It's a Boy (we think)!!

On Tuesday at my doctor's appointment I got a nice little surprise. My sweet midwife, Mary (who delivered Nicholas), offered to play around with the ultrasound to see if we could see what gender the baby is. I am 16 weeks along and am not supposed to have the ultrasound to find out until 20 weeks but she said that sometimes you can see now. Well our little guy showed some pretty convincing evidence that he is a boy! Not only that, he's another very active boy (of course!). At first when she was finding the heartbeat, she found it right away and then he was suddenly gone. She had to dig and search all over my belly for a while to find him again he was moving around so much. Then during the ultrasound he was doing flips and rolls and moving around everywhere. I've been feeling him kicking for a few weeks now but to see him in action was pretty funny. Since Mary is not an ultrasound technician, there is always the chance that we could go for the ultrasound on August 17th and be told that the baby is actually a girl. But I saw the "evidence" and think that is highly unlikely. We are all very excited to have another sweet little boy coming into our lives and I know Nicholas will love having a baby brother. Now I'm just praying for some relief from this awful morning sickness so I can start to enjoy the pregnancy a little.

We've been keeping pretty busy around here as well. Last week Mom, Nicholas and I went down to Peachtree City to visit with Aunt Sue, Grandma, and cousin Matt. We had a great day and a wonderful lunch at their Country Club. Nicholas was so excited to have some good time with Grandma and Aunt Sue. Then after lunch, Sue took us on a great trip around Peachtree City in their golf cart, which Nick of course loved. Then on Saturday, we met Grandad, Kaki, Trip, Mimi, PopPop, and Ashley at Stone Mountain. We had a very long wait for the train around the mountain (which wasn't quite worth it) but after that we had so much fun. We had a great picnic and then the laser show was wonderful. Nicholas is still talking about the fireworks, he loved them so much. It was so nice to get both sides of the family together!

This week, we've enjoyed neighborhood playgroups and a great day with Aunt Lauren, Trip and Mady today. We are so blessed to get to have all of these wonderful experiences and special people in our lives. Next up--a week at the beach with Mimi, PopPop, and Aunt Ashley. Unfortunately, Graham has to work and will be staying behind. We'll miss him so much! But I am so excited to relax in the sun!

A day at the lake

Well this has been a bit of a difficult week. Poor Nicholas came down with some sort of stomach bug, on the way to see fireworks on the 4th of July no less. So the beginning of the week was spent home recovering. Unfortunately by the end of the week, it seems that Graham came down with the bug too. We originally had plans to spend the weekend at lake Blue Ridge with Holly and Matt and Nadine and Michael. With Graham being sick, we didn't make it for the whole weekend but Graham encouraged us to go for the day on Saturday. So Nicholas and I packed things up for our "adventurous" trip into the mountains. On the way up there, I struggled with morning sickness, getting lost a few times, very curvy mountainous roads, avoiding the numerous cyclists on the mountain roads, and having to pee for over an hour without one gas station to stop at. Nicholas and I both were so happy when we finally arrived safely! The first thing he got to do was go for a ride on Matt's lap in a kayak then some swimming in the lake. Soon he noticed all of the rocks on the shoreline and wanted to go play with the rocks. He picked up a rock and instead of being all timid in walking in to the lake (like he always is to walk in the baby pool), he went running into the water and kept going despite my screams until he was past where he can stand. Of course he was wearing his floaties and was not going to go under but it still scared him and me as I ran in after him. Thankfully the rest of the day went very well and we had a blast out on the boat. This was his first time on a boat and he was so excited. He loved watching everyone water ski and knee board out the back of the boat, although he would cry every time that they wiped out. We had so much fun with our great friends (and their dogs of course) and just wish that Graham could have been there too and we could have stayed longer. (I'll add some pictures when I get them)

Busy Week

We have had a busy week here in the Garrison household and I'm behind on my posting!

