Griffin had his 18 month checkup yesterday. As usual, he is a happy and healthy little boy- everything is as it should be. I swear though, after the ER visit, and stitches he is really scared about going into a Dr's office. He was completely fine, and running around the waiting room when we first got there. As soon as we got into our room- the tears started, and he wouldn't let go of me. I felt horrible. It's so completely out of character for him to act that way- I just know that it's from the memory of the ER. After he finally warmed up to Dr Goldberg, the nurse came back in to give him a shot. Poor kid, can't win!



So he now weighs 25lbs.....in the 40th percentile

32 1/2" for height......in the 75th percentile

Today we took him for another haircut. This is after I made the horrible mistake of trying to cut it myself. I promise to never do it again! I didn't think that it would be a big deal to do a little trim, but I was so wrong. He hated it- Ryan had to hold him still while he cried, and squirmed, and freaked out. It was terrible, and it came out bad. I'm probably my own worst critic, but I couldn't stand looking at it, so I made an appt with my hairdresser. Of course, he was an angel and let her cut it with no problem at all. It looks so much better now.

Today is Ryan's birthday.......Happy Birthday Baby!!!!!!!!

It did a little bit of creative trading and was able to take the day off from work. I was really hoping for a nice day, full of sunshine- but it's yet another dark and dreary one out there. So I guess that we won't be having a little picnic at the lake. It's okay, since he is in the mood for bacon, cheeseburgers- we'll stay home and grill. I think that I'll suprise him with a peanut butter pie. YUM!!

I have Marissa coming over soon to help me get everything done. Since I'm working 6 days a week, I really don't want to spend my 1 day off running errands all day. Of course, Griffin is totally uncooperative so far- right now he is fooling around and playing in his crib- he should be napping. That will put me atleast an hour behind schedule, by the time we leave the house to go shopping. UGH!!!!

Yesterday was my friend Kellys birthday- Happy Birthday!! Hopefully, we can get together soon and celebrate.

It's been busy at work, and we all have been putting in overtime. This week I worked 6 hrs of it, but next week I have will have 12 hours of OT. It's really hard for me to feel like a good mother and work that much. I do my best to keep things as normal for him as possible- like having my niece babysit at my house, but I still miss him terribly.

Funny story-

Like doggie, like baby......... I was doing dishes earlier and when I turned around, Griffin was laying on the floor-face down in the dogs water dish- drinking from it!!! DISGUSTING!!!!! He thought it was rather funny, and was soaking wet licking his lips. Oh, the joys of a little boy.

Here are a few new pics...and then, big suprise- I'm off to get ready for work.





Sometimes he really has Ryans disposition!






Goofing around.











Watching tv on daddys laptop.









Ryan couldn't believe that I actually took this picture, but hey, it's what kids do!! I think it's funny.

This week is our vacation week. We're not going anywhere, but we are doing lots- of house stuff , that is!! On Sunday, we took a trip to Lowe's to buy a new storm door. We ended up getting the storm door and a new front door as well. After our shopping trip we went to our friends Bethany and Scotts house for dinner. We had a really nice time, but we kept Griffin up way too late, and payed the price for that the next day when all he did was fuss and cry.
While we were at Lowe's we picked out the stone for the walkway, and the flower beds. So on Monday, while Griff napped, I got the flower bed all cleaned out and ready. Ryan installed one of the new kitchen lights (looks sooo much better), and then spent the rest of the afternoon installing the new door. I don't think it went as smooth as he had planned- the frame is not as deep as the old, he didn't buy enough shims, and then at one point- the damn thing fell out!! Lucky for us, there was no damage. He still has to install the storm door, and frame in were the gap is from it not being as deep.
Today, was another trip to Lowe's to buy some of the stone for the flower beds, mulch, crushed stones, and other goodies. We also took a little drive to Sears- and I got a new washer and dryer!! We were totally not planning on buying that right now. My machines are on the old side, but they are still running. On Sunday night, I glanced at the sales flyer and noticed that they were on sale for $1100 off the pair- how can you beat that?! So we talked ourselves into it- figuring that we were going to need them sooner rather than later, and why not scoop up the really good deal now? They are being delivered tomorrow.
Speaking of Sears, that was another really sucky shopping experience with my son. He screamed as soon as we put him in the shopping cart, and continued to cry the whole time that we were in there. Ryan wheeled him all around while I talked to the salesman, and at times I could hear him across the store! When we finally got home, he took a 2 1/2 hour nap. I don't even know why we attempt to even bring him into stores anymore.
Anyway, weather and Griffins mood permitting- we have a whole list of stuff to do this week still. Ryan has the other kitchen light to install, and he wants to get our pellet stove (the one we never got to use this past winter) installed. Plus, we started the stone work for the flower bed, so we have to finish that. I want to paint the trim for the livingroom so that it can finally be put up, and I would love to do some decluttering!!
Wish us luck.................................

