Dear Becca and Grant.
                        Well, today your old Mom turns 30. I know it's been a while since I posted and I apologize. Grant, I've been having to go to the doctor two or three times a week so that they can check on you. You're going to be born less than a month from now. We're very excited. The driving and getting ready and lack of sleep at night has me really worn out. Yesterday I came home from the doctor and slept three hours. Becca, you weren't nearly this hard. And every one I have asked says that boys are harder than girls. I believe them, Grant. It's really not anything major but it's just been how much worse I feel. Of course, that could have something to do with being thirty as well.
                        Grant, you will be our last baby. I'm getting too old and fat to carry any more, haha. Daddy and I always wanted two kids, and that is what we have been blessed with. I am really happy to have you and Becca in my life. I never thought we'd have any kids. I especially didn't think we'd have any more after Becca, and then we got pregnant with a baby before you. We were super excited but very let down when we found out the baby was in the wrong place. My heart was still breaking over that situation when I found out that you were on the way. I was very happy but needless to say also very scared. I was worried that you would be in the wrong place as well. But, you were not. Thank God! We've got us a set now, a boy and a girl. You two are all we ever wanted or needed.
                       Becca, we are going to the Aquarium today. It looks like a good day for it, it is overcast and it is supposed to be rainy. So an indoor activity is just the ticket. We always try to do something with you that allows you to burn your energy out. I imagine we will find somewhere with a playland to eat a late lunch/early supper afterward and then head on our way home. You've been real excited about going to the Aquarium but now that I told you we are going today you are very worried about the sharks. I told you that they were in a big tank and could not get to you. You still remember the man in the scuba gear scaring you by waving at you the last time we were there. I felt terrible about that but you seem to have gotten over it and made it a very fond memory. The last time that we went Granny and Aunt Linda and Mamaw and Papaw went with us. This time, though, it's just going to be the three of us. Jacob and Jon wanted to go but it's gotten to be quite a bit more expensive and we are going to be leaving here very shortly. I'd say they are still in bed. In addition to that we want these last few weeks before Grant gets here to belong all to you. We want to make you feel as special as possible because I know that you are going to be the best big sister in the world. But I want you to remember something, little girl. You are my ONLY little girl and I will love you forever and always, and you will always be precious in my sight. And Grant, you are my ONLY little boy and I will love you forever and always and you will always be precious in my sight.
            Yesterday I had to go to the doctor and get a NST on your heart, Grant. That's just where they hook me up to a monitor and listen to your heart rate. You do NOT like that machine so you scoot away from it as much as you can. You scooted and moved so much they could get NO trace at all and had to send me for a BPP ultrasound. That means a Biophysical Profile. They do four tests, your heart rate, fetal breathing, movement, and amniotic fluid. You passed all four with flying colors. However, they could not see your face anymore because you are so squished up and dropped so far down in my pelvis. You are about all cooked, you little turkey.
             Well. I am gonna let you guys go because it is starting to thunder outside and Becca, you are putting on a big show over being scared of it. We need to get dressed, anyway. Remember, Mommy loves Becca and Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
                  I know it's been awhile since I last posted to your blog. I usually try to fill you in all all the news that is news and a lot of stuff that isn't news every weekend but for some reason I just haven't been all that motivated as of late. I still love working on the blog and since I last posted I have done a semi-major overhaul of y'all's online photo album. I added references to you, Grant. I also reversed the order of the pictures. Since I first started the online photo album the first page has always been of the day Rebecca was born. Now when I update the photo album the newer pictures will be on the first pages. I don't know why I haven't done that earlier.
      I have also been working on the hard copy version of y'all's blog. Since Becca just had a birthday recently I had to begin volume five of her hard copy. I really don't know what I am going to do about your hard copy, Grant. You are on volume one right now because you are in your gestational period. When you are born you will begin volume two. That's why even though Becca only just turned three she is on volume five. Anyway Grant, I really don't know where to start your first volume. Should I start it when we found out about the baby we lost very shortly before we were blessed with you or should I begin when we found out about you. If I start when we found out about you I feel like it would be beginning in the middle of the story. We were still grieving over the loss of the previous baby and our nerves were frazzled to no end when we found out about you. So I don't know what I'm going to do about your hard copy. I thought about merging both of y'all's hard copy and starting and stopping it in between your birthdays but then that kind of confuses what I have going on regarding the pictures I include in the hard copy. I need to make a new cover for you, Grant because Becca's is so girly. Maybe I need to revise Becca's cover as well because the cover of her hard copy blog is a picture of the stork with an "It's a Girl" sign and a pink baby bundle. That was great when she was a baby but she's no longer a baby anymore.
      Your Mom put that little video clip of her trying to get you to say that you were good when you were just a few months old on YouTube.com, Becca. I thought that was a fabulous idea so I uploaded 86 more clips to the site and put a link to our YouTube channel page on y'all's online blog. All but two of the clips are with you in them, Becca. There's one of Granny saying the blessing before an Easter dinner and a funny one of your Mom & I fighting over what to name one of your stuffed bears. I embedded the clip of Granny saying grace on the blog above the poem that your Mom wrote in honor of that fabulous woman. I'm sure that soon enough you'll be making your video clip debut on the internet, Grant. I fiddled with the colors and layout of our channel page to make it more in tune with the design of the blog. The blog design will never change. I started designing it before I knew if Becca was going to be Rebecca Lynn or if she was going to be Caleb Marlin. That was going to be Becca's name if she had have been a boy and your name was going to be Rachel Marie if you had have been a girl.
      So these are all the reasons I haven't been posting like I should; that and the fact that it's much too easy to get distracted by the television when you have the laptop laying on your lap trying to do more important stuff.
      As for what has gone on since my last post; well, the very first day back to work after I had a few days off for Granny's funeral, for the first time ever in twenty years I showed up at work and was sent home before I got inside the building because there were power issues inside the plant. I rode in with Papaw and he never gets to go home early so I called your Mom at 6:45 in the morning and was asking her to get out of bed and wake you up so y'all could come and get me. Your Mom wasn't too happy about that. Luckily a nice woman I work with named Lillie Lord offered to drive me home. It was really very nice of her because she wasn't going anywhere near Versailles. She's the same lady that made you the stuffed bear that your Mom & I were trying to name in the above mentioned video clip. Anyway I got to come home and your Mom got to take a nap and then I got to take a nap and then we went and had your third birthday pictures taken eight days after your third birthday. We went to a restaurant with a play place over in Hamburg and then came home and went to bed. I had to work the next day but I got sick and had to take the day after that off so I only worked one day that week.
      I also had a short week this past week. I only had to work four days this week because they did inventory yesterday because the plant is shut down for vacation for the next two weeks. So yesterday was the beginning of two weeks and a day off. I am excited about being off from work. Of course Papaw isn't off for vacation. He works in the shop and the shop uses the down time to work on machines that are usually running. Papaw never catches a break, does he?
