Goodness Gracious, Grant is 2 months old!

Before Grant turns 3 months old next week, I thought it would be a good idea to recap his milestones from the last month. Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, Grant is growing like a string bean--long and lean. After losing a full pound at birth, he slowly started to gain back weight. At his two month check up his was 9 lbs. 14 oz. and 24.5 inches long. So, he is putting all of his growth into height at this point. Dr. Joyce is unconcerned this time around as she has seen how much the boys take off in the weight department once they reach a few months old. Grant is doing a great job eating, so we can tell he is getting enough food at this point!

Grant continues to be a very happy and mellow baby. Easy to settle still, and loves being held like a little cuddle-bug. He has fallen into a predictable schedule--waking around 6:30-7 for the day, then napping every 2 hours or so during the day. During his awake time, his favorite things to do are reclining on my knees "chatting" away, or sitting in his chair watching the happenings of his brothers or me cooking. He tolerates his playmat and tummy time pillows for a few minutes at a time, but would much rather be held or on the same level so he can see what's going on around him. After a busy day, Grant loves his bedtime routine of books, bathtime and sleep. He is in bed around 6:30, and wakes once between 2:30-4:30 before dozing back off for his final sleep stretch of the night. It's amazing that Halsey and I have so much of our evenings back already! Grant is still sleeping in our room, though we are spending more time playing and nursing in his room lately, so that he will hopefully sleep soundly in his own crib next week.

Loves spending time with his big brothers!

My favorite milestone has been Grant's cooing. He is a big chatterbox, and in the last two weeks has started blowing raspberries. He loves to experiment with using his tongue, and his new discovery makes him smile endlessly! It seems like real laughter may be around the corner--as well as rolling over! We'll see what next month brings.

 

Fall Fun

We kicked off the fall (or September at least) with a trip to Yardley to visit the Littles. As always, the cousins had a great time together--scootering around the neighborhood, visiting a sculpture garden and the farm, swimming, reading and eating together. Baby Grant got to meet his cousins (and aunt and uncle) for the first time, and bonded immediately! We braved a night time drive down, and arrived at 11:30 pm with all of us staying in one hotel room. Miraculously, all of the boys slept, we made record time, and everyone slept soundly. It might tempt us to try it again on our next road trip.

Mr. Cool on the road trip. (self-placed sunglasses)

Next up for fall fun was a trip to Drumlin Farm, complete with a hayride, and visits to the sheep, pigs, chickens, cows and Midnight the pony. We also got to see a black and red fox scampering about waiting for their lunch. It is such a fun little local farm, and the boys never tire of it!

Our annual trip to Honey Pot Hill with the Bourques was the next weekend, and we celebrated Uncle Zach's birthday with some apply picking fun. Sadly, there are only a couple of pictures from the outing, as we were outnumbered by kids this year, and needed all of our hands for wrangling. Hard to believe Megan, Zach, Halsey and I have been heading to the orchards for more than 7 years now--before we were all married! It's a great tradition.

Apple Picking is Exhausting! All 3 boys crashed on the way home.

The rest of our month was filled with swimming classes, birthday parties, and some fun family time. We've got more fall harvest fun on the agenda before the season is over for the year.

First Day of School

September is off to a busy start, and we are right back into our fall routines. Both Pierce and Teddy started school at LEAP this fall, Pierce returning to the Upper School and Teddy in the Lower School. As you can see from the pictures, they were both super excited to head to their new classes.

Grant is home with me until he starts daycare at Fessenden in November when I return to work. Keeping my fingers crossed he is just as excited for his first day of "school" then!

Six weeks, Smiles, Storyland and Silliness

A lot has happened in our house during the last two weeks! Grant continues to be a mellow fellow, sleeping, eating and cooperating. He's given us a few nights of sleeping 8-4 and 8-2:30, so I am still getting up 1-2 times a night, but he settles right back down, and is a dream baby. At about 5 weeks he started smiling, and is starting to make some cute gurggling noises this week. It is so fun to have him find his voice, and his big brothers love that they can interact with Grant now. Tummy time, play mat time and couch cuddles are commonplace. They work hard to get his attention and earn his smiles! Here's a little video and photo evidence of him smiling, and some playtime at home:

Getting so big!