Last weekend, Nicholas had his first weekend visit to Grandad and Kaki's all by himself. I don't think he could have had more fun! He spent the weekend digging up their rocks, looking for bears in the woods, playing golf, and playing with cars. On Saturday they took him to the lake and reported that he was a little fish swimming to and from Kaki and Grandad and jumping into the water to Grandad. He was even putting his face in the water! They also said that he ate them out of house and home and loved the pizza and pasta Kaki made. Nicholas has been talking about his weekend at Grandad and Kaki's all week long. I'm so glad he had so much fun--hopefully they'll want him to come play again soon! Graham and I got lots accomplished here in Nick's absence as we cleaned out the guest room in step one of our process of preparing Nicholas for a big boy room and for the baby to have a nursery.

Then this week I took care of a friend's toddler for three days, all day long. It was very exhausting. I thought that Nicholas was an active toddler but he is nothing compared to this little boy. Nicholas did well though, having to share his toys for the first time. And despite my exhaustion, it gave me a sense of accomplishment that I was able to parent two kids. I even took them out 2 of the days--once to the mall and once to a playgroup!

I also had another doctor's appointment this week and the baby is doing well. I'm almost 14 weeks now. Nicholas came with me and did very well and we got to hear the heartbeat!

Then last night we went to my parent's club for fireworks (on July 2nd). Nicholas had SOO much fun. He talked about the fireworks the entire day before going and then repetitively as we waited for it to get dark. He enjoyed playing on the golf course although he was upset that we didn't think to bring his golf clubs. Then when the fireworks started our little chatterbox told us all about the "pretty yellow fireworks". He continued talking about the fireworks nonstop until he finally got in his crib (around 10:30 at night!). I am amazed everyday at how much he is talking now and how big his vocabulary is. I have a feeling that this talking may cause some problems in school ;)

Today Graham joined us at the pool for the first time. Nicholas had so much fun swimming with Daddy! It's been a great start to the Fourth of July weekend. More fireworks tomorrow night, and yes, Nicholas is already talking about those!

Mini Graham

These days, Nicholas seems to get more and more fun with each day. His language is growing so much and it's just so amazing watching him learn and process new words and ideas. He can now count to 10 and sing or say his ABC's (it's definitely not perfect but he's saying it). He also loves to sing, despite his not so wonderful voice--hopefully that improves as his language does. But one of the cutest things that I enjoy witnessing is the little "mini-me" that Graham seems to be creating. It is adorable watching the two of them together. Of course long ago Graham taught Nick to say "Go Dawgs, Sic 'Em!" which Nick will instinctively say when he sees any football game, baseball game, UGA paraphernalia, or hears any song from Graham's Red Coat cd. But now, Graham has been able to "mold" him in many other ways. He's taught him the "knuckle tap." He taught him to play with Transformers and make the noise that Transformers make when they transform. To answer the question "What do Gators say?" with a loud "BOOOO!" When Graham puts on his Game Day or workout music and does some bootie shaking in the living room, Nicholas is right there beside him copying all of Daddy's moves. The past few evenings after dinner, the boys have taken to playing basketball and golf in the living room (it's quite hot outside these days) and Nick just can't get enough of this guy time. It's so sweet to see the bond that they have. Maybe someday I'll have a little mini-me as well? Hmm, I wonder what sort of things could I teach her to do.....

