My Knight in Shining Armor

The other night, Grant came down with a stomach bug. Okay, I don't deal well with vomit. Laugh as you may...I know it's part of motherhood and I am handling those incidents better than I ever thought I could. Anyhow... The poor little guy had it bad. He woke me up crying in the middle of the night. When I went in to check on him, oh the mess I found. It was all over him, the bed, the floor and the walls. I had no choice but to bathe him. After getting him all cleaned up and comfortable as possible, I called Danny just to let him know what was going on and that we were fine. Shortly thereafter, here comes my knight in shining armor....swooshing in driving a dodge charger and wearing a black uniform and shiny badge. Oh how I love that man! God couldn't have blessed Grant with a better dad. Danny is an AWESOME dad. He helped clean up the mess in Grant's room, washed the bedding and sent me to bed. He tookover caring for Grant so I could get some sleep in order to go to work (he knew I had a busy day and didn't need to miss). HE IS AWESOME! He cares (bathes, feeds, changes diapers...) for Grant just as much as I do. His big, caring heart makes me fall deeper and deeper in love with him each day!

Here, Trigger!

We have been working with Grant on using words instead of pointing and grunting. The other night we were sitting at the dinner table after dinner and were talking to him. We asked "Where's Trigger? Can you say Trigger?" Grant says "Triggie" and starts looking around for him. When Trigger doesn't respond, Grant again says "Triggie" and picks a piece of food off of his plate and throws in on the floor. Danny and I have never done this and never taught Grant to do this. The smart little poot knows that Trigger will come running when he hears food hit the floor! Sure enough... They are smarter than we give them credit for!

My son, the con-artist

I blogged earlier about Grant getting into the fountain out front, well....he did it again. This time I didn't find it as funny. It can be dangerous, not to mention the water is now NASTY! I pulled him out of the water, stripped off his wet clothes and took him in to dry off. I was so frustrated and he still thought he was cute. After getting him dressed in dry clothes I took him to the living room and scolded him and set him in time out on the couch. I sat down in my recliner to calm down a bit. That's when the con artist appeared. With the sweetest smile, deepest dimples, and sugar sweet voice he leans over to me and says "Hiiiii..." I told him, "No! Mommy is upset with you and you are in trouble. You sit there, Mister." A few seconds pass by and it happens again, "hiiiiiiiii..." Again, I tell him "No! You are in trouble for getting in the fountain. You can't smile your way out of this one." He sits there for a minute and then in sinks in. His body slumps down, and his head hangs low. He peers up at me out of the corner of his eye. By this time, I am dying! I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing at him. Of course, I let him off the couch then. I LOVE BEING A MOM!

Busy Busy Little Boy!

For any of Grant's teachers, past, present and future, my heart goes out to you. I know that my child is one that keeps you on your toes. I also am sure he is one that you will never forget! Grant goes to King's Kids at the First Baptist Church twice a week. We call it school. My sister, Kim, picks him up from school since they let out at 2:00. Last Tuesday she goes in to pick him up and Jessica (the teacher) asks if Grant has ever taken his dirty diaper off (which he has - another story). Kim tells her yes. Jessica then tells Kim that during nap time, Grant took of his pants and his dirty diaper. He managed not to get any mess on himself or his clothes. However, another child stepped in part of the mess. Thursday, Kim goes in to pick Grant up and Linda (the assistant) is laughing and points toward Jessica and tells Kim, "She has a story for you." It seems Jessica was changing Grant's dirty diaper and he peed all over himself, the floor and poor Ms. Jessica. Can't wait to see what this week entails!

Just another day for Grant at Pap-paw and Gerty's

Here is the latest story from my mom. I love it when she posts her adventures on facebook and when she sends me picture messages on my phone. Helps the time that I am away from Grant go faster!


