My Summer

Hey Graham fans! So much has been going on since my last post. Summer is really busy! It is so busy there is only time for one nap a day now. We do lots of different things. Sometimes Mommy and I go for walks to the park. I swing and go down the slide. I really like the slide. We play outside. I like to carry my soccer ball around. I also like to carry my golf clubs around and put the golf balls in my mouth. Sometimes Mommy or Daddy fills up my pool. I usually just walk around in the water with my big blue ball or shake my boat or splash my shovel. I throw the ball out of the pool a lot. Mommy or Daddy get it for me, but sometimes I flop out of the pool and get it myself. As you can see in the pic - I still like to climb stairs, but I gotta stay in touch with my peeps on my cell. Sometimes I have to multi-task and do both at the same time.

I am eating mostly big people food now. There are lots of things I like: strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, grapes (Mommy peels the skin), apples, pears, peaches, chicken, pork, sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans, toast, crackers, cheerios, cheese (!), pasta and sauce, yogurt and other things I can't think of right now. I am a big fruit fan as you can tell. Mommy sometimes shares some ice cream with me - I like that too. Grandma always lets me try her baked goods - have to say I am a big fan. They all keep trying to get me to eat mashed potatoes - not a fan - sweet potatoes are way better. It is also fun to throw some food over the side and watch Dakota eat it. She even licks my hands - makes me giggle!

Lots of excitement going on in my life. Grandpa and Uncle Brad came to visit the other weekend. They came to play with me, but were nice and helped Daddy at this barbeque contest in Pleasant Hill. Mommy and I went out to see them. I had a lot of fun touching tires on Daddy's truck and others and generally exploring. I carried around a red plastic cup - I like to drink out of it even though it was empty. I tried some of the chicken. I like chicken and that was some good chicken! I guess the sausage was really good because they got first place and 5th in the whole contest. They even got a trophy! They sure were proud.

Grandma came to visit next. Mommy and Daddy stained the deck so Grandma entertained me. Uncle Greg came over for dinner too. I had to show off at how I climb the steps! Uncle Greg was impressed. He played peek-a-boo with me at dinner. That is such a fun game!

Later in the week on Thursday Mommy and I went to Grandma's. I met more of my relatives. Grandma's sister (according to Mommy this is my Great Aunt) and some of her family came to Iowa from Texas. I met some of my second cousins. Sam and Kayla were there too and they all played with me outside. I took a liking to Jaylyn. I wanted her to know it so I hugged her several times in a row! Everyone seemed to think it was cute. Hopefully Jaylyn didn't mind...

Something really unusual happened while we were at Grandma's. Mommy disappeared. I don't know what happened to her. Grandma didn't seem worried. I was worried that evening. Friday Grandma still wasn't worried so I decided to just have fun with Grandma. I was eating dinner that evening and in walked Daddy AND Mommy. They looked really happy to see me. I kept my eye on them, but Jaylyn was back so I played with her some too. I hugged her again. Eventually Mommy and Daddy and I got in the truck. The next time I woke up I was in my crib. Home again! (Note from Mom: Chris and I each road a day of Ragbrai and camped out in Ottumwa. Given that neither us of really trained, we were impressed with ourselves!)

11 months old!

Hey Graham Fans! Boy time flies! I can't believe I am 11 months! I am such a big boy! So let me think about what has happened since my last update. We went to Grandma's house. I rode the 4 wheeler for the first time. Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma really seemed pleased that I rode on it. Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, Sam and Kayla were also there to play with me. Sam had a football that I liked to carry around - maybe I will be a running back someday! Grandma has a big yard - I can't wait until I am older and can explore more. We also went to the Peiffer family reunion. There were some other people my size - Sam and Kayla were more interested in playing with me than my relatives my size.

Mommy and I went out to lunch one day with Mr. Mike. Mommy said she used to work with him. It was a busy place, but they have things I like - apples and banana pudding! After I was out of my chair, I tried to go meet the other people there, but Mommy caught me. I don't know why she didn't want me to go meet all those other people.

I have mastered the stairs! I don't get much practice because Daddy put a gate at the bottom. Once in awhile it is open. Just today, Mommy was vacuuming the stairs. I took advantage of the opportunity and climbed all the way to the top. I passed right on by that vacuum. That shows my determination, because that vacuum really fascinates me.

As Mom says, I am into everything. I like to open and shut doors. The only problem is when I shut the door and can't get it back open with Mom and Dad on the other side. It makes me cry. I just can't reach the door handle in the office or laundry room. It is scary!

We are still really busy. We have story time on Mondays, just finished sign language class, and still go to swimming class on Thursdays. I think Mommy and Daddy really learned a lot in sign language class. I enjoyed socializing with the other parents and kids. I really liked it when another kid had a fun toy out! Everyone sat in a big circle so it was obvious the kids were supposed to go in the middle and entertain the parents as they were learning to talk with their hands.

One of the things I really like to do is run between the living room, kitchen and entry way. I REALLY like it. It just makes me laugh and giggle!

