We have a driveway!

On July 2 we closed on our four acre piece of property. During the next week and a half we worked really hard on finishing house plans and picking out appliances, colors, etc. 

August 2 we closed on our construction loan and now we will start the building process!

Friday, August 2, the grading for the driveway started. Our driveway is roughly 650 feet. We are not going to pave it right now (maybe if I had found a money tree we would have blacktopped/paved it) and decided on using crushed concrete instead of regular gravel.  

I do not believe I have ever been so excited to see dirt, or a driveway! 

This week we will wait on Duke Power to come run their power lines.

Construction is suppose to start a week from today!

We are getting so excited!!

Saturday pictures...

 

 Monday, August 5

We are getting more and more excited as the days go on!

6 Months!!

Greyson,

You are halfway to your first birthday!!! That sure was the fastest (and best) 6 months of my life. You are such a fun little happy boy, and I love each one of your stages more than the rest!

 Here's what you've been up to...

Weight:

You are 17.9 pounds..we just got home from the doctor so that is our exact weight. 

Height:

You are 27 1/4" tall! Dr. Parra said today you were going to be a tall boy! 

Clothing Size:

  You fit perfectly in 9 month clothes.  I've been getting away some 6 months clothes, but they will be too little soon. I can put you in a few 12 month outfits but they are still a little bit big.

Diapers:

 You are in size 3 diapers. I actually switched to the Target brand after talking to a few people and I have LOVED them! They actually seem to hold a lot more (this is mainly a concern at nighttime) and they are almost half the price which is fabulous!

Feeding:

You eat about 31-32 ounces of formula a day. You also eat probably about 2 ounces of cereal twice a day that is mixed with some formula...once in the morning and once in the evening.  We're starting veggies and fruits next week if we get the ok from the doctor!

Hair/Eyes:

Your hair is WILD! It stands straight up unless it is wet- it cracks me up! I've had several people ask if I have taken you to get your haircut or do I gel your hair that way, I always laugh and just say no, it is your natural look. It is a lighter brown color but when we are in the sun a lot it is a lot lighter. It's blonde around the edges though. Your eyes are still blue, I'm thinking you are going to be my little blue eyed boy!

Sleep:

I am not going to stress over sleep until we are in our new house and we aren't sharing a room at Mimi and Papa's house. You are one extreme or the other. At night, we try to put you down between 7 and 8. You will either go right to sleep or it is a 1-2 hour battle of paci pong and comforting you. You have also been on two big trips this summer so you haven't had a lot of consistent time in your crib! Once asleep you do well though. You normally wake up between 7-8, it varies. You take maybe 2 naps a day. You are big catnapper so it is hard to tell how long you are actually sleeping. 

Fun Stuff:

-You are starting to enjoy tummy time now.  You look so determined when I put a toy in front of you!  Not crawling yet, but you are so close! Any time now!

-You can hold our fingers and pull yourself up. If we are propping you against something, you can stand on your own for a few seconds.

-You talk constantly!! You love to babble- sometimes it sounds like words. I know you are awake every morning because you are talking your head off. I am so glad you wake up so happy!

-You are chewing on EVERYTHING.  If we put it in front of you, it's going to be in your mouth in about 10 seconds.  This includes fingers, shoulders, and remotes...we've had to start watching what we keep around you. Your favorite, by far, are your toes. 

-That being said - no teeth yet.  Your gums are SO swollen. I was for sure that when you woke up this morning there would be teeth. They haven't been the best to you and I hope they come on in the next few days and you won't be so restless!

-You've really started showing your gums when you smile, and crinkling up your nose.  So cute!

-You can sit on your own pretty good. I can leave the room to fix a bottle or go do something really quick and you are okay. 

-Your favorite toys are Sophie (daddy calls this Butch because Sophie doesn't sound like boy toy, haha), your colorful stackable rings, your pirate octopus, and you recently have really started to like your yellow ball.  

-You love to dance.  If we hold you up standing, you rock up and down, especially if we're singing for you or if there's music on.

-If you're excited about something, you kick your legs and smile now.

-You love being outside, and you love animals - especially dogs.

-Speaking of dogs, Wally is your best friend and you are Wally's worst enemy. You LOVE to grab his hair and he isn't very fond of it. He won't get super close to you anymore but you will watch him and grab after him. It's pretty funny to watch!

-You love your paci.

-You still LOVE Mickey Mouse! You have some interest in Jake the Pirate, but nothing like Mickey!

You are so happy and we love you so much!!! 

Happy Half Birthday to our little Greyster!

 

House Update!

For the first part of this post, Click Here!

After we had decided to let the other people buy the house we had a contract on, I was left in total confusion. I thought the house was suppose to be ours but no one had came and looked at ours in the previous weeks.