      While I'm off I want to put up a gate on the right side of our house so I can get the lawn mower I bought from Uncle Rodney into the back yard without having to take the fence apart. We also plan on going back to the Newport Aquarium because you've been talking about wanting to go back for a few months now, Becca. I can't believe you remember when we went before. You did love it though, all except the diver who was feeding the fish in the giant tank. He waved at you and scared you. I hope to burn to DVD a lot of movies I have downloaded off of the internet. Your Mom is entering her nesting phase right about now so I am sure she will have a few items on her honey-do list for me.
      Yesterday your Mom had an appointment with the Stanley Steemer people to come out to the house and clean the carpets. We figured that it would be better if you were out of their way so you and I went to Lexington. We first went to Goodyear Tire over on Southland Drive to get a new tire for your Mom's dented up Taurus. I think the accident she was in screwed one of her tires up and we had to get a new one. I took your portable DVD player into the waiting area and you watched Dora and drank my coke while I read the paper. You were very good and very patient. I used to hate doing stuff like that when I was a child.
      We then went to CVS drugstore in the same strip mall as the tire place because you had pooped in your pull-up and all we had to put you into was a swimmer pull-up and they do not work at all when you are not in water so we went and bought you some pull-ups and we changed you out of your swimmer and into the regular pull-up in the parking lot of CVS. We also bought some wipes and you got a Ratatouille painting book.
      We then went to the McDonalds in the Wal-Mart parking lot on the corner of Nicholasville Rd. and Man-O-War. They have a very nice play place over there. You played forever. Eventually your Mom came and joined us when the Stanley Steemer people were done with the carpets. You played for almost three hours and you got plumb tuckered out by it. There was one little girl there who was maybe half your size and maybe a little younger than you who was yelling at all of the other kids and pointing her finger. She had most of the other kids cowed down but when she told you to do something you didn't want to do you just said no and when she yelled at you and pointed that finger at you you just returned her loud yelling with a little bit of loud yelling yourself. Your Mom called you away from the situation but we were both very proud of you because you wouldn't allow yourself to be bullied like that. Way to go, Becca!
      We then went over to Wal-Mart where we bought some big rugs for your room, Becca and the living room. We bought a whole bunch of stuff that we needed and I really can't recall what half of it was. We bought shampoo, deodorant, mouth wash, band aids, night time pull-ups, paper towels, toilet paper, vitamins, laundry detergent, dryer sheets and since it's back to school time we got you a dozen pads of paper for twenty cents apiece, three pencil boxes for crayons and forty-eight boxes of twenty-four crayola crayons to put in those pencil boxes. I know that sounds like way too many crayons but I hope it will be a long time until we have to buy you anymore. We only spent ten dollars on all of those crayons. The lady who checked us out had the most sour look on her face. She was making me sad just looking at her. I told her to smile and she cracked the weakest shortest lived smile I have ever seen in my life.
      We got home and you were a super grump. We washed you down real quick and you had a banana and then you went to bed. Your Mom and I paid bills online and then she went to bed. I noticed that my check wasn't credited on the bank website and that made me nervous but we have enough money to get us by until my money comes in. We won't starve or bounce any checks but I really like my money to be there when it is supposed to be there.
      I have to go to bed now because I have to get up early and go down to Uncle Rodney's and help him pour the last bit of his new concrete driveway and after that I am taking the boys to see Transformers and you and Mom are going to see Ratatouille. They are playing at the same theater on Nicholasville Road over the county line in Jessamine County. Well, I had better finish this up. Your Mom called me on the phone from the bedroom a minute ago to tell me to come to bed so I had better listen to what she says because she is the boss, Apple Sauce. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

For Granny It's hard to say all you were to me, I could name so many things, A quiet prayer for my serenity, A breath of hope on Angel's wings. You were a hug on Christmas Eve, And a Christmas morning wish, And you were, I believe, My favorite Christmas Gift. You were the faith I couldn't find, When life would get too tough, Your prayers a comfort to my mind, When just words weren't enough. Of all the things you were to me- And there are so very many, There's one thing you'll always be. You'll always be my Granny. We love and miss you dearly Granny. Thank you for everything you gave to us. We'll see you in Heaven.

Dear Becca & Grant,
                  We buried Granny yesterday. It's been a long time since I've known such sadness. Granny has always been in my life and here we were putting her into the ground. I know she's enjoying her vast rewards that she has laid up in heaven but still I wish she could have always been in all of our lives. The funeral was at eleven o'clock in the morning. I was a pallbearer as was Chris Robinson, Seth Robinson, Clinton Brown, Uncle Rodney and Lucas Tenorio was supposed to be the third but because of some personal problems he is having right now he wasn't in attendance at the funeral; Derrick Darnell, Aunt Louise's grandson and by extension Granny's oldest great-grandchild took his place. I was Granny's oldest grandson and third oldest grandchild. I was real proud of the turn out at the funeral. Granny has touched so many lives through her journey through this life here on earth. The great grandchildren all released balloons in her honor. Becca, we put you in daycare today so you weren't at the funeral and you, Grant, are still safely inside your Mommy's tummy so she released two balloons on your behalf. After the funeral most of the family and friends went to New Hope Baptist Church on Tyrone Pike to celebrate Granny's life with food and fellowship. I hate to see her go.
      When we got home we decided to leave you in daycare so we could relax a bit. We watched a movie on DVD called Ghost Rider with Nicholas Cage. Your Mom & I both enjoyed the movie and the time we got to spend by ourselves. I was worn out by the stress of the past few days so I took a nap while your Mom went to pick you up at daycare. You asked to go to eat somewhere where you could play so she took you to a Chick-fil-a with a play area next to the Turfland Mall. You played for hours and had a ball.
      The day before yesterday was Granny's visitation. We had planned on taking you out there for a little while and then having your Mom taking you back home so we took both vehicles. You found a friend in one of your distant cousins and the two of you were having so much fun that your Mom decided to keep you there. I was glad that you stayed because there were a lot of family members there that had never seen you and I got to show you off. We talked to you about how Granny has gone to be with Jesus and that we won't be able to see her anymore and you got a little sad.
      I've been off of work the past few days because of Granny. I have to go back Wednesday. I need to get in bed so I will close out this post. Becca, I hope you remember your dear Granny. She loved you so much and you gave her so much joy in the last stages of her life. Grant, I really wish you could have known her. I know I've said it before but you really missed out on knowing a great gal. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
            This is the post that I have been dreading for the longest time. Yesterday morning, July 5^th, our beloved Granny, Annetta Robinson went to claim her reward with Jesus. I've known and loved Granny all of my life. I love her like the two of you love your dear Mamaw. It's a truly sad time for all of us. Granny is now enjoying the vast treasures she most assuredly amassed in heaven. Catching up with her Mom & Dad who are my own Mamaw & Papaw, her first husband Harry Bowman, her second husband who was the man named Bambi Dee in the stories I relate to y'all on occasion, and all of her brothers and sisters who have one on ahead of her.
      Becca, we haven't told you yet that Granny has passed. We thought we would do it after you get up later this morning. I don't know if you're really truly going to understand that you will never see your Granny Grunt, as you call her ever again. I know it would break my heart if you was to ask to go see Granny. I truly do hope you are able to remember your dear old Granny. She dearly loved you. I know for a fact that toward the end of her earthly journey you were the light of her life.
