Grantus Homunculus: King of Frogs

Wild beasts cannot get him and bees cannot sting him;
Our little man is soft and cuddly,
But his cries are strong and
Without waver.



The family made it home back to Dallas. We had a great time and thank everybody for staying tuned.

Government Grant

We made it to the Capitol after a long ride on the Metro (Grant's introduction to public transportation). He fell asleep for awhile and then woke up refreshed and ready to hit the campaign trail. Instead, he got the gravel path to the Capitol from the Washington Monument. When will our tax dollars get us a paved path?



Kelly and I had sandwiches on the Mall as we watched people play kickball, soccer, and baseball.

After the long walk, we made it to the Capitol just as the sun set over Washington. The reflecting pool reflected nothing as it was currently being cleaned and had the neat fence around it you see.



Grant, for the record, favors Phelps's decision to endorse Frosted Flakes and win gold medals.

Viewer Mail

Anonymous Writes: In reference to #43 [of our Get To Know Grant post]... I wonder, is that really his ice cream of choice? (he seems awfully young for milk products and sugar), or, was his response a double entendre of sorts?

Dear Anonymous,

He's also too young for double entendres. Thanks for writing.

BTW, any commenter who identifies him or herself will get an exclusive one of a kind never published photo of Grant emailed to that commenter. Please do not post your email address; we know you; we will get it to you.

{Disclaimer and Limitations: Limit one photo per customer. Offer does not apply to comments posted prior to this post. No guarantees are made as to the quality of the photo, the mood of the child, or the response time of the administrators of this blog. No returns or exchanges. No responsibility is taken for any damages or injuries caused by the mood enhancing effects of any photo provided; please do not drive and view or drive and comment. Offer subject to cancellation and the discretion of the administrators at any time. Enjoy!}

Patently Grant

On this cool Virginia night, the family had Lebanese food at Zikrayet Restaurant and Lounge. Notice how he now sits in his souped up highchair. Also, in our video below, we decided to show off Grant's glass grabbing skills.



We briefly visited the park at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Kelly calls it the Patent Park), changed a diaper, and tried to catch a last smile from Grant. Have a happy night!

DC Baby

Grant has flown for the second time in his life; it only took me twenty years to get above 10,000 feet above sea level.

The family is in DC, really Alexandria, VA, tonite. Coming into the airport, we could see the Capitol, the Washington Memorial (hard to miss), and the Jefferson Memorial out in the distance.

Our recent poll ended in a tie. 7 votes to keep Grant 4 months old and 7 to let him grow up to be his own man. I believe the poll reflects the push and pull in all parents to take a snap shot of their child and keep it fresh, but still let that kid do the work of life.



Tonite, our 5 1/2 month old sleeps in his little crib in our hotel room. Kelly and I can say we have spent the last week taking snap shots of him, to keep his growing up fresh in our minds and hearts; unfortunately, the courts dismissed our application for emergency temporary restraining order for lack of jurisdiction.



Incidentally, there are a ton of McCain and Obama (p.s. spell check offered Obediah and Alabama as correct spellings of Obama!) t-shirts out here, if anyone wants a hook up. I've got a conference this week out here, but Kelly and Grant will make up for my lack of fun.

Thanks to the Mahlmann Family for providing Grant's new best bud, Christopher's, response to our Get to Know Grant post. Please see their comment to our post listed below or click on the link provided. To get to know Sarah, Lucy, and Christopher Mahlmann, please see their blog here. Thanks!

Get to know Grant!!!

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your Friends. 'press
> FORWARD' then change all the answers so they apply to you, and then
> send this to your friends including the person who sent it to you.
> The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your
> friends that you might not have known!
>
>
> 1. What time did you get up this morning?
> 730 AM, not that I ever do that normally.
>
> 2. Diamonds or pearls?
>
I really prefer ice chips, great on the gums.
>
> 3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
>
"Atonement," in utero, almost didn't come out because of that sorry flick.

> 4. What is your favorite TV show?

> SUPER WHY? (on PBS, if you didn't know) why? the book club, the problem solving, no brainer.

> 5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
>
whole mom's milk, pretty decadent, it's good genes.
>
> 6. What is your middle name?
>
Wilson, because Grant wasn't presidential enough

> 7. What food do you dislike?

formula, keep pumping mom!


> 8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
>
ABC Sing-Along; I love that G-Song. See the Good G Post.
>
> 9. What kind of car do you drive?

2008 Jump and Go, it's a ride, takes premium, what oil crisis?!
>
> 10. Favorite sandwich?
>
Dad's sandwich: ham, turkey, pepperoni, pickles, and mustard, mmmmmmmmmmm, let me have it... no, let me have it!
>
> 11. What characteristic do you despise?
>
I really thought about this one, because it's so deep; after all that introspection, reflection and deliberation, I have to say that the characteristic I despise most, so far: is adults, like my parents, who eat in front of me, having a good old time, shoving in snacks like ice cream, chocolates, sandwiches, and, they don't share. Come on people, I want some people food!
>
> 12. Favorite item of clothing?
>
Dinosaur jammies. They rock, but they're so 3 months. But, hey, at least they're not hand me downs.
>
> 13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would
> you go?
>
Disneyworld, heard good things.

> 14. Favorite brand of clothing?

Another deep question, gotta go with: the kids section at Target.

> 15.Where would you retire to?

