Thankful for Tractors

We went down to my parents' house for Thanksgiving this year. We left after dinner on Wednesday, again in the hope that Griff would watch a movie in the car and then sleep. That didn't happen, but at least he wasn't angry the entire time...only when a DVD ended...he had watched three by the time we got there! He was quite the trooper, as we traveled through torrential rainstorms (again) and had to listen to the dogs whine the entire time (yes, they made the trip too...was a bit of a circus). :)

But the next morning, after he'd had some sleep, his memory kicked in and he walked to the back door, turned the knob and demanded "TRACTOR!" And though he didn't get his wish right away (wouldn't want to spoil him after all), he did get his wish despite the cold temps. We ate some good food and also were able to head up to Great Grandpa Henry and Great Grandma Lea's for a night and some more good food (and somehow Griff came back with quite a few new things...even though it's not quite Christmas yet)!

Here is Griff in his holiday headband he made with our nanny...this headband he liked.



But his pilgrim headband? Not so much. It took quite a few tries to get these two shots of him in it. He was NOT a fan.

Which is really too bad, because they made an awsome vest to go with it, and Griff refused, again, to put the vest on. :(

With his turkey handprints

Tucker even got in on the holiday-wishes...displaying Griff's handprints and Tucker's very own turkey toy.


Griff sampled many tractors. These two didn't happen to be moving at the time, but he was a big fan of the John Deere below, and kept running back to it. And he even came home with TWO tractor trophies that Grandpa Bill had gotten for tractor pulls which he thinks are pretty cool.

Precious cargo!

He even got to "drive" (steer)

Playing with the inside farm after some turkey dinner

At Great Gma Lea and Great Gpa Henry's...he liked all of the hallways and would run back and forth, chanting, Ready, Set, GO!!!! He also liked Great Gma's pink camera case, pictured here. He kept putting it on his wrist and saying "byebye" to everyone (as he sees Mommy do in the morning...I grab my bag, give kisses & hugs and say BYE BYE).

Pretty Griffin

We had a date with Claire tonight (and Liz & Dave too) and we were discussing Griff's beautiful hair. So, Claire tried to put in a pony but he wouldn't hold still; alas, we had to settle for getting a pic of him in her flower headband. Pretty, Griff!

He was none too pleased, however.

And we probably won't win any parenting awards for this, but this is our son in a highchair in front of the Golden Tee machine at the Club. Please don't judge us. It was only for a few minutes so we could finish dinner!

Lying Low

We didn't do too much this past weekend, so there's not much to report. We hung out with friends, hung out with each other, and Ben took avantage of the nice weather and started putting up some Christmas lights. Griff really wanted to help, so he did just that (for a few minutes at least).


And here he is being "up up" helping me mix up some treats. He's loving being my helper these days. Can't complain. :)

Promotion!

Well I am happy to report that Griff is no longer workin' the drive through...he's been promoted to mommy's receptionist! He & our nanny visited me at work today and then we enjoyed some lunch together, and Griff really loved picking the phone up and chatting while transferring calls, putting people on hold (including daddy - when we called him, Griff immediately put him on hold), and putting his callers on speaker. His most frequent caller kept repeating, "if you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try your call again..." Strange, I know. If she calls back again I've instructed him to tell her I'm in a meeting.

Cheesin'

Griff likes having his picture taken now...I'll ask him if he wants to "cheese" and when he's in a bad mood it usually cheers him up. Given that I LOVE to take pictures of my little guy, it works out perfectly as far as I'm concerned! :)

Cheesin' before Mommy left for work earlier this week. Yes, I have a new hair color...Griff looked a couple of times when he saw me for the first time, but was unfazed after.

Cheesin' in his new Cars PJ's. We were at the store and I held up two sets of J's: one Lightening McQueen and one Elmo. I told him that he would get to have only one of them, and that he could choose which one. At first I didn't think he was understanding me, as he was silent, looking back and forth to each set of J's. Then, after about 30 seconds he indicated his decision by a quick nod and a "YA" in the direction of the Cars J's. He then grabbed them and made no fuss about the Elmos going back on the rack. I love that he can make his own decisions now...he's such a big boy (and he'll tell you so..."Mama, I Big Boy"...or at least that is what Mommy understands). :)

Having a popcorn 'nack. He's very into his "nacks" now...especially if they are a big boy 'nack like popcorn.

Kid Gloves

Griff has historically had a major aversion to wearing gloves, mittens, or any other type of hand-warming device. Until his new mittens and hat came in the mail this week...he didn't want to take them off and insisted on playing with them on. I don't know what magic these mittens hold, but let's hope it lasts!

(And this is his new "CHEESE" face, he's not catching flies)

Window Seat!

Griff scored his own seat on the flight back from DC - so we put our HUGE carseat that we had to haul around the airport to good use (let's just say it was quite the physical challenge with Griff, bags, and that monstrosity). Griff got the window seat, loved the view, and entertained the passengers around us (thank goodness that no one was sitting in the seat in front of him however, as he did a lot of kicking).

And this is one of his last times with his paci...we've went cold turkey since we've been home and it is going quite well!

Visiting Virginia

Griff, Grandma Cathy and I traveled out to Virginia this weekend (we're still here, coming home tomorrow) to visit our new nephew Mason (and Auntie Kayla and Uncle Eric, too). Griff is pretty interested in Mason and is SO gentle with him - giving kisses, hugs, and lots of "gentle touches" - though, when Mason cries Griff is a little taken aback and isn't quite sure what the baby's problem exactly is. Griff has also found a new best friend in Uncle Eric (or Errr-bic as he calls him).

Holding & kissing Mason

Seriously, what is his problem?

Mommy & Mason

Rocking the drums to the Beatles with Uncle Eric

Somehow he got demoted to wooden spoons & a pan.

We did some shopping out here and Griff scored a new coat!

Having a dance party with Mason & Grandma while waiting for our table

Griff & I after the park...he fell asleep in Mason's stroller, and even though we have the same Bumbleride at home in a different color, he looks HUGE in Mason's

Doubling up on the swings

They have ride on ducks in Virginia, too, just like home!

Cousin Mason

More kisses

Uncle Eric pulled up some Elmo videos on his laptop for Griff when he was having a bit of a meltdown...now EVERY time he sees any laptop he points and asks for El-MOOOO (beeez)!

Uncle Eric & Auntie Kayla's doggie Darby is very into following me around...and kissing me. Ick! :)

Lightning Feet!

I picked up some Lightning McQueen slippers for Griff today, and from first glance he was in love. He looks pretty cute walking around with Cars on his feet....and when one fell off, well look out, Griff was quite displeased. Sorry for the quality of the pics - I snapped them with my phone.

Workin' the Drive-Thru

Our nanny had some cute pictures that I wanted to steal and put on our blog. The first couple are of Griff working the McDonald's drive-thru. Apparently Tyler worked the cash register while Griff opted to man the window (he even insisted that she clip the receiver to his pants).

What? I can't hear you? You want fries with that?


And they painted the baby pumpkins that we picked up from the patch...Griff did a great job and chose to alternate colors of purple and green - the colors were actually alternated in a pattern. We were impressed (apparently from the pic below so was he). :)