Father's Day

 We spent the day doing what Daddy wanted on Sunday. We started off the day bearing gifts to him in bed. The kids all slept in, so that was a gift in itself. Everyone cuddled and snuggled close to him while he read the cards the girls made him.

We also made him a frame with the three pictures above in order. Daddy will be getting a new grill as well. The highlight of the day, however, was when Micah and Addie went for a long bike ride on Little Blue Trail. I wanted to go, but the two little ones needed naps. Maybe soon we'll all get to go.

Micah is an excellent daddy. He loves on those girls and wants only the best for them. He will protect them and teach them how to act as young ladies. He takes his role as a dad seriously. As far as little boy goes, he's wonderful at getting him to sleep and soothes him easily. I'm looking forward to seeing the two of them enjoy "boy" time as Grady gets older.

I'm so grateful we were able to celebrate Daddy!

I'm so thankful for my own dad as well. What a lucky girl I am to have him in my life. He's always made sure I know I'm loved and tells me I'm beautiful. I love my daddy!!!

Eliza's bob

On the spur of the moment, I took Eliza to get her hair cut. It was getting long and she wasn't too happy about having me put it up. She was pulling her hair out at nap time and breaking it off, so I figured now was the time to bob it. It's adorable!

Tada!!!

Rock Around the Clock

Addie was in her first dance recital on June 3rd. She performed a tap dance routine to "Rock Around the Clock". 

 It was fun to watch her. All the little kiddos are a delight to watch, but watching your own kid is a joy in itself. Addie LOVES dancing.

 Before performing, Addie and her friends posed backstage.

We are still waiting to get pictures from the photographer. They didn't seem very organized so I'll be surprised if we ever get them.  I must say that the recital itself was a bit painful to watch. Addie performed second in the program, so it was a bit long for us all (esp. poor Grady). I wasn't all that impressed with the big girls who danced either. I'm trying to not be critical, but they were not sharp or together at all. I expected performances to be more polished. I'm suddenly thinking of all the dance recitals I was in and wondering how it was for my parents to watch the entire 2 to 3 hour gig. YIKES! At least Addie had fun and she really shined!!!

4 months

Grady is four months old.

 This little man weighed in at close to 15 lbs 12 oz and is the 95% for height. His head is only the 40th%tile. He must get that from me.

Grady is almost ready to roll from back to belly. He goes from side to side. He's really good at getting toys in his mouth too. He grabs his toes and plays with them constantly. It's only a matter of time before they'll be in his mouth too!

I've discovered that he LOVES to go up in the air and giggles on his way down. 

LOVE HIM.

How do I love you...

There's this book I got Eliza when she turned two...it makes me cry almost every time I read it. 

Here's how it goes:

How do I love you?
Let me count the ways.
I love you on your very best
and very worst of days.

I love to see you laughing and dancing in the rain;
And even when you lose your shoes, I love you just the same.

I love to hear you singing.
I love to see you smile.
I love the way you take each day in your own unhurried style.

I’m happy when you’re happy,
and I’m sorry when you’re sad.
And even though it may not show, I love you when you’re bad.

How do I love you? Well, now let me see…
I love the way you act so brave when you fall and hurt your knee.

I love to watch you sleeping, tucked away in dreams,
I love to hear you whisper all your giant plans and schemes.

I love the way you wear your pants with the front part in the back.
And the way you walk around sometimes with your head inside a sack.

I love to see you deep in thought.
I love to watch you play.
And though I’m sure you’ll never know it, I love you more each day.

How do I love you? It’s impossible to say.
For if I had a million days and time enough for all the praise,
I couldn’t tell you all the ways…I LOVE YOU!

By

P. K. Hallinan

It's better with the pictures...trust me. You've gotta read it!

It pretty much sums up motherhood for me anyway.

On to pics...

Addie is showing off her dance moves. She has her first dance recital next month. She says she's nervous. I know she'll rock it!

