My Kingdom for a Tooth

Please please please tooth COME OUT ALREADY! My poor baby can't take it anymore!

I mean look how pooped she is?! Thank goodness for the swing, my savior!

Poor baby...our usually independent baby has suddenly become quite the snuggler!

Try not to kiss your computer....

It's hard, I know!

8 Months

Gracie is 8 months old today. She just recently started sitting up on her own and continues to "talk" constantly! Her favorite (ok, only) word is da da da da da. We took Gracie to the doctors today and discovered that she has an ear infection in both ears. This is our second round of ear infections and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it will be the last. Other than that, Gracie is doing so well! She is days away from crawling and has mastered rocking back and forth on all fours while she's playing on the floor.

Lunch with Dave's Co-Workers

Today Grace and I headed to Pentagon City to visit Daddy and his co-workers for lunch. Many of them have been watching Grace grow on this blog and were excited at the chance to meet her in person.

Christmas!

BEFORE

AFTER

Gracie and Santa finally meet!

And they were both all smiles! (Thank you Fair Oaks Mall for only taking 30 minutes!)

What a tall baby!

Dave was playing with the baby last night and as he held her up I realized how tall she's gotten. Tall isn't a word that one usually uses to describe our family but Gracie really is getting that way!

Who needs Santa anyway?

Sunday we went to the mall to get a picture with Santa. Pudge was all dressed up, tights on, she even had a bow in her hair. We were psyched. As we got closer to Santa's house, I saw kids dressed in thier best holiday attire, patent leather shoes, red and green plaid, it was totally adorable. When we got to Santa, I was surprised that the line wasn't too terribly long. Ha ha, silly first time mama. What I was seeing was the line after the pager had gone off! A pager, I know. I thought I was going to Cheesecake Factory. We signed up for our pager and decided to do some Christmas shopping while we waited. It was 1PM. Around 3, our pager still hadn't gone off and Dave and I had exhausted all our shopping options. Grace was exhausted as well. We decided to check where our name was on the list. We went back to Santa's house, no Santa. He takes a break from 3-4PM. Great. Dave asked one of the elves how much longer they thought it would be. The elf said, "Oh, you guys should get to see him by 5:30!" Are you kidding me! My mind flashed to the scene in a Christmas Story when Ralphy and his annoying little brother were waiting to see Santa. Well, we weren't waiting any longer. Ho, Ho, Ho...

Here in place of the Santa picture:

My first snow!

Yesterday we had our first measurable snow of the season. Driving was a bit crazy but once we made it home safely, we had time to enjoy it! "Mama, what's all that white stuff outside?"

"Hmm, interesting. Get me closer."

"All ready for school Mama...now zip me up!"

This picture was taken this morning. We had a 2 hour delay and some extra time on our hands. I wanted all of you to know how happy she is in the morning...smiling for no apparent reason. She's a happy one!

Richmond girls come for a visit

7 months

"Ok, another monthly update! I'm game!"

"Wait a minute. What are these fun things on my feet?!" "This isn't going to be easy mama!"

A change of venue was in order.

Those of you who know me well by now *cough*, Chris, *cough* know that this is just a place marker and I will be posting more later!

Thanksgiving 2007

Gracie had an excellent first Thanksgiving,in sunny Florida. We went to Leesburg, FL to visit Nana and Grandpa Tucholski for Turkey Day! Daddy and I were a bit concerned when, on the morning of the flight, she hadn't slept a wink. For those of you reading this with kids, you'll understand. She woke up at her usual 5:30AM and hadn't slept at all as we boarded the plane at 11AM. Dave announced, "We're screwed with a capital S!" Screwed because Grace is a very independent baby. She doesn't like to be held, cuddled, swaddled, nothing like that. Leave her alone and she's happy (she gets this from her father I assure you). Knowing for sure she wouldn't sleep on the plane, Dave and I boarded in sheer terror. We were going to be that couple with the baby who screamed for two hours straight.

