I have a Two Year Old!

Here is my last monthly update for my man!


We didn't get percentages this time for some reason but here you go...
Weight: 34lbs
Height: 38 3/4 inches


I had heard that pediatricians predict the adult height at 2 so I was eager to hear this. Sure enough, the doctor said it looks like you might be 6' 3". I think that's a great height for a man! Looks like you might be taller than your Dad at 6' 2" :)


Size 5 diapers
2T clothes; some 3T shirts
Size 7.5W shoes - haven't grown a centimeter it seems!
Sleeping: 8ish - 7ish; Nap time: About 2 1/2 hours each afternoon


When I tell you that you can only have ONE popsicle, you answers "Two!"; Then I say "One," and you says, "Two!"....I can't tell if you're just counting or actually trying to negotiate with me! You are such trouble. :) 2 is your favorite number and you can work it into plenty of conversations.


You are obsessed with gum and popsicles. I can easily spend most of my day saying no to these two requests or working it into some kind of positive reinforcement. You don't ever swallow the gum but it's just so pointless for a 2 year to have!

It's a race against the summer heat!

You are more interested than ever in construction equipment and construction sites. Everything is an enthusiastic "Dirt!" Fortunately, we have so much construction around town that we can stop at almost any red light and see some sort of work happening. There is a lot of disappointment when the light turns green and we move on. It's met with a whimper and "Pleeeeeeease" so that we won't drive off. Thank goodness that doesn't last long! It's so sad.

You love your movies now! Finally :) Just in time for our FL trip. Your favorite is Bob the Builder (of course) and you take ideas that you learn there and act them out with all your tools and tractor toys. Pretty adorable. Next, you love Curious George and ask for him by making monkey sounds :) You'll say George if we ask you to but you (and I) prefer the hee hee hoo hoo haa haa sounds ;)

Watching Curious George with Pop. He later said, "I don't get why people like that monkey." ;)

You are so great with wearing your sun hat outside. You know to take it off inside, which I like to think is the beginning of good manners :) You also set your place at the table before dinner (Thanks Mimi!) and you know how to put your hands together for prayer. I can't wait to hear your little prayers someday!


Your transition to the toddler bed has been simply incredible. You STILL stay in your bed until it's time for us to come get you in the morning. I am shocked at how easy you have been. So not consistent with your strong-willed personality but I'll take it! We've only had two times that were a struggle and I thought it was the end of the world. You have spoiled me, dude!

You go down so easily with a book. Again, I'm so shocked!

Other interests: Being outside, teasing the dogs with their chew toys, water, bubbles, picking your nose (sigh), wrestling, your art easel and so. much. golf. ;) Also....

You are very interested in hot and cold temperatures these days. You like to point them out and blow on hot foods.

You and Brinkley are big buds. Here you had just taken a carrot off the island to feed to him when you thought I wasn't looking ;)

I love you in button down PJs. These are your latest Paul Frank pajamas from the Asels. Of course, you call them George :)

You are really starting to enjoy the library. You pick out your own book (knowing exactly where the construction books are), pick out a chair and read to me. I hope this continues!

Doodling! I love watching you create.

I sound like a broken record but we are just so proud of you and love watching you grow up! I still can't believe that we created someone so bright and funny and smart and beautiful! We love you, Grayson Luke!

Recent Videos

I take so many of these things but never post them anywhere! I try to keep our Youtube channel inundated with copious amounts of Grayson but never tell anyone about it. :) So, here are just a few so that I can attempt to freeze time...


Grayson's Texas drawl



Beau sends a video or two a week just saying good morning. Here is Grayson's reaction to one of the first....Oh Dada! 

Grayson sings a lot! But he stops as soon as he sees the camera. This is the best I've gotten but I so badly want to capture his ballads where you can really see the pain in his face with that intense frown ;)

Shaving like Daddy - he wants to do everything like Beau!

Of course they did!