      Grant, I really feel sorry for you because you will never know the sweetest woman God ever deemed fit to put upon this earth. I have never heard her mention a negative word about anyone ever. You will no doubt hear wonderful stories about this saint we refer to as Granny and you will wonder if ever a creature so gentle and kind could ever have existed. I want you to know that she was every bit as wonderful as the stories you hear reflect.
      To write about your birthday party seems kind of frivolous in light of Granny passing yesterday but you did indeed have a little party the day before Granny passed so I will fill you in on some of the events of that party. You and I left early for Mamaw & Papaw's to give your Mom a chance to bake a birthday cake for you and one for Jacob. Jacob's birthday is very close to yours so we have been celebrating them together. You and I swam for a little while but you haven't been feeling all that well since you went to the dentist. It seems that while your mouth was numb you ended up chewing on your tongue and it is hurting you something fierce. You crawled out of the pool and played with Jake & Jon for awhile. You helped me shuck some corn for the party and then we watched as Papaw boiled the corn in his big turkey fryer down in his garage. Sissy came up the hill and you asked her to swim with you so she did. You swam awhile longer while I loaded up your piñata with candy. Mom came with the cakes and Papaw began to grill the hot dogs. As he did it began to sprinkle a little. Auntie Lynn and I moved the table with all of the food to the garage in front of the house. We all gathered in there as it began to pour the rain; so much for a pool party. As we were getting ready to eat Mamaw received a phone call from Mike stating that Granny was coughing up blood. Mamaw became very upset and Mamaw & Papaw headed up to Granny's. We all stayed at the party. We ate hot dogs and all of the things that go with it on the 4th of July. You sat right in front of Uncle Rodney and ate. You have such a toddler crush on your Uncle Rodney. All Auntie Lynn has to say about it is that you have great taste in men and I have to agree. If you wind up with a fellow anything like Uncle Rodney I will be happy. Eventually Mamaw & Papaw returned. It was thought that it was an old ulcer bleeding and not life threatening at the moment. I am glad she didn't pass on the 4th because that would have cast a shadow over the holiday for a long long time. Mamaw & Papaw ate while everyone sat around and waited.
      Eventually they finished and it was time to beat the living snot out of your Dora the Explorer piñata. You beat and beat that thing but nothing happened. Eventually you enlisted the aid of Jake & Jon who were all too happy to help you whack away at poor Dora. Papaw had hung Dora from the garage door and as y'all were beating her she decided it was time to get away. The garage door slammed shut and took Dora with it. It was initially kind of scary but funny afterward. Y'all eventually got the piñata open and all of her candy spilled onto the floor. You really enjoyed your piñata.
      Now it was time for presents. Auntie Lynn & Uncle Rodney got you some cute outfits. Sissy got you a christian toddler book. Mamaw & Papaw got you one of those balls with a handle that you jump with, Jon & Jake got you a toy golf set, Auntie Mary sent you some more side walk chalk and your Mom & Dad got you a little pink scooter, a new helmet for when you ride your scooter or your tricycle or whatever, a Disney princess baseball and bat, and an electric scooter. I think you had a pretty great birthday party as far as your presents are concerned. You played golf with the boys for the longest time. We saw a frog hopping along and I picked him up and you touched him. I didn't think you would but you did. I was so proud of my fearless little girl. On the way home I asked you what your favorite part of the party was and you said that playing golf with Jake & Jon was your favorite. Your Mom has noticed that when you are with a bunch of kids you would much rather play with the boys of the group and we attribute that to the fact that your primary playmates since birth have been Jake & Jon. You do love them silly boys.
      When we got home we watched the fireworks as we drove through the neighborhood. When we got home you didn't want to stay outside because all of the noise of the fireworks kind of frightened you and I was so proud of my frightened little girl. You heard a rocket go off and you told us you heard a scary bird. We went inside and Mom opened the shades and the two of you watched fireworks from the safety of the sofa while I went to bed because I had to be at work early the next morning.
      Work was incredibly crappy after I found out about Granny. You and your Mom picked me up because she had a doctor's appointment close to where I work. I walked into the cafeteria and there you were bouncing on the ball Mamaw & Papaw got for you. That was your favorite gift of your birthday I do believe. We went to Mom's doctor and you and I stayed out in the waiting area where you looked at fish in an aquarium and told the office workers all about your birthday party. You informed me you wanted to go back to the aquarium and see a shark. You were referring to the Newport Aquarium and I want to go back as well because I think sharks are cool too.
      We then planned on going to CiCi's but I knew the only reason you wanted to go was to play and I knew you would have more fun at the McDonald's Playland so we went there instead. You did indeed have a wonderful time.
      Well, that's my post for today. By the way, today is your Mom & Dad's 9th Wedding anniversary. Your Mom has another doctor's appointment tomorrow and since I am off work for bereavement leave due to Granny's passing I am going with y'all. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Rebecca,
          Happy birthday. You are the big THREE YEARS OLD today! Yayyyyyyy. Mommy's heart breaks that you are growing so very fast. Just the other day we were watching videos of you as a baby and I must say, you are a big girl now. But, you will ALWAYS be my baby girl.
     We're having your party at Mamaw's tomorrow. Jake is having his with you and I believe that you two will have a grand old time. There's going to be tons of things to do tomorrow and I just know you'll get yourself all worn out. I am up so early because I thought I'd get up, have some coffee, and get a little housework done before anyone started stirring. Plus I want to make you some kind of special breakfast for your birthday (something you wouldn't normally get!) and then I thought we might get dressed and go see Rattatouille. I don't know if that's how you spell it or not. There are all kinds of fun things we can do together today, even if it's just going out in the backyard and swimming, spraying each other down with the waterhose - YOU GOT ME GOOD YESTERDAY! We were playing with the hose outside and I was spraying you and you asked, "Mommy, can you play with me?" Of course I said yes, and of course at that very time you SPRAYED ME! You were laughing and giggling so hard that I let you keep doing it. Then we had Daddy go in and get us a towel and some shampoo and you took your shower outside. You thought it was indeed, big fun.
     You had a dentist appointment yesterday. I must say you did suprisingly well - for not even being three yet. Your dentist and your hygenist were both named Rebecca. You thought that was funny. They gave you laughing gas and you did very well with it, however it did make you a bit fidgety. You kept playing with your feet, rolling from side to side on the tabe, and taking your shoes off. You let them do all the work they had to on your mouth, but when they tried to put the big ring around your tooth with a green rubber blocker to take the taste away, you pitched a bit of a fit. They took it off and you calmed back down and let them finish fixing your tooth. You are one amazing little girl. And because it was so close to your birthday, you got TWO prizes.
     When we got done at the dentist, you stumbled onto the Elevator and were quite disoriented for a bit. It was a little funny but no so much because I knew it would soon wear off and you would be hurting. Sure enough, shortly after we got in the truck you started to fuss. You bit your tongue while it was numb and rubbed the skin off of it, so you really weren't able to eat much of anything yesterday. Except we took you to chinese and let you have all the ice cream you could eat. You also had a bowl of Wanton soup with your ever-requested chopsticks. When we got there you asked me where the Chinese music was. You are SO FUNNY!
