Merry New Year! 2010, Seriously?

Don’t judge me for what I’m about to tell you.

The Guenther family flew back to Seattle yesterday after an enjoyable, albeit a little nutty, visit with family in Wisconsin.  We celebrated Christmas Eve and the days leading up to it with my family in Plover and Christmas Day and the days following with Mike’s family in Minocqua. 

So, I confess.  I still have status with Northwest which means I get complimentary first class upgrades when they’re available.  So, yes, I left my husband and 3 year old son in coach while my baby and me sat in first.  I meant to send the fresh baked molasses cookie and a cocktail back to them, but I fell asleep.  I did send Mike a text before take-off:

• Me: “How’s your seat-mate?”
• Mike: “Shhh, she’s rubbing my leg”

When we landed, my own seat-mate made a point of saying “that’s the quietest baby I’ve ever sat next to”.  I promptly invited him home to prove otherwise.  He’s coming over tomorrow.  Hey, if Mike’s seat-mate can rub his leg…

Kidding aside, the boys were champion fliers.  On a flight a few months ago, Greyson’s request to the flight attendant for a glass of orange juice started like this, “Hey, lady”.  This time, he remembered to say “Hey lady please”.

Graham is smiling like crazy.  His eyes are still blue and HUGE. Exhibit A:

It was wonderful to see and spend time with our families and I want to go on record with a huge THANK YOU for putting up with my constant disheveled, sleep-deprived state, not to mention the baby ramblings (read, crying, wailing, whimpering) and little-boy tantrums.  Although it’s always hectic traveling with the kids, we still enjoyed our time with all of you!

Our 1st shipment of gifts arrived today.  The volume of extravagance our families spoiled upon our children required not one, not two, but three boxes to ship home!  Grey has spent the majority of the day riding his new scooter around the house, pounding the bongos, shaking his Polar Express bell and playing doctor.

GREY*isms*

• G:  “Don’t worry kid, I’m a pirate”

Happy New Year!  It’s freezing in WI and comparatively balmy out here (45 degrees @ 8:00pm).  We’re cooking up Dungeness crab tonight and will likely see the official start of 2010 sometime around 3:30am since we don’t plan to be awake at midnight.  Such is the life of us at the moment.  Perhaps next year.  Cheers!

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Oh, the weather outside is frightful…(and I LOVE it!)

I promised a post before Christmas.  Technically, I’m following through.  In the spirit of the season, I intend to keep my sarcasm to a minimum and just rejoice in all that is sharing, caring, family and relaxation.  OK, maybe not a whole lot of relaxation but what do I expect with a 3-year old nutball who’s wiping his Cheetos-laden hands on his clean shirt as I type and my 9-week old (today) baby boy who is blissfully sleeping but won’t be for long.

It’s nice to be back in Wisconsin where it’s snowy and cold and Christmas-like.  Clark Griswold, aka Tom Kofler, showed up again this year and the rest of the neighbors didn’t do too shabby either.  Greyson is loving the lights and the snow and he had fun sledding right up until my niece Alayna broke her leg (it’s a LONG story, but thank you for your prayers- she’s a little trooper).

I left Seattle too early to enjoy all of the cards we receive from friends and family.  It’ll be a little like an extended holiday when we get home and sort through them.  By now you’ve received our card and although I always appreciate the comments I get about how beautiful they are, I need to put on record that I cannot take credit for them aside from coming up with what I want it to say.  The photographer deserves the real credit.  I often get asked why I don’t send a Christmas letter and at the risk of offending my friends who do, I will tell you that I don’t do it because I grew up reading the letters of my parents’ friends and it was a family tradition to read them out loud in the kitchen and insert our own dialogue.  I’m sure this blog gets its share of ribbing and given that, I probably deserve it. 

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We wish all of you a very blessed, healthy, happy & safe holiday and a 2010 filled with new blessings, experiences and milestones (like Graham sleeping through the night, Greyson going to bed without a fight and me losing the rest of my baby weight).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

There’s Nothing Like a Packer Fan!

GREY*isms*

• G:  I can’t say ‘holy shit’
• Mike: No, you cannot!
• Me: Where did you learn that word?
• G: From Marty
• Me & Mike (in unison):  Who’s Marty?
• G: (exasperated) Marty, from Back to the Future!

