My 3 year old...

A few people have asked me what Grey is up to now that he is 3, so I thought I'd write a blog post all about it! :)

He can...
count to 50
count backwards from 10-0
knows all of his letters and the sounds that they each make
with help, starting to sound out easy 3-4 letter words
knows all of his shapes (even crazy ones that I barely know) and how many sides they each have
can spell his name (first and last)
knows where Michigan is on a map


I am just so amazed by this kid every single day. When we were told that he had spina bifida, we were immediately told that he would have brain damage and would be cognitively delayed...He is constantly proving them wrong. :) Take That Spina Bifida!!

He is loving school more and more everyday (and he has always loved it, so that is saying a lot!) He has always talked his teachers' ear off, but he is finally starting to talk with his classmates more and more. He joins in when they are doing a song with motions (this is new), and will now play with his friends. I just love peeking in on him when I pick him up...he is always having such a great time and makes my worrying heart feel such peace and happiness. I pray that he always loves school as much as he loves it right now.

Lately he has been saying some pretty hilarious things. Just tonight at dinner he said "I'm sorry I can't give you a second wish, mommy." Huh?!? I have NO idea where he got that!!

Here are a few more of his most favorite sayings...

"I'm sorry I scared you, mommy" this one is said all. day. long. Just randomly throughout the day. Pretty sure that came from a Mickey episode

"I sure can!"

"I sure did!" Both said VERY confidently and loud!

"what's wrong with this picture?" this is another one that he just says out of the blue...not idea why.

and the best...

I was pointing to a little bump on his thigh and asked him what it was. his response..."that must be my shunt!!"



Hope you all are happy and healthy!!

Love,
Leigh

Grey's 3rd Birthday

Wow! It's been 3 years.
3 years since I peaked over the big blue sheet and saw my baby boy for the first time...I remember it almost moment for moment. what a blessing!
Leigh and I often play a game where we look at the date, open iPhoto, and then say "What did grey look like 1 year ago, 2 years ago", and now we can say 3 years ago. It's crazy to see how much he's grown up, and really fun to "go back in time" and re live those times we had with him.

So lets play...

it's February 16, 2012

what happened 3 years ago today?


He was still in the NICU, recovering, getting stronger everyday.

what happened 2 years ago today?
He has being silly wearing my hat.

what happened 1 year ago today?
He was lovin life!

Ok so i dont have a picture of him today, February 16, 2012 but lets pretend...here's some pics from his birthday weeekend!
Greys birthday breakfast. Oh by the way, he loves Mickey Mouse these days,
Um, yeah, those are Mickey Mouse pancakes.


Our big 3 year old!

Just being silly!

Mickey Mouse clubhouse cake. (we still have leftovers of that thing)


WE asked Grey for weeks what he wanted for his birthday...Cake, thats all he wanted. And boy did he love it!



Here's Grey's "stool" that Grandpa Gibbs made for him. this week he's loved using it to help with the dishes and "cook with mommy" it's such a great piece of furniture to have in the house! Thanks pops!
And after a long day filled with cake and presents, its time for a rest with mommy.

Here's short clip of us singing Happy Birthday to him, Man, he loved it this year.


love to all,

Andy, Leigh, Grey

Here fishy, fishy

It was this time last year when we got Grey a few goldfish for his 2nd birthday. Surprisingly, we are pleased to announce that 2/3 of those fish are still with us today. Amazing really. Well anyway, i think we were a year off in the gift, because Grey couldn't care less about those fish when he got em, but now all of sudden he has a huge interest in them and always wants to feed them. Here's just a few pictures of him taking care of his "friends".


i think here he's trying to make a fish face...not bad.


Well, here's to the still nameless fish...may they be here again this time next year!


love,

Andy, Leigh, Grey (and his fish)

:)

Finally...A real snowman!

So just as January turned into February we finally got some real snow. Well enough to make a real snowman, and thats's all Grey cares about.

Here we are!

