Just for Laughs

I just thought this was hilarious.

Grady is 1 month old!!!

We made it through the 1st month, and we're doing great! Grady is doing a great job eating, sleeping and pooping, because now he weighs 10lb 14oz and is 21.5 in. It amazes me how fast they grow. That was over 3 lbs and 2.5 inches he gained in just 1 month. I'm so happy that his clothes fit him now. All too soon, I'm sure I'll be packing them again because he's outgrown them. I think I read somewhere that once they reach 11lbs. they're capable of sleeping for 6 straight hours. Somebody needs to tell Grady that, because he still only sleeps for an average of 3 hours in a row at night between feedings. He's really a great baby, and I'm so blessed to have him here.



One of those elusive newborn sleep smiles. I'm glad I caught one on camera.

I'll leave it to you to guess what he is doing in this picture.

Our 1st Trip as a Family of Four

This last week we took our little family up to Moab, UT for my Smith Family Reunion. I worried that I might be crazy taking a two-year-old and a two-week-old on a 10 hour car trip, but they both did surprisingly well in the car. How many 2-week-olds can say they've been to 4 different states? This year's reunion was a little more tame, because we were missing my cousins Jessie and Lauren and their husbands and I had 2 kids to take care of. I'll just tell the story of our trip with pictures.

This year we celebrated my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. They treated all of us to dinner at a nice restaurant. They are such a good example to me with the way they have lived their lives. They are devoted to each other, active in the community, they take good care of themselves, and have strong testimonies. They take advantage of every opportunity to teach us the things they have learned in their lives.

It made my grandparents so happy to see Grady. He's only their 2nd great-grandchild. They loved tending him. One morning everyone went out river rafting and it was only my grandma, me, and my two little boys at the hotel. I got sick, and my grandma was so wonderful. Even though she's in her 70's, she walked Luke and Grady to McDonalds for a Happy Meal, so I could sleep.

2007

2009

In 2007, when Luke was 2 months old, we were in Moab for another Smith Family Reunion. It was fun to relive everything again with Grady and to take some updated family pictures.

Luke at Sand Dune Arch at 2 months in 2007.

Grady at Sand Dune Arch at 2 weeks.

Reading is very important to my grandparents. They have given me a book for almost every Christmas and birthday growing up. They are continuing that tradition with Luke by trying to instill a love of reading in him already. Close to half of all of Luke's books have been given to him by my grandparents.

My dad got to meet Grady for the 1st time on the trip.

Watching the 4th of July fireworks from the hotel parking lot.

Luke swimming at the hotel pool. My sister Emily is a lifeguard, and she had fun trying to teach him a few things about swimming.



My beautiful little sister Emily. It is really nice to take a picture of someone who'll look at the camera and smile when you ask them too (unlike Luke)!

My beautiful Aunt Trudy. This one's for you Lauren and Jessie!!!