Grant's first concert

We headed out to the Arboretum for their summer concert series to see the Spazmatics (80's cover band). This was Grant's first concert other than a few in utero (Creed, Staind, Muse and U2). We arrived, spread the blanket, cracked open our beverages, proceeded to SWEAT like crazy, and tried to entertain a 1 year old without disturbing everyone around us. It was generally a success - I mean, Grant only took one small tumble down the hill. And we also learned that a stroller is REQUIRED because the walk is FAR! Grant (and everyone around us for that matter) was very happy that we had plenty of snacks.

I was THRILLED to tell Erin, Adolph and Jill our baby's likely gender in person. There was squealing and after a few bottles of wine, they told me not to buy any clothes because they would buy all sorts of cute, lacy gear for my little girl.

Daycare Pitstops

On days when I have a doctor's appointment, I have to drive right by Grant's daycare on my way to work. Naturally, my car takes a detour. And BAM! I get some time with Grant and his teachers. I love this new habit. Grant's shirt is a souvenir that Derek picked up for him in NOLA.


So precious - begging to be held by his mama!

Baby #2 is...

PROBABLY a girl! This morning I had a sonogram for my gallbladder, which was ordered last week when I had extreme muscle soreness. The soreness is all gone now, and my blood work revealed it was probably a virus. Interestingly, now Derek has the same muscle soreness.

At the radiology clinic, I asked the tech to also look around for a penis. She asked if I thought it was a boy - I told her yes because the pregnancy wasn't much different from my last one, which was a boy.

The tech took pictures of my gallbladder, right kidney, liver, pancreas, heart and probably some other organs I can't think of. Then she moved the wand to my belly and started looking for a penis.

She looked and looked and looked. But she couldn't find a penis.

The tech took pictures of my left kidney and spleen, then went back to my belly.

Again, she looked and looked and looked. But she couldn't find a penis.

The tech told me she has 3 boys of her own and she did her own sonos. I know she does medical non-baby sonos now, so this isn't really her specialty. I was so happy that she let me look and also thankful to have a prediction. There's still a chance some jewels were hidden, so we won't know for sure until July 25th.

In the meantime, I'm going to learn how to make bows.

Boys are all the same

This morning when Grant woke up, I brought him into bed with us. I really don't know why. How can you wake up EVERYDAY at a 10 (ready to go). I start at a 3 and talk myself up to a 7 at best.

Anyway, I was not wearing a shirt and I asked Derek how much longer he thinks I can get away with that in front of Grant. He said "not much longer" and I countered that he'd see it often enough when the baby arrives and I'm nursing.

2 minutes passed then Grant crawls to me and reaches for a nipple. I cover it up and he reaches for the other. I tell Derek "Well, I guess we know the answer to that question." When I'm out of reach, he points at them. I pick Grant up to put him on the ground and he freaking pinched my nipple! 

My shirt was on in 2 seconds flat. 

In other news, Grant pet Lola today a few times. That is newsworthy because he usually just grabs her. I praised him for petting and being gentle. Then he grabbed her, I told him NO and he gave me that mischievous smile. 

Conclusion: boys are all the same. 

30 before 30

Several of my friends have 30 before 30 lists, and I've had mine in the works for some time. The problem is that - I can't think of 30 meaningful things that are possible to do in that timeframe. I refuse to fill it with fluff or things that I don't REALLY want to accomplish. So - my 30 before 30 list is a few shy of 30. I've delayed publishing it this long because I thought I at least wanted to get to 20. In the meantime, I accomplished some of the items.

Really this list isn't quite fair. I mean "finish law school" and "have 2 children" are HUGE goals that should totally count. I could easily come up with 13 other items that I accomplished in my 20s that should count, so I'm not going to rename this "17 before 30". It's still 30 before 30 - I just wanted you to know my justification (and to assure you that I can count).

So I really have 15 items left to accomplish in 1 year and 44 days. It won't be easy, especially when we're juggling 2 little ones. Here's my list:


1. Chop it off!!
Inspired by my cousin Jenna, I've decided I need a hair goal. This one is easy because I've been planning it for awhile anyway. In about a month, I'll chop off my hair and donate it to Locks of Love - again. UPDATE - I did chop off my hair. I wrote the above when I wrote my original list. I'm counting it.

2. Finish 2 stockings (Derek's and baby's)

3. Organize the office weekly
I think this may be the only way to tame the paper mess. Our office is the black hole in the house, and I'm vowing to change that!

4. Go camping
Come on FALL! Let's knock this out when it's cool and I only have 1 baby to chase around. Camping when I'm 7 months pregnant - SURE, why not!

