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!

What We Did Today

Today we threw a baby shower for Grant's new cousin Lindsay. She is almost 4 weeks old! She arrived a little early so we had to postpone the shower. Can you believe that just 6 months ago he was about that size? I can't! We had a good day and we enjoyed welcoming baby Lindsay to the family. She is such a sweet baby girl!

During the shower the men went to the lawn mower repair shop and Home Depot. Stephen decided to get himself a new lawnmower. (Our other one gave us a lot of trouble!) I didn't take his picture, but he did cut the front yard. I thought our old mower was fast, but this one seems even faster. We now have a 44" deck. I can't wait to try it out myself. Up until last year (because I was pregnant), I was the main mower in the family. I was never allowed to cut the grass as a kid. I really enjoy mowing. It was always easier for me to get the grass cut on my days off so that Stephen and I could do other things on the weekend. Now, however, I have Grant at home and I don't think he could watch himself for a few hours while I cut the grass. Oh well! I plan on trying the mower out soon. Our next big purchase needs to be a finishing mower attachment for the tractor! The bush hog just doesn't cut the grass that well. Maybe next year.

Stubborn Streak

As Grant grows and learns new things so does his strong will. I was at the doctor's office this week and they had a "First Year Milestones" chart on the back of the door. I was reading it to pass the time. When I got to the "8th month" section it read: Baby may begin to show signs of stubbornness. I had to laugh to myself. Begin to show signs!!!??? Grant was born stubborn! The above picture is what he does when he has had enough to eat. This is nothing. He fusses himself to sleep every night. He also has become very clingy. He wants me to hold him constantly!!!! Today I had to leave him in the living room with his toys while I brought the groceries inside. He threw himself into a full out rage. He turned beet red, screamed at the top of his lungs and flailed around. I finished bringing the groceries in and put away the cold items. I went back into the living room and picked my distraught baby up. He immediately turned off the waterworks and began laughing at Hunter? I thought this happened around the terrible two's!....begins to show signs of stubbornness?

Hunter: the Comedian

Grant kept playing with Hunter's tail last night. It was quite funny. He laughs so hard at his furry big brother. If we only knew what he was thinking!!!

Swing!

A whole week has gone by and I have not posted anything on my blog. I know I promised more pictures, and it was my intention to take more pictures, but I didn't. Sorry! However, today Stephen hung Grant's swing in the backyard. He loves to be outside and now he can play outside. His Granny bought him a swimming pool, which I know he'll love, but it hasn't been warm enough to swim yet. Grant really seems to enjoy swinging. (One of his Mama's favorite things to do!)

PS-I am sorry for the ugly Gator hat. Stephen bought it for him!

Longing for Vacation!

Here is a picture from our vacation to Blue Mountain Beach last June. As the weather is getting warmer I am getting excited about the Wakefield Family Vacation. It is becoming a tradition that I hope we continue as the kids get older. We enjoy hanging out with Melissa and Chris and Brian and Liz. I can't wait for the kids to play in the water. (I hope the green seaweed doesn't return this year!) We are so excited we have already gone overboard buying Grant sand toys, swimmies, and even an inflatable toddler pool to put under Papa's tent! I hope to get a lot of good pictures this year of everybody. We want to do family pictures again too. If anybody has suggestions of what we should wear let me know. We want to keep it "beachy"!

6 Month Check-up

Grant in his Easter outfit

Today Grant went for his six month check up. He weighs 20.6 lbs and is 28 1/8" long. He has only gained 6 oz. this month, but he has grown almost 2 inches in length! He is still in the 95th percentile for weight and height. He beginning to roll around to get to his toys. He hasn't attempted to crawl yet. Stephen and I still think he might skip this step and go straight to walking because he still prefers to stand----a lot! He seems to be suffering from seasonal allergies. (Like his mama!) I feel so bad for the little guy. It doesn't seem to slow him down any. His Pediatrician told me that they usually don't treat seasonal allergies with medication. I thought that was a little weird. I have had to take allergy medicine for as long as I can remember. The weather is so nice right now and I would like to let him play outside, but I guess I need to keep him away from the pollen. Our yard is filled with flowering azaleas, camillas, and dogwood trees.

Anyway, he is a healthy baby boy! I will hopefully have some more pictures for your viewing pleasure this weekend.

He's Brainwashing our Baby!

Stephen has decided that Grant has too many Auburn clothes and not enough Gator outfits. In total rebellion against me he made Grant wear his ratty old Florida hat! I am sorry Grant!!!!!

Grant's Latest Milestones

Grant has made two accomplishments this week. He can give himself his bottle! This somewhat makes me sad because he is slowly gaining his independence from me! Luckily, he still wants his mama to do it when he is tired! (I will gladly do it too!)

Grant also wants to stand....all of the time! Grant has even had a few bottles standing up because he throws a fit when he is sitting down. He will stand here at his walker for a long time playing. I don't know if he is going to crawl or just take off walking one day!