I'm a Party Girl, in my party world...

After holding her bottle by herself today, Grace is ready for some fun. Here is our little party girl ready for her New Years celebration. (Sung to "I want to be a cowboy")

Hanging with the folks

I got my horn - ready

I got my tutu - fluffy

I want to be a party girl

You can be my DD

I want to be a party girl

There are no huge plans tonight with our little lady. We are going to Adam's client's house for a bit and then the neighbors. Hope you enjoy your evening...go KU!!! Grace is now getting on her rally outfit.

Christmas Memories

Grace sure did have some memories
from her first Christmas. We attended the Christmas Eve services to only leave early because the little lady was hungry. Oh well, hopefully next year she will be able to make it. On Christmas Eve we spent time with the Peters side of the family, which I am getting photos from on Thursday. Alex was so excited for Santa to come, it really was fun bringing back memories of your own childhood waiting for Santa. That night we drove to the Petersen farm, about an hour North of town, for the rest of the week.

Grace gave me the best Christmas present by sleeping through the night. I was so lucky! Here are photos of the celebration. My dad had been talking about making a pond in front of their clubhouse and now "Gracie's pond and beach" are getting already for next summer's fun!

This past week Grace has changed into a fun little baby. She is full of smiles for most people and is watching everything we do now. While we were talking with her in her bouncy seat she kept switching her gaze between the two of us. Her tummy time is easier to handle now too since she is holding up her head so well. I am just amazed at how quickly she is growing and learning.

Here is a photo of Adam's Aunt Barbara, Margie's sister, from a dinner we had Sunday. Grace and her cousin look very different when they are next to each other.

We wish everyone a safe and a Happy New year. We will have photos of our celebration, which will be the earliest celebration we have had in years!

3 Months and growing

Saturday was Grace's 3 month birthday to the day! She continues to change and grow so very quickly now. Just today she is now fascinated with the world around her and tried her Bumbo out. Here is proof.

Adam was very excited that his Rams won their bowl game and Grace joined in the celebration, after she woke from her nap.

We are excited to be spending the holidays with our families and wish you a very special holiday season.

Three months to the day

It seems like just yesterday, and forever ago, that Adam and I were having our last sleep before Grace was born. That was exactly three months ago since we were induced on Sept 19th. Well last night I was able to sleep through the night again. After a good day at daycare, Grace slept through the whole night without her usual 1 - 2am feeding. Any mother can tell you that the sleep after that feeding time was not completely sound because you worry why they are not awake for a feeding. It is such a big step for Grace and we look forward to seeing what happens over the next couple weeks. We pray this isn't a fluke, though we know from our friend's experiences that it could be awhile before this is a routine.

My how things can change with a child daily!! Grace still amazes me everyday with her little actions...clasping her hands when looking at you, giving a little smerk/smile as if to say "I see you too" and everything she has to say. This Christmas season makes me more grateful for all the blessing God has given us, this includes His Son.

Only one happy household member with Day Care

My first day away from Gracie was yesterday. The only one in our household who was happy about this is Brandy. She get more attention from me during the day now and is remembering her good ol' days. "sleep, love, play, sleep, love, play" The first day had ups and downs. Grace played and slept well at Mel's. Mel, our neighbor caregiver, has a two year old son who is giving Grace a taste of what she will do in the future to our kid #2, God willing for #2 in the future. Yesterday Elijah dropped a sippie cup on her head. He is such a great kid that her crying made him realize that he needs to be more careful, as did Mel's instructions to him. It isn't like she got kicked in the head like I did...by my own mother. What can I say, the 70s had big skirts and high shoes leading to many bad choices made by those dressing in the 70s. Back in those days I was much smaller and harder to see on the ground with those outfits. I digress.

