"Whatever!"

(26 months) Here's what happened when Grandma Sandi wanted to fix you breakfast.
Grandma: Scrambled eggs?
Grady: "No."
Grandma: French toast?
Grady: "No."
Grandma: Yogurt?
Grady: "No."
Grandma: "Grady, you have to eat something for breakfast, what do you want?"
Grady: "Whatever!" complete with an exasperated eyeroll and hands in the air.

We all went to lunch at Rose's on the lake, and sat in a booth overlooking an enclosed patio area. You bounced into the seat, looked out the window at the table full of women just outside and said, "Oh! Girls!" and immediately proceeded to blow them kisses. Totally charmed, they were all in love with you in seconds. Me too!

Bad Blogger Mommy!

(26 months) Can't believe its been SEVEN MONTHS since I blogged about Grady! Guess its too easy to post little factoids on Facebook, but the blog so great to go back and read. I must do better. Sorry, Grady!

Yesterday you had your first trip to McDonalds, and no, I didn't let you eat any of their crappy food (I brought you some nice applesauce, you can thank me later). You did, however, get to play on their cool Playland stuff (kind of a human habi-trail, like hampsters use, only bigger). At first you were content to watch everyone else and crack up, then you started jumping up and down on your seat, getting really excited. You peeked into the tubes kids come out the slide, but wouldn't go up the tube to try it. You danced with a cutie named Hannah in the ball pit, then finally got brave enough to climb up the ladder tube -- and I freaked out when I couldn't see you! I was ripping my boots off, preparing to go in after you when Hannah's
Daddy calmly told me Grady was popping out the slide tube behind me. Whew! You had a ball and didn't want to leave until I bribed you with your first chocolate milk.

"What's going on, people?"

OK, Ingrid, Mom gave me your message to "get blogging!"

19 MONTHS OLD
I had SUCH a great weekend, getting to see my nephew, visit w/family, shop IKEA and hit the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Whew. Grady had a blast at Grandma and Grandpa's, mostly playing in the pool with cousin Alex. They did pretty well together - Alex shared more easily than you would expect from a 2 1/2 year old. He did think it was hilarious to squirt Grady w/cold water from the hose which made GradyBear cry.

After the second time of "No, Alex" not working, I said (really friendly), "Hey, you want to get squirted too?" and flipped him a little water. He sucked in his breath at the cold, then pointed to the patio table and told me sternly "Go sit in your chair!" But he quit shooting the hose at the Bear.

After they'd moved on to other toys in the yard, Mom turned off the hose. Eventually, Alex picked it up, saw there was no water, turned to the adults and asked, "What's going on, people?" He's soooo cute! I'm sure I'll live to regret this, but I can't WAIT until Grady's really talking. Its so funny the things the little ones come up with!

We rounded out the weekend with some finger painting which Grady loved. For a few mintues. Note to self: don't try anything new just before nap time...

We're so screwed! I put Grady to bed in his crib last night as usual, then was talking to Rick in the kitchen about 10 minutes later, and guess who comes trotting in with a big grin on his face? The little monkey climbed out of the crib, twice! The second time we were in our bedroom and the door pops open and there he is. 18 months old. Just throws a leg up on the top of the crib like its a balance beam and hoists himself onto his belly, then lowers himself down until he can drop to the floor. Maybe he'll be an Olympic gymnast. Or Hollywood stuntman. Or cat burglar/jewel thief.

What baby?

I posted this message on my Facebook page, "Thought I was going to have to leave Grady at the greenhouse to get all these flowers home! Great sale at Countryside Greenhouse in Allendale."

My friend Maribeth went with me to shop and we bought all we could fit on one of those garden store carts. We laid down one of seats, packed all the plants in like pros, buckled Grady in his car seat and were congratulating ourselves on a job well done when I walked around to my side of the car and a saw the stupid stroller still sitting there.

Had to unpack the whole car, squish plants in around the stroller and Maribeth wound up holding a flat on her lap on the drive home. (The picture with Grady is actually taken AFTER she unloaded her share!)

Dandelions and Boo-boos

Grady picked his first dandelion for me today. He was delighted and so was I. Unfortunately he also got his first skinned knee. Its a beautiful day and he loved running around in the grass, but occasionally, little feet trip up and down he went. Didn't seem to notice or care but he's a boy, so there you go. He had a good time stomping down on the ant hills (See? Boy!) and chasing Dixie. He also learned how to sneeze, or rather, fake sneeze. I say "Sneeze, Grady. Ah choo!" and he tilts his head back, saying "Ahhhh boo!" Super cute. Have to get that on video before he figures it out :)

Accidental Bath

Since I had a baby, I'm always running 10 minutes late. Just can't seem to get it all together and into the car on time. Same story trying to leave Mom's to go see my friend Ingrid's gorgeous watercolor she painted for me. Got Grady ready first, shoes on, done. I took a quick bath and was getting dressed in teh bathroom when I heard a thump/splash behind me. Mom's tub is pretty low and Grady was able to throw a leg over the edge and climb in. There he is, fully dressed, waist deep in the draining water, grinning. Grr. Had to start over and call Ingrid to say we'd be really late. She gets it -- she has Liesl, of course, and we had a great time, walking to lunch with the wagon. And the painting is GORGEOUS! Can't wait to see it all matted and framed.