Officially On Our Own

We had another week of an extra set of hands around with the arrival of Grandma Sue late last Tuesday evening. It was so nice to have someone to help drive Grace to school and both kids to their various outings and activities....I never had to worry about making sure I was ready to go but only about getting Grace and/or Will ready to head out the door. The kids loved having Grandma read books and an added bonus was that Grandma was here for Grace's "grandparents day" at school...Grace was very proud to have her Grandma attend and even shared her Grandma with a little girl who didn't have someone close enough to come to school with them. Plus, due to Grandma, I am current on laundry and the house is not too messy! Her prescence was sure missed today and I didn't have much of a chance to sit down...there was always something going on!

We love Parades!

This past weekend we enjoyed the local homecoming parade with the kids...nothing like encouraging your children to pick up candy from the street that has been thrown at them by a stranger! Nonetheless, we had a good time and boy am I enjoying those "Bit o' Honeys"!!!

Grant

Grant had his two week appointment on Monday and he seems to be fully embracing the meaning of his name which is "Big, Tall." He weighed in at 9lbs 12 oz (75%) and was 21 1/4 " long (75%). After all the stress with Will and his weight gain over the past two years, it is exciting for us to see Grant thriving and growing strong. The boy is enthusiastic about his meals and is such an alert baby. We are enjoying him so much I cannot put it into words. Check out the cute little rolls on our little fellow!!!

Musical Beds

I knew having a c-section was going to limit my ability to lift Will for a while and had thought about a lot of things this would affect....but it never occured to me I would not be able to put him in and out of his crib until after the event. It seems as if Will had been trying to tell me there was going to be a need for some change as he had been rebelling in the form of taking up screaming for VERY long periods of time at every nap time and almost every bed time for the two weeks before Grant was born. So, we played musical beds and Grace has moved out of her cute little toddler bed into a twin bed and Will is now in his sister's old toddler bed (he always used to enjoy laying in it so he thinks he is pretty hot stuff). Both are absolutely THRILLED with the changes and Will is going to nap and bed time better than he ever has in his life. Grace also really enjoyed our shopping trip to pick out her new bedding, which is of course, pink. He doesn't always go right to sleep but it seems as if the freedom to choose when he lays down in his bed has made all the difference!

After over a week with the kids in the new beds, we can tell there is no going back to the old arrangement so a couple of days ago we raised the crib mattress and put all the cute baby bedding back in for Grant. It looks so cute and he looks so tiny in the big crib! Will is very excited for Grant to move into his bedroom but I don't anticipate that change happening for a little while.

After just a little over 24 hours by myself with the three kiddos, I am 115% convinced that our adjustment to having sweet Grant around has gone so well because my Mom was here. She was terrific with Grace and Will and made them feel incredibly special during her time at our house. Will has had absolutely NO jealousy over me holding and caring for Grant but watch out if Grandma tried to hold his brother...now that could cause quite the commotion (same thing if his sister was spending too much time with Grandma...it was not Grant-specific!). Not only did my Mom help with the kids she cooked pretty much all our meals, made extra stuff for the freezer, folded the laundry, did the dishes, and also completed some projects I did not get done before Grant's arrival. Thanks Mom!!!

Other news...Grant continues to be a big hit at the Kozmo house. Will is so excited by the "baby" and is working on being soft. He loves to hug, kiss, hold, and sit close to his little brother. He just flies around like a typical two year old so we have to watch out. Grace plays with Grant, holds him, reads and sings to him. She has been an incredible helper which I have been very thankful for. I hope it makes her feel important and that I'm not asking too much of her...she is such a mature 4 year old that I sometimes forget she is only 4!

Adjusting

Today my Mom arrives to help us out with Grant and with the kids. After such a smooth pregnancy and delivery, I will have to say these few days after have been a bit rough on me...an allergic reaction to something from the hospital (probably the detergent they use...me and my sensitive skin!) and a spinal headache from the spinal block. Yikes, this has not been fun. I thought my head and neck were going to launch right off my shoulders and blast into outer space. I'm glad it is me having rough spots and not Grant. He is doing well and we are just soaking him up. We've had so much help from our neighbors and also had several friends bringing us extremely yummy meals.

The kids seem to be adjusting well to Grant.....both of them like to hold him. Grace does so with a bit more finesse than Will but they both enjoy having him on their laps and giving him kisses. It is pretty hard on me not being able to pick up Will. ...he loves it when I hold him and is such a cuddle bug. I cannot even put him in or get him out of his crib or help him in/out of his booster chair at the table. Thank goodness we have helpers coming the next couple weeks in the form of Grandmas who will spoil him for me.

It's a BOY!!!!

We are totally thrilled with our new little Kozmo....Grant Donald who arrived Friday morning weighing in at 7lbs 14 ounces and 19 1/2 long. He is our biggest baby by far (almost two pounds bigger than his big brother) but like all new babies still is so tiny and delicate. Grant and I came home from the hospital a bit before lunch today and Grace and Will were pretty excited to have us home. As many of you know, Grace wanted NOTHING to do with another Baby Brother....when she arrived at the hospital on Friday she said "so is it a boy or a girl?" With a bit of hesitation I answered, "it's a boy honey." She then walked over to the bassinet, peered in at the baby, and said "well, you didn't tell me he was going to be so cute!" I guess she thinks he is a keeper...I must say, we all agree!

The Big Day

The poll is almost closed and it looks like our friends and family think a Baby Boy is going to join our family tomorrow!!! It is crazy to think that in less than 12 hours our long wait will be over and we will meet Baby Koz in person. I think we have about everything done that we really need done but there are still some things I would have liked to get done.

Thank you for all your calls this week wishing us good luck and letting us know we are in your prayers. It means so much to us.

Next post....baby news....cannot wait!!!!