Bad Mom

I had a bad mom moment last week.

I usually set C on the couch in the morning while making a bottle (our kitchen opens up to the living room and I can see him over the island that seperates the two). Now I know you aren't really supposed to do this because they could roll/fall off but since C hadn't demonstrated his amzing rolling skills yet I thought I was in the clear....obviously not. So, as I said earlier, I set him on the couch, ran to the kitchen to make a bottle and in the 30 seconds it took me to do that this little booger has rolled down onto his belly and was trying to make a get away....Of course I made sure that he was ok before I took this picture and even debated on whether or not to share my bad mom skills but hey we all have these moments, right?! And now that I know he can roll around he is not left alone on high things.

I think he is slightly reminiscent of spider man...what do you think? haha!

leg warmers making a comeback

image from here

Ever thought you would see leg warmers on anyone other than a dancer or someone who is stuck in the 80's? Well, they are coming back but for CHILDREN. Lots of moms out there who have kids that are in the crawling stages use them to protect those cute little knees and they are also great for those mommas that are in the potty training stages....no pants to mess with when you are in a hurry! I have found a lot of websites that carry them but the shop I like best is by knottybaby on etsy. She is very affordable and has LOTS to choose from. She also has some great combo deals like choose 5 pairs for $34 with FREE shipping! Go check her out!I know I may be behind on the trend a little but thought I would share anyway, enjoy!

Homemade baby food

image from here

I am wondering if any of you mom's out there have ever made your own baby food. I imagine it is a little cheaper but a whole lot healthier for you to make it yourself. I debate on whether or not I should give it a go or just take the convenience of purchasing some at the store. So, what do you mom's think out there? Have you tried to make your own or attempted and found it was more of a hassle? I would like to hear your feedback.

In my research I did find this little ditty that lists the foods that have been the most and least contaminated with pesticides in 2010.

::Most::
Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberry, Nectarine, Bell Pepper, Spinach, Kale/Collards, Potatoes, Grapes (esp. imported)

::Least::
Onion, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Asparagus, Sweet Peas, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Papaya, Watermelon, Broccoli, Tomato and Sweet Potatoes.

This website has a lot of great information on feeding your baby solids accompanied by charts, lists and sources of her information. I'm getting more excited about the new phase of C's life, can you tell?

Four Months Old

We had Colton's 4 month checkup today and everything looks great! He is 15lbs (50th percentile) which I was shocked because he feels SOOO much heavier when I tote him around...must be that dang carseat! He is 26 inches long (85th percentile) and his head circumference is 16 5/8 (50th percentile). I think this little boy will be a tall one! We told her that we had attempted to give him some rice cereal and he seemed to like it so she gave us the go ahead to start with solids after a few weeks of rice cereal. I am so excited to be at this stage...I can't wait to see what foods he likes and dislikes and to be at a new point in his life where we get to try something new besides the same ole boring formula. By the way, have y'all ever tasted that stuff?! G-R-O-S-S! I dunno why babies like it. I must say I am just excited to get the baby spoons out and have a little more fun at eating time; bottle feeding gets kinda boring after while. In preparation for solids we did get a couple of those mesh things (I saw on your blog Kari) you can put chunks of food in it and as the baby chews on it the juice and tiny bits come out (how ingenious is that??) so now I can relax without worrying he will choke on something....They are $6 for 2 at Target. :)

While we were at the Dr. Colton decided to show momma that he knows how to ROLL OVER! From back to stomach, I am proud! He did it yesterday for dad and nana while they were visiting her at her office and I was totally bummed they got to see him do it first....I mean I have spent a lot more hours with him and maybe I feel like that is my payback, when he does something new. However, once he did it for me I was so excited and decided not to be sad I missed the first time. As a working mom I suppose I just need to get used to missing a few moments of his little life. I just better not miss his first crawls/steps and words....I will be devastated! Anyway, as soon as he rolled over I whipped out my phone and snapped a photo and then when we got home from the doc I set him on the ground and he kept rolling over again and again so I got the good camera out and caught it on video.

Colton rolls over 4.27.2011

Easter

So the evening before Easter I wanted to dye some eggs with bug so I got the kit and everything prepared but it was too close to C's bedtime so we ended up putting him down to sleep and I dyed eggs by my lonesome. Needless to say I just tossed em in and let them sit for a quick moment and then set them to dry. Kinda boring and no fancy decor on the eggs but it just wasn't as much fun by myself.

All the eggs...

my finished products...not very fancy but I did make an egg for Sawyer and Annabelle too. :)
I just love this little outfit...too cute!

Colton wishing everyone a Happy Easter with some goodies from Mom and Dad and Nana and Popo.

Easter Morning J and I joined his parents at church and it was a nice service. I always love going to that church I always leave feeling uplifted and energized for the new week.

After church we came home, changed clothes and got ready to head out to Aunt Barbara's house to help celebrate the girls' birthdays and of course Easter. However, we did manage to give Colt some rice cereal for the first time before we left.....it was time to eat and I wanted to see how he reacted to a) a spoon b) the texture and c) his tummy, it seems to be super sensitive. I just gave him a couple little spoon fulls but he seemed to automatically realize that the spoon had food in it and even leaned forward a little to get some. I think he is a fan!

