Girls, girls, girls

This past weekend Tiffany and I headed up to Lake Arrowhead to have a girl's weekend with some moms from Emerson and Kaitlyn's school. We drove up Friday after work, straight into a nice winter storm. We were prepared for snow, ice, rain, whatever was handed to us....except the dense fog that we encountered. I have driven in fog hundreds of times, I mean we lived in Northern CA for years. But, I have never seen anything like this. You know it is bad when you can't see the hood of your own car and you are driving by the yellow dots on the left and the guardrail on the right. We made it to the top of the mountain and to our friend's house in a little over 2 hours.
The rest of the weekend was a lot less eventful, and an all around great time. We played board games, Wii, watched movies, and talked about anything you can imagine. What a great way to really get to know some of the other moms.
Can't wait to do it again!!!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Conversations with a 2 year old

Me: "Let's get you in your car seat."
Brennan: "No, ME do it!" (gotta love being 2!)
Me: "Fine, you do it, but we need to hurry."
Brennan: ...taking his sweet time getting up into the seat...
Me: "Okay, B, we gotta hurry, Mommy needs to go to work" (finally in his seat, while I am buckling him
Brennan: "But, Mama, if you go to work, who is going to drive the car?"
Me: "Well, you are!"
Brennan: "I, not big enough to drive, might crash."
Me: "Oh, okay, I guess I can drive today then." (close his door and walk around to the front)
Brennan: laughing, making car noises...."Me driving, Mama!!!!.....CRASH, Uh-Oh!"
Me: laughing...."Guess Mommy should drive, huh?"
Brennan: "Yes, please!"

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Happiest Bday on Earth!

Saturday afternoon we drove over to Anaheim with the Black's on our way to Disneyland. We met up with the Butier family, all to celebrate Mason and Kaitlyn's 5th birthdays. See, Mason and Kaitlyn were born literally 7 hours apart, on different days, 5 years ago. So, there was only way to celebrate their special days, and that would be at the happiest place on earth!
We had a great dinner at Joe's Crabshack Saturday night. That particular restaurant is a parent's dream dining place! It has a full-size playground on the premises, completely fenced in and visible during your meal. It is awesome!
Sunday we all headed into CA Adventure park for a fun filled day with rides, shows, and amusement park food. With the exception of a yummy Princess Lunch at Ariel's Grotto. The lunch was complete with apperances from 5 princesses!
You can imagine that our drive home Sunday was very quiet, all but the driver (ME!) was sound asleep before we even got onto the freeway.
Happy 5th birthdays, Mason and Kaitlyn!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Happy Heart Day!!!

Hearts, flowers, cards, candies, balloons, stuffed bears...

This is LOVE to me!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Cogential Heart Defect Awareness Week

February 7-14, 2008 has been named "Cogential Heart Defect Awareness Week". As you can imagine, this awareness week, is important to us. Please take some time this week to tell someone about this important week and what it means. Here are a couple of important facts to remember:

• 1 in every 100 babies is born with some form of a heart defect
• The cause of most heart defects is unknown, this is the reason why more research is needed.
• Most defects are not diagnosed right at birth, but often days and weeks later.
• CHD is the most frequently occuring defect in babies and the leading cause of birth defect related deaths.
• Most defects can be treated through surgery or dr. observations, although some can never be "cured".

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to bring families, health professionals, and local organizations together, and to draw attention to the needs of the congenital heart community. For more information you can look at http://www.tchin.org/

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Randomness

Wow, it has been some time since I have been here to post something...guess we have just been very busy with the craziness of daily life.
So I thought I share some of our randomness...

• Jeff took me away for a couple days to San Diego and Huntington Beach for my birthday. It was a great, few relaxing days just eating, shopping, watching the Superbowl and being by the beach.
• Emerson continues to love school and comes home each day with a handful of pages that she has worked hard on. She is now writing her first and last name so well!
• Brennan loves his blanket and elephant, yes a little stuffed elephant that goes EVERYWHERE with us. He is truly Charlie Brown's friend Linus, complete with thumb in the mouth.
• Took a field trip with my class yesterday up the Palm Springs Tramway. There was 2 feet of snow on the ground, and I think the teacher's had more fun than the kids!
• One of my best friends, Carrie, had a beautiful baby boy last night. I am SO excited for her!
• Jeff and Signarama just opened a brand new, 2nd location this past week. He has been very busy lately, but it is so exciting.
• I have a mountain of laundry to tackle this weekend....and often wonder where we accumulate all the dirty clothes!

