Disneyland!!

When we decided to go to California with David and Deb to visit with Andrew, we thought it would be fun to take Colton to Disneyland. He went for the first time when he was seven months old with my family, but he couldn't go on too many rides nor enjoy it as much as he did this time. I was surprised by how many rides he could actually go on, good thing he's a big kid for his age. Enjoy!

We started out on the first day by having breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen.

Colton has a blast meeting all of the character's that dropped by our table. Here Dale of Chip and Dale, writing him a message on the table.

Baloo from Jungle Book stopped by as did Pluto, who was waiting for his turn with Colton as well.

Grandpa David and Kinley even got a little love from Baloo.

Colton with his love, Minnie. He was so cute and shy around her.

Chip decided to make his way to see us. He helped Colton to eat his breakfast. He was too busy looking all around to worry about food, but with Chip's help, he ate some grapes and watermelon.

Pluto finally made his way to say hi. He and Colton had a fun time together.

Mulan was the last character to visit. Again, Colton was a tad shy around her.

Playing with Mickey's phone in Mickey's house.

Meeting Mickey Mouse!

Daddy and Colton waiting to get on the tea cup ride.

Eric, Colton, Andy and Rachel spinning away on the tea cups. Andrew and his friend Rachel met us and went on many rides with us. This was Andrew's first time to Disneyland!

Colton pretending to drive the train.

Waiting with Daddy for his first real roller coaster ride.

Heading up the steep hill...not quite sure what to think of it. He loved it and wanted to go on it again.

Colton started to melt down by the afternoon. Once he got some food and drink in him he promptly feel asleep.

Day 2: California Adventure: We had just gone on the Toy Story Mania ride, which Colton loved. He loves to watch Toy Story 3 and knows all of the characters.

Happy boy waiting for a ride in Bug's Land. This was such a fun area because it caters to toddlers so he could go on all of the rides.

Getting ready to go on another ride. He stayed close to daddy the whole time.

We stopped by the Cars 2 exhibit before leaving. What cool cars these were and Colton loves Cars.

Kinley MARSHA

Kinley MARSHA Gant. Kinley's middle name is after my beloved mother, Marsha. My mom would have turned 65 on June 19th of this year. I have never blogged about her but feel it's appropriate with this milestone just passing and Kinley having her name. My mom passed nearly 12 years ago from a three year valiant and brave battle with ovarian cancer. She only lived to see three of her now fourteen grandchildren but I know that she has held and spoke with each one of them before they came to us. I always say that both of our kids came either right on time (Kinley) or late (Colton) because my mom wanted to hold on to them a little longer. I have two other neices who share their middle name with Kinley. Mallory Marsha Pearson and Katlynd Marsha Leatherwood were born a year apart on June 19th, my mother's birthday. I'd say that she had a hand in it :). Kinley will grow up knowing her grandmother through the stories and pictures that she'll hear and see. I hope that one day she'll understand the great legacy that her middle name bares and be proud to have the middle name of Marsha.

This is what my mom looked like when I was growing up. She loved to cook and was dang good at it.

My dad loving on my mom. His hair is a beautiful silver but for Halloween each year he dyes it dark to freak people out.

My mom was a perfectionist and always kept a clean and orderly home. I actually had to tell more than one teacher that my mom threw my homework away because if it was left on the counter for more than a day that's were it would end up.

My mother also loved jewelry. She always wore a necklace, earrings and usually a bracelet with her watch. I also love jewelry and when I was little I would play dress up with hers.

This was just a few weeks after we found out that my mom had 4th stage ovarian cancer and had had major surgery to take out what they could. My Grandma lived across the street from us and along with my Aunt Lolene (who moved from Massachusetts to be with her) helped care for her every day until her death.

A family picture just before my younger brother, Travis, was leaving on his two-year mission. We were lucky to have her with us at the airport. Her doctors said she could only go if she wore a mask as she had just started chemo and her immune system was weak.

When this picture was taken of her and I, she was doing the best yet. Her hair had started to grow back and she was able to travel a little with my dad. She definitely defied the odds of only living 6 weeks...she lived just over three years.


My beautiful mother shortly before her death. She was happiest when she was with her family, especially her grandchildren. I only wish that she could have met my amazing husband, Eric, who I know would've just loved her, especially her sense of humor. Love you Mom!

June 12-18, 2011

What a fun week this was. We had David and Deb Gant visit us and then we all went to California to spend some time with Uncle Andy and take Colton to Disneyland. Enjoy!

Colton trying to cool down in this hot, hot weather.

06-12-11

Kinley staying cool.
06-13-11

What a cutie in polka dots.
06-14-11

Pretty in green.
06-15-11

Love the smile.
06-15-11

Thank you to my uncle Richard for sending us two cases of Enfamil....you're awesome!