The delirious face; can you tell she's exhausted?!?!?!?

David and I sat down, bottle prepped. She played while we taxied and then, as soon as the plane starting to accerlate, I popped the bottle into her mouth. NO sooner were we off the ground than Grace was asleep. Not fully asleep, she was still awake enough to eat (yet another Tucholski trait!) but other than that completly relaxed. When she finished, I switched the bottle for the binks and she slept for an hour and a half of the two hour flight, on my lap no less. The way back was a different story.

Gracie, Nana, and her new favorite friend!

Chillin' at the pool (thank you Lauren for my ladybug attire)

Nana makin' me giggle like crazy at the pool

I'm the worst

I have had the best intentions to login to my account and write a beautiful ode to my daughter; filling you all in on how much she has changed and what amazing things she has done but I'm just too damn tired. We are in the frenzy of packing for our first airplane ride with the Pudge. We are going to sunny Florida to visit Nana and Grandpa for Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to see the fam and enjoy the warm sunny weather by the pool but packing for a 6 month old in what should be a 2 hour flight but could turn into a 10 hour ordeal is daunting. The what if's are enough to kill ya. David is in the midst right now of searching for our "big" suitcase so I only have a minute.

Grace said da-da last Saturday. Not directly at Dave but I guess in his general direction. We're not sure if it truly counts as a first word but just in case I thought I'd share. She has also began to stroke her hair when she's tired or hungry. Wow, I just read that last sentence. Instead of deleting it and starting over, I'm going to leave it so you all know can really understand the mind of a woman in her late twenties (arg), blancing a full time job, a household, a husband, a dog, and a 6 month old Pudgey. Scary, I know. But Grace is still by far the best thing that has ever happend to me and I owuld never change a single thing about her!

I know it's been a while...I will update tonight with pictures and the lastest on our girl! She has really grown and is getting quite a personality. Stay tuned....

Get in My Belly

Sunday Dave and I went to visit some friends and their new 2 month old baby girl Jax. She was so adorable and it reminded me of how small they are at that age. Gracie seems so big now compared to her.

The two "played" very well with each other, with the exception of Grace trying to eat the baby. Everything, from a dog's ear to a baby's head, goes in her mouth.

Holding hands...ahh how cute!

"Hmm, I wonder..."

"Yummy!!"

HALLOWEEN!!!

MY LITTLE MONKEY

Grace was the cutest little monkey in the world for Halloween! Unfortunatley, she didn't make it to daycare yesterday for her parade due to a fever caused by her 6 months shots. She didn't care but Mommy was disappointed. So instead, we treked up to Aunt Jen's elementary school and visited the 1st graders. Everyone there loved her costume. Being that Grace is in bed by 7, she only greeted a couple of trick-or-treaters at the door. She enjoyed her costume and I would say that we had a successful first Halloween!

Oh, and this morning when I went it to wake her up, the little wiggle worm was asleep ON HER STOMACH. She was so adorable laying there on her tummy. SHe's a true roller now!

Enjoy!

Gracie and her MomMom "monkeying" around
She loves this costume!!! "I love you guys!"

6 MONTHS

6 Month Stats:

Weight: 16 pounds, 8 ounces (50th percentile)

Height: 2 feet 1 inch (25 inches, 25th percentile)

Head Cirumference: ? (I can't remember but she in the 95th percentile!!)

She had her 6 month vaccinations and Daddy said she was a real trooper. On Tuesday she ran a fever so Mommy picked her up from school and we took Wednesday off as well just to make sure she was back to her old self. She continues to eat her peas like the pro she is and next week we start on green beans!

More Peas Please

Meadowlark Gardens

Sunday we took Gracie to Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna. It was a perfect fall day and we were excited to show her all the flowers and the fishys but, as most almost 6 monthers will do, she slept. After about a half hour though she arose from her slumber and began discovering her surroundings. I'm not sure if she was impressed but Mommy and Daddy had fun!

Kisses anyone?

The Lake

Pudgy and her big old head!