Sayonara

We had a send off at my grandma's house for my cousin Morgan and her hubby, Tyler. They are headed to Japan for THREE YEARS!!! We will miss them!

Derek couldn't pass up this Sugardaddy shirt at Target. That's what the Ichiba girls call him!

Wee Squeak

Shoes that squeak!!! I got some a while back that would be ready to fit Grant in a few months, and he's ready for them now. He was pretty confused by them. This video was taken after the initial shock wore off, but you can still see him looking at his feet wondering where the noise is coming from.

Recent Daycare Pics

I love our daycare's Shutterfly site. Here are the most recent photos from May and June 2011.

I think they must have their dates wrong. Grant looks so little here. Surely my baby didn't grow that much in 2 months!!

Playing outside:


One of Grant's favorite activities: eating books.

A few photos in blue shirts. Look at those tired eyes in the 2nd shot!!

Grant's classmates:

And for good measure, a few shots of the pie-eating contest from Spring Fling. The second shot is our favorite teacher! What a cheater - using her hands and having a clean face!!

I'm in Miami, trick

Preparing for Travel
I'd been preparing for about a week to go to Miami. I stocked up on snacks and books and had Grant packed up at least 1 week before wheels up. I had borrowed the last 2 Hunger Games books from Shauna, figuring I'd have plenty of time to read with the plane ride and beach time.

Wednesday night we were finishing up our packing for the trip. And then our first travel mis-hap came to light. We needed Grant's birth certificate for the day cruise to the Bahamas that we had planned for Friday. It is ALL OVER the website that you need the government-issued birth certificate, but all we could find is the document from the hospital. I then remembered, in the haze of birth, feeding a newborn, and the wonderful drugs that follow, something about how we were supposed to send off for his birth certificate. We searched high and low for hours and hours, but to no avail. We packed the documents we had and crashed LATE on Wednesday.

Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday we got up early, Susie picked us up at 6:15, and we were off to the airport. The trip to Miami went well. Of course, there was no time for me to read. Grant fought a nap a little bit, but Daddy got him to sleep. This was a common theme for the trip. Grant fell asleep on Derek ALOT!

Once we arrived, Steve, Gloria and Matthew picked us up in our pimp ride - the minivan!! We had a quick stop to get a carseat, then drove around South Beach a little to find a CVS (for diapers, sunscreen, and other goodies) that actually had parking. Once we were stocked up, we were all hungry. We headed to Lario's (Gloria Estefan's restaurant). Review: Meh. Plantains = delicious. Everything else = meh. We checked into the hotel, changed for the beach and decided to head down to Key Biscayne.

By the time we got down to Key Biscayne, so had the clouds. A storm rolled in and thanks to our iPhones, we knew it would linger. We decided to try and find some indoor fun, so we went to Dave & Busters. After battling Miami rush hour traffic (and a disagreement with said iPhone), we arrived. Grant loved being able to run everywhere. And he loved driving cars with his cousin!

Friday, July 1, 2011
Friday we were up and at 'em VERY early. We had to be in Fort Lauderdale at 6 am for the cruise. Unfortunately, the birth certificate was NOT negotiable, and we weren't able to board. Our family loaded up in the minivan, and the Motos went on board, ate breakfast, and toured the ship. We headed back to the hotel, ate breakfast, and were headed up to the room to change into beach gear when Gloria called. They had gotten off the ship. So instead of changing, we went to pick them up. We were thrilled to spend the day with them!

Most of the day was spent at the beach by the hotel. Grant didn't exactly LOVE the ocean or the beach. He was fine playing for a bit in the mud from the tide. Next we tried the ocean, which he seemed ok with for about 10 minutes. When he threw a fit, I took to the chairs and umbrella to feed him a snack. We hung out for a while, then Derek came in from the water so I could play. After about 10 minutes, I looked over, gave Derek a thumbs up to ask if he was ok, and the response was several emphatic thumbs DOWN. Derek signaled that we needed to go upstairs, so I headed back to the beach. By the time I arrived, Grant was knocked out, asleep on his Dada. (photo above). My heart melted, I took photos, then returned to the ocean!

Grant's sleep was brief - too brief. And once he woke, he was very upset. We figured it was time to eat lunch. Back to the hotel. And the shower to rinse the sand off, followed by a pool dip to get the remnants. Then Grant and I went upstairs while Daddy got us food. Grant and I both took baths, then Daddy had our food ready. Derek went back downstairs to enjoy the beach some more (we had the chairs rented all day and the Motos were still having fun down there). Grant and I played in the air-conditioned hotel room for a good bit before he went down for a GOOD nap. Alas, I had time to read!


The bartender told Derek and Steve about the shops at Lincoln, which had several great places to eat. We ate that evening at Nexxt. Review: meh. Good for people watching, decent food, but the service was terrible.

Saturday, July 2, 2011
For the first time during all of vacation, we were able to sleep in (until about 8:30 at least). We had breakfast, then decided to try the beach at Key Biscayne again. We also got a raft for Grant and the Motos got goggles to look at fish. It is supposed to be one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S. The light house was certainly beautiful.