Giggles, our pixie elf, is back in town.  He spends quite a bit of time in light fixtures and other high places so he has the best vantage point to keep an eye on Greyson who is having a tougher time staying off the naughty list this year.  (See above '*ism*)

If you follow the blog, you know that Greyson can tell Giggles all of his Christmas wishes.  This year, he has one simple wish.  Ask Greyson what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas and you’ll get one answer…bongos.  I already know his wish will come true but I’m enjoying providing some mild torture when I, in the presence of Greyson, tell Giggles that he’d like some new underwear and maybe a new pair of socks.

• Me:  Grey, what should we get Uncle Nate for Christmas?
• G:  How about some bongos so we can play them together?
• (good grief!) 

Some other *isms* I don’t want to forget:  Greyson asking for a kiss but when I bend down to give him one he says “no, the kind you eat”.  Singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, “he knows if you’ve been bad or good so too bad for goodness sake”.  Calling my name as I sat at the dining room table at my laptop.  “Mom…you seem focused”. At bedtime telling Mike to "please shut the door before you bug out". Pointing to the cat on the cover of the Shrek DVD and asking, "there's Puss, where's Boots"?

Graham had his 1 month doctor visit last week and she confirmed that he’s gaining weight like a champ (10lbs 3 oz and 21 inches) and by all appearances seems to be a normal, healthy baby boy. He definitely hit the “baby’s fussiness may peak between 6 and 8 weeks” so that can go away any day now, please. He’s stolen my heart, despite the fuss, and I can’t wait for everyone close to us to meet him!

I miss my family, friends and neighbors (a lot). We’re really looking forward to coming home for the holidays. I hope to post once more before Christmas and then I’m going to hang it up for a few weeks.  Until then, enjoy the faces of Graham.

On this day 10 years ago…

On December 3rd, 1999, NASA lost contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before it entered the Martian atmosphere and Mike & I exchanged wedding vows in a ceremony that was memorable both because it was a gorgeous December day in Lake Tahoe and because our officiator sounded exactly like Howard Cosell.

We were married in 1999, but we met and fell in love in 1993.  September 20, 1993, to be exact.  I was a Sophomore at Ripon College and he was a Freshman.  He claims he spotted me in the Commons but was too shy to say anything.  I watched him play football and wanted to meet him.  A friend introduced us at a fraternity party and we ended up talking until dawn.  The rest, as they say, is history.  He loved Snoop Dogg, I was obsessed with Ace of Base.  He was quiet, I was not.  We shared a love of football and family.  He owned 3 pairs of wind pants, the ugliest high-top sneakers, an infinite number of sweatshirts and dirty hats that were duct-taped to keep them together.  I wore boy’s jeans, oversized rugbys and Doc Martens.  We both tight-rolled our pants!  Oh, and his head was shaved bald- it was a football team thing.  Did you know that his head is not round?

How hot is this?

By December of that year, we were talking about our future together.  I’m not sure anyone would have predicted a wedding 6 years later, but that’s how it went down.

Not for one moment of the past 10 years have I looked back with regret, reservations, shoulda/woulda/couldas (well, aside from the terribly ugly wedding cake- I’d change that if I could).  We’ve survived the ups and downs, challenges and triumphs and we’re ready for the next decade and the decades beyond.

So, Happy Anniversary, my love.  You are my favorite person in the entire world.  I’m loving every memory; past, present & future.  I can’t wait for our album to expand.  And those duct-taped hats?  They’re really starting to smell up the closet!

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Send your own ElfYourself eCards

So long, Cap'n Jack

My camera is in the shop so press play above to enjoy our elfing Hip Hop!

Greyson is no longer a pirate, he’s a king! His scepter is a long-handled shoe horn (don’t ask). Bow to him or suffer the consequences!

G: I’m the King and you have to listen to me!
Me: But a King always respects his mother!
G: (pause) Well, you can be the Queen and then you have to listen to me!

I guess the King of my castle needs a few words from his Queen! Hmmph!

Onto the ways of the common people…Graham and I visited my office last week. As much as I hate to admit it, it sure was nice to see some adult faces and get caught up on a little business-speak!

GREY*isms*
G: Is it tomorrow?
Me: No, it’s today
G: Awww, but daddy told me yesterday that I could have my plane back tomorrow!
Me: Well, yesterday makes tomorrow today. I mean, now that it’s today, tomorrow is a different day. What I mean is…oh, never mind. You can have your plane back.

