grahams 2(.5) month stats

Graham & Avery had joint appointments & though it was a little traumatic (Avery wanted NOTHING to do with the nurse/doctors!) we finally got everyone measured & things are looking good :)

weight: 11.55 lbs (17.87%)

length: 24 in. 74.29%

head: 15.65 53.37%

avery

weight: 33.73 75.72%

length: 40 96.03%

bmi: 14.82 22.32%

family history + social media

You guys. I love family history. Have I mentioned that before?!

Lately I've been thinking a lot about it & how amazing it is that we have so much technology to learn about our ancestors & do their temple work for them. It's incredible really. I've been feeling inspired to help spread the Spirit of Elijah & think that using social media (since we're all on it every day...let's be honest!) is how I can help YOU. 

Since I'm doing this for you (and your ancestors!) I want to know what you think & what things you most need help with. 

In case you haven't taken my survey yet...click HERE!!!

lisa's dance shoppe

One of the things we have come to love about Nephi is Lisa's Dance Shoppe. Lisa is an amazing woman who teaches over 300 kids (basically every child in Nephi!) dance. She loves what she does, she knows the name of each & every one of her students, and she's adorable. We love Lisa! 

We enrolled Avery in a ballet/tap combo class this last fall and last week they had their end of year dance revue. Ave has absolutely love love loved dance (she is quite the performer!) and it has been so much fun to watch her. Getting her dolled up in her beautiful costume was the icing on the cake. Her performance wasn't until 7:30, but she did such an amazing job & I was so proud of her for being so brave and doing her dances in front of an auditorium full of people.

 

// She was so excited to be able to put on Mommy's make up!! //

Max also takes classes from Lisa, though we don't refer to them as dance classes ;) He's in Guys on the Go and like Avery, he would always look forward to Monday's when he got to go to class. He was especially excited to get his dance revue costume; a Guys on the Go Tee & Letterman jacket. Luckily for him, it's pretty big, so he'll probably fit into it for the next few years! Max's performance was on the same night as Ave's, but his started at 5:30. He did such an incredible job!! It's such a neat experience to watch your own children perform & be brave. Way to go Max & Ave!! What a fun night.

// Avery's class was full of adorable little girls! //

A special thanks to our family members who came to support the kids as well!! It was a lot of dance to sit through, but we are all so glad you could be there with us!

We took video footage of each of their dances (and they're adorable!) I'll post those asap :)

graham's blessing

Our sweet little guy, Graham Collins McKinley, was given a name and a blessing on May 4, 2014. Words can't describe how much we love him. He is such a good baby & we are so glad that he's here! Danny gave him a wonderful blessing, and after sacrament meeting, we had some of our family members join us for a waffle bar. It was delicious!! I got the special Belgian waffle recipe from my friend Kim & even ordered the pearl sugar on Amazon. We had toppings galore & it definitely hit the spot.

// My favorite picture of the day!! Is he not the cutest?!? //

// Max is way into Ninja Turtles lately. Luckily, Grandpa is too ;) //

// The men were exhausted after such a big day. //

// Graham's latest trick: holding his binky while he sleeps. Can't let it go too far! //

 Thanks again to everyone who came. We love you all!

whole30

If your on Instagram, I'm sure you've noticed that everybody is doing Whole30. Well, I'm always one to try out new diets, so we decided to give it a try. If you've never heard of Whole30 before, it's basically a detox/cleanse diet for thirty days: no dairy, no grains, no sugar (or sweeteners of any kind), and no beans. (Am I forgetting anything?! Hah!) I spent a good chunk of our Spring Break planning meals and reading up about the new diet. I mainly wanted to give it a try because Graham was having a lot of digestive issues and though everyone told me he was just "colicky" I felt like it was mostly my diet that was to blame.

So, we began! Danny was gung-ho to give it a try with me and we did really, really awesome. For seven days. But then I felt like my milk supply was decreasing, and we didn't feel that great. I realize that maybe we didn't give it enough of a chance, but I wasn't willing to risk it. Plus, for me, I felt like it was not in line with the Word of Wisdom. I'm not a huge meat person to begin with, but without beans & grains, I was not filling up. And the eggs?! Oh my goodness. I normally love eggs. But eggs with basically every meal? No thanks.

I'm still off dairy though because in that regard, I feel like Graham is pretty much cured! He is doing so much better. His baby acne cleared up and he doesn't screaaaaam in pain anymore. Hallelujah! Also, going off sugar was really eye-opening. Sugar is in EVERYTHING!!!!! Overall, it was a pretty good experience. It definitely helped me to be more creative in the kitchen and we ate more veggies than we normally do. Buuut, it's probably not something that we'll ever do again :)

Eggs with spinach & chia pudding (This was one of my favorite discoveries; Danny hated it though!)

Spaghetti squash with sauce, brussels sprouts (the kids loved them!), carrots & fruit salad

Quiche // homemade tomato soup with a green drink & side of veggies

Lots of salads were consumed during that week. And avocados! Yummm.

Kale chips (the kids & I loved these!) // more eggs :)

Baked sweet potato bar with cashew cream // veggie curry (thanks Kim!) with a side of guac & root chips. So delish.

remember this photography: graham's newborns

Krista is probably getting sick of taking pictures of us, but hopefully not, because she is amazing!!! Zach & Krista came down two weeks after Graham was born & brought dinner and took pictures. What a combo. (We love you guys!!) If you are in the area and need pictures taken, Krista is your girl!

She had so many tips & tricks up her sleeve for photographing newborns & Graham cooperated so well. I absolutely love these pictures, and know that we will cherish them for a long, long time. Thanks again Krista.

Doesn't he look so angelic?!?

My goodness we love this little guy.