Want, Need, Wear, Read

Santa is coming and this year we have successfully stuck to the fantastic idea of limiting gifts to four things: a want, a need, a wear, and a read.  So, here they are:

Want- This isn't something any of my children realize they want but when asked what he wanted for Christmas, Grant's only response has been "Fire and Rescue."  So, since that had already been purchased by Grammy and Grandpa, I had to move on to something else.  Like all good mothers, I instead purchased something I wanted!  Anyone ever have waffle blocks as a kid?  Well, they still make them and they have gotten even bigger!  Now, one thing my kids are consistent about is their desire to build forts on a dialy basis.  My hope is that the waffle blocks can take the place of couch pillows and the couch pillows can remain on the couch where they belong.  I look forward to many days of building...

Need-  The girls need a stool to stand on so that they stop fighting over Grant's when we are in the kitchen.   Thankfully the Etsy shop I ordered his from was still in business and I ordered another one.  Grant, on the other hand, is getting his own suitcase.  Random, I know.  But, I got a really good deal on one from Pottery Barn Kids and it has his name embroydered on it.  He can pack his own things when we go to Florida this summer!

 

Wear- Grant is getting a golf shirt so that he looks the part when he goes golfing with his dad.  The girls are getting leotards!  After many months of watching Grant go to his gymnastics class, I finally signed the girls up.  I am pretty proud of myself for even remembering to buy them appropriate sportswear instead of sending them in their every day clothes.  I was even more proud when I found these adorable ones on Etsy...

 

 

Read- This is the easy one!  My kids LOVE books!  Each of them is getting a box full.

 

Kate and Andie

Ok, I think I have neglected to document your lives long enough.  While I listen to each of you crying up in your room (you should be napping), I am going to try and quickly post an update.

Kate- You are such a crazy nut!  You are fearless.  On vacation in Mexico, you loved the sand, the ocean, and the pool.  You just took off down the beach and enjoyed getting good and wet and dirty.  In the pool, you were constantly walking off the ledge in the hot tub so that you could sink under water until I picked you up again.  When you get hurt (which is quite often...I am concerned about the damage you do to your forehead on a daily basis) you sometimes cry, but more often times you laugh and smile like you want to do it again.  You are pretty independent.  When I take you to the gym, you wander off to play without batting an eyelash.  When you want something though, you will let me know.  At those times, you throw a fit and turn into what your father calls, "The rare spotted Tate."  You absolutely love your brother and seem to think that you are his equal.  The two of you rough house and just have so much fun together.  You and your dad and your brother all have a special bond too because you are all rotten.  And, I say that in the most loving way :)
Some favorites of Kate-
Food: clementine
Person: probably Grant
Activity: playing with Grant or reading books in Mom's lap


Andie- You are much more of a love bug.  You are more than happy to observe your sister and Grant because you aren't quite as tough when it comes to rough housing.  You are a momma's girl!  If I am around, you want to be held or in my lap.  Until recently, at the gym, you screeched when I left you to go workout.  When we get outside to play though, you are totally different.   You love to get into the passengers seat of your brother's Power Wheels and let him drive you around.  You also love to be pushed in any number of the vehicles we have outside.  Luckily Kate and Grant are more than happy to do so!  You have a ton of hair that I just can't control and you spin it with your fingers to comfort yourself when you are tired.
Some favorites of Andie-
Food: clementine
Person: mommy
Activity: dancing to music

Happy Birthday Grant!

You are four years old today!  We celebrated with a trip to COSI, lunch at Northstar, and a quick stop at the aquarium store to look at the fish.  I had such an amazing time with you!  It was great to spend an entire day together, just the two of us.  I cannot believe how grown up you have become.  You are so independent compared to just a year ago.  Thankfully though, you still love to hang out with your mom and like to keep her close by :)  Time has just gone so fast, I appreciate the fact that you are still my little boy every now and again.  Some of your favorite things these days:
1. Playing with "my sisters" or "my girls"
2. Toy Story (I think you have watched these movies about 100 times!)
3. Playing hide and seek: "1, 2, 3, look for me"
4. Playdough
5. Legos
6. Baking things
7. Playing in the basement with your goal or pingpong table