The very next week, we had a call for someone to come and look at our house and some other houses in the neighborhood. They ended up putting an offer in on our neighbor's house. I was becoming very discouraged. We continued to look for houses in the meantime but just could not find one we really liked.

The following week we had another couple come and look at our house. Again, they were looking at another house in our neighborhood. I tried my hardest to not get my hopes up. However, they loved our house, put an offer in, we accepted, and within two weeks we were moved out! BAM! It all happened so fast I still look back and think, "Oh my gosh! We have sold our first home! The place where we got engaged, have great memories of fun parties with friends, where we started our married life, where we brought our first baby home to." The last time we went into the house I sat in the dining room floor and sobbed. All the memories of that house came flooding back to my mind. John Thomas was so sweet and reminded me that yes, we did have wonderful memories there, but we were going to a new home where we would make twice as many memories and a place where we would begin raising our family. That made me smile. I stood up, looked back once more and smiled and walked out looking forward to our future...wherever it may be!

We decided to look for land and build. We had been looking at other houses online still and could not find one that we loved. We met with a builder and found a house plan we LOVED! We wanted to make a few changes to the plan and it was going to cost us a lot more than we were willing to pay at the time.

So we looked for other builders and more land and kept a similar house plan. Just as soon as we became frustrated, things seemed to start falling into place.

On the way home from work one night, John Thomas passed some land that we passed every single day and it had a For Sale By Owner sign up. We found out later he had put the sign up earlier in the day. JT quickly called the man who was selling the land and he said it was 4 acres and pretty darn close to our price range! Excited doesn't come close to how we felt! We quickly went to look at it, fell in love, went to the county office, had DHEC come out and do the PERC test (it passed!) and made our offer!

In the mean time we had met with other builders to get estimates. We were very pleased with the ones that we met with but their cost seemed way higher than it should be for what we wanted! We talked about it and made some cuts and ended up going back to our original builder to talk.

Our offer was quickly accepted and the house plans were beginning to become final. This all was about a two month process.

This past Tuesday, July 2, we closed on the land! We are now proud owners of 4 acres! We have been meeting and working with the bank on our construction loan and we have our Pre-Construction Meeting Monday with the builder! Our goal is to be closed on the construction loan by the end of July and breaking foundation by mid-August!

I can not wait to see the house come together! We have been praying, searching, hoping, planning, and waiting for this to all come together for about two years now and we are SO excited to see it all  unfold!!!

Here are some pictures of the land!

I am standing where the house will be looking towards the driveway. You can see our closest neighbor. So we aren't THAT far out :)

This is probably somewhere in the driveway closer to the house than the road.

Road view looking up the driveway!

Here we are! John Thomas was out meeting with someone about grading the lot and didn't want the picture made because of his cut off, but I insisted! :)

Five Months!

Greyson, this month has gone by so much faster than all the others! I feel that you have grown up so much more during this month, especially the last two weeks!! I am absolutely loving being home with you and watching you learn and discover new things each day!!

Weight:

As of this morning, you were about 17 or so pounds. We don't have a doctor's visit planned until August so this is my best guess based off our scales at home. 

Height:

You are a little over 26 inches this morning. (Best judgment I have) Your daddy keeps making the comment that you are getting so long! 

Clothing Size:

Solidly in 6-9 months clothes now. All of your pajamas with feet in them are 9 months. In your everyday outfits you can still wear 6 months. Your nicer clothes are anywhere between 6 and 9 months, depends on how they are made. 

Diapers:

Size 2's still. We will be venturing to 3's before long, probably as soon as this size 2 box is over!

Feeding:

You are on the same eating schedule as last month. You eat four six ounce bottles a day and your bedtime bottle is 8 ounces. 

I may start you on some cereal this month, I want to wait until you can sit solid on your own. Your doctor told me I could start whenever I wanted to, but she suggest waiting until you are six months.

Hair/Eyes:

Those eyes are so blue!! I feel that it's finally safe to say they are staying blue - the pediatrician even confirmed it when we were in a couple of weeks ago. 

You have, once again, a head full of hair! Only now it is not near as dark and it it so thick! I am not sure where you get thick hair from!

Sleep:

We have our nights. You LOVE to fight it! I am not sure if it is because you are in the room with us because we are still in between houses or what. I think you are quickly getting some seperation anxiety at nighttime. Which is rough on me and your daddy! Once you go down you do okay, still waking up and can't go back to sleep on your own about 4 or 5 each morning. You are sleeping longer though in the mornings, close to 8! I have gotten into the habit of picking you up and you are  okay. I am trying to break that habit and come give you your pacifier or rub your head until you go back to sleep. It is SO hard! You scream and we both end up in tears! I know we will get through this! I also think some of it is you are trying to get those front bottom teeth in!

