Family Photo

I planned this sitting 2 weeks in advance and purchased matching plaid shirts for the boys. We haven't had an professional family picture taken. I've been so excited about this day. However, when I woke up Saturday morning it was raining-HARD! To say it was a difficult morning getting out of the house into the car then out of the car and into the studio is an understatement. It was BRUTAL! I got rained on and my hair was wet-oh well-but the boys and Greg looked great. What is most important is we finally got a picture with all of us together taken at a studio. I love my family and I just can't stop looking at these pictures. (I scanned these pictures in, so they don't look perfect!) Thank you Lord for blessing me with such wonderful men in my life! Amen!

And now he smiles....

Once we got home, Grayson kept smiling while he touched his hair saying "got haircut!"
And, as always, I grabbed the camera and snapped a couple of pictures. I can't believe how grown up he looks with his baby hair snipped off. WOW!

Grayson's First Official Haircut

I've attempted to cut Grayson's hair in the past and trim up the back, however he has never had a big boy hair cut before. Today I felt adventurous. We have a family photo appointment this weekend and both G&G needed haircuts. I rallied the troops (Papa and ShooShoo) to assist in my adventure. Grayson was volunteered first by Gavin-how nice of him to send his brother to the front line first, huh? Grayson was great. He didn't kick or fight the haircut. He made a lot of noise screaming "Awowie Mommieeeeee" but that was it. Grayson had 2" of his baby hair cut off! (remember he didn't really get hair until he was 12 months) He looks so much older now. Gavin did well too. Thankfully he only really needed a trimming. Gavin sat still too. He kept telling the hairdresser "Don't hurt me with those (scissors) Don't cut my ears!" Poor guy, I think last week's Dr Trone appointment has freaked him out with sharp silver objects near his ears! Proudly we left and both boys were happy waving bye and saying "thank ewe!" to the patient and pretty cool guy who cut their hair.

Milestone

Gavin was born screaming, literally; and has screamed daily since then! He's a feisty strong willed boy and I love him to pieces. His temper tantrums are hard to ignore, regardless what 'the books' say. He doesn't give up easily (relentless) and most of the times I fold before he does, which translates to me either getting upset too or me giving in. The last few months have been an adjustment for him because Mommy has changed her strategy in dealing with the tantrums. I either ignore them-and act busy meanwhile fuming inside-or I put him in his room, door closed, until he is finished screaming. This has been a shock to him and difficult for me, however I am pleased to say we have come a LONG way and I am so proud of BOTH of us!
Today after sitting in and ENT Dr office for 2 hours, having one of his tubes removed with a scary looking device ("don't hurt me Dr Trone, don't hurt me!") and it being lunch time he, as expected, threw a fit in the car seat. I gritted my teeth and turned the dvd player off and ignored the screaming that prevailed. After about 15 minutes (and Grayson chiming in with his own tantrum and screaming-monkey see monkey do) and me wanting to start screaming too, it suddenly got quiet in the car. Gavin says to me "Mommy, I'm calm now" and he started talking to Grayson and picked up a book.
HUGE, this is HUGE for him. So I had to blog about it. I am so proud of my big boy.

An unlikely visitor

Upon arriving home last night I was greeted by a little green guy. No, not the kind from outer space, rather more the amphibious type. A cute little green tree frog was sitting on my front door. I quickly became fascinated with this little guy. He was bright green and honestly he looked like the frogs in G&G's books. He had little suckers on his feet and super long hoppy legs. He sat still for a few minutes, then jumped around the front door. My first idea was kick out the crippled butterfly from the insect net house and capture this frog for G&G. When I presented the idea to Greg, it was IMMEDIATELY shut down. Greg states a legitimate case: they chirp at night, they jump high and fast (forget about catching it if it gets out) and feeding issues. I agreed, not so easily, but I agreed and we just took a couple of pics for the boys to see. He really looks more like a frog from the pet store rather than a wild frog, I've never seen one like this in our area. Who knows maybe he'll be back tonight?!

Ahoy Matty!

Gavin still loves his little people toys, however he is more intrigued with his big boy imaginex toys now. He's passed the torch to Grayson now and (most of the time) shares accordingly. However lately the boys have been "wrestling" and fighting over the smallest issue. Geez, I knew this would happen eventually with 2 boys, I just didn't think it would happen so soon. Grayson, surprisingly , is quite the little gladiator. He will head butt, ram, tackle, jump on and just flat out throw punches at Gavin. Gavin will gladly reciprocate the attack (enter fed up Mommy here.) One minute they are playing nice either together or with their own toys and the next is a full on assault toddler style! Caught on camera is Grayson playing nice with his pirate ship, he walks over to pick up another pirate and Gavin steps in to play too! Grayson screams "NOOOOOOO" and tackles Gavin.
Ahhh, football anyone?

The Incident in the backyard with the swimming pool

Gavin loves the water, playing in it, giving Boomer a bath, watering the grass, whatever; he just loves it. Boomer loves the water; I mean he IS a lab. Grayson however, loves bath time. He also loves drinking water "with ice pease Mommy". But that apparently is where it ends, at least for now. We got G&G a play pool for the backyard. Papa and ShooShoo have an amazing pool with gazebo, decking and the landscaping from magazines, however we thought it would be nice to have some cool water here at Casa Howard. As I filled up the pool G&G were running around in the bathing suites screaming. Gavin screaming because he was so excited as he was throwing his plastic animals in the water as it filled up. Grayson screaming because he was frightened. He brought his horses outside with him and once he saw the pool filling up with water, that was ENOUGH for him. Grayson ran to the back door and said "Mommy wanna go inside. INSIDE!" We tried to coax him to the play pool and failed; miserably! At the same time all this is going on I am playing ball with Boomer, who apparently worked up quite a sweat and wanted to cool down himself. Before too long Boomer just climbed in G&G's pool. Gavin was livid, squatting down and yelling at Boomer "OUT OUT My pool Boomer! Mommy look at BoomBoom!" Boomer in the play pool literally threw Grayson over the edge. Thankfully Greg walked in from work and brought Grayson inside to play. WHEW! Gavin and I then kicked Boomer out and climbed in for some splashing fun.