Graham at Five months!

Graham is sitting up on his own. He loves to be able to see what is going on and is pretty good at keeping his balance.

Graham turns sideways in his Bumbo, we worry that he might topple out soon! (Especially when he is reaching for something to the side.)

He loves to squeal and scream in delight. He has found his voice and loves to use it.

He still loves to giggle and will do it often. Especially if you tickle his feet, chest or just give him some giggles back.

He just started being into toys... or anything he can hold. He wants to hold the phone, remote control and other things we are holding (knifes when we are in the kitchen) but we don't let that happen! We quickly distract him with Sofie the Giraffe or a rattle.

He loves people and people love him! When I go to the gym, all of the Child Center workers comment on how cute  he is and that they all love him. He sure knows how to turn on the charm when he wants to!

He is very interested in eating and drinking. He would love to get his hands on some real food soon.

He will arch his back when he is laying down and at the beginning of the month would occasionally roll over. Now that it is towards the end of the month, he immediately rolls from his back to his belly, and stay there until he is frustrated.

He continues to hold his hands and suck on his toes.

He can now officially feed himself a bottle... and for awhile refused to eat from Mommy because he liked to feed himself so much.

Graham loves being outside and enjoying the fresh air!

He responds to his name with a big toothless grin!

He now scoots backwards when he is on his belly. And will occasionally "plank". (Locking his arms and lifting onto his toes so the rest of his body if off the ground.)

Four months

Four Months with Mr Alligator, looking a lot like Robbie's serious face.

Graham's hair is getting longer, but he has "wings" on the side. Little spots that stand straight up, no matter what we do. Mom was tempted to cut them, but realized they would continue to come back.

Graham was introduced to rice cereal and the first feeding went awesome. He loves being able to be apart of dinner and have something of his own. We can tell he is very proud of himself when he eats, even if it gets all over the place!





When eating he prefers to hold the spoon, so we have to give him one to hold and use another to feed him with.

He understands bathtime is for fun too. He is splashing and giggling every night during his bath.




Graham is working hard at sitting up. He loves to be in his Bumbo to see what is going on.

Listening to Rowen read a story in Arizona

Graham took his first road trip. A 12 hour drivew to Arizona to help Uncle Mark and Aunt Britt move to Utah. He did awesome! The following week he went to California for his first trip to the beach.

Rowen and Grandma playing a little peek-a-boo at Michelle's house in Arizona

He likes to play peek-a-boo and will giggle and giggle when you play.






Graham visited the beach for the first time... he loved watching the people, the waves and feeling the ocean breeze.

He holds his hands together often.

Graham has attached himself to his blankets. He loves to have something by his face when he is relaxing.

Hands

Graham's hand 3 weeks old

Graham's hands are so little, but I love them. Since bringing him home I have always had to "tuck" his hands away while eating because he would push me away or smack himself or me. I would tuck his lower hand and let him grasp my finger with the hand on top.

Over the past few weeks he has taken on a new way to make sure he knows who is holding him. He lifts his hands to my lips and leaves the palm of his hand there while Robbie and I give him soft kisses on his palm. I love it! Sometimes he will rub my cheek with his eyes closed. Whenever he does it, my heart melts because I know it is how he knows he is with me.

Tonight as I was feeding Graham and his hand came to my lips I thought about how I need to treasure these little hands because very quickly they will be growing. I found myself dreaming of the days when they will be filled with dirt and grass, or chocolate chip cookies and sticky ice cream. How they will help him do homework and hold books. I thought about how I am sure he will hold a girl's hand one day as they both get butterflies. Or how he will one day hold the priesthood and use his hands to pass the sacrament and eventually give blessings. It is so humbling to think about all the things those little hands will accomplish. And then how important it is that I teach him the good he can do.

For now though, I am going to treasure kissing his palms and helping him know that his mommy and daddy love him very much.  

A night at the big screen...

Everyone told us we wouldn't have a problem taking Graham to the movies. We waited a little while, but decided we would give it a try. Last night we went to see Super 8, an action movie.

When it first started Graham was mesmerized by the screen. He sat on mommy's lap barely blinking. When the first intense part of the movie came, there was a moment of silence and that is when Graham's first scream came. Dad took him down the stairs and eventually Graham feel asleep in his arms in the hallway. (Don't worry, Dad was still able to keep up on what was happening since he was standing where he could still see the screen.) Daddy returned and Graham stayed asleep for about 45 minutes until things got really loud and intense. Graham started screaming but the movie was so loud, mommy didn't even hear it (even though he was sitting right next to  her). Daddy took him outside of the theater to calm him down. It took awhile since Graham was grabbing Daddy's shirt and crying really hard. Eventually Daddy attempted to bring him back in, but Graham wouldn't have it. He was terrified even walking into the theater.
We knew Graham picked up on emotions and people, but didn't realize he was as observant as he is. We both felt like the worst parents, fearful that Graham's dreams would be haunted by train crashes and loud noises. We were happy to see his smiles while he was sleeping that night and no more unexpected cries of terror! Next time we hit up the movies with Graham in tow, we are sure it will be a more child friendly selection. And Graham will be able to eat the popcorn!