Dear Grant,

Dear Grant,
You are 21 months! You're almost two years old. You are such a fun kid, and ALL boy.  You love trucks, airplanes, dinosaurs, Elmo, balls, sticks, and eating.  It's so fun to watch you explore and learn new things.  You're talking more and more, putting words into sentences, and even throwing a couple tantrums now and then. 

Picture from Jenna's 5th Birthday in December

You love your big sister (Sissy) so much, she is the first person you ask about in the morning and cannot go to bed without a kiss and hug from all of us.  I know a time will come when you fight like crazy so I'm trying to soak up the moments now.

His "cheesy" smile, LOVE him!

We never have a dull moment with you, you're on the go, being fearless, pushing your limits, and being goofy all the time.  You love to wrestle with Sissy and Daddy, then you will come right over, plop in my lap and want to read.  You love dancing and singing too.

The first and only snowman we got to build this winter, hardly any snow!

Some of your favorites:
Food - scrambled eggs, banana's, Mandarin oranges, fruit snacks, noodles, ham, string cheese, blueberries, white cheddar mac'n'cheese, waffles
Things - Elmo, trucks, airplanes, tractors, dinosaurs, small dogs, books, and of course blankie (ne-ne) and your small Elmo doll

Daddy's hat and fleece, they almost fit honey!

Shows/Videos - Sesame Street, Thomas the Train, any Elmo song video on You Tube, The Cars Movie
Favorite Words/Sayings - Love you, Sissy, Where'd it go?, Outside, Shoes on, waffles and milk, A truck...beep beep, thank you, a book, all done, excuse me

Love babies in pj's...so cute!

In March you had tubes put in your ears.  We hated putting you through that, but you are seriously like a new kid.  You had so many sick days and fussy moments before, and things have been so much better after.  The ENT doctor said you had a ton of fluid in your ears, and he wouldn't be surprised if you could hear and speak better too.  You were such a trooper and the hardest part (which we were warned about) was you coming our of anesthesia.  You just cried and cried and were so out of it.  Even by that afternoon you seemed happier.

 



Grant - before surgery to get tubes put in.  March 2012

Grant - we love you so much!  You complete our family and watching you and Jenna grow up together is so fun.  You're such a sweet little boy and I "Lull Yu" very very much!

Love always,
Your Mom

Dear Jenna

Dear Jenna,

Please forgive me for this being so late.  This is your five year letter and you turned 5 in December.

I can't even begin to explain the impact you've had on my life. You are an amazing girl and I'm so lucky you're my daughter. It's been such a blessing watching you grow up and seeing your personality shine through. I've been thinking a lot lately about when we were pregnant with you and how we never could have known how wonderful this journey is, when I first held you I loved you more than I imagined I could, and it's amazing to see the girl you're turning into.




Daddy/Daughter Date Night 2012

 

You are sensitive and dramatic, and sometimes that can be an interesting combo. You are a romantic at heart and truly love people. You are kind, considerate, compassionate, and loving. Your dramatic flair is coming out in your singing lessons you're taking now. Your preschool teachers swear you are going to be famous and on TV on day. They've made you promise you won't forget about them when that happens. So, remember Ms. Kelli and Ms. Erica! You can have quite the attitude sometime. Yesterday you disagreeded with me on your outfit. You are pretty persistant on your way of matching, and I usually pick my battles on that.

You are the most caring and fun big sister we could hope for. You are protective and proud of Grant. He looks up to you already and you're the first person he asks for when he wakes up. Seeing the two of you play together, you read to him, and he having to kiss you goodnight sometimes can bring a tear to my eye. How did we get so lucky to have such wonderful kids?!

You're a busy and social person and are so ready for kindergarden this fall. You love reading, coloring, doing puzzles, and learning. I hope that never changes. You're a good friend and kids (and adults) seem to gravitate towards you. You will start a conversation with anyone and make a new friend wherever we go. 

Valentines Day 2012

We have loved these last five years and are so proud of you. Sometimes Daddy and I talk about the challenges you'll face throughout life and worry and wonder. All we know now is we love you so so much, and will do everything we can to raise you how we believe is right. We will be there for your good days and your bad days. Thanks for being you!

Love ALWAYS,

Mom

Dear Grant (15 months),

Dear Grant,

You are 15 months old now...Still hard to believe you aren't my little baby anymore.  You are a hyper, talkative, adventurous little boy.  You can always be found throwing something, eating, reading, pushing something, running around, or falling down.  You are a tough little guy and rarely cry when you fall.  Half the time I have to bite my tongue and not gasp when you fall, since I know you'll probably be right back up on your feet. 

