The Pumpkin Patch

The "Pumpkin Patch Kid"

Quick pose for a family picture!

Grant's smiling!

There we go! Emma, Jon, Grant and Leslie ( Notice Jon's cow is missing it's head?!!!)

Kate, Jeni, Grant, Stephen, and Jeremy enjoy the ride.

Grant and his mommy

Grant and daddy

Farmer Grant

Classic Pumpkin Picture

We had the pleasure of going to Conner's A-Maize-ing Acres this evening. We had a great time! The pumpkin patch has all sorts of fun things to do. They had a small (very small) petting zoo, rubber duck races, a cool cow train (my favorite), corn launcher, hay ride, and of course a corn maize. We went with several friends --Jon and Amy, Jeremy, Laurie, and Emma, Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, Justin, Jeff, Jeni and Kate. This was our first trip and I know we will make this a family tradition. The corn maize looks like Noah's Ark this year. They make the maize a different picture each year. It's late and I have to get up and fix food for a fellowship meal in the morning. I will post more later!

Lack of Sleep

I hope that this blog doesn't sound like one big complaint because I love being a mother. I am thankful everyday for the chance to raise Grant, but seriously, I need some sleep! Grant has never been a great sleeper. I can probably count the number of times he has slept through the night on two hands. When Grant was a newborn he would not sleep for more than two hours at a time...that was what I expected. I was nursing him and I knew that he needed to eat. As he grew bigger I thought he should be sleeping better. I was wrong. I had gone back to work and getting up every few hours to put Grant back to sleep was killing me so in desperation one night I brought him back to our bed. He (and I) slept like a rock! I had read countless books on getting your child to sleep through the night and nothing else worked. If I let him "cry it out" he just became so upset that he would throw up, besides it tore me up inside listening to him scream. This situation worked up until three weeks ago when Grant began teething again. Now he won't even sleep with us. Stephen and I have been taking turns trying to get him back to sleep at night. He is 13 months old now and has pretty much cut himself down to one nap a day. Last night I felt so helpless ( maybe it was exhaustion from a full day's work) as it took both of us almost 2 hours to coax Grant back to sleep. It seems like none of my friends have had any problems getting their kids to sleep at night. What bothers me is that in a few short months I will have another baby to nurse through the night, and I don't want the cries of his big brother to wake him up too.


My mom has told me stories of my brother Brian when he was a baby. Apparently, he did not sleep through the night until he was three. Stephen's mother says that his brother Tim was another non-sleeper. So WHY are we getting the payback? If anyone out there has endured the same problem and can offer me some advice I would love to hear it!

Week Recap

Grant Sunday evening before church

Well, I wish I could say a lot has happened this week and that is why I haven't posted, but it's just not true. I did have computer problems thanks to a little guy just shy of a yard tall. Grant loves to push buttons! The other day I was online faithfully checking all of my favorite blogs when Grant turned the computer off. No problem right? I can just turn it back on. Not so! I called Stephen at work hoping he could walk me through a quick fix to my dilemma. He was unsuccessful, therefore I had to wait until he had the time to look at it. (What's the use of having a computer genius for a husband if he doesn't have time to fix it?) Anyway, we are back in business!

I did a lot of cleaning up around the house this week. I am trying to get the spare room ready for Grant to move in. I am hoping to make the transition prior to the baby's arrival with hopes that it will be a smoother transition. Stephen and I took seven bags to Goodwill and at least 4-5 to the dump today! It feels good to clean out and get rid of some stuff. It's amazing what junk you can accumulate in seven short years!

We went over to Jon and Amy's house last night. We taught them how to play the card game Up and Down. (Liz I think I did the score sheet right!) They let us play their new game Guitar Hero! We had a good time. I have to say Stephen was better at Guitar Hero than I was. I seriously lack hand eye coordination! I haven't given up, I plan on trying again.

I hope everyone else had a good week!

This message is for my loving husband.....WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!


Just had to do it!

Baby Andrew Update

Today I had a routine check-up at my ob/gyn's office. This pregnancy seems to be sailing along quickly. I am already 18 weeks! Almost halfway there! Everything is checking out right this time around. I took the quad screen test last week and it's negative. We passed! For those of you who don't know, the quad screen is a blood test that can determine if a mother is at risk of having a baby with Downs Syndrome. This is the test that came back alarmingly positive with Grant. We spent the next few months visiting specialists and worrying about our little guy. The good news is that Grant is perfectly healthy (and a little rotten!).