A year has come and gone

I don't know where on earth the time has gone in the past year.  My days are absolutely hectic but somehow seem manageable.  Time flew by, but it seems like Kate and Andie have been in our lives forever.  I feel like I owe it to someone (maybe my daughters so they can have some idea of what they were like as little ones) to update my blog.  So, I am just going to get to it:

Kate
-is a rotten egg (and I mean this in a very loving way!)
-loves to torment her sister by taunting her with toys, laughing, and then crawling away as fast as possible
-loves to play with her brother and thinks she is a big kid like him
-is a "leg humper" who loves to grab on to me while I try to cook or clean up dinner
-is very passionate about food she likes and makes it known by moaning and groaning after each bite
-gets red splotches all over her face when she has been crying
-chews on the crib
-loves her mouse that is attached to her car seat so much that she gets a death grip on him and won't let go
-loves the tub

Andie
-is a chunky monkey (also meant in a very loving way!)
-also loves the tub
-has a huge smile almost all the time and is so easy to please!
-loves food (especially the cheese Kate hates so much)
-likes to cuddle and burrows her face into anyone or anything she can get close to (even the floor sometimes)
-rubs her face and twirls her hair to comfort herself
-loves books (especially the Colors book that was a favorite of Grant as well)
-dances and claps whenever she hears any kind of music

Where to begin?

Where has the time gone?!  Kate and Andie are now 8 months old and Grant just keeps growing up.  Every time I turn around one of our children have amazed me by just getting bigger, bolder, smarter, faster, funnier, smilier.  Summer has gone by way too fast.  With Grant at Primrose two days a week, I feel like every day I get to spend with him is precious.  We spend our Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the pool, the zoo or hanging out with friends.  He is such a fantastic big brother and just a great kid.  Each day he becomes more understanding, helpful, and independent.  He loves to get on the floor with his sisters and show them how their toys work, explain what each item is, and every now and then he gives a random hug or two that just melt my heart!  Grant also seems thrilled about the new baby toys that are reemerging from the basement.  He has more fun than the girls do half the time.  The latest new purchase was an elephant that shoots balls out of its trunk.  Jeff and Grant got such a kick out of it, Jeff was crying laughing and Grant kept jumping and screaming "they are going everywhere."  There was so much noise that the girls both looked at me and cried.

On the days that Grant is at "school" I enjoy the opportunity to spend quiet time with the girls (and of course I hit up the gym and run all kinds of other errands that are easier to do with two kids than with three).  Andie started sitting up a few weeks ago and Kate was not far behind.  Andie still is yet to ever roll over, whereas Kate is always getting onto her stomach.  Kate has recently started to scoot herself backward around on the floor.  Andie on the other hand is content just sitting and watching her.  The girls personalities could not be more different!  Andie is such a goof and will smile and laugh at almost anyone.  Kate is still a bit more reserved.  Although, all I have to do is toss her in the air or tickle her on the ground to get her giggling and smiling.  Andie loves to snatch any toy that Kate shows interest in and Kate just loves Andie.  Whenever they are close Kate reaches out for Andie's hair, ears, clothes, hands.  Both girls absolutely love their feet and have them up as close as possible to their mouths whenever they can get ahold of them.  We are down to two naps a day; about an hour and a half in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon.  

Somehow things manage to run pretty smoothly around here these days.  Everyone is tucked into bed by 8 or 8:30 and I enjoy a stroll around the yard or a second (or third) glass of wine.  On the days Grant is at Primrose I have found a handful of times (ok, maybe just 2 or 3) to sit outside and read or watch the Today Show on the back porch with my cup of coffee while the girls are napping.  During all these times I just cant help but feel like I am living in paradise.  I cant complain, I am very blessed.  

 4th of July at Symphony on the Prairie

 Loves those feet

 Such a goofball!

 It's hard to get a clear picture of Kate because she is always moving.