You are the reason for so many of my smiles and I love watching you learn and grow more every day.  You're babbling like crazy but have some real words in there too:
Uh-Oh
More
Shoes
Ocie (Outside)
Enna (Jenna)
Elmo
Mama
Dada
All done
Ball
NO

You have the shake your head movements down for NO and YES and the sign language for MORE.

Everyone told us you and Jenna would probably be total opposites, but so far you both have happy, bubbly, cuddly personalities.  Besides the fact you are all boy and love balls, throwing things, and wrestling you also have a strong love for shoes. 

Happy 15 months Grant!  You are such a joy in our lives and we are so lucky to be your parents!

Love always,

Mom

Dear Grant,

You are 11 months! One month until you officially become a "toddler." I can't express myself with words as well as many other mom's can, but plain and simple, I am sad. Just writing those first two sentences brings tears to my eyes. My baby, my last baby is getting so big. I can't believe you're going to be one next month. The last 11 months have had some long days, full of crying, spitting up, and not sleeping. But the good outweighs the bad. It's also been full of cuddling, laughing, smiling, playing, loving, hugs and kisses. You are so much a part of our family, it's hard to even remember when we didn't have you and when Jenna didn't have her biggest fan following her around.



I just ordered some party supplies for your 1st birthday party, and again I got misty eyed (it could also have been from the high cost of "1st birthday mod monkey" themed party supplies). You bring so much joy to our lives, and your Daddy just commented the other day how before you were born he was nervous about being able to love another child as much as he loves Jenna, but no worries! It's possible!



You're an adventurous little guy who likes to roam around getting into things, make weird noises (remind me to tell you about your "demon boy" noise when you're 15), push toys around, follow your sister, and still, put everything in your mouth.

We've just started the spatula trick to keep the pantry doors closed since you're obsessed with what's inside. You're intrigued by the bathrooms and love it when sissy doesn't put down the toilet lid. That water is fun(yuck!)! You love being outside and swinging or being in the stroller. You love splashing in water, I think it's going to be a fun summer.

You have four teeth and love to eat. You're getting better with the sippy cup and I'm looking forward to being done with formula soon. You're wearing a few 9 month things still, but mostly in 12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

You still love your sister so much, we love watching the two of you together. I know at some point you'll fight like crazy, but right now you both are each other's favorite people. She loves you so much and is so protective of you and proud of you whenever you do something new.



I love you buggy! You'll forever be my little baby!

Love always,

Your Mommy

Dear Grant - 9 months

Dear Grant,

Your nine month birthday has come and gone and I'm just now getting to this post. Life is busy busy busy! With your Dad and I both working busy jobs, you and Jenna, trying to get some things done at the house, or at least a load of laundry here and there, blog posts seem to take a back seat. I have a never ending to do list in my head and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. But I wouldn't have it any other way!



Anyway, we are enjoying you and this age a lot (most of the time). You're crawling everywhere and really like the bathroom and the front door window. The proof is in the fingerprints and drool marks all over it. You're overall a really happy baby and your cute smile can make me feel better at any time. Your putting together sounds and saying Mama, Dada, Baba, and more. Your sister is convinced you can talk now and is SO proud of you.



Teething and runny noses are part of our everyday life, and scrapes and bruises are proof of your new found independence. Everything goes in your mouth, food or not. You have discovered that life goes on after you go to bed and have been resisting bedtime lately. I can't imagine how you do this since you literally don't nap for more than 45 minutes TOTAL all day long.

Stats:
20 pounds
28 1/8 inches tall

We're so proud of you when we take you out and about. You're so good and enjoy sitting in the cart or a highchair. You're a little flirt with the ladies already with your cute smile.

I can't believe you're so close to turning one! Time truly goes so fast, no matter how slow a day may go at times. You complete our family Grant! We love you!

Love always,

Mommy

Dear Grant (7 Months),

Dear Grant,

You are now seven months old. Closer to your one year birthday than to your actual birth day. Since you're our last baby I try to enjoy every moment with you, but time still goes way too fast and you're still getting too big. I saw a picture of a newborn the other day and already felt like that baby was so tiny and you're so big, it was just months ago that was you. You're growing...at your 6 month appointment you were 17 pounds 5 ounces and 26 3/4 inches long. You're just a bit bigger than Jenna was at that age. You seem much more solid and chunky than she was, Daddy hopes it's because you are going to be a football player! You're so cuddly and cute with the softest skin and hair. I love when you fall asleep on me and we can just snuggle.


This picture cracks me up. Notice the soaking wet shirt full of spit up and drool, and the two different socks...Typical day in our house.

