Happy Birthday to Grant!

Grant turned one today! He has learned so many things and grown so much in the last year that it should seem that he has been around for years. But it doesn't seem that way at all. Time has flown. He has grown into a big boy right before us and I know that he will only continue. We are so proud of him in every way and are very much looking forward to a new year full of fun, laughter and adventure.

April 9, 2008 April 9, 2009

What a Face!

We tried (for the second time) to get Grant's first year pictures taken. He was well rested and well fed, so we picked up Gary and headed towards the portrait studio. Grant wanted nothing to do with it. He would not let go of me or Gary. He would cry and cry and cry, then start to settle down. I would wipe the tears and the photographer would snap a photo. Then we would start all over. In 90% of these pictures, I am within inches of being in the photo myself. But wouldn't you know it? We got some of the best pictures he has ever taken! I don't want to post the pictures we got yet... BUT I will post some of the funny faces our sweet boy made. He makes me laugh everyday.

I don't know if it is because Gary is reading The Three Musketeers right now, but he so reminds me of some sarcastic Frenchman in this picture. I love it!

Just imagine Joey (from Friends) saying, "How you doin'?"

It's just so hard being one!

Backyard Project - Part Two

Gary and John worked on finishing our backyard patio yesterday. They worked hard and it looks great!

Gary and John making sure everything was just right! The longest part of this project was leveling the ground. It took them a few hours, but it was worth it.

Grant decided he needed to supervise.

They delivered the swing this morning. Doesn't it look great? It gets a lot of morning sun, but in the evening it is completely shaded and will be a wonderful place to relax in the upcoming summer months.

Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket

Our church had an Easter Egg Hunt this afternoon. Grant had been practicing for just this moment. Almost every day this week, I have put eggs out in the front yard for him to hunt. Now we were ready for the main event!

Grant was supposed to be listening to the story of the resurrection, but decided to read a Dr. Seuss book instead. His first egg! We kept throwing the same egg in front of him, since many of the eggs were too far away to bother with!

"Mom, what is this Eater Egg Hunt all about anyway? You're not even letting me eat the candy!"

Gary telling Grant which eggs he should go pick up.

Got it! (Yes, that is the same egg.)

"Oh, checking out my loot."

Elijah and Grant did a great job!

Family photo. Grant has that "shocked" look on his face because it was so windy. He loves to stand in the wind and feel it blow by his skin, but he always makes that silly face!

Grant's Wife

Grant's beautiful wife (Sadie Anne) was born yesterday! He has yet to meet her, but I know it will be a match made in heaven! For those all important birth stats, see Erica's blog.

The Bride's side of the family. Grant - this is your future mother-in-law. You better be nice to her. No more throwing grapes on her carpet. The big brother. We don't want him chasing you down the street with a stick. You can tell he loves his little sister, so make sure to befriend him.

Backyard Project - Part One

We have been working on getting our backyard "beautified" for Grant's birthday party next weekend. Gary really wanted an A-frame swing, so we went and picked one out for his birthday. But first he wants to build a small patio to set our new swing on. John and Bibby came over to supervise Phase One.

Grant's contribution: eating dirt. My sweet boys!

"Dad, don't waste the grass. We can use it somewhere else!"

Grant cracks me up! What a personality! John is coming back over tomorrow to help supervise some more. Bibby is going to take care of Grant for a few hours while I work on party preparations and... go see baby Sadie in the hospital! You heard right... if Erica doesn't go into labor tonight, she will be induced in the morning. Can't wait to meet that baby girl! Keep the Ballards in your prayers.

Mornings With Mama

I have made it a habit to wake up at least 30 minutes before Grant does in the mornings. I eat breakfast, check my email and just perk up a bit. I just love Grant in the mornings. I'm not sure what it is about that time that feels so special to me. His cheeks are always a little rosy after he wakes up and his expressions seem fresh. When I put him in his high chair for breakfast, he crosses his feet. He examines his food and does the funniest things with his eyebrows. The last few days he has picked up the funniest little habits. He gives me the signal for "all done," so I take the tray away. Immediately after moving the tray, he grabs any remaining food and stuffs it in his mouth as fast as he can. I laugh at him and say "I thought you were all done?" He also loves to feed me. I usually just let him. It's a fun game for us. He gives me food and I say, "Mmmmmm" and rub my tummy. He gets the biggest kick out of that. But now he has decided that the food on the tray isn't good enough for his mommy. He wants me to have the very special food that he has already chewed up! I just look at him like he's crazy. Anyhow, I don't know if it is because Grant is turning one next week or if I am just being overly emotional, but he hasn't done one single thing today that I didn't think was absolutely precious! Maybe that's because yesterday he was a little tornado. Maybe it's his way of saying he's sorry. Or maybe it's just because he's my sweet little baby boy.