I have to vent! You probably know that I planned Grayson's little tractor themed party for many months...so OF COURSE I would go to the Gymboree website the following Monday to see they debuted a tractor line for toddler boys! I about died. Mainly because I'm not exactly blown away with boy clothes but these are pretty darn cute! They missed a spot at our party but they will have a place on this blog! :)

These shorts were my saddest realization since I struggled with bottoms for G's tractor t-shirt. These would have been perfect!

Patchwork shorts. Oh my. And in green/blue (sigh)

A hat. Of course there are accessories. 

Father's Day and More

Andrea in town!
It means so much to us that Andrea came in town for Grayson's party! We loved spending time with her, as always, and it was even cooler because we got to catch up on all her wedding planning! Really fun stuff. She is just so good with Grayson and helped him open all his gifts after his nap on Saturday (of course those pics are on the big camera and I'm lazy).

Rough Riders vs. Hooks
Saturday evening after Grayson's party our babysitter came over so we could meet my parents and Andrea at the Rough Riders game. My Dad has Founder's Club tickets, which is a fun mix of all you can eat food and drinks and a chance to slip into some air condition to watch the game if needed. Our friends Dolan and Jennifer met up with us and sat at our seats with us. Good times and lots of laughs with this bunch!

Missing our better 1/5, Amanda!

Three's a crowd, Jen! 

Father's Day
I wish I could say that I made this day as special as Beau made Mother's Day for me. :/ Frankly, it just fell off my radar with all the birthday party planning. Multi-tasking is not my forte. We picked up Kolache Heaven and took it to my parents' house for breakfast and then hung out on their back porch for the rest of the morning - it was a beautiful day! And Andrea got to witness just how truly spoiled Grayson is over there. :) Grayson took a FOUR hour nap at our house later (thank you, love!) and afterward, Beau and Grayson headed to Cabella's for some manly shopping. Ordered in pizza for dinner and that's about it. :/ Definitely not the Spa Day he gave me but it was relaxing, which is really all Beau asks for these days.


Pharrs in town
We were really fortunate that the Pharrs' trip home to Texas coincided with Beau's change in travel plans so that we could all hang out! Beau really loves chatting with Matt! One of the funniest guys we've ever met. He's the one we quote all the time when we say we want all boys. "Boys export trouble. Girls import trouble." Haha! Funny dude.


Carissa and Matt arranged for all of us to meet at this really cool bar on Lower Greenville called The Bottle Shop. Monday nights just happen to be free pizza night (score!) and our group took full advantage! This place was SO cool - really quaint and authentic and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. I loved, loved seeing all the girls (we really missed a few!) and catching up. These times are getting fewer and fewer for me and I hate that. We loved being back in Dallas too even if it was just for a few hours!

A pretty good turn out! Only missing the girls who moved out of state.

Trish just got fabulous new sunglasses. We thought this was noteworthy.

Mother Goose! 
Grayson and I went to story time at the library like we've done plenty of times before but this week, it was different! Mother Goose (a local celebrity as we've seen her around town several times) was visiting and the whole time was dedicated to her! She did an amazing job with the kids and her being a good ventriloquist really holds their attention! 

She was actually pretty funny!

He stood the whole time and was mesmerized by her.

Grayson's 2nd Birthday Party!

We had Grayson birthday party here at the house this past weekend and overall, it went really well! We tried to keep this party much smaller than last year by having only "his friends", their parents and immediate family over. It was much more manageable and I think our guests appreciated not being on top of each other! We also moved it to the morning, which was much more pleasant outside vs. the 100+ temps at his 3pm party last year! 


This was really my last year (for a while) to have fun with the theme and decor. I think starting next year we'll move to a party venue where we won't have to do much. Keeping this in mind, I had SO much fun doing it all! Even though I had to call in Beau at 9pm the night before to help finish it all! :) 


We think Grayson really enjoyed himself! Here are the photos of all the fun...

Blood, sweat and tears went into that banner. It may be my last DIY b-day project ever!

Newborn and 2 y.o. pictures

Bedtime Bakers did our cake again! We love them.

I found the cupcake toppers (used here for pork sliders) and the favor tags/Hershey kiss stickers (below) on Etsy.
That site makes people look creative. Love it!

Party favors

My Mom's famous sugar cookies. They did not disappoint!

