This Week

Here are some pictures of our playdate with Lisa and Emily at McDonald's yesterday. The doll in the pictures is "Baby Graysen." Emily has taken care of Baby Graysen since my Graysen was born. It is like Lisa has two children because Baby Graysen has to eat dinner at the table and go everywhere with Emily. Emily's Baby Graysen is always naked. She says that he does not like clothes. My Graysen seemed to like Baby Graysen too.

I have not blogged a lot this week because I have been busy doing fall cleaning and preparing for a consignment sale. I clean out clothes and toys twice per year and it can be a lot of work.

Caleb absolutely loves school. Graysen and I are settling into a morning routine. I get up at 5:30 AM to get myself and the boys ready for school (and I leave myself a hour for "boot up" time). Graysen and I take Caleb to school and then we have 1.5 hours at home until we have to leave to pick Caleb up from school. We always get a snack when we get home and then start on a the project of the day. Monday's project was washing the entire front of the house, including the garage door. The past several days have been focused on the preparations for the consignment sale. Graysen is still very mopey without Caleb, but he takes some comfort in helping Mommy.

Greenville Children's Museum

We went to the Greenville Children's Museum on Friday with Alisha, Katelin, Abigail, Norma, and Carson. All of the kids loved playing at the museum. It is a great place for kids ages 2-5 to spend the day playing.

School Conversation

Caleb's First Day of School

Today was Caleb's first day of 3K at District Six's Child Development Center. Caleb was VERY excited about going to school. He was an angel all morning and got dressed, brushed his teeth, and posed for a photo shoot with enthusiasm.

Caleb's class is a visual/literature based program. Everything in the class is visual. A few months ago, Caleb got to pick his symbol that would represent him. He choose a purple dinosaur. Everything of Caleb's in the class (cubby, chair, snack cup, coat hanger, etc...) is labeled with a purple dinosaur. Alisha was really sweet and made Caleb a special purple dinosaur shirt for his first day. He LOVES his shirt and knows that he is the purple dinosaur. He was very excited to wear it and go to school. He went right into the building this morning and didn't even look back. Mommy was the one who was a little sad.

On the other hand, Graysen has been VERY mopey and sad this morning. He doesn't know what to do with himself without his buddy.

Uncle Gordon's Visit

We had a great visit with Uncle Gordon and Aunt Karen. He is now headed south to visit my parents in Orlando. Here are a few pictures from our last day with him. We started the morning with breakfast at Papa's and then went shopping in downtown Greenville

Greenville Children's Museum

Today we went to the new Children's Museum in Greenville with Uncle Gordon and Aunt Karen. It was a really fun day and the boys are worn out after hours of playing!!!

3K Registration

Today we took Caleb to registration at the Child Development Center for District 6. He will be in Ms. Carol's 3K class. It was a big event and Uncle Gordon was able to video the event. School starts on Tuesday. I can't believe my little boy is going to school this fall!

Summer Playdate

Julie, Kyle, and Maggie, who live four houses away, came over for a summer-themed playdate on Monday. All of the kids had a great time playing together. Maggie is three days older than Graysen, and the two of them are really cute together. Maggie likes to give Graysen hugs.

Uncle Gordon and Aunt Karen arrive tomorrow and will stay with us through the weekend. We are really looking forward to their visit and always have a blast with them.

Friends

Alisha and Ryan watched the boys for us last Friday evening. Here are a few videos from that time. Thank you, Alisha and Ryan, for a great evening of shopping!!!

Graysen's 18 Month Well Visit

Graysen had his 18 month well visit today. He is doing absolutely great with his development. He weighs 23 Lbs 6 Oz and is 31 inches long, and is in the 20th percentile for both height and weight.

Park and Brusters

We have had a really fun week of playdates. Yesterday, we went to Lake Bowen Park and Brusters. I enjoyed a cone of my favorite ice cream, Birthday cake. Yummy.

When I Became a Heart Mother

When I Became a Heart Mother

By Stephanie Husted

One day my world came crashing down, I'll never be the same...
They told me that my child was sick... I thought, am I to blame?
I don't think I can handle this... I'm really not that strong...
It seemed my heart was breaking... As, I'd loved him for so long.
I will not give up on this child... despite your best "advice"...
I will give my child a chance... No matter what the price...
And I will learn all that I need... to help my child to thrive...
I'll even use that feeding tube... My child will survive!
Will he require therapy? What if he can't gain weight?
Alright God I can do this... I will not curse our fate.
The feeding pump beeps at 3:00 a.m. It serves as my reminder..
How many parents would welcome that sound? Tomorrow Lord, I will be kinder.
Another angel earns their wings... and I run to my sleeping child's bed...
I watch him then for quite awhile... Bend down and kiss his head.
Then I cry for the parent's whose lives have been broken and I look to God wondering why?
Oh Lord, I just can't know your ways... No matter how I try...
And yet, I trust You hold his life and guide us through each day.
My mind says savor each moment he's here...
But my heart whispers, "Please let him stay."
From pacing the surgical waiting room... to sitting by his hospital bed...
From wishing for a good nights sleep... to learning every med...
From wondering will he be alright? To watching him reach out his hands...
With every smile, my heart just melts despite life's harsh demands.
For all who see that faded line, I look to them and smile...
You see my child is loved so much, I would face any trial...
That same scar I trace with my finger. It's the door to his beautiful heart.
I never guessed how much I'd love him, just as YOU loved him right from the start.
A heart mom is always a heart mom... Now wise beyond her years.
And for those who have angels in heaven, our hearts share in all of your tears...
Everyday I will strive to remember... You chose me for him.
And I will embrace that beautiful day.

Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Game

Last night, Caleb and I went to the Gastonia Grizzlies baseball game with Lisa, Todd, and Emily. It was the last home game of the season and the Grizzlies won against the Thomasville Hightops.

Caleb and I with "Chizzle."
Eating a "Grizzlie Burger," which is a hamburger on a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Mmmm, yummy!
Caleb enjoyed his dinner of chips, teddy grahams, and Sprite.
I bought this baseball for Caleb. He loves it. He held it the entire game, slept with it, studied it all morning, and is still playing with it!!!
Caleb with his loot. He won the stuffed dog in a drawing. Caleb trying to give Emily a kiss. She thought it was hilarious! He never did succeed.
There was a great fireworks show after the game.

Play Lunch at McDonald's

We had lunch today with Alisha, Katelin, Abigail, and Suzanne, who is going to have her first baby in a few weeks! As always, the kids had a lot of fun playing. Graysen and Abigail are starting to get old enough to interact with each other.