 "Concerned Kate" -Jeff

Mothers Day

One day is not enough to adequately celebrate mothers.  We are blessed to be raised by a woman who would give up anything (and probably almost has) in order to bring us up right.  We then repay her by sneaking out of the house, stealing her liquor, trying cigarettes.  We rarely take the time to really appreciate her in those early years except for on the obligatory Mother's Day.  We buy a card, give a hug, and tell her that we love her.  But, we don't really "get it" until years go by and it is our turn to take a stab at this motherhood thing.  Our brains become mush because all we can think about are feeding schedules, sleep routines, and potty training.  We worry that we might spoil our kids so we are too hard on them.  We are hard on them and then we feel guilty.  And boy do we ever feel guilty.  "Mom guilt" is powerful and constant.  We just never think we are getting it right.   We need nothing more than reassurance, a hug, a smile and nod that says, "I see what you are doing and I think you are doing a damn fine job."  We don't get a paycheck for being a mom.  We don't have a boss who calls us into his office and thanks us for a job well done.  We get Mother's Day.  Happy Mother's Day ladies!  You are all doing a damn fine job!

Our girls and our lives at three months

Ok, things have been crazy and I have neglected to take the time to stop and reflect upon life and document all the things I think about the little girls who have entered our lives.  First, an update on Jeff, Grant and I, and then we will move on to those little munchkins.

Me:
I am actually doing well.  People seem to think I have to be completely sleep deprived and stressed but really, things aren't too bad.  I wish it weren't winter because I want to be able to get out a bit more with the girls.  I want fresh air and I hate cramming the girls into their car seats with all those bulky layers and blankets only to go out into the wind and cold where those blankets want to blow right off exposing their poor little faces.  On the other hand, I think winter has made things a bit easier.  It isn't so nice out that I feel like I am missing anything by sitting inside feeding, pumping, washing bottles, doing laundry, doing dishes, and cooking.  And honestly, that is really about all I do.  But, I don't mind it one bit.  The hardest thing about having twins has been getting used to the idea that I cannot love on them both or comfort them both all the time.  Sometimes one is still eating and the other is awake and bored because I just left her parked on the Boppy.  Or, both start crying in the middle of a nap and I just have to give up on the idea of comforting either of them because how would I choose, and what is the point of quieting one baby when there is still another crying.  Hopefully this means I will end up with babies who are good at comforting themselves.  Sorry girls!

Grant:
I should probably start out with a "Sorry Grant" too.  Poor guy has had to learn quite a deal of patience.  When mom and dad both have their hands full, there is very little we can do to entertain him.  For the most part, he has been very good about the whole ordeal.  He loves his sisters and doesn't seem to resent them at all. Sometimes they get a sweet kiss, hug, or pat.  He enjoys rubbing their soft pajamas and tickling their feet.  I think he is a very good big brother and when I say "big," I mean it!  His biggest concern lately is on being a "big boy."  We started seriously potty training about the same time the girls came home (less than ideal timing).  Grant pretty quickly picked up on peeing in the potty, but going #2 has been another thing.  But, finally, the incentive of going to preschool with his friends Owen, Daniel, and Addison has done it.  Grant can finally poop in the potty and he is proud of it!  Good job buddy, you will be in preschool before you know it!

Jeff:
Jeff is probably the one who is taking all this the hardest.  The culmination of building this house and the twins arrival has been like the perfect storm.  He is stressed, tired, and just not quite his normal self. You can't really blame him, but I look forward to the day when he can stop, take a deep breath, and enjoy the wonderful home and family we have created.

Andie:
You are our little chunk!  From the moment you came home you starting packing on the pounds.  Way to go, at your three month checkup today, you were 11.5 pounds!  You are already in the 25th percentile for a real three month old!  Unfortunately, although you have always been a good eater, we spent a little while trying to figure out how to make you happy (holding you always makes you happy, but with three kids, that just isn't always an option).  At first you seemed a little colicky (whatever that really means).   From 8pm until about midnight, we weren't quite sure what we were going to get.  You just seemed so uncomfortable all the time.  We finally invested in some Gripe Water and it seems to have helped.  Either that, or you have just grown out of your funk or we have finally just figured you out.  You are so fun to watch these days.  You sit up pretty well and just have the clearest bright wide eyes.  You have a huge smile and love nothing more than to snuggle and be held.