     After Chinese we stopped at Kroger and got some things for your birthday party. Hot Dogs, Chips, Corn on the cob, Chili. etc. It's going to shape up to be a big fun day fior you, I hope. I just hope Mamaw can get everything worked out with her brothers and sisters so she can be there for most of the day. Well, little girl, I better utilize my time now that my coffee is gone. Remember, MOIMMY LOVES REBECCA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! (Insert balloons here)

Dear Becca & Grant,
            Becca, today you and I went swimming. We spent almost three and a half hours in Mamaw's pool despite the fact that there was really no sun out and the wind kept blowing. I wasn't really feeling like going anywhere and had been hoping that Daddy would take you to get your energy out instead. I popped another vein in my stomach early this morning and it was really hurting. Daddy was not done sleeping, however, and it was nearly noon and you were ready to go. We were going to go to Falling Springs and let you swim for a while there but you decided Mamaw's would be better, and you were right. I just thought maybe you'd like to play with the kids at Falling Springs because I knew Jacob & Jon would be gone to baseball today but it all worked out in the end.
We had a big time in the pool. Mamaw sat and watched us play for the longest time. Papaw came and watched us play, too. You rode around on me in the pool and we played all kinds of fun games. We raced and you won two out of three times. You're really a good swimmer. You are getting better and better every time we go.
    I was posting this blog and you came in here and decided that you were going to get up in my lap and look at 'talking pictures'. We looked at a ton of movies of you when you were a tiny little baby and on up. You were such a sweet, happy, cute little baby. Now you are such a mean, bratty, cute little toddler. No, really, you are not that bad. You are a sweet girl.
    I reckon Granny is still hanging on. Your Granny is one strong lady.She is one of the best people I have ever known. I am really glad that she got to be my Grandma for a while. You are lucky that you got to know her, little girl. She loves you dearly.
    Daddy just gave you the crappy toy from your old Lunchable. It is rinky dinky. You like it, though, so that's all that matters. You have a dentist appointment tomorrow, I hope that you do well enough to get all your teeth fixed with just the Gas. I really hate that you have to get any cavities filled at all. But we're taking care of that, now. We brush and floss your teeth every morning and every evening. And you no longer have chocolate milk at bedtime, only water. You've done just fine without it, too.
    Well, I am going to go and watch King Of The Hill with you and Daddy. Grant, it won't be long until you're here, and I can't wait to see your precious face. Remember, Mommy loves Rebecca and Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
            Granny is still with us but barely. She was taken to the hospital about the middle of last week and against the better judgment of the majority of the brothers & sisters Donny decided to authorize a blood transfusion. There's a lot of tension and differing outlooks on how best to care for Granny at this point. Even though I have absolutely no say in how things will be I most definitely have an opinion about how things should be done. I know that Granny has fulfilled her plan that God had for her. She's always been one of the most Godly women I have ever known. Her race has been run and now it's time for her to claim her reward in heaven. She needs to be allowed to pass pain free with dignity and honor. Granny will pass at any moment.
      Becca, Granny is at a point now where she can no longer respond to any of us. The last time she smiled was when you and I were playing a game you called "upside down Granny kisses" where I would hang you upside down over top of Granny and I would lower you down so that you could give her a big kiss. Grant, I have made sure that when her obituary is published that even though you have not been born yet you will be included in the list of great grandchildren. I thought that was important.
      I know it's been awhile since your Mom or I have posted here but I am sure you will understand that with Granny being in the condition that she is in we really don't have the time. Last Saturday evening your Mom and I went out and bought you a few items for your birthday. Allison watched you while we were gone. Allison is such a sweet girl. If you turn out even a little like her then your Mom & I will be happy. Sure, Allison has her teen girl moments where she loses her mind but I know that is simply what teen girls do.
      This past week you have come off with some really cute sayings. The other day in Granny's bedroom Mamaw was talking to you about Granny. She told you that Granny would soon be going to heaven to be with Jesus. You looked at her and with a knowing look in your eyes you said "That's all right Mamaw; we're going there next week". We all needed a laugh at that moment and you came through for us.
      Thursday or Friday Mom was getting you dressed and you got a case of the hiccups. You told your Mom you needed some water. As she dressed you she asked if you knew what was happening when you hiccuped. She told you that when you hiccup that means you are growing. You thought about that a moment and then informed her that you didn't need any water; you wanted to grow big so you could play soccer and be on a soccer team.
      I'm really tired so I am going to go to bed. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
               I'm over here at Granny's. The boys are hanging over my shoulder wanting to know if they can play with this laptop. They want to play the Sims. I feel bad for the boys. The tension over here is thick because Granny is at her sickest.
      Jacob just informed me that it's not The Sims; it's The Sims 2. He said he didn't want you to think that we were second class citizens. Jon wants me to include his name in this blog so let me just say that Jon is every bit as annoying as Jacob, maybe more so.
      Anyway, Granny is at her lowest point. Everyone is stressed out and on edge. Poor Jacob & Jon have the boundless energy of two active boys and they want to be active and talkative. They are gone now.
      Mamaw just came in here and said that Granny's kidneys have stopped working all together. She said that her catheter tube is totally empty and that there should be at least a small amount of urine in it. Auntie Lynn told her she needs to empty out the bag and keep an eye on it. I really don't think Granny has much time left in this world. She'll soon be going home to be with Jesus. I feel that at this point that would probably be the best thing. Granny has lost the ability to speak. She hasn't been mobile for quite some time but now she is totally bedridden. She hasn't been eaten or drank anything in days. I would hate to lose Granny but we should all think about what would be the best for her and in my opinion seeing Jesus and walking on the streets of gold is much better than lying in there waiting to pass.
      Today's news isn't all bad. As you may or may not have known, Allison turned sixteen Sunday. She went to take her permit test today and she passed it with flying colors. She's already driven quite a bit today. Auntie Lynn says that she has a habit of accelerating into a turn. Papaw is going to teach her how to drive. I feel for Allison because Papaw taught me how to drive and I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Mamaw says that when Granny rode with me while Papaw was teaching me how to drive that she felt so sorry for me because Papaw can be such a bear.
      The past few days you have been complaining about your teeth hurting. Your Mom thought that you had one final set of back molars coming in but she scheduled you an appointment with the dentist anyway and it sure is a good thing that she did because as it turned out, you have three cavities. The problem is all your Mom & Dad's. Since you were able to hold onto a bottle or sippy cup we have been putting you to bed with chocolate milk and occasionally juice. I told your Mom a long time ago that letting you sleep with a sippy cup with sugary contents was bad for your teeth but she told me that you needed the calories. Tonight will be the first time you will not get your nightly chocolate milk and I don't look forward to that at all.
      You have two appointments scheduled. The day before your third birthday you have an appointment with the dentist and they will attempt to fill your teeth while you are on laughing gas. Your Mom said that you did very good while you were getting your teeth examined. You did everything they asked you to do and it didn't bother you at all when they were inside your mouth. Your Mom said that one of the dental staff commented on how mature you were to be a two year old. They seem to think that it might be possible to fill your teeth using the laughing gas but if they can't then you will go back a second time and you will be put under and they will fill your cavities that way.
