Weekend With Oma and Grandpa

Grant and I drove to my parent's house Thursday morning. We haven't had a chance to make it up that way, so we thought we would spend a long weekend relaxing with the grandparents. Thursday afternoon, Mom and I took Grant shopping. Any trip that includes Barnes N Nobles also includes a stop at the train table...

Grant loves the Thomas the Train playset. Everytime I have to take him away from this, he screams like I pinched him. But we were meeting Dad and Michael for dinner, so I had to pull him away! It is a nice relaxing dinner. We stayed at the restaurant for an hour and a half and Grant was perfectly content. If you have talked to me recently, you know that is not usually the case. We are not fans of restaurants at the moment! Hopefully, it is just a phase!

Grant and I share a moment before I leave him with Grandpa. Mom and I went to do some ceramic painting and have lunch. Dad took Friday off just so he could spend some quality time with Grant. Gary drove up that evening to join us... Grant was ecstatic to see his daddy! Saturday afternoon, we all packed a picnic and headed to the neighborhood pool which we had all to ourselves. Grant, as always, loved the water. Erica - you're not allowed to make fun of me for wearing a shirt over my swimsuit (another one of your pet peeves)... since I don't have a maternity suit (and refuse to buy one), it was necessary to maintain a certain level of modesty!

Check-up and My Boys

I dropped Grant off at Bibby's this morning, dropped Gary off at work and then made my way over to my doctor's appointment. Baby #2 is doing great and we are getting very excited about our ultrasound next week!

After the doctor's visit, I was child-free so I went to run some errands and picked Gary up for a lunch date. We had a great time (the best part was we didn't have to wrestle a 15-month-old while trying to eat our own food). Thanks Bibby for taking care of our boy!

Almost every night, Gary and Grant wrestle and chase each other. It's becoming a family tradition. Grant laughs and laughs and laughs, then passes out in time for bed. I snapped a picture of them playing last night that I thought was cute. I just love my boys!

Two-Word Phrases and Splash Park Fun

Have I mentioned lately how perfect my sweet boy is? I know... an odd thing to be saying about a 15-month old who likes to assert his new found independence, but he is showing us daily what a sweet-natured boy he really is. He loves to give hugs (especially to small children), he randomly gave his only car to a lady at church last week and his big grin anytime someone walks into a room is such a friendly welcome.

I'm sure my mushiness has nothing to do with the fact that Grant said, "love you" for the first time today! He is starting to say many two-word phrases. His favorites include all right, all done, hi daddy, and LOVE YOU! Oh, another cute story... I asked him today, "Where's mommy's baby?" He normally lifts up my shirt and pats my belly. Today, he put one hand on either side of my belly and gave it a great big hug. Too sweet!

On to the pictures: Grant, Gary and I went to a nearby splash park today. Grant had a blast! He loves all things water and he loves being around other children, so this was the perfect place.

"Hi, mom. I'm just waiting for the water to shoot up again." "Oh, there it is!"

And again...

...and again...

... and again!

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words...

... what words do you see?

15 Month Stats

Gary took Grant to his well check up on Friday. This is the first time I haven't gone (I was teaching VBS), and I felt totally out of the loop. I have asked Gary 101 questions about the appointment just so I can feel like I was there. Anyhow, Dr. Q announced Grant healthy, wide and handsome. Yes, a very odd description. Stats: Height: 32 1/4 in 78% Weight: 26 lbs 10.5 oz 76% Head: 16 in 61%

I'll See You Later...

I just said "goodbye" to my dear friend, Erica. Most of the morning was spent ignoring the fact that they were leaving. We laughed and had a good time, as usual. I have been telling myself over the last couple of days that they are just going to visit their parents for a little while. And that has actually worked pretty well. No break downs, no tears and I've actually been sleeping. Well, Erica apparently didn't get that memo. As she's loading the kids in the car, she turns to me and starts crying. Of course that sends me into a fit of tears. All this to say, I will really miss her. I have shared a note (in front of LOTS of people) with the Ballards expressing how much I'll miss them, and I think it is appropriate to post that here now:

Six years ago, when I moved here, I moved to a relatively unfamiliar church and to a totally unfamiliar town. While I was extremely happy with my new marriage, I needed a friend. I prayed day and night for two years for that friend.

I know that God has many plans for the Ballards, but when Beau and Erica were asked to be a part of our church, (in my little world) it meant that God was answering my constant prayer.

To some, a friend is someone who you enjoy sharing your life with. To some, a sister is someone who you have familial ties with. To me, the definition of a friend and a sister are synonymous with Erica.

There is no doubt that we have had a special connection from the beginning. One that everyone else seemed to notice as well. We have been asked countless times (by friends and by total strangers) if we were sisters. Erica always answers it best when she says, "We're not sisters of the blood, but we're sisters of the spirit." And she does what sisters do best. She holds me accountable, she makes me laugh (and cry) and, without knowing it, she makes me want to be more like her everyday.

If Erica is my sister, then Beau is undoubtedly my brother and their children are kin to my heart, as well.

The Ballards have been such an inspirational family to me. I hear about their ups and downs daily, and yet I know that through any situation, they are loyal to God, loyal to family and loyal to friends. Those three things are an unwavering mainstay that I hope everyone can see.

Today, for instance, I know is a hard day for them. They are going home to be with family, but must leave this family that has been built strong around them with love, faith and compassion. However, I have no doubts that the Ballards will remain loyal to us. I still expect a call from Erica daily and I know that we will be seeing them often.

The French have two ways to say goodbye. "Au Revoir," which means "see you later" and "adieu," which means "I won't see you til we get to heaven." Well, a little piece of heaven is here on earth, because today I get to say "Au Revoir," I'll see you soon, and I love you.

They're Multiplyin'...

Erica went back to work last week, so I got to spend some quality time with Sadie. Both kids slept most of the time, so my photo ops were very limited. However, when Sadie needed to be changed, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the kids in their birthday suits.

I think this will be the perfect picture to show on their wedding day! On Sunday, the Ballards came over to lunch and we got all three kids in one picture! I don't think that has happened yet. Too cute.