Thanksgiving was a rousing success and the first annual with Mike’s parents**. We had a great time while they were here and are so glad they got to spend time with Greyson & Graham. Greyson kept things interesting, as usual and Graham did his best to behave though he fussed over reflux a bit. He was diagnosed the day they flew back to Central Wisconsin and now that he’s medicated things have gotten quieter around here. Grandma Janet and Papa Lee spoiled all of us rotten! Thanks again, you guys! We’ll see you in a month! Greyson spent the first hour after bedtime tonight singing Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Comin to Town. No scrooges around here!

**1st annual implies there will be a 2nd annual, FYI

Bizarre Sightings

Greyson is an alien.

No, not all of the time; only when it’s time for bed.  He turns into a child I am not familiar with and therefore I have no idea what to do.  Tantrums, fits, screams and cries.  He’s crazy, at least that’s what I tell him.  And I, in turn, am crazy too.  If any of you know where my sweet Greyson goes around 8pm every night, please let me know.

And on the subject of crazy…I’ve got 3:

1. my neighbor Bob washed his car yesterday…in the rain.  What?
2. a work van in the driveway of the house across the street.  The text on the side of the van?  GotRats.com.  Great.  I hope they figured out a way to trap them.  If my live-in pirate sees a rat, we’re going to have a new pet in the house.
3. my Christmas tree is up, the stockings are hung and the poinsettias are in position.  I had the energy, so I capitalized.  Make fun of me if you have to.

And now for some really fun stuff.  Here’s a sneak peak at our holiday card.  The photographer who did our maternity photos took pictures of the boys.  This is my favorite from the session.

GREY*isms*

• Me:  Greyson, what did I tell you about pulling pieces of the rug out?
• G: I didn’t pull it out.  I just stepped on it and it scrambled over here!

(At the dinner table)

• Me:  5 more bites
• G:  I don’t think I can eat that much, so how about 1, 2, 3?(counting off on his fingers)  Yep!

Monkey Madness

I finally washed Greyson’s monkey blanket.  It was nasty and in desperate need of a cleaning.  Those of you who have children who are attached to a ‘lovey’ know that the timing of a wash is critical; particularly if your child still naps for 2 hours.  I think the monkey was relieved as he was disgusted with his own stench.  He’s now able to focus on more important things, like avoiding Greyson’s nighttime drool.  The thing is, I’m willing to go through this again with Graham because the monkey has been such a comfort for Grey when he needs it. 

We received this blanket as a gift for Graham (thank you Chris & Marianne!) It’s the right size, it’s personalized and it contains the requisite softness plus silk that soothed Greyson…and me, once upon a long time ago! I absolutely adore it and I think Graham will too.

I read today that Christmas Eve is 42 days away.  How crazy is that?  Greyson is fully into the spirit of Christmas.  Loosely translated, this means that while looking at the Back to Basics toy catalog, Greyson says  “I want this, and this, and this, and that”.  I bought new stockings this year and Greyson woke up this morning wondering if his was full.  Yesterday, he pulled out a Christmas Tree art project and proceeded to pull off and eat (yes, EAT) a handful of glitter-covered mini marshmallows.  Mind you, this art project is from last Christmas.  Ewwww!  Said evidence is below.  Can you count the missing marshmallows?

 

So, my angel child, who at 3 weeks fits into sleepers that took Greyson 3 months to fill out, continues to occupy the majority of my time and I’m cherishing the moments.  He’s ready for Christmas too!

Safe travels, mom.  Thanks for everything!  Next up, Grandma Janet & Papa Lee…the boys can’t wait and neither can we!

He really does open his eyes…

Captain Stink Butt

Greyson finally has a pirate buddy.  Grey is Captain Jack (Sparrow) and Graham is Captain Stink Butt.  Appropriate, I’d say.  I wish I could say that Grey came up with “Stink Butt”.  Alas, it was Mike.  The two of them are peas in a pod these days.  Mike can’t get out of the house without Grey clinging to his leg.