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You look just like your daddy!

Update from Mom today. Just about everyone that sees Graham thinks he looks just like Chris. Chris' mom, Kathy, has said she could see some of me in Graham, but she is about the only one. The hair, eyes, and skin are definitely Chris - Graham even has just a bit of a wave in his hair in the back. I have thought also that he favored the Bagby's, but lately I thought he reminded me of myself at his age. I dug out the baby pics and think he looks quite a bit like me at his age. I scanned in some pics - see what you think!

I LOVE SUMMER!

Hey Graham Fans! I love summer! I have been so busy having fun and learning new things! I don't know where to start. Guess I will just jump in which means water fun! (Get it - 'jump in', water fun?) You might be surprised that I am learning to swim! Mommy and sometimes Daddy too take me to the pool at the gym for water babies class. I am learning to kick, reach and pull, hold onto the wall and blow bubbles. So far holding onto the wall is the only thing I have mastered. Mommy moves my legs to kick, my arms to reach and pull, then she blows the bubbles. This will all come in handy because Daddy surprised me with a pool! Mommy and Daddy took lots of pictures. They really seemed to like it - gosh, they even got in with me (not both at the same time fortunately - there might not have been room for me). Mommy and I has taken me to the big pool at the gym so she can move my legs and arm in hope that I will do it myself. I just like her to hold me!

With the nice weather, I have been able to get out the sticks a few times. Mommy had a garage sale and I was able to get some practice in that day. There have been some other days that I have gotten out. Check out my form in the pic - I think I will be a contender in that big US Open tournament that Daddy watched over the weekend.

I am really getting smarter now. We go to the library now twice on Mondays. Mommy and I go for songs and stories before lunch. Then Daddy, Mommy and I go back for sign language class after dinner. I enjoy both classes. There are SO many kids at the sign language class, plus so many mommies and daddies. Last week I kept walking in the middle of the circle smiling at everyone and checking out a few of the kids. This week Ireally wanted to check out the kids and there were a couple of the mommies that I thought might want to play with me too. Don't get me wrong, I like to play with Daddy and Mommy. I kept going back to them and giving them a hug so they wouldn't feel bad. Mommy was waving her hands all crazy so I thought she was having her own fun. She does some of that at home too.

Gosh what else is new? Oh yeah I went to Kansas City with Mommy and Daddy this past weekend. We stayed at Uncle Brad and Aunt Lisa's house so I could play with cousin Benjamin. I really like to touch him. There was one time where Mommy got really excited when I patted him, maybe another. Most of the time she said I did good. We even went to the park to swing. Since I am so much older than him and more experienced, I got to play on the slide too. We went to Nanny's house and Grandpa and Susan's house too. Daddy and Grandpa smoked a bunch of meat to practice for some contest. I ate some of the chicken - I think they will win their contest.

Check out the pic below with my gift to Daddy for Father's Day. Mommy and I made it together. We also got him a book to read to me and we included this apron in the package too.

Keeping us on our toes!

Graham let Mom have the computer for an update. I know for most things his view is more entertaining than mine and Chris' but he doesn't realize how impressive some of his actions can be. He is becoming more and more entertaining. He is constantly on the go. He plays with his toys some, but is just as likely to be entertained by a non-toy (see spatula pic on the right).

We can't believe how fast Graham is. He will be in a full out toddler run soon - he is almost there already. He can stand from a sitting position without crawling to something to help him pull up. We try to keep him contained in the family room for as long as he can stand it. Once he is loose he is all over the kitchen and living room. He will do hot laps between the kitchen, living room, and entry way. Speaking of the entry way - Thursday night last week, Chris and I were sitting in the living room and Graham was toddling around. I heard something around the corner that sounded like feet or hands on carpet so I rushed to the stairs. Sure enough there he was on the 3rd or 4th step proud as can be. Time for a gate! Until it is up, we really have to stay on our toes. If he is going to climb, someone has to be there to prevent the fall.

Graham is getting smarter all the time. He is giving kisses now. Sometimes they turn into bites! We think he talks to the dog and calls her something that is a combination of dog and God. When she barks, sometimes it sounds like he is giving her heck for barking. Apparently copying what he hears from Mom and Dad! Over the weekend we were in KC visiting the Bagby clan. I was trying to entertain our nephew Benjamin who is 5 1/2 months old now. I was pretending to chomp on his leg while saying yum, yum, yum. Graham went up to Benjamin and tried to do the same thing while saying num, num, num. Monkey see, monkey do! One more reason Chris and I have to stay on our toes!

Well I have to keep it short. I know Graham wants to post an update too. I best not steal his thunder. He will include more pics of all his recent activities.