      Well, I'm gonna close out this blog post. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
                  You did indeed have a very big week last week, Becca. Like your Mom said, we all went to the Woodford County Fair on Tuesday. I really didn't want to go. Since I have been an adult I have hated the fair. I just can't stand carnies. They are usually rude and low class people. I also doubted there would be enough attractions there for a little toddler like yourself. Your Mom got you all excited about going to the fair and of course I couldn't deny you. We went and actually we had a pretty good time. The carnies were indeed as rude and as low class as I had feared but you had a grand time and your Mom & I had just as grand a time watching you. We got there and discovered that they had quite a number of rides there for you. You started out riding the motorcycle ride. We then found a semi-truck ride, a train ride, a helicopter ride, a carousel, a dragon ride which was actually like a tea cup ride only with dragons instead of tea cups and the big bouncing castle. Like your Mom mentioned, we all shared a funnel cake and a soda. We only took $40 with us because everything at the fair is so expensive and we knew that if we had more cash we would have spent it. We payed for you to play the sledge hammer game where kids always win and that is where you won your inflatable baseball bat and you played a game where you picked a boat out of a pool of water and you won your horn on that game.
      You spent so much time in the bouncy castle and while your Mom & I watched you I thought about how county fairs and the fun we were all experiencing is such an All-American activity and I just drank in the experience of accompanying my little growing family to our local county fair. After we finally drug you out of the bouncy castle we decided to try you out on the ferris wheel. Mom couldn't ride it with you because she is pregnant so I climbed into the gondola with you. We moved up into the air and then we stopped while they loaded the next gondola. You wanted to look down to see your Mom so you leaned forward and I became petrified. As you may know, I am not too fond of heights. I was holding onto you so tight because I was afraid you would fall out. You kept taking my hand away because you just didn't want to be held so tight. You didn't have any problem at all with the heights of the ferris wheel; I on the other hand was a nervous wreck for two hours after we got down. You rode the motorcycle ride one last time and then we left the fair. You didn't want to leave but it was getting late. We stopped by Dairy Queen for an ice cream and then we went home and we all went straight to bed.
      The next day, as your Mom said you saw Surf's Up and then you and Mom went down to Mamaw & Papaw's and swam all day long. I stayed here at the house for the day so I could relax a little bit.
      Thursday I joined you down at Mamaw & Papaw's for some swim time. We all had loads of fun swimming, eating popcorn and pizza and playing with Jake & Jon. We got home late so we all went to bed right away.
      Friday I got home from work and your Mom wasn't feeling too well so we let her take a nap while you and I played out back in your little pool. We had lots of fun; not as much as we have at Mamaw & Papaw's but we still had some fun. We came inside and I fixed you some supper. You had a chicken patty with ketchup, green beans, a big pretzel stick and a diet pepsi. We then just hung around the house until you went to bed.
      Saturday we once again went down to Mamaw & Papaw's. This time we went down there to celebrate Allison's sweet sixteen birthday and Father's Day. Both events aren't until tomorrow but we all figured that we would all have a better time if we could relax and enjoy the day and a late night in the pool if none of us had to work the next day. You and I went down together while your Mom stayed at the house so she could go pick up some cakes she was having made at Kroger. We had a grand time. Finally it was time to eat. We had hot dogs, mac & cheese, chips, baked beans, pea salad and for dessert we had cake and ice cream. By then it was getting dark but you and I and the boys got back in the pool. Mom, Allison, Jacob, Jon, Uncle Rodney and Auntie Lynn joined us. We swam until almost eleven O'clock. You eventually climbed out of the pool and told us you wanted to go home. That was a first. You are usually the one to get mad when we leave but this time you are the one who told us that it was time for us to go. You were so very tired. We got home and you and Mom took a shower together and then you went straight to bed without one complaint.
      That was our week. It was an unusually busy week for all of us but we all had lots of fun.
      It seems you have taken up cussing. The other day you dropped your cup and said "Dummit!"
      Your Mom says that I say the real word all of the time and I suppose I do but it just doesn't register with me. You only rarely say Dummit, usually you use the word Crap. You got that from Jon. You are a huge Jon & Jakey Hoard fan. You will follow Jon around and try to do everything he does even if you get hurt in the process. One day this week he took a flying leap off of the stairs on Papaw's deck and you followed right behind him. You cleared the stairs but you fell back and hit your tail on the bottom stair and you cried big time.
      Grant, there's still not a whole lot I can say to you just yet because we haven't got to spend any time together yet like you and your Mom. I am anxiously awaiting your arrival. I am so excited. I was in awe of the fact that I was going to be a dad when Rebecca was born and now I am even more in awe that I am going to have two when I truly thought I wouldn't have any at all. I can't wait to refer to you and Becca as "My kids". I know it's such a small thing but it will be so cool. I know I am going to love you every bit as much as your sister but not one iota more. Ya know, when I first found out that we were having another one I felt guilty because I thought there is no way that I can love another child as much as I love Becca and a good dad isn't like that. But as your arrival draws ever nearer and I can see the evidence of your existence in your Mom's tummy and the rare occasion when I am able to feel you kick I have come to realize that I will love you every bit as much as I love your sister.
      It's time to close out this blog. I gotta go to bed. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Rebecca & Grant,
               We've had a big week. Tuesday night we went to the fair, Rebecca, and you rode every kiddie ride they had, twice. You bounced in their big bouncer thing three times for at least half an hour total. I told Dan we could have went down and got on the trampoline and saved twenty four dollars. But, you had an ever loving ball riding the motorcycles, helicopters, trains, trucks, and carousel. I rode the carousel with you twice. We shared a funnel cake and watched some clog dancers and you attempted to mimick every move they made. You won two games and got two dinky prizes of an inflatable baseball bat and a toy horn. You haven't quit 'playing' that toy horn since you got it. It sounds more like a child screaming.
               Wednesday we went down to Mamaw and Papaw's and stayed all day. You swam like the little fishy you are, rarely getting out of the pool to do anything. We came home late and had supper with Daddy and then it was into the bath and off to bed with you. You do a good job in that swimming pool. I've never seen a child so little be so unafraid of anything and everything. You and Jacob & Jon started this thing where you will stack up on each other three high and fall over. You think that is big fun. It scares me half to death but I let you do it because I am a bit of a stick in the mud anyway I guess.