Enjoying some cuddle time

We made our first trip to Storyland--a theme park for little kids--last weekend, and the boys were terrific on the travels, in the hotel, and with their buddies the McArdles. We got the chance to meet Cinderella, Peter Pan, Mother Goose and Curious George, go on some rides and have some quality family time! I think it will be the first trip of many.  We also re-visited Clark's trading post for the trained bear show and train ride. It was an exhausting but fun weekend!

 

We have a FOUR year old?!

How is Pierce 4 years old?! It seems like just yesterday we brought home our first bundle from the hospital. He has grown into such a fun little boy, and is a wonderful big brother! We lucked out in the first child department and feel lucky to have him as a part of our family.

In keeping with the tradition we started last year, we interviewed Pierce with 20 quick questions. Some of his answers haven't changed (anything involving Fafe), but some show that his interests have evolved quite a bit, and his imagination has blossomed. Here are the questions and answers:

1.  What is your favorite color?  Purple

2.  What is your favorite toy?  Fafe (Stuffed elephant)

3.  What is your favorite fruit?  Watermelon and cantaloupe and strawberries. I love all of them--all the ones!

4.  What is your favorite TV show?  Cars the movie

5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  PB and J

6.  What is your favorite outfit?  short sleeves and striped shorts

7.  What is your favorite game?  Playing with my toys at quiet time

8.  What is your favorite snack?  All of them

9.  What is your favorite animal?  Horseys and Elephants

10. What is your favorite song?  Under the Sea

11.  What is your favorite book?  Spot

12.  Who is your best friend?  Erin

13.  What is your favorite cereal?  Panda Puffs

14.  What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Playing at the playground and playing "genie" with Shreyan

15.  What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate Milk

16.  What is your favorite holiday?  Sunday, when Daddy stays home! And all the days when he stays home.

17.  What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Fafe (stuffed elephant)

18.  What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Cereal

19.  What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Mac n’ Cheese

20.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  A choo-choo train driver, a juggler in the circus

We had a surprise visitor for Pierce's and my birthday this year--Nana! Thanks to her and Pops, we had a house full of celebrators, and had a wonderful home birthday party and kiddo party. We had a Little Mermaid theme for the family party, and Pierce chose hot dogs and Mac n' cheese for his sophisticated bday dinner. Pirates were on tap for the kid party, and we had a blast celebrating with all of his friends and family at the playground down the hill! Here's to another year of fun, love and singing!

Nana and Teddy at end of camp picnic

Enjoying birthday ice cream

Everyone enjoying Little Mermaid cake

First Three Weeks at Home

Grant is seamlessly adjusting to life in the busy Morris household, and we are loving our newest addition. After 2 weeks of being VERY sleepy (great for mom, not great for his weight gain), he finally found his voice at 3 weeks, and has fallen into a more predictable pattern of eating every 2 hours during the day and waking 2-3 times a night for feedings. Can't complain! So far he has been easy to settle down, usually just picking him up stops the crying. Luckily we haven't had to bring out the bouncy ball yet to lull him to sleep. He's happy with a shoulder, or a swaddle, and his vibrating chair works well too.

Pensive boy

Wearing some party clothes!

Pierce and Teddy love kissing and patting Grant and telling him how much they love him. Pierce sings him sweet, original songs about loving Grant just the way he is and that he'll love him forever. It melts the heart! Teddy, too, has really taken to being a big brother and enjoys bringing diapers to help and kissing Grant. He also loves keeping tabs on when Grant's eyes are open or closed.  All three boys "play" together doing tummy time and time on our playmat when Grant is up and alert. Usually that's been first thing in the morning before heading out to camp. It's fun to have Grant awake and watching the boys interact--looking forward to more fun in the not so distant future!

Tummy time times two! Looks like Teddy and Pierce enjoy it more.

Snuggle time with 3 boys!

Happy lounger!