Just yesterday your first tooth poked through. You can't see it very well yet, but can defiantly feel it. You love eating food and show interest in big people food. Your sister, who loves you more than anything, teases you about her snacks. "Grant - you can't have this poptart...only big kids can. Maybe when you get some teeth." You are so loved by Jenna, she is very protective of you and would do anything for you.

You're not too excited about this birthday hat!

You're sleeping through the night, laughing, sitting and playing on your own, trying to crawl and climb, and you love noisy toys. You like books, especially when Jenna reads them to you. You really like to pull my hair and you're very strong. You love bath time and splashing and kicking your legs.

My sweetie...does it get any cuter than this?!

I love you so much and you complete our family. In the words of Taylor Swift's song...

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger

and it's so quiet in the world tonight.

Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming

so I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light.

To you every thing's funny, you got nothing to regret.

I'd give all I have, honey, if you could stay like that.

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up.

Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little.

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up

don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple.

I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart

And no one will desert you,

Just try to never grow up.

Love always and forever,

Your Mom

Dear Grant,

Dear Grant,
First, I'm sorry...you are over six months already and I'm SO behind. So, a little catch up, at your three month doctor appointment you were 14.2 pounds and 24 3/4 inches long. Your six month appointment is next week, so I promise to post the new updates.

You're getting to be such a big boy. You're so happy and love to laugh, smile, do raspberries with your mouth, and watch your big sister. Your downfalls are naps and spitting up. I really hope the spitting up gets better soon, my couch, clothes, and carpet can't take much more.

You're almost sitting on your own, everything goes into your mouth, and you're now eating fruits and veggies. You love eating and show an interest in anything we're eating or drinking too. In fact, I can't hold you and try to drink coffee or diet coke anymore, you grab for it, and you're strong!

I love cuddling with you and remind myself everyday that you're my last little baby, and you're getting so big so fast. You look just like your dad and everywhere we go people say that.

Even though life is harder now with two kids, we wouldn't change it for the world!

Dear Jenna,

Dear Jenna,

You are now 4 years old! I cannot believe it, I often find myself looking at you in awe that you're my daughter. You're so smart, beautiful, funny, dramatic, creative, outgoing, and so much more. I'm so proud of you and the little person you are becoming. You make me laugh on a daily basis and say the funniest things. The things you come up with are so beyond your years at times.

You are the best big sister Grant could ever ask for. You love him so much, you are his protector, and biggest cheerleader. This is all true, unless he's spitting up on you, which he still does VERY often, then you say, "Grant, I am so frustrated by your spitting up all the time!"

I'm trying to bottle up all the love and cuddles you give your Dad and me. You're so emotional and loving. In fact, for your birthday wish you told us you wished that you family could stay together forever! How sweet honey!

You had your four year doctor appointment and are still in the 90th percentile for height and weight. It's only a matter of time before you will be taller than me. Your weight is 40.5 pounds, and your height is 41.5 inches.

In the past few months you've grown up so much! Here are some pictures of what you've been up to.



A flower girl in Uncle Brent and Aunt Christie's wedding!



You were so excited to wear your wedding dress and get your hair done.




You and the bride. You thought she was a princess and when they were married you asked if Uncle Brent was going to turn into a handsome prince.



Getting ready!




Halloween - my little Cinderella!



You and Grant at school before the Halloween parade. Grant was not loving his costume at all.




You, Bella, and Logan. There were a lot of princesses that day!



Our pumpkins, you had lots of fun carving and eating the seeds.



Your birthday party with your friends at Tumble Time.



Just a little dramatic while everyone was singing Happy Birthday!

Dear Grant - 2 months

Dear Grant,

You are now two months old. Overall it's gone really fast, but there have been times and days where it's gone quite slow.

You are growing like a week and getting cuter every day. Your eyes are still blue and you still have your hair. I wonder what the next few months will bring? You are smiling at times now, but you make us work for it still. I can't wait to hear your little laugh.




Your sister still loves you so much. She is so great with you and you like to look at her when she talks to you. You're the one she misses and always wants to say goodbye to when she leaves for preschool.

While your Dad and I love you so much, you are a difficult baby. We are pretty sure you have colic and refulx and look forward to the next month or two when those issues tend to get better. You spit-up like I've never seen. I'm hopeful since I've heard that many fussy colicy newborns turn into very happy babies!



There are lots of changes we see in you since you've been born. You like to watch things now, TV, toys that make noise, you also spend time just looking at us, which I love. I love just cuddling with you with your head nestled into my neck. I want to remember that feeling forever.

Your Stats:

11 lbs. 13 oz.

