Fall and Such.....

Hello to our blogspot friends. Im so sorry for the delay in posting a blog update. Life has been crazy - yes crazy!! I was actually sitting with Gray while she played in the tub lastnight and we were having the most precious conversation - and I thought to myself "I really need to update the blog so I can tell the world how precious our little girl is". Of course things happen each day, each hour, each moment and I just wish you were all around to see it. The most amazing things come out of Gray's mouth. She is so funny and so innocent and so HAPPY!!

As the end of the summer was wrapping up our schedule was jam packed! We capped off the summer with an adults-only trip to Anguilla where Paul and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. It was the most amazing and romantic trip and an island we hope to visit again very soon.

Paul and I have both been super busy with work. I started a new job as a Regional Sales Manager early September and I love it. Paul is still doing great at his software sales. October led him to his best sales month ever and top salesman in the company. We are very blessed!!!

A few updates on Miss Gray....

* very advanced with her speech. She talks and talks and talks. I guess she's going to be just like her mommy and never fall short of things to talk about it.

* loves talking on the phone and actually has "pretend" conversations with a small group of friends daily.

* Potty training is going great - we're almost there. She's in big girl panties all day and stays dry - our challenge is #2 and that's been a little messy!!

* Sleeping in a conversion bed - almost in her big girl room and she is so excited!

* grasping the concept of time. It's so cute if we tell her we're going to do something or someone is coming over she says "now mommy.." and if I say "no, not now" she says "tomorrow" or "this weekend" or "after my nap"

* spelling her name G-R-A-Y

* loves drawing. She is so good at drawing people. She draws the body, the legs, arms, hair (long and short depending on who she is drawing), eyes, nose and ears - and for the most part they are all in the right place.

We are so excited about the fall. We're kicking off the cooler weather tonight with a neighborhood cookout and Halloween party where we'll attempt smores over the firepit.

Wish you all wonderful fall season from the Zytniks!! Bring on the cooler weather -we're ready!!

August 2010

I mentioned in my last post how much Gray loves her babydolls!! I thought you might like to see it for yourself. Our neighbors and great friends, The Artemenko's gave Gray this precious Itty Bitty Baby set for her dolls and it now has it's permenent place in our living room. Gray loves this playset!! She takes care of her babies, all 10 of them. She feeds them, changes all of thier outfits atleast a few times per day, changes diapers and even says prayers with each of them before putting them to sleep. She is such a little mommy at heart and we love it!! Here's a picture of the playset... a pic of Gray and all her "children" and also one of her changing a diaper. The blankets on all her children below are washcloths. She stole all of them out of the linen closet and uses them for blankets! How creative!!

2 years.... and then some!

Consider this the 2 year update on Gray. Im aware... she's almost halfway to 3 but, better late than never! The truth is... I was a little behind on booking her 2 year check-up, and now that that's done I can update you all on our little princess!

Two year check up stats:
32 pounds ( 92%)
36 inches - 3 feet (85%)


She checked out just perfect!! The only "homework" assignment we were given was to offer fruits and veggies at every meal!! Gray has become a picky little eater and the doc told us that if we offer them at every meal, even if she only has a bite or two - it's better than nothing! She had a few shots - but nothing a sparkle bandaid and a bag of goldfish couldn't take care of.

I could go on for days about all the things Gray is doing these days:

• Loves, loves, loves her baby dolls. She's such a little "mommy" at heart and I love seeing how sweet and gentle she is with her tribe of children (yes she has a tribe - atleast 10 babies)
• Has discovered a new love for books. She will sit in her room and read for 30 minutes all by herself. She reads in the car, in the stroller and even in the bathroom which is a wonderful thing to occupy her while I get ready for work. Her favorite books she knows by heart!!
• Does not like the bath!!! Im not sure how or when this happened but the last few weeks have been tough. She won't even sit down and hates having her hair washed.
• LOVES SHOES!! Thanks to Aunt Anna this child has more shoes that Paul and I have combined. She loves trying them on and prancing around the house.
• She's a golfer!! Gray loves putt-putt. We introduced her to it in June at the beach and she has not stopped talking about it. I think we're going to need to get her a putting green :)
• Games and prizes!! We have an arcade by the house and she now understands the concept of playing games and winning tickets that you can cash in for prizes. We visit often and even found an arcade at the beach. Gray loves prizes. The bad thing for us is that our house is covered in little "things" like balls, silly bands, snakes, flashlights.
• Loves to pray! Gray says the blessing before every meal and I love her sweet little version of "God our Father" She sings it so perfectly!! At night we say her prayers before bed and she thanks God for everyone in her life.... one by one!!

Life is good. Being 2 is great!! Of course we have the challenging days but i have a feeling Gray is skipping the terrible 2's which makes me a little nervous about 3. Stay tuned... we're getting serious about the potty training and the switch to a big girl bed will be soon!!

A Week of Bliss....

