What the 18 Month Sleep Regression Really Does to Babies...

Well, Folks! We're somewhere around Day 10 of what's known as the 18-month-sleep regression. If you're not familiar with this phenomena, don't feel bad. I wasn't either until 10 days ago. Now I know it simply means the baby sleeps neither by day nor by night. Moms and Dads, you weren't thinking about sleeping either, were you? I know what the regression has done to me. Now we see the footage of what it's really doing to Grant.

Grant's First Steps

At just a few days shy of 16 months, Grant is WALKING! Must be copying Big Brother. Archie walked at 15 months, too.

Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day 2015 + Grant's Life at 14 mo.

Happy Cow Day! Hope you enjoyed some good chicken.

     This was our family's first Cow Appreciation Day in several years that didn't have perfect attendance. Archie had one of his cyclic vomiting syndrome cycles, so it was just Daddy, Grace and Grant. Grant thoroughly enjoyed his second Cow Appreciation Day and devoured most of his kids' meal.

   
     Speaking of Grant, he is a thriving 14.5 month old. He is a big babbler and is learning to use the words Mama, Dada, Ah-chee (Archie), and eat (sounds something like EEAAATUH). I think the eat word is my favorite. It just sounds so primal.
     There's not much this boy loves better than a good meal, and his full-figured frame certainly shows it. Seriously, is there anything cuter than a pudgy baby? He is actually quite well-proportioned as his height is off-the-charts.
     He is a speed crawler but still not into walking. He has learned to climb furniture (and stand on it) so I think I am officially in for trouble.
     His favorite hobby is swimming in the pool (or bathtub). He is rather fearless in water. If I put one hand on the wall, he will reach out his other hand, grab the wall, and hang on by himself. A little water in the face is no big deal. He even goes under sometimes! He's learning to float on his back but is still not quite sure about that one.
     We're just happy because he's Grant and because he's FINALLY figured out sleeping through the night.

Myrtle Beach 2015: Grant's First Beach Trip

Grant LOVES the beach! When we first went out this morning, there was a long two-inch puddle by a sand bar. He loved it! Later, when the tide came in and the water was deeper, he still loved it! I think I'll have an early swimmer!

Grace loves it, too - especially digging holes. She also loves the mini lazy river at our hotel.

If you're wondering why Archie isn't in our family picture, he's at his first sleep-away camp in North Carolina. He started having fun as soon as we arrived, and we anticipate that continuing all week. Here he is at the putt-putt course. He has a buddy from Maryland with him.

Smash the Cake, Grant!

Thanks to our many friends and family who came out to share this special moment with us!

I posted the short version of the video. He actually spent about five minutes picking each candy confetti piece off the cake, examining it, and putting it aside. Then, he sampled icing off a fork for several minutes. Finally, he went hog wild with the cake smashing. Go, Grant!

Happy Resurrection Day: From Our Family to Yours!

Baby's First Easter

Snow Baby

Happy Seventh and Eighth Months, Grant!

Growing, growing, growing. At his nine-month weigh in Grant tipped the scales at a dainty 23lb 10oz, which actually sent him plummeting into the 95th percentile for height. He remains off the charts in length at 31 inches. He just started crawling and has gotten surprisingly good at it. He reminds me of a Tennessee Walking Horse the way he picks his arms up really high and flings them out. He has two toothies (all the better to eat you with). Seriously, he will eat pretty much anything, and we've had to do double time keeping under our sofa clean because he totally digs whatever week -old piece of food he can find under there...Everywhere we go people tell him what a good, laid back boy he is and we totally agree. We also love his teenage sleeping schedule of 10 p.m. - 10 a.m. (or later) with a solid three hour afternoon siesta. Can't wait to see how you change this month, Grant, and if you find any use for your feet! (I promise they do come in handy!)

Brilliant Baby

Grant's Funniest Home Videos: Christmas Edition

We celebrated Christmas early with my parents since this is our year to spend Christmas at Hunt's. Grant loved opening his first Christmas present ever. He was a little distracted by his favorite giraffe, though.

This dancing tree has been in the family since Hunt was a boy. Grant is doing his best to jam with it. I think it could make America's Funniest Home Videos!

Merry Christmas to all!!! Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Happy Sixth Months, Grant!

At sixth month, my little buddy stays busy exploring (and eating) his world. He loves to get up on all fours, rock back-and-forth, then scoot backward. He can also sit unassisted for a few minutes with help getting into position. He is way chatty and talks all the time. Everyone in the nursery seems to love him and I can see why! He's totally sweet and totally adorable.

Grant goes for the Good Stuff

Even at the tender, young age of six months, Grant has a discriminating palette. One glimpse of that Halloween candy and he knew he had to have some! Sorry, Boy. Maybe next year. Glad you could enjoy the pretty, shiny paper for this year, though.

Scooting and Sitting

At six months, Grant is doing great pushing sort of up onto all fours and scooting backwards. He can also sit unassisted for short periods of time (with someone's hand behind to catch him if he falls).

Happy Fourth and Fifth Months, Grant!

More Grant Cuteness!

These pics are older but too cute not to post!!!

Monster Baby, Monster Cuteness!

Weighing in at nearly 20 pounds, Grant's 5-month-old size is topping the charts, but what's even more important is his size-to-cuteness ratio. No other baby (except maybe Archie or Grace) has ever packed in so much cuteness per pound! We love him!!!

I love beets and applesauce (and make a mess eating them!)

Sibling Love

Baby Archie on top, Monster Baby Grant on bottom! He's sweeter than any monster you'll ever meet, though (except maybe Cookie Monster ;)

100 Days and Look What I Can Do!

Grant hit his 100 day mark on August 2 without quite the fanfare of our other two kids who were born overseas. In China, 100 days is a VERY important celebration. We served a full-course catered meal at Grace's party! Still, we didn't want to overlook Grant so we made him a cake.

Grant is doing great rolling over to his tummy and holding his head up. He likes to look around, but then he gets frustrated because he hasn't quite figured out how to roll back over.

 He loves his siblings and vice versa!