Preparing for the new baby

It seems like this baby has snuck up on us. We are less than five weeks away from our due date. The last few weeks we have really focused on getting ready for our new little boy!

Everyone has been asking for belly shots. We usually only take bare belly shots- I hope no one is offended. This is from the end of June. Grantham is helping his daddy out by taking a really close shot:)Painting the baby's room was a family affair.So proud of his G (that Mommy helped him paint)You can't really tell but Grantham is painting the walls white. He had so much more fun than John and I expected.A tradition we started with Grantham's first room. Painting the baby's name on the wall (of course when you see the final results the name will be painted over) STAY TUNED for the final results of the baby's room. We were very happy and surprised with the end results!

Grantham took a siblings class at the hospital. We were quite impressed with all he learned and saw. He learned how to change a diaper, hold a baby and bottle, and even saw a newborn baby get its first bath!
Not too trilled with us photographing while he practiced feeding the babySuch a good big brother already:)
Getting his award for completing the classHis completion certificate= they told him that it meant he was ready to be a big brother now

We ARE Potty Trained

I feel about Potty training Grantham the same way I feel about being pregnant. The whole family is in it together:) I was hoping we would have an easy time because Grantham is so verbal and he has been showing "signs" of being ready for about 2 years. God definitely had to be smirking in heaven. This has been the hardest stage so far. We tried every suggestion ANYONE made from M&Ms to going naked all day. To make a miserable story short, we had to turn to major disciplining and removal of all things fun (sometimes I felt more punished than Grantham seemed to be). But after a week we were able to return many of his toys and privileges; we even started a reward sticker chart. Two months later you would never guess the child had any problems potty training at all. He is totally self sufficient and has not had an accident in weeks (even at night). I am including some fun pictures of Grantham and some of the rewards he earned for going to the bathroom and days without any accidents. We invested quite a bit of money BUT are thrilled with the results!!!!

The first time we peed in the potty we went for a huge reward: build a bear- anything he wanted there!Washing our new puppy friendAnother reward- the bungy jumpers at the mall - this made me nervous at first but HEY when you are bribing it needs to be something the child wants;)He had so much fun; he used this three times for his reward. If you have never tried it and are nervous like me don't be. It was great fun and very safe.Total exhaustion after about 10 minutes of funGattitown (similar to Chucky cheese for those of you who don't have kids)- another one of those rides only a boy would love. Later we saw three preteens screaming on this ride. Grantham laughed and waved the whole time.Bowling with his best bud in MississippiAlready to be a big brother- look at that bossiness

John and I really enjoyed all the rewards don't get me wrong but with our next child we will start training a little earlier and not "wait until they are ready." A phrase many people used to tell us potty training is easy HAHA.

Beach Life

We had so much fun at the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. We honestly didn't know what to expect, but the beach was beautiful! Grantham was a great age to go. He loved the ocean but still had a healthy respect for the danger of the waves. Each morning we got up and went straight to the beach, headed in around 10:30am (it was VERY hot), and returned to the beach each evening from 6pm to 9pm. The temperature was wonderful both on the beach and in the water. Grantham could have stayed there for weeks and never been tired of the huge sandbox and cool waves. The one thing he kept telling people is that if they don't close their mouths when a wave comes that they will get salty water all in their month (he speaks from experience:) ). This was an exciting and yet restful weekend. I wish we would have had more time!

Grantham and John waiting for the waves to get their feet.

Burying Grantham in the sand

Playing in the waves with Papa (I don't know if you can see in this picture but the waves were huge)
Every time when arrived at the beach this is what Grantham did. Why? Who know that is the question I ask about guys all the time. Grantham being goofy with Papa. They both had to have goggles for the swimming poolNo reason for this picture but boy does it show Grantham's personality. Silly, silly boy

You can't really tell from this picture but we rode a car ferry on our way back from the beach trip.

John and Grantham checking our the captain of our ship (car ferry).

A Weekend at Nana and Pawpaw's

Where to begin? Grantham and I had decided to visit my parents in Georgia one last time before Grantham's new baby brother is born (an 8 hour drive with a three year old is not very fun when you are more than 6 months pregnant). We had a blast! The night we arrived Auntie Kara and Uncle Josh's church had a fall festival that we got to participate in. Auntie Kara and I got to have a scrapbooking night at Archiver's (my favorite scrapbooking store) while Nana and Pawpaw watched Grantham. Then the next day Mom and I went shopping in Atlanta for maternity clothes, since this baby and Grantham will be exactly 3 1/2 years apart everything I own is winter and with the 100 average temp in Mississippi already in June I knew I would need new maternity clothes (not that I am complaining I love to shop:) ). Sunday we went to church and hung around the house with Uncle Josh and Auntie Kara. Then on Tuesday we decided to go Strawberry picking. A past time that Grantham and I both love but have had no luck finding a patch in Mississippi, so we were thrilled to go with Nana and Pawpaw. Needless to say we REALLY enjoyed our time in Georgia and are so glad we made the long trip!

Strawberry picking:

Nana and Grantham enjoying the fruits of their labor
Grantham, me and Pawpaw searching for red strawberries

Grantham eating more than he is picking A fun and successful day :)

Learning about cars from Uncle Josh

An inflatable baseball game at the church fall festival (Grantham is proving to be a lefty both in his batting and kicking)

Talking Auntie Kara's ear off (always the center of attention)

Once again the center of attention

I don't know if you can see this picture very well but this is Grantham beating his Uncle Josh in an inflatable obstacle course (they were both flying through the course)

A lot of special time with Pawpaw

The Kendrick/Cruiz Wedding

The main reason for our visit to Chicago was for Grantham to be in Melinda's wedding (John's cousin). There were many mishaps along the way including a four hour plane delay making us arrive in Chicago around midnight instead of seven, a four hour drive to the wedding rehersal (30 minutes away)because traffic and the weather was so bad in downtown Chicago, never getting to bed before 11pm ect. But overall Grantham did a wonderful job during the wedding and had a blast dancing at the reception that night. Also John's whole family was able to make it, which is a huge treat since they live all over the world:)Getting ready for the wedding All the Pulcini grandchildrenThe entire crew

The reception afterwards:

Dancing the night away with Papa (who has now become Daddy for some unknown reason)Trying to lead Cousin KristenPepaw and Grantham laughing about a fan?pooped after a very long weekend and night of dancing!!!!!!!!!!

A visit to Chicago (Auntie Katy and Uncle Chip's)

We had a fast and furious trip to Chicago so that Grantham could be in John's cousin's wedding. We were so excited because we were going to get to stay with my brother and his wife (Auntie Katy and Uncle Chip). They have a little puppy Callbe who was the highlight of Grantham's trip. We wish we could have spent more time with them but thoroughly enjoyed the time we had and hope to visit again! Here are a few pictures:

Grantham would have spent all day everyday chasing Callbe. A boy and his dog (okay borrowed dog but I think John likes this arrangement best:) )

A trip to the museum with Auntie Katy. Grantham's favorite part was a high school band that was playing in the lobby when you entered.

On the steps of the museum


Auntie Katy and Uncle Chip - Thanks for letting us invade your home!!!!