YEE-HAW, IT'S ROUND-UP TIME!!!!!!!!! You know what is involved in rounding up a stray cow or calf, right?... Especially on a 4-wheeler? Try doing that with a 2 year old and me on an electric scooter! Yes, Grant decided he WASN'T going in the house after playing outside, jumped off my lap, crawled like a spider on all 4-s (hand & feet)across the porch, then ran across the yard with me on my scooter chasing him. Had to call in the head-off man (Pappaw) to help. Grant is running just as fast as his little legs will carry him and looking back every so often to see if I’m still after him and LAUGHING the whole time. I finally get him headed toward his Pappaw where he is finally caught. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought I was herding cows again. We laughed so hard our ribs hurt. That is all for now, so til the next exciting event…

To be a fly on the wall...

I would love to be a fly on the wall so that I could watch Grant with other without them knowing. Not to be nosey or anything like that. Just last night I was in the kitchen. Danny and Grant were in the shower. I could hear Grant giggling and Danny laughing at him. This went on for a bit longer and then I hear "Hey! Don't pee on Daddy!"

Oh the stories!

Part of the fun of being a parent is listening to the stories others tell about their times with my child. For instance, Danny's Poppa claims that Grant has more arms than an octopus. "You get one hand out of something and he's already got three more in something else." After this morning, I have to agree with him!

Then there's mom's stories. They are always so funny. Here is her latest: The PHANTOM BUTTON PUSHER - KNOB TWISTER STRIKES again!! Went to bed for a good night's rest after chasing a VERY busy little boy all day (but loving every minute of it). If only we weren't suddenly awakened by a VERY loud radio DJ a while later. Have no idea what the real time was as he had changed the time on the c...lock radio plus the alarm time AND set the alarm. You gotta love those grandkids!! That was the icing on the cake for the day. Let's see - if I said 'leave that alone', the that was the cue to give me the 'I'll show you' look and proceed right on, trying to get under the bed and dare me to get him out (which I did), then trying to shave his leg with a razor he found in the trash - talk about pushing a panic button when I caught him. So the rude awakening from a restful slumber was the frosting! Shelley - be sure to blog this in your krazys.

Blessings to my soul!

Hot Tub Anyone?

Yesterday when Grant and I got home from town, I had a ton of stuff to carry in from the car. I got him out of the car and loaded myself down with everything else, while hoping Grant would follow me into the house. No such luck. The boy loves to play outside. So I left him out there while I ran in the house to unload and change clothes. I got back outside to find my darling little boy SITTING in the middle of my fountain (it is in half of a whiskey barrel) all kicked back and grinning like he was big stuff! I couldn't help but laugh. I ran for the camera, but the little monkey crawled out before I could get a picture. Then he climbed back in it. I thought oh well, what could it hurt.... Then I remembered he had his fairly new Sketcher light up police car shoes on! Thank heavens they were still lighting up. Oh that boy...

Elvis!

This past weekend, the local community theater group held a fundraiser. They had a local Elvis "tribute artist" do the show. I took Grant and he LOVED it. Did I say he loved it? No, he LOVED it! He giggled, he hollered, he danced, he jumped, he clapped, he squealed... He wore his momma O-U-T! The best part of the night was when my mother-in-law carried him up to the stage so Elvis could sing to him and wrap a scarf around his neck. Elvis' helpers (coincidentally one of them was Danny's uncle) picked Grant up and put him on stage. Elvis kneeled down to wrap the scarf around Grant's neck and sing to him. Grant was laughing so hard you could hear him through the microphone. Elvis got tickled. He stood up and attempted to continue singing the song but wasn't able to for laughing at my son. Oh how I love that boy!

More pregnancy memories...

One of the first ultrasounds I had done when I was pregnant was so funny. Grant was laying on his back kicking my bladder with both feet. I guess we were invading his space and he was showing he didn't like it. The tech was trying to get her measurements and what not. The more she would run the scanner over my belly the more Grant would kick. Finally he had enough. He rolled over on all fours and bucked my bladder like a mule! Funny how their little attitudes are developed and such an early stage in life!

