So it's only taken me a year to get in here and write about the "new" arrival to our family. Gray was born on October 7, 2015 and is a complete joy. That's the word I think of every time I look at him, hold him, cuddle him, or feed him...even at 1:00am, 3:00am, and 5:00am and all of the other crazy times he wakes up at night.
The kid doesn't sleep. Like ever. But that's about the only complaint I can come up with because otherwise, he's pure sunshine. We weren't quite sure we would have another baby in our family, and I keep pinching myself because I can't believe how lucky I am to get to experience the whole thing one more time.
His first year has gone by unbearably fast, all of those firsts and that new baby wonder have given way to big baby tricks, attempts at first words, and wobbly tries at first steps.
In fact, he just took his first real steps yesterday (9/21/16)!
Gray is definitely our noisiest baby, always trying to keep up with his brothers and make sure he doesn't get lost in the crowd.
He's even started saying some words - Dada and ball are his favorites.
He makes a fish sound (opening and closing his mouth) when you ask what a fish says and LOVES barking like a dog whenever he sees or hears one. He also hisses like a snake, blowing little bubbles and with a cute little lisp :) He knows the sound a bird makes "teet teet!" And makes the sign for "bird" too. He knows signs for "more", "all done", and "water".
Just yesterday he started pointing to things to show you what he wants or what he's interested in - usually a ball. He also started giving kisses by bashing his head into your face and saying "muh!" Lots of fat lips in this family right now from Gray's sweet "kisses". Every once in awhile, you'll get really lucky and he'll grab you around the neck in a tiny little hug and give you a real kiss (on the mouth with lots of slobber). It's enough to melt your heart.
Gray loves pushing his little push cart/toy down the street, yelling for Mr. Campbell and the other neighbors, waving at everyone he sees and cars that drive by, barking at dogs, and tweeting at birds.
We are loving watching him change and grow and develop a very sassy, hilarious personality. I am amazed every day by how the big boys interact with him and adore him. I never thought they would pay him this much attention. They can't get enough of him.
Finn has definitely taken on the role of big brother. He feeds him, holds him, helps him, and gets such a kick out of all of his new tricks. He loves teaching him new things. He is more of the observer and supervisor and I can always trust him to tell me when the baby is getting into something he shouldn't be. He'll watch the baby for me while I put in laundry or run upstairs for something and I think he likes his extra responsibility.
Mitch has taken on the role of big brother too, but in a totally different way. He had a very hard time adjusting to he baby at first. I think it was hard for him to lose that attention that he had always gotten from us. He still struggles with it sometimes. But he also gets such delight from the babay's funny antics and treats Gray as his equal - roughing him up, wrestling him, and playing with him like he's just another one of the kids. Sometimes he's a little TOO rough with him, but I think we can be too hard on him about this because the baby loves every minute of all of it. And I think it's actually good for Gray - the kid is tough as nails from all of the wrestling! Mitch is also changing into a big kid now - getting awesome w reading and other school stuff and just becoming more independent. So I think the baby has been good for him too.
All in all, the transition to three kids has been amazing. It's been a huge challenge, a hilarious adventure, and an experience that makes our family feel whole and warm and complete. Let me emphasize he challenge part though - because man, this is tough. But I can't think of a way I'd rather be spending my days and I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with than this houseful of loud, smelly boys.
No comments:
Post a Comment