Springtime Beauty

After a wonderful Easter weekend in Omaha, Grant, Nick, and I got on the road to make our way back to KC. However, before we even made it out of Omaha our car started having problems. So after an extra night in Omaha (as you can see in the pics from Heidi's backyard-Grant was not one bit sad we had to stay), finding out our transmission was gone, debating to fix or not fix it, and some very quick vehicle shopping- we purchased a mini van. Yes, I did say mini van... a Sienna to be exact...and we love it! Nick asked me if I ever thought I'd be heading back to my 10 year class reunion in a mini van and I have to say I sure did not.
Between traveling, work, a few road races, and just life- Grant and I finally had a day that we could just piddle around and enjoy all the beautiful sights and colors that KC's springtime has to offer. This was also our first day to really see how functional the Sienna is with our day to day grind. So off we went on our day making our first stop at Corinth, which holds our favorite coffee shop and has Grant's favorite cinnamon roll. This is the area Nick and I lived in right when we moved to KC in the Spring of 07, so it was fun to see our old apartment street lined with the white blossoming trees, just as they were when we pulled in on our first day.
Then we headed over to the Waldo/Brookside area and enjoyed their trees and flowers of all colors. Grant was enjoying every minute of our ride because in the van he sits so high that he can see out all the windows. (I also must mention if a Zac Brown Band song comes on he'll start clapping his hands, swinging his legs, and smile from ear to ear.) Then we were off to the Plaza. Here we enjoyed the park and Grant especially liked the fountain. We brought a few of his cars (most days he has one in each hand and rarely lets them go) and he played and played with these. His face was priceless when he let one of them go into the fountain, I think he thought he would never see that car again. Then he was so excited when I fished it out for him...pretty sure if he could say more he would of said I was the best Mom ever. :)
After the park we made a stop at Barnes and Noble so Grant could play with the Thomas Train Set. This is yet another one of his loves. He runs those trains all over. This last picture is of Grant walking...yes he is finally walking! He started taking steps the week after Easter and each day has gotten better and better with it. It's about the most adorable thing to see because he spreads his legs a little too wide, has his chest out, and arms just kind of everywhere. And even if there is a tumble hear and there he just keeps getting up and trying to go as fast as he can... I am sure he will be running before we know it! I also have to laugh at this picture because he happens to have his Husker shirt on and the John Deer hat that his cousins are letting us borrow...if you didn't know better you would think he was a little Nebraska farm kid. :)

ARIZONA

This year we decided we needed something to break up the long winter we were having and with that came the idea to take a little vacation to Arizona to visit Nick's Grandma. We were a little nervous about the flight since this would be Grant's first (and I was a little worried about the thought of taking care of a baby and managing to not puke myself). As Nick worded it "Grant earned his wings!". He did such an awesome job and actually snuggled up and slept through most the flights.We had a fun first morning drinking coffee and hanging out with Nick's Grandma and friend Ray, then off we went to enjoy the day at ASU. We enjoyed a great little lunch on the patio at one of the local burger joints (and about choked when after a couple beers and 3 meals our check totaled under $20- good old college hangouts!).
We strolled through campus, checked out the main street, and conquered a hike up the AZU hill...I think it was called Hayden's Butte?? We were definitely sweating after making it up that thing with a stroller.That night Nick's Grandma offered to stay with Grant so Nick and I could head to a rodeo with his Uncle Bob to watch his cousin Judd. His cousin is a rodeo clown and watching him definitely sent our hearts racing. This place had a small arena for bull riding, live music, food, drink, and a few bonfires. It was quite the set up and to make it even more exciting because his cousin was able to get us seats on the back side inches away from the fence. Being that close puts bull riding in a whole new level of excitement (there was one time I thought I might have to jump the fence and use some of my nursing skills). (no pics forgot the camera)
I have to mention our rental vehicle because it was a smaller 4 door truck and Grant loved it! He was finally able to see what the rest of see when driving- he was sitting up high and facing forward. Everytime we looked back at him he was smiling. (Since arriving home we have now flipped his carseat to forward facing and car rides have become much more enjoyable.)
The next day we hit up the ballpark...there was no way we were going to be in Arizona literally minutes away from where the Royals were having Spring training and not see a game (Nick's thoughts of course). We soon found out if you are going to have a kid at the ballpark this is the way to do it. This was a smaller stadium with a huge lawn open for outfield seating. There were tons of adults and kids with blankets laid out enjoying the game. And that's exactly what we did. Grant loved it because there were kids to play with everywhere and we had brought a bag of toys so we quickly had a few friends join our area.

`Our last day we headed to Nick's Aunt and Uncle's home. Unfortunately, Nick's Grandma was feeling a little under the weather on our visit so did not join us :( When we arrived at Bob and Connie's, Bob took us the nearby sky diving place. He said it's open everyday and they constantly have jumpers, whether it be military or the average joe. It was pretty neat to see the sky diver's take off in the plans, watch the plans in the air, see the little specs come out of the plane, and land! After that we headed back to Bob and Connie's.
We had heard they had moved into a new house with a pool but wow we had no idea we were headed to what we felt was similar to a resort! Needless to say the heated salt water pool, hot tub, lounging area, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen were amazing! And Grant was ecstatic to be splashing around in the water.These last few pics of Grant at the airport prior to us leaving AZ. I had to laugh because the picture of him with his sippy cup and snack cup are how we saw Grant most of the trip. Drinking and eating his goldfish...actually he did not even have to be drinking and eating just as long as they were in his hands. Then there is Grant watching the planes come in eating his goldfish off the ledge. So cute! We had a great trip and were sad to leave. We had a lot of fun staying with Nick's Grandma and Grant getting some Great Grandma time. And it was great to see some more of his family as well!

