Happy 4 years to Griffin!

Its hard to believe that our second born, Griffin Patrick, has just turned 4!

Griff started walking at 10 1/2 months old, and hasn't slowed down since!! Physically active and 100% boy are both understatements for this child. I must admit though that over this last year, Griffin has become way easier to manage! He no longer needs 24/7 supervision and can be trusted to play out of my sight!

Griffin is in school 3 mornings a week again this year and absolutely loves it. He enjoys the time with his new friends and the "autonomy" and "independence" that comes from doing something separate from Avery. His favorite thing about school is that he goes on the playground twice each day and that he has music each week. Griffin can write his name now and is attempting to work on writing some other letters as well.

Griffin loves to play outside - making traps for animals, playing games with Avery, and riding his new bike. He has also taken on a new love for working in the yard with Brent. He is very diligent and never lets Brent work alone! Griffin also really loves building things - lego blocks and trio blocks are a daily activity. Superheroes are a part of our daily conversations and activities. Griffin has found a new love of reading - he would not sit through a book for the past 18 months until recently - and now he loves to be read to! He also enjoys coloring with Avery and I am impressed with his sudden interest in drawing as well as the huge leap in his "skill. "

We gave up his afternoon nap about 2 months ago, largely because Griff was starting to wake up between 5:45-6:00 AM each morning! This picture shows that the transition hasn't been easy! Here he is out cold in the middle of his floor! He is still our early bird, up by 6:30 most days...but very ready for bed by 7:30 each night. He still manages to sneak in a little nap about twice a week...

Although we have made major strides in Griff's eating habits over the last year, we still have miles to go. He seems to like most things once he actually tastes it - but he just isn't interested in eating! (better things to do, right?!) At his MD appt last week, Griffin weighed in at 36 pounds 6 oz, right at the 30%; and his height was 39 inches, right at the 50%.

Griffin is super soft hearted - full of hugs, kisses, and smiles for those he encounters each day. He is sensitive towards others most of the time. It is not uncommon for him to recognize when someone gets a haircut (ie: "Ms Patti, did you get a haircut? It looks beautiful!") or announce when he likes what you are wearing (ie: "Dad, is that a new shirt? Lookin' good!") Griffin has wonderful manners and almost always uses please/thank you/ mam/ sir.

We have been blessed tremendously by our little man over the last 4 years. Can't wait to see what all God has in store!