However, the waves were weak. There were so FEW! (Derek later read that the beach is known for its calm waters) We tried Grant in the float, but he kept leaning forward to splash/drink the water. He didn't like that. In fact, he got salt water in his eye. He HATED that!

We headed back to the chairs for a snack to cheer him up, and the Motos went over to the rocks to watch fish (since there were no waves to play in). After a little while of playing on the chairs, I tried to let Grant play in the sand. He at last found his happiness on the beach. He loved playing in the sand and (trying) to walk in the sand.

We knew our trip would be brief. Grant had proven that the day before. About the time I thought he'd had enough, the Motos returned. We decided to pack up about 10 minutes after that, which may have been 10 minutes too late. Grant passed out cold while Derek was holding him on the beach (with all of our gear in hand too). I knew he would sleep better if he wasn't covered in sand, so my sleepy boy had to wake up with the cold shower. I didn't have dry clothes for him, so I stripped him down, rinsed him off and changed his diaper, then we loaded up in the minivan.

Steve drove around a long time so that Grant got a great nap. We snacked at the hotel, cleaned up, then headed to Villagio for dinner. Our friend's father owns the restaurant, and Steve wanted to reconnect with an old friend while we were in Miami. The restaurant was white tablecloth, white napkins, so I was a little worried about my baby's behavior, but he did pretty good! Review: Really good! Plus the wait staff was great to Grant, which I loved. The bread/brushetta was GREAT, and that is one thing I can't get enough of this pregnancy.

Once Grant and Matthew were done eating, Derek took them outside to play and Steve and Gloria and I chatted with Jaime and Keith. There was a large purple snail outside, which is funny because Matthew was on a snail hunt (again).

After dinner and dessert, we cruised Ocean Avenue one last time, looking at all the cool cars, then called it a night.

Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sunday we got up and took the Motos to the airport. Grant got to move up to the middle row of the minivan, which certainly saved me some work! We started the day at the pool, walked the boardwalk, then made sure Grant got a good nap. We tried to find a fireworks show, but the only one we found was 30 miles away. We went to lunch at La Moon, a Columbian restaurant featured on Man v. Food for its hot dogs. We stood out in the restaurant - we were white, speaking English, dressed alike, wearing American flag t-shirts. Review: GREAT! Plus it was the only place that didn't grat us automatically!

After lunch, we went to the beach, where we cut a deal since we wouldn't need the chairs all day. We put Grant in the sand and didn't bother to try the salty ocean water. He loved it!



We showered, packed, and went back to the Lincoln area for dinner. We found a restaurant called "Quatro" and thought it was meant to be, since that's the nickname my parents have given Grant (being the fourth grandchild). He did well at the restaurant and our table was GREAT for people/dog watching. Review: Very good! The service was slow, but not unusually slow considering the quality of the restaurant. They charged a small fortune to make penne pasta & marinara for Grant, though. The soup was gooood!

Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday we woke up early and headed to the airport. We were one of the first to board (this turned out to be a good idea because the plane was not retrofitted and LOTS of luggage had to be gate checked, but not ours)! We pulled out from the gate and sat for a while. The pilot came on, told us that 1 of our 2 ACs was out. This wasn't a major mechanical challenge - we could fly with just 1, but it required us to fly lower, and thus we needed more fuel. So back to the gate we went. The 3 hour flight turned into a 4 hour flight. Conclusion: A 13 month old does fine on a 3 hour flight, but is not cut out for a 4 hour flight.

Nonetheless, our flight crew was GREAT with him. When we were at the gate refueling and filing papers, the stewardess offered to walk him up and down the aisle (we did not accept her offer, knowing he was fighting a nap, and very soon thereafter Grant was asleep in Derek's arms). Once in the air, she gave him a sticker to play with. Then in the last 45 minutes of the flight, she made Grant a rattle out of 2 cups and pieces of ice (taped together at the lids of the cups). Grant really should have napped again, but the rattle piqued his interest enough.

We came home, ate, unpacked and unwound a bit. Then I headed into work and down to Waco. I was scheduled to foreclose property in Waco on July 5th, and I took the opportunity to stay with and catch up with my cousin Jenna.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011
I woke up and was getting ready when I received an email. I had a restraining order against me prohibiting the foreclosure sale. I think the BEST part of that morning was waking up and realizing that I only had to get myself ready for the day. I was back in Dallas by 10:30 a.m.

TADA! That was our second family vacation (the first being St. Louis when Grant was 3 months old). After that, life was back to normal.

18 weeks

I had Derek take my photo at 18 weeks. Here's a side-by-side. 17 weeks with Grant and 18 weeks with Baby #2.

I feel MUCH bigger - in the first photo, I'm wearing regular jeans and they are BUTTONED! There is no way I could get into those jeans now, much less button them. But I think the photos look about the same.

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!!