Erin Pics

Here are some snapshots I took of Erin today. She is just growing up too fast. I was in such a hurry for Grant to move on to the next milestone. This time I just want it to slow down!

Erin loves to look at herself in the mirror!

Sweetie Pie!

"You'd think Mama would get my reflection in focus!"

I Did It!

Ever since Erin was born I have been able to arrange things so that I didn't have to take both the kids to the grocery store by myself. I know most of you moms out there are probably laughing at me (or with me), but it's a logistical problem. Grant simply cannot be trusted to walk beside me. He's wild! He MUST be contained. Erin, of course, has to ride in the cart.

After finishing the morning dishes I went to figure out what I was going to cook for dinner and I realized that I needed to go to Publix. Grant was fever free this morning and in a great mood. Yea!!!! So I got up the guts to take the kiddos to Publix all by myself.

I have to say it was much easier than I had envisioned it. This is probably because Erin is now five months old and doesn't cry constantly unless I am holding her and Grant is almost two. He rode "illegally" in the basket part of the shopping cart while Erin was in her carrier up top. I only a few items to pick up so this arrangement worked. I am so happy that I did it!

Erin and Grant are now both taking naps. This could be the best day ever! Ha Ha!

Mystery Illness

As I posted earlier, we have had a bout of the stomach flu. Grant and Stephen seem to be the hardest hit. Erin and I only ran low grade fevers for a day and she threw up once. Grant has outlasted all of us by running a fever for five days now. He has only thrown up three times. All in the middle of the night, which makes me have to get up, do laundry, and give him a bath at say, 3 am. All the while he is screaming his head off because well, he just threw up. Nobody likes to do that!

Last night Grant was awake screaming and crying from about 2 am to 6:30 am. So this morning off to the doctor we went. I knew that this was probably just a fever virus and that it would have to run it's course, but I was tired and needed reassurance that nothing else was wrong with my baby. After listening to my woes, and a careful examination, the doctor did a strep test. Grant's throat was red and blistered. Luckily, the test was negative. So we have a fever virus.

When Grant woke up from his four hour nap (remember he was up all night) this afternoon his fever was gone. Yea!!! Well, wouldn't you know the fever has returned. I am bracing myself for another long night. Hopefully, he'll sleep it off and wake up refreshed and ready to go in the morning. I can dream can't I?

Brother and Sissy Time

Now that Erin can sit up by herself she and Grant can "play" together. Grant loves his sissy and gives her hugs and kisses all the time. (He won't give us kisses. Just Erin.) I snapped a few pictures of them yesterday in Erin's room reading books.

I know Erin is out of focus in this shot, but Grant cracked me up in this picture. He was licking his knee for some reason. Who knows?!!!!

This was after bath time last night. I love how green his eyes look. Just like mama's!

Finally, a milestone I couldn't wait for. We can bathe the kiddos together now! I hated having to drag out the baby tub to give Erin a bath. Poor girl! I think this is the first time she actually got to play in her bath water. Previously, bath time for her has been all business and no fun. Now, I can "kill two birds with one stone." Yea!!!!

I couldn't get Grant to turn around and smile for me. He has recently learned all of his letters and he likes to find and name all of the letters while he is in the tub. It is amazing how quickly little ones can learn. We didn't set out to teach them to him, but he just picked up on it. Now we are working on our numbers.

I quick game of peek-a-boo with daddy after his bath. He is a daddy's boy!

Stephen and Erin woke up this morning with fevers still. Erin's has gone away, but Stephen's hasn't. I stayed home from church to take care of the sick ones. Hopefully, I will make it out tonight. (At least me and the kids.) I gave Stephen some Advil and a Zofran I had left over from when I was pregnant with Erin. He is feeling better. (I reminded him that how he feels is how I lived for practically 18 months. I don't think he cared for that statement! : )

Crazy Kid

This is what I just found Grant doing. I was in the office feeding Erin when I heard him throwing stuff in the kitchen. I thought he was throwing his ABC magnets on the floor. Instead he was emptying a large box of milk bones. See for yourself!

Hunter is not the least bit interested in helping "cleanup". About fifty verses of the clean up song later we have successfully cleaned up his mess.

(Please don't judge me for the messy kitchen! All four of us had a stomach virus yesterday! We are all beginning to feel better now.)

My New Love!

For the past 27 years of my life I have tried my best to avoid tomatoes. I just don't like them. However, I love homemade salsa. Go figure! Well, while we were at the beach each of us took turns cooking dinner. My sister-in-law, Liz, made Paula Deen's Tomato Pie one night. I fell in love!!!! I think I can eat a whole pie by myself. I am not kidding it is that good. I have already made two since we returned home from the beach. One to eat and one to freeze. I am getting hungry just thinking about it!