               Thursday we got up and went and saw an early showing of Surf's Up. You did extremely well in the movie but I think you were bored throughout. We were watching a preview of a movie called "Underdog" where this dog is exposed to radioactive chemicals and gains the ability to fly and talk, etc. You piped up after the preview and said "Hey Wait A Minute, DOGS DON'T TALK! They bark!" That cracked the man who had his three little boys in front of us up. He told you that you were right, that's what they do. You liked Shrek the Third much, much better. You even told me once you were bored and you didn't like that movie. But after we came out of the movie all you did was talk about it and you even said you wanted to go down to Mamaw's and play Surf's Up. So that's what we did. We stayed all day- I do mean all day and into the night Thursday and you played and swam and had a great big time with the boys. Mamaw even ordered pizza for dinner which we all ate up quickly because mostly all we had eaten all day was peanut butter and crackers and popcorn. Daddy even came down after work to watch you swim. He even got in with you, as did Papaw. We all had a big, grand time. Especially you. I love when you have a lot of fun. I think, however, today we are going to hang out around here and I am going to do some laundry and tidy up a bit and later on we are going to the grocery store. I need a day to chill out at home because my back is kind of sunburned and sore and I am feeling kind of icky like you do after too much sun. It may rain today anyway but if it doesn't maybe later this evening you can go out & get in your little bittty pool. Right now you are still groggy and laying in your floor in the bedroom watching TLC cartoons.
         Grant, it's not long until you come out. You had me worried a while this week but yesterday you started moving up a storm and it made me feel better. Daddy pointed out that you were OK but I pointed out to him that I was sure you were, but I was NOT. I like to feel you move. I don't even mind when it makes me have to pee or keeps me awake. I can't wait to see you and see if you look like your sister or see if you look different- I am so excited to meet the little man I have carried in my tummy for seven and a half months now. I get to see you again on the screen Thursday and I am VERY excited about that. I always like to see you and know that you are OK.
         Sunday is Father's Day and Allison's birthday. Rebecca calls Allison sissy so I am pretty sure you will, too, Grant. I wonder what we will all end up doing for either day. It's going to be Sissy's sweet sixteen birthday party. She said she doesn't think she'll have one where she'll invite all her friends. I told her she'd regret that and she should really do it. Maybe she will. We'll see. Right now Rebecca, you have wandered into the kitchen and are demanding my attention. Remember - Mommy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
            Well, your new nursery is finished and ready for you to move in. We just finished hanging with the wall hangings just now. We worked all weekend on it and your Mom & I are both very tickled with the results. Your room is done in a theme from Babies "R" Us called Soft & Fuzzy Pooh. We kind of mixed and matched a few of the touches but it all worked out perfectly.
      Becca, you & I spent the majority of time Saturday down at Mamaw & Papaw's swimming in the pool. As we may have or may not have mentioned previously in this blog we bought you a new floaty bathing suit. You absolutely loved it. Jon & Jake came up and swam with you for a good long while and then Martin's kids Brittany, Tiffany and Martina came over and all of y'all had a great time. You came up with this game where you would get on your knees right on the edge of the pool and then you would slide into the water head first. The girls and Jon all thought that looked like a great game so they joined you in the game you invented and all of you had a great time. You jumped off of the edge of the pool more times than you can count. Of course you can only count to two or maybe three sometimes and you jumped into the pool many times more than that.
      Your Mom and I are watching House right now so I'm going to close this one out and pay attention to the show. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
            The three of us went to Lexington yesterday, Becca. I had a doctor's appointment and after that we went to Sam's Club, we ate at Mi Mexico and finished up our day out with a trip to Babies "R" Us. We are just about finished buying stuff for you and your room, Grant. We have to take some pictures we bought back because they are messed up and even if they weren't they still wouldn't be worth the $30 we paid for them. We are going to trade the pictures in on big wooden letter to spell out your name, Grant.
      We came home and had a quick supper and then your Mom & I went into what used to be my office and hung border. It was kinda late when we finished with the border so we decided to quit for the evening but we ended up nearly finishing up the whole room. We still have to hang pictures but if you came home today you would be well set up. I knew that when we had cable set up in the kitchen for our computer that the room would come along very fast. The house is a wreck right now because we had a lot of moving around to do to get done what we had to do. Mom is a good Mom so she will whip it back into shape in no time. I hope y'all truly appreciate what your Mom has done for you from even before you were born.
      Becca, you are still loving the pool down at Mamaw & Papaw's. We had to get rid of our pool here because we needed level ground to set it up on and even though the yard may look level it most certainly is not. We bought another one that isn't quite as big and deep but I think maybe you will use this one more often.
      Granny is still not doing much better. She has her good days and her bad days. The day before yesterday she couldn't even hardly swallow her medicine. Eventually your Mom got her to take her pills but she couldn't keep them down. They had to take her to the hospital so she could get her meds in shot form. Yesterday she was doing much better. She was talking with us and laughing at jokes that your second cousin once removed, Kenny Robinson was telling her. She still enjoys seeing you, Becca. You can make her smile but your Mom says that you know something is wrong with Granny and visiting her puts you in a foul mood when you leave. I know how you feel, little girl. It disturbs me as well.
      Your Mom has decided to take some time off from work until the end of the year. She has really pushed herself these past few months but she has made enough money that we won't need her income for the rest of the year. Y'all really do have a wonderful Mom.
      Well, I'm gonna close this post out and finish the show I am going to close this post out, finish watching the show I am watching and then go to bed. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Rebecca and Grant,
                     Today was pretty busy because we all decided to go to Wal-Mart in Frankfort and also to Steak -N- Shake for a late lunch/early dinner. First, though, we decided to go and visit your Great Grandmother, Annetta. You have taken to calling her Granny Grunt, and when you do that she just smiles at you. When anyone else does it, she proclaims that she is "Not a Grunt." She dearly loves you, little girl.
               Grant, I have had a difficult pregnancy with you. I don't suppose being almost thirty and having a badly beaten up - not to mention chubby body helps, either. I am going to do everything I can to lose some weight after you are born.
I had to go and buy a maternity support so that I could just be able to walk comfortably with you. It seems I have some internal varicose veins in my lower abdomen and pelvis. Some days it bites to be a woman, so be glad you will never be one, little man.
            We bought some more baby stuff for you this weekend Grant. I believe we are nearly there as far as your stuff goes. We have everything for your room except your mobile (which we are getting at K-Mart) and your temporal thermometer and your diaper bags. You have plenty of onesies and Alicia gave us some clothes from her four boys. We're going to the Disney Store to look into getting you some stuffed Pooh characters for your room, too. We may need a few more pictures for your room but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
            Becca, I have to say that you are really developing your own little attitude. It's hard sometimes not to lose my patience with you when you tell me 'No' when I tell you to do something or when you misbehave on purpose. But on the other hand, it's great to watch you develop your own opinions about things, and feel your own way towards things. It's only normal for children to push their limits when they are at your age and push you do. That's alright though because Dad and I have both agreed that we don't want a Robot child.
            You were a very good girl all around today, except when we got home. You were so very tired that you got a little spanking from Dad for telling him 'No'. I bought you a little toy at Wal-Mart and you've torn it up already. It was a Spiderman 'Personal Fan' that blew air and lit up when you pressed a button. You bit the foam blades off of it. You've only bitten one or two people that I know of (Me and Dad) but you seem to have a pension for biting every single toy you get. I should have known better to get you anything with foam blades on it. Live and learn, I reckon.