I'm lucky to have regular playdates with some girlfriends from college who happen to have children the same age as mine. Here's our crew, minus Addie Sue who was at school.

Mr. Blue Eyes

This is my studly husband posing right before he raced in the Warrior Dash. Trust me ladies...he's quite a warrior, just hiding behind that geeky exterior.

Eliza and her friend, Ava, at the zoo.

Riding the carousel at the zoo. She picked Memaw and Epa's favorite team!

We made our own playdough (off pinterest)...had so much fun. And made a HUGE mess!

Double the trouble...double the fun!

Grabbing toys

Grady and Finn (two besties)

This boy doesn't stand a chance... he WILL play with barbies.

Driving home the other night, Addie and I were impressed with the sunset from behind us. She suggested we take a picture, so I pulled over and did just that! There's beauty even by a Midwestern RR track.

Speaking of beauty...here's a picture of me and my beauties! One of the few I've had taken since G-man was born.

Being a mother is the hardest, most tiring thing I've ever done. However, I wouldn't trade it for a MILLION bucks! I'm grateful for my own mother more than ever. I am only beginning to realize the sacrifices she made for us kids and how devoted was/is.

God definitely knew what He was doing when he designed mamas (and daddy's too)!

3 Months

My baby boy is THREE MONTHS old today!

I know he is a least 15 lbs, possibly more. He was 14 lbs 14 oz on Monday when I weighed him on a baby scale. Today, I stepped on a scale at home and it came out to 16 lbs! Don't believe that's accurate, so I'm guessing somewhere in the middle will do.

Mr. Grady is a dream boy. He hands out smiles like nobody's business. He's also sleeping through the night. He's Mr. Popular here at the Hunt house too! We just can't seem to get enough of him.

 Grady's loves:

• staring at his hands
• kicking his feet
• chewing on his fist
• stare at the mobile in his bed
• smiling
• eating & burping
• warm baths
• going outside
• sleep...although he has been known to fight it

Grady tolerates:

• tummy time
• kisses from his sisters
• time alone in his crib

Grady hates:

• riding in his car seat

I never did get around to posting pictures of his nursery. It's still a work in progress. I'm not one of those people who is exceptional with decorating...but I try. I know what I like, but lack the funds. I'm hoping to add small details a little at a time. 

Nap time

It's my favorite time of the day...nap time. I got lucky and both Grady and Eliza are sleeping at the same time. I don't know how long that will last, but I'll enjoy it nonetheless.

I thought I'd use this time to update the blog...it's been a month after all. I don't have anything profound to say. But life is busy so I'd be lying if I said I had nothing to write about.

• Starting with Grady...he's the one who is changing the fastest. Our little man is now staring at his hands, batting at toys, and holding on to things with a death grip. He's also begun sleeping through the night....for now. Things can change but I'll take it.

• Next up, Eliza. She's going through a phase...I hope. There's a lot of crying with her and confusion about what she wants. I think I'm going to have recheck the LOVE and LOGIC for Preschoolers again. It came in handy with Addison when she was a toddler. I'm suspecting Eliza is no worse...I just don't have as much time and energy to devote to her. 

• Addison is almost done with her first year of Kindergarten. She's a quick learner and I've had no issues with her. I am amazed at her ability to read and write. She's so good at her math facts too. In fact, I've been a bit of slacker as of late and not even bothered with the math fact cards. She seems to do well without practice so it seems like a waste of her time. She'd rather go outside and play!

Sisters love their Grady!

Eliza found some play earrings!

Having a tea party on the deck...

Eating lunch at Culver's after church. 

Now that spring has sprung, I'm anxious to get outside and do some home improvements. I've already got a page long list of projects that I hope to get around to this year. The only thing stopping me is: money, time, kids, and my husband who is likely to leave me if I push him to help with them. Just kidding...I hope!

PS...I have made a habit out of taking pictures with my iphone instead of the camera. Now, I don't know how to get them off icloud to my blogspot. That is why the pics are so few. I'll hopefully figure it out soon!