Beach Recap

Well, another year has come and gone. We have come to really enjoy our vacation at Blue Mountain Beach for many reasons. Number one, who doesn't love the beach? We can't get enough of the sun, sand and waves. It truly is a beautiful place, and if the kids would let us Stephen and I would stay out all day long. (Unfortunately, this won't happen for a while!) I think we spent the least amount of time on the beach than we have ever spent due to naps, feedings and other parental responsibilities. Secondly, it gives us a chance to reconnect with our siblings. We all live in different cities. Spending a week together in one condo does bring you closer. I love my sister and brother and their families. I hope that we continue to vacation together for many years. As Brandon put it, "Pretty soon we are going to need to rent three condos instead of two because I'll be getting married. Then James and Anna (will get married)." He's only eleven!

We had a few mishaps while we were away. Let's see, there was one kidney stone, two encounters with a jelly fish, and one crab bite. Chris had a rough week! Poor Anna also had a run in with the jelly fish. They were everywhere! We also had what they call June grass. It looks like seaweed and it is in the water. It seems like we encounter this every other year. It turns the beautiful clear water into a green mess.

Grant finally warmed up to the beach the last day. Erin seemed to enjoy it all week long! I hope everyone gets rested up today! We can't wait until next year!

Friday

We went out to P.F. Chang's for dinner. It was delicious as always!

Erin's first time in the ocean. (It was our last night there!)

Thursday

We met Uncle Tim for lunch on Thursday. It was nice to get to visit with him a while. Grant got to sit on his motorcycle!

Me and the kiddos!

Grant finally warmed up to the beach on Thursday

Erin really liked the sand

A rare picture of Grant walking towards the water rather than away!

Family Pictures

Brian and his boys
As good as it gets for a family shot

Melissa and Chris

These where hilarious to shoot.

It has become tradition for us to make family pictures each year at the beach. I enjoy doing them, but I have to tell you this year was a little bit stressful on me. First of all, I have two babies this year. This alone kind of messes with the logistics of things. Secondly, we are dealing with the weather. There is a small window of time when the sunlight is just perfect. Which leads me to the third issue. We have to take pictures of eighteen people, seven of which are children. Not only do I take a group shot, but I try to do individual families, pictures with Grandparents, etc. The pictures turned out well this year, despite the fact that Erin fell asleep,and Grant was terrified of the beach. (Both kids are teething too!) It's nice to see how we all change and I hope we can cherish the photos in years to come!

Check out Liz's blog for more pictures!

Day 3 Morning Pictures

Old Papa and his little girl!

(moments like these are priceless!)

So sweet!

Still not liking the beach

Making his escape!

Help!

Another Precious picture!

Day 3

Chris found this little crab. He also found a bigger one and it bit him twice!
The grandkids chasing Papa! Run Papa Run!

Erin can sit up al by herself now! She's getting so big!

This morning we all headed down to the pool, but it was closed for maintenance (again!) so instead we went to the beach. However, Grant still is not a big fan of the beach. He is warming up. He let us carry him around tonight, as long as we did not try to put him down.

Us girls went shopping this afternoon. After the first store Erin decided that she was not happy. She started crying. I couldn't console her at all! I tried everything. People (complete strangers) always try to "help" by offering unsolicited advice. I tried not to make eye contact with anyone as I hurried back to the car with a screaming baby. I had already changed her, rocked her, desperately tried to nurse her and she wouldn't have any of it! I think it's her teeth. Bless her little heart. Melissa had bought me a smoothie and she immediately started gumming the side of the cup. We decided to leave and go home. I spent the rest of the afternoon in the Condo with the little girl. It was my time to cook dinner anyway. She had a few more meltdowns. (I can't recall Grant having this much trouble teething, but all kids are different. Just when you think you have this parenting thing figured out another kid comes along and changes your whole perspective!)

After dinner we all went down to the beach to watch the sunset and let the kids play. It's so nice in the evening. We took a ton of pictures and hopefully I can upload a good bit of my favorites!

More pictures from the beach

James
Anna

Matthew and Brandon

Sweet Luke

Day 2

Granny, Mimi, Papa, and Old Papa

"War Eagle!"

Under the new tent during a rain storm

I was not able to get a lot of pictures today. It seems that Stephen and I are always heading in different directions. Grant still only likes the pool. Yesterday morning the pool was closed for cleaning so we weren't able to swim. Instead we took Grant and Erin for a walk around the condo down the beach and back. Our plan worked and both babies took good naps when we got back to the condo. After lunch I took Erin down to the pool while Grant was still napping. By the time Stephen brought Grant down I had to take Erin back in. Finally we were able to get together after dinner for a swim in the pool.

We are having a good time visiting with Melissa and Chris and Brian and Liz. The kids are playing together so well. Anna has been a big help with Grant and Erin. The other night Grant just let her pull him around the pool the whole night. Next thing I know she's standing on the stairs cradling him like a baby! I wish I could have taken a picture. We haven't been able to play cards yet this year, but I am hoping we get a good game going tonight after the babies are down.