Kate:
Oh honey, you are our little peanut.  You love to sleep, take your sweet time eating, and then just spit most of it right back up.  Nothing really seems to phase you, you are extremely laid back (or just lethargic, but whatever).  I never struggle to get a good picture of you since you are normally just sleeping like a little angel.  At your three month checkup today you weighed in at 10 pounds, just barely putting you on the regular growth chart.  You spend your wake time peacefully watching the world go by.  You have a dreamy little smile that just makes me think that there could be nothing wrong with the world.  On the other hand, when you cry, my heart just breaks.  You have a cry that is the saddest sound in the world complete with real tears, a blotchy red eyes, and a pouty lip.  

Both:
You are now sleeping about six hours at a time at night.  Thank you!  One night you even made it 7.5 hours.  I couldn't believe it!  During the day you eat, spend a little bit of time awake (Andie more so than Kate) and then go right back to sleep.  You normally take turns being fussy which I somewhat appreciate.  So, maybe one of you decides to cry off and on during one nap and then the other does the same later in the day.  When you are awake I try to get you to notice one another.  At this point, you both seem totally uninterested in the other which I think is sort of sad.  But, I am sure that will change soon enough.  Oh, how could I forget to mention the herniated belly buttons.  Andie, yours showed up about a week after coming home and it got big.  Kate, you must have decided you didn't want to be outdone, because you now have a little miniature version of your sister's.  The doctor says they may heal themselves, but your dad is already thinking about surgery.  Maybe we can get a two for one deal!

I love you both so much and I can't wait to continue to watch you grow and change.

Birth Story

So, I guess people (Erica) like to read other women's labor stories.  I never thought of this as something I would like to hear about considering I closed my eyes and tried my best to shut out the world completely with my first labor experience.  Why would I want to re-live labor by reading about someone else's.  I was even more shocked when our photographer told me that she was going to be photographing a friend's delivery.  Are you kidding me!?  When I questioned her on this, she said she had done it once before, and although she had been skeptical, it actually ended up being pretty amazing.  Sorry, I am not quite sure who I would share those pictures with.  "Look, there I am screaming my head off."  "Oh, another picture of the baby crowning."  No thank you.

Anyways, I have decided to share this story because it will be short, just like my labor!  The weekend started normally.  On Friday Jeff and I bought the minivan we knew was probably the most practical option for a family with three kids in car seats.  On Saturday night we took Grant to the lights at the zoo.  Nothing was out of the ordinary.  Sunday morning at about 3:30 I woke up to pee (still, nothing new there). I then laid back down and had to pee again.  After about 30 minutes of this, I sat on the toilet and started to Google "Signs of early labor."  At 4:15 I decided I should probably wake Jeff.  I hated to think I was going to wake him and Grant for no reason, but I had begun to worry just enough.  The moment I climbed up in bed to wake up Jeff, the first contraction hit me.  In pain I told Jeff we needed to go.  He was pretty quick to respond because I think he could tell I was serious.  He got up to get dressed and wake Grant.  Between contractions I tried to get myself out of my rainbow pajama pants and bright yellow shirt that says "English Channel Swim - Erica Watts" it.  I refused to go to the hospital looking like an idiot.

We made it into the car and headed to the hospital at breakneck speed.  Grant was a trooper in the back seat as I stared at the dashboard clock timing my contractions, dreading when the next five minutes would pass, knowing another one was coming.  About half way to the hospital Jeff asked if I thought there was anything they could do to stop the babies from coming.  NO!  We arrived at the hospital and at the check in window, I caught myself trying to push for the first time.  The woman at the desk, seeing my state, immediately got me into a room.

