So Much to Learn About Food

At our last doctor's appointment, Dr. B told us to start introducing Griffin to some finger foods. Chad and I were like, "Cool!"...........rookies. We had no clue how messy things would get.

We've been giving Griffin "puffs" for the last week or so. At frist it was funny to watch G try to get them with his hands and get them in his mouth. He would work so hard, but rarely get them in his mouth, thus getting frusterated, so we had to help him. Well, since he was now trying to get food with his hands, it made feeding him with a spoon quite challenging - I can see how it would be confusing for the little guy - one minute mommy wants him to USE his hands and feed himself, the next minute she wants him to KEEP HIS HANDS AWAY so she can feed him with a spoon. Needless to say, this made for a complete mess and whatever what on the menu usually ended up in his hair, behind his ears, stuck in between his fingers (all day), etc...(fyi - we have started bathing more frequently).

Anyways...here's a cute video of the little man eating. I apologize for the terrible videographer skills.

I will say that since this video was taken last week, Griffin has gotten SOOO much better at both eating the puffs on his own (he's a pro), and at not trying to use his hands when we feed him with a spoon (not a pro, but much better).

Tell Us Something We Don't Know!

We just got back from Griffin's 6 month check up and Dr. B thinks G is advanced....well, duh. Tell us something we don't know! haha...

Seriously though, she thought Griffin looked fabulous and was very impressed with his crawling! She said that crawling doesn't usually start until 9 months and, as always, she was just so in love with our little man. We love Dr. B too (obviously, she's good at her job of making us feel like we're doing something right)!

Here are his 6 month stats:

• Weight 17 lbs. / 50%
• Height 26 3/4 in. / 70%
• Head Circumference 43 1/2 cm. / 50%

.......and here are some pictures from this week!

We tried out the swings for the first time! I think he would have REALLY liked it if 1) it wasn't sooooo hot outside, and 2) if mommy had remembered to bring his hat.

The sun was really bright so he couldn't really open his eyes very well. I think once fall comes around this will be a fun thing for us to do!

Believe it or not, this is a smile...not a scream.

Later that day, Griffin decided to play underneath his exersauser. He crawled under there all by himself.

So, happy 1/2 birthday Griffin (and 1 day). We are so thankful that you are such a healthy little boy and that you are growing and changing just like you should be, though sometimes we wish that everything wouldn't happen so quickly. It's weird, even though time has flown by and we can't BELIEVE you are already 6 months old, it also seems like you've been here forever...you just fit in so well and make everything so fun and rewarding! We love you so much and we can't imagine our lives with out you!!

(Now, could you stop growing up so fast?!)

We are Fam-i-ly...I Got All my IN-LAWS with Me!

....Lucky for me, I LOVE my in-laws! In July we went down to Mobile, AL for what quickly turned into a family reunion. We wanted to get down there because Chad's grandmother hadn't gotten the chance to meet Griffin yet, so we strategically planned to go down at the same time as the Parsons family, who was driving in from Texas. Like I said, it ended up being a giant family reunion and it was so nice to see everyone and be around family! From births, to illnesses, to car accidents - a lot has happened with the Purvis bunch the last few months so it was even more special to have everyone together.

Griffin got some alone time with his aunt Nat Nat before everyone started arriving at Grandma Purvis' house. Griffin stayed there with his great grandma and his grandparents! Chad and I had the luxury of staying at a hotel and sleeping in (though I don't think we slept past 8am either morning)!

Then, the Parsons arrived!! We were all excited to see them, but Chad was especially excited. He LOVES the Parsons kids (and parents)!

Meeting each other for the first time! "Hello Annie, my name is Griffin."

Then the Patricks arrived. Wilson LOVED Griffin - enough to share his stickers with him and give him "hugs" (though it looks like he's choking him in the picture - I promise, he's not).

Since pretty much all of Shirley's family is in Mobile, Griffin got to meet allllll of his relatives on that side of the family. She's got 3 sisters and 1 brother who each have kids, and some have grandkids, of their own - it's a big family! I have absolutely no clue what any of their "titles" are....aunt/uncle in-law? 3rd cousins? 6th cousin twice removed? Who knows...all I know is that Griffin loved all of them!

I'll try to keep my mouth shut now and just let you enjoy the photos.

Annie is just toooo cute! I love this picture of her with stickers all over her, holding Griffin. He looks almost as big as her in this picture! (Not to mention, they look like they could be brother and sister!)

Grandma found some time to sit and relax while her house was taken over by crazy kids (and adults).

This picture is just so sweet. Griffin and his Gram.

Meryl had fun playing with Griffin too! I think her goal was to make him laugh as much as possible.

Chad and Annie - I don't know what it is, but Annie just seems to really love Chad! She has from an early age - it's so cute. The feeling is definitely mutual - Chad can't get enough of that little one!

Then - we had a surprise baby shower for Natalie and Jake!! Amazingly enough, we were able to pull of the surprise.

I got to steel a little cuddle time from John - the newest member of the Purvis clan. Such a sweetie.

7th cousins thrice removed (?!?!) Griffin and John - John is just about 1 month younger than Griffin.

The proud papas with their sons.....Chad and Nick are cousins, I do know that much.

Grandma with her great grandsons - how cool is that?!

Griffin was tired from all of the fun he had with his new friends! It was due time for a little relaxation with Grandpa!

Chad having fun with the Parsons clan - Harrison, Michael and Annie.

Both of my boys were tired and slept on the way home!

It was such a great trip - we really don't get to see that side of the family very often so it was nice to be able to make the most of our visit.