31,334,914 Seconds: We Can Let Him Expand

We can, but seriously, should we? He's such a complete little package at less than one year, why should two be any better. We've heard they can be terrible. Above, he is shown pre-1, still, and cute with long hair. He is shown in the hair-cut chair, and he will lose some of that hair shortly, and with that hair cut our little, little infant becomes a boy.



And above is the after (at 31,354,525 Seconds), looks good huh? Here's a couple more befores:


6,559,772 Seconds: Our little boy, above, pictured on Mother's Day weekend. That swing is now long stored away, along with those pacifiers. Fortunately, he gave up his pacifier early on, and he's never had a problem giving up his bottle. His blankie is another story, don't mess with the blankie. His expressions have developed; now he'll stare at us wondering what that blank stare is on our face, instead of vice-versa.


6,562,717 Seconds: Above, it's hard to call him a monkey now, except in the figurative sense. Bummer. But, now, he can really climb and get up on things. For example, he still thinks it's OK to take a dive off a bed, or climb without consequence down stairs. Monkeys, however, are born with an innate sense of space and gravity. Grant still doesn't have the hang of simple Newtonian physics, like a monkey would by now.


22,276,002 Seconds: At this time, we still had hope for the Cowboys. I know. I know. I still had hopes for my fantasy football, too!! Look at the hope in our eyes; we were so young, so naive, betting it all on da boys, on Romo and his pinky.


4,144,597 Seconds: He is less than two months shown above, and quite a handful. He could barely coordinate his hands then.


-20,604,720 Seconds: He didn't even have hands at this time. When I saw these indicators shown above, I said, "Holy [Sheep Herders] I am a dad, my boys can swim!" Kelly rolled her eyes and said something like: "Hey, buddy forget your boys, this is bigger than that!" She was right, of course.


Starting at 31,354,525 Seconds, the family today had a Sunday Celebration for Grant's Birthday , but like other doors, this one, shown above, will stay private until at least 31,536,000 Seconds. Our prayer is very similar to the one on March 3, 2008, though: Lord Grant us the patience and strength to guide our son Grant further into this World. Notice how even then we tipped you off to his name. Thanks, we appreciate your attention to these matters.

30,850,558 Seconds

357 days, 1 hour, 35 minutes and 58 seconds:

* 514,175 minutes (rounded down)
* 8569 hours (rounded down)
* 51 weeks


23,118,840 seconds: Learning from Books

From the first seconds out of the womb to the accelerating moments of clarity, Grant has taken it in this year and met the world with a smile; each second as precious as the first. Only one week to his birthday, we find him in his daily trips to day care with his little blue fleece that has "Grant" written on masking tape affixed to the back. He raises his hand to the sky with an open hand and gives himself fully to the world. He claps spontaneously and the chorus of adults join him. He stands up against his crib, the TV stand, the sofa, a knee, and anything else that will let him. When he makes it up, he smiles falls back down on his diaper-butt, then starts to get up again, like any person who would be proud to find a new ability.

This week we'll give you a glimpse back as we count down to THE LITTLE LEBLOGSKI: GRANT'O'TASTIC BIRTHDAY BASH!


30,653,760 seconds: What do you mean: brought him bowling?

Happy Balentimes

As shown below, Grant sat in his first booster seat, today, like a toddler. He also held two forks today, like a big kid with two forks. Is that ever right?



He also stood against the railing of his crib. He has been trying to stand more and more, and with a little help from Daddy, he got there.




BTW, kids each of the photos you see were all carefully choreographed under laboratory conditions. Please do not try to recreate these scenes at home without direct parental supervision, and a good insurance policy.

What's Up with Grant

After our January hiatus, we are rolling again, Bob.



To get everyone back up to speed with Grant's goings onses, here's a list of new things about Grant:

1. He has joined a new exclusive social club--Ms. Flor's Infant Room at Day Care. It's so exclusive that only four members under the age of 1 year are allowed in, by law. Luckily, Grant made the cut. There's also a strict no napping policy at the club.

2. He's an international traveler. After Christmas, he went to Bucerias, Mexico to get away from the hub bub of the States, and really reassess where he's going and how he's going to get there.



Its good the safety standards in Mexico are so much above those in the U.S. Here he is in a rickety hi-chair, "don't let me fall, Mom!"



He kept safe in the Pool, though.



We all went wail watching!




3. For now, he'll have to get wherever he's going by army crawling. He still refuses to get his tummy off the ground.

4. He has put in for a transfer. Apparently, his little cottage style home is not quite up to his standards. The family is movin' on up, movin' on up north to a deluxe ranch style up seventy-fi-hi-hive... (in Richardson, Texas).