The nurses started asking me questions about how far along I was, etc.  I explained that I was only 32 weeks pregnant with twins and that one had been breach throughout the entire pregnancy.  I was dreading a c-section and was worried that I wasn't going to get an option at this point in the game.  Amazingly enough, both girls were head down and clearly ready to go because I was already completely dilated.  At about this point a nurse arrived with a grape popsicle for Grant who was sitting patiently on his father's lap in the corner.  I considered using the little energy I had to be a "good" mom and tell Jeff not to give a 2 year old a popsicle at 4:30 in the morning, but I let it go.  Soon after, Jeff's parents arrived to take away the hyped up toddler and Jeff and I were taken into an operating room.  The room was extremely cold, the table I was laying on was just as uncomfortable, and the room was way too bright!  Luckily we weren't going to be in there long.  Once I was situated and another contraction was on it's way, I asked a nurse (the doctor still wasn't there) if I could push.  Did I mention that there was ZERO pain medication given to me at this point.  I remember pleading with Jeff to tell them to give me something.  But, it was way too late for that.  Anyways, the contraction came, I closed my eyes, screamed some profanities, pushed like hell, and shockingly, at 5:16am, a mer hour after waking Jeff, our first little girl arrived.

I am not quite sure how to describe how I felt.  I wanted to be happy, but I was already feeling mom guilt.  I felt horrible that my poor babies were once again being born prematurely.  I mostly just felt worried.  I knew they were small.  How else could I have pushed the first one out so quickly.  While I stressed about these things in my mind, the doctors were working to break the sac of water that baby #2 (the girls still had no names at this point) was in.  There was a lot of extremely uncomfortable poking and prodding.   Throughout the course of the morning more hands were up in my business and pushing on my stomach than I ever care to have that close to me ever again.  After a little intervention from the doctors and eleven minutes had passed, it was time to push again.  Just like the first go around, the contraction came, I asked if I could push, this time the doctor who had finally arrived said, "Don't waste it," and I pushed and pushed and pushed until Kate joined us at 5:27am.

Everything happened so fast, I really didn't know how to feel about it all.  Just a few hours before, I had been sleeping soundly, now we had two tiny babies with no names.  Thank God, they were as healthy as two 32 week old babies can possibly be.  I was able to briefly hold Anderson before both girls were taken to the NICU.  Jeff and I were taken back to a regular delivery room.  Again, we were asked if we had names for the girls.  We looked at each other, completely lost.  Throughout my pregnancy we had slowly created a very short list of names from which we were debating.  But, we were far from making a final decision.  I asked Jeff to grab my phone and I pulled up my Evernote App where I had been keeping my list.  I told him to pick.  At the bottom of the list, separated from the others were the ones I had been leaning toward most recently.  Jeff handed the phone back to me after looking over the list and said, "The bottom two will work."

That is how Katherine Ellis and Anderson Caroline came to join us on this earth and Jeff, Grant and I became a family of five!  Thank goodness we got that minivan!

Photo Book

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Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

Baby A and Baby B

Got some video of the ultrasound today.  Incredible to see!

We are having TWINS

We found out we are expecting twins when I was about 7 weeks pregnant.  I think I spent the first 24 hours completely terrified.  Jeff just walked around with the same look of shock that he had when we took our vows on our wedding day. Now that some time has passed, I have come up with reasons to be excited as well as terrified.

What I am scared of (in no particular order):

1. Stretch marks
2. The possibility of needing a c-section
3. Having preemies
4. Having preemies during cold and flu season
5. Paying for college
6. Needing a minivan but instead buying a gas guzzling SUV
7. Finding a kitchen table that seats five
8. Feeing a family of five
9. Not being able to nurse
10. Not being able to get out of the house because I am feeding two babies 
11. Childcare
12. Complete and utter exhaustion for the next few years

What I look forward to:

1. Having a big family
2. Grant being an older brother
3. Finding out the sex of the babies
4. Living in a house where there is always someone to play with
5. Buying more baby clothes 
6. Putting together the nursery
7. Having two little babies to love on
8. Holidays
9. Family vacations
10. Weddings
11. Grandchildren

I tried really hard to make the second list at least as long as the first.  But, I am a mother and mothers are really good at worrying which explains why I am up for hours at a time in the middle of the night going over some of the items.

