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Update

While we were in UT we were able to go see a doctor for a second opinion in regards to Grant's lump. We were told that it is just an enlarged lymph node and that it is not unusual for a child his age to have one enlarge and not return to normal size. He said he definitely would NOT operate. Yea! The doctor mentioned it could be a sign of other problems but there are no other symptoms so he is very confident in his diagnosis. Thank goodness for Dr. Cramer. Who by the way, Grant called "Hinckey" as he walked out of the room.

Riding Hope

One of the many fun things we were able to do while we were in UT was to go to the Shepherd's annual family home evening. Going to this family gathering is one of my fondest childhood memories. Oh how I miss seeing Grandma and Papa Nipper! They made Christmas magical and Grandma always helped us remember that Christ should be our main focus in all we do. I was wishing that they could have been there this year. Mostly for selfish reasons, I would love for them to see adorable little Grant running around. And of course they would also love seeing all of the other darling kids! Then again, I am sure they are able to see all of that. :-)

Grant liked Santa until he sat on Santa's lap. Then, the screaming began. However, Grant did love the orange he got from Santa. He thinks oranges (and apples, heck all fruit) are balls. "Bounce!"
Grandma Naenae had asked Uncle Clyde if Grant could see the horses. When we got to his house, Kelson took us out to see them. Grant was in heaven!
He didn't stop smiling and was totally enthralled.
I think he was wishing we could take one home with us.

Hope was one of his favorites.
Then after the party, Uncle Clyde put a saddle on Hope and Grant was able to go for a ride.
And let me tell you, he hasn't stopped talking about it!
"I ride a pony! Hope!" Now every pony is named Hope.Thanks Uncle Clyde for making a little boy's wish come true!

Stairs

What is Grant's favorite thing to do at Naenae's house? Go up and down the stairs and then do it all over again!
He fell down a few stairs the first day we were here but since then he has become a pro.

He really loves to throw balls downstairs and then go find them. The only downfall is that he cannot carry them back up. :-)
Naenae is a great playmate.
What will he do when we get home and there are no stairs?!?!

Fun in the Snow

Grant and I are in UT for a short little visit. Yesterday it snowed and it snowed and it snowed. Grant had tons of fun playing. He played with NaeNae and Papa and then went out again to play with Pa B and Dossy.
Pa B made and awesome igloo. What fun!

Uncle Dossy and Pa B were good sports. They even showed Grant the "Pony" (the horse by my parents house) a number of times. Grant and I made a snowman. Grant's favorite part was putting the carrot on the snowman. He kept trying to steal the snowman's arms.
Grant loved the sled. At one point, Papa was even pulling Grant AND NaeNae. Then NaeNae pulled me and Grant. Good times!

He wasn't so sure what to think when I fell backwards to make a snow angel. And he didn't seem to enjoy it very much when I had him make one.
He loved watching Papa run the snow blower. Before we know it, he will be the one doing it for the old man! Needless to say, he was pretty tired when it was time for bed.

Finger Paint

A few weeks ago I bought Grant some finger paint. He wasn't so sure about it for a few minutes but then he started to really enjoy himself.

However, he decided it is more fun to paint mommy than it is to paint on paper! We have a liitle Picasso on our hands!

I Can "Read"

First let me say that getting Grant to just look at the camera and smile these days is like pulling teeth. But that is okay, because the photos capture his personality.

Tonight, I was reading to Grant and when I would pause, he would fill in the blank.
He did it with a few different books, too! This is kind of how our reading session went:

Mommy- I am

Grant- Sam

Mommy- I love my

Grant- car

Mommy- I keep my car

Grant- clean

Then he decided to try a different one:

Mommy- Hen has some

Grant- eggs.

Mommy- Some are

Grant- big

Mommy- Some are

Grant- small

Mommy- Hen loves them

Grant- all!

I wish you all could see him learn and grow. He amazes me and Adam every day. The crazy thing is that most of the time we don't even think he is listening but he hears and picks up on everything. I know that is how most kids are but it still blows me away!

Mr. Fix It

Grant would make his Grandpa B. proud! He loves tools and he loves to "fix" things.
The other night, he pulled his high chair out and said, "Oh blast! It broke. Hammi (hammer)!" He then kindly fixed it for me. What would I do without a handyman around.

He was also very helpful when mommy and daddy were putting together the new entertainment center (Adam bought a new tv).

He eventually decided to put down his tools and pull the sliding door in front of the bookshelf while he was in it. It makes a great hiding place. Too bad we ruined his fun by putting the shelves back in.

Gone are the days...

What has happened to my wonderful napper? I know Grant looks so peaceful here but getting him to this point....AAAHHHHH! He has been sick and has molars coming in but only taking a 30 to 45 minute nap, seriously? A few weeks ago he would at least go back to sleep on my chest then I could put him on the couch but now he just screams for over 30 minutes and throws everything out of his crib.

I don't know what to do anymore. I wish he would go back to sleeping like this...in his crib. Any advice?

Reading to Boston

Lately, Grant has been a bit obsessed with babies. He is always signing baby and asking me, "Baby? Mommy...baby!" About a month ago, I decided to take him to Target to get him a baby. That is how baby Boston joined our family. Grant named him and now calls him Bosty. Anyway, he is pretty cute with Boston. He puts him down for naps everyday and also puts him to bed. My favorite though, is when he gives Boston his bottle and then proceeds to burp him. Grant puts Bosty on his shoulder and pats the dolls back. So cute!
Today, Grant was playing with Bosty and told me, "Read a Bosty!" He then got off the couch and 'read' to Boston. Actually, he just stuck Boston in the book. Have I done that to Grant? Nope, I don't think so. I guess Boston just needed a closer look at the pictures.

