Big Kid

Griffin is learning and growing up so fast. SO. FAST. I mean, I literally feel like we just brought a tiny little punkin home from the hospital yesterday and all of a sudden I have this monster kid. He's been picking up new words and phrases every single day, he knows songs (he sings along with Mumford and Sons!), and he's emotionally maturing too, recognizing when others (even mama! or Scarlett!) need a hug. He likes to clean up after himself and do things on his own. The do things on his own part has been a MAJOR theme lately and is how we came about some of his other "growth experiences" this weekend!

Yes, all of this curiosity and coordination and development led to our worst fear: he figured out how to climb out of his crib.

I knew he didn't WANT to take a nap, but he never WANTS to. We usually just throw him in there and after 20 minutes or so of whining around, he sleeps. Magic! So I was a bit skeptical when there was not a peep coming from his room after only a minute or so. Then later, when I heard banging around (like elves working on a tiny wooden project), I figured he was just entertaining himself quietly. A few minutes after that we heard a crash followed by lots of crying. NOT. GOOD. But by the time I got to his room, he was standing in the doorway grinning at me.

So this is why Griffin is now officially sleeping in his big boy bed!

Drew worked on converting the crib into his toddler bed and I worked on intensely baby proofing (because who knows what he'd get into at midnight if so inclined). Then, after a few minutes we realized it was quiet. TOO QUIET. Normally Griffin is right underneath us and here he was nowhere to be found! We called for him, no response. We started to panic a bit. I raced downstairs and found him content in front of the tv! That means he opened the baby gate and WALKED DOWN STAIRS ALONE! Baby proofing just got a bit more intense. Obviously we'll have to keep an eagle eye on him ALWAYS, but we also bought a new doorknob for his room so he cant let himself out at night. Where did my baby go?!?!

And, here is the smarty pants himself, waiting for the Broncos game. Man, I love him.

since I've been gone...

This is actually pretty old news, but we went camping a couple weeks ago! I grew up camping- we went twice a year (usually for a week at a time) since I was a baby, so it's something I know and love. Although we got all the gear we could ever need for our wedding gifts, our vacations have always been used for other things and our schedules have been such that Drew and I have never been able to take a camping trip together! Once Griffin was born, we decided that had to stop. No matter what, we wanted him to have those traditions and memories that I did, so we decided camping would be a priority, even if it was just a short trip!

So for our very first camping trip, we went to Golden Gate Canyon State Park- a BEAUTIFUL place only about 40 minutes from home. We figured the proximity and duration (one night) were perfect for our first outing!

Our campsite was GORGEOUS and backed into open space so we could go hiking right from our spot. We had views of the mountains, rock outcroppings, and the aspens just starting to turn. While we were warned about potential for bear and mountian lions, all we saw were Stellar's Jays and chipmunks! We did some exploring, made a few meals, roasted marshmallows for s'mores, and played some card games. The only rough part was getting Griffin to sleep in such a new place (he's not used to beds without sides!) but once he was asleep, all was well. We cant wait to go again next year!

My department moved into it's new "home" last week! It is literally a cute little house on the edge of campus. When you walk in, the waiting area was originally the living room and it is full of big windows, exposed wood beams, and a working fireplace! Because our bathrooms used to have showers, bathtubs and closets that have since been removed, they are HUGE. We had to go out and find some bathroom appropriate furniture to take up space! We have a little kitchen strictly for our staff of 5, and we each have little cozy offices. I am actually in love with my office- it was a bit tight at first, but I had my desk resized and now it's perfect! I have a view of our sports fields and the mountains behind them, I picked out a warm paint color, and I have a lot of art and pictures around that make it totally me. Parking is even better! We're all thrilled.

And, the most exciting news is that we got to see Sprout again on Tuesday! I'm officially 13 weeks, so while anything can happen, we're out of the first trimester "danger zone". She's growing right on track, has a perfect heart rate, and shows no signs of any chromosomal abnormalities. Looks like the nurse that told me "only a handful of babies make it after starting with progesterone levels that low" can add another to her handful! Oh, sorry- my kids kick ass. I should have told you that to begin with.

Our Perfect Sproutlet. I'm convinced she's a girl. I'll have lots of 'splaining to do for him one day if I'm wrong. :)

Griffin does impressions

This is his best Gary the Snail from Spongebob.

tears

I have been crying lately. A LOT. Like it's My JOB. In between feeling like I'm going to puke and actually puking, of course. This is SO NOT what my pregnancy was like with Griffin!

So here, in no particular order, are some of the random things that have made me cry lately:

1. The National Conventions. On both sides. (I may not be alone in that one)

2. Most songs. Seriously. Even my favorites are making me weep. This one in particular:

3. A dog food commercial. (no joke)

4. The story of my nephew, William's, awesome new 1st grade teacher.

5. Griffin CONSTANTLY telling me "no" and throwing huge tantrums of doom.

6. This (especially the end):

7. Drew stepping up and offering to help me in ways he never has before.

8. This awesome little note my sweet friend, Stacey just sent me:

I think you're a good mom.. b/c you have a good heart and you want what's best for your kids.. that doesn't mean you're perfect .. 

but G and Baby K will know and feel with their whole beings that they are loved

I have no doubt about that

Life, In Pictures

I'm majorly behind on blogging. Mostly because I feel like crap lots of the time, and yet somehow childcare and housework still needs to be done, so by the time dinner is cleaned up and Griff is in bed, I'm spent. Here is a halfway attempt though. It's lot of recent pictures and videos with little snippets of explanation instead of long winded detail. That's ok, right?

we had fireworks in August to make up for the July 4th cancellation

this is from our front porch!

while adorable, this is also mid-climb, so he's actually being bad. 

cutest shopper ever 

meet our future running back

at the Mumford & Sons concert at Red Rocks! 

our first date night since APRIL!

we were so excited we put on our regular faces

Ship Rock

show made us swoon

sharing fresh cinnamon donuts with mama at the Farmers Market

hide & seek

day at the Children's Museum 

Griff had a BLAST (as shown by his blur)

playing in the Pond & Meadow 

checking out the cave

catching a fish aboard the SS Minnow 

loving the magnets 

our Resident Artist at work

waiting for the bubble to drop 

after popping it with daddy

mid-pop! 

our Blur catching bubbles.  CUTEST. EVER.

so close!

got it!! 

the first time New Baby K has been caught on film. This was about 2 weeks ago. I know these things are hard to discern, but the baby is in the middle left of the screen & is almost "standing upright". Head is turned to our left (you can see the tiny eyes & nose) and little arms & legs are sticking straight out. Good lookin' kid. :)