"I'm Gonna be a Big Brother"

We're having a baby!!! This was the best picture I could get of Grant with the T-shirt I made him. And never mind the hat. He just found it and decided he would play dress up.

This is how we spilled the news to our families today. We showed up at the Chapel to see Nana. Grant told her, "I'm gonna be a big brother." She didn't get it at first. We called my Dad and brother. Grant also told them.

Next we were off to see Mimi at the beauty shop. She immediately noticed his shirt and got it.

Everybody is very excited as we are looking at another March birthday. Our immediate family March birthdays already consists of -- my Dad's, my brother's, my Granddad's, Peyton's, Brady's, and Danny's Dad. And mine may as well be in March -- February 28.

I am almost 10 weeks along and just beginning to not be able to hide it anymore. I had my first OB appointment today, and we could already hear the heartbeat. Ultrasound is scheduled in 2 weeks. I haven't been sick but VERY tired. Hopefully, I'll have my energy back any day.

Of course, we've asked Grant if he wants a baby brother or a baby sister. He says he wants a brother AND a sister.

We'll have to see about that!

Grant's First Letter "G"

At age 3 & 1/2....Well, actually, he drew his first one several weeks ago, but it just occured to me to document this monumental event. And the coolest thing was that he did it all on his own.

That thing below it is the letter "H". Clearly, we've gotta work on size control.

Camping

We got back last weekend from camping trip on the Natahala River in North Carolina. Well, our latest version of camping is in a 27 foot camper equipped with a full kitchen, shower, bathroom, couch, beds, and don't forget the TV (with satellite!)


Danny was covered up at work so Grant and I made the trip with my mom, dad, Erick, Angie, and the kids. Danny asked me what he was going to do over the weekend while we were gone. Not something you say to the woman of the house. I told him, quite simply, he could vacuum or do the laundry. He ended up doing both and dishes and he washed his car inside and out. Whoo hoo!




On Friday, we rafted the river just like old times. (I think I've been going since I was about 5 years old). Grant stayed behind with Nana. Rafting was pretty much uneventful with everyone managing to stay in the boat. However, it was Autumn and Peyton's first time. They had terror and tears in their eyes after the first set of rapids.



On Saturday, we found this place called Deep Creek. It's actually a very popular place for tubing. It was so cool. Like a natural lazy river. Grant stayed with my dad and the rest of the gang hiked 1.7 miles to the top and then took off on our tubes. We floated down for about an hour bouncing this way and that way, spinning and tumbling over the rapids. Grant got to ride with me for the last ten minutes. To quote him.... "This is fun, Mommy. I love this."


Seeing it through Grant's eyes, it was one of those moments when you're just present and nothing else maters. And for a moment, I was a 3 & 1/2 year old without a care in the world.

Gaga and Mother Mc

Pics from Christmas 2005

My Great Grandmother, Mother Mack, passed away this past Sunday. She was 96 years old. And up until this past year she was still able to live at home with some help. I am so grateful to have known her and to have had her in my life all of these years.

Danny's Grandfather, Gaga, passed away in April. He was a wonderful man, a slow talker, but always had something to say that would make you laugh or smile. He would always call me "Sweetheart" and Grant "Precious."

They will both be greatly missed.

In dealing with these recent losses, we've had to figure out how to talk to a 3 year old about death. The best advice I found was to keep it plain and simple for his age.

As I tried to prepare Grant, I explained.... Gaga was very, very sick and very very old. He died and he won't be with us anymore. I explained that people will crying because we are sad and will miss him very much.

The next day I reminded him again that people may be crying at the service. And-- in his own little way of letting me know he understood-- he replied, "I miss Gaga."

My heart melted.