I love this picture of Reid even though it is out of focus. Our morning time is one of my favorite times of the day. He’s only up a short bit before going down for his first nap, but he is happy and fun and I love that I get to see him and put him down for a nap before I leave for the day. And that belly!
He’s got the widest and happiest smile. He’s a really happy baby but don’t let us fool you, he has his temperamental moments too. He knows what he wants and when it gets taken away he’ll let you know he’s unhappy! He’s pulling himself up to his knees and will stand at things if you place him that way, but he’s not yet pulled himself up on his own.
I struggle with control and order but I’ve been intentional about letting Reid and Griffin explore and make messes and just be kids. How did I ever become such a control freak that thrives on order? Ugh, it can be paralyzing so I’m trying really hard to let go of that or at least lessen up! Both kids find so much joy and fun in the littlest things so I’m working hard to encourage that and not be such a rule maker or enforcer.
Tooth number 5 has popped through, lower right (left when looking at him!).
One of his mad faces, lol!
Almost buddy, you just have your legs twisted!
Finn loves painting and coloring. Here he is with his thundercloud masterpiece.
Dinner at Panera after Tuesday night soccer. I’m glad I’ve still been able to leave work early to take Finn for the end of Session 3.
Crazy hair!
Preschool artwork!
Brothers having fun together and being in “jail”.
Brutus. He’s always around, especially when there is food. Isn’t he pretty?
Look at our little Lils with bone on her nose snuggling with Hailey in her puppy days.
Just a typical day around here. Lots of crawling around and climbing all over the dogs.
Pretty boy and girl!
Happy birthday to me! A macaron in bed at 6:30 am! And a beautiful flower arrangement! We attended a Millcreek social on my birthday (which was a Friday this year) so that was pretty much our night.
On Saturday we headed to Mansfield to celebrate birthday’s for Amy and me. We met up at Malabar Farm’s Maple Syrup Days. Reid was tired and it was super cold (and we didn’t bring him a coat, what?) so he and I stayed in the car while everyone had some fun on the farm. Thankful for the good pics from Amy and Kevin!
And the bunny birthday cake tradition continues thanks to my hubby! He picked up the supplies this year again and assembled everything in Mansfield before our family birthday dinner. Griffin and Greta had a pretty swell time decorating this year. Look at those happy faces.
Graham loves to talk to and play with Reid. He usually gets in some good snuggle time too. And Grandma loves her baby snuggles too :).
Another happy day with Debs!
Amy came out to Millcreek this week to snap some staff and plant photos. I wondered around with her and loved seeing the in-bloom hellebores. Just wish the weather was cooperating more so that everyone in the garden centers would want to see these beauties too! Greta loved being on the tractors and golf carts.
Our Marketing director and myself have been working on some facility enhancements. This week some new artwork went up in the lobby of the main office and in the main hallway. Looks nice!
Tag Archives: brutus
February 11, 2018 ~ 38 weeks
Reid is on the move anytime he’s on the ground. Over the last few weeks he has gotten really smooth at mastering his transition from crawling to sitting. New this week he learned how to go up on his knees! I was kind of surprised as he was just crawling around his room and went over to his activity box. Next thing I knew there he was, up on his knees and he stayed that way for a good minute or so.
On Tuesday night a really nice snowstorm came through and delivered about 4-5″ of snow! It resulted in Level 1 and Level 2 snow emergencies for Delaware and Franklin counties so I enjoyed a nice slow start to the day and hung out with Griffin and Reid at home. Griffin was so excited to go out and play in the snow he got all suited up and was out there on his own for a good hour or longer. When he came in we enjoyed a nice sausage and egg breakfast. Yummers. On Tuesday night Brutus was scratching his ears as he so often does, but this time I heard him wince. I called him to me and discovered his left ear was HUGELY swollen and super red and scratched raw on the inside. I felt awful for not having noticed he had an ear infection. He’s regularly biting and scratching himself so I just hadn’t paid much attention. With the snowstorm I figured people would cancel their appointments so I was lucky to get in to the vet with him and get it taken care of. While waiting in the lobby and petting Brutus I noticed something behind his left ear, which turns out was a TICK!!! Ick, oh my goodness I had been touching and moving it trying to figure out what it was as it looked like a skin tag. Blech! He’s hanging steady at 105 pounds and is such a big baby at the vet he’s constantly sitting at my side right up against me while we’re there. I end up standing at the table with him too so he doesn’t try to jump off to get closer to me. I decided while there to get blood drawn for allergy testing since his itching isn’t getting any better with the colder weather. We’ll see what they come back with.
Griffin needed to make his own valentine box for his school class this year. He could make it any theme (or no theme) that he wanted so he enjoyed painting it and decorating it with stickers. He is also getting to be so fast at writing his name! My friend, Laura, taught the Monkey class about heart health this week and she sent me a couple of pics from the day, including Griffin making his stethoscope and listening to his heart :).
Little did we know when we went out for Pizza that it was national pizza day! He hit up Dewey’s in Worthington for some tasty zzzaaaa.