5. Go to church once a month
Exceptions may be made for football season - God will understand.

6. Teach Grant the Lord's prayer
When I turn 30, he'll be 2 years and 2 months. Is that even old enough to say the Lord's prayer?

7. Take a family vacation
Vegas, New York, or somewhere else fabulous is calling!! UPDATE: We are going to Florida!! Trip is booked so this is almost off the list!

8. Finish our Italy scrapbook
I tried to do this before I had Grant, but other things like building a crib, shopping for baby gear, painting, etc. got in the way.

9. Make photo albums (or photobooks) every other month
I MUST get in this habit!!

10. Have a spa day with the girls

11. Go to work without makeup
I'm not sure I can accomplish this.

12. Plant a garden
Peppers, onions and tomatoes are at the top of my list… after spices. We had cilantro and basil last year - I LOVED having fresh spices (even if I didn't use them all the time)

13. Make a blog book
I need to make 1 for pre-Grant, and 1 of his first year. I LOVE my cousin Amy's!

14. Get a new fence
Ours is surely going to fall over any minute. UPDATE - The fence DID in fact fall over, and the new one is up!

15. Take 1 day off of work
I prefer to take my days off when we are traveling (and when I have to - when Grant or I are sick). I would love to take a day off and do as much or as little as I want to all day! UPDATE – I sort of did this already. On June 1, I had to see my doctor, Grant’s doctor, take my car in and get my hair done, so I took off the entire day. I want to do it again though, so it’s staying on my list!

16. Get a great pair of red heels
It's one item my wardrobe definitely needs - not too hookerish and not too uncomfortable. I've already started the hunt.

17. Take a hand-made sign to a sporting event
I want to try to get on TV!!

Grant and Lola

Oh - these 2 are the best of buds. I think Lola forgives Grant for playing rough because Grant drops food (often intentionally) for Lola when he eats.

Behaving:

Grabbing Lola (Lola doesn't react at all. She knows where the grilled cheese pieces come from!):

Happy Father's Day!!

I pulled most of this together during Grant's nap today. Happy Father's Day to my favorite husband!!

On a sidenote, Facebook wouldn't let me upload this because of copyright infringement. Grrrr.

Fun Saturday

We started out this morning by playing with sidewalk chalk. Grant sampled it some, and I didn't protest. A few tastes of chalk ought to teach him that it's terrible!

He only drew one line with the chalk. He really enjoyed running around outside though. I got some great smiles.


I really love this next smile. It's the mischievous "I took chalk by Daddy's car" smile. The mischievous smile is second only to the tug-of-war with Lola smile. It loses out only because it's always followed by me saying "GRANT, No!"

Jill and Cat joined us for some pool time. Grant seemed to enjoy the watermelon.

Susie and Kelsey came to visit too. My poor boy was so caked in sunscreen that he required TWO baths. Kelsey helped me out, then Baby Hicks wanted some queso from Chili's (and wants it again right now. Quiet, Baby!!). A low key, but full day.

Derek returns tomorrow for his second father's day. Last year we had a 3 week old and we were just starting to figure out what it took to be parents. Derek has grown by leaps and bounds in the past year, but I think we are both still trying to figure out the whole parenthood thing.

Baby Prediction from Madame Zaritska

I really need to catch up on blogging - I've been MIA. But for now, I'll update with a silly online baby prediction. According to Madame Zaritska:

"The day you deliver, outside will be sunny. Your baby will arrive in the late afternoon. After a labor lasting approximately 12 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and will be 21 inches long. This child will have dark blue eyes and fluffy blonde hair."

SCORE!!! 12 hours is relatively short labor, and no one can resist a girl with blue eyes and blonde hair. Of course - this could all just be a bunch of BS. Let's examine how this predicition turned out for Grant:

"The day you deliver, outside will be cold (*NOPE! It was hot - or warm by Texas standards*).

Your baby will arrive in the early evening (*NOPE! He arrived at 11:50 a.m.*).

After a labor lasting approximately 20 hours (*Fairly accurate*),

your child, a boy (*YES!*), will be born (*YES! He was indeed born.*).

Your baby will weigh about 5 pounds, 11 ounces (*NOPE! He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces!*),

and will be 22-1/2 inches long (*NOPE! 20-1/2 inches long!*).

This child will have dark brown eyes (*NOPE! Blue then and still blue now!*)

and a lot of red hair (*NOPE! It was blonde, the little that he did have!*)."

Hmmmm... I'm not buying any pink dresses just yet. Better wait until our gender sono July 25th!

