our house. We were thrilled to have them & we had a great time. My niece Brynlee came & she is such an explosion of life it was fun to watch her open and play with gifts. Speaking of niece we fond out last week that Amber & Kyle will be having a little boy as well. So that makes 2 nephews in 2010! We are so thrilled for them & I know that little boy will be a precious addition to our family. I know he and Graham will be very close & I am excited to be able to watch them grow up together!

Speaking of Graham he is growing steadily & there is a defined belly now! I am still feeling great & I feel truly blessed to be free from any kind of sickness this winter season. I have started to go to Dr. Burley every 2 weeks now so I have a check up tomorrow. We also have our last 3D sonogram next Tuesday the 29th. I can't wait to see Graham again & make sure everything is still going great. Throughout this entire process it is really amazing how much you have to have faith. I trust that God is taking care of & watching over Graham everyday. There is nothing more that I can do but take care of myself, the rest is up to Him. What an amazing gift pregnancy and babies are... I am blessed to have even had this experience. I know that it has changed me & Keith's life forever before Graham is even here... I can only imagine what it will be like after we have him.

On another note I just want to say how thankful I am for this time of year. I am reminded of how much God loves us. He born for us & died for us. His sacrifice is more than I can fathom & yet I am forgiven. I am blessed. I am so thankfull for Keith, my parents, siblings, and all Keith's family. So many people who love us unconditionally and to be able to share this time with them is so special. I can only pray that Graham finds someone someday who loves him as much as Keith loves me & makes me laugh everyday. What a great hubby I have & he is so excited about the arrival of our little boy I know he will be an awesome dad!

Anyway sorry for the mish mash but it's been a while. I hope this Christmas season finds you all very well & enjoy every minute with family & friends! Merry CHristmas!!!

A dad's perspective

2009-11-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

Well it's been an exciting first half and a little more of Brandi's pregnancy! We are getting geared up for Graham's arrival in just a few short months. I never thought I would see the day but yesterday I went with Brandi to Belly Cotoure, a new pregnant lady's shop here in Lubbock. It was pretty cool I guess, but one of the best features of the store is the "guy lounge." It is right in the middle of the store and has a couch and a couple of chairs. That would be good enough while moms to be shop around, but to top it off, there is going to be a massive flat screen T.V. set on ESPN!! Now that is the way to get the guys in there! In all seriousness, it is a really cool place with alot of cool clothes for Brandi which I know she is really excited about. There were also alot of baby and little boy clothes. I am especially excited about 3 of the hats they have there, and I can't wait to put one on Graham...I know all the lady's hearts will melt when they see him rockin' one of those.

Today we went to Babies R us and registered for alot of the things Graham will need. It was alot of fun getting to pick out all of Graham's things with Brandi. I think we registered for everything we will need, but I know there are about 100 things we missed.
We saw so many cool things and it makes me that much more excited for Graham to get here!

Finally, watching Brandi's belly grow is one of the coolest things I have ever seen! I love putting my hand on it and getting Graham's kicks back. Here is Brandi's 24 week picture.

Sweet Baby Graham

2009-10-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well it's a BOY!!!! We are were so thrilled last Thursday to see a healthy, busy, baby boy!!! What a blessing... and relief. I say that because it's so nice to hear that everything is going well. Otherwise we just pray and trust that God knows exactly what he's doing... thank goodness! Anyway now that we know our little Graham is on the way the planning begins. I have already spotted some really cute bedding & we are excited to begin buying little man clothes and tiny diapers. At about 18 weeks I started feeling his little movements & we can even see him moving around in there... it's such a miracle. I love feeling him it makes me feel like he's letting me know he's happy in there. Also other exciting news we found out today that my brother & sister-in-law (Brian & Amanda) are also having a boy & they are scheduled to have him 5 days after my due date!!!! How fun it will be for him to grow up so close in age with his cousins. We thank all of you who have prayed & continue to pray for our little Graham Weston! We are excited to meet him & we feel blessed to be his parents. Here are a few pictures me at 20 weeks & a few from the last appt. they said he was still pretty small because he hasn't really started putting on any fat yet but the next pictures he will be much more filled out... we can't wait! We think right now his nose looks like Keith's & his lips look like mine.... it's crazy how much detail you can see in the 3d pictures!!!

A Little of This & That

2009-10-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Well we got back from Ruidoso a couple of weeks ago & it was such an amazing time away! It rained everyday so we really relaxed... just what we needed. Lots of football watching and card playing it was a blast. It's always so nice to just get away but I swear I am so horrible at unpacking & getting back to the everyday. I almost live out of my back for the next week (or longer)... so bad. Not to mention I pack half my closet so it takes forever to unpack so in that case I just end up using the avoidance method. Needless to say the bag is about empty & i am getting back into the groove. Here is a pic from the trip. It looked like this all 5 days!

