The story behind Gray.

Allen and I were talking tonight about the name Gray and what it means to us.  I wanted to write this down while it's fresh in my mind, and before I forget the details.  We decided on the name Grayson because Gray is a family name (and should technically be our last name).

Allen's grandpa, Clair Wilcox, was born as Clifford Gray to Harlan & Amy Gray (Jones).  Shortly after he was born, his mother passed away.  When he was 4 years old, his father remarried and his new wife convinced him to give up Clifford (Clair) and his two older sisters to an orphanage.  This was a very traumatic time for Clifford, as you can imagine.  This orphanage split up the boys and the girls, so Clifford was separated from his sisters.  Later, he had memories of being in the yard and holding hands with his sisters through the chain-link fence, crying.  Shortly after, Clifford was adopted the by the Wilcox family.  William Wilcox had no sons and wanted a son, so he adopted Clifford and renamed him Clair Wilcox.  One of his older sisters was also adopted by another family.

I don't know HOW anyone can convince you to give up your own kids! :(  Harlan & Amy were very much in love, and I'm sure it broke him when Amy passed away.  I imagine he had a lot of emotional issues at the time, and was unwell. The Wilcoxes were good to Clifford/Clair and loved him and treated him like a son.

Shortly after I married Allen his family contemplated changing their/our name back to Gray.  Obviously, we didn't, but we wanted to honor the name Gray by naming our son Grayson.

"Little" Gray.

Is getting so big!  I can't believe how many milestones he has hit in the past 2 months!  At about 6 months he learned to sit up, crawl, and pull himself up on furniture (or whatever he could reach).  Between 7 and 8 months he has learned to stand without support (for up to 7 seconds), clap, dance, wave, and sign "milk".  He got his first two teeth (bottom middle), and it I swear he has said a couple of words--"yuck" and "yeah."  But they could have just been perfectly timed, random noises.  :)  WHY does he have to grow so fast? :(  He will be 8 months old tomorrow.

Torrin

We had Torrin's speech evaluated (again) with the school district, and he passed.  They said he is using all the sounds they want him to be using by 4 years.  The problem is, we can only understand what he's saying about 70% of the time.  A few weeks ago it just dawned on me that the problem is his tonsils.  They are huge, and even when he says everything correctly, it still sounds like he has marbles in his mouth.  The ENT doctor agreed, and he will have them removed on Thursday.  I'm so nervous, but hoping that this is the "fix" we need to be able to understand him better.

First "Book Report"

Since Hayden can already read well, his teacher, Mrs. Hinckley, gave him a special reading journal to take home.  I think this is great since he needs more practice writing and drawing.  I'm amazed how how far he has come since starting school 3 weeks ago.  It used to be that he wouldn't even TRY to draw something.  (Because he always wanted it to be perfect and would freak out if it wasn't).  Now he is able to draw and write!

He finished his first his first "book report" today and is learning to sound out the words and write what he hears.  (Mom is learning a good lesson in patience with this.  The English language is difficult!  ay/eigh/ai? ow/ou?  ee/ea?  It's all very confusing.)  Anyway, here is a picture of his "book report".  

In case you can't read it:  "Custrd Supris is ubwot tuw chkns whth a restront.  The goat ate the menu.  The fox trid to eyt the chkn.  The animls dmpd custrd supris on him."
  
Translated:  "Custard Surprise is about two chickens with a restaurant.  The goat ate the menu. The fox tried to eat the chicken.  The animals dumped custard surprise on him." 

And here is a picture of the fox with custard surprise all over his head.  Isn't he cute?  

I love that Hayden loves to read.  He is going through chapter books like crazy.  (Pretty sure he can finish a book faster than I can!).  He is reading the Lucy books right now.  There are only 4 books in the series-- "Absolutely Lucy," "Lucy on the Loose," "Look at Lucy," and "Lucy on the Ball."  He is reading the 3rd book now.  The first book is about a shy boy who gets a puppy for his birthday (Lucy), and she helps him make friends.  I think we need a Lucy around here for our "shy" Kindergartner.  :)  

I had to add this picture he drew for me in the doctor's office.  It says, "Hayden loves Mom."  :)  

Kindergarten!

Hayden:  Gosh, I love this kid.  Yes, he causes me a ton of stress, and I wish he didn't "have" to do everything in his power to annoy his little brother; BUT I sure am proud of him.  He started Kindergarten a few weeks ago and he LOVES it.  He is still struggling a little with making friends.  He is afraid to talk to the other kids. :( This is something new within the last year or so, and I'm hoping that it changes as he gets to know the kids in his class  (Though, I somehow doubt it because he still has a tough time talking to the kids in his primary class, and he's known them for 2 years).  


This week his teacher said this to me about Hayden in an email:  "Thanks for all you do for him.  I can tell that he has someone working with him at home.  He's a great kid!  He's always so respectful and polite."  Aww.  That made me feel really good.  I know I can't take all the credit, though.  For one, he is VERY smart and has an excellent memory.  I haven't had to "work" much at all.  I have seen him with other adults in situations outside of home, and he really IS very well-behaved.  He's not terrible at home, but I wish he was as quick to listen to me as he is other adults.  I think part of that is that he is a little shy, but he also has a strong desire to please.  It makes me feel good that I don't have to really worry about him getting into trouble (yet).  It's kind of scary to send him "out" into the world, but it's nice to get little reassurances that he's doing ok (and not causing too much stress for someone else).