Graham is in Kindergarten

Graham's first day of school!  He was so excited to go to a big school and to ride the bus!  Actually now when we ask him what his favorite thing about school is, he says riding the bus :)

Graham doing his homework... and really wanted me to record it haha

Updates on Judd

Judd is now five months old... and I can't believe how fast time has gone by! 

 But to back up for his four month appointment he weighed 12lb 4oz and was 24" long

 He started rolling over last week from his back to his stomach.... the only problem is that he hasn't figured how to roll back over and he doesn't love being on his tummy :)  We have yet to capture the moment...

 Everything goes into his mouth... his hand, his toys, and blankets (which Graham thinks is hilarious because he "eats" his blanket to this day... we always ask if he taught Judd how to do that and he says yes and laughs)

He has started laying on his side to sleep at night, we put him on his back (like 'they' tell you to) but he rolls to his side and sleeps soundly.

He went on his first flight with his daddy.  Tommy and Judd flew to Vegas for a wedding (while Graham and I stayed home).  He was a little fussy on the flight, probably because there was not enough leg room lol... but giggled through the turbulence.  He spent most of his time in someone's arms... Like great grandma LaVee.

He has always love to stand while being held, so it was no surprise how much he loves being in a bouncer.  We never got one for Graham but inheritted one from a family member

He has started eating solid food.  This video is his first food experience ever... oatmeal.  Yeah, he didn't really like it.  But when we gave him carrots he would grab the spoon and shove it into his mouth.  Guess he already has food preferences (and he HATES peas!)

He is also ticklish and has started giggling when you tickle his ribs or collar bone.

Judd is such a sweet little baby and I can't believe how fast he is growing up... I wish it would slow down a little.  We are so blessed to have him in our family... and in a few short weeks we will go to court and finalize the adoption and he will be ours (legally) forever.

Can I Have A Newspaper?

My mother works for an orthodontist and they get lots of magazines in their office.  Periodically they throw old ones out to make room for new ones, so I asked ifI could have the old ones for my clients to look at.  They sit in my "salon" for any to read.

A few months ago I told Graham he needed a hair cut and he immediately began to whine.  Not sure why getting a hair cut seems like the end of the world to a 5 year old... but it does.  As I began to cut his hair, he noticed the pile of magazines and asked if he could read a newspaper.  I picked out a "newspaper" for him and he turned the pages and looked intently as I cut his hair.  While looking through his second magazine he began moving his head back and forth as if he was reading the article (there were no pictures on the said page)... keep in mind that can't read currently but was copying what he sees Tommy and I do.

It gave me a good chuckle. 

Here is a video of it (don't think the sound is good or if you can here it at all, but I had to capture this moment!)

My Little Artist

Graham never was much for arts and crafts.  I would ask if he wanted to color and his response was always no; however, this last year he has really started liking it more. We decided to show case all of his paintings from school in our loft... Graham is pretty proud of his work!

He has also learned to write better and LOVES writing notes (even if they don't make sense - he will usually say it is in spanish when that is the case haha).  He wrote me this note all by himself.  It makes my heart melt!  It is what any mother would love to hear.

Tommy helped him make a mother's day card for me...

... and then he found some sticky notes and added his own touch to it

He made this at school; his teacher Ms. LeAnne told me he said it was me because I am an angel...  He must have caught me on a good day lol!

I sure love my (not so) little guy.  His tender heart always makes me so happy.

Biggest Loser Moment

We are big Biggest Loser fans in our home.  We watch it religiously every Tuesday and love watching the contestants shrink and grow.  By shrink I mean the obvious... all the pounds that are falling off them (as if it is that easy!). 
But my favorite is to watch them grow. 
Watch them overcome obstacles that have held them back their entire lives.  Watch them believe in themselves.  Watch them think differently of themselves.  Watch them do things they NEVER thought they could do.
 Being a Biggest Loser fan has also made me love (and hate) Jillian Michaels.  I have bought several of her workout DVD's and man do they push me.  I have begin to internalize some of the things she says too...

"Pain is fear leaving the body"
"Don't be afraid to fail"
"When it hurts that is you getting stronger"

As I have begun to train for the BolderBoulder every time I run those quotes repeat in my head... especially when I feel like I want/need to stop.

So today I had one of those growing Biggest Loser moments.  I have never run more than 4 miles. EVER.  I had decided I was going to shoot for that today, 4 miles.  My route was a total of five miles but I had planned to walk a little at the beginning to warm up and a little at the end to cool down.  I started walking and went about a quarter of a mile, then decided I was going to run... even though the hill in front of me was fairly daunting.  So I started (and I was pushing a jogger I might add!) running, and kept running. 1 mile, 2 miles, 3miles, 3.5 miles.... As I was approaching the place where I was planning on walking (4 miles), I got there and felt like I could push through... again with a steep hill looking me in the face.  I ran, and ran, and ran.  I even added to the end of my run to make sure I got a full 5 miles (since I walked at the beginning).  There were times I wanted to stop, wanted to walk, give my body (especially my knees) a break.  But I pushed myself... and I made it!

I have always said that I am not a runner.  I don't have a runners physique and I have past injuries that I felt had impaired me.  But today I felt like a runner.  I overcame something I never thought I could do... run 5 miles straight!!  I have grown as a person just by allowing myself to believe I could do it and to push myself.  And though my knees have been throbbing all day, it was worth it.  I bet I will be able to run the entire 10k in three short weeks... another thing I never thought I would ever do.  Man, I am just growing all over the place! :)  (now I wish a little shrinking would happen too lol)

To many of you, this feat is no big deal... you run marathons, do triathlons... for you a measly 5miles is nothing, but to me it is so much more.  It makes me want to shoot for an even steeper goal because I know if I push myself I can do it.  We each have our own "5 mile obstacle" we need to conquer and I learned today that conquering something has more to do with our thoughts than our ability. So I will keep pushing myself, knowing that I may fail, but eventually will succeed.
So I echo Jillian ...  "Don't be afraid to fail"

I am FINALLY doing it!

the Bolder Boulder, that is.

For the last several years my brother and sister in law have tried to talk me into running the biggest 10k Memorial Day race in the Nation... the "Bolder Boulder".  I have always politely declined.  I have made many excuses up over the years, but most go back to the fact that I have bad joints, specifically my knee.

But this year, I decided to take the plunge.  I decided last Sunday and therefore only giving myself four weeks to train.  I went in thinking that I would run about half (maybe more) and walk the rest... BUT then I had a friend that has inspired me and pushed me as well.  My second day training I ran three miles with her.  (I thought I was going to die and I wanted to rip my legs off my person... but I am still alive and, believe it or not, running!)

I am excited for a new experience... and if I can run a 5k my second day training maybe, just maybe, I will be able to run the entire 10k!  (I have to add that is will be my first 10k ever... we will see!)

Fun to compare

(Hopefully you guys don't mind me posting these on here... but it is fun to see who Judd looks like)

Baby Birth Father                                           Baby Birth Mother

Baby Judd

Who do you think he looks like?

Who needs a pacifier?

I recorded Judd sleeping (again... I know!) and it is fun to see the comparison between a week old and a 3 month old sleeping.  He was sucking... his tongue?... while sleeping and it was too dang cute to pass up!

And notice the blanket all around his head... he actually prefers it over his eyes, but that worries me.  He is one hot slepper and loves to be all wrapped up.  Graham was the same way!