Grey was lucky to have baby Evan over for the afternoon so he showed him how to sled. Ev was a little apprehensive at first, but we got some smiles out of him.




Even Grandma Joy joined in!


Hope everyone's having a great winter!

love to all,

the Gibbs'


P.S. Someones almost 3...say what!!! cant believe it

Winter?

This is what the weather does in Michigan...

Last Monday it was pushing 50 degrees, so we pulled out Grey's "Monster Truck" (If you look closely, you'll quickly discover this was indeed a Barbie Jeep that has been rebranded a "Green Boy's Monster Truck" Grey was having a blast!




By the end of the week, we parked the Jeep and got out the sleds! Finally, some significant snow. So Grey and I hit the backyard!




Grey doesn't quite get the idea of good "packing snow". He continually asked to make multiple snowmen...but it was the soft fluffy stuff the fell. :) So we took some more runs down the hill...






A few times Grey was "too aggressive" with his approach down the hill and took a faceplant...he didn't like that too much.


Hope everyone's having a good year so far. Stay Warm.

Love,
Andy, Leigh, Grey

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As we sit here tonight, on the first day of 2012, I can't help but think back to some of the highlights of 2011.

*you may want to grab a cup of coffee for this one, I can't guarantee that this will be a short post. :)

January started off with Grey doing more standing with his knee
immobilizers and becoming more and more comfortable on his feet.

January was also the month that Grey met "2 Orie" as he is known today.
Here he is showing off his love for both of his Ories...can't sleep without them. :)

In February, our little baby turned 2. I still can't believe it. He is almost 3 and I
am still getting used to the idea of him being 2!

March brought Greyson's first pair of KAFOs!! We were so excited to get
these. They have changed Grey's life...for the better, and we are so thankful
that Grey is able to do so much while he wears them!

In April, we went to Florida with grandma and grandpa Neal, uncle Jake and
aunt Jenny, Parker, Kendall, Olivia, and Mallory...Grey had a blast with his cousins!!

Grey also discovered his love of numbers and large books. :)
May was a big month for us! Grey wore his first tie!

He helped me celebrate Mother's Day!

He also helped me decorate his room...

and started sleeping in his big boy bed!

June was spent walking outside...

getting his very own wheelchair!!!...

and visiting with friends who we wish we could see everyday...

July was spent relaxing at the pool...

taking swimming lessons...

and going on vacation with grandpa and grandma Gibbs,
uncle Jim and aunt Emily, and of course, baby Evan. :)

FYI: "baby Evan" is not really considered a baby anymore, but Grey will
ONLY refer to him as "baby Evan" and tries to hug and pet him any
chance he gets. They are the cutest. :)

August was spent just being cute. :)

In September our little guy started PRE-SCHOOL! I know, I still can't believe it!
Such a big boy he is! He is LOVING it and everyday there, is his "best day yet!"
according to his teachers! We are so proud!

October was spent getting ready for our first Stroll 'N Roll for the
West Michigan Spina Bifida Organization! It was a HUGE success!!

Grey was also an astronaut for Halloween and is still asking us at least
3 times a week what we are going to be for Halloween. :)



No pictures for November :( Grey was busy doing another session of Therapy at 1 plus 1! Everyday for 2 hours! A very busy month!

December was spent making his first snowman...
celebrating Christmas with Emily and Carson at the WMSBO Holiday Party...
and spending time together.

We were so incredibly blessed in 2011, and I am praying for a happy and healthy 2012!!

Each night Grey says in his prayer...

"Thank you that I am strong, thank you that I am healthy, thank you that I am happy..." (with a few other random 'thank yous' mixed in) :)

We could not be more grateful for our sweet little boy, he truly is the biggest blessing. I know that 2012 will be a big year for him...turning 3, going to preschool more than just one day a week, and most likely discovering that he isn't just like everyone else. My prayer for this year is that he will remain healthy, happy, and strong. :)

Much love and many prayers for your 2012 as well!!

Andy, Leigh, and Mr. G