He only got a little messy!

When we finally made it out to Aunt Barbara's we had a ball. It was great to hang with the family and see everyone.

Caleb giving Colton kisses...sweetest little boy!

The girls opening presents.... Carla-14 (farthest away), Anna-16 and Kayla-18(closest) and ALL birthdays are in April! Isn't that crazy! Barbara is a good planner...haha!

Kayla, Carla, Anna

And it we also celebrated Zach and Caleb's birthdays!

After all the cake and ice cream it was time to hunt for eggs the Easter Bunny hid.

The girls taking off!

Yes, we hunted for eggs with Colton

It was incredibly hot and obviously sunny.

his hair is so crazy all the time!

We got Colton an itty bitty Easter basket I found in the dollar aisle at Target, along with matching eggs and a little card but not much else. Considering he is only 4 months old I have decided to forgo any major celebration of the holidays until he is a little bigger and older....like for thanksgiving, Christmas and Halloween we will do a little more for him. However, Nana and Popo did get Colton a little Easter placemat, bunny and a book that explains Easter and the meaning behind the holiday....it's great! We had a great little Easter and it was good to spend time with all the family!

a few random pictures

This is the first time Colton ever held on to a rattle all by himself. (taken 4.4.2011) He would hold onto stuff but almost immediately drop it or loosely grip it. This time he was holding on and then brought it right to his mouth. I just think he is a cutie pie. Getting bigger everyday!

He loves his swing and so does momma! puts him to sleep all the time!

We had Nana and Popo over for dinner 2 weeks ago and I just thought this was a cute pic of them and Colt.

Justin and I went to a family reunion for Jimmy's side of the family and this is Jimmy, Debbie and all of their grandkids, Colton, Susan and Ryan.

These aren't the best quality but you get the picture...no pun intended...

This cute outfit is from C's Great Aunt Jeri

I just love this elephant onesie!

my little monkey man!

a little tummy time

he sits up pretty well these days

the fam

holding on to his rattle!

Well I have officially failed at blogging this month! I guess I have been too distracted to get on here and document the happenings in the Gray home. So, I guess I will catch you all up on us....well, mostly Colton.

We are quickly approaching 4 months and I just can't believe how big this little guy is! He really does amaze me everyday. About a month ago he officially began sleeping entirely through the night. He has always been a good sleeper and has pretty much slept through the night but he finally dropped that one late night feeding and sleeps 10-12 hrs. every night. We usually feed him between 9-11 (depending on how the day's schedule has gone) give him a bath, play just a little bit and then he gets swaddled and put to bed and we don't hear a peep from him again until about 8am the next morning. Yes, we are still swaddling c-man for bedtime. I am kind of scared to not do so since he is sleeping so good and mom and dad are happy with that. He does take good naps during the day and doesn't startle himself awake too much anymore but I just don't think I am ready to risk it at bedtime. Plus, it's not like it is hurting him. :)

He has become so much more fun lately too. He recognizes mom and dad and will give the biggest smiles when he looks at us. He is a lot more "grabby" with things as well. He loves to tangle his hands in my hair, shake his rattles like there is no tomorrow and he likes to try to reach out for things and pull them to his mouth. Although he hasn't quite mastered this yet he is right on the verge of doing so. You can just see his little wheels turning as he tries to reach for something and bring to his mouth.

We go to the doctor at the end of the month for his 4 month checkup but I am guessing (according to our bathroom scale) he is about 16 lbs. PORKER! Not sure how long he is but he is wearing his 3-6 months clothes most comfortably. The 0-3 mo. clothes are just not quite long enough anymore. He is in size 2 diapers and still eating 6oz. at every meal. He still hates tummy time and we really don't do it near enough as we should, bad mom, I know.but his neck seems to be pretty strong because he holds his head up pretty well. In fact, the little booger prefers to stand over laying down. Not sure why, maybe his tummy, maybe he likes to look around or maybe he is just bored of being on the ground. But I don't mind playing with him while we hold him up to stand. When he does lay down he rolls from side to side but hasn't come close to trying to roll completely over....maybe that is why we should do some more tummy time. haha. Let's see....We haven't tried any solids yet but i am excited to get to that stage and see what he likes. Not sure if the doc will recommend starting solids at 4 mo. or not....we shall see. If anything she will probably just say rice cereal for now. Other than all of these new little things Colt is doing great and getting bigger by the day! I just can't believe it!

As for me, (Danielle) I am now working part-time at Target and LOVING it. I wanted to get back into retail (NEVER thought I'd say that!) and thought Target would be a great company to work for and it is. The perks? Target is literally 1 stoplight away from home!! SCORE! And I am able to work the early morning shifts 5am-noonish and make it home before 1 so Justin can then go to work. So....NO daycare for our bug! yay! Not that daycare is a bad thing, I just don't think I am ready for it or the expense of it.

Justin is still working at Vacations to Go selling cruises and doing very well at it. If you want to book a cruise let us know, he can take care of it for you! :) He loves hanging out with Colton and is such a hands on dad. I love watching the two of them together, it is the sweetest connection the two of them have. They love to cuddle in the mornings and it is just the sweetest sight!