26 weeks, how did that happen?

It is amazing how fast pregnancy goes once you hit the halfway point. Today marks 26 weeks - that means in roughly 14 weeks, we will be welcoming our new family member. That seems unreal to both of us. Graham is so active, how are we going to handle two? We know it will all work out - our lives will adjust and soon it will all seem normal.

Since this is my first pregnancy post, I will provide a brief update. When we had our ultrasound at 20 weeks, we opted not to find out the gender. It was such a special moment when Graham was born and we discovered he was a boy that we wanted to have that experience again. We did get to see all of the vital organs. The baby was active and very cooperative for the technician to get her pictures. Everything has been quite normal thus far and we feel very blessed. Here is a pic at 24 1/2 weeks. The bump has definitely gotten bigger!

Christmas Fun and More Fun!

Hey Graham Fans! We just officially finished our Christmas celebrations. I got to spend time with almost all of my family members. It was so much fun! I must have been a good boy because between Santa and my family I received some really fun toys. More importantly

Mommy, Daddy and I went to Kansas City to celebrate with the Bagby side of my family. Wednesday, we went to Uncle Brad and Aunt Lisa's house. Nanny came with us and Gramps stopped by too. I also got my first Christmas present. Uncle Brad got me a KC Royals jersey. It is really big so it will be awhile before I can wear. Hopefully by the time it fits me, the Royals will actually have a decent season so I won't be embarrassed to wear it! I hadn't seen Cousin Benjamin for awhile. He has really learned a lot in the last few months. I tried to help him learn some more. He was taking pictures off the shelves and I was trying to help him put some back.

On Christmas Eve, we mostly just hung out until the after nap time. Uncle Brad, Aunt Lisa and Benjamin came over. It was snowing which according to Mommy helps make Christmas. We all exchanged presents. The first I opened (or was that Mommy) was my new suitcase! I knew exactly what to do with it - pull it all around Nanny's house!

Another cool gift came from Uncle Brad and Aunt Lisa - a drum with instruments inside. Since we go to music class I knew what to do with everything.

We all had a lot of fun. We opened gifts, ate dinner (I like lasagna) and played. At the end of the evening, I had to get on the 'net and check in with my peeps! Thanks Nanny for letting me borrow your computer.

On Christmas, we went to Grandpa and Susan's. Grandpa couldn't wait for everyone to arrive to show me my gift - a train set!

Susan made some decorated sugar cookies. They were sitting on the coffee table so I just helped myself to one. Eventually everyone was there - Uncle Brad, Lisa and Benjamin along with Andrew, Nicole, and Nicole's mom. That was when Benjamin got his gift, which I played with too! It was almost like getting two gifts!

After all that fun in KC, we came back home. It was time to get back into my routine. The surprise was when we got home Santa (Not sure really who this is) had been there!

The funny thing was Daddy took a screwdriver to it and it wouldn't go anymore. I tried to fix it so it would run again.

At the end of last week, Daddy put my train set together. I really like it!

Later in the day, Daddy and I were playing with my train and Mommy got home. The surprise was Grandma was with her. She came to celebrate Christmas with us (I think really just me). Uncle Greg came over and we once again opened presents. Grandma gave me a tractor and wagon. She must have noticed how much I like to play with the tractors as her house. Aunt Deb and her family weren't there, but they gave me a vacuum. Someone told her how much I like to vacuum and sweep! I pushed my new vacuum all over the house. I even took it upstairs to take a bath - I made sure I could see it the whole time I was in the tub!

Grandma stayed a couple of days to play with me. Boy was it cold while she was here. Wait, it is still cold! Mommy and Daddy said it was going to snow again. Good grief. I just don't think our yard has anymore room for snow.

So I know in my last post I mentioned I had been to the doctor a couple of times. Well I had to go back again and get more medicine. I sure am tired of being sick. The one perk is it gives me an excuse to get in bed with Mommy and Daddy. I am such a good snuggler, I am sure they don't mind.

Pre-Christmas

Hey Graham Fans! Boy time does fly during the holidays! I can't believe it has almost been a month since my last post. I am going to have to break out my activities before Christmas and the whole Christmas experience!

