I love my boys

Monkey Joes

Every new big brother needs a special day all of his own.

What skills

Now that Jamis is a big brother he can climb up the big slides all by himself.


Just working on the drivers license now.

1st Bath

Jaxon was not a big fan of his first bath.

He always holds his hands so politely.

All snuggly warm after the terrifying experience

Jaxon Lee Griner

After much anticipation we proudly introduce
JAXON LEE GRINER !!!!

Our story begins on Monday Jan. 10 when my mother was due to arrive from Rapid City. Of course our little beach town has to have snow that day, closing the airport for several days. Luckily she was able to be rerouted to Raleigh and my knight in shinning armor came through as always and dared the blizzard after work to rescue her. 2 am they came trekking home, thankfully safe and sound.

We decided to induce me on Tuesday and I was admitted at 7 pm that evening. All night and all Wednesday I labored with very little progress. Every time the Doc came in I expected them to say, "Oh, wow. I can see the babies head! Be careful not to sneeze until I put my gloves on." Instead I got, " Well, no real change this time. Keep up the good work though." Because I had so much amniotic fluid I wasn't contracting as hard as I should've been. Wednesday night they decided to break my water to see if that would help speed things up. Talk about needing your galoshes and issuing a flood warning. Thankfully it helped...a little. Wednesday night was spent with me trying to talk everyone into just stopping everything and trying again in a month or so. Unfortunately, no takers.

Finally early Thursday morning I dragged myself across that ever so important 10 cm line and just when I thought the worst was behind me, I began the next phase...pushing. Now I had an epidural mind you, but seriously Ouch. I can't even imagine how someone does it without one. What was even worse than the pain was the fact that I was SO tired and hungry. 32 hours of not eating, not sleeping, and experiencing H**L had taken a real toll on me. An hour and a half later though our little miracle arrived and everyone was right.

IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Jaxon Lee Griner

January 13, 2011 3:16 AM

7 lbs 10 oz 20 inches

Brothers meeting for the first time

What a big helper

Jaxon is amazing. He is such a snugly baby. I think he looks just like Devan. He has his eyes, nose, and hands. I've been teasing Devan that he looks like a little old man Devan. For some reason he doesn't see it.

We had to stay in the hospital a few extra days due to some blood sugar issues, but Saturday evening all was well and we were finally able to bring our little bundle home.

Going home.

Our adventure begins.....

Max

For the past several months Devan and I have been trying to decide what to do with our dog Max. Its been a struggle to find an apartment in Chattanooga who would take such a large dog and a dog of his breed, plus with the baby coming, I was nervous about caring for him and the boys. We finally came to the conclusion that he needed a new home.

It was really sad saying good bye, but we know that he is going to love his new home. He has new kids to play ball with and a big back yard to run in. We'll miss you Max.

Christmas 2010

Like I've said before, having a kid just gets better and better. I haven't been this excited about a Christmas since I was a kid. Jamis LOVED everything about Christmas. He loved the nativities (especially baby Jesus and his mommy), the tree and ornaments (every day the bottom half of the tree was rearranged), and the presents. Nothing was better than the Christmas lights though. This kid could spot Christmas lights anywhere. "A kismis light mommy, a kismis light. Woooow, " was the most heard phrase all month. We hung lights all around the inside of our house and the first thing every morning he asked to turn them on and just stare, it never got old to him. The magic was alive.

Christmas Eve we did our family tradition of reading Luke 2 and opening one present. Jamis didn't really get the whole present thing until that night when he got a new Thomas train. Total jackpot. Since Devan was on Chief call Christmas week, he had to go in and round in the morning, but then we got him the rest of the day. Jamis had a hard time waiting for Dad to get home to open presents. He killed the time by devouring everything in his stocking and rearranging everything under the tree.
"Really it's finally time"

After everything he opened he stopped and played with it...for quite awhile.

He took so long opening his gifts, we had to have a lunch and then a nap break.

So careful not to rip the paper.

His face lite up with every gift, making me wish I would've gotten him more. I love that smile.

I had a lot of fun with Devan's presents this year too. It truly is better to give, than receive (even when your husband surprises you with a 2 hour spa massage/pedicure appointment on Christmas Eve).

As long as I've know Devan he has wanted to get a copy of his favorite picture of Christ, "Gentle Healer" by Greg Olsen.
I love now that its the first thing you see when you walk into our home.

We ended our day with a family walk and a great meal with the Arne's.
Jamis had to wear Devan's Russia hat.

How grateful are we for this wonderful season to celebrate the birth of our savior. Being 9 months pregnant during this time of year has really opened my eyes to the sacrifices that Christ's earthly parents made. I had a great opportunity to represent Mary in a nativity scene for the Young Women. I was asked to talk about what I thought it would've been like to travel and be treated the way she was, in my "condition" and honestly I can't imagine how uncomfortable she most likely was. A few days prior to this Devan and I made a trip up to Raleigh for one last temple session before Jaxon's arrival. We traveled approximately the same distance Mary and Joseph did. I got to sit on a heated leather seat in a comfy car on a smoothly paved highway, a far cry from a donkey, yet I was still not very comfortable.

As this is also my first delivery, I have the comfort of knowing I have a hospital bed waiting for me. I have doctors, nurses, and clean sheets to care for me and my newborn. I have pain meds. My husband and I have no worries as to what to do or where to go. I have such a greater love and respect for the conditions of our Saviors birth. It really hit home this year. How much we take for granted and how much we have to be thankful for. I am eternally grateful for my Savior and his atoning sacrifice. I hope all can remember and the true reason for this Christmas Season.

Biking with Dad...Part 2

Lately Jamis has completely become a " Daddy's Boy" and riding beside daddy isn't enough anymore.

He'll side here forever just grinning and laughing, totally thinking he is helping Daddy "drive" his bike.