10 Months and into everything!

Hey! Can you believe I am 10 months old? Life is just so much fun! The older I get life just gets better! Getting teeth might not be the most fun, but once they are in there are definite benefits. In the last week, my other top middle tooth came in and one of my side teeth on the bottom. That makes 5 teeth! What fun things have I been up to you ask? I have fun when Daddy chases me around. It makes me giggle and squeal! I like to ride on Mommy's back like she is a horsey. I pretend that her hair is the reigns on the horse. It is really fun when she bucks! Now that I walk I spend a lot of time trying to get to the things I want to play with - the dog bowl, the window cranks, the doors, toilet paper, the blinds. Mommy does her best to prevent me from playing with all of those things. Of course, I work very hard to get around her. Sometimes I need to get away from Mommy but other times I really want to be with her or Daddy. I can just walk up, pull on their legs, and look up like, "pick me up already". I like to hug and snuggle them. Sometimes I squeeze them really tight!

So what has been going since my last update? Mommy's friend Judy (sometimes referred to as Aunt Judy) babysat me last Saturday. We had a good time - I tried to impress her with my foot work. She impressed me with how she could put me to sleep in the stroller. I try so hard not to fall asleep unless it is absolutely necessary, somehow my eyes just went shut. Anyway, I guess Mommy and Daddy had fun on their date.

Mommy took me to the gym with her a couple of days. It isn't really with her. I go to the nursery and she goes and works out by herself. I am still not used to all of the kids. It is more fun to be home playing. Speaking of playing Daddy and Mommy took me to the park twice - actually two different parks. Big fan of that. I like the slides and cannot WAIT until I can go down by myself! Almost forgot - I have TWO more teeth, my left middle top tooth and my right bottom side tooth (Auntie Sara, I don't know the right names, sorry!)

Nanny was here from Kansas City this weekend. She was really impressed with all of my fancy footwork. I really wanted her to see I am a big boy and I think she agrees with me that I am not a baby (never mind when I cry and I still take a bottle and wear diapers). She thinks I am smart! :)

Naughty, naughty

Hello, hello! Naughty is the opening subject. Don't even think that I am naughty. Just because Mommy says "No, No" or "NO" doesn't mean I am naughty. How could I be naughty. Dakota on the other hand IS naughty. She ran outside TWICE today. Once when Grandma was here and then when Mommy and I were headed outside to play. Mommy and I were running down the street chasing after her. Mommy and I have never been running like that. It kind of tickled me. After Mommy caught Kotie, it wasn't very comfortable for me 'cuz she was kind of bent over pulling her scruff. Some nice lady named Deb helped Mommy out and carried me. We made it all the back to the house. Mommy was sure thankful that Deb helped out.

Besides Dakota being in trouble, we have had a LOT of fun in the last week. If you remember, I told you Daddy and Grandpa participated in a barbeque contest last Saturday. They got up early, early. Mommy and I went down to see them for lunch. I didn't get to try anything, Mommy just had some of my normal food ready to eat. It was most fun when I got out of the stroller. The big news of the day was that they placed 5th in the pork loin category. Boy were they excited! Apparently it is a big deal to place 5th or higher. I was so proud to be on the Albino Rhino BBQ team. [Side Note - have you ever seen us? Grandpa, Daddy, me (Uncle Brad and probably counsin Benjamin too) are not exactly tan]

Last weekend was so much fun. Besides Grandpa coming to visit, Daddy, Mommy and I played outside on Sunday. We took the 'BIG Cat' around the cul-de-sac (I have no idea what that means, I just heard Mommy say it). It was really fun. I got to hand out at the fire hydrant again - WAY fun. We also played in the backyard. Daddy kicked Dakota's ball so she would run and chase it. That just tickled me so! She would chase that ball - just so funny. I didn't think the day could get much more exciting. Well it did. Daddy and Mommy took me to this big bathtub like place. Mommy and Daddy got in with me. The water was kind of cold and there weren't any tub toys. Not sure what I thought of it. We will see if we go again what I think. Mommy talked to Daddy about taking me to Water Babies class in the big bath tub. (Note from Mom: the big bath tub is the indoor pool at the gym.)

Monday we all went back to the gym - I didn't go with Daddy and Mommy this time. I don't know why they didn't take me with them. There were a bunch of kids in the room they left me. It was okay, but after awhile those kids just kind of upset me. Fortunately Daddy and Mommy came back and got me after awhile. Mommy took me back later in the week. It was okay for awhile, but eventually I started really hoping Mommy would come back. I am glad she did!

Thursday I got my first balloon. I had to let it go, but I watched it. Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, Uncle Greg, and I went to an ALS memorial. We went to remember Grandpa Dennis. I never got to meet him, but I know it meant a lot to Mommy, Grandma, and Uncle Greg. Daddy and I did our best to make Mommy's eyes not water. She says she sure wishes Grandpa Dennis could have played with me, because she knows how much fun he would have had. She said it has been three years since Grandpa Dennis went to heaven where the balloons went. I hope he was watching us. He would have seen how much everyone there enjoyed my entertainment - walking like a big boy with all this hair is apparently very entertaining. So that brings up to today. Grandma and I played while Mommy went to the gym. Then Mommy and I went to a store with a bunch of toys - we even brought one home (it is a a LOT of fun). Of course then Dakota ran away. She had to go inside, while Mommy and I played outside. From the pics you can see, I like rocks!