You normally take two naps a day. They are anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half! Sometimes you will get by with a third nap- especially if we are busy and you are in your carseat a lot. 

Fun Stuff:

-You are SO SO SO close to sitting on your own! When you are laying on your back you try your hardest to sit up. You can sit for about a minute on your own before you begin to tilt one way or another. I see you sitting in the next two weeks or so!

-Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is your favorite, favorite thing.  We know if you are fussy, we can put that on to calm you down.  You can be in the middle of whining and throwing a fit, and if the Hot Dog Dance comes on, you immediately stop and start grinning.  It's so funny!

-You like tummy time more and more.  Lately, that's been probably your favorite activity....especially if we put you in front of a toy.  Those arms and legs are scooting. Your daddy keeps saying once you learn that your legs and arms will work together, you will be off and crawling! And if we lay you on your back, you will usually always find a way to your back!

-You love standing in our laps. You are a strong little boy for sure! And you've started leaning into our shoulder when you're tired.

-The other day Wally and Bailey got in your face and you thought it was the funniest thing! You laughed and laughed! You have not grabbed at Bailey yet, but you grab at Wally and pull his hair. He is so good and doesn't mind! 

-You can make some of the funniest faces.  And you love looking at our funny faces.  When you start laughing, you can not stop yourself. It is the funniest thing and we all are cracking up laughing before long!

-You've found your feet!  You can get them in your mouth now.  You love to wobble back and forth while you're holding your feet.

-You've also learned how to hit and grab! I don't think the hitting is on purpose, but you LOVE to grab long hair! 

  I hope one day you can understand how happy you make us.  You are the light of our lives, and the last 5 months have been the best!






You were not feeling very well on your picture day this month, but I wanted to still get that day.

Find Your Wings

When I graduated high school this song was very popular. At our graduation recognition at church a friend's dad sang this song while they played a slideshow of all of our pictures growing up. When I heard it I thought it was a sweet song and I liked it and went on about my way not thinking much about it.

Greyson had been sleeping so well! Then we moved and things just got crazy to say the least and his sleeping just wasn't like it had been. He wakes up between 2:30 and 3 every.single.morning. He wants to be held and then goes back to sleep but doesn't like being put back down in his crib. He's my cuddle bug for sure. 

Last night he was NOT having going back to sleep. So we were up until about 5:30 this morning. I had class at 8:30 and it was raining. Needless to say, I was not in a good mood. 

Music is my therapy. I get in my car, crank up my radio and drive to school for my class (not to mention it was presentations today, too). 

This song comes on the radio and I think, "Oh, I haven't heard this one in awhile." The first line, the very first line, I instantly felt this guilt come over me of how frustrated I had been in the wee hours earlier. ("It's only for a moment you are mine to hold." Tell me you wouldn't feel instant guilt.) I listen to the words and now I completely understand why this song was written. As a gentle reminder about how long the days and nights can be, but how short and quick the years will go by. (Thanks for wise words mom and Josie!)

It is also a gentle reminder of how thankful I should be that God has entrusted Greyson with John Thomas and me. We have two different sets of friends right now that are struggling with infertility. We have another set of friends who have been pregnant in the past and have lost their baby (and now have two wonderful and beautiful girls!!). I never have not been thankful for Greyson, I hope nobody would ever think that, but that doesn't mean I don't have my moments of frustration. I just need sleep and can become easily frustrated, like majority people. Thank you God for your sweet reminder this morning. 

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold 

The plans that heaven has for you

Will all too soon unfold 

So many different prayers I'll pray

For all that you might do 

But most of all I'll want to know 

You're walking in the truth 

And If I never told you 

I want you to know

As I watch you grow

Chorus:

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

And that faith gives you the courage

To dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

So let my love give you roots

And help you find your wings 

May passion be the wind 

That leads you through your days 

And may conviction keep you strong

Guide you on your way 

May there be many moments

That make your life so sweet 

Oh, but more than memories

Chorus:

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky 

I'll have tears as you take off 

But I'll cheer as you fly 

Four Months!

Greyman, you are four months already! (and two days, I'm a little behind) I can't believe how fast you are growing and learning.  I love watching every second of it! You are my heart and soul little boy! Your daddy and I love you so much!

Weight:

You were 15.3 pounds this morning at the doctor!

 Height:

You are 25 1/2 inches long! I knew you hit a growth spurt this month!

Clothing Size:

Six month onesies are your best fit. If you keep growing we will be bumping you up to 9 month pajamas before long! I can get away with some 9 months everyday clothes- they are mostly your nicer outfits that seem to run a little bit smaller.

