As I sit and look at pictures of January 2011.. I am overwhelmed with smiles and happiness. I remember the excitement we had as our beloved Auburn Tigers entered the National Championship Game. A game we decided to attend, as our "Philip and Lauren" time after our baby boy Griggs. The days leading up to our adventure, my heart would cry in the "how am I to be away from not only my William, my big boy...how can I be away from my sweet little bundle??" Griggs had turned 6 months old and I knew we both would do just fine with the few nights/days apart and I longed for time with just Philip. I prayed and prayed for the peace to smile and know our boys were safe and sound, being loved and adored by grandparents (first night Gram and Grumps, second night Maggie and Poppi) and the peace of knowing Philip and I would have time with just us. Such excitement filled us and we couldn't wait to celebrate our Auburn Tigers in the National Championship game! We had a phenomenal time! The boys did great for the grandparents, just like we all knew.. They ate well, slept well, played well and had fun! We arrived home pretty much in the middle of the night and yes, we went right to their rooms and woke them up with hugs and smiles! I appreciate and love this memory of our first trip away.
Other favorites of those days were the time spent just around the house. William was still ever fascinated with firemen and firetrucks and we seemed to play endless "firemen to the rescue". He would sound the alarm, and race to the "alert station" (the toilet paper roll) to receive the alarm note, tearing off only one square and bring it to me to inform me of the "fire emergency in action". I loved watching him act out play. I loved how he would tell Griggs all about being a firemen and always wanted to include him in the stories and play. Some other around the house fun moments we had with Griggs on his tummy, making faces at us and giggling. He loved his tongue and would smile and stick it out and scrunch up his face and the harder we laughed, the further out he'd try to stick out his tongue! Griggs also loved his jumparoo and would jump and kick, entertaining himself while William and I played nearby. William loved to make sure Griggs "had toys" for his jumparoo and constantly talked to him, keeping him involved in our play. William would build towers over and over, creating huge, tall towers for display. I loved watching his chubby little hands work, while his face was so focused on the task. He would get lost in play, so content to repeat his tower over and over.
We also found ourselves outside a good bit enjoying fresh air. We'd go for walks, letting William ride his tricycle down to the mailbox. He was so proud of himself, saying he was ready to go! William also loved his slide on the playground in our backyard. He would climb up the ladder, hang out in the house then down the slide he'd fly! He was the typical little boy who loved being outside, running and exploring our yard. Meanwhile, we introduced Griggs to the baby swing. He LOVED sitting up in his bucket swing and being gently pushed. His smile would take over his face and he would kick his feet in excitement. It's like he knew he was a big boy, like brother! We loved afternoon time outside when Daddy would come in from work. It was a highlight to head out and let the boys play. We'd also go for walks with the stroller, which always ended with William pushing the big stroller back down our road. He so loved getting to "help" mommy push the stroller. He would say it was time for his exercise too!
One of my favorite milestone with Griggs was his discovery of "kissing my face" I'd hold him in my arms, and he'd lean in and "kiss" my chin, actually chew on my chin...but if I said "give mommy a kiss", he'd repeat. It tickled me and became our game. Griggs also mastered another huge milestone in January. He sat all alone!! He would work to prop himself up, with his little legs sticking out and he'd look up as to say "I did it!! I am like you" He was crawling and sitting loney! My baby was growing so fast!! He also moved from the infant tub to the big tub! He loved being down in the big tub. He would kick and splash, always smiling. We had 2 babies who really always loved bath time and being in water. They certainly are water babies!!
William wanted to paint something for his room and for brother, so one night, we pulled out the paints and he made some beautiful canvas art to hang in his room and one for his brother. He is my little artist! I love his confidence in creating art. He just has fun painting and coloring and such. I cherish all the pieces he creates!
We also made a quick trip up to Dothan to visit my family. It was so very cold that weekend, so William got to help Granddaddy build a fire in the fireplace. It was so sweet watching him help Granddaddy "feed" the fire to keep us warm. Griggs also had fun in the jumpy! Maggie had the jumpy that hangs in a door frame and we kept Griggs jumping and bouncing and smiling! He loved hanging out and watching us.
One morning, I heard giggles and chit chat coming from Griggs' room. I walked out of my room to go peek...and I find William standing on the side of the crib, chatting away to Griggs. When I got closer, I discovered William had dumped the entire toy basket of small soft toys/animals into the crib with Griggs!! I giggled and asked him what were all the toys doing in the crib...William replied, "Griggs needed toys! I'm telling him how he can play with toys and cheering him on!" Oh, my heart melted! I wanted to cry with happiness at the pure innocent love and true caring spirit of William as he cared for his brother and wanted to spend time with him. William was quite proud of himself. He told me Griggs was the best little brother and that he'd always take care of his baby! I know how blessed we are to have such a loving and caring big brother. From day one, William took right to Griggs and never showed any other feeling other than love. I knew they were going to always be best friends. It would capture my heart (and still does) to catch a glimpse of his love in moments like this, when he had no clue I was watching.
I love to sit and drift back to the memories of yesterday, reminiscing how tiny Griggs was and how young William was, yet how fast they both were growing and changing. I love my boys to the moon and back... always..
Lots of pictures to enjoy!
Lots of pictures to enjoy!
