The G Chronicles

Big Guy

2009-05-05T21:37:00.002-05:00

I love this new picture of G. But he looks so flippin' big. He got a hair cut - kinda mohawk but no scalp showing. Here it is down. I took some pics of it up as well, but I am too too tired to get those done tonight.

I wish I could get him to look at me more often, but I'll take this one. He was not happy at all to have to look at me (for a toy reward- bad!).

Is he really growing up this fast?

**sigh**

I Don't Like Her

2009-05-05T11:23:00.000-05:00

G: But...but...but...I don't want to go to school today. Miss Crystal not at school yesterday...

M: But you liked the teacher that was in your class yesterday! She's nice!

G: thinks quietly for a few minutes

G: But...but...but...I don't like her arms. I only like her head.

???

Comedian

2009-05-03T21:02:00.002-05:00

Funny things G has said recently:

M: Stop biting your nails! (Yes, I'm a total hypocrite)
G: But I'm hungry!

Mommy! My bottom just burped!

G: Reaching back and holding his cheeks while pooping
M: Stop putting your hands back there!
G: But I squeezing the poop out...

If I could find the flip camera I would upload some more videos...

Proof

2009-03-07T08:25:00.001-06:00

Sneaky

2009-03-07T07:50:00.004-06:00

Well, I have finally and belatedly entered the world of uploading video. Prepare to be bored if you are not family. I will keep them short, but there will be a few in a row for now! In three weeks in January/February Greyson potty trained, moved houses, moved schools, and went from crib to big-boy bed. He did awesome with the transition and apparently it was me that wasn't ready for most of those things. Anyhoo after he pees he says, "Shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake your body!" while he shakes off his you-know-what. So I said, "Don't you mean 'Shake your booty?" He proceeded to tell me that Miss Krystal says, "No say shake your booty!" I looked grave and said that he should do what his teacher says then. So he came home the other day and told me what he did at school. I had him retell it for the camera but it wasn't as great as the first time...

In case you can't decipher it, when his teacher told him not to say it, he hid his face inside his shirt and said it where she "can't hear" him. And thus we enter the I can't see you, you can't see or hear me. This also works with putting your hand in front of your face while you pick your nose. P.S. Oh my GOD it takes so long to upload a video...this could be the deal killer.

Fire!

2009-02-16T19:52:00.002-06:00

I have been away too long and missed too many funny things but something happened this afternoon that I must tell you about.

G and I are sitting on a bench at daycare and he points to the fire alarm (the pull kind).
G: That make loud noise.
M: You never EVER touch that unless there is a fire.
G: Gretchen touch that make loud noise.
M: Oh no. Well, you never never touch that to play.
G smirks at me and inches toward the alarm
At that EXACT moment (I swear!) we hear a siren close by
M: Oh no! They must be coming to see if you touched the alarm!
G jumps away from the alarm
G: I no touch it!
The ambulance turns onto the street and pulls up to the house across the way and over a little
G and I walk outside and talk about ambulances
Another LOUD siren sounds and a few seconds later a fire truck pulls onto the street
M: Uh-oh...here comes the fire truck - I hope they don't think you touched the alarm!
G tries to climb up my leg, screams I NO TOUCH IT! and starts to cry hysterically

Here and only here is the point where I start to feel bad. Although I also still think it's funny if I'm being completely honest.

So I tell him they know he didn't pull it and they are good guys anyway and they help people like in Dot the Fire Dog and so on. He relaxes and no harm is done. Right? Right?

This is the Way We Sing a Song...

2009-01-06T21:29:00.001-06:00

Me: Rain, rain, go away...
G: Why raining? Where rain come from? Why not raining in garage? Why sun not out?
M: ...come again another day...
G: Why? Why Mommy? Where rain go? Why nother day? Whatchu trying doing say to me, Mommy?
M: ...little Greyson wants to play...
G: Huh? Huh, Mommy? I no little Greyson, I'm G! I'm me! I want to watch oooone Dora! It's dark! Can't see my books! Why raining? Why? Why? Where rain come from?

and so on and so on and so on...

52 Weeks

2009-01-05T17:18:00.003-06:00

I have been so terrible about updating this and have probably forgotten at least half of the hilarious things G had said since I last posted.