Also in the latest baby news we are counting down the days until we find out if we are having a boy or girl.... T minus 11 days!!! We are really pumped it has felt like a long time to wait so I def. can't imagine not finding out at all... wow talk about self control! Anyway we have a set of boy and girl names so we are super prepared for either blessing. Harper Ellison if it's a girl and Graham Weston if it's a boy... whatever it ends up being I just hope to get to use the other name someday we really like both. I have had at least 6 dreams about it being a boy so it will be interesting to see what we end up having. Here is newer belly pic I am 19 weeks now (almost halfway done!) and my pants are getting tight & I can def. say I can tell there IS for sure a baby growing in there... can't wait to continue to grow. It's nice to have proof of the amazing life taking place, what a miracle!

Anyway I hope the month of October finds you all well & I look forward to posting if we are having a Harper or Graham!

Meet Gatlin Gafford

2009-09-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a picture of my best friend Jordan's (and Grant of coarse) newest family member. His name is Gatlin Grant Gafford 7lbs 12oz 20in... SO CUTE!!! Welcome little man!

16 weeks!!!

2009-09-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

Well I am 4 months now & getting more and more excited everyday about our little addition. I wanted to write a short update & post a pic before we go out of town for the week. We are headed to Ruidoso & we could not be more excited!!! It will be just Keith & I hanging out until Saturday!!! Ahhh sweet relaxation! I will post several pic's after our trip & tell you guys all about the nothing that we did. This is a perfect time for a trip & I am feeling wonderful so it should be a great time together. My next appt. will be next monday so I will post trip pictures & update you about the peanut.(this is my 16 week pic) I am just waiting to show anytime now... Keith keeps asking me if there is really a baby in there...lol! Silly guy!

Baby T Update

2009-08-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well I just wanted to write a quick update on our sweet little peanut. I am in my last week of my first trimester & I am feeling great! We went to the dr on Monday and she said everything looks great! We will find out October 15 if we are having a boy or a girl. It sounds like a million yers away to me but I am learning to be patient... A quality I will need a lot more of as a parent. We truly don't cate what this baby is as long as it's healthy! We feel so blessed to be able to start on this new adventure and we don't want to be picky. Anyway just wanted to write a quick update & let you know things are moving along. What do you guys think we are having???

Table for 3!!!!

2009-07-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

Yes you read the title right & no we are not taking any of our cat's out to eat! We are expecting our first baby March 1st (I am 9 weeks 3 days today). We could not be more thrilled!!! We have known for a little while but decided to keep it to ourselves for a bit. Now that it's out there we jut ask for prayers for a healthy baby. I have been feeling pretty good just tired, weak, and no type of food ever sounds good. I feel very lucky though to be able to continue to go to work & I have a VERY understanding boss... aka my dad who just wants me to take care of myself. We had our first sonogram last week & got a precious picture of our little peanut. That's truly what it looks like at this point. Keith is also thrilled, when we found out it was super cute he just jumped up & down as I stared in amazement. He is being so supportive and I know he is going to be a fantastic dad, just one of the many reasons I love him so much! Anyway I just wanted to make it public & I will post and add pictures of the peanut & I guess some belly pic's when that starts happening (none yet... just a normal before shot). We are so appreciative of all the love and support we have already been shown & we are looking forward to our new adventure!!!

Wonderful Hubby!

2009-06-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Ok well I just HAD to post this special thing Keith did Friday. Well, as most of you know Keith is ALWAYS working so hard & yet he is always pitching in with some of the house work as well. I appreciate him so much for all he does for me I know I am a super lucky girl! So about Friday... I was working & Keith didn't go in until 5 & he was closing... this means we won't get home until about 1 a.m. So instead of relaxing the day away he spent his whole day organizing my side of the closet including my clothes shoes etc... I got home & I was so shocked to find a note on my bedroom door describing in detail how to find my things & how he organized & grouped my clothes. There was even one line in the note that stated all high heels on top row... how cute!!! Anyway I was almost in tears because it had been something I needed to do but had been putting it off... I am SUCH a procrastinator about certain things! Ok so thats not the end... then I read on in the letter and he says look carefully there are some surprises. So I was like wow what could this mean??? Well after he fixed up the closet he went & bought me two new pairs of dress pants for work & a new pair of tennis shoes for working out!!! All by himself... these were not things I had picked out he just went & got them! What a brave guy & I loved ALL of it. I felt SO spoiled by him. Man did I find a keeper or what? All these things considered he makes me feel this way everyday.... just blessed and loved by being an outstanding man & husband. I am SO glad God created marriage & I am SO blessed that he picked the perfect partner in life for me!!!!! I just wanted to share a little story about the great guy I am lucky to be married to...

Animals

2009-06-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

(This is Sadie & Cereal waiting patiently for trick or treaters @ Halloween... hilarious!!!)