Pork sliders, pickles, extra sauce, potato chips and potato salad for lunch

The centerpiece with Oreos for dirt and couscous for the hauled grain (Beau's idea!) :)

The lemonade went fast. Next year I need to remember that people are thirsty in June! Need more liquids!

My favorite - Grayson and Cole in the Jeep

Grayson's sweet cousin, Payton, with her Daddy. She is becoming quite the lady!

Ethan and his gorgeous son, Carter.

Sweet Piper!

London and Alison

Payton, Cole and Emily 

Gray's fingers all up in that icing. Sheesh, child!

Last year, we forgot to get a family picture. This year, we added a child! Haha. London would do anything to get closer to the cake! Even pose for someone else's family picture :)

Grayson's famous shifty eyes!

He blew out his own candle. My baby is growing up!

Most of the kids 

Beau, Whit and Ethan - just missing Nick!

With Lori and Kristi

With Alison!

He opened all his own gifts this year! My, what a difference a year makes!

So excited about his gifts - and so it begins!

I read him each card even though he wasn't listening :)

I've said it so many times but we are so proud of the little man Grayson is growing up to be! He changes and grows daily - it's really amazing to watch!

Reynolds Happenings

Happenings this past week...

First, foremost and coolest, a surprise package came in the mail for me this week! It turned out to be a formal invitation from my sister to be her matron of honor! She and Rogan are marrying in New Orleans on NYE so it was perfectly and appropriately festive. She wrote the sweetest note that brought me to tears but she was quick to write that I should save my monogrammed hankie for the wedding. :) She plans to have a second line (you know, where the jazz band leads the party through the streets of N.O. while everyone dances and waves hankies or umbrellas usually with a cocktail in hand - holler!). It's going to be awesome! Of course I said yes! xoxo

We had some fun play dates this week, one of which was with our friends Alison and London at Willowbend. I really love that mall (so much better than the one in Frisco :/) And I love those girls. I would describe Alison as having the best intelligent humor who asks thought provoking questions to which she really wants to hear your answer. I depend on her for great conversation! And I depend on her daughter for some serious laughs! I've said it before but London is like no other!

Oh, London! A very blurry Grayson thought she was so funny!

Is this not precious?!

Cruisin'

We bought a boat bed for Grayson off Craigslist! I have been looking around for probably 4 or so months for this bed so that Beau wouldn't have to build it (he was seriously thinking about it :)). This one was by far the best quality and the closest to the Pottery Barn bed I really wanted but a fraction of the price. More to come on this when it's all complete but here's a sneak peak. And if you're wondering - we have no idea when we're switching Grayson as he's fine in his toddler bed and we're in no rush to shop for the twin mattress. We just had to jump at the quality/price/location of this one!

The family actually had two boat beds for their sons. Thank goodness we only need one - they are 9 ft in length!

Grayson loves times with his Pop and Mimi and I love being over at their house! They make awesome dinners and I can relax in the evenings while they play with him. :)

Lincoln Logs!

Soccer Tots was Saturday and Grayson really buttered up to the Coach at stamp time. :) He was like the stamp guard watching carefully as the other kids got theirs. It was pretty adorable.

Grayson wore the new hat that Alison and London gave him to dinner with our neighbors Saturday night.  I didn't think he'd keep it on but he wore it most of the time! We later went to Paciugo for gelato and the kids played at that fountain that Grayson loves so much at The Shops. Being with the Asels and their 3 kids is always  an eventful time! 

Twisted Root has random back drops. They look more like they're on an episode of Storage Wars. :)

Finally, some of our best moments are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Grayson likes to crawl in bed with us and love on his Daddy and Brinkley. I get asked every once in a while how I handle Beau's weekly travel but it's actually pretty easy. My parents take really good care of us during the week and then EVERY weekend is a 3 day weekend for the 3 of us. When other people get excited about their 3-day weekend holidays, we get excited for a 4-day weekend. :) It really works well for us and I wouldn't trade these lazy Friday mornings for anything!

Brinkley was licking Grayson's ear. He giggles so hard at that!

And then see below for Sunday's Life Group party!