February 25/2015 - Grantham - 11 months

Eleven months...how is that possible? A year ago, we were just returning from state swim, and I felt like a baby boy would join our family at any moment! I might add that I was in fact STILL running too :) Fast forward to today. You are the fastest little walker in the world! You almost run! You have also learned, or are doing/saying the following:

Now that you've mastered how to walk/run, you are interested more in going UP! You crawl all over a Little Tikes table in the family room, and you love the Little Tikes slide! You've fallen many times, and only scream for a few seconds and gently place your little head on my shoulder, and after a few moments of cuddles with mommy, you're off again...ready for more adventure!

You're saying: Mamma, Dadda, What's that (DAT...DAT...DAT...accompanied with a pointing finger), you're still working on Thank You, but you totally say it and have the proper inflection as well! You're saying Dog, and kind of saying Cat...but not really just yet. You also like to mimic when we do the Sally; Uh Uh UHHHH...it's pretty cute.

We finally got the high chair on Valentines Day and you're getting more used to spending time in the chair. You love to feed yourself. You like to eat bananas, baby cookies, baby food- chicken noodles, you adore the little squeezable apple sauce and the raspberry banana yogurt, you love to hold them and you basically suck them dry and then throw the empty container to the ground and scream out for more!

You still sleep a few hours alone and then come to cuddle with me the rest of the night (which I love, of course).

You're still hovering around 21-22 pounds and we're holding out for a solid 22 lbs prior to switching you out of your rear facing car seat with the handle and base.

You love to clap and then make sure everyone else is clapping along with you for you!

You have also recently started fake-laughing when everyone else is laughing...you even bend over and slap your legs...it's beyond adorable!

You love bath time, and you balls! You love to play on your Thomas Train from Gowah and Grandma Pat, and you absolutely adore Garrity!

I am now preparing for your birthday! Such a wonderful first year with you in our lives! We all love you more than you can ever imagine...and then some :)

Grantham 4 Months/Walt Disney World

My first word of advice on taking a four month old and a four year old to Disney world: DO IT! There are so many misconceptions about flying with an infant. One of those misconceptions is that they will cry and fuss and be a nightmare to travel with...this could not be farther from the truth, in my opinion. We traveled with Garrity by plane when she was just four months old, and had a perfect experience. The same may be said now about Grantham...perfect flight. Both kiddos nursed and slept from takeoff to landing.

Our trip! We spent the first night with Tom, he has a great condo on the Plaza, and it made for a less early, early morning. Everyone had a blast except Daddy. I had to run to get formula (for said flight...just in case the nursing failed...) it was pretty late when I went out, and for some strange reason Daddy insisted on keeping Grantham. Turns out that 9'ish was the witching hour and the dreams Daddy had of snuggling with his son on the couch watching sports or whatever, apparently wasn't part of Grantham's plan. After several text from Daddy insisting that I return IMMEDIATELY, I returned to a docile and sleepy Grantham, and a  fussy and grumpy Daddy.

The next morning was early and everyone was excited and still grumpy. STILL GRUMPY. Once we arrived at the airport, we were face with the dilemma of all riding the bus from the parking lot, or Daddy dropping us off and Daddy parking the car on his own while we waited in line with two suit cases, golf clubs, a double buggy, and oh ya, two kiddos. Guess which one we picked?!

By the time we made it to the ticket counter, after winding through Southwest Air crowd control maze among the hundreds of souls also too waiting to fly to their vacations scooting our two suit cases, golf bag, and double buggy one inch at a time actually several people felt sorry for me and helped scoot our luggage caravan ..Daddy finally made it back.

This flight was a breeze! Grantham slept and nursed the entire time! Garrity had some trouble with her little ears and kept shouting in the cutest loudest voice imaginable! It really was adorable! She kept saying, "SOMETHING'S GOING ON WITH MY EARS, GUYS, I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING, GUYS!" Explain ears popping to a four year old! Other than that, Garrity busied herself with the iPad and DVD player. We rented a van vs taking a bus...much cheaper. However we had to upgrade from a town car to a van due to the double buggy and the golf clubs. The van was great and for a $10 fee, they stopped at a grocery store and we got some snacks etc. for the week! 