Ok yes I know I am posting two times in a row, but I wanted to post something about the "children" we have for now, our animals. I really believe that God created animals not just to create something but as another type of companionship. God loves relationships and I know he loves to watch us develop all different kinds... for example husband & wife, mother & child, sisters, brothers, and I know somewhere on that list is animals. I know some people may think I'm crazy but I really do love my animals like they are part of our family. I don't do anything like bake for them (that may kill them), but non the less they are like family. Keith really loves our cats too. I'll tell you how they came to be a part of our family. Sadie is my 4 .5 year old Calico cat. My sister can vouch for the fact that I really never wanted a cat, I am just a sucker, but thank goodness for that or I would be missing out! Sadie was an orphan and I finally decided to take her in from my cousin who's neighbor had found her. She really became my "dog/cat". I got on to her, spanked her & you know what she is the best and most loving animal I have ever had. I never thought I would have another cat bc Sadie was so unique.

Well so I was wrong about never having another cat. While we lived in Plainview last year I worked at a interior design store & in May 2008 a litter of kittens was born and left there by their mom. There were 6 total and they were all healthy and strong except one. She was only 3 ounces while the other 5 were at least 2lb's!!! They thought she was about to die so the had her in a little cardboard box. well, this just broke my heart so Keith came up there to get her & take her to the vet. I wanted to do whatever I needed to to keep this little thing alive. Well when he got to the vet the said she was dead, but Keith swore he could feel a heartbeat... it was true they checked again & very slowly and quietly they heard a heartbeat. They gave her a 20% chance to live through the night & she made it! I knew when I drove in the garage and she made a noise she was going to make it and we were going to keep her. I had to feed her once an hour, and keep her temp. regulated with a plastic glove full of hot water. It took about 3 weeks of that to get her strong enough to come out of her little shoebox. Man it was some serious work but we love her to death and I can't imagine if we had not taken her home, what our home would be like. We learned how much all that work really is & how rewarding it is when they come and great you at the door & seem to be grateful to be your pet. We name our little miracle kitten Cereal bc we just added milk and she started to come to life.... lol. Anyway I know it's a silly post, but I really do feel lucky to have my kitty's!!!

Making Our house Our Home

2009-06-11T17:14:00.001-07:00

Well we have now been in our house over 3 months! Time sure does fly when you are trying to getting settled and working! Well I finally have some before and after pictures of our house right when we moved in and then after we have had wood floors put in & a few other things. Thanks to Keith's mom Cheri I have some really good before shots! I absolutely love the floors it was well worth all the drama that went into getting them put in.... you know like when they say a 4 day project it actually means 4 weeks... I know insanity! Anyway we love the floors and I am feeling so at home in our new house. Also Keith & I both have truly enjoyed getting our outdoor spaces beautified as well. I am truly an out door girl... I would much rather mow, plant, even pull weeds before I would ever want to do laundry. This is evident from my ever growing pile of clothes in our closet!!! YIKES!!! Thank goodness Keith loves me just the way I am & thank goodness for my brother-in-law Kyle who owns a laundry business! He really has helped me greatly a few times, what a blessing! Anyway I hope you enjoy the pictures... it is still a work in progress but I really believe we will get there SOON!

The New Breakfast Area

The Old Breakfast Area

The Old Kitchen

The New Kitchen

The New w/ our stuff & The Bottom pic is the old w/ the old owners stuff!

Figuring this thing out!

2009-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have been working on my blog for a week or so and I am still getting used to all the gadgets & things you can do on here! I have pretty much got it the way I want with a few exceptions... Now it's up to me to keep the stories coming! Well to update you a little on what has been going on with us, Keith just recently got a promotion to be an area manager of 5 of the Taco Villas. He was in Slaton Tx being the General Manager of the Pizza Hut. I have been so proud of his accomplishments and in what a short time he was able to move along in his dreams in the restaurant world. He absolutely loves his job and for that I am so thankful! He is such a go getter & a wonderful husband. We also bought a house about 3 months ago & have been making it our home ever sense. I will post many pictures soon! Right now we are in the process of ripping out tile and some carpet & putting in wood floors. What a project this has been but I know we are going to LOVE it AFTER it's complete. I will also post before and after pictures of that & our yard. Keith & I both LOVE yard work and have really enjoyed doing everything to our house together. Luckily we have the same taste so it has been pretty easy to do. We also live just down the street from my sister and her husband Kyle and one street over from my best friend Jordan and her husband Grant. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by so many people we love! Well I will attach a couple of older pictures of our house taken when the last owners were still here... so you will have some idea of our house before.

New Blog

2009-04-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

So I decided to switch my blog site. I was confused on the other one & I am hoping that the super cute layout on this one will help me to post more! Here's to hoping! Anyway... I am going to get picture and updates on here VERY soon!