Big Boy in a Big Boy Crib!

When Graydon was born, he was such a snuggle bunny. He spent many nights in a bassinet by our bed, and then, when he would wake up in the middle of the night, I would snuggle with him in our bed and he would fall fast asleep. We continued with this for about two months. At two months, we began placing him in his bassinet, occasionally giving him his passy if he would wake, and he began sleeping 8-10 hours a night - how great! This was something new for us! Big C did not sleep through the night until we transitioned him into a twin bed at 18 months. Hudson did not sleep fully through the night until around 11 months. So, the fact that Baby G was sleeping 8-10 hours at 8 weeks was amazing!
Will and I agreed, who would mess with that???? We (mainly me) loves sleep! Well.......forward 5 months and little cousin Adalyn arrives home and needs a bassinet - should we boot Baby G out of his bed and lend our beloved bassinet? I guess so. It did seem about time. Two nights ago, we placed Graydon in his crib. He went to sleep around 10:30, woke up once around 3am and then slept until 8am! Last night, he went to bed around 9:30 and slept til around 7:30! I guess we've officially transitioned our Baby G into his big boy crib! It does seem a little sad - he seems to be growing right before our very eyes! I am trying to make sure that I enjoy these baby days, because soon they will be pictures and memories of days passed. I am truly treasuring our Baby G!

Two Sweet Babies!

I am so thankful for Aunt Shannie. Under - not so great - circumstances, she is home for the next six months. Her husband, Mark, is deployed overseas, serving in the US Air Force. But, while she's here - we're enjoying her and her new baby, Adalyn. Graydon is now 7.5 months and Adalyn just turned 13 weeks old today. I love that Graydon and Adalyn get to spend these few months smiling at each other, chewing on each other, and hanging out together. On a day at home, they can be found like this.....




or this...............


( I think they're even holding hands here!)

And when they think you're super funny - they might even look like this!


Thanks to Aunt Shannie for these awesome pictures today!

I Love Home Projects!

What are we up to now??????????

Last week, Clayton's teacher assigned a January home project! Me (being a kindergarten teacher) love home projects! I wish she would assign one per week! Her instructions were to create a snowman masterpiece using anything you want (styrofoam, paper mache, construction paper, etc.) So...........I began searching the internet for cute ideas. When I came across this picture of a snowman made from a pinecone (of all things), that's what Clayton wanted to do. So...we began.

We spray-painted our pinecone white, gave him a few pipe cleaners for a nose and arms, popsicles sticks for skis, and made him a scarf and ear muffs - he was ready to go!

Our finished project! I have to say - he did turn out pretty cute!

No Cavities!!!

Since today, I have the day off, I try to squeeze in any doctor/dentist visits where I can. Today, Big C and Little H had a dentist checkup. This is probably Clayton's 5th or 6th trip to the dentist, but Hudson has only been twice before. Clayton always does a great job - he gets in his chair, lays back, and lets Mrs. Brooke do what she needs to do (Mrs. Brooke is awesome!!!) Hudson is a little more timid. After a little coaxing, he did lay back in the seat, let the dentist examine his teeth, and he even got to play with the dental tools. Mrs. Brooke let Hudson spray water in Clayton's mouth and suck it back up through the machine!

Clayton again has a perfect visit - no cavities again! Two teeth have been lost and two more are loose! He's right on track!

Hudson has most of his teeth - still teething in the back! But perfect hygiene and perfect teeth!

How Do You Spell That???

On Sunday morning during church, Clayton should probably have been listening during the sermon a little more closely, but instead he decided to keep himself busy by writing and drawing on the many pages of the bulletin. Oh well, after all, he's only 6! I have to say, he's gotten pretty good at inventive spelling - that is where he just writes the sounds he hears in words.
For example:

Grandma: Gramol
Poppy: was right on! - Poppy
Grammy: Gamee
Hudson: Husion
Shannie: Shannonee

Not too bad!

He Shoots! He SCORES!

This season Clayton has started playing Upward Basketball. My dad (Poppy) and husband (Will) co-coach the Cheetahs. The first week was a little rough: he was super wired and unfocused. This week, he has learned how to guard his opponent, dribble the ball better and he even scored the first goal of the game! Clayton is NOT the most aggressive child on the court, so we have resorted to bribing to get Clayton to get in and get the ball. I know it's bad, but I do want him to enjoy the game. I love watching Will, Poppy, and Clayton on the court together. These are moments that I will treasure forever!

Baby G asleep at the end of the game.

Top 10 in 2010 - A Year in "The Dugout"

2010 was full of first for the Daniels' family! I am going to try blogging once again - here is to my first post for 2011.

1) Baby G's Birth - The biggest news in 2010 was the birth of our 3rd son, Graydon. Graydon Wyatt Daniels was born on July 10, 2010. 7 lbs. 13 1/2 oz. He had tons of crazy hair and big blue eyes. He is a pure joy.



2) Birth of 2 new nieces - Not only did we add to our family this year, but so did my sister and Will's brother. On October 20, we welcomed Adalyn Reese (Adalyn Reesie Cup)! On November 4th, we welcomed Kylee Grace!





3) Bigger Home for a Bigger Family - In February of 2010 - we moved into our new home. Baby #3 required more bedrooms and more space! We repainted every wall and made this house a home.

4) Soccer Mom buys mini-van - I said "I never would!" Then in the Summer of 2010 - Will came home with a mini-van! I have to say - I absolutely love it!



5) Big C starts Kindergarten - Clayton loves school - and playing and goofing off with his little buddies (= He has learned to read and has even lost two front bottom teeth!




6) Aunt Shannie and Adalyn move back to BG - Since Uncle Mark has been deployed overseas, Aunt Shannie and new baby Adalyn have moved back home for six months. We are enjoying them and treasuring them until Mark's safe return!




7) Big Birthdays for Big Boys - Clayton turns 6 and Hudson turns 2!






8) Pops gets MARRIED! Pops and Nana got married Spring Break of 2010 - this called for a huge Michigan family celebration in Gatlinburg.




9) SPORTS!!!! - With 3 boys, I am destined to spend lots of time on the sidelines. This year, Clayton was in the full swing of sports - from soccer to baseball and even swim lessons! Little H and Baby G enjoyed the games almost as much as Big C did!







10) Small trips - This year, between buying the house and the arrival of Baby G, we did not have a huge family vacation. But, we were able to go to Gatlinburg for Pops' wedding, Louisville Zoo and Children's Science Center, and Clayton was able to go to Virgina with Grandma and Poppy to visit Aunt Shannie and Uncle Mark.