Our Every Day

This year has been all about change for our little family unit. I toyed with the idea of writing out each month in detail, and then I just decided to do it. My apologies if this reads like one of those eight page front-and-back Christmas letters! I will do my best to keep it short ;) We found out Mike's post assignment...though he was in the top of his class and got to chose where he wanted to go, no posts were taking new people within an hour and a half from our house. So he picked a post that is about 20 minutes from our hometown. We met with our realtor about putting our house on the market and visited the post - meeting Mike's new coworkers. We also attended a glass blowing class as part of my mom's birthday gift! We received the invitations for Mike's graduation - that was a pretty big deal :) Mike graduated from his law enforcement training that lasted 24 weeks! What a relief that was since we had basically put our lives on hold during that time. I als...

What a wonderful Christmas! Mike, Grayson and I were fortunate to be part of two Christmas celebrations - one with Mike's family and the other with mine. Mike's family celebration took place in mid-December when his brother and sister-in-law were visiting from out west.  Mike's mom made us a big lunch on our S-Christmas day, and Grayson's great-grandma came for a visit! She had a cold, and she wasn't able to hold him :( Maybe next visit!  We exchanged gifts, and Grayson cleaned up! Books and toys from Grandpa Dave, Grandma Beth, Uncle Rich, Aunt Natty, Uncle Doug and Aunt Kristi! Our little guy is blessed with some very fun, thoughtful, caring grandparents, aunts and uncles! :) My side-of-the-family Christmas was held on Christmas Day. We got up early - as early as two weary-sleep-deprived parents can - and traveled to my parents' condo for our Christmas celebration. Let me just say that Christmas was so very different this year - but just as wonder...

It's been a big first month for Grayson. Of course, there was that whole being born thing.  That was a really big deal.  (For him - and or me!!) I'd venture a guess that he has had a month filled with more activity than a lot of newborns.  For instance... - Had a trip to the hospital for blood work via heel sticks nearly every day that first week he was home. - Spent several days on light therapy for jaundice through a biliblanket. Which he actually seemed to enjoy though it was heart-breaking for Mike and me! - Attended Mike's work party at just 6 days old and he was oohed and ahhed over by everyone! - Had his first photo shoot where unlike most newborns he was wide awake and alert for nearly every picture. - Watched (okay...slept through) his first Christmas parade from the comfort of Grandpa Rob's office. - Attended his first fashion show. (Also at Grandpa Rob's office.) - Went on several trips to Marion and Findlay - even sleep...

Even though I have only been a mother for all of three weeks, the news of the school shooting in Connecticut shook me to the core in a way different than what I have ever experienced before. I was getting pedicures with my sister-in-law when I checked my phone and saw the breaking news on my Facebook newsfeed. The salon owners turned their TV to the coverage, and we - nail techs and patrons - sat there in shock as the story unfolded. The news made me anxious to get home to hold Grayson, give him a kiss and tell him that I love him. No matter he is still five years away from attending school. I don't really have anything profound to say other than, my heart is breaking for those parents and families. I'm comforted by the thought of those little ones being welcomed into heaven.

Introducing... Grayson Michael Born 11/25/12 at 3:02 am Grayson entered the world via emergency c-section. Mike got to step into the role of Daddy immediately and went with the baby while I was in the recovery room. They got to spend some time bonding in the nursery. Grayson is such a joy! He and his daddy hit it off immediately. There is nothing more attractive than watching your husband turn into a daddy. Be still my heart. We were in the hospital for SO many days...I could not wait to get home. I missed my bed. Which funny enough, I haven't gotten to sleep in since that first night home. Taking the steps more than once a day is just too difficult right now. So for now, we have been crashing on the couch. Unfortunately Gray had problems with jaundice, and he had light therapy with a bili blanket. Mike told people his son was rocking a low profile LED light bar - just like a police cruiser ;)  I love his little frowny face :) ...