For example:
When told we were going to buy firewood he sang a song in the top of his voice entitled There is Fire in My Wood.

During our naked crash potty training weekend, G was piddling around downstairs and he says, "Mommy! My penis is...my penis is...(he has started repeating the beginnings of his sentences a couple of times before he gets going)...my penis is TALL!" and then, "I make it go down (pushes it down)...I can't!"

Anyhoo I am starting a project that will hopefully help me stay on top of taking pictures of my own child in addition to paying customers. I'm calling it "52 Weeks of G" and I will TRY to get them up here each week.

Here's the first:

Diaper Change Conversation

2008-11-30T10:57:00.001-06:00

G: AHHHHAHAHA! So little!
Me: What?
G: My penis! (tugtug) My penis sooooo little! AHAHHAHAHAHA!

Greyson the Mystic

2008-11-29T22:59:00.003-06:00

"I love the rain. Rain is my sister. Thunder! Thunder my brother."

Wahawahwahwah

2008-11-26T22:02:00.001-06:00

Today I was telling Greyson what was going to happen when we got inside (eat dinner, bath, etc.) and after a minute or so he said really loudly (over my talking), "Theeeee End!"
Sheesh.

Mmm...

2008-11-19T16:11:00.002-06:00

G: I like it
chewing
G: Mmmm. I love cheesetoast.
chewing
G: it's my favite
chewing slows and becomes more thoughtful
G: I no like big robot

???

Yesterday Morning

2008-11-14T08:39:00.003-06:00

G : Stroking my necklace Your necklace boootiful.
Me: Wow! Thanks so much Buddy!
G: Is so nice.
M: Thanks Greyson, that makes me feel good.

First compliment!

Veryvery hard not to call in sick and hug him all day long.

My Kitchen at 6:43 this morning

2008-11-12T21:22:00.001-06:00

And we have to leave the house at 6:45.

Ignore all the mess.

The Story

2008-11-07T17:46:00.003-06:00

I got the call from daycare yesterday morning:

"Hi, this is daycare calling. Greyson tripped over a toy and hit his head on the bookshelf. It, um, broke the skin. It stopped bleeding and he's not even crying but um...I think he might need stitches."

So I remain calm and go to get him. He is in a great mood when I get there and runs up to me. Aaaaaand I can see his skull. My stomach gave a little turn but I think I managed to keep my smile.

We drove over to an urgent care/doctor's office. On the way there he told me that he had ice in a bag to make him feel better. And apparently what made him feel better was eating the ice out of the bag. Why not?

When we got there he was still all smiles and they took one look and sent us right back. Both the doctor and the nurse were VERY nice. They were calm and reassuring, talked directly to G, and answered his one million questions. Well, they actually answered variations of, "What's THAT?" one million times. He was still happy while we held gel on it and even while we wrapped him up in the "papoose" - a board and basically to the ankles straitjacket. 3 seconds into the numbing shot he started screaming bloody murder and did not stop. The nurse and I held his head tightly while he freaked. He screamed, "I DONE WITH THIS!" over and over. At this point I did start to get a little clammy, especially when he got the darting crazy overexcited horse eyeballs. When the finished they rushed to unstrap him and release him into my arms. He sat right up and said, "I get lollipop, please?" -didn't even want a hug.

Whew. Good thing he gets over things reallyreally fast. He proceeded to charm all of the nurses and we went and got him a lollipop AND a new little car.

Then I brought him back to school with me to eat a "special" lunch (cafeteria food!) and hang for awhile. Then I **coughcough** took him back to daycare. What? He felt fine and looked tired and I had a busy afternoon at school and a newborn shoot. The daycare people looked at me like a was bonkers when we walked back in. So shine the 'ol Mother of the Year award and pop it in the mail anytime you want.

These pics were taken this morning after I had to hold him down and tear off half of his forehead when I removed the band-aid (to check for weird stuff - not just for pictures, I swear). He was unhappy with me.

Horribly HORRIBLY traumatized as you can see.

This is what Tim had to say:
"Seventy-five dollars? Really?"
If I could have jumped through the phone and strangled him I would have! ;)

He is taking him to get them out is all I have to say to that.