Our cable has been weird for quite some time as you basically can’t watch live tv on any tv other than our bedroom. We were able to get the service tech’s here on Saturday so while Kevin dealt with them Griffin and I hung out in his room (with the dogs, of course) and line his dresser drawers with OSU liner from Grandma and Grandpa. Mind you most of the drawers are full so you can’t see too much of it, but Finn thinks it’s pretty neat!
We enjoyed some time watching the Winter Olympics over the weekend and I thought what better shirt to put on Reid than one with ski jumping! Ha! Snuggle buds.
This particular meal Reid was trying out plain butternut squash. To say he wasn’t a fan is a pretty fair statement, but Debbie filled me in that by the end and then the next meal he actually seemed to be ok with it! Reid has been trying many new foods, most seem to be fruity – so I’ve made an effort to have more veggie options so he won’t get his Mom’s sweet tooth and only want the sweet stuff, lol.
I love this. Reid isn’t much of a snuggler these days. When it is time for nap or bed he basically just wants put down in his bed where he babbles for a few minutes and then falls asleep on his own. I’m not complaining – but I do miss the snuggles! This particular morning he was hungry, but otherwise I don’t think he wanted to be awake. He didn’t even get down to play, he just leaned in while sitting upright (which he never does anymore!) and just cuddled. I love that he “tuck tucks” his arms just like Griffin.
We were enjoying a nice lazy Saturday morning in bed and we each had a snack bar when I realized Reid was getting antsy as he wanted one too! We decided, why not, let’s get one for him. Next thing I knew Kevin walked in with the high chair for Reid! We set him up and he sat there and enjoyed his Mum Mum with the dogs hoping to get a piece. Next thing, wouldn’t you know, he was able to grab my coffee and proceeded to pull it over – which resulted it in breaking on the bed frame and spilling all over the side of the box spring, bed frame, night stand, carpet, and wall. Um, no more lazy Saturday morning. Ugh! Oh well, memories made. Funny thing is he did the same thing at Dewey’s with a beer the night before. This guy has some fast hands (and some slow learning parents apparently!).
Brutus just loves to be loved. I mean, who doesn’t, really? He is so playful when you get down on the floor and just wrestle with him or pet him and talk to him. He usually ends up biting my arms playfully and eventually getting up and running like crazy through the house.
Mom and Dad are enjoying a lovely vacation down in Siesta Key. I was super amazed and impressed when they sent this pic of the sand castle they built for the Super Bowl. Wowzer, pretty impressive, eh?
Facebook continues to show me images from the past – check out this one from 9 years ago (9 years, really?) of the dogs. Hailey, Cam, and Lils – what a crew they were together. I miss those girls! I wonder what they would think of Reid and now Griffin as a big kid :).
October 22, 2017 ~ 22 weeks
This was a big week around here! First, we got the news back regarding Brutus’ growth on his back right leg – it is a benign histocytoma. Whew, I was thankful to hear the news. He saw Dr. Mansfield at our vet practice and I really like how she interacts with our dogs and her personal phone calls to give us information. She is great!
Next up: a trip to Portland, Oregon for me! I agreed to go on this trip for work back in July, and honestly since then I’ve been wondering why I said yes! I’ve never been away from Reid and certainly didn’t leave Griffin when he was this young. It ended up being a good trip and a fast one as I was gone less than 72 hours! Sadly, we were in meetings the entire trip and I had no time to see the city. Literally, didn’t even see it in the daylight as we left for the seminars when it was darkish in the morning (it was raining there) and we were finished when the sun had set! I didn’t snap a single photo other than my breakfast one morning and a coffee I grabbed at the airport on our way home. We flew in at night and out on a red eye so I didn’t even see the city from overhead. Maybe one day we’ll head back for a vacation. I’m thankful that Jim and Pat were able to come stay with Kevin to help with Reid and Griffin. Reid spent the first night in his crib during the night while I was away! These are a few pics from the morning I left. As always Brutus tried to insert himself for some lovin’ too.
Brutus reminds me so much of Cammie. He loves the sunshine and loves to just soak it in. He’ll lay in the sun on the hot black driveway or on the patio. I regularly find him inside in our bedroom or in the dining room soaking in the rays.
Griffin had lots of fun while I was away too. Debbie and the kids made applesauce and even Reid got in on the action. Oh, and Brutus too, of course. He’s never far from the activity.
Debbie took Griffin to his soccer practice this week. I was happy to see this pic in the app while I was traveling to Portland. 🙂
Grandpa got a lot of outdoor time with Griffin during their stay. Here they are getting in a game of Lacrosse after I got home. It was a beautiful and sunny Friday morning!
Here is some more of Griffin’s artwork from this week. The fire department visited preschool and they learned all about fire safety and were able to see the fire truck visit school.
On Saturday we took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to Young’s for Reid’s first fall trip there. We got several of our traditional pics that we took when Griffin was little, sitting on the cows and riding the wagon to go pick a pumpkin. Griffin picked a lovely orange fella. Afterward he and daddy played putt putt and then we enjoyed dinner at the Jersey Inn. Reid is so ready to eat big boy food. He talks and moans and watches me eat every time I’m holding him while I’m eating. Soon enough big guy!