A week of bliss... that's what it was!! The last week of July was a week for mommy/daughter time!! I recently acccepted a new job and decided to take a week off before starting this new chapter. I got to enjoy the week with Gray and we did nothing but play, play and more play!! I must admit going into the week I was a little nervous. I've always been a working mom. The weeks we have spent together consisted of vacations and crazy travels. I was anxious to have her Monday - Friday and more importantly, anxious about figuring how to fill up our days with fun and cheap activities!!! Well...my week was a success. We had the best time. By Friday I was trying to negotiate in my mind how I could decline the job offer and stay home with my baby full time. It was a week of bliss!! I tip my hat to all of the women who stay at home with their children. It's a full time job. It's harder than anything corporate america could ever throw your way.
Our week started off with a day of running errands!! Since my last job was a work from home position, I was able to get a lot of my errands done during the week. It's tough running errands with a 2 year old. It took a lot longer than usual but we had so much fun doing it. We spent atleast an hour at the Target dollar bin - and Gray racked up on some new goodies. Cheap and fun!! We had lunch with Paul at his office... Gray loved seeing where her daddy works.
Tuesday we packed up early, drove to the lightrail station and began our venture to Discovery Place. It was awesome to take Gray to a place where I played as a little girl. She loved it. There were so many things to do. She loved the aquariums and the water tables. She touched a snake and we walked the drawbridge in the rainforest. Aunt Anna was able to join us for a few hours too - so that made it even better!! On our way out we made a pit stop at the gift shop where she picked out her dinosaur silly-bands. She still has not taken them off!!
Friday was another big outing... we met Holly and the Wilder boys at ImaginOn. This is a HUGE library downtown with so much to do. The kids listened to a story-teller and put on a puppet show. We wrapped up with lunch downtown and hopped back on the train for our ride home. Gray loves riding the train. She made a few friends and even pointed out to a homeless lady that her feet and hair were dirty. Oh how I love the honesty of a two year old.
Above, Gray is amazed by the shark tank at discovery place!! Below - smiling for the camera on the lightrail heading downtown!!
Jack and Gray outside of ImaginOn. The stuff outside is almost as fun as everything inside! Bubbles on the back porch...

A few more pictures from ImaginOn.

What a wonderful week it was! My little girl is growing up right before my eyes.... I wish I could stop the clock and hold onto every moment. And now, I've made a promise to myself. There's no need for vacation or crazy plans. A WEEK OF BLISS will be a tradition for us every summer. I can't wait!!

Summer Days.....

We have been lucky enough to snag the family beach house for a few long weekends this summer!! Our beach house is my favorite place on earth... yes, it's a long drive and with a 2 year old that can sometimes prove to be a bit challenging. But once we get there... it's sooo worth it!! Early July we got to spend 5 days with the Bazley family at our Oak Island get-a-way!! Our days were filled with fun in the sun, swimming, building sand castles, feeding the birds, walks on the pier and our nights were made of great food (thanks Doug) ice cream, putt putt, walks on the beach and 2 very tired little girls!! Saturday we made a trip across the island via ferry and ventured to Carolina Beach. You get to drive your car right on the sand and Paul even tried to fish for a bit. Daddies are the best - we love this picture of the guys spelling out the names of thier sweet little girls!!

We also ventured to Southport... it's a quick drive from the house and has beautiful views. This picture of the Bazley family was from a pier the girls had a blast playing on!!

While visiting Oak Island this trip we discovered a new spot for dinner!! I would have never guessed Oak Island had a yacht club. We had dinner right on the water. This picture makes me smile!! Amy and I were roommates in college - and look at us now!! Our girls are three months apart and the sweetest of friends!! The Bazleys are expecting baby #2 at the end of the year and we are so excited to be a part of this journey with them! I am so thankful for our friendship and look forward to us growing old together and sharing many more memories!!

Calling all child modeling agents... isn't this picture precious?? The girls had matching suits that demanded a snapshot. They really could be in a magazine doing an ad for the sunscreen gray is holding. Gray and Ella just light up when they are together!! I personally loved hearing thier sweet little conversations

Our last night at the beach was an adventure. We played a rather successful round of putt-putt, considering the players were 2 years old. Paul and Doug were trying so hard to teach the fundamentals of putt-putt. Amy and I just enjoyed watching them run wild and attemp to hit the ball in the hole. I don't think we have created the next Tiger Woods.... that's for sure!!

One last note on the beach!! Gray was not too excited about the water this year. Last year she hated the sand... so we're making a step in the right direction. She will be a beach bum... she must be a beach bum.

We really did have a wonderful trip! Amy and I were remembering the days of our beach trips in college and pre-kids. We would lay out all day and fry our skin to a crisp. Life is different now... there's no more sitting in a chair and working on our tan. There's something wonderful about being a mom and being covered from head to toe in sand. I'm speaking for both of us... we wouldnt' change it for the world!!!

July 4th, 2010

happy july 4th!! We hope you had a great holiday and took a moment to remember the ones who fight for our freedom, past present and future!! We had a wonderful holiday weekend and the best part was he homecoming of our little girl. Gray was invited to visit MiMi in Durham for 9 days!! She had such a great time and was spoiled rotten!! Although the 9 days apart was tough - we realize how lucky Gray is to have a MiMi that loves her more than words!! I remember when I was a little girl - i would spend a week with my grandmother every summer!! I have the best memories from those trips and I know Gray is going to have the same. With all of the "free" time Paul and I were able to do things outside of our normal routine. We had such great week together. So thank you MiMi for keeping our little princess!! Gray arrived home Sunday afternoon July 4th. We had a housefull of friends over Sunday night for a cookout and then the entire crew went down to our neighbors house for a fireworks show!! Gray loved the fireworks and was such a little helper picking out the one to light next and handing them to the guys in charge!!

It was such a joy to celebrate with Gray this year! She is growing into such little lady and she takes advantage of any opportunity to celebrate!! As I laid her down to bed on Monday night she put her hands in the air and said "TICK, TICK... BOOM... Goodnight Mommy". I guess the fireworks made a lasting impression on her little mind!!

Gray - 25 months...