G is for Griffin

Griff knows his letters...or at least a couple, especially the letter "G". Every time he sees it he yells, "G!" "G!" Tonight at dinner was no different, when we found it in his book of stickers (btw best $15 I've ever spent...a sticker book containing 1000 stickers with pages to put them on...this book has went to every meal we've had out, Florida, Disney...it's been and continues to be a lifesaver when we are out) he knew what it was immediately. So, we put it on his shirt and he wanted to "cheeeeese." What a little ham. Pics are from my phone so they aren't great. :)

We had a great weekend. On Saturday we had a lazy morning and a pancake breakfast at home...and in the afternoon after Griffin took an abbreviated nap we headed to the gym for some family swim time. Griff is absolutely FEARLESS. He goes underwater without a blink of an eye (literally), and even begged to go on the water slides; we let him go down the kiddie water slides and he was a pro, going under at the end and coming up with a smile. He absolutely loves the water. And I didn't take a single picture.

And today we went to the Castro's to watch the Bears annhilate the Seahawks and then some of the Jets/New England game. We munched on a lot of food and had a lot of fun. And I didn't take a single picture!

I did take a couple of shots when we got home from the Castro's, and a couple before the game, however. I've been slacking since Christmas with snapping pics.

Here is Griff before the game...in his Bears jersey and his "choo choo" pants. Last night he insisted on wearing his "choo choo" pj pants, but his "choo choo" shirt hadn't yet made it to his drawer from the laundry so he slept in a robot top and choo choo bottoms.

And for some reason Ben and I decided to bring the Rock Band stuff back up into action...Ben's been rocking the drums and he's improved a ton. Griff enjoys sitting on Ben's lap while he drums, and when I came upstairs to find him to finish getting him dressed this afternoon I found him drumming away.

He was singing as he drummed (the music wasn't on). Seriously cute.

And it was like a birthday for Griff -- we came home with some trucks and a chopper from Ben Castro and some books from the Atkinson's...thanks so much guys!

Big Brother

Griffin wanted to let everyone that already didn't know some good news...he's going to be a big brother in July! We are all very excited, hoping for an uneventful pregnancy, and looking forward to being a family of four this summer.

We had an ultrasound this past week and we got to see the little one squirm around...so far everything is going well. When we told Griff that there was a baby in my belly, he had to pull my shirt up to check for himself; he didn't see much, and so he's still a bit dubious that there is a little one growing in there. I'm pretty sure he'll get the picture soon enough. :)

And One More Celebration!

We headed down to Central Illinois on Sunday to have one more Christmas celebration, this time with Great Grandma Lea and Great Grandpa Henry, Grandma Cathy, Grandpa Bill...and Auntie Kayla, Uncle Eric and baby Mason were able to make it, too, as they hadn't yet headed back East. We had a great time with everyone...and Griff got spoiled. Seriously spoiled. So spoiled that he and I spent a big chunk of today re-organizing the playroom to [try] and find more space for it all. And, as I was getting sad that the end of our short weeks and extended time together was soon coming (I had today off)...I learned we'd have at least another day home together because Griff has apparently come down with the stomach flu. NOT fun with a toddler (and daddy out of town) but hopefully it will be short-lived, as I really do not like seeing my little man under the weather.

After gift-opening, Griff noticed Darby (Auntie Kayla/Uncle Eric's doggie) had made a bed out of Griff's new Lightning McQueen blanket. Griff was not having that, and insisted on disturbing Darby's sleep and displacing him from the bed he'd made.

Once Griff succeeded in moving Darby. he wrapped himself up and proclaimed he was going "NIGH NIGH."

Uncle Eric, Auntie Kayla and baby Mason

I was holding baby Mason, and Griff saw from across the room...he HAD to come over...

We were able to snap a picture...

And then Griff decided he'd had enough of sharing his mommy...he insisted "No" and actually told baby Mason that this mommy was off-limits by telling him "Mine" and trying to climb over Mason into my lap.

Playing farm with his new tractors and his new Buzz and Grandpa Bill


Baby Mason is so cute and chubby!

A new Lightning from baby Mason!

He sure loves his new BUZZ

Pardon my creepy face here, I just knew Griff was beyond excited for this one.

Griff talks, but is generally pretty quiet. Not Sunday. He was quite loud when opening gifts...when he opened his tractors he yelled "WHOA!" and when he opened a box with some Elmo items (including this book) he loudly yelled, "OH!! ELMO!" We all thought it was pretty hysterical.

Rippin' open his new grill!

His new John Deere flashlight which also revvs up when you turn it on. A definite hit.

Christmas Day & Day After

Here are a couple of shots from Christmas Day at Uncle Bill & Auntie Lisa's and a couple of shots from the Atkinsons' (where we went the day after Christmas).

Griff whaling on his electronic drum set. Who says you can't get anything good in the white elephant exchange (I got Nick's gift, which was a good one)!

Though G got a little crazy with the drumsticks and almost took out my eye


Opening some more awesome stuff!

And decompressing with Claire at the end of the day. Holidays are hard work.

Love Bug

I didn't have to go into work today (or this upcoming Friday...love this three day work week)... so I was very lucky to get to spend all day with Griff. We didn't really do anything crazy, but it just happened to be one of the best days I've had in a while. Griff and I ran out to get a big-boy booster seat for the table...while we were in the store Griff said "Mama?", reached out and put his arms around my neck and pulled me in for kisses and hugs, for no apparent reason other than he just felt like it. And this is not unusual with Griff...this is just a small display of his personality. He has such a big heart...it doesn't take much at all to get some love from him. And if I don't get unsolicited lovies, all I have to do is make a pouty face and he immediately comes over for a tight around-the-neck hug. And after dinner tonight Griff spent a few minutes walking back and forth between Ben and I...giving us hugs & kisses with each lap. Griffin is absolutely amazing; there's nothing else in the world like hanging out with him and we wouldn't trade it for anything!

Couple More Pics

Auntie Honey sent some pictures from Christmas Eve/Day (I haven't posted our "Day" pics yet but will get to it soon). Thought some of them were pretty good, especially this one below of Sam, Griff and Nick. Lots of cheese from these handsome boys!

Candid shot from Christmas Eve...lots of pics going and Ben was instructing here....

And Griff (a.k.a. Cookie Monster) REALLY and truly enjoyed his Christmas cookies this year. Just when you think he's totally ignoring you...he hears the c-word and he's all ears!