Love This Face!

Grey and I frequently practice making faces at each other. This typically ends up with us both cracking up at each other. I cherish these moments and this little face.

This is apparantly exactly how monkeys eat bananas

Classic happy
Silly rabbit face

Tiger Face

Sad face

I'm pretty sure this is another version of a sad face

Monkey face

Just Grey

No Name, No More!

This picture (courtesy of Tina Daniels) has been the motto of my belly the past 3 weeks since we have known we are having a boy. When Grey was in the womb, there was really no reason for us to decide on a name until the very end. (which we did seeing as we decided the night before he was born and I was a little over a week overdue!) In my mind, if we were going to find out what this baby was, then we were going to name him. You might as well go full fledged.

Matthew, on the other hand, has commitment issues. Now, I will admit we have been thinking seriously about quite a few names in the past few weeks. We began with more classic names with some really great meanings. We would think on one for a few days and then change our minds so I don't blame him for having a hard time. I, on the otherhand, do not have commitment issues.

I have never been one of those people who has always imagined my children's names so we were really starting from scratch again. We all know it's a lot of pressure to name your child. Greyden doesn't really mean anything but we loved it. It all came down to what we really liked again this time. We just imagined another version of Grey and the name just makes sense to us.

Tucker Ellis Cavin will be the newest member of our family come June. We cannot wait to meet him!

The Big Move

I can't believe the time is already here that such a little boy would sleep in such a big bed! Since baby boy Cavin will be here before we know it and we need the crib for him, it was time. We decided since we had a weekend at home, to make the big switch for Grey Bear. I really had no idea what to expect as to how he would react. He hasn't ever tried to climb out of his crib which I am thankful for but regardless we were going to have to move him sooner or later. We have been talking to him about this for a few weeks but really, he had no idea what was in store for him.

My whole plan was to have his room repainted and all the art projects that I have been planning up on the walls along with his newly refinished dresser and bookshelf. Well, that didn't all happen but we did get the bed together and I had sheets and quilt for him.

He started off the evening getting aquainted with the bed. He was really excited about it and we put all of his favorite animals up on the bed with him. We showed him how to lay down and cover up and even use a big boy pillow! I'm pretty sure he thought it was all a "night night" game. Matthew usually puts him to bed but we decided that we would both stay in for a few minutes. I ended up reading lots of books and when I turned out the light, Grey got a little anxious. I layed down with him and covered him up. I scratched his back and sang to him for probably 15 minutes. I enjoyed this time more than I can possibly express. We tucked Snuggie in about 10 times and put him "night night" and I gave them both a kiss and left the room.

About 10 seconds later I heard pounding on his door followed by lots of "MOMMY!" We gave him a little time and then it was Matthew's turn. He layed down with him for about 20-30 minutes rubbing his back. Matthew said Grey would reach out every now and then to make sure he was still there. He eventually fell asleep at about 8:15 and slept until 6 this morning! We were honestly impressed. We expected to be up a few times in the night but our little Grey slept until he coughed himself awake. I'll take 6 if he sleeps through the night. Next comes naptime but we are ready to take it on. We may be napless for a few days but he's gotta learn. Besides, cribs are for babies. (at least that's what we tell him)

So excited that the picture is blurry!

Not quite...
He's got it!

I wish I could've gotten a picture of the way he actually slept during the night. Maybe another time.

The Ground was White

Grey woke up as usual around 7:30 Tuesday morning, talking to all 100 of his stuffed animals in his crib. Little did he know that when he looked out the window, he would see SNOW! I went into his room and had decided I was going to make a really big deal about the snow so he would be excited. We do look out the window every morning to see what the weather is that day so I'm sure he was expecting it. He was pretty mesmerized by seeing lots of "white!" (that's what he said when he saw the snow. At least he knew what color it was) We barely made it through a waffle for breakfast as he was excitedly saying, "Snow! Out!" We couldn't stay out too long because it was extremely cold. It was fun while it lasted. It snowed pretty hard until around 12. I think we had around 3-4 inches and it was beautiful. I enjoyed just watching it out of the windows the rest of the morning.

Grey doing a little snow dance I suppose

Digging in

Throwing snow. We couldn't make snowballs or a snowman because it was too fluffy.

Our Weekend

I thought I would document our nice, relaxing weekend. Matthew went to the mountains for the weekend with some friends from college. He met up with them in Greenville and they drove up Friday night. Grey and I stayed in Simpsonville with Marmie and Poppie. It really was relaxing with lots of time to play and see friends.

Grey making pancakes with Marmie

Abby and Cady came by for a visit. I don't really think any girl likes and aggressive boy. Anytime Grey wants to give kisses, this is what happens...

I sure hope this habit develops later in life! (I truly enjoy that the tongue sticks out during intense moments of concentration)

Ashley and Grant came over and played this morning. It was more than wonderful to spend some time with them! Hopefully one day they will be great friends like their mommies and daddies

Cheese!

Grey and Marmie were playing Follow the Leader

and this was my husband after a fun weekend with the men...apparantly being a man really wears you out

Abby, Matt, and Cady came back for a visit! I wasn't complaining about holding that sweet girl twice in one weekend!

