My 1st Mother's Day!

Despite Grant's grouchy face here this might possibly have been one of the most memorable days of my life! Grant was so sweet on Mother's Day! I have to admit that I've never felt more special in my life! Mother's Day gave me this awesome feeling that no other holiday can offer! I have a wonderful loving husband who gave me a little angel, and I thank God each and everyday for putting both of them in my life!!

It seems like my Mom has everyone over for each holiday and even though this was my 1st Mother's Day I decided to give her a break and I would have the party this year! We had about 18 people at our house but it was so fun! Franklin grilled hamburgers and everyone else brought a dish to help out! This was my Strawberry Limeade cake that I made, and I must say.. it was a hit!

"Blood of my blood" is a quote that my Granny often uses! I look at this picture and that day looked around the room to see a house full of family and to know that it all started with Granny and Grandpa! Pretty amazing!

We were also so happy to have Franklin's Mom, Grandma, come join in as well! After all without her, I wouldnt have Franklin or Grant! :)

Of course even though it was Mother's Day.... I had to have a picture of my favorite boys!

Granny's special time with each of the boys is feeding time! She got to feed Grant his pears!

I wished this picture would have turned out better! I mean, its GREAT of Toby and Yates but Yates' hair was absolutely hilarious when he woke from his nap!

About a year ago little Tol came to spend the night with us and Franklin always tries to find new and exciting things to do, like pitting cherries! To this day Tol still talks about pitting cherries with "Frankin"! Of course Franklin wouldnt let a little fella down and had some "pittin" time with Tol!

Grant loves his cousins! He watches them carefully and then cracks up laughing!

Grandma usually comes with a new treat and this time she brought Grant a new bath toy and he LOVED IT!

Grants Great Uncle Richard and Aunt Rhonda bought him the faucet cover before he was even born and he LOVES IT! He likes to flip its hat up and down!

You Don't Need Eyes to See!

Meet Uncle Jeff! This is one of Franklin's 3 uncles! I have to admit I have some incredible in-laws! I'm not really sure where to even begin on this but let me just start by saying Jeff is so inspirational to me, and to many others! Bob, Jeff's brother, wrote a letter to CVS for their "All The Ways We Care" contest. This was a contest among thousands and it was about knowing someone who does selfless acts for other people. Jeff was one of the Finalist and got to go to New York and was on Good Morning America! Here is the video link that was made about Jeff! http://www.forallthewaysyoucare.com/video/?videoid=8465316137392749274

I would also like to mention that Jeff is an INCREDIBLE musician! Jeff and his partner, Erin, are pheominal and I encourage you to visit their site at http://www.higginsmadewell.com/ and listen to their music! The video above features one of my favorites by them called "Like A Stone". Anyways.. we're very proud of Uncle Jeff and he is a prime example of how each of us should live our lives, never taking anything for granted!

Visit from the Great Grandparents!

Bare with me.. this could be my longest post ever!
Last week Franklin's Grandparents came down from Ohio for a visit! They come down every year the 1st weekend in May for a grave decoration of their parents. Each of them had large families (I think Gma had 11 siblings and Gpa had around the same). Anyhow, they go to the Cemetery that their parents were buried and put out fresh flowers and then go to the Bill and Brenda Hamptons for a fantastic meal afterwards! And of course Grandma and Grandpa were dying to see their 1st Great Grandbaby, they havent seen Grant since December! I certainly miss them, they really helped with Grant and he was always entertained!

This is a picture of Grant so desperately trying to crawl over to Grandma.. he just couldnt make it!

He LOVED playing with Grandpa... he would watch him very intently!

Another great reason for loving having extra people around??? It wears him out.. he fell asleep eating!!!!!! Anyone who knows my son knows that he doesnt miss a meal, so you know he was exhausted if he fell asleep eating!

Having a big time with Grandma!

PICKLED OKRA!!!!! Like I sd.. this child will eat anything you give him!

Pat-a-Cake!!!! He can do it! Only when he wants to of course!

These next two pictures crack me up! This goes to show you that Great Grandparents will go to any extreme to make them smile.. Grandma is bent over the ottoman upside down! Grant was dying laughing and trying so hard to get a hold of her hair!!!!

And he got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such a hapy boy!

Grandpa Frank came over for a visit!!!! Grant loves to read!

He stole Grandpa's hat!

Here we are at the grave site! I wished I would've taken more pictures but it was rainy!

I absolutely LOVE this picture!!!!!!!!!!! I think its so sweet!

FOUR GENERATIONS!!!!!!!1! All of these men have the middle name Edward and were the 1st male babies in the Madewell family! Well.. I take that back.. Im not sure about Grandpa but the other three were!

Another week of swimming!

We have mastered yet another week of ISR swim class! Grant gets better each and every day! I am so proud of him! He still screams but thats normal! I couldnt get the video to load last time.. hopefully it will work now! He has had a crowd of supporters! His Great Grandma came last week, along with Daddy, Papa G, Uncle Tol, and Little Tol!

Grant and I waiting for his lesson!

He's a little mad at Aunt Kelly right here! But she knows whats best for him!

Grant floating without assitance! I was a proud Mama!

Yay.... All Done!

And a sucker for a job well done!

Mama to the rescue!!!!!!!!! Excuse my "Morning face and hair do"

SO EXCITED to see his Papa G!

Papa and the boys!

I wished the video wasnt so blurry :( But here he floats without help and turns in the water from stomach to back!

ISR: Infant Swim Resource! Thank you Aunt Kelly!

I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to my wonderful sister-in-law, Kelly! She's teaching one of the most remarkable programs I've ever witnessed! ISR is a wonderful program that teaches infants and young children water survival skills. I started Grant in this program last week and its 5 days a week for 4 weeks for children his age. I can't believe how much he's already learned! I wont lie, its not fun to watch because as a parent it does scare you. My theory on this is.. had I rather watch him cry and struggle with a trained professional in arms reach of him or had I rather watch him have an accident in the water and possibly lose his life? Anyways.. I'm so very proud of Grant and wanted to put up a post of his first week! Dont let the videos scare you, Kelly knows what she's doing! If anyone is interested in this program feel free to email me and I will give you her information or you can visit her blog at http://www.swimisr.blogspot.com/

This was taken right before class! What a stud-muffin in his speedo's.. or as my nephew says.. his "Skivvies".

Grant is floating without assistance! Her hands are under him just in case!

Uncle Tol comes to watch! He's making sure he's "wakeboard ready" for the summer!

Papa G comes almost every day! :)

This was his first "roll"!

Ahhh... ALL DONE!

Here is the video.. dont worry... he screams the entire time but he's fine! And he still loves his Aunt Kelly! Sorry if the sound messes up and excuse the screaming!

The Growl......

I've been telling people that Grant is now "growling" at me... but until you actually hear it... you can't understand! I finally got it on video and couldn't resist sharing it! I PROMISE this is not Me growling in the background! He's not doing it as much as he used to, but this will always be a fond baby memory for me! Enjoy "the growl" video and the photo!

PUPPIES!!!!!

Last weekend Grandma (Franklin's Mom) and Pa Ron came over to visit! Their dog, Sophie, just had 7 new pups and brought them over for Grant to see! They're about 6 weeks old and they are SO SWEET and CUTE (I THINK they sd the puppies are Austr. Shepard and Border Collie Mix but I could be wrong!)! They are giving them away if anyone wants one! Grant LOVED them and they were so gentle with him! Here are some pictures!