Current Quotes from the Dunigan Boys!

Griffin: Sometimes I wish I could be a girl.
Me: Really, why is that?
Griffin: Because only girls get to have babies in their bellies.

Griffin: But I know everything.
Brandon: What makes you think that?
Griffin: (sigh) Because I turned four.

Grayson: (after bringing a book to me on the couch) Up! Book!
Me: You want me to read you a book?
Grayson: (huge smile) Book!

Family Pictures

(All because two people fell in love)

The four of us were lucky enough to have family pictures taken two weeks ago. Jennifer Johansen did an amazing job, and I HIGHLY recommend her. We had a ball, and I was pleased to see that she captured my kids' personalities quite well:)

Well Child Check-Up

Today, Griffin and I got our flu shots during Grayson's well child check up. My arm is a bit sore, but I am psyched that both flu vaccinations are in one shot this year:)

Grayson is "just perfect" as my doctor told me today. A little on the small side, as usual, but nothing we haven't heard before. We were hoping for him to gain enough weight so that we could stop adding formula to his whole milk, but no such luck. Our little turkey weighs 21lbs. 11oz and is 31.75 inches tall. This puts him back into the 5th percentile for weight and 30th percentile for height. The good news is that his size no longer stresses me out. He is still growing, he doesn't appear to be in any pain, and he no longer throws a fit whenever we eat. For now, that's all I can worry about.

While I was a little concerned with his verbal development, the doctor is not worried. She reminded me that I can't compare where Griffin was at this age because Griffin is so advanced with his speech. It wasn't "normal" for Griffin to be using full sentences at 18 months like he was. So while Grayson seems behind, he really isn't.

So, there you have it. He's just perfect:)

Current Grayson-isms: Up! Stuck! No-no! Mama. Dada. All done. Blanket (more like banket). Duck. Dog. Bye-bye!

My BABY is 18 months old!

Grayson, you know, my baby, is 18 months old today. I dare you to ask me how I feel about that.

My heartstrings are being pulled in a million directions today. On one hand, I am filled with pure joy when I get a chance to truly stare at our boy. I am in awe of God's creation, and so very thankful that he is growing up healthy and strong. On the other hand, my heart hurts something fierce. My youngest son isn't really a baby anymore. Slowly but surely, the signs of having an infant are disappearing from our house. Bottles are packed up. Infant car seats, swings, bouncers, and excercise saucers are no where to be found. Waking up in the middle of the night only happens when our boys are sick or have to go to the bathroom, and we no longer have to hold utensils for either child. Baby toys are packed away, and all that remains are things that Griffin and Grayson play with together. My youngest son is officially a toddler who explores the world like nobody's business.

While so many mothers long for the hard days to be over, I, at times, want them to linger a little longer. As everyone knows, Griffin and Grayson will be our only children, at least biologically. For many reasons, including the fact that my pregnancies don't go so well, Brandon and I are officially done bringing children into this world. And while I am beyond 100% on board with this decision, and I am convinced that our family size is perfect and how it should be, it is still hard to know that every stage that Grayson passes through will be my last. Before I know it, sippy cups will be a thing of the past, the crib will be gone, whole milk will no longer be in our fridge, and I will long for the days I could carry my kiddos on my hip.

So, today, my heart is full of mixed emotions. I love watching and listening to Grayson finally start to talk, and I am brought to the brink of tears when I see my two boys play together. Like really play t.o.g.e.t.h.e.r. My heart skips a beat when I hear Grayson call my name out loud, and the accomplishment of him being able to name numerous body parts never gets old. Yet, I am thrilled that he is still small enough to sit rear-facing, we still have to add formula to his whole milk, and he still fits into 12 month clothes. God knew I wanted to hold on just a little longer to my baby boy!

Happy 18 Month Birthday, my precious Grayson!

Motherhood

Lately, I have been struck by the fact that I know quite a few people who have struggled with infertility or miscarriages. These incredible women long to be mothers or long to have more children, but for whatever reason, they have struggled to conceive or have lost their precious angel babies.

This perplexes me. Why did God grant me the ability to conceive so easily both times? Yes, my pregnancies were rough, but we never struggled to get pregnant, and I never had to say goodbye to a child growing inside of me. Why did God allow for me to have the two children that I want? I am no more special than the women (and men) in my life who haven't been granted that same privilege, so I know that it is nothing I have done or they have/haven't done. Once again, this perplexes me. How do I live knowing that I became a mother so easily, while others have not?

While I struggle to answer those questions, I do know this: I was given my two children for a reason, and I don't want to waste my prime years of motherhood worrying about my house being perfectly clean, my kids matching perfectly (okay...let's be honest, I will probably still do that!), serving perfectly nutritious meals, or constantly worrying about what other people think of me and my family. Instead, I want to live in the moment. I want to cherish the firsts, but like my favorite children's book says, remember the lasts. I want to say yes to cuddling, even if that means my kitchen sink remains full. I want to say yes to wrestling, even if it means Griffin can't write all of his letter perfectly. I want to read the Bible with my (and other) kiddos, even if it means missing my favorite television show. I want to remember that my children will only be small for a matter of moments, and I want to take it ALL in. ALL IN...The whining, the lack of sleep when children are teething or sick, the timeouts, the tantrums because I say no, the hugs, the kisses, the snotty noses. I WANT TO CHERISH IT ALL! God formed two wonderful boys inside of me, and I don't want to waste the incredible gift of motherhood. I strive to not take being a mother to my two precious men for granted. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow on earth, but we are guaranteed a wonderful today if we choose to accept it.

I was blessed with a wonderful family. I come home to a husband who loves and adores me, and my children are healthy and beautiful both inside and out. I want to focus on that. Lord, help me remember to focus on that.

I wouldn't have it any other way!

My life is full of smiles, giggles, dirt, bouncy balls, superheros, and crazy boys. And I wouldn't change a thing!