5. He eats three bananas per day. Living up to his continued monkey-person dichotomy, he insists on having a whole banana appetizer before every meal.

6. He got over his first real cold. It lasted three weeks, and brought down his parents with it, as well. Thanks, Grant!

7. He has said "REBEL," we think.



8. He's got mad sippy cup skills. He will drink apple juice from his sippy cup until he is gasping for air, then immediately toss the cup off the high chair.

9. After last night, the family has given up eating out at nice restaurants until Grant regains his table manners, like for instance, not throwing half chewed food at old ladies, not yelling at his parents, and not smearing the other half chewed food on the table. From here on out, its dinner at kid friendly joints (read: "places that adults looking for a nice evening out avoid"). We saw this coming, but were in denial.



10. Grant has much longer hair, and its got some curl to it. His little wisps are getting long and its probably time for a cut, but Mom is in a little bit of denial--babies don't get hair cuts, toddlers do. Here's a very recent photo:



And here's when he got back from Mexico; thanks for the box, whoever....



11. Grant has started to pull himself up to things. For instance, he now wants to pull up in the bath tub; he insists on throwing things over the edge, and will not give up until a shampoo, a ducky, or a towel is heaved over. This has led his parents to compute how many different ways the little boy can hurt himself, like bringing what he's pulling down on himself, pinching his hands, jamming his hands, slipping, falling, bonking, and twisting something. It's exhausting the possibilities. Perhaps a padded room is the best, perhaps a padded world is better.

12. He can now do "arms up", "high five", and "clap hands." The dogs are jealous. I think now that his coordination is up, its time to teach him the Longhorn symbol.

13. He's learned sign language. When he wants a light on he points at it, with an open hand, and says "eh". When he wants the TV on he points at it in the same fashion, and says "eh". When he wants you to grab something, he points at it again and says "eh".

14. He's learned how to use the remote. Instead of eating the remote, which he used to do, he will push the buttons and point the remote at the TV. Usually, it switches the TV mode, or raises the volume really high, or erases something on the DVR. When he's done, he eats it, like old times. The remote has a bunch of teeth marks and the plastic cover is coming apart.



15. He has purchased his last can of formula, unless he takes it up again in college or something.

16. Mexico Rules. See if you can spot what's wrong with this picture, other than Kelly's hair and accessories?



Grant had a great Christmas; he enjoyed good times in San Antonio, and felt the love all the way from Colorado.




Thanks, everybody!

Christmas Wishes from Grant

Grant has enjoyed his first Christmas season and wishes all his family and friends the best in the coming year.




As Grant approaches ten months of post-utero age, he has learned to squirm.



He's becoming very cultural.



He's gotten into the spirit.




He wishes you a Feliz Navidad!







WHEN it was over, Grant was ready for bed. Look at him, looking growner than ever.

A Seasonal Grant

Grant has been chillin' these last couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been anything blog-worthy. He enjoyed a great Thanksgiving with the Walters. And now has been really getting into the spirit of things, trying to make his first Christmas a good one. He's gotten his tree up, his lights up, and even started on his Christmas list, what a responsible little boy. Since you've been missing him, here's a top ten list of things that you didn't know about Grant:

10. He doesn't like when people sneeze.

9. He's now been out of the womb as long as he was in it.

8. His stats are, as of 9 mos., 30.5 inches and 19.8 pounds. This puts him in the 97% in height and 35% in weight for babies his age.

7. He loves strawberries and bananas, but can really put down the hummus.

6. His favorite place is the grocery store.

5. He makes it a point to make one friend in every place he goes.

4. He will stare at a person until they give in and become his friend.

3. He had his first cold last week.

2. He's working on crawling.

1. His first words have been "ba-ba" and "ma-ma".

Here's a couple of pics from Grant's trip to the sculpture museum where he heard a bell concert;



see how he's so into art:





We spent today at the mecca for toys--Toys R Us--which got us thinking...Please vote in our new poll!!



What should Santa bring Grant this Christmas?

1. A sweater.

2. An educational toy.

3. A tickle me Elmo.

4. Thomas the Train.

5. Another dog.

6. A video ipod.

7. A new car.

PS. Emily the Bomb please see the response to your recent post.

Yes He Can: A Menagerie

Grant went on a safari this past weekend, through the country of Africa.





He rode on horses to get there, which he didn't like at first.



Then, on zebras.



Then, on gorillas.




Then, past the alligators.



He met a bee, not a bumble bee.




He saw monkeys.



He rode atop a triceratops.





He went incognito as a lobster.



And then he rode home refreshed!





Congratulations! Sarah and Lino!