My doctor's office just got a brand new ultrasound machine. It's very nice. They now offer 3-D ultrasounds there at the office. I am debating whether or not to have one. We didn't feel the need to get one with Grant because I was going for level 2 ultrasounds every four weeks. We felt that it would be silly to pay for the 3-D when our insurance covered these completely. However, this spoiled me a little bit. We were checking in on him so frequently that I kind of want to do one with Andrew because I will only get one more scan around Thanksgiving. I don't know. Has anyone done the 3-D ultrasound? I would like to know what you think?

What's New This Week

What's new this week? Well, Grant has accomplished climbing into and out of his rocking chair. As you can see from the pictures below he has also learned how to stand in his rocking chair. Don't worry, Stephen (and Hunter) was waiting right off camera to catch him if he fell. He is quite the active little guy!

Grant loves his new swing-set his Granny and Grandaddy bought him. Most of it is a little big for him right now, but it won't be long and he will be swinging on all of the swings! He'll also have to share it with his baby brother, Andrew. (We still don't have a middle name!)

It's A Boy!!!!

Grant is going to have a baby brother! We are so excited and I am glad that they will be close in age. Now, if we could only come up with a name. We know we like Andrew, but cannot decide on a middle name. We have some time to figure it out!

Tomorrow's the Big Day...

Tomorrow morning we have an ultrasound scheduled. We should be able to tell ( as long as we get cooperation from the baby) if we are having a boy or girl. We are so excited!!! It's crazy how quickly this pregnancy seems to be moving. It seemed as if I would never get to this point when I was pregnant with Grant. I guess all I can say is that my life moves on a much faster pace these days. I wouldn't change it for the world. I love being a mommy and I can't wait to do it all over again! As for whether or not we "want" a boy or a girl. I can honestly say it doesn't matter. I will take whichever God has given me. I love my little boy to pieces and a brother would be good for him, but of course it would be nice to have a little girl too. I will update everybody tomorrow!

More Birthday Pictures

"No more cake!"

" I am not so sure about this Birthday Party thing!"

Grant with his Great- Grandparents

The Wakefield Family

The Larson Family

First Birthday Bash!

Well, we survived the first birthday party. We had a great time, but I am exhausted! I plan on posting more pictures later, but I thought I would share with you Grant's thoughts on birthday cake! A special thanks to our good friend Jon Morrison for taking photos at the party. I don't think I would have been able to do it all. We did not even remember to get out the video camera. Oh well!

Our Montgomery Trip

James playing soccer

Go Grant!


Grant and Luke sharing a bath

Anna with her baby Grant

One tired boy with his favorite book
(He prefers this over any board book.)

We had a great time visiting Brian, Liz and the kids this past weekend. We left at 6:30 am (not 4 am!!!) Friday morning and made it to Montgomery in time for lunch. That afternoon Stephen had to do some work at the terminal. Friday night Liz and I went to the My Kids Attic Consignment Sale!!!! We had a good time and I got a ton of clothes for Grant. Liz had already shopped the night before at the workers party. She was able to get a lot of winter clothes for her three as well. Luckily, I have Liz to shop with me. Don't get me wrong, I love to shop.
However, I tend to shop quickly. I go into a store and if something doesn't grab my attention right away I leave. I hate going through racks of clothes searching for that one perfect item. I don't have the patience for that. This poses somewhat of a problem at the consignment sale because you must search through each article of clothing in order to find what you are looking for. This is where Liz helps me out. She keeps me focused so I will go back and search again and again if need be. I was pleased with what I bought. I even got a few maternity items for myself!!!

Saturday morning we went to see James play soccer. It was the first game of the fall season. He plays for the Sea Lions this year. Brian is also coaching his team. The kids seem to have good time playing. Saturday evening Brian and Stephen had the chance to go to the Auburn vs. USF game. I think they had a good time even though Auburn lost. I think Stephen even said War Eagle!!! the other night in his sleep. : ) (Dad, I don't think he'll be a Gator fan much longer!)