Birthday Week

The second week in March (yes I've really been needing to post but just getting around to it) was my birthday. I think this may of been the first time I've every truly had a birthday week. It started out Friday night (my real b-day was Monday) with some of our good friends making a surprise stop with TCBY ice cream cake! The cake was delicious and it was so fun to hang out with these guys. I worked the weekend, then came my actual day. Another good friend invited Grant and I over for lunch and a playdate, it was the perfect way to spend a gorgeous afternoon. Then Nick was so cute and lined up a sitter, rounded up some more good friends, and off we went to Blanc Burger (which is one of my favorite burger joints). Then home for ice cream cake again (this one was Sheridan's and it was absolutely delicious). Did I forget to mention our little pre Blanc Burger/Grant bedtime birthday celebration. Here is a picture from that...

A candle stuck with gum to a frozen cupcake :) We had to make something work to get that candle to stay on the cupcake. And Grant did finally get the cupcake and loved every bite of it.

This did not end the Birthday festivities. Wednesday, my co-workers planned a little birthday potluck and Thursday we were off to Arizona! I could not of asked for a better week!

First Haircut

A couple Saturdays ago we decided it was definitely time for the little guy to get a haircut. Nick did sneak some trimmings in here and there but we were feeling it needed the all over job. Nick thought he should just get it done at Nick's Barbershop (Nick doing it himself). But I was persistant that his first official haircut needed to be done outside the home.
I thought there was nothing wrong with taking him to my salon and my stylist said she would love to cut his hair. Nick did not agree and was not about to send him there. So I gave in and we took him to Sole Batch. This is where Nick goes. It's a men's only place (and truthfully I just wanted to see what goes down at a place that only welcomes men and boys). This is also the barbershop that is owned by Ron who was on the bachelorette a few seasons ago.
The place was very cool (I might of ruined the atmosphere just a bit for the men with my photo snapping). They put a little board in the chair for Grant to sit on and off they went snipping away at those baby hairs. I didn't think it would be, but it was a bit emotional. The minute he was done he was definitely not our baby anymore. It's amazing how a haircut can make kids look so much older.


We went to get some coffee and Grant a big cinnamon roll. And as we did this, Nick and I could not help but to keep looking at him in awe. He now looks like he is about 2. Overall it was a much needed deal, I should not of waited so long, and I must say he looks so handsome!

A Little Here, a Little There

Just a few randoms of the things Grant loves to do in his day to day grind...


Grant is now tall enough that he is getting into the third drawers all over the house. Daily we find him reaching into these drawers with the wonder and awe of what he will pull out...keeps him quite busy.


He also LOVES to push around his cars, trucks, and tractors. But he seems to always have to have one in each hand. He is constantly going all around the kitchen, dining room, and hall with his vehicles.


For months now Grant has been crossing his feet/legs whenever he sits. It is really the cutest thing and so the other day I decided I needed to capture a pic of those cute toes.



Bathtime has become quite the event at our home. Grant can hardly wait to get in (and makes a pretty good attempt to swing his leg over the side) as he is standing impatiently as we get the tub and all his toys ready. He loves his letters that stick to the walls and trying to repeat us as we say what they are. He also thinks splashing is the funniest thing ever.


These last pics are of Grant having a ball playing in his crib. He thought this was just the most fun and does this before many of his naps (today I just decided to keep the door open and catch what he was up to). He jabbered up a storm, wrestled with his blankets, shook his crib multiple times, and of course pulled his little toy's string (whom we've named Gil) to listen to the music...over and over.

He is quite the little ham! :)

A Couple of Great Grant Videos!

The other night we sat down with Grant and out of the blue he started dancing when his music started playing. This is the first time we had seen this "dance" of his and thought it was hilarious. Not sure where he learned this but looks like he's following in his parent's footsteps for great rhythm.

These giggles were just too delightful to not share. :) And if you catch the end, Grant obviously is not standing on his own just yet...geez Dad! Good thing Grant's a good sport!

Once again you have to turn your head because I can't figure out how to switch this...or remember to not hold the camera that way. Sorry :)

What a Day!

Well on Saturday January 23rd we celebrated the first year of Grant...and what a celebration it was! His day started with waffles with his Auntie Shay and never slowed down till he hit the pillow that night. Nick and I never would of imagined so many family members would make the trip down to KC, but wow did their presence truly make the day!
We rented out a room at our Community Center to eat some lunch and cake and then we were off to the pool. It was great to watch Grant as all the guests arrived. He would see his cousins or grandparents or friends and become so excited. He usually is quite enthusiastic to see these people but only sees 1 or 2 of these people at a time. So to keep seeing more and more faces that he recognized come through the door was quite the site.
Saying that Grant loved his cake would be an understatement. He was trying to get a swipe at it all morning, so when his chance finally came, he dug right in. He was quite the chocolaty mess! (good thing Aunt Katie suggested taking off his shirt) He ate a good amount of his cake and probably would of ate more but quickly became distracted when he saw the tractor he got for his birthday.
We spent the afternoon going down the slides, floating around the lazy river, and playing in the fountains. I don't think a smile ever left Grant's face. :) After a little nap (from I think everyone) the festivities continued at the Embassy Suites, since our families conveniently booked all their rooms at the same hotel. We all hung out and the kids played and played, ate way too much sugar, and stayed up way past Grant's bedtime.
As I was lying Grant down for the night I couldn't help but think, what a great day. I don't think we could of imagined a better first birthday...and if Grant could say more than Mama and Dada, I know he would of definitely agreed!

Soon I will be posting more pictures (as I had others take pictures for us and still need to download them).