Graham's 1st friend

Graham has lots of little babies he plays with, but we think Eli is his first real friend. The just seem to play together so well. Plus, we're starting to share some nanny time with Eli and we think the boys are going to have a blast together. Here was day one of Eli at our house. Our babysitter Amanda took these pictures with her phone and sent them my way, telling us that the boys spent the afternoon chasing each other around the dining room table and playing outside. Too cute!

A break at the lake

We were given the fantastic opportunity last week to stay at a lakeside cabin with tons of private land ... complete bliss. For four nights we slept (or took turns sleeping), played by the lake, and enjoyed every minute of being together. Graham loved crawling and crawling with no street or cars in sight.



One of Graham's recent developments is that he began signing. He knows eat, water, more, and milk, and with that success we'll add more signs soon. He surprised us on this trip by pointing to the lake and doing the sign for water. We were so impressed that he could transfer the idea of water in his cup to water that made up the lake! (For baby signing devotees, note that the way he signs for water is by pointing to his mouth with one finger rather than making a W with three fingers. We get it. It works.) The photo album for the whole trip is here.

Quite a pair

Two sweet pictures I took last week of Graham and his Dada.

Happy Mama's Day

Last year on Mother's Day, Graham was 3 days old. That was gift enough. This year I felt like I really understood Mother's Day for the first time. It was a bonus that my mom and Jeff's mom were in town for Graham's birthday. We had an early-morning breakfast together before I had to take my mom to the airport. Then Jeff, Graham and I went for a gorgeous walk at a nearby park, enjoying all the beautiful spring blooms and green things! I can think of nothing better than being in nature with my two favorite guys!

Graham's 1st Birthday

Despite a 104 fever, a few folks said "fever schmever" and decided to come over anyway and celebrate Graham's 1st Birthday. Graham had so much fun that if I hadn't seen the thermometer myself I wouldn't have believed he had (and still does have) a temperature! Our small, wonderful crew of friends sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed cake, sangria and homemade graham cracker ice cream. (Yes, we have A LOT left over.)

Graham's last day as an 11-month old

I won't lie: I am completely and totally emotional today, thinking back on this time last year, almost (but not quite yet) in labor. Graham turns 1 tomorrow. How is it that I grew this little guy, birthed him, nursed him so he became a big chunk, and now have this amazing almost 1-year-old in my life? Thinking back to labor, it's crazy to think that I had no idea who we were about to meet, nurture, love, and get to know. It has been a wild, sleep depriving, joyful year and we are so, so happy to be the parents of this sweet little boy.

We're having a party for him (and us!!!) on Saturday and will post video and birthday pictures next week. Until then, here's a video of Graham and his play group friends from this morning. If we're not outside (which is the best possible place to play—Dirt! Sticks! Grass! Flowers to pull up!), then the stairs still rule as the number one source of entertainment.

Peas Please