Graduation

Grace has graduated from the infant room to the older infant room. We have been transitioning her for the past couple of weeks but Monday she started in with the older kids full time. It was tough for David and I as we really loved the people who watched Gracie in the infant room and also because it meant our baby was getting older. Of course her being surrounded by kids who are walking and talking and not drolling and pooping are much better for her development but I hate to see her growing up so fast!

Yesterday her caregiver presented us with a photobook with the following pictures:





I was very touched by her sentiment and also a bit saddened. What am I going to do at her high school graduation!?!?!??!!?!?!

Happy Memorial Day

Memorial weekend was a big one for us! We went strawberry picking, got locked out of the house with the baby safely inside, and drove to VA Beach to adopt a new dog, Moose.

On Saturday we joined Mom Mom, Pop Pop, Aunt Jen, Uncle Greg, Brandon and Samantha for the annual Great Country Farm Strawberry Jubilee. That's right, it was a jubilee. And I know that sounds hillbilly and I'm not at all hillbilly but everyone in Loudoun County came out for the festivities. There were no shortages of Blackberry's and laptops at this "country" fair. The line to pick strawberry's was over an hour long so we decided to stretch out on our blanket and enjoy the music and food.

I like to call this exerpt King Foo husband.
Sunday we were all set to make the four hour drive to VA Beach to pick up Moose. We have known for a while that Joe needed a playmate and have been waiting for the perfect buddy to come along. We think we found that after reading Moose's description on the Lab rescue website. Aunt Jen was able to watch Gracie and all we needed to do was take Joe down there to meet the dog. Dave and I were running around at 6:45AM trying to get everyone ready. Joe was in the yard, Grace in her exersaucer and David inside. I ran to the car going through the garage, leaving the door to the house open. Dave came outside to bring out some of Gracie's things and closed the door behind him. As soon as he, he looked up at me, "You have the keys, right!!!???" Hell no I didn't have the keys. I left the door open!!!! was my thought. We were locked out of the house. Panic hit us both. Were there any unlocked doors, windows, anyway to get into the house?? We both ran around for a minute, looking at the house, almost willing it open. We realized that wouldn't work. Everything was locked up tight. With Gracie in the kitchen. Shit. Panic. Double shit. More panic. Finally, my husband yelled to me, "Ok honey, close the garage door. I'm kicking the door in. I don't want the neighbors to see."
You're what!!!! I mean I love my husband and I believe in him 100 percent but to do something like kick open a door, I was skeptical. But, we had no other options. It's worth a shot. I closed the garage door and waited outside. Thud.
"Ok honey, I got it, come on in!!!!!!!!!" What, my husband had done it! He kicked our door in to save the baby!!!!!!! (I think it was the fact that he had watched Indiana Jones the night before, he was feeling very masculine!) We ran inside and Gracie was sitting in her exersaucer, looking out the window. I of course was hysterical and David was standing there just a little bit taller. Catastrophe avoided.

Moose and Joe are becoming friends. It's going to be an ajustment for both of them but hopefully they will soon be brothers.

Feelin' better!

Gracie is doing so much better. Her roseloa ran it's course like clockwork; three days with a high fever and three days of a rash. Now she's totally back to normal, with the exception of the PJ's Daddy picked out!

Roses(ola) are red, like my baby's face

I should have gone to medical school. My daughter has yet another disease, this one is Roseola. It is a virus that causes a high fever, check, makes the baby fussy or irritable, check, causes a decreased appetite, check, and is accompanied by a nasty rash, check. Of course, there is nothing we can do but give her Tylenol and make her comfortable. She is sleeping a little more than normal and when she is awake, she hates her life. I mean she is pitiful. Look:


Spotty face

Gracie look for the day

Rush Hour

Gracie has become quite the effective walker...with the help of her walker. Although we haven't seen her complete any steps on her own, she sure can with the some assistance. We're not rushing anything, she'll walk on her own when she's ready. For now enjoy this clip, she must have learned this from Mommy when she gets frusterated in traffic when she gets stuck!

Totally Bottle-Less---Yippee!

Today Gracie had no bottles what so ever! She has been down to only a morning bottle for a couple of weeks now and the thought of no morning bottle has been tough for David and I! This morning I was up earlier than normal b/c Dave had to go downtown and therefore he was out of the house before six. I got almost toally ready before Gracie woke up and when she did, I went downstairs for a sippy cup. I got her out of her crib and changed her clothes before giving her the cup. She drank about half and didn't even miss her bottle.

I know this isn't prolific but babies adapt and are willing to change without a hesitation, it's the parents that are the problem.

Here she is this past weekend in her new little sundress, compliments of kevin and Sara. Thanks guys!

For her birthday, Gracie received a couple of walkers. Here is her introduction to the lion walker...complete with Nana's help!