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!

So Civilized

I don't think I have any idea what a "real" baby acts like. My child, is so easy/abnormal/awesome! We have always known that Grant has a pretty laid back attitude. He works like clockwork, but is still flexible. He doesn't cry much and hardly fusses. But now, when it comes to eating, he has just blown me away. He is so polite! A great example would be the first birthday cake. While we all stood around waiting for a great photo of Grant crushing his personal size bear cake, he instead, chose to simply touch the bear gently.

Grant also mastered the fork on his first try. As long as we load it up with food, Grant simply picks up the fork, puts the fork in his mouth, and then sets the fork back down!

When eating whis hands Grant even seems civilized...

Grant's 1-Year Photo Shoot

"Let go and let God"

Just one short year ago, I was trying to patiently await the arrival of Grant. Jeff and I sat in my hospital room checking off the dates on a calendar that hung on the wall, praying that we could make it to the 24th.

So often in life we question what we do or how we do it. We wish we could control situations that are out of our control. In the hospital a year ago, Jeff and I worried about our unborn baby and I questioned what I might have done wrong. In the past year, I have stressed about schedules, feeding, going back to work, and just about every other decision I have made as a mother. But, as time passes and we reflect, we realize that all these things just naturally work out.

One of my favorite lines from a sermon given my our minister at St. Lukes was, "Let go and let God." Often times in the past year, I have tried to remind myself of this. I can only control so much. The rest is out of my hands. I pray that in the coming years, Jeff and I will continue to be as blessed as we have already been. Grant is such a wonderful little man. His life, and our lives, are sure to be filled "full to overflowing."