One of the big events before Christmas was the blizzard. I used to be able to see the yard but now the snow looks like it was just stacked onto the yard. Daddy sure spent a lot of time outside snowblowing! I didn't venture out much. After it stopped snowing and was a little warmer, Daddy and Mommy put on my snowpants and boots to take me outside. I wasn't impressed.

Before the snow really started flying, Mommy took me to the doctor and you know what we found out - I had another ear infection! These are really getting old. My nose was runny too. It all just made me feel kind of crappy! The bad thing was a couple of weeks later we went to get my ear rechecked and it was all clear - yeah, but two days later I didn't feel well again and it was infected. That was the day we were headed to KC for Christmas. Thank goodness Mommy took me in before we left so I could get medicine to make me better.

On to fun stuff, Mommy, Daddy and I went to some party. There was a guy in a red suit with a lady in a red dress. They kept talking to me. I tried to burrow into Mommy. It didn't work, but I held on tight. They had food so Mommy shared some with me. Eventually the guy and lady in red came back and gave me a cup. I decided maybe they weren't so bad. Before long I was running all over. It was fun! I even let the lady and man hold me - I didn't smile though.

The next week we went to a party at a body shop (Great Aunt Marian and Mommy's cousin Steve's). When we walked in there was a man and a lady that looked just like the man and lady in red at the party the week before. I looked and looked and looked at them. They didn't have the same clothes on, but boy the man had the same beard and face. I just couldn't get over how I was seeing that man again, I think they called him Santa. I was still kind of nervous at this party. Uncle Greg was there too which was good. Someone brought their dog and that was when I decided it was a fun party. I chased that dog around and discovered there was all kinds of things to get into. Later I found Great Uncle Harold's cane. I played with it a few weeks ago so I knew how much fun it was to swing around!

With this big Christmas holiday everyone was talking about, Mommy and Daddy made candy one night. Mommy gave me a spoon that had some candy on it (almond bark). Boy was that good. I held onto that spoon for awhile. I even let Dakota try some. She really liked it too. I like spoon licking!

With all this bad weather, I started thinking about my future. Mommy received a magazine from UNI's College of Business. Since I can't play outside, it seemed like a good time to begin researching UNI.

Mommy said it was a good school so I should definitely put it on my list for consideration if I go into business. College is a long ways off so for now I will just hang with my best friend Dakotie!

16 months old

Hey Graham Fans - Just sharing the latest goings on in my world. I can't believe how fast November went! I was glad there were some days we got to play outside. We even went to the park a couple of times. It was a lot of fun. I can now climb in the wagon on my own. It makes it really easy to communicate that I want to go for a ride. I also love to drive now. Daddy lets me get in his truck. I steer and push buttons and even honk the horn. Funny thing is Mommy can never get her car door open when I want to drive her car.

Uncle Greg was over the other week and he played with me. He taught me now to slide down the stair railing! I experienced my second Thanksgiving. This year we went to Grandma's house in Sigourney. She had her Christmas tree up already. It had these pretty red balls on it that I kept taking off. somehow they all ended up out of my reach. I got to play the piano, use her vacuum, and play with the toy tractors. The highlight was getting to play in the shed. I sat on the tractor, the lawn mower, and the four wheeler. Luckily Kayla was nice enough to hang out with me while I had fun. The other highlight was when Daddy and Uncle Greg took me to the John Deere store. Wow - I wish we could go there everyday! Toys to play with and real tractors to check out. You should all go there and check it out.

Mommy and Daddy went to a party the other night so their friend Kristin came over to play with me while they were gone. We had a good time. I think I really entertained her. I don't understand though if she comes over to play with me, why she put me to bed. I was worn out and all but really thought she should have to go to sleep too. Adults are always pulling the wool over my eyes!

Since my last update, I had a double ear infection. It made it really hard to sleep. Now that I am working on another update, I have an infection in my left ear. This really stinks. I don't like to feel bad. Mom sure hopes I quit getting these - me too! We skipped story time because my nose is all runny.

