My First Mother's Day

We had a very busy Mother's Day weekend. Stephen came home Friday from Cleveland. I was so glad to have him home. (He's not allowed to go out of town again for a while!) Saturday Grant and I went shopping with my mom, Granny, and Aunt Vicki while Stephen worked on the front porch some more. We had my family and Stephen's family over Saturday night for some homemade BBQ!!! We celebrated Saturday evening rather than try to do it Sunday after church. Grant put on a show for all of his grandparents!!!!

I had a great first Mother's Day. Grant sent me tulips and a box of chocolates. He knows his mommy well! I am so thankful for my little boy and I am proud to be his mama.

Blue Mountain 2006

Here's Miss Anna enjoying the water!

PS--I had a 2nd round of the stomach virus last night. I was up the entire night and Grant for some reason thought it was a party. He was awake from 1:30 am- 4:30 am!!! I am feeling a little better now. I hope Grant doesn't get a 2nd bout of this!

Grant's Sunglasses

This was the new silly face that Grant started doing this weekend!

Grant is wearing his new sunglasses that Mimi bought him. He actually will wear them without taking them off when we are outside!

(NOTE: We normally don't let our child run around in just his diaper, but he had just messed up his fourth outfit of the day and we were next door without a change of clothes!)

The Stomach Flu

Well, I haven't posted in a day or two because Grant gave me and Stephen a stomach virus. Yes, what we thought was an adverse reaction to his antibiotic seems to really have been a stomach virus. Grant is doing much better and he is back to his normal little self.

Yesterday morning Stephen and I both woke up feeling nauseous. He had already left for work when I got sick. Stephen left yesterday for Cleveland and he will be gone all week. He got sick at his office, and then spent most of his flight in the restroom. Poor guy! I went on to work and suffered through the day. For those of you who remember this is nothing new to me. I spent my entire pregnancy much sicker than this made me. It must have been just a 24 hour bug because we are both feeling better today!!!

Stephen took my camera with him to Ohio so I won't be able to post many new pictures. However, I do have a few that I took this weekend. I will post them soon. Hope every body is doing well!!

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Yes, today is Hunter's fifth birthday. It doesn't seem like its been that long since we went over to Mr. Compton's house to pick up that tiny six week old puppy. He was so cute! Hunter immediately stole our hearts.

I have always been a lab lover. I was raised alongside Alex, our black lab brother for lack of a better word. He was very close to me, the youngest. He followed me everywhere I went and chewed up every backpack I owned as well. He was a great dog. I was in high school when Alex passed away. It nearly broke my heart and it wasn't long after that we got Zack. My parents yellow lab. Zack had an extra long puppy hood. He is 10 years old now, and finally calmed down except when Stephen happens to come over. You see Zack LOVES Stephen. He nearly does back flips when he walks in the door. We call it break dancing, although I am afraid he is going to break himself one of these days.

Stephen and I had been married about six months and I desperately wanted a dog. Not just any dog, but a lab. My sister in law, Liz, called us up and told us that her dad, a breeder, was looking for a home for one of his male dogs. His name was Bennett and he was five years old. We were excited and brought him home to live with us. He was a great dog. He was huge!!! (Built like Hunter) Bennett quickly became part of the family. Unfortunately, Bennett had kidney disease and despite ours and the vet's best efforts Bennett ended up with a malignant tumor in his spleen. He had been through some pretty intense surgery in the days proceeding the tumor and he was just to weak to take it anymore. Bennett was only with us a year. After Bennett's passing we knew we needed a new puppy. Mr. Compton chose Hunter out of his next litter. He said he was the "pick of the litter!"

Hunter has become a beloved part of our family. We joke that he is our firstborn, and with the arrival of Grant this past fall he has become a big brother. I am so glad that Grant will grow up alongside such a wonderful dog. He's not perfect. He still misbehaves every now and then. He loves to steal stuff. Anything he knows he's not supposed to have. He runs around the house begging you to chase him It's all a game. He never chews anything up. That doesn't mean that we didn't have any destruction of property during the puppy stage. It happened, but it goes with the territory. Hunter is a loving, faithful companion that helps make our family complete!

