7 Things

The rules:

Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some weird, some random.

Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

1. I am addicted to my DVR. It has literally changed my life:) I can "tape" any show I want, watch it whenever I want, and NEVER see commercials. It is pure joy for me. Oh and on that same note...I am addicted to checking email....you can rest assure that I will always check it at least 5 times a day, great way to get a hold of me!

2. I hate dirty fingernails on kids or adults for that matter. I have to cut my kids nails weekly just to keep them clean and trim...freaks me out when it is not done.

3. I am a total neat-freak. I mean, I do have the normal amount of things left out around the house, but clutter and extra stuff make me crazy. I cannot leave the house for a trip without it being somewhat clean, okay really clean. (thanks mom for that habit)

4. You can ask anyone close to me if I like to rearrange furniture and the resounding answer will always be "YES!!!". Tiffany makes fun of me because she says she will get lost in our house one day because I move everything around so much. What can I say, I like to change things up a bit!

5. I drive fast. Everywhere. Emerson told a friend of mine recently "My mom pushes really hard on the pedal!". I mean come on, I have places to go and not all day to get there.

6. I LOVE lists! I make lists for everything. I make them at work....at home....for groceries....Sometimes I even put things on my list that I've already completed....just so I can cross them off. Gives me a sense of accomplishment and a rush to keep getting stuff crossed off.

7. I am a news junkie. I read news all day long online and watch it every night. Look at my computer favorites at work or at home and the first item on there is Drudge (thanks to my husband for showing me that one years ago!) and our local newspaper for local stuff. I just like knowing what is happening in the world and my own backyard.

Okay, that's it! Now my turn to tag 7 of my friends!

1. Aimee
2. Paige
3. Carrie
4. Connie

Okay seriously...what a loser...I can only come up with 4 blogger friends:(

Open Wide!

Today was Brennan's first dentist appointment. See, two weeks ago he tagged along for Em's appt. at the dentist and he kept asking for his turn. So, I made him his own appt. He was SO excited to go today. I picked him up at daycare, got to the dentist and he played so happily while we waited in the waiting room. When we were called back, he practically skipped to his chair. He watched the movie on the little t.v. and waited so well for the dentist to come to us. Finally, she came over, made the chair go up (which he LOVED!), then started to lean the chair back. He opened his mouth nice and big, she put her little pointer tool in his mouth and WWWWAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!! The loudest scream ever....and wouldn't stop even when we got him out of the chair. He wanted NO more of that...could care less about his treat bag and didn't even want his special stuffed animal. Great, can't wait for the next dentist appointment!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

What does it mean when...

your 2 year old says, "Mommy, you know, You are REALLY driving me crazy!"?

Yep. He did say that...and most likely he heard it straight from my own mouth. Nice.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Indian Canyons

After a great morning watching Emerson perform, we decided we couldn't be inside the rest of the day. Jeff's dad and Kathy were in town visiting for the weekend, so we decided to go for a hike in Indian Canyons, in northern Palm Springs. We couldn't have asked for better weather to enjoy this beautiful hike.

I have actually been to Indian Canyons with my 3rd graders for three years in a row now. Jeff had never been there, so it was fun to be able to show him all I have learned from going up there many times before. Emerson even enjoyed getting out and having her first real hike in nature.

The hike is only about 1 mile long. It runs in the middle of an amazing desert oasis where the Cahuilla Indians used to seek refuge from the desert heat. At this time of year the waterfalls are flowing and you can see why the Indians loved this place so much.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Spring Performance

Our Little Polar Bear

Emerson's preschool has "Reader's Theatre" performance every so often. The student's usually sing a song that they have been working on in class. Well, their Spring performance is the grandest of all. So grand, that it was not even held at school, but at a local resort hotel. The title of the performance was "The Teddy Bear Picnic". Each class has a song and dance routine to tell part of the story. Emerson's class did the "Polar Bear Stomp". And for a shameless brag, our little girl, knew ALL the steps, without missing a beat. It was so cute!!! What a great excuse to miss work!Can you find her?

Lots of love,

The Grady's

I think it is safe to say...

that we have a little boy is officially potty trained!!!! HOORAY!

Of course, if he is anything like Emma, he will be in a diaper at night until he is 5! LOL!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Could it be...

I am being quite cautious, but optimistic.....but two days now, diapers only at nap time and bed time....not one accident....
Could it be the end of diapers in our house???

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Two Doctors, one day

Brennan had TWO Dr. appts. today. First we headed to see Dr. Hashmi, our favorite pediatric cardiologist. After waiting for almost an hour in the waiting room (sadly, he has too many heart babies to tend to), we finally made it into the first of the three exam rooms. I always dread these appts. for the simple fact that I know they are going to be long and they are going to do things that Brennan won't especially like. But, today Brennan was a dream, a real trooper. The echocardiogram was great, he was perfectly still for the EKG, got his blood pressure on the first try (unlike when he was a baby and we tried 5 times and finally gave up), and he held super still for Dr. Hashmi to check his pulse points. When all of that was done, Dr. Hashmi's conclusion, PERFECT! Our little man is doing great! His aortic arch (the surgically repaired piece) is growing very well, the "leaky" valve is holding strong, and blood pressures are all equal. We had a long talk about the "future" and what that will entail for Brennan's health. We will continue seeing Dr. Hashmi every year. We will also continue to watch the progress of the arch as he grows, as well as the valve. He has a 10% chance of needed a balloon catherization to open the arch if it constricts again (we already know how Brennan LOVES to fall in that 10%), and a fairly good chance of eventually needing a valve replacement when he gets older. But, right now, Brennan has a perfectly healthy heart! And to think that the scar we see everyday, the one that has faded to almost nothing (can you see it?), is becoming more and more a distant memory.
If that appt. wasn't enough, we also saw the ENT specialist about Brennan's ear tubes. Wouldn't you know it, the tube in his left ear has come out! Part of me was super excited, until the Dr. said...that he already has fluid buildup behind the ear drum. Great. So, he is on another course of darn antibiotics (we just finished some two weeks ago). And we will go back to have it checked in 4 weeks, as well as have a hearing test. But, the right ear looks great, tube still in place. Brennan's speech has improved immensely since the tubes were placed and I certainly do not want to take any steps back in that area.

So, it was quite an eventful day for our little guy. He was amazing all day, no one tear for any Dr.! He even sat all by himself in the big exam chair at the ENT office today. Wow, he sure is growing up fast! So after a long day...this is how he relaxes.

Lots of love,

The Grady's