All ready for the drive to L.A.
06-16-11

Colton trying to take over the camera at the Dodger's game.
06-17-11

David, Eric, Susie, Colton, Andrew, Rachel (holding Kinley) and Deb was taking the picture. We sat in the all you can eat Dodger dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanut and drink section. It was a tad chilly but we lasted to the mid seventh inning. Fun times!

06-17-11

Grandpa David holding Kinley and Eric at the famous Mel's Drive-In for a Father's Day dinner.
06-18-11

Uncle Andy coloring with Colton.
06-18-11

We went to Andy's new digs and Colton enjoyed the dj equipment.
06-18-11

Kinley was happy to visit with Uncle Andy as well.
06-18-11

I do believe she was nearly laughing in this picture.

06-18-11

June 5 - 11, 2011

Kinley started to smile a little more this week. I can usually get one after her first feeding in the morning when she is on the changing table. She likes to stretch, look around and smile :)! Enjoy!

Sleeping peacefully.
06-05-11

Kinley promptly fell asleep after I changed her into her pj's. I was putting some stuff away in her room so I placed her in her crib. She looks so small in it.
06-06-11

Kinley has a cute little onesie that says "little sister." Too cute.
06-07-11

A closer look.
06-07-11

Colton wanted to go outside and get wet in his pool. Kinley wanted to get her swimsuit on as well even though she didn't get in the water.
06-09-11

The swimsuit is nearly too small....good thing she has three more!
06-09-11

Getting all prettied up to hang out with Momma and her girlfriends to celebrate the end of the school year.
06-10-11

First good picture of a smile.
06-11-11

May 31 - June 4, 2011

This week Kinley turned one month old and had her one month check-up. It's amazing how much she has changed to me in the last month. I got some cute pictures of Colton as well. He is a silly kid at times. Enjoy!

Kinley in a pretty outfit.
05-31-11

Colton loves this new blanket that we just got. It's really, really soft and he loves to wrap himself up in it. This day, Eric decided to put some of his favorite toys around him. He laid there for a long time and then fell asleep, taking his nap.
06-01-11

Colton received this train station tent for his birthday from his Grandpa and Grandma Gant. We finally had a day that wasn't too windy and got it set up. He had fun going in and out of the tunnel and the windows.
06-02-11

Just playing around.
06-02-11

I found Colton in our storage area under our stairs. He was calling for me because he couldn't get down from climbing up on Kinley's next car seats. I bought them this week because Target had such a great sale on them. They are the exact same ones that Colton has so they'll match, but they were also about half the price of his. I couldn't pass up the deal even though she won't be in them for many more months, especially because and we had to buy two, one for each car..
06-03-11

Hanging out in her pj's and fun beanie.
06-03-11

We went for Kinley's one month check-up. It's amazing how much she has grown and changed. I've included some pictures from a month ago and this week. Enjoy!

Height: At her first appointment, she was one week old, 20 3/4 inches (75-90%). At one month, 22 1/2 inches (95%). Her doctor commented that she is very long and that she has grown twice as much as the normal baby would within the month.

Weight: One week old, 7 lbs., 5 oz. (25-50%). At one month, 8 lbs, 13 oz. (25-50%). Again, her doctor commented on how long and skinny she is. Considering her parents, more than likely Kinley will be very tall. I was a bean pole growing up, tall and skinny. The boys didn't catch up with me until I hit high school :). I have a feeling that Kinley will be the same way.

Head Circumference: One week, 33 1/2 cm (10-25 %). One month, 36 1/2 cm (25-50%).

Feeding: At one month, Kinley is eating 3 1/2 oz every 3-4 hours.

Sleeping: Kinley has been a great sleeper from the very beginning. She gets up once in the night, usually between 3 and 4 am to eat and then goes right back down to sleep. Lately she has been going 5 to 6 hours between her last feeding before going down to bed and when she wakes up in the middle of the night. I'm hoping that it won't be long until she is sleeping through the night. Her brother slept through the night at 5 weeks. I don't think we'll be that lucky.

Size: She is just about out of her newborn clothes and into her 0-3 month size. She still wears newborn diapers but I will be moving her into size 1 diapers once they are all gone.

Milestones: Kinley will follow your head if you are looking at her and move it. She also startles at loud noises and I can get a smile out of her, usually by talking and telling her how pretty she is :). It won't be long until she is smiling full time. Kinley's head is very strong, has been from day one, and she often holds it up as we hold her against us, as if to look at us and say, look at what I'm doing. She doesn't like to be cold, yet at times, it seems like she doesn't care either. The only time that she really cries is when she has a burp that needs to get out, is naked and cold or is really hungry. Other than that, she is a great baby and we feel very lucky to have had such great babies.

One Week Old

One month old. What a difference....she has changed so much, especially in her face and how much bigger she looks.

She looks and is so little here...one week.

A little bigger and much more alert...one month.