Our March Madness

March always finds us at least once at a Spring Training game. We love going, enjoying the grass, the excitement and of course the food. I'd like to say the food is what our boys enjoy most but, let's be honest, Chad and I love it too. Chad and I take turns entertaining the boys so that we can each watch at least a little bit of the game. This year we watched the Giants play the Mariners at the Mariners field in Peoria. The boys enjoyed hot dogs, chips, soda, ice cream and cotton candy while we all tried to stay cool in the already hot Phoenix weather.

The hot weather wasn't so easy to tolerate with my ever growing belly. See me with Tyler about 2 months before he was born.

My boys forever finds ways to have fun with cardboard boxes. The use of one box slowly morphs and changes over time too. This box ended up becoming Buzz Lightyear wings that mom had to keep reclipping to their shirts with clothespins that wouldn't withstand the level of activity Buzz Lightyear wings should be made to handle.

This is just a cute picture of my Cole that I took while we were watching Grant do Itty-Bitty Sports Class.

Just as in the fall, Grant did the spring session of Itty-Bitty Sports class at the YMCA. He got to learn and practice t-ball and flag football. It was perfectly timed because he did t-ball right before he started Little League so he was all warmed up. He is quite the slugger and has quite the throwing arm. While doing some throwing exercises, Grant's accuracy and throwing strength was so far beyond the others in his class that they had him step further back than the other kids to give him a challenge. His mom was oh so proud.

As with all children, trying on mom and dad's shoes is always a fun thing to do. Although I think here, Grant is actually trying to wear one of Cole's snow boots. Good luck with that one.

April fun

The biggest event of April was Grant starting Little League t-ball. He is on a team with several of his preschool and church friends. He is quite the little slugger and fielder. He loves to go to his games every week. Below is Grant before his first at bat and Grant playing in the field. I see Grant going far in baseball, as long as he keeps loving it like he does now.

Grant's preschool took their annual field trip to Heritage Park Zoo. I am not a huge fan of this zoo so we only go for this field trip. I tagged along so that Cole could see the animals too. Last year Grant stayed right with me and had me take a picture of him in the cut out below. This year Grant was too busy running around and seeing the zoo with his friends so I got Cole in the cut out instead. Next year it will be Cole's field trip, as he starts preschool in the fall. My boys are growing up too fast.

While killing some time before we had to be at the zoo, I took Cole to Starbucks for a snack and some quality mommy/Cole time before the baby came. I got him the new mini donuts, which he loved and we had fun talking and playing for a while. That boys has sure learned to talk and is hilarious with the things he observes and says.

One of our weekly traditions is to go to story time at the library and then either go to the mall or to the park, weather dictating, for lunch. We usually go with our friends, Laura, Aiden, Olivia and Clara. Grant asked me to take the picture below of him with Aiden and Olivia.

Tyler Wyatt Mellen born May 4, 2011

Tyler Wyatt Mellen was born at 6 AM on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 in Prescott Valley, AZ. He wins the record as the fastest birth, coming in 3 hours, and the smallest baby, weighing 7 lbs 9 oz. He woke me up about 2:45 AM with some serious contractions. We finally got the boys to our friends, the Paesalts, about 4:30 AM, then the hospital at 5 AM and by 6 AM I was holding him in my arms. We were also able to go home on Thursday early afternoon, instead of staying for two nights. Both of Tyler's brothers love their new brother. Grant is my big helper and Cole tells me the baby is crying and once in awhile tells me to put Tyler down so I can hold him.

Tyler is a good little baby. He eats well, sleeps well and rarely cries. When he does cry he sounds like a screaching cat so we try to avoid having him cry.

Chad is lucky enough to be home with us for three weeks to help get everything sorted out. At the hopsital, Chad was able to cut the cord (and proud he made it through in one snip), help clean him up after birth and eventually give him his first bath.