Labs our wonderful dogs. That is my biased opinion, but I am entitled to it. Recently, I was talking to a patient who had just gotten a new lab puppy after putting his 13 year old lab to sleep. He recommended that I read Marley and Me, by John Grogan. I had picked the book up several times before at the bookstore, but put it down because I knew what would happen in the end. He urged me to read it, so I did. It was fabulous. For any of you that have owned a lab you will laugh at the author's stories because you have been there too. Even if you haven't had a lab, but are a dog lover I think you will enjoy the book too.

So happy birthday boy!!! We love you very much!

Ear Infection Update

Unfortunately, Grant doesn't seem to be much better since Tuesday. The medicine that he is taking (Omnicef) is making him sick. He has an upset stomach and is vomiting. I took him back to the doctor today because I was afraid he might become dehydrated. (Which I thought was a valid concern---although they didn't seem to be concerned). He is only able to take 1/2-1 oz. of pedialyte at a time. I have to force it on him which makes for a rough day besides the fact that he is just irritable because he's sick. The doctor did tell me to hold off on the Omnicef until he quits vomiting. Hopefully, I can get enough fluids to stay in him that we can resume some formula tonight.

He's sleeping right now and I think that I will try to nap too!

Random Beach Picture

Here's Brandon and Matthew flying a kite last year at the beach.

Grant's First Ear Infection

Grant woke me up Tuesday morning about 12:30 with a 102.9 degree fever. It just came on all of a sudden. He had recovered (or so I thought) from the cold he caught Easter weekend and we had just finished up the antibiotic his doctor had prescribed for him. I immediately went into mom mode and spent the rest of the night trying to bring his fever down and comfort him. Unfortunately, my schedule was slammed at work and the two hygienists that we use as temps have moved so I had to go to work. Luckily, Stephen can take off whenever he needs to (I promise I won't complain when you work all kinds of crazy hours---at least for a while!). Stephen took Grant to the doctor yesterday morning and she prescribed a stronger antibiotic. He continued to have a fever ranging from 100.7-103.0 for the remainder of the day. Sometime in the middle of the night his fever broke! Yea! He is definitely feeling better except for the tummy upset caused by his medicine. Now if I could only catch up on all that sleep I lost!

Our Trip to Montgomery

Grant and Luke

James in action!

James blocking a goal.

Anna: the determined soccer girl!

Go Anna!

As you can see we went to James and Anna's soccer games on Saturday. We had a great time visiting with Brian, Liz and the kids. Brian coaches both James and Anna's team. They both played very well! Anna's team does not keep score and James' team tied 0 to 0. Grant and Luke sat on the sidelines cheering them on. (Well, o.k. they really did not care or pay attention to the game because they are babies!)

Quick Trip to Montgomery

This is just a note to let you know that Grant and I will be traveling with Mimi to Brian's house this weekend. Anna and James are playing soccer this spring and Anna wanted us to come and see her play. Hopefully, I will get some good action shots during their games. Stephen is staying home to work on the deck. Have a good weekend!!!!

The Invader

For the past few weeks Hunter, our lab, has encountered an invader in our yard after dark. He quickly retreats to the safety of the back porch and jumps on the door repeatedly until we let him in. There is one thing you should know about our 100lb lab----he's a chicken! He would never hurt a fly. In fact, our house was broken into a few years ago with our fierce dogie inside. He didn't chase the thieves away, but invited them in to play. His toys were strewn around the house as if to say, " Come on and play with me. My mom and dad won't mind!!!"

Well, Stephen could hear the animal making its noise but he could not tell what it was. Finally, we saw it. The other night when Hunter came up frantically on the porch we knew it was out there. Stephen shined the spot light in the back yard and we saw it--a fox!!! He's not very big, but he is kind of scary when he cries out. (I'm afraid of him!) I will try to get his picture next time hunter sees him. As for me, I won't be leaving the porch after dark!

Blue Mountain Here We Come!

James at the beach.

First Teeth

Grant finally allowed me to get a good shot of those adorable little teeth! It wasn't easy. I had to coax Grant into smiling really big by using his "Hunter puppet." I couldn't get the real Hunter to budge from his spot in the laundry room. He was one tired puppy after all the work he helped us with today.

We began our day at Home Depot where we bought more lumber that was needed for the front deck. When we got home Stephen began trimming the azaleas which had overgrown and I cut the front lawn. After we finished, we cleared out the flowerbed. We had just begun on the deck when my parents arrived to pick up the Camaro. It is about to receive an overhaul and my dad wanted to move it out of the barn and back into the garage were he can work on it more easily. We took a break to eat dinner and Stephen and his dad are still outside working away! I know we will all sleep soundly tonight!

