a family update (5 months!!)

We have been doing a lot of celebrating around here lately. Layton just turned 5 months and we are getting pumped and ready to celebrate Lyla's 3rd birthday!

I feel like we are finally getting settled into our new home in Texas. And we have been just as busy as always. We have really been trying to put ourselves out there and experience summertime in Texas. This month, we took the kids to a local festival. They had a petting zoo, arts and crafts (mama's favorite) and a wild west show. Lyla wasn't a fan of all the guns going off (truth be told, I wasn't either) but all in all it was a good day. 

We have also "invested" in one of those blow up pools that looks totally redneck, but is a major life savor in this Texas heat. Layton hasn't really warmed up to the idea of the whole pool thing yet, but I know it's just a matter of time before he's doing swan dives like his big sister.

We just came out of Survivor week, which is basically a VBS type event for junior high students. It was a crazy week, but a total blast. Layton ended up getting sick half way through, but Lyla and Tootles finished the week strong for everyone. 

^had to act like the paparazzi to get this shot^

^Love getting to soak the youth pastor^

^The winning team^

Now, onto the updates of that handsome little 5 month old boy:) As I said earlier he had been sick this month. Poor guy. But thankfully it only lasted a few days. Layton is up to right at 16 lbs. (still hanging on to the nick name daddy gave him "Big Chunk") And he is still the greatest! 

He gets so tickled about things. Especially his sister. He thinks she is so funny. She could be running around the house or just playing next to him and he is literally in stitches laughing so hard. I love that they are starting to play together. Lyla always says he's her friend. I hope they will always stay best friends.  

^and did I mention he's tough...poor guy^

 Layton is super strong and he plays hard. We have continued to put him in the bouncey and he loves working those little legs. He can grab things with both hands, which comes in handy when I am changing his diaper and I need to keep his hands occupied.  Yes, those little hands go straight for his "goods" haha. Such a boy already.

He is rolling over both ways and pretty much positions to belly side down every time he's on the floor. I hope this doesn't mean he's getting ready to crawl anytime soon, because mama is NOT ready for that. But, he is pushing up on his arms and his legs...just not moving anywhere yet. (Whew!)

He has started grabbing at my face and will plant one of those awesome slobbery kisses on my cheek. I don't mind one bit. 

Layton is also still very serious about his food. We planned to start him on solids this month, but with him being sick and then me being sick..it just hasn't happened yet. But I know he's gonna have a fit at the yummy goodness. He's such a good eater already-taking 8 ounces each bottle.

Layton is in 9-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers. He loves his blanket and his thumb. (yes, we are also teething this month) Every morning, he greets me with the biggest smile he can give. I am so in love with this boy. 

 So, HAPPY 5 MONTHS LAYTON!  Some days, I can't believe it's been 5 months, but other days it feels like you have been in our family forever. I love you son.

(crazy how just one month changes so much!)

Layton is 4 months and a family update

Well, as usual, I am behind on this post, but this month I have a good reason! WE BOUGHT A HOUSE. A REAL LIVE HOUSE! Yes, we are super excited (if you can't tell) and yes, this has been months in the making, but it's final, it's official and IT'S OVER WITH! (if you've ever bought a house, you feel me on that!) So, us Graves are settling in to our new life here and trying to find our new "normal".

So, my sweet baby boy turned 4 months on the 13th-which means we had to find a new peditrician FAST since he had to have shots this month. This can be such a nightmare (especially since we LOVED our doctor back home), but hallelujah it wasn't! We got some great tips from some other parents here, and found a wonderful doctor that we already love!

So, here's the scoop on Layton from his 4 month check up:
Basically, he's super baby! (of course, he's my child...jk...but not really!:)) His motor skills, according to the doctor, are way advanced. This is HUGE to me. When we had Lyla, I spent so much time working with her and playing with her. Because of the move, Layton has really had to just go with the flow. So, you can imagine my relief to hear that, not only is my baby right on track, but he is doing things that most babies don't do until they are 6 months. GO LAYTON! (and Go God for seeing this mama's heart  and calming my fears and worries!)

Layton weighs 14.5 lbs and the doctor was quick to comment about "what a big boy he is" Even though he's only in the 26th percentile for his weight now, he is all meat. And you know I love those baby rolls:) So, no complaints here! He is also 24 and 1/4 inches tall (short and fat-love it!)

