Happy AND Sad

Yesterday, Brogan turned FOUR MONTHS OLD! All day long, I went back and forth between being so excited about him growing up and being so sad that it's happening way too fast. It really does seem like just a few weeks ago that he was placed in my arms at the hospital. I mean, every time I get off the Huffman Mill exit, I get tears in my eyes because it's the hospital exit. Honestly, I've been struggling with the thought of my little Brogy Bear (heehee- he'll so hate that one day) getting older. I usually can't WAIT for Christmas to come...this year is no different, except that I don't want it to come either. Brogan will be SIX months then and that's half way to one year. Ohhh, I need someone to shut off my brain.

God, please help me to focus on the positive- Brogan is a happy, healthy baby and I have so much to be thankful for. Thank you for his sweet smile and laugh. Thank you for the joy he brings me every day. Thank you for allowing me to stay home with him and witness all of his "firsts". Thank you for the four months we've had with our baby and I pray that you'll continue to keep him safe and healthy. Amen.

Brogan's big boy outfit :)

Facing "out" in his stroller...and loving his fist :)

My little stud muffin :)

Yummy date night!

The State Fair has come to NC! And for the first year in a long time, I decided not to go. Yes, I gave up my usual funnel cake, cotton candy, corn dog, ice cream with sprinkles, and kettle corn. (I know- that's a mammoth amount of food- but it's once a year!) I decided that I would rather spend our money (and calories) on a date night with Tadd.
Last night, my mom and aunt came over and watched Brogan for us. We started off with the Cheesecake Factory (where I did NOT get cheesecake- ickkk.) Tadd got a gigantic burger and cleaned his plate.

I got the romano chicken and it looked like I barely touched my food (even though I ate until I was stuffed!) The leftovers will definitely be eaten tomorrow!

Then we went to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory where I got the most delicious MONSTER apple! I wish I had taken a picture of my actual apple but I had to hide it in my purse until the lights went down in the movie. Sneaky sneaky, I know :)

We went to see Eagle Eye- which is SOOO good and suspensful. I was gnawing on my fingernails the whole time- oops.

It was so wonderful to get out of the house and spend time with Tadd. I have to admit, though, that we talked about Brogan most of the night, but that's okay- neither of us minded :)

Could it possibly be???

Last night, Brogan did the unthinkable- he only woke up to eat ONCE! YAY YAY YAY! This may not seem like such an amazing accomplishment to most moms of 4 month olds. However, most 4 month olds don't get up 4-5 times to eat each night. This comes after two horrible nights of Brogan waking up and screaming like he's in pain and Tadd and I trying our hardest to figure out what is wrong. Last night, he fell asleep at 9:45, woke up at 3:45am to eat, and finally woke up for good at 8:00 this morning! I was actually waiting for him to wake up! We hope this isn't a little fluke, but that Brogan finally realizes he doesn't need to eat 5 times during the night. :) Here are some pictures of our little man...just because he's a cutie :)

Uncle Bryan brought Brogan his first drum set!

Looking like a little man on our way to a family cookout!

Brogan and his cousin Chloe with MaMa on her birthday!

Brogan and his Gammie at the cookout

Poor Little Guy!

I haven't posted in a while because Brogan has had a horrible cold. It started Wednesday night with a fever, runny nose, and some projectile vomiting (yikes!) The fever went away and since then, he's been struggling with sneezing, coughing, and so much snot in his head it's crazy! Tadd had to go to Atlanta Wednesday night for the Catalyst Conference and I was so nervous to be by myself with a sick baby! But I found out that a sick baby is actually a very easy baby to entertain. In fact, he didn't want to play, just snuggle and sleep. I rocked him and he buried his sweet face in my neck and sucked his little fist. He does this all the time now- so cute!

Besides feeling yucky, Brogan has gotten very good at sitting in his Bumbo chair! At first, he could stand it for only a few seconds. Now, he'll stay in it for 10 minutes! He looks adorable in it.

Brogan is also starting to enjoy tummy time more. He can now pick his head up and look around and smile! It won't be long before he rolls from his tummy to his back.

He's Amazing...

On June 28, 2008, our lives were changed when our son, Brogan Timothy Grandstaff entered this world. He is my baby boy and I love him more than my words could ever explain. I've never known a love so instant. I love this line from the song: "You came blazing, right into my heart." I knew I would love my son, but never knew just how much. He is our amazing gift, given by God. My sister in law, Tandy (www.photosbysugarsnap.com), took these pictures of Brogan when he was a little over a month old. Enjoy the slideshow and listen to the words of the song, as they echo my heart. I sing the words to this song every night as I rock my baby to sleep.

Smiling and Laughing!

Brogan laughed for the first time on Monday- four times in a row...but not since then! It was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. It made my heart so happy to know that my son was happy. It made me think: I bet God feels the same way when He hears us laugh...really, truly laugh with joy in our hearts. Just as I am trying to get Brogan to laugh again, I picture God waiting to hear me laugh too!

Apple Core Baltimore

While we were in the mountains, we went to Hillcrest Apple Orchard. We didn't get to pick any apples off the trees, but at least we got fresh apples! I held an apple up to Brogan so he could see it, and he started sucking on it!


While we were driving home from the orchard, I was eating an apple and I said to Tadd: "Apple Core, Baltimore, Who's your friend, Me!" He had no idea what I was talking about. Every time I eat an apple, I either say this aloud or in my head. It's from an old Donald Duck cartoon with Chip and Dale. It goes like this:
Chip/Dale: Apple Core
Donald Duck: Baltimore
Chip/Dale: Who's your friend?
Donald Duck: Me! (and then he's hit with an apple core)
Here it is for you to enjoy!

Amicalola Falls State Park

Last week, we went to the North Georgia mountains and enjoyed a relaxing 5 days in a beautiful cabin. My two requests for the week were to go hiking and to go to an apple orchard. So, we went to the Amicalola Falls State Park. It was a beautiful and easy hike (which is good since Tadd had to carry Brogan!) It was so nice to be outside. Brogan really enjoyed it- for the hike up, he was wide awake, just staring at the world around him. On the way back down, he was fast asleep!

Go Heels!

It's that time of the year...football season! Tadd is super excited to have his own Little Tarheel now!