Two

It was a very happy birthday for Mr. Grant. Among other fun summer clothes and toys, Grant got some wheels! Great Grandma Nielsen got him a tricycle. For the most part, Grant enjoys pushing it more than riding. Once his legs get a bit longer I'm sure that will change!

Grant also got a motorized vehicle from his Grandma and Grandpa Schultz. Unfortunately he still needs to work on his steering ability. For the most part, he goes in circles and ends up in the neighbors yard. It is so funny to watch him motor around all on his own! He will be driving a real car before we know it...

Jeff hit it out of the park again this year. He spent the majority of one afternoon decorating Grant's dump truck cake. It was gorgeous and delicious!

Home Sweet Home

Construction has begun! Shortly after my 30th birthday, equipment arrived, a hole was dug, and walls went up. Mother Nature has been on our side. We have had gorgeous, warm days (80 degrees today!) and the framers have been working hard.

Grant loves to go out to the house to play in the dirt with his trucks. He also does a great job picking up trash the framers leave behind. Jeff loves to go out to the house and measure things, worry, fret, and worry some more.

You are not invisible!

I have a reminder in my calendar to watch this video at least once a year. I think sometimes we need to realize that someone does notice!

Grant's Second Christmas

When I came home from my first baby shower, Jeff groaned and said, "Our house better not start looking like a daycare." As time went on and items accumulated, we just seemed to get used to the baskets in a corner of every room where we dumped all of Grant's trucks, stuffed animals, blocks etc. each night. But now, Christmas has come and gone, and things have been taken to a whole new level! We now have a train table, an activity table with chairs, AND the coffee table that Grant likes to use as a play table. The other big items are the work bench and the basketball hoop. But, I can handle maneuvering around these large items. It is the tiny pieces and parts I am not quite sure what to do with. There are tractors, farm sets, and play houses that each came with tiny animals, beds, and various accessories. No longer can I just throw items into a basket. My type-A personality will not allow such a thing. Toys need to be sorted into smaller containers accordingly! This will require a trip to Target tomorrow where I will invest in some more Tupperware containers and then come home to do some sorting!

Enjoy some pictures of Grant from Christmas Day. Jeff used his new low light lens I got him and Grant was happy to show off his new toys and some tumbling skills.

Merry Everything, Happy Always

We are getting geared up for Christmas! Grant really doesn't seem to understand the excitement that he should be feeling about the holiday yet. I guess I am not quite feeling in the spirit either. It has been unseasonably warm (which I am not going to complain about) and I just can't believe that Santa will be coming in a few days. Grant will be getting a work bench, some Legos, and Thomas the Train stuff. What else can a little boy need?!

We have tried to take part in all the fun Christmas festivities. We went to see the lights at the zoo on a 55 degree night. While there, we went on the train and sang Christmas carols. We made the trip to the mall to see Santa. After getting a great picture last year, I had high expectations. We waited in line. Grant watched all the other kids tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. He was anxious for his turn to some and I thought we were in the clear. I set Grant on Santa's lap, Grant looked at him, smiled, and then looked at me and laughed. As I began walking away, Grant panicked. The idea of Santa was one thing, but Santa without Mom was another. So, the only picture we got was the one Jeff snapped of Grant lunging out of Santa's arms.

This past weekend we went to Jolly Days at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. We considered making a second attempt at getting a picture with Santa. But, after checking out the line, we decided to wait until next year. Instead, we just had a good time going down the slide!

All Grown

I recently attended a friend's baby shower. From one beautifully wrapped package came an adorable newborn outfit. The second I saw it something clicked inside of me. The mommy in me began to crave having another little one around. My heart actually hurt! I couldn't believe how quickly Grant went from being that tiny little human to the grown up miniature man that he is now. I also couldn't believe how much I began to yearn for another baby!Our good friends had their baby girl yesterday, Abby Hill. Again, my heart skipped a couple of beats. I remember that joy/fear/love/exhaustion that I experienced those first few days, weeks and months, and I am so ready for all of that again!