At 1:30 everything changed. Though Grace has had a bottle almost everyday this day was different. She would have nothing to do with bottle feeding and I had already pumped for the next day. Luckily she slept a bit longer and I was able to get her some milk and calm down. The rest of the day we were both out of sorts! Today life seems to be better and she even took a bottle at her AM feeding from Adam and Mel. I am waiting to see how the rest of the day goes. Tomorrow it will be so nice to have her with me at home while my mom watches her!

Many of my co-workers have sent me well wishes to help ease me back into work. The many prayers from all of you have also helped us get through this tough time. We do look forward to the next couple weeks. Adam has Wed - Fri off for the next two weeks. He will take on the Mr. Mom roll with the apron and all. I can see it now...I am working on the computer typing and email while Adam is changing diapers or clothes, and cleaning. The thought already brings a smile to my face.

Here is a photo of our superwoman, with Mr. Mom. After her bath she just stretches out until we wrap her in a blanket. We think it is adorable! The photo is perfectly censored too.

Here is a photo of Gracie in her Christmas outfit, thank you Aunt Joyce for mailing. It fits great, other then it is just a bit long. The hat fits just right.

Merry Christmas to everyone! We will write again soon.

Christmas time fun

These past couple weeks have been filled with many fun events. Grace spent her first hours away from the family at her daycare provider Mel's house. Everyone did fine but mom. While leaving I teared up and then what is the one place a mother shouldn't go when she misses her baby?!?! That is right, I went to Babies R Us to pick a few things up without my baby. Let's just say I won't be doing that again!

This weekend Grace got to experience her first cookie day! After spending a fun day with Grandma Jeanne, we spent the night at the farm. Grace spelt pretty well up there and is getting ready for out couple nights up there for Christmas. Cookie day is a special day with my girlfriend from KU, Julianne, and her mother to bake cookies all day to eat during the holiday season. Grace enjoyed her time with the ladies and the love from everyone. Next year will be even more exciting with a toddler. Here are a couple photos from the day. Julianne and her mother were so sweet and gave Grace some adorable gifts. The photo of her in her first tutu will be coming soon.

We were blessed to see our friends the Sandersons a lot this week. Shawna came down for a visit with the kids and we spent time with them up in Ft Collins. Phil kept talking to Adam about all of the 14ers he would like Adam to join him on next year. I guess Phil didn't ask Shawna about these hikes or me because he thinks there will be time for a couple hikes a month. These hikes take our men away for the whole day plus some. Adam's hall passes are not that many ;P Don't get me wrong, I do think guy time is important...not 2x a month for 24+ hours. Plus, Adam might have issues with the lack of sleep he receives when sleeping in the car with another snoring man at the bottom of the mountain.

This is the dreaded week. Wednesday I start work again. I know that Mel will take good care of Grace and she will be just fine. It is going to be hard to be home during the day working while knowing my daughter is a 5 minute walk away and I can't be with her all the time. We will continue the breastfeeding, so I might get one more time during the day to see her. So many changes in so little time!

I will update more this week but for now I have to get some Christmas shopping done during our subzero temperatures :(

Things that make me laugh

Some of Gracie's loves make me laugh and smile all the time.
1. She loves to "try on clothes" Since she continues to grow I have to keep putting clothes up to her to see if they are long enough and will fit. Every time I put clothes up to her to see if they will probably fit, she smiles. The girl loves her clothes.
2. She loves her new toy, a New Year's horn. This is the perfect toy because she can grab and hold onto the horn. At the end of the horn are also streamers for her to look at. The best part, if she hits herself with the horn there are not injuries.
3. She loves most Christmas songs. I guess the higher pitch isn't something that works for her because she didn't like me singing Oh Holy Night.
4. She loves it when I talk with her while she is in the bouncy chair. This past week, while she had her pacifier in her mouth, she was talking and said "ga, ga, ga". It doesn't sound as good in writing, though it was hilarious at the time.

Grace is our smiley happy girl. We truly are blessed to have her in our lives. Here is a video of her talking, it is about 3mins...if you want to hear her "talk"