Graham Family Reunion

as labor day quickly approaches, the finale of summer, i thought i should attempt to get some posts up with what we have been up to in all of this heat.

this summer has been an explosion of firsts. 

first smiles.

first rolls.

first giggles.

first coos.

seriously this list could go on & on & on.

the graham family reunion was a weekend of many big firsts for little B at just six weeks old. 

*WARNING - this is a picture heavy post. 

so, we weren't going to go to the family reunion because beckham did not have his shots yet. we were both hesitant to fly commercial with him. 

with all the whooping cough scares, we just didn't want to chance it.

AND then

my amazingly generous uncle & aunt offered to fly us out.

on a private plane. 

hopefully, beckham doesn't get any ideas from this FIRST because it won't be happening again!

truly, NO WORDS in the world can begin to describe how fortunate & lucky we felt to have this opportunity. it was such an unforgettable weekend, we are so glad we didn't have to miss out.

there was only one thing missing from this weekend. 

my dad. he had to work (no getting out of inventory when you run the warehouse!) & trust me...he was missed!

 beckham meeting his GREAT, GREAT aunt nell!

 flying in style.

 the girls!

 hangin' by the barn while jer, anna & jason went horseback riding.

 

heading out for a ride...

 family shot...just missing the main man!

 the host & hostess! thank you so much for everything uncle jack & aunt ginger!

 the whole gang!

 granddad with all his grandkids & great grandkids that were able to make it!

 and another BIG FIRST. ladies & gentlemen...it's POOL TIME!

the water thing is a big deal in our house. jason & i LOVE water activities and guess what...

seems like our boy does too!

 enjoying a dip with uncle jer

 my uncle kevin & aunt lisa drove 4 hours each way from aspen to boulder just to meet our little man. we wish we could have visited longer with them but cherished every minute we got!

thank you so much for coming to see us!

great, great aunt nell & mama

 love these two!

 the views from my uncle's house are breathtaking!

 hangin' with auntie anna!

 my cousin kaylee is expecting a little boy in just a few weeks. 

so we gave her a mini baby shower!

 croquet on the lawn

 followed by some serious dog lovin' on erma

 emme...such a love bug!

 and beckham soaking in some face time with his GREAT uncle jack!

what a memorable weekend it was. so many laughs. baby snuggles. hugs. kisses. 

dancing. swimming. stories & pictures.

i can't wait to see everyone again and soon!

Sweet Baby Boy

let's hop in the delorean & go back to april 2nd, 2011.

(think back to the future)

i, hands down, have the best friends in the world. 

they spoiled me, jason & sweet beckham with the most thoughtful, perfect baby shower. 

every detail was exactly me.

perfection.

an amazing guest book with sweet notes to beckham from each of the guests!

 lemon bars! enough said.

 yummy cake balls! for our sweet baby cake!

 i adored the yellow, white & navy color scheme!

 oh. be still my heart. wood blocks with the little misters name!

 i'm completely head-over-heels in love with wood toys.

and of course, the BEST friends in the world, 

would know that...remember that & include them in the most perfect shower.

 the girls.

yes, my hair was momentarily brown. i am constantly drawn to pretty brown hair colors. you'd think id learn. i'm not a brunette...i am a blonde. that little slip up has been fixed and we are working back towards the blonde.

excuse the sidebar.

THANK YOU SO MUCH girls & mom for hosting such an incredible shower. 

i feel more than lucky to have you ALL in my life.

Before 5am

so, the other night at 2:30am, i was awake.

the boy was awake.

the mister was awake.

and well, our whole house was awake.

it made me think about the randomness that now happens in our house, since pregnancy & baby, before 5am.

here are the TOP 10 things that happen before 5am

#10 - drinking water & eating a snack.

holy moly people...i am thirsty. thirsty ALL the time now. ever since it said "pregnant" on that pregnancy test my mouth has been parched. and when i first started breastfeeding, i needed a snack.

#9 - baths

people i was in the bath almost every night around 2am-4am the last few weeks of my pregnancy. i could NOT sleep. i was in pain in more places i care to discuss or remember and a bath calmed me oh-so-much. plus, i mastered angry bird! 

#8 - crocheting

again, i could not sleep the last few weeks of my pregnancy. so i crocheted. unfortunately, due to the loveliness of pregnancy that activity came to a halt when i got carpal tunnel.

#7 - blog reading / replying to emails
i get caught up on so much blog reading & email responding in the middle of the night. it's amazing how a couple feedings a night can do that!

#6 - outfit change
everyone is our house has had a middle of the night outfit change for one reason or another.
barf. spit up.
leakage. (B not us!)

#5 - laundry
since we are using cloth diapers i start a load before bed & most nights either jason or myself will switch it over in the middle of the night so they are done the next morning.
AND
i have been known to short laundry and start a new load from time to time.

#4 - dog loving & dog disciplining
the pups usually get a few middle of the night rub downs.
AND
more recently some serious middle of the night scoldings.
why? because sebastian is up wandering the house, getting into the trash, barking in the back yard.
basically creating havoc anywhere he can. punk dog.

#3 - picture taking
my iPhone has been busy at night snapping pictures of the boy.
not as often anymore because our feedings are become less & faster BUT in the beginning oh-man it was like photo-mania!

#2 - on-line shopping
i search etsy like it's the last day they will be open!
love that sight.
AND
i'll admit my fingers have wandered to pottery barn & nordstrom too!
can you blame me?

AND drum roll please...the #1 random thing that happens in our house before 5am is...
sound the trumpets - dum-dum-dummmmm

ME BEING AWAKE!!
i never use to be awake before 7am...even when i was working!

what random things happen in your house before 5am?

Two Months

beckham,
  to say you have stolen my heart would be an understatement. each day my love for you multiplies. i am pretty sure at some point, little man, my heart will explode and i am totally okay with that! being a mom, being your mom, is the hardest thing i have ever done but the most amazing journey so far.

 

we obviously haven't been doing this trio thing for long but i feel like we are getting the hang of it. for not being able to talk you are an incredible communicator. you definitely let us know when you are hungry, sleepy or need a diaper change.

it has been a BIG month for you. you went on your first trip to colorado. you rocked it out on the plane! i think you know mama & dadda are addicted to traveling! you also went on your first road trip to visit grandma & grandpa in atascadero. you took your first dip in the pool. no surprise to us, you were completely smitten.

at your 8 week check-up the doctor said you are incredibly handsome & absolutely perfect! you were 11 lbs 3 oz & 23 1/2 inches. this lands you in the 50th percentile for both! i just about died listening to you cry during your shots! it broke my heart. mimi joined us for support & your cry made her cry. it was that sad!

you are giving us longer stretches of sleep at night. your first stretch is pretty consistently 6 hours followed by another 2 1/2 - 3. you've spoiled us with a few 7 hr stretches & two 8 hr nights! we loved those! 

 

you are a morning person. wait? what? yep. my child is a morning person. you coo, kick, squirm, smile & talk for about an hour and a half straight. cracks us up! we love every minute of it. it's so addicting dadda leaves later & later every morning for work. he doesn't want to leave you! i don't blame him.

can't wait to see what month 3 holds. we love you oh-so-much sweet, sweet baby cake!

love,
mama