We arrived earlier than check-in. We opted for a town car to Downtown Disney. By the time we go to Downtown Disney, both babies were asleep! Daddy and I were at a loss! We ended up sharing a huge chocolate shake from Godiva! We walked around the area and spent a ton of time in The Largest Disney Store in the World...and finally had to start waking up kiddos!

The entire trip was as smooth as anyone could have EVER imagined! I was even able to take both kids to Magic Kingdom one day and we had a blast! Grantham was a champ and even waited in line for TWO HOURS to meet Anna and Elsa!

We enjoyed the parks and the wonderful Hilton resort. I wouldn't have changed a thing! Such a wonderful memory and a trip I will NEVER forget!

Grantham: 5 months

It's hard to believe that you are almost half of a year old! The time is flying by! You are such a wonderful addition to our family! You are so happy all of the time! This month you have really started to change! 1. You started eating solids on August 2, 2014, we started with single grain rice cereal. You didn't thrust your tongue out like most babies do, but you weren't totally sold on the idea of chewing your food :) 2. You started scooting around in your walker this month. You mostly go backward and bounce around and play with toys on the tray. 3. You started saying, "dadadadadadadadad" this month. It started on August 22-23rd, 2014 and followed being able to cough and mimic us with the little cough, and also mimicing a super high pitched squeal that Garrity would produce for you! While we cannot get you to mimic "dadadadada" at least you're saying it! 4. You can easily role from tummy to back and kind of use your toes to push yourself along a carpeted floor! Not really a crawl, but your wanting to move! 5. You started Sally's this month. You started on Friday August 15, 2014. It was one of the hardest days for mommy. It was a great day for you! You loved the kids and the action of Sally's house! 6. You enjoyed your first trip to Disney World in your 4th month of life! You were an absolute dream child on that trip! You loved to ride in the front carrier so you could see everything and really didn't seem to mind the 300 degree temps! 7. Finally on August 24th, you sat up unsupported for a few seconds, on our bed... it wasn't much but it was for sure sitting without help! So many changes this month! You are such a big little boy!

Grantham's First Birthday

One year ago we welcomed the most precious baby boy into our family: Grantham Scott Bishop.

Dear Grantham,
A year ago today, I dropped Garrity off at Sally's and went to Walmart to gather some snacks and a movie for what Daddy and I expected to be a very laid back and relaxing day. We did not really expect you to come for at least another day. A year ago yesterday I thought for sure yesterday would have been your birthday, as I thought I was in labor at school! The day obviously took an unexpected turn when my water broke just as I returned home from Walmart.We took it easy and then headed to the hospital. It wasn't long before you were out of my tummy and into my arms. Our beautiful baby boy. We had kept your name a secret. Daddy wrote your name on the wipe board and everyone was excited to learn your name! Grantham Scott Bishop. Your first name came from television: Grantham, from Lord Grantham on Downton Abbey. Scott came from  Daddy...you share obviously with Garrity!

Man, first birthday's are tough on your mamma. But it seems that already you've changed so much in the last twelve months...I know it is just the beginning. When we first brought you home, you would grunt when you nursed or drank from a bottle. You no longer do that. Right now, as soon as you gather your bearings in the morning, you begin to point and say, "sthat?" You don't stop questioning until you are asleep. You are such a smart little guy. You've mastered the slide at home, and now you want to try to walk down the slide...although you know you must have Mommy's had prior to the descent! You've also mastered the art of scaling stairs or the ottoman, feet first! You're no longer walking...you're running, and doing it very well! Another thing that breaks my heart for some reason, is that you are now wearing shoes on a pretty regular basis. Going without shoes is socially acceptable for such an incredibly short part of ones life...and now your get-out-of-shoes free card has almost expired.