Layton is still sleeping great and eating great! He is still the happiest baby. Everyone always comments on his smile and his laughter can turn any day around. He is so special to me. I could just eat him up, and most days, I do!:)

He's in size 2 diapers and eating 6-7 ounces now.  He is super strong and has started really enjoying playing with his toys. He is trying to sit up and has even played in the jumpy a few times working on those legs muscles. He is the most easy going baby! 

This month was super special for Layton. He got to meet some very important family! Jeff's aunt and uncle had a special cook out this month, and now that we live in Texas, we actually got to go.

 Layton got to meet his great grandfather Pawpaw! Love these Graves boys!

Layton also got to meet his Papa G for the first time. (Poor baby was about to fall asleep!) 

Both my kids LOVE their Papa G!

And of course Layton got to meet his Uncle Jason and Aunt Megan. This was probably the only time Lyla wasn't with her uncle. She stayed close to him all weekend. 

Lyla also got to see her cousin Abreigh again. They were best friends by the end of the weekend. 

These sweet cousins LOVED their new cousin Layton. They all played SO great together

This month, we also took Layton to his first baseball game. He did SO great! (we went with a friend from Quitman who just so happened to have moved out here as well! We love the Taylor's!)

And I just couldn't resist posting this again, because who doesn't love a good baby booty:)

Both kids to seem to be adjusting well to our new life out in Texas. Lyla is making friends fast! I knew she would with her sweet spirit. She still talks about friends from home and I am not sure it has totally clicked with her that we won't see them for a while, but I am so proud of her for being brave and trying new things and meeting new people. 

We are just taking one day at a time and enjoying where the Lord has us RIGHT NOW:)

So, with that said...happy four months baby Layton. We love you like crazy Bud.

(Layton at 3 months and 4 months)

(Lyla and Layton both at 4 months)

3 months (a little late)

My little Layton bug (as we call him) turned 3 months on the 13th. With all the moving back and forth, I am a tad late on that post, but never fear...I have all the updates you need and more:)

Layton has had quite a month. I think the good Lord just knew I needed a calm, easy-going baby during all of this, because that's exactly what He gave me. Layton is THE BEST! We started out this month at our home in Quitman, then made a trip to Georgia, and now we are in Texas. Through it all, Layton has been nothing short of AMAZING! He is sleeping through the night, eating great (of course!), and smiling every chance he gets. (Both pictures below were his last two sundays in Quitman)

Layton had a nursery at our home in Quitman. This month, he actually got to sleep in his own room. I took some pictures of what his nursery looked like before we started packing it all up...just so he will know, one day, what his first room looked like:)

I also found this picture of him in his swing in our living room. I'm so glad I took these pictures of our old house (which was also our first house)

Layton is a wonderful wonderful baby. He is such a happy baby-everyone always comments about how "smiley" he is. I am IN LOVE with that smile of his. He started giggling this month  (usually when he's being changed...he's all boy!) A few times, though, we have gotten a good laugh out of him. Hearing a baby laugh is one of the sweetest sounds there is. 

He is a great eater. But he is a very serious eater. Don't mess with baby boy's food. That is about the only time he is unhappy-when the bottle is empty or if he is gassy. (again...all boy! ha!)

He wears 9-12 month clothes, although some 6 month outfits will fit him. He is in size 2 diapers. 

Things he loves: eating, being changed (crazy right? but some of our best moments are when he's on the changing table), playing with mommy, daddy or big sister, sleeping (yes, he is sleeping through the night...i won't brag too much, but HALLELUJAH!), swinging in his swing

Things he does not like: baths, being burped, super long car rides, tummy time

(this picture cracks me up...he just kinda lays there like a slug)  He HAS learned to roll over from front to back this month and has rolled over from back to front a time or two as well.  GO LAYTON!!!

This month, Layton had his first Easter complete with his first Easter egg hunt and visit from the Easter bunny. He got a cookie monster towel, a book, two new pacis, two new outfits, and some rice cereal. Sorry buddy, no chocolate for you yet. 

(the best we could get of all the cousin's babies)

Layton, you are too fun! We are having a blast with you and love seeing your personality unfold. You look a lot like your daddy, but I think you are a little bit of a mama's boy:) That's JUST FINE WITH ME:)

(^^ Please ignore the mismatched socks. We are still living out of a suitcase, so somedays, our outfits just look like that. haha! ^^)

Layton You are such a blessing to our whole family. We love you sweet boy. Happy 3 months.

And of course the sibling comparison picture: (Lyla and Layton at 3 months)