Stitches

2008-11-06T14:03:00.002-06:00

Yup. G got stitches today. No time to explain right now and I won't be home until late tonight. And I have no working cell phone (which was SO fun when trying to communicate with Tim during this). Three stiches in the forehead. He's fine.

I need a nap.

Kisskiss!

Greyson Walters

2008-11-04T06:03:00.002-06:00

Yesterday when I picked G up from school we were walking out of daycare when he plopped onto the black couch in the lobby. I started to sigh and say that we needed to get home to start dinner when he patted the seat next to him and said, "Sit next to me. Let's talk." It was so hilarious. I sat. How could I refuse? We sat on the couch for a few minutes while parents and children came and went, and G told me about his day. I love it.

Treat!

2008-11-03T20:36:00.003-06:00

Friends (and especially family), I'm really sorry for the long delay, but we have been SO busy! Posts will be all over the place since I want to go back and post about things I missed.

In the meantime, here's G in his costume this year. He was so darn cute. He shook hands with everyone he saw and said, "Vote for G!"

He had a terrible diaper rash and half-way through trick-or treating I took off his slacks and diaper so he could air it out. He continued visiting houses where everyone was much amused and asked if he was supposed to be Bill Clinton!

Goof!

2008-08-13T21:05:00.001-05:00

Things G has said in the last week:

I have gas.

Daddy, get up and do the laundry.

My penis bite me!

Another Reason Kool-Aid Rocks

2008-07-10T23:24:00.002-05:00

Awhile back we went to a really awesome playdate where we dyed white playsilks with Kool-Aid and vinegar. They turned out really cool and Gresyon LOVES his. We play with them all the time in so many different ways. Here are a few pics of the playdate...

Here is G 5 minutes after sliding on his face down the driveway. Really traumatized as you can see

This is my favorite picture from the fourth of July...G playing with his playsilk in the wind...

Phia

2008-07-09T22:13:00.004-05:00

This is Sophia.

Greyson loooooooooooooooves her. He calls her "Phia." I went in to get him this morning and before he opened his eyes he said, "I see Phia." He was very very sad when I told him we wouldn't see her today.

"I go Phia's house." Nothing like smooshing grapes into the cracks of a couch with your feet to bring together two toddlers! He is smitten and you can surely see why.

Bird's

2008-07-03T08:16:00.002-05:00

I took Greyson to get a haircut at Bird's Barbershop. It was way cool. Next time I hope to get Tim and G together at the south location (which is more photogenic). You may say that you can't even tell that he got a haircut, but I say someone FINALLY listened to me and just got it out of his eyes/cleaned it up instead of cutting it all off or giving him a mullet. Yay Kim at Bird's!

My Stunner

2008-06-30T22:18:00.000-05:00

He's really starting to favor me, no?

Backyard Fun!

2008-06-29T12:37:00.002-05:00

And now, the promised pics from Bonnie's birthday!

This is Sophia, Greyson, and Ben playing at the water table. (More on Sophia later!)

Greyson having a grand 'ol time marching around the backyard

This is Ben. Greyson has major hero worship issues here. He *loves* Ben and calls him "My Ben."

Everyone in the pool! Ben, Anika, Greyson, Sophia, and Mia

The gorgeous Anika

And my sweet G's sweet bottom!

Here are a few taken by my friends:

Taken by Tanya. I want to bite his little bottom!

These four taken by Andrea. I had to force him onto the mud - too clean like his Daddy. What a mean mommy!:

And this one taken by Bonnie. Can you tell how much he loves Ben?

Dancing on a Friday Night

2008-06-28T22:28:00.002-05:00

We went as a family to Central Market to hear this awesome group of women (The Djembabes)who drum and sing African music. Some of the women play the djembe, which is the instrument I am (sort of) learning to play. I take classes with some of the new friends I have made in Austin and I love it so much.

Greyson and his friends danced and danced!! It makes me so happy to watch him. I really got into it, too. We had a wonderful summer night relaxing with our friends. I LOVE pictures of Greyson dancing...especially the ones where he is in motion. His friends Mia and Ava were also shakin' it big time!

