Jocund July {2017}

Yes, I am really reaching for J adjectives now.  Haha!  It was a pretty cheerful July mostly relaxing and playing at home with the kids.  Yes, being at home with four kids all day can have its share of rough moments, but I wouldn't trade these days for anything in the world.  This is the good life! 

The boys and I started the month with a rainy day picnic in the living room and a fun board game.  

We took the boys to see Despicable Me 3.  My little minions love these movies. 

Evan was really excited about another Transformers movie. He has loved Bumblebee since he was Mattox's age. 

Oh the sweet joys of this happy baby! 

Going to Mellow Mushroom for kids' night happens at least once a month. 

The boys love making their own pizza.  I took a car selfie to show my red, white and blue attire for the 4th of July. 

He has a new love interest...the little penguin on his exersaucer.  Ha! 

We tried to play outside a little, but it was either way too hot, raining, or the bugs would eat you alive.  

Mattox trying out his little trampoline.  

Um, no he isn't potty training although he does occasionally sit on it.  Notice he is fully clothed.  

I swear these two are twins 8 years apart.  They look so much alike here. 

Oh these little boys melt my heart!  And yes, Brody loves making silly faces. 

A few "normal" pictures.  Haha!

And Brody trying to be a camera hog and take over the picture. 

We tried to have a picnic at a waterfront park, but it was dreadfully hot.  We ate under the shelter in the shade, but it was too hot for the kids to really play. 

Brody and Mattox did attempt to enjoy the playground equipment, but it was so hot it would have burned them. 

We took a little walk to the pier to see the water.  This is the Ogeechee River that separates Savannah from our town.  The park is right beside the Hwy. 17 bridge and across the road from Love's Seafood Restaurant where they filmed parts of Forrest Gump. 

Just a nice lazy evening at home. 

You know I had to get pictures of these boys in these matching outfits.  Both of these were actually Mattox's.  I had bought him the smaller one, and he outgrew it so fast, I ended up getting him one in a larger size.  

They are so happy together. 

Mattox enjoys playing with his brother...or his brother's toys at least. 

Sitting up and reading a book already.  Definitely a genius.  Haha! 

I can't remember what meat that was (pork or chicken), but I did make twice baked potatoes for dinner one night.  Brody and Mattox were watching an oldie but goodie...Heathcliff.  Ha! 

I just love these babies.  

Tummy time and exercising. 

Sonic half price shakes are a necessity in the summer.  Cherry cream slushes for the win! 

We finally became full Georgia residents changing our licenses and license plate.  Of course, we were not aware of the ad valorem tax here...yikes to having to pay almost a thousand dollars up front.  Sigh. The boys wanted a picture with the giant chili pepper at Chili's, and I do love some plaid shorts on little boys. 

Daddy and Brody made us a yummy pancake breakfast. 

Sweet sleeping baby. 

Evan and Brody were playing a card game...probably something they invented.  

Sorry (not really) for so many pictures of this cutie, but they are only little for a short time.  I just adore those precious smiles. 

And one for the memory books...our first case of hand foot and mouth.  Sigh.  Mattox was battling getting sick with colds and fevers for the last several months everytime he would go to church nursery.  It is really the only time he gets to be with other kids so I assume his immune system just wasn't very strong yet.  Then, he got this lovely mess.  It started on his chin so we thought at first it was just irritated from drooling.  Then, it spread to his back, legs, and finally a few blisters on his hands and feet.  He never acted like it was too painful.  We kept him covered with antibacterial creams and managed to keep the other boys from getting it.  We stayed in for a week until it was all cleared up.  

Lots of cuddling time, and the boys enjoying a yummy ice cream treat. 

A little walk in the neighborhood.  Mattox is actually wearing his pajamas.  Haha!  And for some reason, my husband keeps letting Brody ride his bike without his helmet.  Sigh. 

Playing in the ball pit is so fun! 

Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the win, and Evan loved his new pajamas just in time for shark week. 

The boys and I picked up some new books, and Brody likes to create art on anything he can find.  I am not sure what this creation was...maybe a time machine? 

I love when Daddy gets on the floor to play. 

Could you resist playing with that sweet boy?  I doubt it. 

We had many afternoon rain showers all summer. 

Grayson had his own shark week adventures in the tub. 

Evan and his church group on Sundays.  These are fourth and fifth graders so their group is called Group 45. 

The boys had fun all summer at church  on Wednesday nights.  This was kiddie pool kickball.  Yep, they were soaked! 

Instead of a traditional VBS, our church does its own summer program.  The boys loved it.  Brody particularly enjoyed painting. 

He is a hard working artist. 

The big boys enjoyed goofing off at music time. 

Brody loves singing and dancing. 

Evan made a beautiful painting of the cross and a sunset. 

The fun events culminated with the kids leading worship service on Sunday. 

Playing legos with big brother Evan. 

Eating lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants that is on the water.  It is called Fish Tales.  It actually wasn't too hot this day to eat outside. 

The boys love being close to the water. 

Evan has developed an appreciation for low country boil.  He will even peel his own shrimp now.  Yay! 

