Zoo Trip!!

On Saturday, we went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia.  We met the Powells, Steeles and Meghan and Norah there to celebrate Lila's 2nd birthday! It is an understatement to say Grant had a great time...he absolutely loved it!  We all had a great time and it was so fun to see the kids play together!  The weather was perfect and we saw almost every kind of animal.  Grant loved seeing all of the animals, running around the zoo, and riding the train. He even fed a bird nectar from a little cup.  All of the kids did great and they were all exhausted by the end of the day.  It truly was an awesome trip for everyone!  We are so fortunate to have such amazing friends and I love that all of our kids are growing up together and are destined to be BFFs!

The kids loved playing on the animal statues that are throughout the zoo

 Look at that sweet smile:)

Grant loved the monkeys and elephants the best!

 Grant actually fed this bird nectar!

Grant and Sierra in the secret tunnel

My two favorite guys:)

 The Dads

Desmond and Norah resting after a long, exciting day

 BFFs forever:)

22 months!!

On Wednesday, Grant was 22 months old...only 2 short months from 2 years old!!  The weather has been so beautiful this week and we have been trying to take advantage of it and be outside as much as possible!  I would to say that playing outside (pretty much doing anything outside) is Grant's single most favorite thing to do. 

Grant also loves puzzles and coloring more and more lately, playing with Hot Wheels cars and building with his mega blocks.  He is continuing to learn letters, colors and even shapes now.  He can count to 14 and amazes me each day with some of the things he says.  He is still completely obsessed with Sesame Street and is going to have a Sesame Street themed birthday party for his 2nd birthday.  He is also starting to try to escape from his crib, so we are going to have to convert his crib to a toddler bed soon.  He has been talking more and more about the potty, especially when he is around Hannah and she has to potty.  We are probably going to get him his own potty soon. 

He is loud and full of energy and I love him more than I could ever explain!

Enjoing the Warm Weather

On Sunday, we spent some time outside enjoying the great weather! Grant loves going on a bike ride or wagon ride and absolutely loves swinging.  While he's swinging he says things like, "Having fun Mommy" or he watches the cars drive by and says, "Hey Cars" or "Look at me Cars."  It's been so great to be able to play outside in the evenings again now that the time has changed and the weather has been so beautiful...I'm really ready for spring!

We also went to visit PawPaw and MiMi on Sunday to celebrate Aunt Kelli's birthday. PawPaw has been feeling better and took Grant for a ride on the Gator and to see some of the animals at the barn...they couldn't have had more fun!

Visit with GiGi

GiGi had to have emergency neck surgery 1 1/2 weeks ago.  She is now at rehab (where I work) to help get stronger and more independent before she goes home.  She is doing better each day and will probably get to go home in another 1-2 weeks.  Yesterday, we took Grant and Hannah to visit GiGi and it really made her day! Grant and Hannah loved going for a ride with GiGi and spending some time outside. Grant also made a special get well card that he gave to GiGi.  It was a great visit for everyone! PawPaw also got to come over to our house and visit with Grant and Hannah...he has also not been feeling well and Grant hasn't got to see him in the past few weeks...it was really great to get to see him yesterday too!  Hopefully GiGi and PawPaw will both be feeling even better really soon!

Finally Feeling Better!

So Grant has finally been feeling better this week!  Two days after Valentine's Day, I had to take him back to the doctor again and he had RSV and a really bad ear infection.  He was out of daycare the rest of the week and went back for 2 days the following week and then got sick again with a stomach virus.  Needless to say, we had a rough two weeks, but thank goodness my sweet boy is feeling better again!  He has been back to his normal, playful self this week...hopefully we are done with all of the sickness for a while!!

Valentine's Day

So Grant turned 21 months old yesterday on Valentine's Day.  Unfortunately, he woke up not seeming like his usual self and I had to go pick him up early from daycare and take him to the doctor...not the most fun way to spend Valentine's day and your 21 month birthday:(  He did get to have a party at daycare and exchange Valentine's with his friends before he left.  He has a pretty bad cough and runny nose and basically has a really bad cold.  He started feeling some better Tuesday night so we gave him his Valentine's gifts.  His favorite gifts were even more new cars and a microphone.  Brandon and Grant got me really nice cards, some tulips and money for a massage...all of which I really loved!

I have been at home all day with Grant today and he is starting to feel some better.  Basically I let Grant do whatever he wants when he is sick and we did a lot of watching Disney Channel Jr. and Sesame Street today:)  Colds are the worst because I feel like I can't do anything to make him feel better!  I really hope he is better soon!

There are lots of things I could say about Grant at 21 months, but one thing that stands out in my mind right now is how much he really enjoys singing and dancing around.  He loves turning around in circles, which is his version of dancing.  Some of his favorite songs to sing are Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Old MacDonald, and Wheels on the Bus.  He also loves it when Brandon or I sing to him Hush Little Baby before he goes to bed.  Brandon usually gives him his bath each night and then I read to him and put him to bed.  Lately we have been reading and singing every night and it is one of my favorite times of the day.  It is one of the few times during the day where Grant will curl up on my lap to read or rest his head on my shoulder as we rock and sing...memories that I never want to forget.

So many cars!!

Daddy also loves Grant's new microphone:)

Valentine's Weekend

On Saturday, Brandon and I went to the Biltmore House with Kelli and Heath as a Valentine's treat to ourselves.  It was freezing and snowed while we were there, but we had a fun and relaxing time!  We did a red wine and chocolate tasting, toured through the house and had a very nice dinner.  Grant stayed with PaPaw and MaMaw for the day and got to ride on the tractor with PaPaw and feed the cows, which of course he loved.  He also got a new puzzle for Valentine's Day from PaPaw and MaMaw and it is one of his favorites!

We had lots of Valentine's fun on Sunday at MiMi and PawPaw's. Grant and Hannah got lots of fun new toys! Grant really loved his new Hot Wheels cars from MiMi and PawPaw, his new puzzle and book from Hannah, his baseball bookbag from Aunt Mary Ellen and of course all of the Valentine's candy and stickers.  Aunt Kelli also brought everything for Grant and Hannah to make heart sugar cookies...so fun, messy and yummy!

Lots of fun surprises!

Making cookies!

Ready to bake

Aunt Kelli and Hannah decorating the cookies