Greyson and Nate

2008-06-27T22:50:00.002-05:00

Last week (I am still so behind on pictures!), Greyson's friend Nate came over to play for a little while. It was the first time I had seen him really play WITH someone instead of just near them. They were making each other laugh and being silly. Greyson repeatedly bashed his head into the window to make Nate giggle. Takes after his mom - always after a laugh ;)
In the great tradition of boys everywhere, G and Nate discovered the pure joy of beating a tree with sticks. For like half an hour. Is it just me or is that really male?

Busy Week

2008-06-22T20:43:00.003-05:00

This past week Greyson has been home with me all week and we had a very busy one!
Monday we went to a park playdate with Greyson's friends. G spent the whole time eating, as usual.
Tuesday we went to a free children's movie and saw the worst movie ever - Doogal. I really do usually like children's movies, and this one had tons of famous people as voices, but I am telling you it was absolutely terrible. Greyson watched it quietly enough, but I could feel my brain cells being sucked out through my pores. We went to swim lessons in the afternoon and G stayed under water for a count of one-one thousand. More scary for me than him, I think.
Wednesday we attempted to go to the Wednesday Art Park with the Austin Symphony. We decided to take public transportation to save gas money. Although it took us 90 minutes to get downtown, Greyson did pretty well. He was VERY excited to be on the bus. We walked out in the scorching heat (turned out to be 103!) and by the time we got there the music was over. We joined some friends for lunch downtown and then navigated the bus system back home. It was not as fun on the way home at all. It wasn't that he cried...it's just that he talked REALLY loud! Then he started karate chopping me and saying, "Hi-ya!" for half an hour. Sigh. Not doing that again anytime soon.
Thursday I went to see David Sedaris at Bookpeople and Daddy spent the day with G. After we did storytime at Central Market(dinosaurs!), G and Tim spent the day hanging out. They went to the comic shop, and Tim took G to swimming lessons (under duress).
Friday we went to a cool new park and Greyson ate all the food that was there for 6-8 children. I ended up having to chase him away from the table over and over. We ended the night back at Central Market for dinner with friends and a Djembabes concert. Pictures from that will follow soon.
Then came chill out day Saturday and a fun afternoon Sunday. We went to Greyson's friend Ben's house and celebrated his mom Bonnie's birthday. All the kiddos got naked and played in the pool. Pictures to follow from that, too - if mommy ever gets on the ball!
We had an awesome week, but I got NO work done and G missed his school friends, so I think we'll both be happy to get him back to school a couple of days next week.

Hooray for Summer!

2008-06-12T18:43:00.001-05:00

My friend Cindy has started giving us swimming lessons in her home (she used to be a toddler instructor). Today some of Greyson's friends joined us and we had a real class and a great time hanging out afterwards.
On the way home G said, out of the blue, "I'm happy. I'm happy Mommy!" At first I thought I was hearing him wrong since I've never actually heard him say that he was feeling a certain emotion on his own before. But he kept shouting it and laughing. It made me so happy, too.

Mr. Follower

2008-06-11T09:36:00.003-05:00

Greyson has started being a rule follower WHEN he wants to. He tells random people and tv/movie characters, "No No!" He follows Mojo around telling her, "No No! No poopoo Mojo!" anytime he thinks about it, even if there is no poop. If Tim and I wrestle around, he will reprimand one or the other of us and make us kiss.
The other day we were eating dinner and I had my feet up on the bottom of his chair. He looked at my feet, looked at me with what I SWEAR was a teacher look and said, "Feet on the floor. Feet on the floor, Mommy....Thank you."

Kung Fu Panda

2008-06-08T20:11:00.003-05:00

Tim and I took G to see Kung Fu Panda today. It was his first time to go to the movies (not counting my failed attempt at a free one last summer for 10 minutes) and he did really well. We went to the Alamo so he could be snacking throughout and hopefully lat longer before he lost interest. He did yell out whenever they started fighting, "No no!" but there we kids everywhere at the 10:45 showing, so it was no big deal. We all liked it and I was very proud of him.