I'm pretty sure Boston thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I know I got a kick out of it.

Free

Adam and I think we should add a column to our blog titled: Grant's Free Item of the Week. Why you ask? Because Grant has a way of getting whatever he wants from pretty much everyone he meets. Here are a few examples:

* The other day as we walked into the bank there was a man selling flowers. We politely declined and continued to walk into the bank. When we came out, Grant was waving and blowing kisses. Then he acted like he was smelling the flowers. The man motioned us over and handed Grant 9 gerber daisies. The nice man said, "Free! For baby...free!" I told him we couldn't accept but he kept insisting. Grant loves the flowers!

* One day in Costco Grant was playing with a man behind us. Grant noticed the man had grapes and said, "Grapes!" So, the nice man opened the grapes and gave some to Grant. Now when we go to Costco, Grant checks out other peoples baskets--who knows what other yummy things he will find.

* Grant loves balloons! Costco had some balloons up by the cash registers and Grant kept pointing and saying, "Noon!" There were a few different kids in front of us and they would ask the cashier for a balloon but the cashier would politey say that they were for decoration. When we got up there to pay, Grant would smile and say, "Noon!" The cashiers thought he was so cute and before I knew it Grant had not one but two balloons.

* We like to shop at a little produce store that makes us feel like we are in Mexico. It is awesome! Grant especially loves the music in Spanish. He jams out everytime we are in there. Anyway, one day he grabbed a plum when I turned my back for seriously 1 second! When we went up to pay I had another plum and asked the man to charge me for it and then to keep it since Grant had already started to eat one. The man asked if Grant liked plums. I said he did and then the man said he would be right back. He came back with a bag of plums. I explained that we did not need plums and that we would just pay for the one. He handed me the bag and said they were free. "For the baby! Plums! Free!" What could I say besides, "Gracias!"

So pretty much Grant is going to think that if he flashes his cute smile and bats his big, blue eyes then he can get anything. Do you think he could get us a free couch or tv?

Grant loves to get in things. It makes sense since one of his favorite words is out. Maybe that is because all day he is getting stuck in things and has to yell, "Mommy! Out! Hep (help) me!"

The other day he decided to try this box on for size.
He's never met a box he doesn't like!And of course, climbing in and out of the wagon never gets old.Yup, the stuffed animals get thrown out so that Bug can get in. That 10 dollar wagon has been priceless. Goodness he's cute!

So Brave

About 3 weeks ago, I found a lump between Grant's leg and groin. Of course, I freaked out and all of the worst scenarios entered our minds. When we went in to see the doctor, we were told to watch it for a few weeks and that it would probably go away. If not, then the doctor said that she would order some blood work and go from there. Well, the lump did not go away and today Grant and mommy went to the doctors. Bug was SO brave! The phlebotomists had a difficult time finding a vein in Grant's arm. They of course had to put a band around his arm while they were taking the blood and Grant kept telling them, "Tight!" After looking at both arms they decided to draw blood from Grant's right arm. He didn't even cry! He got upset and whimpered a bit when they poked him and he kept trying to push their hands away. He was honestly so patient--they kept rolling his vein and couldn't get blood out for what seemed like FOREVER! Finally, it started to work and Grant thought it was cool to see his blood filling the viles. Everyone in the lab was so proud of him. He told them he wanted a ball so I promised him we would go to Toys R Us to get a prize. And that we did...

The doctor called us this evening and everything looks great as far as Grant's blood work. His white blood cells are shaped normally and his blood count is normal. So we don't have to worry about cancer or leukemia. Thank goodness! I know it is horrible but I was making "deals" with Heavenly Father all day even though I know that's not how things work. I was begging and pleading that Grant would be okay. Adam admitted he was doing the same thing so I didn't feel too bad. The next step is to wait some more. If the lump does not go away within 3-4 weeks then Grant will be referred to a surgeon. At that point, the surgeon will decide if he wants to do a biopsy or just remove the entire lymph node. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the lump will just go away because we don't want to put him through surgery. Adam was able to give him a blessing this evening and we truly feel like all is well. I am so thankful for a husband who is a worthy Priesthood holder. And we are both thankful that the Lord hears and answers our prayers!

Bowling & Blocks

What else did we do with Adam's family? Well, we went bowling and I lost. I thought it was good to have the lowest score! :-) Grant had fun running around and thought he was king of the bowling alley.

Grant was able to help everyone bowl at least once. He seemed to like that. He was so strong--he was trying to lift balls by himself and even managed to do it once. We don't need to mention that it almost smashed his toes.
Grant loved playing blocks with Pa B and Dossy.Alright, Grant actually likes to destroy what others make rather than build stuff. But hey, they are his blocks right?!?!

Pa B and Dossy were such good sports. Even when Grant threw blocks at them. And yes, the naughty corner began to beckon him but does that make a difference? Not always.

Visit with Nana

Last Sunday we went up to Petaluma to see Nana Carmel. We were able to have dinner, visit, and decorate the community room for Halloween. It is always nice to see Nana!

On the way home that evening, we stopped just north of the bridge and walked up a little hill so we could overlook the bay. It was cold and windy but totally amazing!