He makes me happy!

I just love the little grin that Grant gives just before he falls into a deep sleep. I also love the big smile he shows us when Jared plays his games with him - if only I could get the cute smile on camera! Oh he makes me so happy!!!!
I wish I could be so cozy! Why do they have to grow up so fast?

1st visit to the dentist

I think Brandon enjoyed his first visit to the dentist. He got to wear a necklace (paper napkin) he got to squirt the water, have his teeth counted, look at his teeth in a mirror, and ride on the chair. I hope that when we have to go for the real deal he will still like visiting!

Story time with daddy

Jared has taken over the bedtime routine with Brandon. I love the time they are spending together reading fun stories but I especially love that Jared is being introduced to the wonderful world of childrens literature. I love hearing them both laugh when they read a funny book - like the one Grandma Johnson gave Brandon "A Porcupine Named Fluffy" there were some noisy giggles coming out of the bedroom the first night they read that book. ;) Some of their favorites are; "The Red Ripe Strawberry, The Little Mouse, and The Big Hungry Bear", "Giggle Giggle Quake", Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale", and "The Very Busy Spider". So what are some of your childrens favorite books? We would love suggestions for when we go to the library.

How to turn your bathtub into a love seat

Step 1 - find a comfortable overstuffed ottoman
Step 2 - place it in the bathtub
Step 3 cover it with a large blanket and WA LA!! you have a very comfy love seat in your bathroom perfect for POTTY PARTIES!!

I am sure there are much much better ways for potty training little boys, but this is what came to me and I went with it. I don't think overkill explains how ridiculous our Potty Party was. We ate our meals in the bathroom (I know - gross!) We watched hundreds of movies in the bathroom, we read a whole lot of books, and played with lots and lots of toys. Every time Brandon went in the potty he got a sticker on his chart, a sucker, and a present. (don't get to excited, the presents were toys he already had, rewrapped, but he loved the wrapping paper :)) We also played instruments and did a dance and cheer for every success. To top it off, if he went #2 in the potty he also got to pop a balloon. We had a lot of success the first week while we were stuck in the bathroom, but as we ventured out things became a little more tricky, however I am happy to say that he is mostly potty trained - we are just working on #2 and potty training away from home. I am happy with the progress Brandon is making but if anyone has tips for these last few steps I would love to hear them! Yeah Brandon!!!!

Special Visitors

Grant has some wonderful great-grand-parents! Three great-grandmas, and two great-grandpas who are so wonderful! It was so wonderful to have Grandma and Grandpa Johnson come with Aunt Christy to visit! I love this picture of all of them - their smiles just make me happy!!!

Brotherly Love

I can not say whether this Brotherly Love extends both ways, but Brandon sure does love and adore his little brother! Grant I suspect tolerates his older brother right now, but hopefully they will become fast friends as they get older. I love how happy Brandon is when he gets to hold his little brother.

I need to video tape my swaddling methods because I have learned they are very funny (or perhaps a little disturbing. :) ) but for whatever reason both of my boys love to be wrapped up tight - VERY TIGHT! Brandon has outgrown the tight swaddling but it was still fun to pretend to be a baby again. :)

Brandon loves to show off his little brother to everyone, and must be close by at all times. He is also careful to make sure that Grant is never left out of anything; anytime I mention something about Brandon, Brandon will always add "and Grant" for example if I say "mommy loves Brandon" I hear "and Grant?!", or Brandon is such a big boy! - and Grant?!, or does Brandon want to play with McKell - and Grant?!. I hope this desire to always include his younger brother continues to be fun and important as they get older.

I love these boys!!!

WELCOME BABY GRANT!!

Baby Grant entered our little family on Tuesday morning at 8:31. He was 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. He has the same dark hair and funny cowlick as his brother Brandon.Jared was a great daddy from the get go! Grant's first bathThis delivery was so much better than it was with Brandon. After he was delivered I was able to see him and give him kisses before they took him away for the bath and more testing. With Brandon sadly I did not get to see him until a few hours latter because I was in shock - literally. As soon as Grant was done with his tests and bath I was able to hold him and feed him - I am so happy this delivery was so much better!!!!!Dr. Berg! Yeah for having a great family doctor!! For the past month Brandon has been telling us "Dr. Berg, Baby Grant, Out mommies tummy, Now!" I love that Brandon knows the doctor who delivered him and his brother and that he gets to visit with him often!Brandon spent the week at Grandma Julie's and Grandpa Ron's house sharing a room with Aunt Lindsey while I was in the hospital! Thanks so much mom and dad for helping us out!!!! They brought Brandon up Tuesday night to see his little brother. It was love at first sight! Brandon loves his little brother, and Jared and I were surprised by the gentle side Brandon showed to his brother.Grandma Julie and Grandpa RonAunt Lindsey with her third nephew - she is such a darling aunt!!!!Aunt Natalie - also a great Aunt!Baby Grant gave Brandon some more Thomas TrainsOur new family!Baby Grant all bundled up to go home!