Really it seems life has been pretty average. I have been helping Mommy a lot. She was cleaning the windows so I helped her clean them. She also was wiping down the counters so I helped her by wiping the trash can. When we were done we washed our hands. The other thing I do now is help her unload the dishwasher. Sometimes stuff is still wet so Mommy dries it. I help her dry stuff. When I am not being helpful, I am usually climbing. Mommy put out some Christmas decorations near the stairway. I cleverly climbed the outside of the steps to reach them and rearrange them. Unfortunately a couple of things were broken. Oops! She also put up the Christmas tree. It looks pretty, but I can't reach any of the pretty things. Instead I throw Dakota's ball into the tree. It entertains me.

I am sure I will have more to post soon since Christmas is coming. Hope you all are being good so Santa finds you. I know I am ALWAYS good!

Pumpkin patch, trick or treating, and family time!

Hey Graham Fans! Lots of family time lately! Nanny came up to visit the other week. We all went to the pumpkin patch. Actually we didn't go all the way out to the patch, but we did all the fun things around the farm. They had goats to pet. I even grabbed one of the goats horns! There were some hay bales to to stand on. They also had these really cool pedal tractors. I couldn't reach the pedals. Daddy pushed me some, but I was just as happy playing with the steering wheel. I love steering wheels! The other highlights of the day were picking out a pumpkin (well more for Mom and Dad) and eating kettle corn! I like popcorn! Nanny couldn't give it to me fast enough. Hopefully we go back next year!
While Nanny was here, we found out Great Uncle Eldon died. Mommy was pretty shocked and sad. Mommy and I went to visit Aunt Marian and cousins Steve and Suzy. We went to Suzy's house. She has a dog like Dakota except it was brown. It was sad but I was happy to see a dog. Later in the week we saw more of Mommy's family. Grandma was in town and Aunt Deb came. Lot and lots of Mommy's cousins were there. One of Mommy's cousins had a little boy younger than me. He ended up sitting on his Grandpa's lap next to Mommy and me so I shared my goldfish crackers with him. It is okay to share sometimes. When we left I felt sad for Aunt Marian so I planted one on her. Everyone seems to love it when I smooch them so I thought she probably needed it.


Busy week already and then Friday I put on this dragon outfit and walked around the neighborhood. I guess it was Beggar's Night. People gave me candy so I think it was a good thing. It was kind of a yucky night. When we got home some other kids came to our house to get candy, but there weren't that many. The next day we went to Grandma's house. Uncle Greg was there, then Aunt Deb, Sam, and Kayla were there too. Mass was for Grandpa Dennis so we went to pray for him. Grandma let me sit on the step stool instead of her high chair. It was fun - I could wiggle ALL around. That evening was trick or treat night in Sigourney. Once again, I put on my dragon outfit. We went to Great Grandma's house, the Richardson's, and the Shettlers. Three houses was enough because that meant getting in the carseat that many times. On Sunday, I found out how much fun it is to play, i.e. pound, on the piano. Kayla and I 'played' a duet! Then later in the day when Uncle Greg left, I got in Grandma's car. I love to drive! It was a fun weekend with different people to play with me.


We have had some nice weather lately so I have gotten to play outside. We even went to the park a couple of days. It had been a while since we had visited the park. In that time, I had gotten braver on the slides, particularly when getting off the slide. I fell a few times but I wasn't hurt and would just go climb the steps to slide down again.

Sara came over to see me the other day. Mommy and Daddy left after she got here. I guess they went out to celebrate their anniversary. I don't understand why they wouldn't want me to go along. Oh well Sara and I had a good time. I was showing her how I hug Dakota, then I would hug Sara. She liked it so I did it more.

Notes from Mommy: We got a little behind in the pictures after losing the USB cord so Graham couldn't finish his update he has been working on for awhile. This give me an opportunity to chime in on everything he is doing. We are so tickled with the things he does. The other week Dakota had a new toy which she promptly shredded. Graham started puting the pieces in the trash with out any prompting. He had been putting things in the trash can when I would tell him but we were so impressed that he did it on his own. One day when I had turned off the water in the shower, he grabbed my towel and handed it to me. Since then, he has done it both prompted and unprompted. Graham has gotten much more confident - sometimes too confident. I found him standing on the dining room table one day. He has also taken to standing on the ottoman in the living room and trying to jump to the couch. It isn't far, but he doesn't totally have the skills to do it. He keeps trying. Graham likes to walk down the stairs going forward as long as he has a finger to hold onto and a hand on the wall. He is also using silverware some. Eating with his hands is easier but he is getting better at maneuvering the fork and spoon.

