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."

Cabo Take Two

Trying to launch himself over the edge of the infiniti pool

First haircut from Aunt Jessie

What a difference a year makes! As Jeff, Grant and I navigated the line for customs in Cabo, we saw a glowing, expectant mother and her husband. I couldn't help but ask if they were on their "babymoon." Just like Jeff and I a year ago, they were! Absolutely incredible to imagine our lives back then. And, I am so proud to say that life has only gotten better! There we were, in sunny Mexico with our 10 month old! It just doesn't get any better! We had a fantastic time with Aunt Jessie, Uncle Patrick, Grandma and Grandpa. We sure know how to take a vacation! Now, if only we could decide where to go next year...

A big weekend!

Out of all the days and hours I spend with Grant, he chose to start crawling and say his first word (still needs to be confirmed) while with Jeff this weekend. On the weekends, often Jeff and I will take turns going to the gym in the morning so that we can hang out with Grant during his long wake time in the afternoon. On Saturday morning, I left the house around 8:30 to hit up the gym and go to the grocery. That left Jeff with Grant for a half hour before nap time. In that half hour, Grant decided to start crawling! When Jeff told me this fun fact, I didn't believe him (it might be the smirk on his face or his lack of complete excitement that I think I would have exhuded). Well, a few hours later, Jeff proved it to me! Grant was indeed crawling.



The following day began the same way. I got up and fed Grant, then headed out to the gym just before 9. This left Jeff only a few minutes with Grant before nap time. In that time, Jeff claims that he promped Grant to say "dada." After Grant considered this, he repeated back, "dada." Now, we have heard this word before. We have also heard "mama." But, normally, it is followed by more babbling and we haven't counted it. Jeff claims that this was different and that Grant said it purposefully. Again, I can hardly believe it. And, Grant remained mute the rest of the day. I won't believe it until I hear it for myself!

Couldn't be more adorable

Mommy hurt me!

So, I am not going to win "mom of the year." The past few months, as Grant has become more active and playful, I have sometimes worried that Jeff gets too rough with him. Knowing that this is just Jeff's way of loving on him, I have tried not to say too much about it. Even when Grant got a little fat lip from a face plant on the wood floor, I kept my cool. Well, it turns out that I must also play a little hard. Yesterday, while visiting Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Nielsen, I put Grant up on my knees so that he could "fly." Grant immediately made a quick move and started to fall. I grabbed his hands to prevent him from tumbling and heard a tiny pop. Grant quickly started crying, the type of cry that can only mean, "It hurts bad!" His little arm hung limp at his side and whenever he attempted to move it or we tried to inspect it, he wailed more. In hopes that the pain would subside and that it was only a minor injury, I put Grant down for his nap and prayed that when he woke up he would be back to normal. Unfortunately, that was not the case. A few hours later, still with a limp arm, we arrived at Urgent Care. I was extremely worried about the looks I might receive from the doctors and nurses assuming I had intentionally harmed my child. Luckily, after honestly explaining what had happened, the doctor took one look at him and diagnosed him with Nurse Maids Elbow-a minor dislocation of his elbow. I guess this is actually something somewhat common in young children and the good thing was, I wasn't going to be sent to prison for child abuse! The doctor snapped the arm back together, Grant cried a few seconds more, and then he was good as new! Thankfully Grant is a very forgiving child. He stopped giving me the evil eye and even smiled at the doctor before we left.