Sticks, along with acorns, rocks, bark and dead bugs (eeek) occasionally find their way into our house even though we have an outside-only policy for all such objects. Here are a few pictures of Grahamy showing off his stick and attempting to hide it in his bathroom.


Here is some footage of our extremely silly boy! He doesn't eat sugar and he doesn't watch TV. He's just silly! We are so blessed!!!

Graham's 16-months old today!!!

Graham is living up to the nickname "Monkey" these days! He tries to climb everything in sight. Most of the furniture is safe, but my heart almost stopped the other morning when I walked into the kitchen and found him standing on the kitchen table. He is obviously NOT allowed on the tables, fireplace or a few other danger zones around the house, but we're expecting another round of bumps and bruises while he explores the house on a new level.
Graham is grinning here because he scaled the sofa like a big boy, but he immediately wants to climb back down so he can do it again...
This puppet was Cousin Maddy's when she was little and now it is Grahamy's. He loves Piggy and gives it kisses all the time. He is quite an affectionate boy, and gives sloppy kisses to all his stuffed animals, the animals in his books, the pictures on our fridge, his blankie and of course his shadow!
GOING UP...
UP...

So proud!

Hot, sweaty and quite content from all the activity...

MAMA'S BOY

Here are a few pictures of Graham cuddling with Mama in the hall this past evening. He's extra rambunctious these days and extra cuddly as well.

A few pictures to pass your way...

What's a day at the park without sand?

QUACK QUACK!!! As soon as Graham hears the word "park," he starts quacking like a duck and chanting "wa-wa," because there's a large lake at this neighborhood park.
Multi-tasking...


We get to Graham's Toddler Reading Hour 15-minutes early because he likes the library fountains. He still has Mama's keys in hand since it is his task to carry them to and from the car. Being silly with a coffee-ball...
"Peek-a-boo-bum"...

Graham obviously loves coffee breaks!
I keep trying to capture him in action, but he's just too swift. Here's a picture of Graham's smug look of satisfaction AFTER he climbed up on the sofa all by himself. This is why we call him "Monkey!"
Now that he has mastered this step, Graham is obsessed with climbing up and down it over and over again...
It looks like he's lost in the woods, but Grahamy is actually playing in our front yard...
After being trapped inside for two days thanks to some thunder storms, Graham is happy to clean up the yard...
Our outdoor boy!
Mama's little helper!!! Not only does Grahamy love to empty out the dishwasher, but he also puts away his laundry, cleans up his toys and unloads the groceries. Anything Mama and Dada do, Graham wants to do too!

GRAHAM'S NEW THRONE

After his recent appointment, Graham's pediatrician agreed that Graham is ready for a potty training "trial." He is still rather young, and heading into a heavy-clothing season, but we are going to give the BIG BOY POTTY a try for 2 weeks and see what happens. Graham picked out his own potty at the store and decorated it with stickers. We're allowing him time to adjust to it's presence, sit on it, play with it and look at it before we move it into the bathroom.

It is really difficult for me to capture him in action, but Graham does like to sit on his potty (fully clothed at this point). Don't worry, we won't continue posting potty-training pictures...
And here's a picture from last weekend...

Graham had his 15-month appt. today. He now weighs 27 lbs. 2 oz. (75%) and measures 32" (75%). His doctor brought him a toy car, but Graham played soccer with it instead and she was terribly impressed with his coordination, footing, and ability to corner and run in reverse. She and another nurse actually took him out in the hall and observed him for a while. Apparently, his motor coordination and vocal skills are quite advanced for his age. We are beginning to see 2-word and occasionally 3-word sentences, though a lot of words sound similar since Graham cannot pronounce his R's. Expect some extreme changes in the Mellon household these next few months...

Doesn't this just make your thighs ache?
I can't take down this old mirror in our guest room because Graham has discovered his reflection!!!

Labor Day Weekend

Graham is such a little ham! He's performing his headstand in the picture above.

GRAHAM'S BUG

Graham adopted a cricket on Saturday morning. He chirped for it and kept it company (in my container) until I feared for the cricket's life. Then, we set the cricket free with a lengthy explanation. Graham sort of understood, but he still cried as he waved and said, "bye-bye cick-it!"

WHEN MAMA'S AWAY

I recently started working part-time, which leaves Scott playing Mr. Mom quite successfully a few evenings a week and all day on Saturdays. I miss my boys, but the extra cash is lovely and the change of pace is stimulating as well. As the following picture depicts though, I always make an effort to participate in bedtime, even if I have to making a running jump straight from work into Graham's rocking chair...
Dad and Graham took advantage of the Labor Day festivities and spent this past Boys Day at a local carnival! Apparently, Graham started his "ne-na-ne-na" as soon as he saw the caravan of fire engines...
Here's a picture of Graham on his first carnival ride!!! According to Dad, Graham thoroughly enjoyed the experience even though he insisted on taking his Mankie along for the ride. It's a good thing Mama was working because that ride looks scary!