We found out this year that time really does fly when you're having fun... being parents! It seems like only yesterday that all our little bundle of boy could do was just lay on his back and not even roll over - boy, are those days history! Now he's on the verge of walking, and his growing understanding of the world around him amazes us.
We started off the year in new parent mode, exhausted. Our little three-month-old Jonathan was not so little: almost 19 pounds, and 27 inches tall! Most of our time was spent playing with him, changing him, feeding him and trying to get him to sleep. We hardly had time for anything else, but we wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Laurie returned to work part-time in March. Jonathan's first baby-sitter was an easy choice; Chris took off a month from work to be "Mr. Mom". This made Mom's return to work a little less stressful, and Dad was able to really get to know our little guy.
After a great visit from Laurie's mom & stepdad in March, it was time for Chris to return to work, and for the family to try to get into a routine. After a long search, we finally found a wonderful childcare center in Northern Kentucky that all three of us really like. And no, we don't have to pay out-of-state tuition!
Accompanying Jonathan's first week in childcare was his first cold. That was quickly followed by a string of constant ear infections and a parade of antibiotics that lasted about four and a half months. End result: ear tubes in August at the tender age of 11 months. He's been better since then, but he does still get the occasional infection. Oh well, at least his continuously runny nose kept Kleenex in business.
This year Chris became chairperson of the political committee of the local Sierra Club. He sure had his hands full trying to get good environmentalists elected on Nov. 5; unfortunately without total success. Just wait till next year!
Meanwhile, Laurie led the adjustment to "family" life in our household. She kept busy making our budget fit our changed income and keeping up with mom and housewife duties. She has done a fantastic job keeping our weekends free for family time only!
We continued to increase the value of our home this year. (Doesn't that sound better than "we continued to dump dollars into our money pit"?) The first big dump, uh, investment, was new air-conditioning. Then when Jonathan became quite vocal this summer, Coco (our cat) got nervous - she developed a bad habit that led to the refinishing of the hardwood floor in our dining room and new carpeting elsewhere. She's through that phase now, thank goodness.
We also managed to get out of the house a little this year: in May all three of us visited Laurie's family and friends in Texas, and then Laurie and Jonathan returned there again for a week in November. We also made it to Coney Island and Hueston Woods State Park for Jonathan's first "swimming" experiences (which he didn't like too much). He does enjoy the occasional strolls and hikes in various local parks, especially alone with "Da-da."
The latter part of the year was marked by celebrations. We were thrilled to have Jonathan's Granny (Laurie's mom) and Grandma & Grandpa (Chris' parents) join a throng of neighborhood kids for Jonathan's first birthday on September 26. Where were we when that year flew by? We also marked our fourth wedding anniversary in October. And we are looking forward to being reunited with Chris' family, as his brothers from Montana and Virginia and their families come in for the Christmas holidays!
Above all, we are especially thankful for our family's health and being able to see everyone this year. We hope this holiday season finds you well and that it brings you a wonderful new year!
Love,
the Graysons
Chris, Laurie, Jonathan and Coco
P.S. Stay in touch with us between now and next Christmas! Call us at (513) 681-3774 anytime to visit. If we're not home, send a letter to 5209 Horizonvue Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45239. Or if you don't have any stamps, e-mail us "cmg180@aol.com". Or, best of all, come see us!
cmg - 12/8/96