Graeson,

You are SO MUCH FUN this week!  You have started belly laughing (even in your sleep!) and it CRACKS ME UP each time.  AND, you now recognize Daddy and me!  When we leave the room, you search for us, and when we return, you greet us with big gummy smiles.  What a treat!  You are also a drool monster- I don’t know where all that stringy spit comes from.  It makes me wonder if you are starting to get your first tooth already.

Your hands are your favorite toys.  You study them and move each of your fingers.  You purposely grab ahold of your toys dangling above your head when you lay on your baby gym.  AND, Daddy and I are CONVINCED you wave back at me (although not everyone believes us).

I had to clean out your closet again and retire more of your clothes to the “Next Time Box.” You are still wearing some 3-6 month size clothes, but most are getting awfully small.  I hung up all the 6-9 month outfits on the top shelf,and even the 9-12 month clothes on the bottom. THEY LOOK SO BIG, I can’t believe how fast you are growing!  When Uncle Cason and I were little, your Grandma used to tell us that she was going to put bricks on our heads to keep us from growing… I totally see why now.  You better watch out, because I’ll bet she already has some bricks for you. 😉

This is my last full week of maternity leave… you and I will go to school together next Friday.  I keep having mixed feelings- I’m so happy that I get to bring you with me and you will only be a few steps away from my classroom at all times.  You will also have 4 best friends waiting for you when you get there, all just a couple weeks older and younger than you.  Your “teachers” are two of the most loving, motherly women I have ever met- which is good, because I’ve still only left you with your own Daddy twice.  I hate that I wont get to spend my entire day cuddling with you for a couple months.  I’m already looking forward to summer break- it’s exactly 13 weeks away.

We have quite the routine these days.  You have been sleeping through the night this week, in your crib, waking up around 6:00 am to eat and get your diaper changed.  Then you come back to bed with Mommy and we cuddle and fall back asleep until 10:00.  When you wake, you are REALLY hungry and its a race against time to get you food… otherwise you are NOT a happy camper and it takes a while to get you settled back down.     After breakfast, I stick you in your stroller and we go for a walk/jog around the neighborhood.  You LAUGH AND LAUGH when I run fast down the hills.  When we get home, its lunch time then you jump in your Johnny Jump Up some more (still one of your favorite past times).   After all that jumping, you are tuckered out, and its time for another nap.  When you wake up, we sing songs, dance around the living room to country music, and read stories.  Daddy usually gets home around 3:30 or 4 and spends a little time with you before he has to go back to work.  He is usually finished around 7 or 8, and we spend the rest of the evening together, making dinner, giving you a bath, and playing.  The last twelve weeks have been absolutely perfect.   I have loved spending each and every second of my time off with you.

I love you, Beautiful Boy.

Mommy