Grant the Loud Baby

Grant is a very expressive little thing. He is constantly making noise. Gurgles, grunts, slurps, gulps, screaming, and happy sighs. Aid was such a quiet baby he hardly made a peep. Which is also why it was harder for me to let him cry things out in his bed. He hardly ever cried so it broke my heart when he did. I also jumped at every little sound he made during naps, etc for the same reason. Ok, I was perhaps a little over jumpy. So sue me, we all made it through alright!

But Grant makes so many noises I am not terribly upset to hear him cry. And I listen to him squirm around in his crib to see if he can put himself back to sleep. Good or bad you can easily tell where Grant is at based on all of his sounds. You can tell when he is pooping or farting (trust me), you can tell when he is hungry, you can tell when he is just plain pissed. Right now, however, I am listening to him happily coo and sigh in the swing. Is it possible that thus far in his little life that I haven't screwed anything up and he is happy?

Aid's New Role

Aiden LOVES being a big brother. Absolutely loves it. I know he is a little upset our routine has changed, but I keep promising him it will get back on track and I think he must believe me because he really seems relishing his role as the big brother.

My friend Sara said that it would break my heart once they started interacting with one another. And while Grant does not reciprocate the interaction Aid is all about Grant. I was upstairs brushing my teeth (it was a good day!) and I heard Grant start to cry. Aid came running up the stairs visibly distraught. "Mama! Mama! Baby Grant sad!" He was genuinely upset that Grant was upset and it broke my heart into a million pieces to see his concern.

Later on I had put Grant in his crib for his later morning nap. (Believe it or not there is some resemblance of a routine forming here...) I went downstairs to spend some time with Aid before his nap and start on the cleaning. (Ugh, I miss my mom I was so spoiled!) I got up to get him some lunch and heard Grant start grunting and squirming. So I went and checked the monitor. There was Aid. He had climbed up on the bed and was leaning over the crib talking to Grant. "What you doing Baby Grant?" Over and over. It was terribly precious. The first 3 times. After Grant repeatedly being woken up by concerned Aid I had to tell Aid that he had to come and get me if he wanted to go look at Grant.

But oh...I secretly loved watching him just love his little brother...

Happy Birthday Baby Grant

One month ago today Grant came into the world. It was a rough entry and I remember every excruciating second. But on that day my heart was as full as it could possibly be. Me and Grant spent his first night alone. Aid needed Bob and so I sent him home. He did not want to go; but it was a really special night. With Aid, me and Bob had no idea what was happening. We were new parents and we needed each other on that first night. With Grant....I was eager to have him all to myself. So I spent the entire night holding him and we figured it out together. The next day I was just as eager to get home and get started on being a bigger family.

This little boy is not Aid. He his own person. He has my coloring with dark hair and blue eyes. He is much more expressive. He is a snuggle bug. He loves sleeping on his tummy. He hates the swing. He loves to suck on my pinky. He seems to like his bath, at least better then Aid did. He has understood the concept of breast feeding from the moment he entered the world. He is very gassy and has some trouble pooping. He moves around much more then Aid did at this point. He prefers to be held vertically snuggling into your chest. I was so anxious before Grant was born. I wasn't sure how to be a mother of two. I never want either of them to feel more or less important. I wasn't sure how I would split my time. But Grant has just slid into his spot in this family. I already cannot imagine how we were without him.

Grant. I love you more then I could ever explain to you. My wish for you is that you find happiness and love in this life. You have a good big brother who loves you and lots of relatives on both sides that will always be there for you. You have brought so much more to this family then you realize. You are beautiful and perfect....and you are my baby.

Me and My Dad

Bob is such a good father. No, he's an amazing father. I give Bob lots of flack because he has lots of quirks and gives me so much to work with sometimes! But really I am so very lucky to have him as a partner. I watch him with Aid and it just makes me love him more then I already do.
I'll show you what I mean...








I could go on and on...they are like two peas in a pod these two.

Thank you honey for being the best father I could have ever asked for for our two little boys. They will grow up to be honest, kind, and compassionate people because they have you.

The Children's Museum

This is the coolest place. Grandpa and Grandma B got us a membership so we have gotten to enjoy it often! We met Frank and Bridgit and family and had a blast. Aid was on turbo speed until he just crashed.


He loves his cousin Libby and they had a blast together!


Josie and Grant were along for the ride too!

They have a Clifford exhibit at the moment that was a hit with Libby and Aid.

They had a giant size tv of Clifford episodes that were playing...Aid was in heaven!

There are slides...

Aid had quite the pretend kitchen play going on...

And musical instruments to play!

But his absolute favorite?? The waterworks area. Now this looks like Aid is happily playing in the water. But look carefully.....

Starts off harmless enough...

Ah Ha! Aid quickly discovers that if he just stands at the bottom and lets the other kids send the boats down he can collect them all!

Uh...

Yep, that's our little collecter...in all fairness he very quickly (after some prompting by mom) continued to collect but then handed them back to each person....but I had to capture it.

Ok, so this was obviously a shameless filler of pictures to hold you over!

Everything

I am so very tired. But I can honestly say I have never been happier. I feel very fortunate. My husband has a job that allows me to be able to stay at home with my two precious boys. We have extremely supportive parents on both sides that support us in every way possible. We have wonderful friends, both old and new who bring so much to our lives. We have a beautiful house that is warm and our safe place. We have two of the most adorable, sweet little boys in the world and they are safe and healthy. We are all safe and healthy.

In trying times it is so hard to focus on the scary and the negative. I think it's atrocious that banks are giving their CEO's bonuses and adding charges to it's unemployed customers. While Bob has a job so far it is entirely possible that budget cuts could affect him. And it's hard not to think about all of the kids out there who just don't have enough. It forces you to really look at your life and take notice of what you do have.

And I feel like I have everything. Everything that really matters.

Do I Look Like and Idiot Mom?

There is one thing that Aid is extremely serious about....his treats. He is a chocoholic. Seriously. We both have a hard time walking away from the sweets!

We were enjoying some down time just the two of us (Grant was napping in the crib upstairs). He had stolen some Hershey Kisses from the counter earlier in the day when I was attached (literally) to Grant and couldn't really stop him. He had not actually eaten them, just horded them away as he does.

He asked for the chocolates and I handed them over. He had 5. He gathered them together and just put them next to him on the couch. When he wasn't looking, I snuck one of the chocolates from him (we are out!). I hid it next to me. He picked up his chocolates and then began looking around. He looked under himself, under the pillow, in the cushion, and finally looked at me and asked, "Where the other chocki mama?"

Busted. I can't believe he is now smart enough I can't sneak a Hershey kiss away from him. The lesson? Do not stand between Aid and his chocki!