Grant Man

We have been blessed with a wonderful Christian family as our neighbors and they live in our backyard...okay, not really but their backyard and our backyard back up to each other.  They have four boys with their newest addition, Jacob, coming only a few shorts weeks ago.  Jack, their third son, turned 3 in February and he and Grant have become inseparable and, therefore, Grant has his first real best friend!

We hear about Jack daily, "When can Jack come over to my house?  When can I go to Jack's house?  Where is Jack?  What is Jack doing right now?  Hey Mom, let's go to Jack's house!  How about after nap I go play with Jack?  Mom, let's throw me over the fence to Jack's house!"  It is endless...Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack!!!!

Here are some photos I snapped with my phone of Grant playing at Jack's house...

Love the mud splatters on the face :)

Grant hates, and has always hated, masks and helmets such as the one below.  Halloween was a bit trying on the poor guy as everyone in masks completely freaked him out.  Jack has won Grant over and got him to try on his catcher's mask and then he put on his first baseball glove, how adorable?!

 Grant with his buddy Jack

me & my boys

We continue to suffer through poor Parker's first ear infection(s).  His right ear has healed and now, unfortunately, his other ear is infected so, back to the doctor this afternoon we went.  Now we're on his second prescription and the pediatrician also confirmed that he is working on his top two teeth, poor little buddy.

Me and my boys...Parker insists upon being held these days while feeling bum, therefore, Grant demands the same attention and treatment!

Parker has become quite fond of his wagon wheels :)

My little bear....love that little face!!!

 King of the high chair....and I think he knows it!



Baby Bear

My baby bear seems to be more accurately described as a Bear Cub these days.  Yesterday he was weighed at the pediatrician's office and weighed 19 lbs, 4 oz.  Yikes, Parker, you are a big boy!!  Unfortunately, we were there because he was just not himself all day and sure enough, he has an ear infection in one of his ears, poor little guy, no wonder all of the fussing and screaming!  Thankfully, you already seem much better today and aren't nearly as cranky and miserable as you were just 24 hours ago.

Here is our little bear earlier this week on his 8 month birthday.

He just loves his bare feet!

This is what was going on during most of our little photo shoot, big brother was wanting sooooo badly to cover up Parker and play "boo!"

Here's our little curly haired boy during bath time....

...and here he is without, I much prefer the curls on top!



Parker, you are still a delightful little guy with a fun-loving and giggly personality!  You are so much fun to have around and help keep your big brother entertained a lot too!  You have become much more wiggly but aren't rolling around yet.  You also sit-up for much longer periods of time.  You are very interested in the things happening around you and will wiggle around until you are in the position you want to be in to see everything.

Your bottom two teeth are coming in nicely and you have a LOT of drool to prove it!  You notice when we (particularly me) leave the room and let us know if you're not happy about it.  Oatmeal cereal is still your #1 but you also enjoy almost all kinds of fruits (except bananas) and vegetables.  What a concept, a kid that likes vegetables?!!  I pray that lasts!

Bath time with your brother has become a favorite and you still allow me to swaddle you for sleep, naps and at night.  I think our time is numbered though you are getting stronger and stronger and are able to break pretty free by the end of the night.  You're still taking 3 naps a day with the last one being closest to a cat nap but I'll take it!  You continue to refuse a bottle which means I have zero social life :)  I do remind myself that this too will pass and it is only a short phase in the road of life so for now I am enjoying the opportunity I have to nurse you.

Everyone continues to comment on your curls ontop, which we adore!  It seems to suit your personality and I love it!  You seem to enjoy the attention they bring too, ha!

We love you Parker Bear, thanks for bringing pure joy to our hearts!

Love,

Mom & the rest of the boys

5k

I got some "Mommy" time on Sunday and ran a 5k Shamrock Shuffle with some girlfriends.  We all will admit to having had a great time and already looking for another in the coming months...always good to have goals, right?!

I always appreciate them sooo much more after I've been gone!  Love my boys! 

teeth!

Our little bear has teeth!  It's official, on Monday I could finally see his two bottom teeth and today they popped through and we can feel them!  He has truly earned these teeth, there has been a decent amount of crankiness and chewing on anything and everything going on around here.  Way to go Bear!

Look at the drool on his pants from when he was sitting up!

YEA, I have teeth!

More and more chewing!

a short week!

Grandpa and Grandma O just made another quick visit to help out with the boys for a week while Frank was in Denver for a work conference.  Like usual we had a wonderful time and it was hard to see them go!  Thanks for all of your help and hard work Mom & Dad, we love you!

Here are a couple of phone pictures I took.  First, Grandpa O and Grant playing blocks for the hundredth time, they built many high castles and towers!

Grandma O snuggling with Mr. Parker

Grandpa O and Grant using tools to help hang some pictures, Grant was in heaven!

This was Grandma O's and my project for the week, did you know you can paint ceramic tile?  Here's what we started with, ick!

And...here's the finished product!  I love it and I think even more satisfied because we were able to do it ourselves!  Thanks again Mom, for being brave enough to tackle this project with me!



Lastly, Spring is finally upon us!!!  These Daffodils have been in bloom for a few weeks and even made it through the last snowfall!

Happy Birthdays!

We celebrated Aunt Jeannette, Grandma R and Cousin Olivia's birthdays over the weekend since they all turned a year older this week!  Grant was sooooo anxious to see his cousins again, particularly Cousin Jake!

Some quality book reading with Grandpa R

Pre-party with Cousins Olivia and Jake

Party time and the kids were very "helpful" in opening all of the gifts, ha! 

Bubble wrap never fails, always steals the attention of the little ones!

Frank and Parker taking it all in!

potty is a four letter word

Potty is a four letter word in our house right now.  Grant has begun, and I say that lightly, to use the potty, about 3 or 4 times per day.  I am learning the true meaning of patience and am first to admit that I run a little short in that department.  This Mommy experience is teaching me a large number of things about myself any my eldest son!

Since beginning this adventure, a little over two weeks ago, I would like to document a couple of the funnier moments.

"Look Mommy, a french fry, a french fry came out down there!"

"Wow, there's a fish down there....and some rocks!"

He gets a chocolate gold coin as one of his rewards and the first time I gave one to him he was adamant that he wanted to go put it in this piggy bank.  (He gets his thrifty savings from his Father!)  I finally convinced him it was to eat and he jammed the whole thing in his mouth, tin foil and all, and started chewing before I could stop him!

A quick pic I took from my phone after doing his deed, ha!

Lastly, when my parents were visiting, Grant had yet to go poop in the toilet so Grandpa O told him he'd give him $10 if he did.  Sure enough, the next day Grant did it and the first thing he did was run downstairs to get his "monies!"  The next time he was on the potty he kept saying, "I want dollars Mommy, I want dollars from Grandpa!  Grandpa has money Mom, I want dollars!"  A true chip off the old block, he has made his Daddy very proud!