What is a brother?

Hey Graham Fans! I know I just posted an update, but I needed to get some input. I have heard some new words lately that I don't understand. Mommy and Daddy have said I am going to have a sibling and that I will be a big brother. What do those words mean? I know Mommy has a brother - Uncle Greg. Daddy has a brother - Uncle Brad. Does this mean I am going to get really tall all of a sudden? Am I going to grow hair on my face like Uncle Greg? And what in the world is a sibling? I don't quite get it all. Mommy has a Cabbage Patch doll - is that my sibling? Surely it doesn't meant anyone else is going to be living with us. Things are so good with Daddy, Mommy, and me. I just don't see how adding a new person into the mix would make life any better. If you all know what this means, help me out!

(Note from Mommy: Chris wanted me to make it clear that yes we are expecting no. 2. I am just over 12 weeks. My due date is May 2 - still a long way to go.... We are hoping that by the time the baby arrives that Graham has a better appreciation of the word 'gentle'. He likes to hold and kiss the Cabbage Patch doll, but also grabs her by the pigtails! The new baby may have to learn to be tough at a young age!)

The latest in the life of Graham

Hey Graham Fans! How are you? Well I have had my ups and downs since my last post. I was sick (ear infection) and my medicine upset my tummy. Mommy got me some different medicine but it took awhile to get over the upset tummy. I didn't feel like eating much. I was sleepy. I just wasn't myself.

Aunt Deb and Kayla stayed at our house while Dad took Sam and Uncle Tim hunting. It took me longer than normal to warm-up and I really wanted Mommy around. She snuck out of the house though. I had a pretty good time playing with Aunt Deb and Kayla. We went outside which you know I like. I showed them how I can ring the doorbell! Kayla took me outside several times so that was good. Uncle Greg even came by to play with me too.

After the weekend I really didn't feel better. We didn't go to storytime, but did go to Brighter Beginnings. Even that was a little tough on me. I didn't want Mommy to go to the parent discussion. All the nice caregivers looked out for me and I was okay. Things started to get better the end of the week. Friday morning, Mommy and Daddy were rushing around. Suddenly Grandma is at the front door - what a surprise! Before I knew it Mommy and Daddy were in the car backing out of the driveway - without me! Well I guess they went to a wedding in Chicago and saw a bunch of Daddy's friends from college. Grandma and I had a good time. I started to eat more again. We played outside some, but then it SNOWED Saturday. We were supposed to walk in the Walk to D'Feet ALS in memory of Grandpa Dennis. The weather was just too yucky. Uncle Greg went - he told us they still had a good turnout. We found out later they made a whole lot more money than they planned. That is great because they can help so many more people! Thanks to everyone that supported me!

Anyway, Grandma and I had fun. Uncle Greg hung out too. She made pies and we snuggledwe ate pizza and we went to Culver's for lunch (kind of like a Dairy Queen). I ate french fries and dipped them in ketchup! I like to do what I see other people do - which is why I dipped my fries. Grandma took one of the rugs out to shake it - now I keep trying to pick up the rugs.

I really like to stand on things - like my race car walk-n-ride. I also to stand on Daddy when he lays on the the floor.

I don't really know what fear is. Daddy puts me up in the air with one hand and I am like Superman - I love it. Uncle Greg will toss me around some too. It is so fun. I try to ride Dakota - she doesn't seem interested in being my horse. I have also being working on my 'aren't I cute smile' (see above). It comes in handing when we see people out and about. Mommy's friend Tracie came to visit us last week and I used it on her. I think I wooed her. We ran into the Bidinger's at Target on Saturday. I used it on them too. It really seems to work magic. I try it on Mommy to when she says that no word. It doesn't also seem to do the trick. I don't get it because other times she tells me how cute I am.

Well Mommy doesn't have pics to match all of our adventures, but I will throw a few up of my recent antics. Hopefully you enjoy them. They just show what the life of Graham is like.

Then Mommy took the Swiffer away.
Daddy got a little crazy with the baby wash....



Until next time...