Graham the Bruiser

All of my children have distinct personalities, Graham is definitely the bruiser.  Last night he got his stitches out after taking a tumble in the car and he currently is missing a front tooth due to a fall into the fireplace.  At the park you can find him scaling the rock wall, riding a scooter or chasing 6 year olds. He has no fear, the agility to back it up and an older brother and sister who love to play with him.  He is 20 months going on three.  I fear this was not our last ER visit with this wild little man.

Graham's First Down 2016

Is there anything cuter than a little Wolverine fan or better than fall in Ann Arbor?  Not in our household.  Graham's first year came to an end with friends and football.  Hard to beat that combination.  Thanks to the Suberlak's, Thorntons and Schaal's for celebrating what I am sure to be the first of many tailgates.

The Captain!

We have taken to calling Graham "the captain".  Fisher and Gracie started referring to him as the captain during a game they play almost every day where  they surround his bouncer with chairs, pillows and blankets creating a make believe spaceship of which Graham is "the captain".  It has now crossed over from game to everyday life.  I think it is a fitting nickname for this guy that has his whole family falling over his every move.  We are happy to follow this captain wherever he goes. 

The Week You Were Born: Graham

I think I was a bit traumatized from Graham's birth, as the doctor said post delivery (once she actually showed up)- I think you might be in shock.  Needless to say it was fast, painful and doctor free.  I did make it to the hospital, so there is that.  A week late, he was really ready to join the party, but was smart enough to come before he had to share a birthday with his mother.

Not a bad forecast for the end of September

I loved having the kids visit me in the hospital.  They were so excited about their new little brother.

Graham was born at about 2:30am, the clock in the background says 4:21- so he must have been about 2 hours old

We all needed lots of coffee.  Note when Gracie was born the kids had matching monogrammed outfits for the hospital.  Now they show up with gangster style jeans- one leg up one leg down and bedhead

Fisher's first hold

Gracie's first hold of many

First (terrible) family photo

Its my 33rd birthday! We were released from the hospital after 24hrs, this was also my birthday.

In a bittersweet coincidence, my friends Katherine and Laura from Chicago and Detroit were in town for a funeral.  Loved getting to spend my birthday with them and Graham. 

Beautiful sunset on Graham's first day home

Party of 5

Aunt Julianne and cousin Levi come to visit

Florida 2016

My children are young and not in mandatory school.  I don't have a job.  I try to take advantage of this unique situation whenever I can.  I know it's quickly coming to an end. Sometimes this means last minute trips to Florida to visit my parents because airfare is cheap.

Graham braved his first plane ride chaperoned by Gracie.

He was a dream baby on both flights.  I should really take this opportunity to point out he is a dream baby in general.  By far my easiest, most mellow kid.  And not just because I have let all standards go out the window.  Because well that too. 

In the above photo he almost fell under the seat. Can't you just see the fear in his eyes?  I have many photos where I feel he is pleading at me saying- "please, please don't leave me with her again". Two year olds named Gracie aren't the best babysitters.  

Speaking of, she is still a terrible traveler.  Let's not even talk about that situation. It's too brutal and will remind me never to leave my house again.  

We hit the weather perfectly and enjoyed lots of time at the beach.  Gracie wanted to stay there all day and Graham didn't care one way or another.  The boy is chill.

Wewe, Gracie and Papa enjoy an evening beach stroll.  Photo taken from the balcony of their condo.

Playing at the beach is hard work.  See no crib, laying on his side.  Standards gone.

Graham experiences the ocean for the first time.  Not sure he noticed.

Dad wearing an orange hat and checking out the waves

Thank goodness Papa puts on sunscreen

I tried to get a photo of Graham alone.  Not happening

In and out of the waves

Just so you don't think Graham is too chill, here he is modeling his smiles.

We also had the opportunity to visit great grandma Barbara and great aunt Kathy in Boynton Beach.  We sang songs and checked out their new condo.  I love that we have the chance to spend time with them too when we visit my parents.  Gracie in particular loved singing her musical canon (twinkle little star, you are my sunshine, we wish you a merry Christmas, jingle bells, wheels on the bus) with better back up singers than her mother. 

this dress, a gift from my aunt Martha was a big hit.  She wanted to wear it everyday.  Maybe because all her other dresses had Peter Pan collars

Mostly when I think of this trip, I will think of Gracie.  Loving the beach and yelling. At all of us.

I must have done something terrible, like asking her if she wants a snack

We flew home and spent the night in a hotel at DTW airport waiting to pick up Fisher the next morning.  It had been a long, trying travel day.  I went to the bathroom leaving Graham with his most feared babysitter.  While brushing my teeth I heard an unfamiliar sound- Graham laughing!  Like laughing a lot. For  the first time.  Maybe Gracie isn't feared but actually the favorite?!  It's hard to decipher baby smirks and two year old motivation.

Fisher traveled to the same beach and condo complex when he was exactly the same age.  You can find my post about that trip here.  Notice all the posed, non cell phone camera pictures.  Sorry Graham I will do better!  I had fun comparing the two trips, and hope you will too.