2 Year Molars Suck!

Sorry. I tried to think of a more dignified way to put it, but there just wasn't. After a week of dealing with a cranky, hungry little boy who won't eat because his mouth hurts, several nights of interrupted sleep and finally 5 hours of sleep in the recliner with a wiggle worm, I too am a little cranky. Poor Grant. I wish I could take the pain for him. He wakes up in the middle of the night wanting comfort and I don't blame him. I am so tired, but when he looks at me and smiles with his shining blue eyes and deep dimples and lets out a giggle, I seem to forget about being tired. Thank you, God, for sleepless nights. I love him so much!

Friday Night

I remember not too many years ago, Friday nights were pretty "big". I started out cruising town, then on to going dancing at the clubs, then sitting in dispatch at the sheriff's office with a good looking dispatcher (hmmm wonder who that was). Tonight, on this "big" night, I was in the backyard playing with Grant (another good looking Kelley) and enjoying the beautiful evening. Do I miss the "good ole days"? Yes, at times, but would I ever go back? Not a chance. There is no way that I would give up my big nights with my little man. GOD IS SO GOOD!

Make a momma proud!

Water is not my favorite thing. I am somewhat scared of the water. I can swim, but don't push or throw me in. If I fall in, I will freak. I don't tube nor water ski. I admire those that do, and wish that I could, but I just can't get over the fear. From the time I was a teenager, I swore that I would not let my kids be that way. I remember watching my little cousins (J.D. and Bryant) swimming while they were still in diapers and thought that was so cool. So I have been working with Grant in the pool. My sister, Connie, taught me how to teach Grant and I am eternally grateful. This summer Grant has gone from screaming and clinging to me when we get in the pool to paddling all over on his own while only wearing swim wings. Last night he swam with some of his cousins and in his eyes he was just as big as they were. He wasn't the least bit afraid. I have been lightly tossing him up in the air and letting him go under water when he lands. He bobs back up and bats those pretty little eyes and grins. Makes his momma so proud!

My husband, my hero

I have said for a long time that Danny is my hero. From the time he came to my rescue when I wrecked my car, to standing by my side through my mom's illness, through the birth of our child and everything in between. His last act of heroism was expanding our back yard and putting together a huge swing set for Grant. Danny sacrificed two weeks worth of days off and half of a workday. He first worked through a monsoon putting up new fence. I came home from work to find him and his friend, Robert, soaking wet but still hard at work. Then after the monsoons came the record setting heat. He worked in the scorching heat putting together the swing set. It was not just any swingset, but one of the wood ones with a tower, slide, picnic table... It took him, with the help of my dad and myself, 3 long hot days to get that thing together. I am sure that Danny didn't do any more than other husbands/fathers have done, but to me he is a hero! I love him and thank God for blessing me so richly with him.

The sounds that come from that room...

I was sitting in my recliner at 3:00 A.M. this morning listening to Grant. He has reverted back to his infancy and decided that he needs milk in the middle of the night. Last night I was going to be stubborn and not cave in. I was going to win the fight....ha! I sat in the dark and listened to him. I couldn't help but laugh. He has a wide variety of noises. Now mind you, he wasn't crying. Not a tear. I always say he is protesting. He goes from sounding like the tasmanian devil to a teridactyl to a hound dog whining. I couldn't help but sit there and quietly laugh to myself. Then, you guessed it, after 30 minutes of wild kingdom, I caved in and gave him the milk. I always tell him it's a good thing God made him cute otherwise I would have gave him away a long time ago.....Yea right!

Just another day in the life of Gerty and Grant!

Larenda says:
hi again

Shelley in Court says:
hello

Larenda says:
lol
Larenda says:
want some more funnies?

Shelley in Court says:
uh oh
sure!

Larenda says:
lol
guess who forgot to put pants back on your son when she chaned his diasper?

Shelley in Court says:
oh no

Larenda says:
changed his diaper

Larenda says:
oh ya

Larenda says:
he had been awake for a bit before i came to get him and it sounded like he was tearing paper - WRONG -it was his diaper

Larenda says:
he had it off and was playing with the tape

Larenda says:
then i smelled the STI-I-N-N-K!!!