Until baby #2 comes along, we continue to enjoy Mr. Grant. He is SO much fun! We play with Legos, trains, and blocks (all the things Mommy and Daddy like too). As Grant has grown, he has developed quite a fondness for his Mommy. Recently Grant likes to spend a little extra time in my lap or he wants to be held. I enjoy the snuggle time, although it is very difficult to cook dinner with a 3 foot human clinging to your leg.

To keep our tiny toddler busy, we have enjoyed some nice Fall days. Here are some pics..

Loves the water!

My little swimmer only needs one nap now!

Grant, how our world has changed the past few days. You no longer take two naps a day. I was pretty skeptical at first. I was going to lose some much needed "mommy time" and I also hate change in general. Of course, like a champ, you just transitioned without a hitch. Now, a whole new world has opened up for the two of us.

We can now accomplish TWO things a day! For the past year, you have had only one long wake time during the day. This meant that after your morning nap and lunch, we usually had enough time for one activity- pool, library, grocery store, etc. Now, you get up and we get to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and watch the Today Show. All of a sudden, you have also figured out how to play by yourself for more than 10 minutes. This morning, while I cleaned up breakfast and packed us up for the pool, you just played. You pushed around your gator, played with your stuffed animals, and dumped blocks out of boxes and then put them away again. It was so fun to watch you work. After playing, we hit up the gym and then the pool. We came home at 1:00, and you immediately crashed. You were up again at 3:30 and we still had a WHOLE day ahead of us! The possibilities are endless. We can now spend our afternoons running errands, playing outside, going to the zoo, or going back to the pool (just kidding, once a day is probably enough).

This brings us back to the pool... You are absolutely the center of attention at the pool. People whisper, women gasp, lifeguards stare. It is unbelievable, you are always under water! Some mom's think it is great that I let you swim the way you do. You charge into the water until it is up to your nose, go under the fountains, dive under water and "swim." On the other hand, there are moms who give me nervous stares. One mother even scooped down and "saved" you when she saw you go under water. Very funny considering I was standing right there with you.

Grant, I can't thank you enough for such a fun summer! I can only imagine what next summer has in store for us. I love you!

Where has time gone!?

You would think that since I am off on summer break, I would find some time to update my blog. But, like I hear most people complain, summer has just flown by! Some updates on my life and what we have been doing the past few months.

1. School ended and I got a new job! I am going to be teaching 8th grade language arts at Weaver Middle School next year. I am thrilled, yet nervous at the same time. I can't wait to be back in the classroom and have my "own" kids, but I am already having nightmares about showing up the first day without any lesson plans.

2. Jeff and I went to Greece. In June, we enjoyed an incredible week in Greece: Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos. I was very sad to leave Grant behind, but he had a great time in Carmel with my family. Unfortunately, my Grandpa Nielsen passed away while we were gone. Grant seemed to provide a much needed distraction though. Jessie said that when she first arrived at my grandparents house after hearing the news, my grandma first greeted her with, "You won't believe how much Grant ate for lunch!"

3. Grant and I have hung at the pool every day (not joking). If it isn't raining, we are at the pool. Grant has so much energy, I can't imagine what we would do all day if we didn't go to the pool. Grant is absolutely fearless in the water. I think he has gills. Anymore, he pushes me away, submerges himself underwater, and just chills there until he decides to stand up again. He has also mastered floating, blowing bubbles, and flirting (he loves the lifeguards).

4. Lots to look forward to... Jessie and Patrick are moving into their new house this weekend. It has a pool, so everyone is pretty excited about that. We hope to make a trip to Indy to enjoy the pool and go to the Indiana State Fair. Last year, my dad had his eye on a great wooden wagon for Grant. So, in addition to eating plenty of fried food, I am sure Grant will be going out in style in his new wagon. Jeff and I are also going to be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary this weekend. And, of course, the end of summer isn't really something to look forward to, but it does mean the beginning of Colts season! I can't wait to put Grant in his Manning jersey!