Tyce and Talen Grate
Well, I have been what you would call HORRIBLE at updating this, but I will try and get back to it on a routine basis.
As most of you know we were blessed with a Christmas Eve gift - Talen Cale Grate. He was born at 3:03pm on 12/24/09. He was 19inches long and 6 pounds 5.8oz. He is a beautiful baby with a ton of red wavy hair! He definitely resembles his daddy! (I keep saying if the first acts like me but looks like Dustin maybe this one will look like Dustin but act like me!!!) Anyway, we haven't had the easiest go at it, but he is still a blessing. 4 days after I left the hospital I had to return for a procedure known as a blood patch due to severe headaches caused by a leaking epidural site. I was very thankful that the procedure worked almost immediately so that I could finally start enjoying my new son and the rest of my family. At Talen's 2 week check up they found a heart murmur which sent us straight to the pediatric cardiologist. It was found that this is a common benign murmur that should heal on it's own and we will have to recheck it in 1 year. Praise the Lord! Now we are dealing with colic - he vomits on a routine basis and is quite uncomfortable most of the time, which means little sleep for mommy and daddy! The Dr. put him on some medication and did a weight check at 4 weeks and he has already gained 2 pounds, so all the vomiting isn't affecting him (just me!!!) He has changed so much already and is so cuddly and loveable.
My boys!
Talen 1 week old
Talen 4 weeks old
Tyce is adapting to being a big brother. He wants to help with everything, BUT and it's a big BUT doesn't like sharing the lime light so he asks to go to mom's at least once a day where he knows he is the only one getting attention. We have had some behavior issues of acting out and throwing tantrums, but all in all he is doing pretty good. We have had to go to a reward system for pooping in the potty because of his reversion to a point he was hiding behind the couch to poop his pants and saying "I fine...don't look at me!" while point his little finger at us. He turned 3 in November and is going strong. He is definitely becoming a little boy. I am not sure when he got so big, but I didn't realize it until carrying Talen around. I love seeing him hold and kiss Talen. He wants to show his baby brother to everyone and unfortunately wants to pick him up, so I have to watch him closely. He is looking forward to camping and fishing this summer, as well as riding his quad that he got for Christmas. We got him a 90cc quad that has a ton of safety features so that he can learn to ride and grow into this quad. His helmet is so cute on him - it fits well, but he looks like a bobble head!
New quad riding helmet
Tyce 3 years old
Dustin is working hard. He has been extremely busy and we are very blessed that work is going so well for him. His friend from Africa was just in town for the Safari Club and he spent some time with him, which was very fun.
I am off work for a little while (until the beginning of March) which will come too soon. My heart is really to be home with my boys now...So I am in constant prayer that God will change our situation so that I can be home more and raise my boys. I love working as a PA too, so I knowGod will work something out that will allow me to do His will in both places. It's hard to believe I have been working as a PA almost 5 years already. I have recently helped open a clinic in Virginia City (just 15 minutes from our house) and that has been a huge blessing. I love working there 2 days a week and am hoping they will add more days so that I can serve that community better. I love working in the Reno office, but have enjoyed a slower pace of a small town (reminds me of Topaz).
The "new and improved" Grate Family
