The Ballard Boys

The Ballards have been busy (thus the 18-month lapse in blogs), but we wouldn't have it any other way! We've had FUN...and the pictures below will recap all we've been into over the last year! Our boys are doing GREAT and growing up so quickly! This time of the year is always a celebration at our house, because we celebrate from August 27 (Grant's birthday) through September 18 (Connor & Aidan's birthday)! It's hard to believe that Grant just turned 2 and that Aidan & Connor are turning 5!! These boys are quite the three little characters, and we have cherished watching their personalities develop!

Aidan: He is our feisty, go get'em boy! Aidan wants to be "independent," and he is very proud when he accomplishes a task on his own (i.e. showering by himself). He is our avid competitor...sometimes he can be difficult to instruct, but once he gets it, he'll practice for hours! He (like his brothers) LOVES sports, especially basketball, soccer, baseball (can switch hit), tennis (great forehand), paddle ball, and swimming (just got comfortable after lessons this summer)! He can be stubborn at times, especially with little brother Grant, but Aidan has learned to share with Grant or move on to other toys. Aidan (despite being somewhat stubborn) can also be tender-hearted. He gets upset if he realizes we are disappointed in a choice he's made. He is also very concerned for us when we are sick, and he tells us he hopes we feel better. He is also witty and clever! Aidan is very particular about things he likes; he always chooses "BLUE!" And to some dismay, I have to report that my sweet Aidan is a "Duke Fan!"

Connor: He is quite a considerate young man! Connor will ask, "How was your day?" Or he will tell ladies they smell good (we've always been impressed with how complimentary both Connor & Aidan are). Connor is our "easy-going" boy. He is laid-back and is always the one to give in if Aidan or Grant want the same thing he does. He usually shares without being told. Connor is quick to pick up on new concepts and is easy to teach. Connor likes to read books, as does Aidan. He is our BEST napper and will tell us when he needs one! Connor also loves sports, just like Aidan. In tennis he prefers his back-hand and seems to do some things left-handed while other sports he does right-handed (like me)! Most of the time he is my "Tar heel," but he has no problem being a demon deacon and sometimes a "wolf packer" as he says!

Grant: He is our spunky, vivacious boy! Grant was an incredibly easy baby until he started walking at 12 months old, now he hasn't slowed down! He is very curious and daring! From a year old, his main goal is to do everything his big brothers do! Grant has grown up so fast from watching and learning from Connor & Aidan. It was all I could do last year during sports to keep him off the field or court. He is more comfortable in the pool at his age than the twins were, and Grant is jumping into the pool on his own with ease! Grant sadly is our pickiest eater, but it hasn't affected his stature, because he has been wearing his brothers' clothes from last year (even though they are 3 years apart)! Grant's vocabulary and talking really took off at the end of spring, and now it's comical listening to him! He can be quite the jokester!

Will and I are so PROUD of these boys! Connor and Aidan had such a rough start at their birth, and now thankfully they are just like any other typical five-year-old! Turning 5 is a huge milestone for them, especially since they started out at only one and half pounds each. They've had no developmental delays and no health problems. We often tell them how lucky we are to have them in our lives and how grateful we are for their progress. We also talk about all the people we had supporting us and them while they were in the hospital, and it makes them feel special for sure. Grant has added such a fun mix to our family, and we can't imagine a day without all 3 Ballard Boys!

Connor (4 & 1/2) July, 2012