Clump

2008-06-06T11:30:00.003-05:00

We have a sugar ant issue in our kitchen and the other day Greyson comes running up to me with his tongue sticking out, "Eehhhh! Eeeeeh!" I take a look and on his tongue is what appears to be a clump of ants. Of course I reach right in and get it. I'm looking at it really closely and G joins in. I start poking at it with my fingernails and as we are huddled over I ask, "Where did you get this?" Greyson says, very very seriously, "Nose."

Naked Time

2008-05-20T20:32:00.003-05:00

Greyson was enjoying some naked time this weekend when he grabbed his tush and said,"Poo-poo!" I picked him up and ran to the bathroom...he pooped in the potty!! It was the not the first time he told me before he did it, but it was the first time he did it - must be the nakedness. I got the pom-poms and did a cheer for him... he dug that. :)

Day Off

2008-05-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

Tim had the day off today and was pumped when G slept in 'til almost 7. He said he knew his luck was turning when he opened the door to hear G saying, "Poopoo! Poopoo!" He had the worst blowout of his life. Poop all over the sheets, all over the crib, up the side of the crib, all over his stuffed animals, in his hair, on his face. The silver lining? I was already at work. :)

Sleeping Beauty

2008-05-14T20:34:00.001-05:00

So Greyson and I were playing this afternoon. I had a playsilk over my head and was pretending to be asleep. He pulled the silk off and I whispered that he had to kiss me to wake me up. He kissed me and I made a big deal of waking up. He found it hilarious. So I lay down again and pull the silk over me, all the while thinking of how cool it is that we can have this kind of imaginary play now (and fairy tale play to boot). I'm actually getting warm fuzzies. I close my eyes and snore. He pulls of the silk and I pucker up. Then he sits directly on my face. Oh well.

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T18:41:00.001-05:00

When I go into the living room yesterday (Mothers' Day), Tim says to Greyson, "What do you say to Mommy?" Greyson grins at me and throws up his arms, shouting, "Happy Birthday Mommy!"
I stinkin' love it.

Manners

2008-05-12T18:39:00.002-05:00

At dinner:
G burps. He says, "'scuseme." Burps again - "'scusememore"
Coughs. Says, "Bless you mommy!" ??
At least he's learning his manners...but when to use what is a different matter altogether.
:)

My New Business!

2008-05-04T22:15:00.002-05:00

I am officially in business now that my new website is up and running!

Peace Love Joy Photography http://www.peacelovejoyphotography.com

Contemporary photography in Austin, Texas

Pass it on!

:)

Reggae Festival

2008-04-23T20:38:00.003-05:00

Greyson and I went to the Austin Reggae Festival (formerly The Bob Marley Festival) this past weekend. There were wall to wall people, far more than I expected, but we still had fun. Greyson chowed on a corn dog and grooved out to the music. He was really into it before long...he loves reggae! A fe more pics can be seen at My Flickr.

Four Days

2008-04-22T11:35:00.003-05:00

I missed Greyson soooo much while I was gone. I was starting to get emotional about it :( But I did try to call and recite Goodnight Moon before bedtime.

New things in the 4 days I was gone:

Three new freckles on his forearm that are in a perfect line and go from largest to smallest (I will be taking a pic if this!).

He started saying, "I'll do it!" and "I'll clean it!"

Started saying "me" and patting his chest when we talk about him.

Started saying "okay" but pronounced "Oh-Kai" to agree and to tell us he's fine.

Started telling me about his pooping activity (but still doesn't really want to sit on the potty).

There's more that I can't think of right now...

I am totally blown away with the things he picks up every day.

See ya!

2008-04-14T23:02:00.002-05:00

I will be out of town for a library conference for the next four days. Tim will be single parenting it so you might check up on him. Not that I don't think he can do it, since there is nothing he hasn't already done with G. I'm just saying it may be rough if tonight is any indication. Greyson screamed randomly throughout dinner.

Bite..."Mmmmm!"....AAAAAAAAAAAAA!....sob.....bite...etc.

I'm totally clueless.