Today is our 5th anniversary!
It really doesn't seem like 5 years have gone by already. The past five years have brought a lot of changes- from buying our 1st house, to struggling with infertility, to bringing our beautiful son into this world. I feel blessed everyday. Sure there are days that we annoy the crap out of each other ;) but we truly love and respect each other, and we always find a way to make things work. I honestly believe that Ryan makes it possible for me to be a better mother because he is such a good father to Griff. I don't know what I would ever do without him.

We are celebrating this weekend- yup, all weekend. Tonight, I'm leaving work early and coming home. Tomorrow we are going out for dinner with our good friends Lynn and Mike- hopefully, the weather will be nice and we can relax out on the decks by the water. Sunday- to finish off the weekend, we are having a small BBQ. I can't wait!!

A couple of pics from Betty's Swine Flu Phobic 40th B-day!!








And here's my little boy w/his boo-boo................



All he wanted was for Ryan to hold him- he wanted nothing to do with mommy!!







looking like a prize fighter!

Another busy couple of weeks have flown by in our house. Most of it has been business as usual- with only a few bumps along the way.


Last weekend will make it into Griffins baby book (that is if he had one!). He got his first "real" boo-boo, and by "real", I mean- it involved stitches.


So last Saturday, I'm sitting in the hairdressers chair- about to get my much needed highlight and cut- when I get the call from Ryan. Griff had fallen, hit his mouth on the wooden rocker, blood all over, and they were going to the ER. I'm sure that I'll not be winning the "mother of the year"award after I admit this, but my first thought was "can't Ryan just deal with this, so that I can finally get my hair done". I know- shame on me, but I knew that any cuts on the mouth or anywhere on the head really bleed a lot, and that it probably looked worse than it was. Try telling that to a panicked father!


Being the horrible mother that I am- since I was only 2 minutes away from the hospital, and it was going to take Ryan 40 minutes to get there- I decided to use that time to get the haircut. Hey- I had a party to go to that night! Anyway, by the time that Ryan met me in the parking lot the bleeding had stopped and it wasn't as bad as Ryan had first thought- just as I had figured. We decided to bring him in anyway- we were there, and at worse they would think that we were overprotective parents.



He ended up needing 3 stitches to close his lip- and lucky for all of us his teeth hadn't quite gone through the inside so they didn't have to stitch that. I say lucky for all of because from the time that they put in the room- it was like a switch had been flipped and Griff realized that he was tired, sore, hungry, and I really think he knew what was in store for him- so he screamed, and cried, and screamed. It took 3 adults to hold him down so that the Dr could do the stitches. Who knew a 17 month old could be that strong? or spit that much?



After all of that, he is completely fine. The stitches only had to stay in for 5 days, and the removal, while it wasn't fun, was over quickly and he was smiling shortly afterward. It's still a little swollen, and I hope that it doesn't leave too much of a scar. I'm trying not to jump the gun but, I have this bad feeling that we're going to become frequent customers of the ER with that child. He's fearless, and thinks that everything is funny- a dangerous combo, if you ask me.