Gold Medal for Beckett: Beckett's Dream Calendar...so far!

Thank you SUMMER OLYMPICS! We had an idea in mind already for August, but when we saw the men's gymnastics competition, I just knew Beckett's dream photo had to be of this! You are an Olympian in our eyes, Beckett Thomas Gramkow! So for August, and in honor of closing ceremonies, here is our gold medalist! (Materials used: Ellie's colored diving rings*didn't have black!, gold ribbon from a Christmas present, brown rings are from the diaper bag to hook onto the stroller, and some blue gauze, white quilt)


Ok, so....I have to show you his dismount...it's so cute.

Looking back...
Ben and I started creating these fun photos of our miracle 25-weeker, Beckett because of a NICU Helping Hands Photo Contest. We entered our Sweet Baby Jesus Beckett for the month of January, which had to have a "December" theme. I really wish we would have started taking these while Beckett was still in the NICU. Oh, well, we will just say the pics technically started when he was his "adjusted age/supposed to be born." Remember, my due date was January 6? (Materials used: blue moby wrap, brown moby wrap, yellow yarn, tan packing paper from Amazon, white bath towel, Ben's black socks, Ben, My, Ellie and Beckett's white socks, tan table cloth)

February: Who wouldn't want to kiss this valentine? (not during RSV season though) (Materials used: blue crib sheet, green blanket, foam hearts, ribbon, box, red diaper changing table cover, Ellie's puzzle letters.)

And March: What an grumpy leprechaun. No worries. It's all show. He really is sweet. (Materials used: Ben's colored t-shirts (yes, they are all his!), gold Christmas tree skirt, tan table cloth)

 April: Easter Egg Basket (Materials used: reciving blankets (eggs), gold ribbon, blue swaddle blanket, green pillow case rolled up, brown moby wrap, tan table cloth)

Our hope was to do one every month, but when Beckett's eating started downward spiraling, we took a few months off. Let's just say we were a little stressed out, and needed our sleep. So...when Beckett finally was "over the eating hurdle"...we had some catching up to do. So yes, he looks exactly the same size, because all three pics were taken in the same night! :)


May: Our little fighter pilot. This is MY favorite because airplanes were his NICU nursery theme, and it reminds me of all those airplanes you all sent us for "Project Airplane!" (Materials used: blue curtains, aviator hat made by a friend, red curtains for body and wing of plane, grey pillow case, yellow ring..a Beckett toy, grey tie strap off mama's sweater)

June: To the moon for June. (Ok, and I just have to point out that the thing that makes me laugh the most in this photo, is that the tube in the photo is one of the tubes from my breast pump...bahhhaaaa! (Materials used: black curtain, white paper plate, ben's blue shirt, beckett's green onesie, cotton balls, aluminum foil starts, and the aforementioned pumping tubing)

July: Hang Ten, Dudes! (white bed sheet, ben's yellow t-shirt, blue curtains, shiny blue curtain, red pillowcase for the surfboard)

Ben and I are late night owls, so it's been sort of like our "date night." We both love thinking of what to use. I just walk around the house to get the creativity going! We, however, didn't come up with this on our own. Ben's co-worker showed him this blog site of these cute dream themed photos. So credit is due to Mila's daydreams! http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/ We took some ideas from hers, but tried to make each our own, with at least one different item in our Beckett pics. So. Much. Fun.

15 lbs. 11.5 oz!

Beckett weighed in at 15 lbs. 11.5 oz. today. So he gained 7.2 oz in 18 days...breaks down to gaining 11 grams a day. Still not stellar, but it's a gain! AND he likes eating! So we will take it. Holding off on baby food for a couple more weeks to make sure he consistently can intake more than 20 oz. a day. Every day is a blessing. Every ounce is a blessing. Every gain is a blessing. Good job Bman!

Oh, and Happy 6 months adjusted age on July 6, Beckett!

Ain't a that a GOOD NEWS!?!

Today is going to be a good day! Bman just ate FIVE oz. And that is after a 4 oz, and another 4 oz. Oh! AND he has "accidentally rolled from his tummy to his back" a few times these past few days! Now that I feel like his eating is improving, we can really focus on our OT/PT exercises! Oh! And Beckett has definitely found his voice now,"my little squawker" I think thanks to being around cousin Maizee! Can you tell I am a little excited about everything Bman today? :)

So hard when feeding woes get in the way of noticing and praising every other amazing thing Beckett is doing!