Geez, so much pressure...I don't know pick one...Cayman Islands
>
> 16.What was your most memorable birthday?

Not there yet, unless you count zero.

> 17. Favorite sport to watch?

My dad says, "any game where the Spurs win!"

>
> 18. Furthest place you are sending this?

I am worldwide on the interweb, baby!
>
> 19. Person you expect to send it back first?

Gramma Kay... (love you!)
>
> 20. When is your birthday?
> March 3, 2008.

> 21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
>
Morning. Sorry dad and mom.
>
> 22. What is your shoe size?
>
0, but in my defense, I prefer to keep my toes in my mouth.
>
> 23. Pets
>
Rebel and Bowie, I like to grab at them, but until I start dropping goldfish or cherrios on the floor, they won't give me the time of day, if they could tell time.
>
> 24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
> Yes, thanks for asking. I enjoy bubble baths in the adult tub, now. I will also be appearing at the Lincoln Memorial next week in DC. But I'll be here the rest of this week, tell your friends.
>
> 25. What did you want to be when you were little?
>
Big.
>
> 26. How are you today?
>
Kinda of Grump-o-licious.
>
> 27. What is your favorite candy?
>
Mom's milk on Twizzlers, she loves Twizzlers.
>

> 28. What is your favorite flower?
>
> My favorite flower? What's that really gonna tell you about me? Puhleese! I am not some sap, smelling flowers, I'm "Action". Thanks, Colbert!
>
> 29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
>
I live for today. Come on people.

> 30. What is your favorite pastime?
>
That's a tough one, thanks for asking. It's a toss up between pulling on the dogs' jowls and cruisin' in my 'jump-n-go'.
>
> 31. What are you listening to right now?

Rain forest sounds coming from my mobile, but when I am feeling high brow, it's Bach, again from the mobile.

> 32. What was the last thing you ate?

Don't rub it in, my parents had Chinese, and I had milk; hoping for the trickle down effect, though.

>

> 33. Do you wish on stars?
>
No, actually I wish on super novae, much more significant; I get better wishes!

> 34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
>
If I was a crayon, I'd be the color "AWESOME!!" You figure it out.

> 35. How is the weather right now?
>
Not too bad, less than 105, we can leave the house between noon and 7 pm.

> 36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today
>
What? I can talk on the phone? Gimme the phone!
>
> 37. Favorite soft drink?

An orange soda float.

> 38. Favorite restaurant of all time?

Playplace. McDonalds. Very exclusive.
>
> 39. Real hair color?
>
Brown
>
> 40. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Still running the numbers on this one. So far, the dragon that goes "BLAH!"
>
> 41. Summer or winter?
>
How would I know? These questions really presume that one has lived more than one year; What happened to inclusivity???
>
> 42. Hugs or kisses?
>
I want both, and in great quantities!

> 43.
Chocolate or Vanilla?
>
Swirl, actually.
>
> 44. Coffee or tea?
>
My mom likes coffee, so I get coffee.
>
> 45. Do you want your friends to email you back?
>
Yes! Now!
>
> 46. When was the last time you cried?
>
I crying right now.
>
> 47. What is under your bed?
>
Dog hair, and probably, one of my socks, they're so small

> 48. What did you do last night?

What I do every night: erp, cry, eat, cry, refuse to eat, cry, eat, pass out...deposited into bed, rain forest sounds lull me to sleep.


> 49. What are you afraid of?
>
I see through my fears, so there.

50. Salty or sweet?
>
What is salty? What is sweet?

>
> 51. How many keys on your key ring?
>
4: a red one, a blue one, a green one, and a yellow one.
>
> 52. How many years at your current job?

I have been employed for almost one year at the firm of Benavides, Benavides, Benavides, Rebel & Bowie. My responsibilities include waking up the staff, demanding constant attention, acquiring affection, public relations, and managing a staff of dogs. References upon request.
>
> 53. Favorite day of the week?
>
Saturdays and Sundays: two parents, fun stuff, and all the hugs AND kisses I can stand.

> 54. How many towns have you lived in?

TWO: San Antonio, mostly in utero (except for a frustrating Bezoar Week), and Dallas.
>
>
> 55. Do you make friends easily?
>
Yes, I have a magnetic smile.

> 56. How many people will you send this to?
>
How many people on the interweb?

> 57. How many will respond?
>
The ones that love me. Thanks everybody!

Cacophony

No, it's not something in Grant's diaper. It's the sound of a thousand little baby toys, all going off at once; their cries echo. Now, master Grant has another soniferous toy, and, as you can see, he's quite the conductor.






At five months, Grant has progressed from his original monkey-like state. He has learned to hold items and bring them to his mouth. He's learned how to be ticklish. He laughs without regrets and cries like that too. He gives his all to all projects, be they food related or otherwise. For instance, he can now drink from a sippy cup, bottle be banished!



He can sit in his Bumbo(TM)now, like a big guy. Here are a couple of photos, one at Tin Star, a favorite eating hole; it's BYOBB (Bring Your Own Baby Bottle).

A Boy

Grant is a star. The buzz about him is getting around the Dallas metroplex; from the hep tables of "Food from Galilee" to the echoing halls of the Kimball, Grant has a charm that reaches both hearts and imaginations. Here is a collection of images: CLICK HERE

Thanks to Amy Columbus Photography.