Have a great weekend!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Parent Conference

We had Emerson's first parent conference yesterday, I am sure the first of many. At preschool, they do one parent conference a year to talk about how your child is doing. At the end of February, all the pre-K kiddos are taken over to the "big school" to be tested for Kindergarten. They are given an assessment that will test their knowledge of all upper and lowercase letters, numbers 1-10, body parts, writing their first and last name, they need to be able to tell what city they live in, and draw a self portrait with the appropriate parts. Her pre-K teacher gave them the same test to see what gaps might need filling for each student. I have to say it feels SO good to be a parent of the one the kiddos that doesn't really have any gaps. She needs to learn her city name, but that is about it. It was SO wonderful to hear that she is a good listener (not like when she ignores me at home!), that she like to learn new things, that she is very polite (instead of time like tonight when she is rude to her brother), and that she has made lots of new friends. We are so happy with this school and everything that it seems to be for Emerson too!



Lots of love,

The Grady's

Hi, my name is Kim, neurotic Mom #1

So, starting last week, I noticed that Brennan's feet seemed ridiculously cold, I mean like ice, every morning. Okay, I know, it is winter time, but really, after a night in SOCKS and under the covers it seems a little strange. Well, really the first thing that came to mind was the fact that his circulation must be compromised and his heart defect was somehow the cause. See his defect causes circulation and blood flow to be interrupted in his lower extremities, this was before his surgeries, but there is always a chance of recurrence. Now realize, that exactly 6 months ago we went to the cardiologist and got the all clear for the next 9 months. This the first time he has extended us to 9 months between appts., versus just 6, because everything has been so great. So back to right now, his feet are freaking cold. So, I call the ped. and they say, yeah probably nothing, but you better come in, knowing his history. So, we head in this afternoon and have a good listen to his heart. I mean a GOOD listen, like 5 solid minutes, all over his chest. Something to understand, Brennan's heart will never sound "normal", he will always have some sort of murmur and the amount of fluctuation with that murmur is what is important. So after the long listen, Dr. Coit looked back at his notes from previous appts. and found that his counts were within the normal range. He felt his pulse rates in his feet and his now "warm" feet (go figure!). Basically, he reassured me that all was well and there was no need to worry, yet he was glad I was attentive enough to call and come in. While we were in there, I decided to have him take a look at Bren's ear tubes, which were perfect too. Phew!

Needless to say, my anxiety over something small took over, but honestly, I would rather be safe than sorry.
Neurotic mom #1, reporting for duty!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Kings Fever

This past weekend Jeff and I flew up to Sacramento to see our friends, Stacy and Scott. We arrived Friday night, and headed out for a late dinner at this amazing new restaurant. Saturday morning we were actually able to sleep in a bit (past 7am!!!!), which is huge for Jeff and I. We decided to go wine tasting during the day. The weather was great and the wine was yummy.

Scott is the announcer for the Sacramento Kings basketball team. So, Saturday night we headed to the arena to watch him in action. To our surprise, not only did he get us tickets to the game, but really amazing 2nd ROW tickets! I mean, we were literally TWO rows behind where the Kings players sit. We were able to actually hear the coach running plays with the players. So amazing!!! Too bad the Kings lost!(No zoom lens here!)

Sunday we got up bright and early for breakfast with the Butier's and Vermillion's and then headed to the airport for our flight home.

Quite a whirlwind weekend, but well worth it. Stacy and Scott, thank you SO much for some good conversation, great laughs, we can't wait for next time!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Imagine my surprise

When, last night during our teeth brushing chores (yes, I call it a chore!)...I find a tooth breaking through the surface in Emerson's mouth. Yes, my 5 year old. She has finished brushing and I am helping her out with flossing and way in the back, behind what I thought were her last molars, is another tooth coming in. So, my being me, rush to the computer to look it up on the computer to figure out what in the world this tooth is. Turns out our little girl is getting her first permanent molar! Amazing. She hasn't complained or anything and boy, that is a big tooth back there!! The Internet said they usually come in between ages 6-7, and since she seems to be losing teeth and getting new ones earlier than others, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. The joys of growing up.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Pee here, Pee There, Pee Everywhere!!!

Okay, so I thought that my two week break from work would be a good time to get Brennan potty trained...but I guess I forgot to ask him if this would be a good time.

Day 1, talk about going potty on the toilet just like Emma does. Put on big boy underwear, Spiderman nonetheless. Get stock of treats ready for potty successes. 5 minutes after underwear is on, we make our first potty attempt, nothing. 2 minutes later, I hear screaming in the kitchen, pee all over the floor. Clean up, new underwear, and try the potty again, nothing. About half hour later, screaming in the hallway, pee everywhere! Give up on day one.