            You and I sat in the floor and played music on your new bucket you got at Babies-R-Us and sang silly songs for almost an hour while Dad sat in his chair and read his paper and watched us. We had a grand old time. We sang "Froggy Went A Courtin'", and "Ten Little Monkeys", and "Met My Boyfriend At The Candy Store", "Cinderella, dressed in Yella" - and many more. You are quite the little singer. You are so bossy, too. You'd keep saying, "Here you bang the bucket" or "Now bang the floor". I guess some could look at it as wrong for me to cater to you so and think, 'Well, no wonder she pitches a fit and puts up a fight when she doesn't get her way!"- but the truth is I only cater to you when it comes to unimportant things. And every time you tell me to hit the bucket or bang the floor, hit and bang I shall.
          Dad went to bed pretty early and you stayed up until about nine o'clock. You were hungry so you had some cheese and doritios with a side of strawberries for a late snack/dinner. I think that was a lot of what was wrong with you last night. This morning when you got up and ate a little something you went back to bed and slept for almost three hours. I guess me and Dad feel full all day when we eat and you only eat bits at a time and we just kind of let it slip our minds that you might need a bedtime snack. You also had a persimmon. From now on I will make it a point to come up with a healthy, filling bedtime snack for you. I think tomorrow night you can have some yogurt and granola.
         Grant, you've been wreaking havoc on my sugar levels, too. My gestational diabetes is not NEARLY as bad with you as it was with Becca, but we caught it early with you and I have been eating healthier ever since I found out we were having you. Maybe that has a lot to do with it. It has indeed been a hard pregnancy and I don't think I'm going to be able to work any more. I am going to ask Dr. Youkilis for a note on Wednesday to state that I need to be off for the remainder of the pregnancy and so that way I don't have to just up and leave them and they can have some time to find someone new. I missed this weekend because I just couldn't put myself through being there twelve hours in two consecutive days. It gets difficult whether you are sitting, standing, even napping on the bed when I have a moment - I can't really rest like I need to sometimes and like I can do it here. I know that every bit of this is more than worth it, though. I can't wait to hold my baby boy in my arms and kiss Him for the first time. I love you so much, Grant! It's crazy how much I love you, but not really because I felt the same way with your sister, and I still do. Whoever said that Motherhood was like your kids were "Your heart walking around outside your body"- was defiantly right. I am so glad we are going to have our little family of four. You and your sister mean the world to me, as does your Daddy.
         Well, I guess I need to try to get some sleep myself sometime tonight, so I will talk to you as soon as I get another moment free, Rebecca and Grant. And remember! Mommy loves you both! And you, too Daddy!

Dear Becca & Grant,
                  We've been swimming just about every day since it got warmer, Becca. Yesterday we went down to Mamaw & Papaw's at about noon and we stayed down there until about eight that evening. We swam the vast majority of the time. You also jumped on the trampoline, dug for some worms, which you love to do and had a supper of pizza rolls, pudding and push up pops with Sissy and a friend of her's named Bethany. You love to get in the pool and swim around with the help of your bathing suit with the inner tube sewn in that Mamaw & Papaw got for you. I expect you might just learn to swim by next year. You have absolutely no fear of the water.
      We had a pretty fun day but it was not without it's share of stress and sadness. Granny went to the emergency room last night. Granny has indeed been diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer. It's a cancer of her plasma cells. It primarily attacks elderly people. She already had so many things going against her that this diagnosis is the worst possible thing. She is now in total renal failure which is a fancy name for kidney failure. She was very alert and cognitive the day before yesterday but yesterday she took a turn for the worse. She was unresponsive to everything and she was taken into the ER. Your Mom has read here on the internet that renal failure is a very peaceful and painless way to pass on. I hope they just let her final days be as calm and relaxing as possible.
      Becca, I want to thank you for bringing so much joy into her life the past few weeks. No matter how out of it she was she could look at you as you were doing some of your silly funny toddler shows and she would smile. She even enjoyed watching your cartoons with you as you sat right next to her with your head resting on her shoulder. Granny means the world to me and I am proud that you have been able to bring your sunshine into her life as she slips away from us. I will be forever grateful to you for putting a smile on Granny's face. Just the other day your Mom said that as Granny was lying in bed that you sat up with her in her bed and pretended that the bed was a crocodile and that Granny drifted off to sleep with the sweetest smile on her face. You my dear, are an angel sent from heaven.
      Granny will not live to meet you, Grant. I am almost 100% sure of that fact. I really wish you could have at least been held by her. You will miss out on knowing one of the most gentle and considerate human beings to ever set foot upon this earth. I truly am sorry for you that you will never know her. You really missed out.
      Grant, you have already cost us a ton of money. Friday night while Allison watched Becca your Mom & I went out to buy a few baby essentials. We ended up spending nearly $1,000 dollars. We bought you 15 onesies, 12 pair of socks, four hooded towels, 10 wash clothes, a starter set of bottles, a head supporter for your car seat, a bottle brush, a dishwasher box for bottle nipples, a changing pad, a changing pad sheet, 2 sleepers, a formula cup, crib bedding, a window valance for your nursery, wall hangings, a bouncer, a medicine kit and a ton of other things that people must have when a new baby comes to live with them. Before we went shopping we went to a new restaurant in Jessamine County called Red Robin. They specialize in burgers and it was really good. We then went to Wal-Mart and got some stuff but we were actually kind of disappointed in the baby stuff at Wal-Mart. We then went to Lowes so I could buy some stuff to put cable in Becca's room and in the kitchen. I need cable in the kitchen because my office, where our desk top lives will be your nursery so I reckon I'll have to move the desktop into the kitchen. We then went to Target at Hamburg. We bought a ton of stuff there. We never really shopped much at Target because I don't like some of their corporate stances on various issues but they had a whole lot of really nice stuff there so I will be back to Target. We then went to Office Max where we bought a small computer table to go in the kitchen. Then we went to Babies R Us where we spent the lions share of our money. After all of that we stopped off at Cracker Barrel because Granny had the taste for their fried apples so we stopped off there and bought her a jar. Nothing is too good for my Granny. We took the apples by her house and she had just gone to bed shortly before we got there so we missed seeing her. Your Mom & I had a real nice time buying stuff for you. There's a bunch more stuff that we need but we have the biggest part of it done.
      Well, I am going to close out this post. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Rebecca and Grant,
                     Right now Grant you are hanging out in my belly, where you will be until at least August 24 I hope. Becca, you are down to Mamaw's House with Daddy and you guys are swimming. Daddy got off work early today and he took youd own there.
            Becca, you and I went to see Shrek the Third this morning. I reckon you went, too Grant being as how you have to go everywhere I do at this point. Rebecca, I was extremely proud of you and the way you behaved in the movie. You did a fabulous job. You watched almost the whole thing. You only got up once or twice, once to stand behind the seat and watch the movie and once to take a peek at what another kid was doing and his parents had to take their leave because he was still a bit young for such an adventure, just the way you were the last time. I swatted your hand and told you to get back in your seat and you climbed up in my lap and finished the entire movie right there. You were as good as gold and better. I am so very proud of you and so glad that you had a good time. You came home and told Daddy that you saw "Shrek Babies". We really had a good time, you and I. I love you so much and I treasure these last couple of months we have together just you and me and Daddy. I know that Grant will be a wonderful welcome addition and we will all love him dearly. I am so proud to have a daughter and a son and a good husband who is a great father. We are so blessed and you are a great big part of it.