Bottomless Pit

2008-04-14T20:09:00.003-05:00

G and I went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. It was absolutely beautiful here and we spent an extra long time hanging out. Greyson ate: 1/2 spinach ricotta empanada, 1/2 Brazilian chicken empanada, bean and papa burrito, 1/2 banana cinnamon pastel, and AN ENTIRE PINT OF STRAWBERRIES. And he had already had breakfast at home a few hours before.

The strawberries were perfectly ripe and Greyson ate them whole. When I say whole, I mean the leaves and all. He just eats the whole thing. He was COVERED in red - shirt, hands, face, neck...makes him super popular amongst the farmer's market crowd and their doggies.

If I can ever get Tim to come with us, I might get to snap a few pictures...

Snips and Snails

2008-04-13T20:40:00.002-05:00

This week Greyson skinned his knee for the first time. And the second time. He's always had bruised knees and legs (maybe due to blue-white skin tone??), but these were the first (and second) scrapes. I wanted to use Bactine on them but Tim said no. Is it like hazing that I wanted to subject him to that? I swear I just wanted to clean them well! He did enjoy the bubbling of the hydrogen peroxide.

Yesterday G burped and I told him to say excuse me (which he normally does) when he burps. He looked at me and burped while saying the word "burp." He burped "burp." Even though I know it was a freak occurence, I could not believe it.

Boys. Here we go...

Aggle flaggle blabble!

2008-04-11T14:33:00.003-05:00

G has started adding "Mommy" or "Daddy" to the end of every sentence. "Blahblahblahblah big truck Mommy!" And if you do not acknowledge what he is saying in exactly the way he wants you to, he will repeat it and repeat it and repeat it (and repeat it). I try, "Oh!" and "Wow!" and "Yes!" and "That sound interesting!" and even "Whoa - tell me more about that!" But for the life of me I usually have no idea what the sentence is about. I love it. He is totally attempting to engage in conversation. Just this morning, he said,"Forggemheemaytumlatedhuminwen, Mommy!" I mean, what would you say?

Why?

2008-04-08T13:49:00.003-05:00

Oh Greyson,why WHY won't you sleep? It took me over an hour to get you down last night and your dad got up with you twice during the night. Are you hot? Cold? Is too dark? Is it molars? PLEASE please tell me so that we can all go back to being rested and chipper each day. But who am I kidding, you are always chipper in the morning no matter how much sleep you got. You jump up and start talking before you even open your eyes. This morning you cracked open one eye, pointed to the Longhorn birdfeeder and said, "Birdenetmama, birdenet!" Then you said something very long and apparently in German. You crack me up. But you're a whole lot funnier when we've all slept.

Aaaaaeeeeeee!

2008-04-07T09:04:00.007-05:00

We went to our first crawfish boil this weekend for Greyson's friend Sophia's second birthday party. We had a blast and I tried crawfish for the first time and I LIKED IT! I was shocked since I don't really care for any seafood.

Greyson wouldn't try it when I tried to give it to him, but he did put it in his mouth when he saw his friend Ben eating it. He took it right back out. :)

There was face painting as well as cupcakes and toys and bubbles and a pinata! It was a great idea for a party and we so enjoyed hanging out with friends all afternoon...

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You can see more pics here

Sanity (or lack thereof)

2008-04-04T10:50:00.002-05:00

G SCREAMED all last night. Tim and I were up and down for hours upon hours. HOURS! What would we do if we had another? How does anyone do nights like that with two kids and then get up and go to work in the morning? I can barely keep my eyes open.

And NO, I'm not pregnant! Just wondering how it can possibly be done while maintaining sanity. Or do mothers just forfeit sanity for a few years and then pick it back up later?

Polly

2008-04-03T20:34:00.002-05:00

Greyson has recently started saying things on his own that make me smile. This week he said, "Bless you, Mojo" when the dog sneezed and "Excuse me, Mojo" when he was going by her. I guess that doesn't seem like a big deal to anyone but me, but I love it. Is it so bad that I love his manners? Manners matter to me!

On the flip side, he did say, "You are a dork" TO ME sooooo...

But that was so totally Tim's fault. He forgot we had a parrot in the backseat.

Welcome

2008-04-03T17:04:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my new blog about G and the things he does. His personality is really coming out and he cracks me up every day. I'll be popping in pretty frequently and adding ancedotes...