Well Deserved... I'd Say!

I'm so excited because we are spending a weekend away here...

and going to see them...

and him...

here...

with them...

and them...

sans babies... just for the concert of course! :)

Swing Sabotage

6 Month Update

Every woman will agree with me when I say the nine months that you spend pregnant waiting for the special arrival of your child crawls by at a snails pace... Not so for the first half year of Grant's life. It seems like yesterday I brought home my oh so tiny bundle of joy from the hospital and the first six months of his life have flown by at lightening speed! He is changing so much daily and I'm so lucky that I get to spend so much quality time with him during his first year of life as he continues to learn about the world around him. One thing is for certain, it's not always easy and Ron and I have learned to adapt to our new way of life. Sometimes functioning with only a couple of hours sleep the night before, sacraficing the occasional date night to dinner and movie on our comfy sofa. Opting to cook more and spend less so we can provide Grant with all the best for baby. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Grant has enriched our lives in a way that I can't put into words, I'm overcome with incredible LOVE, a LOVE I had never experienced before he came into our world. Afterall, "I made him from scratch!"

I tried unsuccessfully to get a decent six month shot of Grant with his "SIX" blocks and his name. What does he do? Immediately goes for the blocks knocking them down and putting them in his mouth. He's not yet sitting up independently but I think this shot is indicative of where he is in his development. He is constantly rolling allover the place and now pulls his feet up under him almost like he's assuming the position to start crawling or scooting.

Grant is very hard to keep entertained at this point. He so very badly wants to explore the world around him but he can't do so without my assistance. He's old enough to start crawling or sitting up but just has not hit those milestones yet so he's limited in his exploration. Therefore we have different stations set up in our house. He becomes bored very quickly with each so we play the constant game of, "What do you want to do next?" As a result our living room looks like this: But what can you do?
At Grant's six month checkup he was 26 inches and weighed 14 pounds and 8 ounces putting him in the 10th percintile for weight. His pediatrician said Grant "needed more calories." Therefore, breastfeeding has been put on the back burner. Before I was only giving Grant one bottle of formula a day now I'm only breastfeeding in the morning and at night and eventually I'll omit these feedings as well. I didn't want to quit coldturkey because I read that it could be traumatic for the baby so I'm gradually weaning him all the while hopefully increasing his caloric intake. Overall, I'm happy I've been able to do it for six months and give him the best start at life possible. He's also getting more solids during the day, he loves veggies but is not a huge fan of fruits just yet. I think the texture is still too new and different for him. He actually refuses to open his mouth when I offer him fruits but he loves his rice cereal!

He loves the bottle. He actually reaches for it and smiles and laughs when he sees me preparing one for him. He gets so excited and actually acts happier and more alert after drinking a bottle than he does after breastfeeding. Maybe I just wasn't satisfying his needs?

Yesterday while doing dishes I happened to look over and caught Grant doing this. Our first sign of trouble and his curious little mind at work. I think we might have our hands full. He was not happy when I took the trashcan out of his hands and scooted him away from it. What do you know? This morning I found him in it again!

Grant doesn't have any teeth yet but he has been showing signs of teething for months now. He insists on putting everything he comes into contact with in his mouth. We have to keep things disinfected and clean in our house like crazy. All of his teethers and toys go in the dishwasher every few days!

Such a big boy relaxing on the couch after a long day...

How do you teach a child that he can go forwards in a walker? Easy. Put him outside on a hill that slopes slightly downhill and watch and learn.

All the while Daddy washes the car. Makes for an interesting Sunday afternoon. Grant has made our daily chores and life experiences a little more interesting to say the least! Happy half birthday Grant!

Fun With Grant

It seems like everyday Grant is doing something new or different. Example A: Tonight before bedtime Ron and I were playing peek-a-boo with him and for the first time he was enjoying the game and cracking up with us. Example B: Yesterday he finally started jumping in his jumperoo! I've been putting him in it daily for two months now and all of a sudden, he just figured it out! Of course, the first couple of times he jumped we made a huge deal out of it and clapped and exclaimed, "Yay, Grant," he was all grins! Example C: Grant has a new ride, a walker. He has also figured out how to scoot around in it but can only go backwards. He amazes me everyday and I can't get enough of my little man. That why this post consists of lots and lots of pictures of my little one and the new adventures he embarks on daily.

Life is good.

Finally a break! Grant can hold his own bottle!

So far, Grant is a great eater. If, he can keep his hands out of his mouth during mealtime. He loves peas, green beans, sweet potatoes and carrots.

I adore this picture for obvious reasons.

New Videos

This was taken when my Mom visited us a couple of weeks ago. She just has an uncanny way of making him laugh uncontrollably! He thinks she is hillarious!

This video was taken the other night and I can't believe that of all the buttons to push on my phone Grant somehow managed to hit "End!" I guess he had had enough of that conversation with my Dad and wanted to move on to eating the phone...

Firetruck Parade

My sweet Valentine let me sleep in this past Sunday and took over baby duty for the morning. When I woke and walked into the kitchen I found valentine's on the kitchen counter from my two favorite boys and a spectacular BIG breakfast!

Sunday was a beautiful day and after church we opted to take Grant for a stroll to a nearby park where he had his first experience in a baby swing.
He was able to swing alongside Daddy and he loved it!

I love that Grant is looking at me in this picture with the expression that seems to say, "What? You've never seen a swing before?"

Included this pic just to prove, yes, I was there that day even though I loathe this picture of myself. No, I have not seen the sun in months!

After we played in the park we grabbed lunch at a nearby cafe and then settled in for another "kiddie" parade to celebrate Mardi Gras. The firetruck parade was full of all things that GO! Firetrucks, Boats, Schoolbusses, a child's delight!

Grant once again loved all the beads we caught. Everyone yells, "Throw me something, Mister" to the people on the floats and they throw incredibly generous gifts. I caught two stuffed animals that I ended up giving to a little girl beside me, one was a mermaid and the other was a flower. They throw moonpies galore, cups, beanie babies, toys as well as the beads.

The Loot:

We've been enjoying our moon pies a little too much this week!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Grant Valentine, originally uploaded by jenatutu.