             I just wanted to tell you about going to see Shrek the Third with you today. Mommy loves Rebecca! And Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
               You and Mom fried up some chicken yesterday, Becca. I do believe you went a little crazy with the seasoning salt. The chicken is good but it is a bit on the salty side.
      Papaw had to work over yesterday so I had you and Mom come out to the factory to get me. We went to Burger King for lunch because we were planned on going grocery shopping afterwards. We ate and then went to the Kroger on Alexandria Drive. We got our groceries but while we were there your Mom began experiencing intense pain in her lower abdomen and her back. We loaded the car with all of our new food and then your Mom told us she had to go to see the doctor. We went out to Central Baptist. We knew we would be there awhile so we called Mamaw & Papaw and ad them come up and pick you up. That's where you are at right now. Mom is fine. Her pain comes from something to do with ligaments stretching and other pregnant lady stuff. I really don't understand and the doctor we spoke to was in a big hurry because there was another lady who was having a baby as we spoke so he was kind busy. Your Mom and your little brother are fine.
      Thursday your Mom had a doctor's appointment with her gestational diabetes doctor. She came by the factory and I dropped her off at the doctor's office and you and I went to pick up a new set of frames for my glasses. You broke my old ones. Well, they weren't old at all. Just a couple of months but still, you broke them. After we came back to pick up your Mom we went to Logan's Roadhouse. We got out of the car at the restaurant and you automatically recognized it as the place with the peanuts. You are such a smart girl. We had a nice lunch and went home.
      This past week you have been spending a whole lot of time over at Granny's. Unfortunately she has been diagnosed with cancer. I hope the diagnoses is wrong. We have discovered that she just loves watching you be yourself. She will just stare at you and smile. You make Granny happy and we all want Granny happy so we take you over there as much as possible. Your Mom said that just the other day after a hard day of playing you climbed up next to Granny and laid your head on her shoulder and the two of you watched cartoons together. Yesterday as your Mom was trying to move Granny with a lift Granny cried out in pain and you told your Mom that she has to be easy with Granny. You really do love your Granny. I hope she gets to meet you, Grant. She will love you and I know that if some miracle occurs and you get to know her as well, you will love her too. I will miss my old Granny Grunt when she does home to be with Jesus.
      Well, I'm gonna close this post out and go to bed. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca and Grant,
               Becca, right now you are in the living room watching a Dora special about Dora and Swiper going around the world to return friendship bracelets to save Friendship Day. Grant, right now you are in my belly, more than likely sleeping, because I do not feel you moving at this very moment. I wish you would sleep at night, I really do, but what am I going to do? It's not like I can give you a bottle with some cereal in it yet. Ha!
                     Becca I want to let you know what a wonderful Mother's Day you and Daddy gave to me. I got off work a little bit early and you came flying around the car and said "Happy Mother's Day Mom! We got you a card! I wrote on it. And Daddy, too!" I will remember that day as long as I live, that was the best Mother's Day anyone could have ever gotten. I want you to know how proud I am of you growing up so big and strong and smart. I am so proud to have you for my daughter.
               Last night you fell out of bed and Daddy came in to put you back in. You said "Dad, I fell out of bed. Can you put me back in?" So Daddy did and then you said "That's better," and you went right back to sleep. You are such a funny monkey. I think we are going to have to get some rails for the side of your bed. Of course, I don't know how good that will do because you have a tendency to sleep sideways, just like your Mommy.
               We haven't done much of anything except laundry this morning, other than cleaning the kitchen up a little bit and killing us a 'itsy bitsy spider', as you call it, making the beds and generally picking up. Of course I did most of this. You played with your new remote control truck that you found in the top of the closet and watched Dora & Oobi. I cleaned the fridge out and prepared the chicken I had thawed out to fry. I was heating up the oil in my new electric skillet Mamaw got me while I was getting a bowl down to roll my chicken in the flour and I busted a glass in my oil and had to dump it all out and start over. Oh well, that's life. You wanted to help though and I was having difficulty keeping you out of the raw chicken and skins. You just didn't believe me that chickens were poisonous when they were raw.
               Well you are in here now because you have apparently grown bored with whatever you were doing in the living room so I am going to take you back in there and check on the chicken and laundry then we're going to go to the grocery store I do believe. Mommy loves Rebecca and Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
                  We had a nice day together, you & I, Rebecca. You got up early, as you always do; we began setting up the new pool we bought at Toys "R" Us last night. We put the hose into the pool and turned the water on and then we came back inside and had some breakfast. I fixed you some oatmeal because that's what you said you wanted and then I fixed some sausage, eggs and toast for myself. You decided that you wanted my breakfast instead. I shared with you but you ended up eating neither your oatmeal nor my sausage & eggs. You didn't even drink your strawberry milk or pink milk, as you refer to it. We watched some television and then went outside to set up the pump and filter on the new pool. We also covered it up with a solar cover. We came back inside and got ready to go down to Mamaw & Papaw's. We stopped off at Taylor Manor and visited with your Mom for a few minutes. We then went to McDonalds where you got a chicken nugget happy meal. Their featured theme for the happy meals right now is Shrek 3. It comes out in theaters pretty soon I believe. I had a Big Mac value meal. We got us a shake and an ice cream cone just before we left. We went down to Mamaw & Papaw's where they where getting their pool ready for the summer. Their pool is 20 times bigger than ours so there's a whole lot more work that goes into that pool than ours. We hung out down there for awhile and then we went to K-Mart and bought some chlorine tablets for your pool. We went home and jumped in your pool. We had a grand old time. Even Mom got in when she got home from work.
      Once again this is going to be a short post. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!

Dear Becca & Grant,
               Once again I have neglected posting on this blog. I was planning on posting Sunday morning, real early but you, Becca, called out to me that you couldn't sleep and you stayed awake for hours. I never got around to posting one. It's been so nice outside this past week that you and I, Becca have been hanging out in the backyard until nearly bedtime most days this week. Mom stays outside with us as much as she can but with her being pregnant with Grant she can't stand too much heat.
      I got a new riding lawn mower, well it's not really new. Uncle Rodney bought a new zero turn radius mower so I bought his old one. This is just the third summer it's been used and I know that if Uncle Rodney had it it has been well taken care of so while it may not be brand new it is as good as new. I also got a new leaf blower from General Electric for my twenty year service award. I've been doing a lot of yard work this past week as well. The yard is starting to look pretty nice but I just wish it would green up some more.
      Your Mom went to bed early tonight because you, Grant, are making her very tired. That's why I am able to post this quick blog post. I hope to be able to do a nice long one this weekend and then, Becca I will tell you all about how you have graduated to the big girl swing and how you still can't say your "L" words. Lunch still comes out Yunch and Lynn is still Yinn. Grant, I really don't know what's going on with you because Mama is carrying you around inside her belly and I have no idea what's going on in there. I reckon your Mom will have to fill you in on that. Well, I'm gonna close this midweek post out. Daddy loves Rebecca & Grant!