Grey helping Marmie make Chicken Fried Rice. During the cooking process, Grey actually ate about 10 peas!!!!!!!!! that's right, he swallowed 10 green veggies! i don't care even if we did have to call them "little green balls"

Glimpses of a Great Big Brother

We got the big news today. Matthew claims he is trying to build his own football team since we are having another boy :) We were talking last night before the ultrasound about any real strong feelings on this sweet baby being a boy or girl. Honestly, neither one of us thought one way more than the other. I think initially we both wanted to have a girl simply because we already have a boy. In the last couple of months I have been reminded that the Lord created this child, boy or girl, for a very specific reason. He has chosen Matthew and I to raise this specific child and he/she is ultimately God's and not ours. So if the Lord had chosen for us to raise two sons first, we would delight in it more than anything else! Upon hearing the excited exclamations of "It's a boy!" by our MD and the technician, my heart leaped inside of me and tears sprung to my eyes. I do know what a precious gift a son is and I would be more than thrilled to raise two!

It is very strange knowing what this baby is. I guess that's due to the fact we did not know what Grey was going to be until he was born. Now comes the hardest part of all, picking a name. I could choose 100 girl names but I have a more difficult time with boy names. Matthew doesn't help too much either offering up names such as Gustav. I trust that his name will be just right as well when the time is right. Baby boy Cavin weighed in at 12 oz. today and everything looked great! Everything was measuring the way it was supposed to and he was kicking my bladder as we watched him. (and I almost wet my pants 3 times this morning because of it) I can't wait to meet this new little creation that's being fashioned as we speak!

Grey is not quite getting the "there's a baby in mommy's tummy" thing. He went with us this morning and did not like when I layed on the table for the US. I'm pretty sure he thought they were going to hurt me. He did enjoy watching his baby brother for about 5 seconds. We told him he was going to have a little brother that he would be able to teach and love. His response was "yay!"

I have been capturing moments lately that prove to me Grey will really be a great big brother. He helps me do lots of things and follows directions so well. Beyond that, he has started imaginative play. This is one of his major forms of play these days. I have been looking forward to this time and I enjoy watching him so much. He doesn't have baby dolls or a real baby yet but he does have Snuggie and Puppy. Here he is taking care of and feeding them this afternoon.

With his cape on ready to go

Anytime Grey "cooks" he goes under the table. Here he "cooking" yogurt
He put Snuggie in his booster

(notice now his sitting on Snuggie) Cooking for Puppy

Feeding Puppy

Do a Little Dance

Matthew and I have really had a chance to enjoy Grey together lately. Matthew has also been intentional about having Grey and Daddy dates but I'm not there to take pictures of that :) It's amazing how much he is learning these days. I wanted to share this picture of Grey and Matthew dancing together this afternoon. I hate that it is so blurry but it's the best I have. Notice how extremely happy Matthew is to be dancing. (and he says he hates to dance...you should see him at home) He has taught Grey most of his dance moves but I've inserted a few here and there just to keep a balance. I think they may work on this when I'm not around seeing as how good they are upon requesting them to dance.

Just a picture of a Handy Manny Fan. Grey loves tools so much! He got the Handy Manny toolbox and toolbelt for Christmas and it's definitely a favorite of his! He knows all the tools and their purpose.

The Big Red Chair

It's about 8:45 and Grey and I have already had a fun filled morning. Grey got a big/little red armchair for Christmas and LOVES it! He likes to put Snuggie and Puppy (his two stuffed playmates) in the chair when he vacates it to keep it safe. This morning he decided that he wanted to have a photo shoot in his chair. He sat down and started saying "cheese!" I asked if he wanted me to take his picture and he said "yesh!" very enthusiastically. I promise I did not encourage any of these...they were all his own creations. Here are some of the poses he chose.

With Snuggie and Puppy

Checking out my Anthropologie Catalog

Cool Dude

Little People

Little People again

A Celebration!

Matthew had his 28th birthday December 29. We didn't actually get to celebrate with friends and family until this weekend. Grey was thrilled when he woke up from his nap on Friday to find GiGi in his room! Barry and Cheryl came up on Friday and we did a little shopping and went to Peppers (yum!) for dinner. Matthew just happened upon a new arrival of MarioKart at Wal-Mart earlier in the day so we all took turns playing. Barry and Cheryl were the most entertaining.

Saturday morning my parents and my Gram came up. Johnny and Trish came over for lunch and then we all played Qwirkle. Thankfully Matthew got Qwirkle for his birthday so we will be able to play anytime we want. I think we are addicted to it. I made my mom's chicken enchilladas and taco dip for lunch. This is one of Matthew's all time favorite meals. I also attempted to make my mom's extremely delicious chocolate cake. I don't really prefer baking and I was a little nervous about it because I know how it is supposed to taste. Everyone pretending like they liked it but I personally thought it was gross. Regardless of the cake, we had a great day and Matthew seemed to really enjoy himself which was really all that mattered.

There are really 28 candles on there.
sharing dip with Gram

MarioKart fun!

just a cute picture of Grey in his outfit Marmie made for him