But Grayson just prefers to eat his foot. 

Little shark lover getting "attacked" by his stuffed shark. 

Fun at the Mall

Back in Raleigh, we loved our favorite Pullen Park and the fun little train and carousel that were only a dollar to ride.  I know that nothing can ever really beat that place, but the boys really missed riding the train and carousel.  The only comparable ones here in this area are at the mall in Savannah so for one of our last summer outings before back to school, we spent a Friday at the mall eating lunch, riding the rides, and doing a little back to school shopping as well.  It was a fun day for all.

We enjoyed our favorite meals at Chick-fil-a.  

The cute but overpriced train and carousel.  The carousel did have a cute little teacup to ride in so I sat in it with the younger boys. 

The boys just enjoy playing with the little cars even if I don't put money in them.  

Mattox loved making us spin. 

I love that my almost teenager still loves riding the carousel.  If I could just keep him little.  Sigh. 

  

Mommy and her littlest baby.  Can't I just keep at least this one small? 

My big boys riding the train.  Evan rode with Mattox on the caboose while Brody insisted on riding solo. 

Trying for a picture in front of the train can be complicated when a toddler just wants to get back on. 

But he was quickly distracted by these cool rides.  I let him and Brody enjoy this one that had a little screen show to watch. 

Boys can be content with the smallest gestures. 

I love that little bus driver.  He gave big brothers a ride. 

Future race car drivers maybe?  Brody and Mattox definitely share a love of cars. 

We also enjoyed the little soft play area where Mattox and Grayson could play. 

Mattox just adores his baby brothers. 

Evan is a very attentive big brother and loves playing with his babies. 

Evan led Mattox through the rainbow tunnel.  How much longer do I have before Evan will no longer enjoy hanging out with his little brothers?  

Grayson's 8th Month

We have really been enjoying your first Summer although it has been pretty hot here in southern Georgia.  You have enjoyed going to the beach, playing in the pool, and even tasting your first watermelon in your little mesh feeder.  You really enjoy life and exploring the world around you, and we all enjoy you!

Size:  You won't go back to the doctor until you are 9 months old, but we can tell you are growing so well. With all you are eating, I suspect you may be close to 18 lbs. now.  You need size 3 diapers now.  You need mostly 6 to 9 month clothes for length although even your 9 month pajamas are getting too short.  You have consistently remained at the top of charts for length so we wonder if you will be the tallest of your brothers.   

Developmental Accomplishments:  You are still very happy and love to be talked to and played with. You are rolling over onto your tummy more and more and attempt to army crawl to reach toys that you want.  You could sit fully unsupported but often will get yourself onto your tummy from a sitting position to reach a toy and play.   You still aren't pulling up into a crawl position on your own yet although I have put you into position and you can hold yourself up on your hands for a few seconds and act like you want to go.  You are also getting stronger on your feet and legs to be able to stand on your own holding our hands or furniture.  I can stand you up against furniture like our upholstered ottoman, and you can stand for a few seconds on your own before sitting down.  You have great neck control when sitting up.  Your fine motor skills are definitely improving more and more as you learn new ways to play with your toys.  You love pushing buttons, playing with blocks, and still love banging your toys together and making lots of noises.  You also love music and toys that make noise and sounds.  You make circles all around your exersaucer and enjoy playing with all the toys on it.  You still hate being left alone and will let Mommy know if she is gone too long.  Evan has been a big help this month entertaining you when I am busy.  

 
Sleeping:  You are still sleeping pretty good at night although you do wake us up some at night because you are hungry and want to eat more or just because you want to be held.  You usually go to bed by 9:30 or 10:00 (sometimes earlier) but often wake up around 6:00 to eat.   You have been giving Daddy a little trouble when he tries to lay you in your crib at night because you want to be touching us now.  You like to wake up at night to be held and rocked, but when you fall asleep and daddy tries to lay you down, you immediately wake up screaming.  Mommy thinks it is a little funny because you just want your daddy time since he is gone so much of the day.  

Eating:  You are doing great with eating and are still primarily breast fed.  You still refuse to take a bottle, but I don't mind as long as you are getting plenty to eat.  You are now solidly on a 3 meals a day routine with breakfast, lunch and dinner and four to five breastfeedings.  You have eaten avocado, bananas, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, pears, apples, brown rice and oatmeal cereal, peaches, white potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and plain yogurt.  Carrots have probably been your least favorite.  You can eat thicker purees now.  You usually eat a fruit combination for breakfast, a green vegetable combination for lunch, and an orange vegetable for dinner.   You now eat two baby bullet servings or 4 ice cube servings at each meal.  I mix some combinations together for you like fruit and yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast and white potatoes and a green vegetable like peas, green beans, or broccoli.  You still act like you are hungry at night so we are going to try adding some chicken next month so you are getting more protein.    

Teeth:  Two bottom teeth

Nicknames:  Grayson Payson (goes with Evan Pevin, Brody Pody, Mattox Pattox), Gray Pay, Gray Gray, Baby Goo (because he is just a little gooey sweet mess)

{More pictures coming soon}