March for Babies 2009

Today was our special family day as we made our annual (this is the 6th year) trek for March of Dimes in their March for Babies. We love doing this and every year we stress to our son that we raise money and march for this cause because of him. Because of our premature son, Beau, my life will never be the same. Having experienced an early birth, NICU, caring and dressing a preemie.......our hearts and our minds will forever be affected.

And now 5 1/2 years later, we have a strong healthy boy. Not all families can say the same thing. March of Dimes is an organization that is helping end prematurity. It's so worth our time and effort. Thanks to our family, friends, and coworkers, the Grant family raised $595 this year.

Easter 2009

Big weekend. Let me first start by saying that we have a walker on our hands. Brenley has previously taken a step here and a step there, but Friday night it was a few more steps. And Saturday it was a few more! We are calling it now. April 11th. Little over 14 months. Brenley May walked. I cried. There are a lot of moments when you realize your "baby" is not so much a "baby" anymore, but I'm pretty sure when they can walk on their own, they are typically called toddlers and not babies anymore. Sniff sniff.

Okay, we made the rounds Easter weekend! We got to see Brian's family Friday afternoon and hunt eggs and enjoy supper together (and Brian golfed in the afternoon, so that was his egg hunt of sorts!). The kids had a good time hunting eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house in McPherson.

Then Saturday morning we got up and headed to Oklahoma to celebrate Easter with my family. Lots of kids = lots of eggs. It took my 13 year old niece Makayla and I 30 minutes to hide eggs that were found in less than 5 minutes! What is up with that? We had two "heats." One for 2 years and younger and then everybody else. It was a lot of fun, although Beau never thinks he gets enough eggs, the competitor that he is. But we enjoyed being together as we always do. The weather was amazing and we spent most of the evening out doors playing.

Sunday morning brought drizzly rain. We headed to church in our best Easter clothes and celebrated Jesus Christ rising again. He has risen indeed. And in the famous words of my son, "Easter is about Jesus, and God, and eggs, and chocolate bunnies. Indeed, it is, Beau Charles.

What we don't do for beauty at 14 months!

Oh, my girl. My girl that I like to play dress up doll with.....and oh, how she hates it. Me Ma bought Brenley her first soft curlers. I used to sleep in them (mine were pink!) all the time when I was little! So Brenley took a turn at the rollers the other night. She loved them, as you can tell!

And here is a pic of my beauty at 14 months old! Wow. She is growing up so fast, and the faces she can make! Goodness, she has plenty of them. While she isn't using a lot of words, she really can communicate with her furrowed brows, screams, and shoving something in your face to open. And no, she isn't walking yet, but she will take a few steps here and there. She has mastered the stairs and can get herself up and down when she wants too. No more new teeth, but she LOVES her some sweet ice cream! I'm creating a monster already!

Let's see what else.......she continues to love music and dance. She definitely gets jiggy with it. That gets a laugh or too and she'll continue to ham it up when we clap at her. She is also so curious! Beau was NEVER like this. We babyproofed our house to the hilt, and he never once bothered a cabinet or drawer or toliet bowl. Not this one. She wants to know where everything is, and prefers pulling it out onto the floor. She's one funny little girl and makes anyone forget their worries and troubles.

Beau Grant is still enjoying school and getting excited to start T-ball. He is full of life and love. And we are just full of love for our kiddo's that give life a whole new meaning.

Nephew Luke

We got to watch Luke for just a little bit the past two evenings while his Dad was out of town and Mom was busy working late with the tax deadline looming. We enjoyed our time with him. He is such a good boy. Both Brenley and Beau liked playing with him. Uncle Brian really liked it too!

Snow Day 3.28.09

Well, I had to have some pictures of Beau enjoying his first "real" snow day of 2009. And Brenley must have been getting a little cabin fever because she wouldn't rest until EVERYTHING in our house was out of their drawers and cabinets. She was busy. And I was too........taking pictures of everything. No need to try to put the stuff away.....she would have just got it back out!

Alicia's wedding and the last week of March

We headed down to Grapevine, Texas last week. We left Thursday night to stay at my parents house and then got up the next day and continued our journey. These were some of our most blissful moments in the car..........


The kids could not have been better. The hotel was AMAZING! It was like a Vegas hotel in the middle of Texas. We got to swim, shop, and spend time with my brother and his family, along with catching up with some of our dear friends. And who can forget the grubbin' chicken place we found on the way down............Chicken Express.............mmmm......finger lickin' good!!

The wedding was Saturday night at the hotel, and Brian and I enjoyed some grown up time, while the kids stayed with Brooke and Tyler at their house.

Alicia was a beautiful bride, of course, and we really enjoyed ourselves at her and Steve's wedding.
Sunday morning we got up and were on the road by 8:30 AM. We made really good time and were pulling into Wichita by 3:00. Again, the kids were great, but unfortunately, our trip hit a snag. Brenley was burning up with fever by the time we got home. Ah man! Not again.

The next day I stayed home with her and we got her and myself into the doctor. She had an ear infection and I got more antibiotics for my sinus infection. And then my blessed mother came up to stay with her for the next few days, as I headed back to Texas for a day trip for work.

Finally by Wednesday of this week she was better. Grandma went back home and we resumed some normalcy in our house until the snow and sleet hit Friday! Ugh! Are you kidding me? It's March 28th for pete's sake. As of Saturday at 11:00 AM, we are looking at several inches of sleet underneath probably 6 inches of snow. I would take a picture to post it, but I am being too lazy and avoiding the outside as much as possible.

Whew! That was our week. A lot of ups and downs, but we made it. Here is hoping March goes out like a lamb.........

Help me reach my goal!Sponsor Me at March for Babies!