This year has gone by insanely fast. I wish I could freeze time. Of course I want you to grow up to be the wonderful man I know you will become...however I can't help but want to keep you in my arms forever. I want to bottle your wonderful milky baby breath and your deliciously magical baby scent. I want to always feel your chubby little hand patting my back as you snuggle your squishy little cheek on my shoulder. I don't ever want to forget your toothless grin, or how you chipped your one of four little teeth when we were playing too dangerously in the bathtub! I always want to see your face light up when you see me and fight to the death to get to your mamma when I walk in the door after a long day apart. I know that babyhood is fleeting. In the blink of an eye, you will be starting school, and then you will be graduating and going off to college! I'm just not ready. Up to now, you've been our little baby...introduced to the world in months...not years. Now you are a big boy with one solid year under your belt.

Well, it goes without saying...but we love you. Mamma loves you very much. You will always be my baby boy. Happy First Birthday my sweet.
Love,
Mommy

After my water broke, Daddy and I decided to take it easy, and eat lunch (Tuna from Subway) and take a couple of before pictures. 

Daddy's before picture

Here I am at the hospital! Running the entire pregnancy made for a very enjoyable labor!

The labor and delivery room!

And just like that...you were here!

The guys

We marveled at your laid back and happy personality! You continue to be the happiest baby alive! It's been a wonderful year full of exciting moments!

 The first six months were absolute bliss. You and Garrity and Mommy stayed at home. It was lovely. Each morning Garrity would cuddle you in bed and I would snap hundreds of photos...I didn't want to miss or forget one single moment.

Our first outing was to the library, and to Wednesday night church...I believe church was first and then that Friday we went to the library. Both were such adventures for Mommy! Learning how to do anything  and everything with two babies was an adventure!

We went to the zoo with Gowah and Grandma Pat!

We went to SDC on your one month birthday! Look how your little legs are still squished up in this picture!

We took numerous trips to KC!

We visited a pumpkin patch in Weston!

We spent many nights in hotels, sharing lots of adventures!

This was your seventh month shot! We were in KC at the DoubleTree in Overland Park, one of our favorites! 

You loved your walker!

And you were FAST.

First day of Sally's

First day of Sally's

Lazy summertime!

Silly moments!

Adjusting to two kiddos!

Lots and lots of love!

Always happy!

First football game

First trip to Disney World

I bought this blanket just a couple of weeks before you were born. It went everywhere with us! You loved your blankey!

Big Time Sickness...

Thursday night, January 29th, was a rough night. Trying to wrestle a wrestles ten-month-old throughout the night is nearly impossible...when you're trying to sleep yourself. However bad that night was, I had no idea what was in store. The following afternoon, after daycare, I knew we I was in for it. Grantham's temp spiked to over 100! Of course my go-to diagnosis is TEETH. Cursed teeth. So, for the next two nights, I became a nighttime baby wrangler. I also dabbled in bedtime aerobics as I wiggled my hips and jostled too and fro to create just enough motion to sooth my un-sooth-able baby into a Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen (every six hours) induced slumber. Much to my dismay, the guy could not be soothed. As reality set in on Sunday night, it was Bo that first mentioned using a sick day to stay home with the little guy to try to get him well! 

 Babies are so crazy, here is is (above) with drool all the way down his front, and rosy red cheeks...complete with  a huge smile that would lead no one to believe he was suffering!

Sunday night came and went. Just because a sick day was in order, doesn't mean that I was able to A. Sleep in Sleep  or B. Not have swim practice. However, as long as I kept the Tylenol and Ibuprofen on schedule, Grantham was fine. It wasn't until I let the medication lapse for one hour...that I noticed that his temp skyrocketed again, and it was then that I decided it may not be teeth after all... 

After a quick call to the doctor, we were in! Grantham was believed to be battling RSV, or Influenza. However, after a test (large q-tip up a very small nostril) we discovered that he tested negative for both. So on to the next ailment...pneumonia! It was too late to have an x-ray that evening, so we were sent back to the lab for a finger prick to rule out any bacterial infection that could be treated with antibiotics! Again...negative! So, home again for another night of sleeplessness! 

