It's the Simple Things

Well, nothing major happening around here. Same ol', same ol'. We were all sick last week with sore throats, runny noses, and coughs. Fun. No rest for the weary. I thought it was hard having a sick kid and being sick myself, but having two sick kids and not feeling that great myself was a pain. Good thing they're not sick that often.

Halloween was a lot of fun. Grant dressed up as Lightning McQueen's pit crew and Ben made an adorable dalmation. Ben, of course, slept through Trick or Treat while Grant was busy walking the neighborhood. We made it back home with a huge bag of loot which now sits atop the fridge. Grant still asks for candy before breakfast every morning. Sheesh!

Chris and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on the 9th. Chris says it seems like an eternity - what a smart allic (sp?). It has flown by for me, however. Oh, those were the days. Time on our hands, easy going, and not a care in this world. Then, the boys happened. Hee, hee! I wouldn't change the last five years of our lives for anything in the world. I love you more and more everyday, Crissy!

Grant had been asking to go outside to play all day today so we went out for a little while this evening. Leaves are covering the front yard from our neighbor's maple that sits next to our driveway. Fun to rake? Not so much. But... raking a pile for Grant to jump in... lots of fun. He had a blast. Of course, I had my camera in tow to snap some pics of another first.

We are going to Golden Coral for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Chris has to work the day after Thanksgiving so we will spending the holiday together here in Virginia. I'm looking forward to taking it easy and not having to do any traveling.

We put up our Christmas decorations yesterday evening. I love Christmas! I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year. This will be Grant's first Christmas where he has a better idea as to what's going on, Ben's first Christmas, and our first Christmas as a family of four. I've always loved Christmas, but I'm especially excited about making Christmas traditions our own. Chris really isn't into the whole Christmas extravaganza that I love, but I'm determined to get him involved this year. I did talk him into hanging icicle lights on the house. Supposedly that will get done on Thursday (fingers crossed). I've always wanted to decorate my house. Grant seems to love the Christmas decorations too and has already ran into Santa at the mall. He was a little shy at first but quickly warmed up to Mr. Claus when he handed him a candy cane and a rudolph gumby. The kid can be bribed. What can I say? I'm sure we'll take many a ride on the mall choo choo train before Christmas and will see Santa again.

I am completely finished with my Christmas shopping for Grant, however, I have only bought one gift for Ben. What do you buy for a 7 month old who has an older brother with loads of toys already? I'm out of ideas. So.... diapers? Ha! I'm just glad to have a head start on the shopping thing. It tends to get stressful after Thanksgiving and not so enjoyable. So, I'm hoping that having a head start will keep me relaxed and in a good mood through Christmas. Hee, hee!

So, enjoy Thursday. Eat, eat, eat, and then eat some more. Tis the season, right? Man, I am going to miss mom's mac 'n cheese, chicken 'n dumplins, and especially "the rolls." Mmmm. You can't find them at Golden Coral. Are you cooking for Christmas too, mom?

Thank you God for blessing me with my one true love, amazing boys, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and health.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We love you all.

Chris, Jen, Grant, and Ben

Ugh. Does everybody's kid act like this at some point or another? Grant has been a little heathen this last week. It almost seems like the day he turned two a little switch flipped on inside him. My nice, gentle little boy has disappeared and the little devil that was hidden deep inside has manifested itself. Eeek! Everything's a fight. Meltdowns left and right all day long. Not wanting to share, screaming, crying, throwing himself in the floor... these are what my days have been filled with as of late. I keep telling myself that this will pass... hopefully. It will pass, right? I'm trying to stay on him like white on rice but it's almost like I need a holster for the paddle so I'll have it with me at all times. Do they sell holsters for paddles? It's been taking us about 30 minutes to an hour to put Grant to bed every night because he won't stay in bed even after he's been paddled several times. I think I need to read up on Dr. Dobson's "The Strong Willed Child" again. You think? I consider myself to be a pretty laid back and patient person but over the last week I've found myself pretty frazzled by his behavior and in need of a serious break. Each time a tantrum comes I'm thinking in the back of my mind, "Am I handling this right? Does this deserve a spanking or a time out? Does he understand?" I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we're handling this phase of his life the right way. I mean, won't the things I do now affect his behavior in the long run? I can see how it would. What a scary thing this parenting thing is. I don't like this part.

In spite of Grant's "devil phase" Ben gives us plenty of smiles and giggles to counteract some of the tension. He is so funny to watch. Just over this last weekend we, or should I say Chris, discovered that Ben is cutting his first tooth (which is amazing to me since Grant didn't cut his first tooth until he was 7 months old), he pulls himself up to a sitting position in his swing and holds on to the tray in front of him, and he loves handling his toys and chewing on them. He's growing too fast. I love this stage. He's so cuddly and calm. I love his snuggles and smiles. He wakes me up most mornings now with his cooing, gurgling, and giggling heard over the monitor. What a great start to my day. Nobody can get him to giggle like Grant can though. He definitely loves his big brother, and Grant definitely loves him. Grant's so good with him and loves trying to make him laugh. Ben just gets this different kind of look in his eyes and on his face when he sees Grant, especially when they make eye contact. It's awesome to see their growing bond.

I have started watching another baby. Yes, I know... I've lost my mind. Baby Keegan is four months old and I only have him a couple of days a week. He's such a sweet baby. He is the same size as Benjamin, if not bigger, and he's about a month and a half younger. I took this picture the other day when they were playing together. It's pretty funny how much they look alike.

Grant had a great birthday party at the park. He's gotten presents in the mail here and there over the last week and got to open presents at his party too. He's a pro at ripping the wrapping paper now. He shouldn't have any problems at Christmas. He got so many nice things and has been playing with all of his toys. We wish we could have made it back home to have a party for him but hopefully we'll be able to make it back to Ohio soon. The weather on Saturday was great. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks for the gifts everyone! He loves them all.