We came home Sunday after church and now I have a ton of laundry to do and the house to clean in order to prepare for Grant's Birthday party this weekend. I guess I better get busy!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

I can't believe how quickly a year passes. Grant has been such a blessing in our lives. Stephen and I count ourselves lucky to have the privilege to raise our sweet baby boy! Grant was born a year ago today at 12:33 am. I had been induced the morning before and after sixteen hours of labor he finally decided to make his appearance. He was such a tiny little newborn...how quickly things change! It seems like he is doing something new everyday.

We gave Grant a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after dinner. His party is going to be Saturday. I am glad we did a test run because Grant did not really enjoy the cake.
He would not feed himself. He preferred for us to feed him. (He is all about texture!) Maybe we should practice every night!

Montgomery Here We Come!

We are packing up tonight in order to go to Montgomery for the weekend. We can wait to visit with Brian, Liz and the kids. I can't wait for the semi-annual consignment sale!!!!! I hope to get a lot of bargains for Grant. Too bad we don't know if the next baby is a boy or a girl. Stephen wants to leave bright and early in the morning (4 am!) that's not happening. I am hoping to leave by 5:30am. He has to go by the Montgomery Terminal while we are there and wants to get it over with tomorrow. I guess I can just look forward to stopping by Cracker Barrel for breakfast in the morning. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Grant's First Labor Day

Yesterday was a busy day around our house. Stephen worked all day and into the night on the front porch. He ran the electrical for the lighting, began hanging the ceiling and finished putting up the spindles for the rails. I helped (a little bit) while Grant took his nap I puttied (?) all the screw holes and began sanding them so that we can paint. Stephen was hoping to finish more of the porch than he was able to finish. We will be out of town this weekend so I don't think he will have enough time to finish the porch before Grant's party. Oh well, he began the project the first weekend in May! I am not able to do as much physical labor as I would if I was not pregnant, but I try to pitch in were I can.

Grant had fun playing outside yesterday. My boy is a nature lover! He would stay outside all day if I would let him. I can't wait for the weather to cool off some so that we play outside more often!

Can You Believe It's Almost Here?

Grant in the delivery room

Wow! Where does the time go? Grant's first birthday is fast approaching. People always tell you to enjoy the baby days while you can because it will fly by. Well, they're right! I spent this morning shopping with my mom in order to pick up the party decorations for Grant's first birthday party. I found him the cutest birthday boy t- shirt and matching party hat at Babies R Us. I am not sure if hie will wear the hat long, but if we can just get some pictures with it on I will be happy.

I had a routine check up appointment yesterday. Stephen and Grant came with me and we heard the heart beat again. Grant seem to be enthralled with the Doppler. (He has no idea that the noise he was hearing is going to change his life!) We set up our ultrasound appointment for 9-19-07. Only a few more days and we will know if Grant is going to have a brother or a sister.

I also have to take the quad screen test that day. This is the blood test which can (sometimes) tell if the baby has a chance of having Downs Syndrome. The test is optional, but since I had a positive quad screen with Grant, I feel like I need to take it this time for peace of mind. When I was pregnant with Grant the quad screen came saying that I had a 1 and 24 chance of having a baby with Downs. The Perinatologist told me that was the odds that a 54 year old woman would have. It was was kind of scary, but we knew that it would not matter to us anyway. My only concern is that we need to be prepared for it if it happens. After our first ultrasound we found that the only marker for downs that Grant had was a two vessel umbilical cord. (They normally have three vessels.) We continued to closely monitor Grant's growth through ultrasounds. We opted not to do the amniocentesis (which would have given us a definite answer) due to the small chance of miscarriage. Grant is a very healthy baby boy. A month after he was born we had to run an ultrasound test on his kidney to make sure they functioned properly because babies with two vessel cords tend to have kidney problems and heart problems. We already knew his heart was fine due to all of the level two ultrasounds we had. We said a lot of prayers for our little guy!

I have also spent a good part of the weekend cleaning house. My main goal is to begin cleaning out the other bedroom. We have used this room for storage, but know we need to find another place to store all of our Christmas decorations. I don't want to put them in the barn because I don't want the heat to ruin them. My plan is to re-organize our huge walk-in closet. I am certain that we aren't using the space as efficiently as possible. We need to move some shelves around and take a bunch of stuff to Goodwill. Stephen has been working on the porch all weekend and hopes to have a good bit of it finished Monday. I need to take some pictures of his creation.

Well, that's all I have for now. Have a good weekend!