My Big Boy

I finally got around to taking Grant's 4-year-old pictures today. I had about 7 minutes before the sun went down so I tossed Preston in the stroller, changed Grant's clothes really quickly, walked the boys to the park next to our house, and captured these. I love my big boy!

 

 

Grant's 4-Year-Old Stats:

 

Weight: 36 lb. 2 oz. (51%)

Height: 41 in. (66%)

 

He's growing up. He smiles really cheesy for the camera. He loves to wink at people and calls me "toots". He asks for oatmeal at nearly every meal. His favorite drink is capri suns. He wants to be a pilot when he grows up. He loves affection and hugs. He tests my patience and warms my heart all day long. He tells me he wants to be nocturnal so he can play all night. He struggles writing the number 3 but can write every other letter and number. He adores his little brother and is excited for a sister. He's worried about growing up and cries if you mention him going on a mission. He's a sweet boy and we're so lucky to have him as our first-born.

 

Here is proof--he loves winking at people!

 

Health

There is nothing that makes me more grateful for my health (or my children's health) then being sick. I wish it didn't work that way. For two weeks the boys and I struggled with a cough. The doc says it was a viral bronchitis which is a nice way of saying just deal with it, we can't help you at all, it will go away in a couple more weeks. Ahh!! So hard for the kids. They wake themselves up at night in coughing fits and then they are upset and don't want to go back to sleep. Preston's naps were terrible (because of the cough) and that just makes the whole day bad. Well, we made it through that hurdle, hurray! And now the coughs and illnesses are gone.

 

Unfortunately, the coughing (mixed with loosening of ligaments/muscles that pregnancy brings) caused me to displace 8 of my ribs (4 on the right and 4 on the left). Oh my gosh the pain was severe! Moving, lifting, sneezing, laughing hurt so badly! I would just break down in tears because my ribs hurt so bad. And once again, there is no cure for displaced or even fractured ribs--you just get through it for a few weeks until they heal themselves. I alternated hot packs, cold packs, Tylenol, lidocaine patches, and Percocet when I just couldn't handle the pain any longer. It wasn't pretty. The days were long, Preston couldn't be held so he would just cry with his arms raised up to me asking me to pick him up. Well luckily a few weeks have passed from that ordeal as well and I'm feeling a little better. I can hold my baby, I can cough or sneeze without crying, and I haven't taken any meds in probably a week! The ribs are still tender but much better than before. Oh I never want to go through that again!

 

This was Preston's demeanor while he was sick. He was so sad and grouchy no matter what we did. Even swinging outside didn't bring a smile. =(

 

 In other happier news...

 

 

Baby girl and I at 27 weeks

 

and again at 29 weeks

 

We bought a van!! Sean has been looking for months and we finally found a 2007 Honda Odyssey that fit our tight budget and requirements. Here she is in all her glory. Now we can have a third child.

 This is a funny angle but it shows how Preston just sits on his sister every day and enjoys the ride on the baby bump.

 

One morning we took a tour of the fire station with some friends. The firemen were really good with the kids and let them climb in the truck and see everything. Grant was a little nervous so he's the one in the back.

At least once or twice each day this is where you'll find us--on a walk. Preston loves the fresh air and Grant enjoys riding the new bike he got for Christmas. (Don't worry, nowadays he wears a helmet too because he fell down and was nervous to ride after that. )

Birthday Time!

January 1st was birthday time for Grant! We celebrated with our New Year's baby by eating a scrumptious breakfast at Joe's Farm Grill. We sat on their heated patio and it was lovely.

 

 Then we went to San Tan Mall and stopped inside the Disney Store for Grant to pick one item. He chose the toy airplane El Chupacabra from Planes. He loves it!

Then we went home and finalized our party preparations. Grant has been saying for months that he wanted a mustache party--so that is exactly what we had.

 

We enjoyed Texas sheet cake, ice cream, opening presents, a bean bag game, and pin the mustache on the boy. It was a birthday on a budget but we still had fun. Happy 4th Birthday my little Grant!