Grayson has been learning more and more words every day. It is so fun to watch him take everything in and just grow so fast.
He says lots of words like:
treat
no
yes
bye bye
hi
go
quack
cracker
cat
octopus
hat
duck
car
moon
Elmo
Mom
Dad
Boop {my sister's nickname}
nana {banana and Nana}
Kyky {Kyla}
Pa {Grandpa}
apple
cheese
all done
play
one
two
three
five
six
eight
nine {we're working on counting}
I'm sure I'm forgetting a few, but that's most of them. Recently he started saying yes or yeah when we ask him questions. It's pretty cute. :) Here is a video of him singing and then saying yes.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Grayon's Surgery
My sweet little boy had to have surgery on Friday. His tear ducts were not fully open. When he was 9 months old I noticed one of his eyes got a little goopey most days. Also they both watered a lot. So at his next doctor's appointment I asked his doctor about it. She wasn't quite sure what the cause of it was since he hadn't had it since birth. Apparently it's pretty common in babies. But almost all of them have the symptoms right away. Not months and months after being born. We went to see an ophthalmologist and she said it was in fact the same thing, not fully open tear ducts. She recommended he have the surgery to open them up.
It was a very simple procedure, nothing to really worry about. Unless you're a mom. And you don't want anything to hurt your baby ever!
They checked his vitals before and after with this little thing wrapped around his big toe. Grayson was NOT a fan of that! He kept trying to take it off.
I was SO very grateful Josh was able to come. He went to school first and had to ask if he could take a few hours to come. Thankfully they let him.
We had to wait a long time before Gray actually went to have the surgery. We got to the hospital at 7:45 and he didn't get taken back for the surgery until 10:30. There was some stuff going on in between, but mostly waiting.
After he was bored with the tv, we watch Blue's Clues on the iPad. So glad I thought to bring that! It was a lifesaver during all the waiting. And the hospital had free wi-fi.
The moment finally came where the doctor came to get my baby and take him to the operating room. Oh, it just broke my heart! Handing my baby over and watching him leave... *sniff* After about 45 minutes it was done and he was awake again. The anesthesia made him very fussy.
I'm so grateful everything went smoothly and for the great care by the nurses and doctors. Boy do I love this little guy!
It was a very simple procedure, nothing to really worry about. Unless you're a mom. And you don't want anything to hurt your baby ever!
waiting and waiting
They checked his vitals before and after with this little thing wrapped around his big toe. Grayson was NOT a fan of that! He kept trying to take it off.
I was SO very grateful Josh was able to come. He went to school first and had to ask if he could take a few hours to come. Thankfully they let him.
watching tv in a waiting room
We had to wait a long time before Gray actually went to have the surgery. We got to the hospital at 7:45 and he didn't get taken back for the surgery until 10:30. There was some stuff going on in between, but mostly waiting.
After he was bored with the tv, we watch Blue's Clues on the iPad. So glad I thought to bring that! It was a lifesaver during all the waiting. And the hospital had free wi-fi.
The moment finally came where the doctor came to get my baby and take him to the operating room. Oh, it just broke my heart! Handing my baby over and watching him leave... *sniff* After about 45 minutes it was done and he was awake again. The anesthesia made him very fussy.
good thing he had paci and blanky!
"I just want to leave this place Daddy."
We went home and he had a nice long nap. After that, he was good as new. Playing outside in his pajamas and everything!
I'm so grateful everything went smoothly and for the great care by the nurses and doctors. Boy do I love this little guy!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Delicious Chocolate Cake {from scratch}
Over Christmas break I got the urge to bake something yummy. That happens every once in awhile. :) I had to make something my mom had all the ingredients for cause someone else was out with the car. And this is what I made!
This cake was heavenly. So moist. So delicious. So perfectly chocoately.
My family ate it all in no time flat. It was that good.
I had to restrain myself from eating it all on my own!
I found the recipe from this blog. Who got it from Hershey.
Here is the recipe.
This cake was heavenly. So moist. So delicious. So perfectly chocoately.
My family ate it all in no time flat. It was that good.
I had to restrain myself from eating it all on my own!
I found the recipe from this blog. Who got it from Hershey.
Here is the recipe.
hershey's "perfectly chocolate"
chocolate cake
chocolate cake
ingredients:
2 c sugar
1 3/4 c flour
3/4 c hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c. boiling water
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 in. baking pans. 2. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat on med speed 2 min. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into pans. 3. Bake 30-35 min or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min/ remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "perfectly chocolate" chocolate frosting.
10-12 servings.
"perfectly chocolate" chocolate frosting
ingredients:
1 stick butter
2/3 c hershey's cocoa
3 c powdered sugar
1/3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
directions:
1. Melt butter, stir in cocoa. 2. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on med. speed to spreading consistency. Add more milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.
Use every last bit of frosting on the cake, trust me. And serve yourself up a big slice. Try to eat just one piece, I dare you!
2 c sugar
1 3/4 c flour
3/4 c hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c. boiling water
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 in. baking pans. 2. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat on med speed 2 min. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into pans. 3. Bake 30-35 min or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min/ remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "perfectly chocolate" chocolate frosting.