Vacation Countdown!!!

Here is a family picture from last year. I can't wait until vacation. Only 9 more weeks!!! I plan on posting pictures from previous trips to Blue Mountain Beach for the next few weeks. Hope you enjoy!

Random Picture

Grant's funny face!

Our Weekend

The goats....closest things to a Labrador Retriever

This weekend flew by!!! We started out Friday night going to the Clay County Fair with Jon and Amy. We had a good time riding the rides, looking at the animals and eating the food. We had fried oreo's!!! They were delicious. I also couldn't leave without getting some boiled peanuts. Yummmm!!!!! Grant came along for the night. He seemed to enjoy watching the flashing lights. A few more years and he will want to ride all of the rides too. We saw a toddler ride one of the mechanical bulls. It was cute.

Saturday, I began the day by attending a bridal shower at the church. Then I took the girls form my leaderettes class to St. Augustine for the day. We had a good time. Although it was pretty hot (92 degrees). We started out on St. George's street in the old town part of St. Augustine. The girls really had no idea what was in St. Augustine besides the beach. After a while they were bored and we ended the day at the outlet malls. Next year I think we will just go shopping. They seemed to enjoy shopping the most. We had a good group of girls this year and I enjoyed teaching the class.

Yesterday was a typical Sunday. I needed it after such a busy weekend. Today it was back to work for both of us. I always dread Mondays because everyone and their brother calls in with a toothache. Our schedule changed so much today that by the end of the day it did not resemble the one that was printed first thing this morning. (Note: Regular cleanings and exams can prevent this from happening to you!) I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Grant's First Moments

Stephen followed orders and snapped many pictures in the delivery room. (Over 200!)
We now have about 4000 pics of Grant!!!! I don't think that is over doing it. Do you?

Seventh Month Update

Grant is seven months old today. He hasn't grown at all this month!!! He weighs 21.6 lbs and in 28 1/2" long. Stephen and I were a little surprised because he feels like a ton of bricks and is bigger than other babies close to his age. Maybe he just peaked early! He has become very active. A few weeks ago he mastered pulling up to a standing position in his crib. Luckily we had just lowered his mattress a few days before. In fact, all he really wants to do is stand/walk (with our help). Grant also has began saying things like dadadadada. He said it to me me last night when he wanted me to pick him up. Stephen laughed at this and I tried to explain to him that he wasn't calling me Dada, but it is just one of those sounds that babies can make easily. Of course, as I stated in the previous blog, he has two new teeth and a nasty cold/cough. I feel terrible that I can't make him feel better. I was up with him last night due to his cough. Poor baby! He looks like he doesn't feel well in the picture above.

Time sure does fly! Grant has changed so much in the first few months of his life. We are so thankful for him and the joy he brings us everyday. Stephen and I love our little boy very much! God has truly blessed us!!!!

Lads to Leaders Convention 2007

We had an excellent time in Orlando this past weekend. We went to the annual Lads to Leaders Convention. The youth group did an awesome job this year. I am so proud of my girls. Each of them gave a speech and participated in song leading. I even had a couple to place!

As for Grant, he had a couple of "Firsts" this weekend.

• First trip to Orlando
• First of many Lads to Leaders Conventions
• First Easter
• First tooth (Yea!!!!-mom's a dental hygienist)
• First cold/illness : (

Yes, all of the exciting things transpired in one weekend. I have to say with all of the excitement Grant took it in stride. Even though he feels rotten, he hasn't been too fussy. Of course, his schedule was completely messed up (as was ours) and he went to sleep late every night. He did, however, enjoy the awards ceremonies and he quickly learned to squeal/scream with delight when someone won an award. I hope he doesn't repeat his new found talent at church Sunday morning.

Grant with his Papa

Family Easter Picture

The Guys

Grant's most favorite thing-cruising!

Happy Easter!

We are preparing to leave town for the annual Lads to Leaders Convention in Orlando. This will be my 16th convention, and Grant's first! So instead of bringing Grant's Easter basket with us he got it today! I figured that with everything else I need to pack for a weekend away with baby the basket can stay here. The Easter Bunny carefully picked out toys for Grant this year, but I think that Grant enjoyed the grass most of all!
Have a Happy Easter! I will post more when we return!