Um...'scuse me, but where's mah behbey?

I think it's official -- my baby is no longer a baby. He's a toddler. Because, well, he TODDLES. EVERYWHERE! When you put his coat on, he toddles over the to door to the garage and reaches for the knob. If you open that door, he toddles over to the door of the car and waits for you to lift him into his carseat. He toddles through malls, parking lots and into daycare holding your hand. Just like he's, you know, alittleboyandnotababymama. Sigh. So sweet and so exciting to watch him grow up, but so sad to see the little vestiges of babyhood slowly disappearing; his little leg rolls, his chubby fingers and clumsy hands, the way he looks to mama for everything - they're all more of a memory than a reality now. But really, I can't complain too much, because I get to see this goofball every morning:

We had Graham's 15 month appointment with the pediatrician earlier this month, and as usual, Graham was more fascinated with playing with the paper on the table than being examined. But for once, it wasn't all "Yup, looks great, see you in 3 months." Don't get me wrong, it wasn't awful, but we do need to keep an eye on his weight for the next few months. Graham only gained 0.75 pounds over the last three months, throwing him off his growth curve, so we need to work on getting him to eat more, or at least more often. His stats this appointment were:
length: 31.25" (55 percentile)
weight: 23 lbs (30 percentile)
head circumference: 47 (45 percentile)

So, project "Fatten Graham Up (the healthy way)" has begun. And so far, the most success we've had is by getting him to dip his food - ranch dressing with breadsticks, carmel dip and apples, and ketchup with...well, anything. I'll save those pictures for another blog post, but trust me, it's adorable. And so very grown up looking. Again...Sigh. Bye bye baby. Hello, ketchup dipping toddler.

Grateful

It's February 8, 2010, and I'm sitting here amazed and oh so grateful for everything I have. Two years ago today, Erik and I were sitting in the doctor's office with our fingers crossed, hoping and praying that our IUI would work. We'd undergone testing, injections, and numerous ultrasounds to get to this point, all in hopes of starting our family.

Through it all, Erik's patience, his optimism, and his concern reminded me how incredibly lucky I was to have such an outstanding partner. And today, two years later, I am still so grateful that I get to share the rest of my life with such a wonderful man.

Two years ago today, as we were sitting in that procedure room, I knew there was the possibility that I might never be a mother. And yet, I'm sitting here today watching my toddler waddle around the family room, pulling his wooden puppy behind him and jabbering excitedly to his daddy. My adorable, goofy little boy, the little miracle I prayed and hoped for so desperately two years ago, is more perfect than I ever could have imagined, and I am so proud and grateful to be his mommy.

I'm grateful for my family, even the pain-in-the-butt dogs. And today, I have one more thing to be grateful for. Two years ago today, I didn't know if I was ever going to be a mommy, and today, I can say I'm so profoundly grateful to be mom to one incredible little boy, and his gorgeous little sister.

It's a GIRL!