Tuesday, I took off again prior to my swim meet in Webb City, and we went in for the chest x-ray...it too was clear! Turns out it was just a wicked virus that simply mirrored any on of those icky illnesses! 

Grantham 10 Months (1/25/15)

Sunday marked the tenth month of your life! You are currently doing the following AWESOME activities:

Walking - fast...dare I say, RUNNING? Yes, If I pound my feet behind you on the hardwood floor, you screech and run away from me :)

You love to squeeze the little squeezable foods into your own mouth, while cruising  banging into everyone and everything in the kitchen! Organic Raspberry Banana Yogurt is your favorite!

You love to laugh! You love to be tickled, peek-a-boo'd, and patty-caked!

You adore balls...any. kind. of. ball.

You are mobile...did I mention this already? You taunt the kids at daycare into chasing you...you love to move!

You love baths! You love to stand without help in the tub, and you love to plop down into the water from a standing position!



During your 9th month, you had to take antibiotics due to a horrible cold that started just before Christmas. Over Christmas break, we spent hours and hours awake in the night...battling teeth and that awful cold!

You also celebrated the beginning of a brand new year! We welcomed 2015 in style, you wore an adorable 4 piece suit from Gowah and Grandma Pat, and we dined at the Country Club!

You can say: Mammamamamamamama and Dadadadadadadada, UH-Oh, and Bye Bye, all  very well.

You fell twice during your ninth month, and bled from the mouth...you are fearless.

With each passing day, I find myself more and more in love with you. Garrity can't wait to touch and kiss, and hug you. You and Daddy have a special bond that only a father and son can share. We love you little man!

Father Daughter Dance (2/7/15)

This is one of those moments that all mommies dream of. This is one of those moments that all little girls dream of. This is one of those moments that all daddies dread....the FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE.  Saturday marked a huge milestone is the life of little Miss Garrity. Nevada has hosted a father daughter dance for the past few years. This year, I didn't have a swim meet, and we finally thought that G was old enough to enjoy the festivities. We spent the afternoon getting ready. She was gifted her dress by Daddy, and she loved it! She started planning immediately what shoes she would pair with the darling little party dress. She settled on her ruby red slippers with a kitten heal ( I could have placed money on that bet and won). My parents' purchased a lovely little writ corsage to complete the ensemble, and Garrity knew right away just what to do with such an embellishment!

 They went with red, you know, Belle and the Beast...they are known around our house for their red rose.

 Garrity was pumped to make new friends and play games and eat food! She was excited to go on a dinner date with Daddy...just the two of them prior to the dance. She chose Golden Dragon, or Mamma Cho's. Bo said she ate no less than three bowls of mushrooms!

What a pair! 

We took lots of pictures! My Mom and Dad, Gary and Madelyn, and Blair all came to admire the beautiful princess! 

After the send off, Grantham and I accompanied my parents' to The Club for dinner. It was well past Grantham's bedtime, but he was  a trooper! It wasn't until my dinner came that he really started to show any sign of exhaustion! 

 Once the exhaustion set in however, he simply fell asleep! We hadn't even gotten our food when Bo called to inform me that the royal couple had returned from the ball. When I got home, this is what I found...the glitz and glam had faded to a lackluster toddler (it was well before midnight, G's Fairy Godmother must have called it quits early that night) and she was ready. for. bed. 

Grantham: 7 months

Mamma Choe's

For your seventh month, we celebrated in KC, with a trip to the pumpkin patch (see post)!

Seventh month finds you:

- racing like a maniac in your walker! 

- wearing size 4 diapers

-wearing shoes a couple of times...you don't seem to mind!

- J.Crew size 6-12, you've completely outgrown the Zutano romoer Brooke gave you for "Christmas" (good thing she gave it to you early!

- you've started choking on the little puffs, but love the little cheese puffs, and the first cookies! 

-you gummed a French fry from Simones and loved it! You've tried a bite of Mac and cheese and loved it! You ate some Mamma Choe's noodles and rice and loved it!

-you crawl..FAST!

-you have a teeny tooth just under the surface, on the bottom, your right side

- you are as happy as ever, and adorable!