coming soon...

As our little man gets older his love of the outdoors seems to grow with him. I bet you can guess whose DNA this can be attributed to:) Here is the scene I often catch a glimpse of as he's exploring around the house. Something about nature draws him to this place where he gazes and usually bangs on the window a good dozen times expressing his desire to go beyond the glass.



Sadly, as you can see or perhaps have witnessed first hand, our backyard is anything but safe for a child. Personally, I don't even venture out there unless it is to push Grant in his new swing (which happens most afternoons). Presently the backyard is overgrown with weeds, has a ridiculous amount of cactus thorn remnants (which you spend a good 5 minutes plucking from the sole of your shoes before re-entering the house), and it is covered with rocks and uneven terrain. HOWEVER... coming soon is a brand new yard, complete with a matching fence, grass, extended and updated patio, plants, and a sense of relief and enjoyment that has long been missing!!! Work begins this weekend and should hopefully be completed before George's birthday beginning of May. Our landscapers will only work weekends, so it should actually go rather quickly.

Stay tuned for updates and the final product photos!! (oh, we're doing the front yard too!!) Soooooo excited!!

happy st. patty's

This is the picture I dangerously took while driving because it was just too cute to pass up. After lunch and playing with our cousins Molly & Maddie, Grant was exhausted. We didn't make it far before he zonked out with his new favorite toy in hand.

today's happenings

Every Tuesday Grant and I head to playgroup to mingle with other first time mamas and their '09 babies. Today we met up at a friends house and walked to a local park for a picnic lunch and playing on the structure.

Playing, well standing at least, with his buddies Samantha, Owen, and Lucy.

While chatting with the ladies over lunch, I mentioned that Grant was beginning to experience 'cradle cap' and I wasn't quite sure how to get rid of it. Each one of them swore that Aquafore was the magical cure to this problem. So, while grocery shopping this afternoon I picked some up for home. Determined to rid him of this flaking scalp, I bribed him to sit relatively still with fig newton bites as I rubbed it into his scalp and began to comb the flakes out. I'm not sure if I added too much or if Grant's extremely long hair on top were the issue, but here is a sneak peek into the process.



It did help alleviate much of the issue, but I forsee another rememdy to be had in the future. I also washed his hair 3 times this evening and he still looks like a little greaseball:)

Later after his bath and mulitple hair washings I let him explore in his room while I mopped up the area around the sink. Bathing in the kitchen sink wasn't too brilliant since he can stand up now and has continued to develop his strong will. I spent most of the time saying, "No Grant. Sit down." and using my upper body to holster him down. Perhaps this is why his hair still doesn't seem so clean:) Regardless, this was the scene I enjoyed while peering into his room. Is it too early for alone playtime?? He does it so well!!

travels continued

From Greenville Grant and I flew to Orlando to meet up with George at the tail end of a conference he was attending for work. He picked us up on Thursday evening from the airport and I was sooooo glad to hand Grant off:) The 1 hour and 45 minute flight from STL was my first solo flight and something I'm not eager to repeat any time soon. As you know, Grant is an accomplished crib sleeper. Sadly, this renders him incapable of cozying up anywhere but in the confinement of his little jail:( Why is it that even the shortest of flights happens to fall during nap time?! All I have to say is at least he's easy on the eyes.... otherwise I'm sure more people would completely hate us in the air!!

Happy to see his Daddy

While in Orlando, George's family drove down from Jacksonville to visit us in our super sweet Disney Yacht Club Hotel room. We also ventured out to Downtown Disney for lunch and some outdoor time when the rain on Saturday let up. This part of the trip was especially sweet because we were able to spend time with George's sister Morgan and her boyfriend Brian who were home on leave from service in Iraq. Grant hadn't seen his Auntie Mo since August, which was quite special for the both of them. A lot has changed since then, so it was sweet to talk about all of the growth he has made since that time... mainly in his abilities and talents since he isn't necessarily the biggest of boys:) Some other highlights from this segment: Grant's first playtime in sand, dining at the sushi/ karaoke bar (Grant loved this!), taking in a Lego Super Store (not sure who loved it more; Grant or George), scrabble with the fam while Grant napped, and just enjoying time together if even only for the day.

The pool was too cold and the hot tub was too hot so I enjoyed a rare moment with Grant calmly resting in my lap as we watched all the people enjoying the resort pool.

The Sand, however, was just right:)

Sushi Karaoke Bar Dinner- this face is classic!!

Me and Auntie Mo

Experiencing LegoLand at an early age. Just what Daddy had hoped!

Enjoying lunch at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney.

It's trips like this that really allow us to reconnect in a special way with our family who live so far away from us, but it also reminds us of how hard it can be to have such distance between people you love. There is no doubt we are crazy about living in California. You can't beat the weather and the destination weekends within 3 hours from our doorstep, but there's nothing quite like having family down the street who are there should ever you need them. We love and miss you all and cherish the time we are able to share in each others' company!!

back in cali!

Well, after a couple weeks spent traveling, we are finally back! George, Grant, and I flew to Chicago over Valentine's weekend to celebrate the marriage of our good friend Mark. While there we were able to catch up with some missed buds, as well as meet our new niece Annikah Kate. It was so relaxing to spend time with family and to enjoy an opportunity to love on our two nieces. It was also interesting to observe the three grandkids and to anticipate how future interactions will play out:)

Grant in his closet crib

Our new niece Annikah Kate

The Cochrane family

Elynor offered to help feed Grant his dinner. I'm pretty sure she enjoyed more dinner that night than Grant did!

Can you spot the differences in these two photographs??

From Chicago George returned home while Grant and I traveled south to Greenville to spend the next 1 1/2 weeks with my parents. Some highlights were: learning to sew and finding it fun instead of frustrating, watching mom attempt to trim Grant's nails, dining on Jimmy Johns subs and Mario's pizza, spending time with his girl cousins and PaPa, Grant attending his first basketball game at my high school alma mater and learning to pull up to his knees, setting my mom up on Facebook and showing her the ropes, and Grant getting to spend extended alone time with his grandparents.

Working so hard

Enjoying his first basketball game and discovering balloons for the first time.

Visiting cousins Kelsie and Karlie.

I'm not sure who is more scared here!

3 generations. I was behind the camera or it would be 4!

PaPa entertaining Grant

Spending time with Grandpa Kev

Goodnight hugs for Grandma V and Granpa Kev


****There is more to tell about this trip, but the blog is acting up and won't allow me to update this particular post with pictures anymore. Stay tuned, the tail end of the adventure is coming soon!!****