Shelley in Court says:
oh no!

Larenda says:
Iit still smells in here

Shelley in Court says:
WHERE was it?

Larenda says:
IN HIS DIAPER

Shelley in Court says:
Well, better than in the bed...

Larenda says:
it wasn't easy getting that dirty bottomed little guy out of his playpen without getting it all over me

Shelley in Court says:
I can only imagine!

Larenda says:
and getting him to a plce so i could clean him up

Larenda says:
THEN i thought i would message you and noticed that my computer was turned off

Shelley in Court says:
How did he do that?

Larenda says:
i noticed that the surge protecter had been pulled towards his bed - guess he was able to get to the power switch on it, but it was on

Larenda says:
i was just thinking about needing to drive a nail in the wallor the side of the desk to hang it

Shelley in Court says:
Guess this incident confirms that thought?

Larenda says:
guess i will DEFINITELY get that done now beings he can reach it

Shelley in Court says:
lol

Shelley in Court says:
how about putting his pants on before you lay him down?

Larenda says:
there was only a little spot of pooh on his bed and i got that cleaned up

Larenda says:
i had just changed a dirtry diaper before i put him down

Shelley in Court says:
goodness

Larenda says:
didn't figure he would do more

Larenda says:
i was wrong

Shelley in Court says:
No matter how much I think I have him figured out, he never ceases to surprise me!

Larenda says:
i know

Larenda says:
he was so cute just sitting there playing with his diaper and so happy

The Gymnist

Don't you just love it when your babysitter (today it is my mom) calls and begins the conversation with "I just had to call you," and then begins giggling? My response, "what did he do now?" It seems mom was getting Grant ready for his daily nap. She changed his diaper and he headed for the bedroom. In the room where he sleeps is a full sized bed which sits next to his play pen (where he naps). Mom said that he climbed up on the bed and ran over to the side where his playpen is. Mom asked "Do you want in there?" Before she knew it, Grant leaned over, grabbed the top rail and did a flip into the playpen. Scared her half to death. She wheels over to the playpen and looks at him (he had landed flat on his back) and asks if he is okay. He looks at her with a gleam in his eye and a grin on his face which she interpreted, "That was fun. can I do it again?" No wonder the poor woman is white headed!

Have you ever tried to catch a greased pig?

I haven't, but came pretty darn close Saturday. Grant was in the tub, and I was on the phone (I know I am not supposed to do that, but...). I turned my back for just a second and turned around just in time to witness him launch off the side of the bathtub to the floor. I said "come here." In his language, that means "run boy run!" The chase was on! While still holding the phone with one hand, I was trying to catch him with the other. He was running as fast as he could, bouncing off of walls and furniture with me hot on his trail. Did you know that wet kids are slippery? Finally, he tripped and fell and I nabbed him in time to get a diaper on him before we had any disasters.

My Son, the Pervert

Last Sunday I ran to JC Penney's real quick to make a quick purchase. Grant was with me. I decided to try the item on and ran into the dressing rooms. Grant was being pretty good. He was climbing up and down on the bench in there and poking me and giggling. He ran around behind me and was quiet. That's when I heard, in the sweetest little voice, "Hi." Then I hear a voice from next door, "Um...Hi." I spun around in time to catch that sweet little boy laying on the floor peeping under the wall at the lady next to us. Needless to say, I was mortified and apologized profusely. I love being a mom!

Paying for My Raising...

The entire time I was pregnant, I told Danny that I better not have to pay for his raising. Little did I know that would turn around to bite me in the behind! I am NOT paying for HIS raising, but mine. It seems Mr. Grant is a tad bit hot tempered and just a little impatient. Hmmm wonder where that came from?

Case in point: Yesterday we were at mom and dad's and Grant was playing with a wooden tool box and tools he had received for his birthday. I can't remember what exactly he did, but I found it funny and laughed at him. Before I knew it, Grant screamed at me and threw the hammer out of his tool box at me. Guess he didn't find it humerous at all!