Graham hit the 2 week milestone last Thursday.  Time is moving quicker this time around.  With Greyson’s first few weeks, it felt like it stood still since I was literally awake around the clock with very small breaks of sleep in between.  With Graham I find it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep until he’s ready to wake me up again.  He gave me a 4 hour stretch last night.  In some ways, I wish time would stand still again.  He has gained nearly a pound already!  He smiled at my mom yesterday (seriously, a genuine open mouthed grin) and we’ve already heard a coo.  I forgot how great that sound is.  Here’s some other things I’ve forgotten:

1. Leaky breasts
2. Projectile poop
3. The frantic sounds of a hungry baby
4. The satisfaction of a successful latch

My mom’s birthday was November 6th and lucky her, she got to spend it with us!  I wish I could say we did something fun and exciting.  We did have a home-made clown face cake that was supposed to look like a pumpkin, a couple of glasses of Prosecco and a nice meal!  Dad, she’s ready to come home but I’m going to be sorry to see her leave!

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Nana & Greyson have done some serious bonding.  He’s going to be sorry to see her leave too!

GREY*isms*

• Nana: “You are such a great big brother”
• Grey: “Yeah, because I don’t hit him in the face”

Happy Halloween!

*GREY*isms

G: Mom, I don’t like your hair like that!

Me: Why not?

G:  Because it’s not styled!

I guess being on maternity leave is causing some issues for my eldest son.  My lack of grooming bothers him…

G: Mom, take your ponytail out!

My mom is in town for 2 weeks (SO grateful!) so I have some time to blog and wanted to be sure and share some Halloween treats, tricks and pics

TREAT: seeing my mom in a full-on clown costume, including face paint, that she brought to go trick or treating with Greyson.  So, a pirate & a clown.  They had a blast!

TRICK:  a couple of days before Halloween, Mike and Greyson walked to Rose Hill park just a couple of  blocks from our house.  They returned an hour later and they weren’t alone.  A 5lb puppy with no tags followed them home.  The dog spent 5 hours at our house, including a nice poop on the lawn, before his owner called us.  It’s a good thing Mike & Grey went door to door and left our phone number or our new little friend would have been dropped off at the Humane Society!

And Graham?  What a blessing he is to our family!  Greyson is proving to be a magnificent big brother, I’m getting some rest a few hours at a time and enjoying the lovely peace that has settled itself upon our home.  Does it get more peaceful than this picture?????

Happy Halloween to all! (And Happy Anniversary to my sister and her husband- 1 year today!)

Graham Roman Guenther, born 10/22/09

Most of you know by now that we welcomed our latest miracle into our family on Thursday night.  Graham Roman Guenther was born at 11:29pm on Thursday, October 22nd.  7lbs, 6oz, 19 inches. After a month of high blood pressure, a week of contractions and 2 days of doctor-ordered bed rest, we were ready to meet him! I am not going to rehash the literal pains of my labor journey; I’ll say only that I’m grateful it was 5 hours start to finish and of that time, it took 3 minutes of pushing to get him out.  If you want the gory details, you’ve got my number and I’ve got time to chat.

I will eventually laugh about our Japanese post-partum nurse (“It baywee impotent you weed abou’ bwest feeding; wemme wook at you bottom”) but at 2 in the morning, for God’s sake, just let me lay down. Mike had zero patience for her and watching him make faces at her when her back was turned added levity to a very action-packed and tiresome night.

 

Greyson stayed with Sara for the night and was introduced to Graham on Friday morning. He didn’t stay long as the last day of “Pirates Camp” was calling his name.  At least he has his priorities straight!

*GREYisms*

Daddy: What do you think of your new little brother?

G: I think he’s pretty boring

Comics aside, we are thrilled to have rounded out our little family. Overjoyed at the sheer delight on Greyson’s face even though he initially thought he was pretty boring. In love with every movement, expression and sound that comes only from a newborn baby. He’s gorgeous and he’s ours and we’re soaking up every minute. We thank all of you for your well wishes, thoughts and prayers and can’t wait for you to meet him in person.

I was asked yesterday what the secret is to making beautiful boys. Here it is (shh, don’t tell anyone)…make them with someone you’re in love with. Beautiful children are guaranteed. As for the boy part…call me. I have some suggestions J.

*GREYisms*

(Preparing to bring Graham home on Saturday morning)

G: I’m not sure Graham likes me

Daddy: He loves you, Grey!

G: Well, if he doesn’t, then he can’t come in my car

 

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2 Blogs, 2 Days in a Row? What’s the Occasion?

