Silence & a 2 year old

On Thanksgiving morning, Mark and I were trying to get ready to go to his parents. There had been quite a bit of silence out in the living room, and I went out to see why Grant as so quiet... He had gotten into my Lancome make-up!! Not to worry, he didn't touch my powder, just the freebies, which made it just a little easier to take.

Grant is to the point that he understands when he has done something wrong, and puts his head down (pretty sad to watch). My best friend Kim would always tell me about how her girls were always getting into her things, and I always use to ask her if she took pictures... With that, I grabbed my camera and shot some of his glam shots!!

Sleepless Night

I have had an extremely hard time sleeping this past week or so. Sadly my body does not know how to turn off right now. I am grateful for my mother in law, who has been so helpful with Grant. Ruth I hope you know how much I appreciate ALL that you do, thank you!!

I thought that I would put down some of my thoughts about being a new mom, in hopes that it will wear me out and I'll sleep!! I am reminded about a friend I met about 8 years ago. I recall asking if they ever wanted children, and the response was always the same, "No, we have our dogs". After I became a mom, I had come into contact with them, and I expressed how wonderful it is to be a parent. Again, our conversation came around to that same question, and again I got the same answer. My heart sank as I thought about the love that they would be missing. It wasn't until Cami came along that I truly understood ALL the love that comes with having a child with a husband.

Mark has been my better half. We have not known each other for years on end, but he is my best friend. He is the love of my life, and the person I go to for everything. He was worth all the pain I went through to find him. Holding Cami and seeing this little being that we created together, is incomparable. At church yesterday, I whispered in Mark's ear, "She is both of us". And she is. She is a product of our love for one another.

Please don't get me wrong, I love Grant with every piece of my being. To me, he is all me... And strangely, he is all Mark too. I truly believe that Heavenly Father knew the things that would happen. He knew that Mark would be his daddy, and made him like him. I could not ask for a more perfect family, even if it is blended. But it is different having Mark around from day 1. I took this picture of Cami while she was in her swing. She often times sets her sights on one thing. However, that one thing isn't always visible to us. Mark and I wonder who she is looking at. I hope that is my Grandma and Grandpa Summers, or Grandpa Thude. I love it!!

Last week Megan had sent me a video of Marcus. I showed Grant the video and he began calling Marcus by name, without me saying it. Grant has a great memory!! But he kept crying, and wanting Marcus. Since we live 3 1/2 hours away, I knew it wasn't possible, so I called up Megan and asked to talk to Marcus. Grant talked on the phone for a good 20 minutes!! I am sure Megan had hung up by then, but he was so cute with the phone!! I love this little guy to death!

Enjoying the little moments

I can't say I've missed writing on this blog. I have been staying home with my babies for 5 weeks now. I love being with them. I love that my little guy loves his sister, and always is wanting to be around her (although that can be stressful!). She is finally getting better at holding her head up, and it makes it so much easier for Grant to hold her. If she is in the mood, she'll let him hold her for quite a long time. Being their mom has been the biggest blessing in my life!

There is more to this picture than a father with his daughter, who is dressed in blue... A week ago I was with Ruth and her mom, when Ruth pulled out this sailor outfit. Mark use to wear it!! It is so tiny and cute!! Yesterday we put her in it, and she barely fit in it. I love that my mother-in-law cared enough to give it to us!!

This is the only picture I have of Cami showing her socks. I love having a little girl. She is not sleeping like she use too, but she is still a very good baby. There is definitely a new spirit in our home, and I have no doubt it is because of her. For those who would like to come, we are blessing her December 6th. We are also going to be sealed on Jan. 23 at 11:15.

When did my 2 year old start getting so big?? I wanted to cry because yesterday at church he sat on my lap and cuddled for almost the entire hour!! I love Grant to death. He has been so good about all the different changes. He had a rough time with his teeth, but ever since he has been great. He is such a good little boy, and I'm glad he came to me!!

A little bit of Grant

Let me start off by saying, I have an amazing 2 year old. He has his moments, but I love him to death. I was worried how he would react to Cami, but he has done so good. I can't keep him out of her room, and away from her. I have noticed that some times Cami's eyes light up when Grant gives her a kiss. It is the sweetest thing... Remind me that in a year when they are always fighting.

The day after Halloween, my mom came down and picked us up to go to her house for the week. Grant LOVED being at Grandma and Grandpa Bingham's. Each day we made a goodies. The favorite for everyone was the brownies, which Grant did most by himself!!

On Wednesday Megan and Marcus came down to see us. How I miss watching them!! Just having them run through the house was a lot of fun. However, Grant decided to try and dent my parents wall corner... The corner got dented, and so did Grant's head. Surprisingly, he didn't cry for to long, but he got a pretty good bruise from it.

We also went to the park for a picnic. This is something that he use to do with Grandma Maroney, and I thought would keep it up. He did so good at my parents house. He was only cranky in the evenings... Then it dawned on me, he is cutting his last 4 teeth!! Thank you Mom and Dad for letting us come stay with you!!

Catching up with Cami

I told my cousin Alison that I would get some updated pictures of Cami up. It's just so hard taking pictures of a newborn, and I truly feel that they don't do her justice. I love having her here. She is a blessing to our family. It is amazing the bond that happens when you have a baby... And for the first time I've experience the bond between Mark and I strengthen by having her.

She is a good baby. I remember that Grant wanted to constantly eat, and never slept. Up to this point (I hope I'm not jinxing it) she has been a pretty good sleeper and eater! She has slept the past 3 nights in her crib, mainly because I couldn't sleep with all her little noises.

Grant loves his little sister!! It is awesome to see him love on her. He has only lashed out twice, and I really think it's because he was cutting 4 teeth! But he is always kissing her and wanting to be around her.

Cami is so funny. She has very feminine features, and seems to be more delicate than Grant was. The only thing that is NOT girly is her bowl movements!! She is loud and smells horrible!! It is pretty funny. I snapped this picture of her napping. She loves her hand up by her face, just like she did in the ultra sound pictures.

Halloween 2009

This year I decided that Grant needed to start "understanding" Halloween. Last year he was only 1, and sick, so I didn't do anything more than dress him up to take pictures. I started thinking about costumes early, and found a deal on ebay! I bought both Grant and Cami's costumes for next to nothing!! I was worried how Grant would look in the cowboy outfit, but he pulled it off... And was extremely cute (though he didn't know how to work his gun!).

Mark and I figured we would spend the night with his family. We had a great dinner, and then it was time to go trick or treating!! The pictures are not the best, but the give you an idea on how well protected Grant was. Mark and I laughed at his "gang". Papa Maroney, Aunt Shelby, Aunt Morgan, mom and dad all went with him.

Papa Maroney helped Grant trick or treat. Grant was so funny, and did things that only a two year old could get away with. People would give him a piece of candy, and he would stick his hand in the bowl for more... They thought it was cute, I was a little embarrassed... But hey, he's only 2!!

And of course here is the only picture I have of Cami. After a few houses, she went back to Grandma's to hang out there!! I had a lot of fun watching Grant this year, I can't believe how big he is getting!!