March 19th - Go KU, for a little bit

Some people might call me a fair weather fan when it comes to KU basketball, I say I am a realist who usually goes with the past performances to make my calls. My background is analysis as we know. We had a great time cheering on KU during the tournament, celebrating wins, singing The Chant, but ultimately were saddened by the loss. I told people not to pick them to win, when they are ranked #1 it isn't good for their stats. Oh well, here is Gracie cheering on her Jayhawks. Though Jessica was a Crimson Girl, I think she would be proud of Gracie's attempt at being a cheerleader. She is getting the pose down!

Now I need to get the video of her saying "Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU" when we were cheering them on with Julianne. She will always be a Jayhawk fan! Gracie did so well entertaining herself by watering plants and playing with Teddy during the game. Now to post a photo of Gracie in the dress Vi got from Hawaii. Adorable doesn't even do the dress justice.

Other KU celebrations will be coming, they did give me a great birthday gift.

Early March 2011 - Where does the time go

So I am only behind about two months, which isn't much...haha: multiple birthdays, family gatherings, fun times, and great stories aren't captured. I will do my best to remember.

Early March we went to Fort Collins to celebrate our friend Melissa's birthday. The guys stayed home with the kids as the ladies took a brewery tour. It is hard to say who had more fun the kids or mothers. We did get a photo of Gracie & Abigail, man they grow way too fast.

After on celebration we moved to another, Margie's birthday right before they left for Hawaii. Gracie loves her Nana & Papa very much, as you can see by the smiles here. When Gracie says her prayers at night they are usually the first on the list. It is such a blessing that they are able to spend every other Friday with her. The bond between grandchild and grandparent is so amazing, especially with the loving grandparents Gracie has.

Super Bowl 2011 - Go Steelers

We got to spend the Superbowl with some great friends, though with a different outcome to the game than in 2009. Dave and Melissa hosting a wonderful party with many Steelers supporters and their children. Gracie was over the moon to spend the afternoon with Abigail and Ian.

Here she was sporting Auntie Shawna's boa that I wore to the Superbowl in 2009 that the Steelers won.

There were great games of Ring around the Rosie.

Gracie has also has learned how to navigate my phone better then I can.

The kids play bowling over and over again. Then they enjoyed the riding toys by pushing each other around.

We loved spending the time with friends while enjoying such a good game. If only the Steelers could have pulled it out.

Birthday Buddy's new little buddy

Gracie's birthday buddy George became a big brother to Gus. After much practice with her babies, Gracie got to try her hand at holding and caring for a real baby. She would make a great big sister that is for sure, she loved holding Gus. Then again she couldn't get enough of playing with George either. They two of them read to eachother, George sang for us, and they raced each other.

Here is Gracie reading her favorite book right now "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Her favorite books keep changing...another new favorite is documented in future photos.



They were ready for us to say go.

Like usual since they were little, George continues to run circles around Gracie.

Oh it was so fun!!!

Way behind in updating, back to January

January was full of fun and family. Here are a couple photos just to capture this month.

Here is a great side-by-side comparison from 2011 vs 2010. Man Gracie has grown so much in one year. One year ago she had no hair and now she actually can do fun things with her hair. It only took two and a half years before we actually need to get a hair cut...not just trimming the bangs.

Dressing up continues to be fun especially after finding an umbrella from Jake and Karin's wedding. It is even better when we actually start singing "Singing In the Rain"

Me as a human canvas for Gracie and her stickers.

My secretary sure does cost a lot by the hour since she surfs the web for great videos all day if she could. In the morning, or really any time during the day, she loves to watch all the short videos of people on facebook. Right now her favorites: Katie laughing, Elizabeth dancing to Wiggles, and dogs playing in the snow.

Gracie living up to her shirt, she is a hug waiting to happen.

We got a great costume free from Whole Foods after Halloween, Gracie sure loves to cook and now has an outfit to wear.

So much Gym time

Over the past couple months G and I have had a whole lot of gym time: Mama's Gym, Gracie's Gym, and Beth's Gym (her daycare person). At my gym she loves the computer and people there while at Beth's gym she likes to play on the soccer fields. Now is what she loves at Little Gym.For about a year now Gracie has been going to The Little Gym with Gigi on Fridays and now with the Peters too. First they start with time on the red mat, which can be harder for Gracie some days. Here she is getting sticks from Mr. Scott. She has always been a fan of bubble time, is a pro at forward rolls, keeps busy going up and down the climbing wall, and of course the bars. I am proud of her climbing skills, I foresee that in her future if she has her daddy's legs.

Rings continue to be her favorite right along with the parachute. Of course I had to capture some photos to remember the great times.

Now after this great play time comes the highlight of the hour, she gets to wash her hand get get a stamp on her feet. Well, it started with feet and then moved to hands, both feet, and even the belly. She is so proud of those stamps. I love the activity she gets and the coordination she is developing. What a lucky lady.

Christmas Day Fun

Christmas Eve didn't end up being a silent night. Gracie for some reason got sick during the night which had her then sleeping with me until morning. Poor thing, though she was fine after her one episode. I did learn that we don't sleep well in the same bed, we both like being in the same bed together though. We are lucky she is such a trooper though because the next morning she was ready to go, and hungry.

Christmas morning we enjoyed a quiet start with some yummy french toast that Bopa made. Gracie played with her camera in the morning even showing the dogs the photo she took of them. Once Uncle Brad arrived Gracie made sure Bopa got close to the tree to open gifts.

Gracie had no problems opening presents, since she had practice the night before, though after a couple presents she decided that she just wanted to play with the ones she had already opened. The quiet Christmas morning was so much fun, Gigi even dressed up for the occasion...okay she got the necklace for Christmas.

The big hit gift on Christmas morning, besides the candy canes that Santa brought, was a car set that Gigi got at the Junior League event. I didn't think it would go over well with her, little did I know. Here she is enjoying the track that took Brad and I some time to put together with the bridge, tunnel, and alligator. Gracie is also showing her new pose of crossing her arms when she is looking at something. She is really starting to be aware of her arms, if I am holding her in the mornings or when she is hurt she will make sure to tuck her arms under her body. Guess the girl never really got out of her love for being swaddled/held tight.

Here is the aftermath of the present opening. She even got to enjoy Uncle Brad's gift of a pink camo jacket on a ride with Bopa. Some of our highlight gifts included a mini-muffin maker, a digital frame, a birthday cake that we sang happy birthday Jesus with, scrapbooking items, books, clothes, and of course my special day with mom. This year we had a special treat from Brad, a five course Christmas dinner. Appetizers, soup, bread with cheese, and of course the prime rib with amazing fixins (brussel sprouts are good if you cover them in bacon). The ending was pie of course. A friend of Brad's even joined us for dinner that we put to work grilling. Since all I had to do were dishes I got to enjoy some additional time with Gracie. Here she is trying to help in the kitchen.

Mommy tickling Gracie with Gigi's tongs from Santa. Oh the laughter!!! Then Gracie had to look super-fly with Bopa's hat. Angel was protecting her.
Boxing day was also quiet and allowed time for us to enjoy our new gifts without rushing to go anywhere. Here is some fun times with Gigi.

Gracie is showing us how big the tree is. So Big!

Gracie is such a good mommy to her babies with the toys from Bri & Michelle. Too bad she doesn't fit in the toy anymore.