It's the Simple Things

Mamaw, Papaw, and Ethan came for a visit last weekend. It was mom and dad's anniversary weekend and we were flattered they chose to spend it with us. I love having company! Even though this was their anniversary weekend they didn't do much relaxing. Dad can't sit still for five minutes without needing and wanting something to do. So... mom watched the boys while me and dad went to work in the yard. I can't believe how much we got done in one day. It felt so good to get outside and work on the yard. I miss doing my yard work. It's been so hard to get out and get anything accomplished since I've had the boys. I really enjoy being outside, working, and seeing the finished product. Ethan was such a big help too. He loved loading the wheelbarrow, pushing it around, and then unloading it. We've got a couple more things to finish up and then I will post pictures of the finished product. Thanks mom and dad for helping us out.

Grant was pretty much Ethan's shadow all weekend. I think he misses his cousins. He knows how to say Ethan and Brianna now too. However, it sounds more like "Ian" and "Benna." Ethan and Grant played very hard on Saturday and they were both so worn out by the day's end.

Mom and Dad got ready to leave on Sunday and dad had an idea to make one of my flower beds into a sandbox for Grant. Well, three hours later Grant had a sandbox to play in. Can I just say how much he loves it? I love watching him play and just enjoy being a kid. Thanks papaw! You're the best!

Ben has been smiling now for about 3 weeks and this week he has started cooing. He loves it when I get close to him and talk to him. He just smiles and coos away. That big, gummy smile is the cutest!

We are planning on being in South Point the weekend of August 4th for my 10 year class reunion. I'll have to admit, I'm pretty nervous about it. I'm not sure why really, but I am. It will be nice to see everyone and meet their families. We're trying to work it out so we can stay and visit the whole next week. I hope it all pans out.

Me and the boys are going to the airport this afternoon to pick Chris up. We've missed him! Grant is so excited to see daddy and the airplanes. Maybe he'll get to see one land.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Jen

...makes me feel like I'm actually doing something right as a mother. Before, when I was working full time I felt guilty because I didn't feel like I got to spend enough time with Grant and felt as though I was leaving it to someone else to raise my child. Now that I get to stay home there are days that I feel so bogged down with laundry, dishes, cleaning, bottles, and diapers that I find myself wondering at the end of the day when I lay Grant down in his crib if I spent enough quality time with him that day. It's so easy for me to keep him busy with things and not to actually sit down and take time with him which is horrible of me, I feel. As of late I have made the determination to spend quality time with Grant every day doing quality things.

So, yesterday after lunch Grant and I had strawberry shortcake with whip cream topping. As far as I know, before then Grant had never had whip cream, more or less had it squirted into his mouth straight from the can. Well, isn't that something everyone should experience at one time or another during their life? I enjoyed sharing this "first" with him. The sight of mommy squirting whip cream in her mouth and then into his made him giggle so much I thought his side would split.

Every now and again I look through pictures from the last year and half and realize once again how quickly life passes us by and how easy it is to stay busy with menial tasks. Those pictures are a reminder that my little one is growing up so fast, much faster than I wish. The dishes can wait, the vacuuming done tomorrow. Right now I want to sit in the floor of my little boy's room and build a tower out of mega blocks, read his "choo-choo" book, line up Matchbox cars in the floor, or fix some pretend food in his kitchen.

Right now is all we have. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not guaranteed. My little one, you won't be little much longer.

Grant is special because he made me a mom. Ben is special because he's making me a better mom. My boys, I love you more than life. YOU ARE MY LIFE.

I know, I know it's been forever since I've updated my blog. Sorry everyone. If I thought I was busy before, I was thinking crazy. Things have really picked up the last few weeks at our house. My time these days is spent changing diapers, making and giving bottles, fixing Grant's meals, giving snacks, Grant's every-now-and-again meltdowns, putting down for naps, fixing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, constant cleaning (I think the record for how long my house has stayed clean is two hours and that's because we weren't in the house), laundry, laundry, and more laundry. The last few weeks have definitely become somewhat overwhelming I will admit, but don't get me wrong. There have been so many fun times, firsts, smiles, giggles, laughing, and cuddling that I take gladly along with all my other daily tasks. I feel like we have settled comfortably into being a family of four. I couldn't imagine my life without Grant, and now I can't imagine not having Ben.

Ben has had the typical newborn upsets (pooping problems, tummy upsets, gas, etc.), but I think we have finally ironed out most of them and he has become such a sweet baby just like Grant was. Is it possible that lightening could strike twice and we could get lucky with two mellow kids? Ben started smiling last week, and, let me just tell you, it will melt your heart. He wakes up in the mornings smiling and happy. What a great way to start my day. He has been sleeping in his crib for the last week or so and is doing very well with that. I think we both sleep better now. He has been sleeping the last few nights from about 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. Pretty darn good for a seven week old, huh? He seems to be following the same sort of pattern Grant did. Maybe he'll be just as good a sleeper as Grant too. I can only hope!

Grant has been spending his days mostly playing with his cars. On hot days he's gotten to go outside and play in his wading pool, which he absolutely loves. I put Tristen in it with him the other day and he loved it too. Tristen loves watching Grant and even at six months has started walking forward in the walker. It's so funny to watch him because he eyes something he wants and just goes for it. It might take him a little time, but he's usually able to make it over to whatever he has spied. Grant likes to share with Tristen, however, he is quite the Indian giver (is that politically correct nowadays? LOL). It's going to be something to see this time next year when I have three boys toddling around. I'm going to need a referee whistle and cages!

Grant is still the love of my life (besides Chris, of course) and steals my heart in some way every single day. His vocabulary is expanding at a rapid pace and he is still constantly on the go. He loves going outside to play and explore. He loves going "bye bye" too. He's growing up so fast, and as you can tell in the pictures, he is starting to look more like a little boy than a baby. So sad.

Chris has been such a trooper and is very helpful with the boys and things around the house. I've even been able to go to the tanning bed and out walking with friends two or three evenings during the week. Even though I love my boys, it's quite the blessing these days to be able to get out for some "me time" here and there. Heather and Trevor came over and watched the boys a couple of weeks ago so me and Chris could go on a date. I had so much fun. I find myself easily forgetting all the little things that made me fall in love with Chris, and time alone with him is such a great reminder to me. Being a good wife is a daily job in and of itself. I know I'll never be perfect, but I hope I strive everyday to do the best I can. Us women like our men to make us feel special and loved, but I think most women overlook the fact that their husbands like to feel the same way. It's our job to encourage, love, praise, pray for, listen, and just be there for our husbands. Okay, that's my commentary for the day... I know you were waiting in anticipation for my words of wisdom... Yeah right! I have so much to learn still!

Take care everyone!

We love you!

Jen, Chris, Grant and Ben