Diapers:

  You're in size 2's still!  I don't have too many left and will probably go ahead and buy a size 3 next mainly because I buy the big boxes at Sams and I don't think you will make it through that many more size 2's!

Feeding:

You're eating all formula now! I went back to work, we moved, your daddy had surgery, and you really love to eat and I couldn't keep my milk supply trying to balance all of the above. You had breastmilk for a good three and half months so I am happy with that!

You eat five times a day- 4 bottles are 6 ounces and your bedtime bottle is 8 ounces. No solid food yet! Your doctor and I talked about it this morning- we may start some cereal in the next month but I am not going to rush it!

Hair/Eyes:

Your hair is almost all blonde! You have a lot of it but it is becoming more hard to see. The back around your mullet area is still dark, but not near as dark as it was when you were born. 

Your eyes are a gorgeous blue! Some of the things you wear make them really pop and they are crystal looking almost! The doctor said she wouldn't be surprised if you stayed a blue eyed boy!

Sleep:

You are sleeping okay. You are having to adjust to me and your daddy being in the same room (which is also an adjustment for me not being able to sleep with the tv on!). You go down around 8 or 8:30 and sleep until 3 (almost on the dot every night), want to be held for a few minutes and then back asleep until about 6 or 6:30. I am going to try and let you start soothing yourself to sleep in your middle of the night waking. 

You have not been swaddled for about two weeks now. You are rolling all over the place and it would scare you so I took you out. You sleep with your elephant mink and pacifier. When I put you down you go down on your back...within five or ten minutes you are turned around and on your belly. You move all throughout the night. The other morning I woke up and your feet were hanging out the slats of the crib. It was funny. 

Fun Stuff:

-You love talking!  You will talk and talk and talk...I have NO idea where you get this from! Haha!

-You LOVE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! I think it is the bright colors and all the music. You will lay there and kick your feet the entire time it is on. When I sing their opening song to you, you always smile. You really like when your Mimi sings The Hot Dog song to you from the show, too!

- You are starting to really notice toys.  When we put something in front of you, you grab at it (and sometimes you can actually grab it!). Earlier I put the bottle in front of you to see what you would do and you moved your mouth for it and tried to eat. Mean of me but it was cute.

-You can stand up on your own when standing in my lap! You are SO strong!!

-You have great head control! I let you sit in your Bumbo a few minutes each day to help you build your core. I think you will be sitting up very soon!

-You get so tickled at some sounds...like kissing, blowing raspberries, etc.

-You are drooling all over the place. Your gums are just a little bit swollen, but no teeth yet.

-I can't decide if you prefer to be on your tummy or your back. You sleep on your tummy but when I put you on your tummy and you aren't sleeping then you are easily aggravated.

-You have two fingers that you suck on! You will shove them down your throat until you gag yourself and then look at me like it is my fault. It's okay, I'll let it slide this time.

-Wally is really starting to notice and I think enjoy you. He loves to give you kisses! You never cry when he does, just look back at him and smile!

-You still LOVE your swing! I think you are enjoying it more now than you ever have.

Your daddy and I are still so smitten over you! We love you more and more each day! 

Some Big Changes- Part One

In May 2012 John Thomas and I decided to ride through a neighborhood on a random day. We had sort of talked about moving into a larger house, but had not put too much thought into it since it was just us and Wally. As we were riding around we found a house that we loved! We called the realtor, set up an appointment and after a few weeks of praying and discussing, decided to put an offer in contingent of selling our home. Since we did not want the stress of two mortgage payments (who would?) we listed our house on the market. Long story short, we could not come to an agreement with the sellers but decided to go ahead and keep our house listed and keep looking for our new home.

We had our house on the market for about 3 or 4 weeks and had a few people come and look. Early June we found out that we were going to have an extra addition. We had decided we would begin trying for a baby and if it took one month or twenty months, we would stay patient throughout. Month one and I was pregnant. We decided we did not want the stress of preparing for a baby and selling a house, etc. so I called the realtor and took our house off the market.

The next few months we were not actively looking for a house or land, but we had not erased the thought out of our head.

Fast forward to November. I randomly rode through the neighborhood and noticed that same house from May was still for sale and the price had been dropped to lower than our original offer. It was a sign. I prayed, talked to John Thomas and we decided we would call the relator again.

We went and looked at the house and decided we still liked it. Put in an offer (contingent on selling our house, again) and bam, they accepted. Our house went back up on the market at the beginning of December.

We had a few showings throughout the holidays. I was okay with not selling super quick since Greyson was due in February. The last thing I wanted was not to make a closing date because I was in labor.

The end of March came and we still had not sold our house. The sellers of the other house had another offer and we had first right of refusal and 48 hours to make a decision. We decided it was best to go ahead and give it up because we had no idea how long it would take to sell our house.

Back to square one...