What is this Stuff?

We're so excited that the weather these past couple of days has been GORGEOUS. Yesterday Griffin and I went for a long run outside after school (he absolutely loves being outside) and then we did some playing in the yard. It was pajama day at school so that's why he's rocking his turtle shell pj's. :) He wasn't quite too sure what to think of the grass -- as last year he didn't leave a blanket when we were outside. After a little bit he got more comfortable, but until mommy and daddy do some dog-poopie-cleaning duty (SOON, buddy, we promise), he's relegated to play in only a small patch of the yard!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patty's Day

from our little crazy-haired leprechaun Pucci!

(Is leprechaun Pucci an oxymoron?)

11 Months Old

Well Griff turned 11 months old last weekend. Crazy! Only a month left until the big ONE. I know I've posted before, ad nauseam, about how awesome Griff is and how fun he is to be around...but I will say (again) that he is quite the charmer -- and his personality is contagious. And, because I'm going to have the blog printed into a book for Griffin after a year of posts, I don't want to forget: at 11 months G is one fast crawler...he takes a few steps with assistance but because he is always wanting to move like he's late for a very important date - he gives up and gets on all fours to motor...he is talking quite a bit now, and he definitely has words for things around him (specific words for specific objects) but they aren't yet comprehensible (except for the basics: momma, dadda, doggie). Even if we don't always understand HIM, however, he certainly understands us: in a conversation if we say a word or a name that he knows and he's doing something else his head immediately snaps around to listen. And his favorite response to most questions? No, no, no, no, no...shaking his head back and forth. He loves to growl (yes, growl), and if you growl at him that is his immediate response, followed by giggles. Speaking of giggling, about 75% of his day is spent laughing or giggling about something -- whether it's trying to put his paci in mommy's mouth before bed, driving his trucks into the walls, or splashing like crazy in the tub.

Griffin, without doubt, makes life joyful.

Silly Pictures

This weekend we packed up our living room and dining room because we - finally - are getting them painted (I am SO excited as these not being painted really made me feel like our first floor was "undone"). Thus, we had to entertain Griff all day Saturday in the family room and kitchen areas so he wouldn't play in the paint or get crazy with the plastic on the floor. We had a lot of fun!

Things STILL go straight into Griff's mouth for transportation purposes...he still loves to "puppy"

He was very excited that his toys had been moved to the kitchen/family room


He really wanted to help paint...

"We're going to need to do a little bit of spackling on this wall, by my estimation..."

"But it's going to cost you!"

We cleaned out the garage, as well, this weekend and found this toy that my mom and I got at a garage sale last year for $3! He is in love with it and loves to walk (rapidly) behind it.

The batteries were dying, and the songs were really giving us a headache so Daddy had to replace the batteries -- but Griff didn't want to give it up for even that short period of time.

He's also a big fan of the vacuum -- hopefully he'll be as big of a fan when mommy needs some help vacuuming in a few years!

Playing in the clothes basket

He thinks riding on Daddy's shoulders is hilarious

One of his new tees -- this is one of mommy's favorite phrases at work

Little HEF. Do you think one of Hef's smoking jackets is light blue with puppy prints on it?

Happy to have daddy home for a while!

Handy Helper

In addition to constantly being a source of smiles and laughter, Griff is quite the handy helper.

He helps me sort mail, and picks out what is important and what should be tossed!

He watches the dogs carefully when they go outside to make sure they don't get muddy and he lets me know when they need to come back in.

And when we run errands and Ben goes inside he keeps me company. What ever would I do without him?

Play Date at Ty's!

As I previously posted, Griffin had a playdate at his bud Tyler's house last week (and he also got to play with Ty's older brother, Luke, who Griff was in awe of). Ty had lots of fun toys and the mommies had lots of good chat time! We're both looking forward to many more get-togethers soon. Nicole (Ty's mom) sent me these pics, as I was delinquent and forgot my camera...and the boys were very tired by this point -- hence Griff's exhausted face. :)

These two have really developed a bond at school; last week Ty's dad came to get Ty and was holding him and Griffin would not tear his eyes from Kevin. He wasn't so sure of who was holding his friend! And today at school the two were sharing food with each other (quite the sharers, they are!) and Griffin kept petting Ty's head -- Ty got a hair cut last night and Griffin thought that was pretty cool.

Busy!

We've been busy as of late, and I have neglected to take any pics in the past week...so we're relying on others to help us out. Ben got home early (yay) and so we were able to spend a few days together before he headed out of town again tonight. Griffin had his first playdate at Ty's house this past week, as well, and he (we) had a great time! And then last night Auntie Honey came over to play with Griff AND watch him so Ben and I could go out. THANK YOU, Auntie Honey, and below are some of the pics that she took.

No matter how hard we tried we couldn't get Griff to look at the camera. He was getting tired in this pic (soon before bedtime for him) and all he wanted to do was squirm and laugh and make funny noises.

Clowns!