Grandstaff family

Sunday, March 22, 2009

What's Going On???

I know, I know. It has been way too long since I have updated my blog. Life has been busy and it just keeps getting busier. Oliver is now 7 months old...getting closer to 8 months every day!!! Last time he was at the doctor's (last week) he weighed 19 lbs. 3 oz. Last time he was measured (in Feb.) he was 28 inches long. He has 4 teeth and we think he may be working on another. He can sit up on his own and tries to pull up onto things. He loves his big sister and our two dogs. He likes to eat anything except baby food!

Claire weighs 29 1/2 lbs. and I am not sure how tall she is, probably around 34 inches, maybe. She will be 2 in a couple of weeks (I cannot believe it). She loves all things Dora, Backyardigans, Strawberry Shortcake, and anything involving any kind of animal! She loves to watch the birds and the planes as they fly through the air. She likes to dance and sing (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) and color and pretend. She also enjoys being a big sister and mommy's little helper.

It has been a trip trying to keep our family healthy the last few months. We get over one thing and the next illness strikes. I am working on finishing up my Master's (I should be done in August)!! Ryan is, at the moment, outside working on putting up a swingset for Claire and eventually Oliver. That is a quick update. It may be awhile before the next one. Here are some random pictures. Enjoy!

Monday, January 19, 2009

It has arrived...

Oliver officially has his first tooth (he has been working on it for a couple of weeks now) and a second one is close behind. This should be an adventure (Claire didn't pop her first pearly white until about a week before her first birthday)! Last time we were at the doctor he weighed in at 17 lbs 8 oz. Growing boy!!! He is now 5 months and is filling out 6-9 month clothes. I bet he will be out of them before he hits 6 months. He can roll over in both directions, but rarely does so! He loves anything that makes noise or lights up and he sticks everything in his mouth (the complete opposite of Claire, who didn't like anything in her mouth except food)!

Claire is now in her big girl bed! She loves being able to get out of bed all by herself when she wakes up, and we haven't (yet) had any issues with her getting out of bed after we put her there for naps or bedtime! Claire can and does speak in complete sentences, says please and sorry without prompting sometimes, and loves playing with her stuffed animals, baby dolls, and little people!

Ryan is doing well. He still likes his job, which I am so thankful for! I just started another class towards my master's degree, qualitative research. After this class I only have one more this summer and my capstone and I am finished!!! YEAH!!!!

Here are a few random pics...

Ollie enjoying his bath

Claire's big girl bed

Ollie playing while I fold laundry

Awww, how cute (and sleepy)

Come 'ere, Ollie

I'm the big sister

Playin' in the snow!

Cutie Pie

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Wow, I can't believe we are on the eve of a new year...2009. Time really does fly (faster and faster it seems as we get older)! As I reflect on the year 2008, I see how truely blessed our family is!! God is good! We began 2008 knowing we would have a new baby joining our family. In March we found out, with great delight, that it would be a baby boy! In April, our little angel, Claire, turned one year old! We also bought a van to fit our growing family in. In August we welcomed our bouncing baby boy, Oliver, into the world! We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas! How lucky we are!

We have also suffered great loss and sorrow this year. In May, our dear friends lost their baby, born 3 months too early. In August, just a couple weeks after Oliver was born, we tragically lost my grandfather in a house fire. And a few weeks ago, my Aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage IV. Yet through these heartaches, we come out stronger, more committed to making the most of every day! I know there are many who suffer beyond anything I can imagine.

So, here's to 2009, may it be a year full of many happinesses and joys and few heartaches! I will try everyday to see the world through my children's eyes, with wonder and excitement!! I pray that you all have a blessed new year!

Here are just a few of the many pictures I haven't been able to post until now. There are quite a few on here so, enjoy!

Claire is such a great big sister!!

Merry Christmas!!