The baby is coming, the baby is coming!  Contractions started this afternoon; 2 cm dilated and counting.  Check back soon for an update- I don’t plan to blog again until I can post a picture of our latest miracle.  The home stretch of this pregnancy is 180 degrees from my first so it might be a while!

I’ve got nothing more to say, but I’ll share a couple of maternity photos we recently had taken to etch in time those final cherished weeks that I blogged about yesterday.  Heather Quintans is a Seattle-based photographer with a flair for the artistic that reminded me a bit of Allie @ Proud to Introduce.  Not the same, to be sure, but I kept an open mind and am pleased with what she did.  Allie, I’ll be seeing you in December and I can’t wait!

The Home Stretch!

We’re ready for our baby boy to join the family.  As ready as we can be, I think.  OK, I don’t have a bag packed but I didn’t last time either and I got by just fine. 

So for the past week or so, I’ve been basking in the attention of Greyson & Mike and just burning memories with them that will make me smile as our new normal kicks in.  Last night, Grey & I took a bath in the “big tub” and we had a 5 minute conversation about body parts.  I so enjoy looking at him with a straight face and letting his little mind bring to his lips all the wonders of the world.  He had me eating out of his hand with “I love you mom”, “this sure is fun mom” and “are you going to stay with me the whole time, mom?”.  I nodded in the affirmative right up until “that’s your left boob and that’s your right boob”.  OK, I’m ready to get out now!

 

My other recent favorite?  Greyson’s first 15 minutes of the morning.  He pads into our bathroom with his eyes squinched shut to “keep the bright out”, lays down on the bathroom rug and waits for us to finish getting ready for work.

And last weekend?  He fell asleep watching a movie with Mike.  This isn’t common.  If he’s not in his bed, he’s awake, so to get to watch him sleep like this is a treat.

So nothing extraordinary is happening at the Guenther house but I’m certainly enjoying the little things with my 1st love and 1st born before another boy turns our lives topsy turvy. 

GREY*isms*

It’s official, Grey has chosen his Halloween costume.  As I mentioned, he’s been vacillating between a number of options and now that the search is over, the trick has been to get it off of him! 

(Preparing to watch Pirates of the Carribean)

Me:  Can I have a kiss before the movie starts?

G:  Pirates don’t give kisses!

Preschool Success?

So, I mentioned that Greyson’s transition to preschool hasn’t been all that smooth.  He cried, I cried.  Until I delegated the task to my nanny, I spent my Tuesday and Thursday mornings in his classroom sitting in pint-sized chairs with my belly between my legs trying to do some work via my iPhone and giving Grey the requisite wave when he needed it.  Credit to Sara for playing the tough-love card and gently but firmly telling him that ‘no’ she wasn’t going to stay and ‘yes’ she would definitely be back to pick him up.  He cried a little less each time and here we are today celebrating his first cry-free day.  He’s proud of himself (he should be) and I just want to squeeze him and…cry.

I wish I could say Parenting magazine contributed to the success.  I read this article in the OB’s office today.

1st bullet:  Explosive diarrhea…eww.  I sincerely promise never to send Grey to school if he’s puked in the morning or can poop through a screen door.

 

2nd bullet:  I must say a Nutella sandwich sounds pretty good but I’m happy to say there’s not a chance Greyson is having that for lunch with an Oreo cookie and chocolate milk.  He’s actually never had an Oreo cookie.  That’s shocking considering the fact that Mike loves them but it’s one of those “no way” foods for our pantry.  He gets his share of treats, but I do draw the line and Oreos don’t make the cut.  (Note to my loving family…I know you’re all going to make it a goal to be the one who gives him his first Oreo.  Just remember, I know where you live)

So, kudos to Sara for helping us get through the preschool transition.  I don’t give her enough credit so I thought I’d share some fun pics of the two of them and their play dates.  Greyson has more friends out here than I do.  The good news is that I really like the parents of his friends (so far).  I’m hoping to build stronger friendships, especially once this baby comes.

This is Greyson’s best friend, Kayla.  She lives a block away and her daddy plays for the Seattle Seahawks so Grey is now a fan and watches for him every Sunday.  Even though he’s met new friends at school, she’s still his favorite. 

The photos in the album were taken by Sara on their various adventures.  When Mike & I are at work we know he’s having fun!

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