Day 2, same talk about potty on the toilet, big boy underwear, you all know the drill. SAME attempts on the potty, SAME accidents all over the freakin' house! Most on the tile floor, but lots on the carpet too. Finally, some actual potty success, which is rewarded with treats, phone calls to daddy and grandma and cheers and claps from mommy and sissy. Maybe we are getting somewhere...


Day 3, same ol' process, a little more success, but so many accidents still that I am just about done. I have cleaned up so much pee in the past three days, and done so many loads of laundry, I swear we went through all 10 pairs of underwear I bought him in a 6 hour time span!


But stubborn ol' me, will still attempt this same routine tomorrow...am I stupid?



Lots of love,

The Grady's

List...

Got this from another blog...go ahead, give it a try!



1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Traveled for work.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember making more than exercising and eating right. Pretty much, working out much more than I was at the beginning of the year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Aimee had Maggie:) and a bunch of friends got pregnant

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico in February and Canada in August

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
hmmm...not sure, was pretty content in '07

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
no one date in particular

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
staying fairly balanced with home and work

9. What was your biggest failure?
ouch...I don't know

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new car:) I LOVE it!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The kids, they are truly blossoming

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, I would rather not say

14. Where did most of your money go?
The kids! Daycare, school, dance class, diapers, clothes, etc.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our annual scrapbook weekend, Jimmy Buffett concerts, Catalina Trip

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Kenny Chesney Summertime

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?
Much happier. Very content.

b) thinner or fatter?
thinner

c) richer or poorer?
I wouldn't say richer by any means, but financially doing better.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
spent more time playing

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
wasted time on the computer.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my in-laws at their cabin outside Yosemite

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
A little more each day.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's, Private Practice

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
While there are certainly people that make me nuts, I can't think of anyone I would use the word hate on.

24. What was the best book you read?
The last in the Harry Potter Series, couldn't put it down

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
not sure

26. What did you want and get?
a new car!

27. What did you want and not get?
An understanding of why people do certain things

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bourne Ultimatum

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went out to dinner. Turned 31

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Peace, all around on every level

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Comfort and cute all wrapped up together

32. What kept you sane?
making my own down time

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't fancy just one in particular, like to hear about all of them

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Immigration

35. Who did you miss?
Friends and family all around the country

36. Who was the best new person you met?
A new mom at Emerson's school, love meeting cool new people

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
I can't do it all, I really do need to ask for help sometimes

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Um...

New Year's..

I am still recovering...and no I didn't over-indulge. I am just recovering from travelling and being a full-time stay at home mommy and cleaning and doing laundry and well...you all know.
Anyway, New Year's weekend was great! We drove out to see our good friends, The Hargreaves in Arizona along with Tad, Tif, and the girls. We spent a few days there, kind of like a mini vacation for us. We rested, played at the park with the kids, played games, read books, visited, and ate and ate. It was a wonderful visit and a great way to end our year.
New Year's Eve was a perfect mix of good food, good drinks, fun games, and even better friends!
Thanks, Hargreaves...can't wait to do it again!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Favorite Things 2007

These are a few of my favorite things from the year...

• Spending New Year's with the Black's as they settle in the desert
• Going on a cruise with 7 other couples to Mexico, what a great trip!
• Taking our kids on their first camping trip, even if it was freezing cold
• Having one of my best friends, Carrie, visit from Ohio over spring break. We were even brave enough to take all 4 of our kids to Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo over a 3 day span and had a fantastic time.
• Remodeling our casita as a surprise for Jeff while he was in Asia with his dad
• Celebrating Brennan's 2nd birthday- he will always be our miracle baby, so every year is to be cherished
• Watching Emerson "graduate" from daycare, and leave Miss Patty's
• Flying to Iowa with Emerson to see another best friend, Christa and her family and have Carrie and Cameron join us as well!
• Making our third annual trip to Catalina Island to enjoy some rest and relaxation
• Watching both kids learn to swim
• Serving as a bridesmaid in my best friend's, since 4th grade, wedding in Sacramento, definitely one for the memory book
• Sharing a childhood memory with Jeff and the kids, by going to Seattle and San Juan Islands with my mom and Scott on their boat
• Attending TWO Jimmy Buffett concerts with great friends
• Moving my little boy to a big boy bed and watching my baby girl go to her first day of school
• Celebrating Emerson's 5th birthday, just where has the time gone
• Watching Emerson perform in her first Christmas Program at school, I am sure there will be many more in years to come
• Celebrating Christmas with Jeff's family, and being able to have a white Christmas, my first ever! And introducing the kids to SNOW!!!

We hope you had a wonderful Year 2007, we know how certainly blessed we were. We hope 2008 has as many memorable times as these.

Happy New Year!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

If this is what vacation is...then I am ready to go back to work!

What have I done so far today? Well, let's see...