A Father's Day Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend honoring Graham for Father's Day by spreading it out over three days! When asked what he wanted to do during the weekend, Graham of course wanted to go to the movies. So Friday night we took Nicholas over to play at Mimi and PopPop's house while Mommy and Daddy got to have a date and went for dinner and to see the new Terminator movie. It was so nice to get out just the two of us! We were planning on picking him up after the movie but when we called, Mom said that he was sleeping so well that he could stay the night. So Nicholas ended up having a fun slumber party! He was so good and had a great time--great practice for his weekend with Grandad and Kaki next weekend :) We picked him up in the morning on Saturday and decided to treat Nicholas to his first movie at the theaters (to avoid the heat) and saw Disney Pixar's Up! He did so well throughout the entire movie and never got scared or was disruptive. There were a few times when he decided to comment on the movie during quiet times but that was all. He seemed like such a big boy and it's so fun to be able to do these sort of things with him now. After the movie we enjoyed some Mexican food. It was a great day for our family of three! I know it's silly and my due date is still a long ways off, but as the three of us walked hand in hand and enjoyed our time together, I couldn't help but get sentimental about how our time with Nicholas as an only child will come to a close soon. But what a blessing another sweet baby will be. :) On Sunday, Graham got to sleep in and open his present and relax around the house. Then we went over to my parents house to celebrate the day with Dad and Papa. We had a wonderful dinner and some great time relaxing there as well! We wish we could have visited with Butch as well but we'll look forward to seeing them next weekend. Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful dads!

Like Father, Like Son

Today was Nick's 2 year check up.  Nicholas has a fear of the doctor, much like his daddy used to when he was little.  I spent the day before preparing him by talking a lot about the doctor and reminding him to not be scared but telling him what would happen at the doctor.  He did a little better than past visits and didn't start crying until the nurse called us to come back to the room.  He hasn't gained any weight over the last 6 months and is still at 28.8 pounds but the doctor wasn't concerned as he's at 51%.  His height was at 67% and his big old head was 93%.  The real excitement came when it was time for his shots.  He was hysterical of course and managed to get one hand free and GRABBED THE NEEDLE AND PULLED IT OUT OF HIS LEG!  I could not believe my eyes and felt so bad that I managed to let that happen.  Unfortunately, that meant he had to get the shot a second time.  As soon as it was all over, he was ready to go and kept saying "Ok, all done!  Bye-bye!" and waving to the doctor and nurse as if he hadn't just disrupted the entire doctor's office with his hysterics.  Oh how I love taking him to the doctor!  

After this, Mimi and I took him to the pool to play (yes, it was a bribe for him to be good at the doctor).  This was just his second time to the pool this summer and he no longer was grasping onto me for dear life like last time.  He suddenly was a little fish in the water, "swimming" from me to the stairs and back, over and over and over.  I kept having flashes of that wonderful picture of Graham at the pool not much older than Nicholas, diving off the diving board all on his own.  I have a feeling that my little dare devil may pull some stunts much like his daddy did.  

Unfortunately, right before heading out to the pool, I managed to stub my toe and break it!  It hurts quite a bit and I'm hobbling around as best I can.  This is going to make chasing around my 2 year old even more fun (as well as "running" to the bathroom with morning sickness).  At least it was my left foot and I can still drive.  :)

Happy Birthday Nicholas!

Saturday was Nicholas's 2nd birthday!  He definitely had a fabulous day and caught on to the whole birthday thing very quickly.  The day started with Mommy and Daddy greeting him in his crib with the Happy Birthday song and right away he was beaming and so excited.  He then walked out to find a new train table waiting for him in the living room.  He ran right over to it exclaiming "Oh, Wow!"  and hasn't stopped playing with it since then.  Later that afternoon, it was party time!  Nicholas was so excited to have everyone that he loves here at the house at one time.  When each family would arrive, he would get so excited and do laps around the living room just like Baxter does when he's excited!  We had a train theme for the birthday party of course and the table was a big hit.  We also lots of other "stations" for the kids to play at like coloring train pictures, reading train books, playing golf and bean bag toss outside and playing with bubbles and other toys.  Nicholas got so many special gifts too--lots of trains, a basketball goal, a golf set, a tricycle, and lots of other fun toys.  It is a good thing that he's got a sibling on the way because he sure is spoiled.  Good thing birthdays only come once a year too!  Nicholas loved his Thomas the train cake and even joined in on the birthday song to himself!  I don't think that he could have had a better time at his party.  Thank you to all of our wonderful family and friends for all of your help with the party, for coming to celebrate, and for the special gifts!   I know I couldn't have gotten through it with out you!