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!

Another Trip to HMB

A trip to CA wouldn't be complete without a visit to the beach. That's right, we took Pa B, B, and Dossy out to Half Moon Bay. Unfortunately, it was not a warm day but it was still beautiful.

Of course, we couldn't keep Bug out of the water. That kid just doesn't care if his lips are blue or if he has frost bite...no pain, no gain! And as usual, he wanted to try to get out as far as he could but to his dismay he didn't get too far.
Uncle Dossy was a great sport! He didn't mind getting wet--anything for Grant, right?!?!

Pa B always seems to have a good time, no matter where he is at. We're not sure if he was cold or not because you NEVER hear him complain or say anything negative.Poor B was freezing! She was wishing she had her winter coat. She was still a great sport though and had fun taking pictures of Grant running into the water.

We even got to see some dolphins swimming while we were there. It was so fun to watch them. Grant was not happy when it was time to go (nothing new) but he got over it fast since he had Pa B, B and Dossy there to make him smile.

Halloween

Halloween at our house was not all that fun. I was sick, Grant was sick...need I say more? I decided to get Bug out of the house for a few minutes and take him Trick or Treating. As you can see, our little Monkey was not too enthused about having his picture taken and just wanted to be held.
The picture below pretty much paints a picture of how Grant and I both felt. Once we were out and about, Grant perked up a bit. He even performed on cue when we knocked and I said, "Trick or..." He then chimes in with "TREAT!!!" Too cute!
Last Saturday, we went to our ward party. Grant thought it was so cool when people put things in Elmo. He kept stopping and trying to take the stuff out.

I don't think Grant knew what to do being up past 7pm. Here is his What am I doing up still? face.
And of course, Grant had to attempt to carry the pumpkins. This black one was an all time favorite.
Well, maybe next Halloween will go over a little better. However, it was still fun because Grant got TONS of candy and how much of that candy do you think he'll get to eat? Yup, probably one piece! Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to eating the rest!

A Fun Day in the City

Pa B (Grandpa), B (Grandma) and Dossy (Scotty) came out to visit and we had loads of fun! It seemed like we were continually on the go but Grant loved every minute of it. He especially loved Uncle Dossy. It is so fun to watch the two of them. Even though they have not been around each other much, they have a special bond that is hard to explain. Grant got to see the sea lions again and of course LOVED IT! Here he is posing with Pa B.

We even had time to play on a playground in the middle of China Town. Wahoo! It was fun to see all the older people in the park gathered around cardboard boxes playing poker. Grant wanted to join in but we didn't want him to show up his elders. :-)

One of the main reasons we went to the city was so that we could go on a walking Church History tour. Okay, it wasn't much of a tour because things have changed so much but it was still fun. It was all pretty much in China Town.
Here is Grant, Uncle Dossy and Grant in Ghiradelli Square.
After our little tour, we grabbed some sandwiches and went to a quiet, little park. Grant enjoyed playing by the water and chasing the birds.