Abby-Do

Meet Grant's girlfriend, Abby Givens (or whom he calls Abby-Do)... oh how I love this child! Emily had to take Nate to a Dr's appt last week and asked me to watch Abby, which I was tickled to do! Grant absolutely LOVES HER! Poor Gal.. she got ZERO breathing room!

I heard Abby giggling and looked up to find Grant "reading" to her! So sweet!

And her Dad, Greg (being that he's a professor and all), would be so proud to know they had a "study session" on their computers!

And of course what good boyfriend goes without giving his gal some love!!!!!

I know they are many years away from becoming a real couple but hey... one thing is for sure, at least we know they'd both like the in-laws! :) Hahah..

New Baby!

As most of you know, we are expecting our 2nd child in March! We are very excited! Bless its heart, it already has 2nd child syndrome! We have no nickname other than "baby" (Yes, Em.. I know it drives you crazy! hahahah!). Anyways, we went to our 20 week ultrasound last Friday and got some good pictures of the little peanut! We managed to stay strong and NOT find out the sex, it was much harder than I thought, but healthy was all that mattered to us! We do have access to the gender if we so choose to find out, but I have no idea where that information is, and for good reason! hahah!
I have put up a "poll" to the right of this posting, its kind of hard to see, but you can vote on what you think the gender might be!!!!!! I have no clue! I had a gut feeling Grant was a boy, but this time, I really don't know! The pregnancies have been both similar and differnt. I crave some of the same things and some I dont. I have loved candy(think Skittles, SweeTarts, and Sour Punch Straws!), but not chocolate (unless its a Snickers!), spicy food, Mexican, sweet tea, and LOTS of fruit!!!! Esp apples, grapes and strawberries!
The two biggest differences I have had: Only 4 weeks of morning sickness, rather than 8 with Grant AND my skin... oh my skin... I had awesome complexion with Grant.. this time I look like a 15 year old!

The above picture I think is so sweet, the baby has its little hand on its face!

The next picture I find hysterical! Most of my girlfriends joke with me because of my middle toe, its rather longer than the others! In fact, I used to call them ET fingers, hahah.. anyways I can not wear "peep toe" shoes because I have to buy 1/2 size bigger OR that toe comes completely out of the shoe! (Which is why I hate Crocs.... my toe ALWAYS pokes out of that hole in the front.. MEH).. but take a little look at this baby's toes, if it is a girl, bless her, she will never get to have peep toe shoes!!!! Hahah.. a Swindell trait I am proud of, although a little annoying sometimes!

Gatlinburg

This past week we headed up to the Mountains for our yearly trip with Papa G and DeeDee. When we arrived it was very cold and sleeting! We met them at a little pub until time to check in to our condo. Grant was so ready to be out of the car, as we were too. He loved "playing" the video games and sitting in every chair he could find!

He was SO happy to see his DeeDee and Papa G, but he was stuck to DeeDee like glue the entire trip. He kept saying "DeeDee's Mountain home", "No, DeeDee do it", "My DeeDee".. Dad sd he was as sick of hearing "DeeDee" as he was of Rascal Flatts! Bahahahahah

He also enjoyed shooting some pool with Papa!

When we got to the condo Grant was so excited that our balcony overlooked the creek and the playground, in fact he was so excited that he ran smack dab in to the sliding door, um... TWICE! The first time just scared him and the second time he was embarrassed, and yes I died laughing both times (of course after checking to see if he was ok)!

He didnt sleep the entire trip up or any that afternoon. We went to eat at the Alamo (one of our faves) and he CRASHED on the ride home!

It took 3 of us to get him into his pjs, he was dead weight, he never moved!

These next few pictures are out of order, my apologies!

The next day we took our family pictures before Franklin had to head home. We drove up to Cades Cove and spent most of the morning and mid afternoon there!

Grant gave Papa a picture perfect shave! BRAVE MAN!

There is nothing like getting some cuddles from my sweet boy!

Grant - on the ride up to Cades Cove

When we got towards the end of the tour/drive there was a spot where they had horses and a plantation home, they were making fresh molasses!

On our way out, this dude stepped out right in front of the car! How beautiful!

The playground view at night from our Balcony!

Here is a picture of Grant checking to see if the sliding glass door is closed! Smart boy!

Before Daddy had to leave, we made one of two trips to the Apple Barn. Franklin loves their homemade peach icecream. Grant had his first taste of icecream here when we went two years ago!

He ate some of Daddy's icecream....

and most of DeeDee's!

We went back to the condo to let Grant "rest" before going to Dollywood, he begged his Papa to take him down to the creek. They threw rocks and leaves in and he loved it, but he couldnt understand why he couldnt get in!

To distract him from the creek, we headed for the playground, hoping that would make him tired!

DeeDee and I joined in on the playtime! Some things never change!

Grant and Papa playin' in the leaves.

Needless to say Grant never napped :( So we got ready and headed to Dollywood... which by the way was CLOSED. We had season passes and wouldn't you know that it was closed Mon, Tues, and Wed? The days we were there? So disappointing.

The next morning we got up and played around for a while and got up and got ready and decided to hit the streets of Gatlinburg and just walk around and drive through the mountains!

Grant trying to be patient..you can tell by the look on his face, patience wasnt in his vocabulary that day!

There is a store in Gatlinburg called "All Sauced Up" that is now carrying my Uncle Richard's BBQ Sauce, "Ole South BBQ" and it is DELICIOUS! I was proud and had to get my pic next to it in the store!

Next we hit the little villages where Grant had a blast!

He had to stop to make a call!

Here he is "riding the horse".. I think we could have a future bullrider!

After the villages we headed to find a place to eat and Grant spotted this candy store/arcade.. OH BOY.. thought we'd never get him out!

He talked about driving this car and train ALL DAY LONG!

While at the Villages I bought him this cute penguin hat! He wore it all day!

After driving through the mountains we found this place where this couple was playing acoustic music! It was so much fun, they had popcorn and rootbeer! Grant loved it!

He even got up on stage!

Of course after that we had to make a stop at the creek!

Wednesday, on our way out, we had to make another stop at the Apple Barn! I have been craving apples and the Pink Lady apples here are to die for!

We had a fantastic time and cant wait to go back next year, hopefully Dollywood will be open next year! Thank you to Papa and DeeDee for a great trip!