The One About the Baby...Again

I’M BAAACK!! Per post below, I have more time so I hope to get this blog a little more accurate. My “monthly” updates won’t be so quarterly anymore…I hope.

GROWING WITH GROVER:

9 months

8 months
(8 & 9 pics posted flip flop...oops) 10 months
10 month stats:
Head circumference – 18 ½ inches (80th percentile)
Height – 29 inches (65th percentile)
Weight – 18 lbs. (15th percentile…a.k.a. SCRAWNY!)


If you came to visit us these days, you’d probably find…

A punkin head that thinks he can walk, run, and dance all day long. He is VERY determined to get ‘to and fro’ on his little 10 month legs. He’s been like this for a few months now, and mom’s back has been sore ever since


A bug that LOVES to crawl and explore new things. He finally picked up on the idea of crawling (rather than rolling) last week. He’s by no means “speedy” in his efforts, I’m assuming it ain’t easy getting that head in the direction intended (see stats above).


A sweet little boy that still ADORES his cousin SMITH! (And I adore that!!)


Pots & Pans. Thanks Gramps for this new obsession. Our cabinets couldn’t be happier.

A binker binks that can hang with the big kids all day long! He loves his cousins, and thinks his buddy Lee is pretty fantastic!



Abuster butt that L-O-V-E-S to be outside!! He is fascinated with trees, and anytime we walk out the door (whether there’s trees nearby or not) he waves to the sky and with a huge smile and says “tees, tees” (trees, trees).




A mature, young adult that swears he can eat all by himself. He doesn’t need mom to hold the spoon anymore, and honestly I’ve given up. Now-a-days Winn holds/bangs the spoon, and we both work on getting the food in his mouth with our fingers.



A little boy that loves MUSIC! The piano is still his favorite, but the guitar is a close runner up. If his daddy man is playing the guitar, you’ll find a little bug very close by. He's also adequate in clapping , loves patty cake and "If you're happy and you know it..."


As you can see, Winston has acquired a number of nicknames by his parentals. Poor kid is going to be so confused about his name.

Winston Bruce Rollings,
Your daddy and I love you ALL THE WAY! We can’t get enough of your sweet personality. You make us laugh all the time and you make us proud even more!

Mom’s Notes:
Favorite words that he repeats all day – shoes (shss), trees (tees), bye (buh), ha-choo/sneeze (chu!) momma (momma) , dada (dada)

Favorite food – toast, green beans, French fries, nutri-grain bars, dried apples, hot dogs, cheerios

Clothing size - still rockin' 9-12 month O.F's for the most part. He just moved up to a size 4 diaper (could probably still fit in the 3's, but thanks to Gramp's Costco purchase we decided 4's would be just fine for now).

The One Not About the Baby

WARNING: lots of writing/little pictures and probably pretty boring for most…but I have to take a minute to update everyone on some of mine and Chap’s recent “milestones”.

Chap has been working his hiney off!! He was out of town nearly the entire summer working on a big project for his company. While we were incredibly appreciative for the work opportunity, WE MISSED HIM SO MUCH! We are VERY grateful for all the hard work he does to support our family. I know leaving his little boy for weeks at a time was NOT an easy task, but he did an amazing job and it’s finally paying off. This past week he was given an increase in responsibilities of the survey department (by increase, I mean all of it). In October, he’ll take the second part of the PLS to complete the initial goal he’s been working towards for the last five years. Words can’t express how proud I am of the man I married. His enthusiasm and perseverance through a journey that has definitely had its pitfalls in this crap economy, remained consistent. He’s passionate about doing honest and attentive work with everyone he comes in contact with, a trait that I admire and respect more than he knows.

I don’t like to brag much (unless it involves my child) but since this post isn’t about him…
I graduated with my Masters in Reading and Literacy this week (with a 4.0…while I’m at it). I started the program three years ago with a colleague, and very dear friend of mine, Angela Williams (she suckered me into it one day in the teacher workroom, and I can’t thank her enough!) SUCH an amazing experience and something I am very proud of. During our evaluative conference last week with our supervisor and professor, I (surprisingly) started crying in the middle of our discussion. Reflecting on how far I’ve come as a “reading specialist” while maintaining two jobs, being pregnant, having my sweet baby boy, and basically being a single mommy a good portion of this last half, has definitely made me realize that I’m a stronger person than I give myself credit for. All of which I couldn’t have done without my amazingly supportive husband and wonderful learning partner/friend, Angela. I am sooooo looking forward to putting my newfound time into being a better teacher, mommy, and wife (yes Chap, that means adding more entrees to my cooking repertoire that currently exists of a fancy chicken/mac & extra cheese dish).

So, there you have it. Our milestones. Even though it’s “not about the baby”, it all kind of is. It’s a pretty amazing thing that we have these opportunities to make a better life for our little man. I’m thankful for a partner that realizes this, and not only supports my dreams, but continues to pursue his as well.

I love you, Little Lare, and can’t wait to see what else we accomplish together!!