Playing with the big kids

Today, our friend Carrie and her kids, Andrew and Lauren, came over to visit Graham again. In the past, this has been quite disappointing for Andrew and Lauren, as they are desperate for Graham to be big enough to play WITH them. In the past, Andrew has patiently asked Graham to do all sorts of things--play cars, go on the swings, ride the see-saw--and has been so bummed out that the answer always came from me that we would just have to watch for now. Today, though, there was a glimmer of hope for little Andrew! Graham smiled at him quite a bit and even rolled towards him while Andrew showed him how to shake his rattle and what to play with on his kick mat. Lauren is also quite the snuggler, and she and Andrew were happy to lay next to Graham, showing how to get the best use out of all the stuff hanging from the mat's arches. As usual, however, despite Graham's smiles, it was still Snooch and Millie who got most of the attention--they're just too hard to resist!

Graham is one step closer to the big next step of rolling over. He can now roll onto his side with ease, and it's just his lower arm that stops him from completing the task. He has also become quite the mover in his crib. Last night, he turned a full 180 degrees by morning (we snuck a peak before we went to bed, and he was sideways in the crib with his legs happily propped against the crib rails). Guess we have to start keeping a more watchful eye now!

Swingin' and Sleepin'

Swinging or sleeping, they're happy together!

First Laughs!

Thanks to Daddy's super fun game, Graham laughed for the first time! Not sure who was having more fun, Derrick or Graham. We can't believe how fast Graham is growing and how quickly he has something new to show us. He has started falling asleep on his own, and sometimes he babbles to himself for quite some time in his crib before drifting off, watching himself in his toy mirror, perhaps wondering who that adorable baby could be! We feel like he's getting to be such a little boy with his own little personality, and it just melts the heart.

Graham had a lot to say this afternoon (we know what his Ama will be doing ... showing it to her students!). In case you can't quite understand him, he said that he had a great time "seeing" Great Grandma and Great Granddad Austin and Great Aunt Sarah-Jane on skype for the first time. He also said that he's so happy the summer weather has arrived so he can spend some more time outside.

Stay tuned for a 3-month photo next week...

"Look--my feet touch the floor (just) in my jumperoo. I can't really jump on my own yet (although I do wobble, which makes me bounce), and sometimes I have to hold on for balance, but overall I think I might like it!"

This weekend, Graham's Uncle Dave and his girlfriend Jenna came to visit from New York. Graham just LOVED them and showed off all his latest tricks--flirting, cooing, whacking a rattle against his bumbo tray, and anti-napping (a very complex activity that only highly qualified and advanced babies can engage in). We took a walk to the park on Saturday, ate outside in downtown Royal Oak for dinner, and then went to see Derrick play soccer on Sunday. What a fun-filled weekend!

Is this an adoring uncle or what???

Graham was sporting his cool overalls from Dave and Jenna while he sat and watched Daddy play soccer.

Happy Father's Day!

3 generations of Teal men

Today, we had a very successful brunch for Father's Day. Apparently all Graham needs to take a bottle well is some good people watching!

We also decided we would see how Graham did in his Bumbo seat--whoever invented this simple thing must be making out like a bandit--anyway, it was quite a success. At first, he didn't quite know what to think (top right), but with tray table and rattle in place, he became a big fan (top left), as did we! As you can also see in the video, Graham is now really holding things more purposefully, and although he often hits himself in the nose or head, he also sometimes gets the rattle to his mouth,his intended target.

Lest anyone worry that the animals have been forgotten, here is proof they have not... Chloe is a big fan of Graham's playmat, as you can see. She seems to think it is an appropriate throne/palace to which she can summon her subjects. Since Graham's arrival, Chloe and Millie also seem to have bonded-prior to Graham joining the family, they never shared napping space. Snooch is also fine, although still a bit aloof from Graham. Heck, he's still aloof from Millie and it's been 2 years since she arrived! But we'll keep you posted.

It has happened ... Graham has found his thumb. And he means business!

In just days, he has mastered the art and now sucks his thumb noiselessly lest it be stolen by his parents or some other thumb-nabbing bandit.

Graham, all tuckered out, lounging on his boppy pillow.

Last weekend, Derrick's Aunt Terri, Uncle Brian, and cousins Heather and Lindsey came to met baby G while they were in town from Deleware. Graham was spoiled rotten and loved getting to meet more of his family!

Today, Graham had his 2 month doctor's check-up...

The bad news: Daddy had to turn away and Mommy cried while Graham got his shots. The nurse said it was "cute," but we just felt sad that we couldn't explain to Graham why he had to get poked with 3 needles.

The good news: Graham is 13 lbs, 3 oz and 24.5 in. long. (He was 7 lbs 13 oz and 21 in. at birth), which puts him in the 95th percentile for weight and length! When Jen asked in a concerned voice, "Is it okay that Graham is now only eating 6 times a day?" the doctor laughed (in a nice but "is she joking" kind of way).

Graham is now napping. We'll see how he does over the next 48 hours or so.

"Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Watcha gonna do when they come for you?"

"I'm 8 weeks old today!"

We have Derrick to thank for the smiles in these two. This is the beginning of the same chair-same bear series that we hope to capture each month through Graham's first birthday. Check back Friday for an update on baby G's latest stats after his check-up. And keep your fingers crossed for not too many tears when he gets his shots--Jen's that is.

Sunday was a big day--Graham went to church for the first time and was so good. He liked the organ just as much on the outside as he used to in the womb. Jen only had to walk with him in the narthex during the sermon. And of course he was greatly admired by all. Hurray for success! These videos are NOT the same videos as before... yes, Graham is on the playmat again, but you will see that he is FAR more advanced in today's cameos. After all, he will be 8 weeks old on Wednesday! (insert parental bias here)

This weekend was Jen's 30th birthday. She LOVES birthdays and had a fun-filled weekend. On Saturday, she enjoyed running some errands with Graham, followed by a relaxing manicure. Our friend Carrie came over in the late afternoon to watch Graham and we went to see the new Star Trek movie and grabbed a bite to eat. Today, Jen and Graham went to see Derrick's soccer game and then enjoyed lunch outside in downtown Royal Oak. And then we took Millie and Graham for an early evening walk. And to top it all off, Jen got lots of nice presents! What a great weekend...

Graham having fun on his playmat... Jen asks that you please try to ignore the annoyingly high-pitched mommy voice in both videos! The second video is much like the first, but you get more smiles at the end of that one...

The Teal boys at their finest... not sure which of them is doing the mimicking here!

It's no wonder that I sleep so much--I've been a very busy baby--learning how to shake my rattle like a big boy. Speaking of which, I'm 6 weeks old today!

Life is hard for Baby G. He says, "Does she love me or what?" Wrapped around his finger? Never!

It's warm, sunny outside, quiet ... Mommy just put me down for a minute so she could put on the baby carrier to calm me down, and I fell right asleep! The couch does that sometimes.

Mom, I'm trying to sleep here. Quit takin' pictures!