Wash the dishes
Loaded the dishwasher
Cleaned the kitchen
Did three loads of laundry and folded the clothes from the 6 I did yesterday
played the new computer game with Emerson
Watched a show with Brennan
Picked up the toys and more toys and more toys
Ran to Target with both kids
Cleaned up the bathrooms
Took out the trash

It's only 1:45!!! Are you serious? I've got more laundry to do, finish cleaning the house, clean the garage and figure out what to make for dinner!

I could never be a full time stay at home mom!!! Phew!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Over the river and through the woods...

That about sums up the last 5 days for us...1000+ miles, over 15 hours in the car, 5 grandparents, 1 great-grandma, and a partridge....wait....you get the idea.

It all began Friday night as we headed north for our first Christmas on the road. We drove to Valencia (2 1/2hours), and stayed the night in a hotel, to help break up the drive. Saturday morning we headed out to Jeff's grandma's house in Visalia. We visited with Grandma, Nana Marie, and Uncle Mike. We had the chance to visit and celebrate an early Christmas with everyone.

Saying CHEESE at Great-Grandma's House

We left Sunday morning after breakfast and made our way through the mountains to Midpines, where Jeff's dad and Kathy had been preparing for Christmas at their cabin. The weather was certainly winter-like, minus the snow, but cold enough to sure put us in the mood. Upon waking Christmas Eve Day, we made the 45 minute trek to Yosemite. I must admit I was a bit disappointed when we first drove through the park gates and the weather outside felt like winter, but there was NO snow in sight. I was really hoping for a "White Christmas", but figured a "white" Christmas Eve would suffice. Well, my disappointment didn't last long, a short climb up into the park and before we knew it, a sea of white was all around. Emerson and Brennan, having only seen snow in pictures or on TV, were quite excited. We stopped at one of the many spots along the road and explored a bit. After a mere 10 minutes (maybe less), my little desert-babies were visibly shaking, even though we had gone to great effort to put on the hats, jackets, gloves, boots, etc. So, we made our way back to the car and drove further into the park. We spent the morning in the park, had lunch, and headed back to the cabin to prepare for Christmas Eve.

After we went to Mass in Mariposa, we had a fantastic dinner of ham and the fixings. We spent the rest of the night opening all our presents. The kids were really spoiled this year! Finally, settled them into bed, after making sure Santa had something yummy to eat.
Christmas morning we arose and found our stockings filled and more "Santa" presents under the tree. We packed up after breakfast and finally made our way back home Christmas Day, a long 7 hour drive back to La Quinta. And you would think we would head straight home...but the holiday would not be complete without a visit to the Black's house. Lucky us, we walked in just in time for dinner, pie, and a rousing game of Catch Phrase. What a perfect way to finish off a Merry Christmas.
We hope that you and your families enjoyed a beautiful and blessed Christmas as well.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

In case you were wondering...

I promise we really don't hurt our children on purpose...promise!


Within 10 minutes of being at Jeff's grandma's house on Saturday, our little rough and tumble boy decided he wanted all of our Christmas pictures to be special. We couldn't go for the normal, everyone dressed in their best, smiles for the camera, type shot. Nope, not this year.



He wanted to dress it up a bit more.

Black and blue, cut on the side, and another knot on the other side of his forehead. Yep, no doubt, 110% BOY!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

A Star in the Making?

Friday night was Emerson's first Christmas program. Sacred Heart School had their annual Christmas Program for all ages, PreK-8th grade. The program was to start at 630pm, but the girls were due at their school by 545pm. Good thing we arrived that early, because I jumped into a line of about 50 people that had already gotten there. By the time 6pm rolled around, the line was snaked around the entire church.

We found our seats and waited for the show to begin. PreK was first, so I rushed up to the front with all the other eager parents wanting to catch a glimpse of their children. And wouldn't you know it, our little girl was one of three little ones carrying the special silver star for their song.

Jeff and I always joke that we are raising Donny and Maire Osmond here, because Emerson and Brennan love to sing and perform. Wish I could say their talent for performing actually carried over into the actual singing part...but maybe that part takes extra practice. Anyway, she is quite an entertainer, good singer or not.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Emerson's Birthday

Emerson was one lucky little girl! She had a whole week's worth of celebration for her birthday. It all started with a fun bbq at home with cake and presents.

Then a fun birthday celebration at school, complete with crown for the day.

Finally a birthday party with a bounce house and all her friends!

It sure is nice to be FIVE!!!!

Lots of love,

The Gradys

Little guys

A newborn update...Cole is home! Just had to share the latest picture of the Nanas boys, they are just too cute for words.

Coleman and Asher

Lots of love,

The Grady's