10-12 servings.
"perfectly chocolate" chocolate frosting
ingredients:
1 stick butter
2/3 c hershey's cocoa
3 c powdered sugar
1/3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
directions:
1. Melt butter, stir in cocoa. 2. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on med. speed to spreading consistency. Add more milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.
Use every last bit of frosting on the cake, trust me. And serve yourself up a big slice. Try to eat just one piece, I dare you!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Christmas Break {in Florida}
Here come a whole bunch of pictures from our Christmas in Florida. ;)
We had a blast and Josh and I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in. My parents took care of Gray in the mornings.
Biggest. Blessing. Ever.
It was warm enough to go swimming. Oh yeah!
Look at the gorgeous water behind us. We {heart} Rainbow Springs.
He was laughing during this, I promise.
Gray was one spoiled little boy! He is the only grandchild on my side, so all the attention was on him. And he loved it.
Christmas Eve- Grayson quickly figured out the whole un-wrapping presents thing. He was basically a pro.
Aunt Holly and Uncle Bryan got him this sweet car that has tools to "fix" it when it breaks down.
Waiting patiently for Grandpa to put the batteries in his car.
Auntie Angelyn and her poor razor cut leg.
We're so excited for Christmas morning!
Playing with his jungle from Nana and Grandpa.
Going to church Christmas morning.
So many girls! 3 sisters + 2 friends= one lucky lil' boy
Gussy!
It's now a tradition for my mom to take her grandchildren {ie Grayson} to Dockside Ice Cream when they come visit.
We all like this tradition too. :)
"Touchdown!"
Family is the best.
We had a blast and Josh and I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in. My parents took care of Gray in the mornings.
Biggest. Blessing. Ever.
It was warm enough to go swimming. Oh yeah!
Look at the gorgeous water behind us. We {heart} Rainbow Springs.
He was laughing during this, I promise.
Gray was one spoiled little boy! He is the only grandchild on my side, so all the attention was on him. And he loved it.
Christmas Eve- Grayson quickly figured out the whole un-wrapping presents thing. He was basically a pro.
Aunt Holly and Uncle Bryan got him this sweet car that has tools to "fix" it when it breaks down.
Waiting patiently for Grandpa to put the batteries in his car.
Auntie Angelyn and her poor razor cut leg.
We're so excited for Christmas morning!
Playing with his jungle from Nana and Grandpa.
Going to church Christmas morning.
So many girls! 3 sisters + 2 friends= one lucky lil' boy
Gussy!
It's now a tradition for my mom to take her grandchildren {ie Grayson} to Dockside Ice Cream when they come visit.
We all like this tradition too. :)
"Touchdown!"
Family is the best.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Top 10 Posts of 2011
Ok, I'm a little behind everyone else, but I didn't want to miss out on all the Top 10 fun that's going around blogland! Plus, I just learned how to figure out all my stats. {how slow am I?!} So with my newfound knowledge here are my most viewed posts of 2011 counting down from #10!
10. Laundy Room Organization
This one still gets lots of hits, even now! I was kinda surprised. Then I found out it was pinned a bunch of times on Pinterest! Wow, that makes me smile! :)
9. My Very FIRST WIWW Post
8. Grayson's Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party Decor
It was such a fun party and I'm so happy you guys liked it as much as I did!
7. Another Organizing Post
I showed you all about 5 different areas I organized around my house. My pantry was my favorite though! It still looks pretty much the same even now. More stuff in there, but still organized. I should probably go through it all again to get rid of some stuff. :)
6. Dishes and Luggage
I showed you 2 little sewing projects in this post. Both simple and both super useful! I still LOVE my dish mat and use it tons. And we use those luggage handle covers every time we fly- super handy.
5. Coffee Table Makeover
My very first furniture makeover project. It was a ton of work! But I'm glad I did it.
4. Beach Countdown Frame
Another really easy project, a countdown frame! We've also used it to countdown to birthdays and Christmas too!
3. 4 Days, 3 Makeovers
Ahhh, my stripey end table. My favorite makeover to date. I also did a headboard and chest in this post too.
2. Yarn Candy Corn Tutorial
Simple, easy, cute, no wonder you guys loved the yarn candy corn! I do too.
And my MOST VIEWED post of 2011 was...
1. The Yellow End Tables!
I guess you guys love the furniture posts! I do too. It's been awhile since I've done one and I'm getting the itch to paint something!
Thank you to all of you who read my blog! Thanks for your comments, support, advice, and encouragement. It makes me so happy to know you're here! :) Happy New Year!
I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!
10. Laundy Room Organization
9. My Very FIRST WIWW Post
Thanks for all the sweet comments, advice, and encouragement! You guys made me feel so good.
8. Grayson's Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party Decor
7. Another Organizing Post
6. Dishes and Luggage
5. Coffee Table Makeover
4. Beach Countdown Frame
3. 4 Days, 3 Makeovers
2. Yarn Candy Corn Tutorial
And my MOST VIEWED post of 2011 was...
1. The Yellow End Tables!
Thank you to all of you who read my blog! Thanks for your comments, support, advice, and encouragement. It makes me so happy to know you're here! :) Happy New Year!
I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!