22 inches

Size 1-2 Pampers Swaddlers

Size 0-3 and 3 month clothes

Date of first smile - 08/09/10 - a great day to remember!

We love you always and forever!

Your Mom

Dear Grant

Dear Grant,

Wow, I'm already getting behind. You are almost six weeks old and I'm just now doing your one month post. These first few weeks have been great with you. Although we've had some long nights and evenings and some adjusting to us being a family of four. But I couldn't be happier and I truly feel content and complete with our family of four.



Jenna loves you so much, she is so good with you. She's been a great helper and just an amazing big sister. Yesterday in the car you were screaming and Jenna asked me how she could calm you down. When you kept crying she finally sighed and said, "This is TERRIBLE!" It was so funny.

You are much more alert now and make the cutest big eyed faces when you are looking around or when we make funny noises. You usually like car rides, sometimes like stroller rides, and always like to be held. You're doing pretty good at night, with stretches of sleep anywhere from 3 - 6 hours, we prefer the six hour stretches in case you were wondering.



You are chugging your bottles, sometimes we joke (hopefully) that you have a tape worm, you're eating more than the doctor said most babies your age eat. We just assume you are growing!

STATS

At your one month appt. you weighed 9 lbs. 3 oz. and were 21.5 inches long.
You are now wearing size 1 pampers diapers.
You are eating anywhere from 4-6 oz. at a time.

You are a joy and we are so happy to welcome you to our family!

Love always,

Your Mommy

Dear Jenna

Dear Jenna,

You are 3 years old, almost 41 months old. Sometimes I can't believe you are already 3 and then at other times I forget you are only 3. You truly make our lives interesting, fun, special, and busy. The things you do and say make me laugh and leave me in awe of where you get this stuff from.

You are still a major drama queen and girly girl. If you can wear a dress in the morning we are good. If you put on your jewelery or play dress up, you are always a princess and I'm the queen. And you are always going to the ball. I hope all your fairy tales come true for you.

You are the social butterfly of your daycare class and are always looking for ways to get together with your friends. You like going out to eat and most of the time are pretty well behaved. It's so fun to watch you and a friend have a conversation, like two little adults. You're best friends until one of you wants something the other one has, then it's on!

Sometimes you can be so sweet, it almost makes me want to cry. Since Mothers Day you've been saying Happy Mothers Day to me every morning. It's so sweet, even when I tell you it's over. You always want to cuddle with me on the couch and I love that, I know it won't last forever. As you say, you're our "little love bug."

But there is not too much of a good thing, you have the attitude of a tween! You huff and sigh and throw yourself to the floor. You will go running to your room in tears and slam the door. You will yell, "NO FAIR" and "I TOLD YOU (fill in the blank!" You want to do everything "ALL. BY. MY. SELF!" If I'm in the right mood, it's really quite comedic, but can also be very frustrating. Which is also funny, because you use that word a lot, things "irritate you", "frustrate you", leave you "angry." Last night you said to me, "I've told you plenty of times!" I guess I must say that to you. You can be quite bossy when you want to be too.

But, it's all you, and you're so smart, confident, and sure of what you want. I hope these characteristics stay with you through life. I am so proud and happy to be your Mom! Love you THIS much, always and forever!

Your Mommy

Dear Jenna, 35 months

Dear Jenna,
You are now past the 35 month mark! You are closer and closer to officially being 3! We are planning your little birthday party, princess themed of course, and you couldn't be more excited.



Now, for the last three years parents have been telling me, not to believe the term "Terrible Two's", because it really is "Torturous Three's". I am starting to think they were on to something. You are coming up with an major ATTITUDE lately and sometimes I'm just not sure what to do! Just yesterday, your report from daycare was the following:

Jenna wouldn't even take one bite of lunch. She screamed and cried until she was gagging and said she only wanted her milk and to be excused.

Jenna didn't take a nap (she usually naps for 2-3 hours a day at school).

Jenna pushed a couple of kids today.

OMG! Is this my sweet little Jenna?! We had a long talk last night and I hope to see better behavior today. You uses phrases like "Just leave me alone!", "You're driving me crazy!", "No, I am NOT going to do that."

I know you are testing me, and doing it daily! But, then at times you are still so sweet and will just want to cuddle. I'm praying this is just a stage.



So, while this letter isn't all roses, it's the truth. Through it all, I still love you more than words can say. Your Daddy and I are so proud of you and your spunky personality. I look at you some days and can't believe you are the same little itty baby we brought home from the hospital almost three years ago. You are tall, smart, beautiful, outgoing, active, and all the other things three year olds are! So, my little princess, enjoy your last month as a two year old!

Love always,

Mommy