Visit to Grandma Rose and Papa's House

We visited Red Oak TWICE this weekend! I went to my old dance studio's recital (I actually taught a class there for the past month), and we also visited Grandma Rose and Papa. On Saturday, Grant had his first tractor ride. Papa found a rock in the dirt pile that was actually a fence post in cement, so Papa and Grant got to work. First, Grant found a rock that he really liked.

Then the men went to work.

After the work was done, Papa opened the door for a good photo. Grant initially cried when he say his parents and wasn't in their arms, but then he was ok.

One taste of John Deere left him wanting more. Thankfully, there is no shortage of John Deere toys in Red Oak.

On Sunday, we returned to Red Oak. I watched the recital, and Derek and my dad went to "practice" craps. That's a whole 'nother story. That meant Grant got to play with Grandma Rose for several hours. Grant had a GREAT time and was asleep by the time we were at the end of the driveway.

Pool time

Susie and Kelsey joined us for some pool time on Saturday. A few family photos by the pool (with and without Lola):

Trying to snap a quick shot before Grant's mood changes....

Too late.

Susie and Kelsey watched Grant while Derek and I went out to celebrate our EIGHTH wedding anniversary (which is actually Tuesday, June 7). We went to Allen and played a few games at Top Golf before heading over the Gold Class Cinema. 40 recliners in a full size theater with a wait staff (and Sour Patch Kids served in a martini glass). So fancy! Top Golf was fun too - it was really my first time to swing a golf club. On my last shot, Derek suggested that I swing as hard as I could - I told him that's what I'd been doing for all my swings!

14 weeks

A few belly shots at 14 weeks. There's a line across my belly from my maternity jeans. Everything is going smoothly - my energy level is back up, the nausea has subsided and I've gained about 3 pounds.

I'm still eating more than my share of fried chicken, but I'm also loading up on Frosted Flakes and ramen noodles. Other than food cravings, not much is different from my pregnancy with Grant.

Spring Fling 2011

On Friday, our daycare had its "Spring Fling." It was 100+ degrees because it is June and it is Texas. Grant was a MESS when the festivities began. But once he had a hot dog and some milk, he felt better.

Derek tried to show Grant the splash park, but Grant wasn't interested. I tried again, this time starting Grant off at the smallest streams of water:

Grant thought about trying out the other areas, but ended up deciding that's best left for big kids.

We sort of tricked him into the biggest splash area, with Derek standing on one side and me on the other. He hated it.

After that, Derek and Grant went to pet the goats and pigs. Grant liked the animals MUCH more than he did the splash park.

Then we waited for the MAIN EVENT. Shots of Derek and Grant waiting (and petting a rabbit):

Then it was time for the PIE EATING CONTEST!


A few highlights from the video (in case you can't understand with all the cheering):
Derek - "I shouldn't have had that cobbler."
Other guy - "I can't breath!"
Derek, in response to my cheering, "I'm not throwing up."
Derek, to the other guy, "Finish it up, man."

Almost as soon as Grant was strapped in the car, he was asleep. He went straight to bed when we got home. Lately, he's been sleeping 13 hours at night. He must be growing!

Let them eat cake

We had family and friends over this weekend to celebrate Grant's first year. A few photos of the work his mama (and Rachel and Jill) put in for the festivities:

The highlight was CAKE!! Grant snuck a taste before we had lit the candle or sang "Happy Birthday", which meant he was pretty impatient and wanted more cake pronto!!



We saved a cupcake for Grant's actual birthday on the 31st. He was a pro by then. So was Lola.

Grant is ONE!!

Grant turned one on May 31. Grant went to the doctor today for his one year check up and vaccines. He also went with me to my doctor's appointment, run errands and to take my car in. He was a real trooper, thanks mostly to food.

He ate cheerios in the car (and by ate, I mean dug them out of the Snack Trap and scattered them throughout the car and carseat), had mum-mums during my doctor's visit, had an entire banana while waiting for the pediatrician, and ate an entire grilled cheese while waiting for my car.

Here are Grant's stats:
Height: 30 inches (55-60th percentile)
Weight: 23 lbs, 12 oz (75th percentile)
Head: 49 cm (95th percentile)

I think walking around has made him lose weight because he was 25 pounds according to the Wii, which has been fairly accurate.

All that running around and the vaccines gave Grant quite a fever. I decided he could use a little naked time. The first thing he did with no diaper - pee. But once that was out of the way, he just played with Lola and didn't make any more messes. A small photo shoot ensued - here are the photos that won't make him hate me when he's 16: