This past weekend April 10th-12th-was a huge one for our family. We had a lot going on, with Grant's birthday, Easter, and a Denver appointment. Nonstop goings on until Sunday afternoon, but we all had a ball! We started our Easter weekend with driving down to Denver. Grant, as always, was a good little traveler, and this was momentous in itself because we finally are able to put him forward facing in the middle of our backseat! Hallelujah! I think Grant enjoyed the ride more, although, it was more difficult for me when he did cry to grab things to calm him down. That didn't happen too often though. We are really blessed with a great baby! Any way, our appointment in Denver was at 2 in the afternoon. We met just with the nuerologist and the hemotologist. This was not the stroke clinic that they usually send us too. (Thank goodness-that is really exhausting!) Anyway, we told the doctors we have seen no signs of seizures, and he is developing just as normally as he can be. The doctors examined him, and were pleased with his progress! They did take more blood, and found out that the antibody that caused his blood to clot so abnormally is still present, but it has gotten less since they last took blood. So this is great news! After our appointment we went back and settled in at the hotel. I have to say, Grant is a great traveler but sleeping wise is another story. Oh my goodness-we tried everything to keep the routines in check as best we could, but I think when it comes down to it, it was just an unfamiliar environment and he needed to know we were close by. Also, at home, if Grant wants to cry, we just let him. This doesn't happen often, most of the time he goes right to sleep, but if he needs to cry, we let him (Read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and you will know what I mean). At a hotel though, you can't really let him cry. In fact, its all I can do to STOP him from crying. I get nervous when we go places, cause I don't want to keep everyone else awake! So needless to say, he spent our two nights in a hotel in bed with his mom and dad, and he got a wonderful nights sleep. Oh-the things you do for your child!
Saturday was kind of a dreary day. We woke up to overcast skies, and even a little rain. Bummer, since we wanted to go to this big outlet shopping center, and its all outside. We braved the rain anyway, (We snuggled Grant up in the stroller with his jacket and a blanket to keep warm.)And I am so glad we went. They were having a huge spring easter sale like at every store. We saw signs that said, "take 40% off, and then an extra 20%." Awesome. We bought Grant his Easter which included for us-clothes. James and I have the hardest time keeping this kid in clothes that fit him. Everything is too small. He outgrows onesies in a snap (no pun intended :))We think that he has James' long torso, so we always try to buy them bigger than what he actually is. The result-big for about a week, and then just right for another week, and then on the verge of being too small for a few more weeks. Crazy. I heard its a vicious cycle as well. It won't get any easier when he is a small boy! Anyway, we found Grant some overalls which he looks so cute in! Super awesome deals on pj's, and we even managed to find things for ourselves. So fun. I love shopping weekends.
Early afternoon, we took Grant to the Denver Children's Museum. At first, I wasn't all that impressed. It was way crowded with tons of kids coughing, and putting things in their mouths everywhere. No worries. James and I were totally on top of making sure nothing entered that mouth, and we were successful. The Easter Bunny was also there, (another reason why it was so busy) so, of course, we got Grant's picture taken with him.
There was also a petting zoo area just outside the entrance. I think this was Grant's favorite part. We got to see a pig, some chickens, a rooster, and some rabbits. It was way fun. Grant loved the animals. He wouldn't pet them or anything, but you could just tell he really enjoyed it!
People also were bringing their Great Danes to the museum as well, and we got to see one and pet him. I think Cooper is about as big as this Great Danes head:
They were pretty sweet, and really gentle with Grant.
Inside the museum there were people everywhere. Grant was old enough only to go the toddler area where they had a clubhouse type place, and fun areas for him to crawl in. Here are a few pics:
That afternoon when we decided to leave, we headed on over to the 16th Street Mall where they have stores, restaurants, basically a mall outside. The trouble is finding a parking spot. We managed to find one, but only for a few hours. We decided to head on over to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for my all time favorite-huge orange sticks which were delicious. And you can't come away from the 16th Street Mall without getting a slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. So yummy. We headed on back to the hotel, where we enjoyed our dinner, and another night of Grant sleeping with us.
When we got home on Sunday, is when Grant's Easter began. We put him to sleep, then the Easter Bunny came. He left Grant some desperately needed new clothes. Phew. Thank goodness for that Easter Bunny. :) Grant was still pretty much waking up from his nap, and didn't quite know what to think of things...
We also decorated our Easter eggs. So late doing that, but at least Grant got his first experience with it. He just pretty much looked at James and I coloring them, and we managed to get a few pics before I made them all into wonderfully delicious devilled eggs. Sooo good. It so made me think of St. George.
