Bathtime Breakthrough!

Gracie took a bath last night, and she didn't cry at. all. I had less water in the tub, and it was colder than normal. She seemed to like the colder water! As soon as I put her in I started splashing and she giggled and splashed with me! I got a couple of toys out, and she played until she seemed really cold. I hope this is the start of something new!

SOOO Big!

Gracie just started doing "So big!" this afternoon. She's becoming a pro already!

SnuffleTricks

In the last week Snuffy has learned a lot! She has mastered:
1. Waving bye-bye. She had been opening and closing her fingers towards herself for a while and when Nana and Grandpa did it towards her she figured out how to turn her hand around, and that it makes the grown ups very happy when she does it!
2. Clapping. We practiced at Josey's Christmas concert and Bret's basketball game a couple of weeks ago, and she recently started doing it all on her own.
3. Pushing her lion's nose and dancing along to the song. This is truly the cutest thing I have ever seen!
4. Clucking her tongue! Daddy said her new noise was her Christmas present to momma and daddy.

All these discoveries make me wonder if this would be a good buy!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Merry Christmas, friends!

Love, Snuffy

Teeth!

No, momma!

Fine. See my teethies?

Thank You, Great Grandma Betty!

Meet Santa

SnuffleTreats

Snuffy can feed herself!

Getting Ready

Gracie has just started showing an interest in crawling. Here's her progress.

Ouch!

Gracie bit me today.

"The book" says not to react. HOW? How am I supposed to not react when a very sensitive part of my body is being CHOMPED by two especially sharp teeth? Answer that book.

My Baby's Back!

It has been a VERY long week. Last Friday Gracie was crabby and by Sunday she was a terror. She wouldn't sleep or play, just cry. I though she was just teething, as I saw a new tooth next to her other one while she was screaming in my ear. I tried everything; Orajel, Teething Tablets (thanks, Cara!), chewing on a warm washcloth-a cold washcloth, Tylenol...to no avail. Then her nose started to run. I figured it was another sign of teething, like "the books" say. Finally, her eyes were red and puffy, and she was pulling on her ear. I figured we'd be OK as she had her nine month check up scheduled for Tuesday. The doctor's office called me on Monday and said her doctor was going to be out of the office on Tuesday and wanted to reschedule. OF COURSE. I rescheduled for Wednesday but by the time I got home from work she was worse so I got an appointment for another doctor on Tuesday. Gracie was diagnosed has "almost" having an ear infection. Luckily, she hasn't had a fever, and the doctor gave her Amoxicillion (which she loves!) and eye drops (which she h.a.t.e.s!). She is finally doing better, and by Thursday afternoon I had my smiley baby back! Whew, that was a long week!

Gracie's New Game

My Tooth Makes Noise!

Gracie's Dedication

Gracie was dedicated to God on Sunday, November 30th, 2008. We had about 25 family members and dear friends there to support her spiritual growth, and we are so thankful for all of you; whether you were able to make it for this day or not you have blessed our lives. After the service there was a reception with family photos and then we all went out for brunch.

First Thanksgiving

1 bath + 1 Gracie = 2 deaf parents

My baby hates bath time. I'm not talkin' a little bit, but she actually starts S.C.R.E.A.M.I.N.G. if I bring her near the bathroom naked. Hearing bathwater running makes her wimper. I've tried everything I can think of, but she has hated it since her very fist sponge bath when she was a week old. There has only been one bath I can remember that she didn't scream the entire time, and I was singing and being silly the whole time, distracting her. That doesn't even work now. Any suggestions?

Gracie's first sponge bath, at one week.

Gracie's bath-last week! Some things haven't changed.

Kitty!

Updates!

Wow, it has been a long time since I blogged! Sorry, but I think you will soon understand why!

Gracie has her first tooth! It was discovered a couple of weeks ago, and she has been teething fiercely ever since. We have had many nights with her getting up for an hour or more to cry. Oragel does little, and Tylenol helps a bit. She has not needed a pacifier for months, much preferring her thumb, which has been very nice. So imagine my surprise when I got home from work and she rolled over with a pacifier in her mouth! In desperation during a particularly crabby day, daddy grabbed every baby toy and pacifier in the apartment and dumped them all on her blanket. She now has a favorite that she chomps on. I guess it's better than a teether!

She has also learned to scoot. She hasn't done it much, and if I can manage to capture a video I will certainly post it. The kitty likes to sit just out of reach, and Gracie is dying to suck on her tags!

If anyone is interested in her Child Dedication Service on November 30th and hasn't told me you're coming, please shoot me an email. We got a letter from the church saying they will be calling for a head count, as there is a reception after with food.

Gracie's First Halloween

It's a MONSTER!

Is it alive? Better poke it to find out!

The duck wins!

What I Hate...

...about traveling with an infant...I never know if I've packed enough diapers.


Hummm...Overkill? Or just enough? Only Gracie knows for sure.

Baby Harmonica

New Sounds

With my pump broken, Brian brought Gracie to work to visit me on Friday to have a little lunch. On the way in we ran into some of my coworkers, who oogled over Gracie and started making a popping sound with their mouths. Gracie was so entranced by the popping that by the time she left my work, she was doing it herself! I attempted to get a video of it, and ended up getting not only a little of her popping, but also her crinkle-nosed smile.

Feeding Frustrations and Sleeping Woes

Ugg, what a week.

I have been having a lot of problems pumping enough milk for Gracie. We go day to day, and whatever I pump today, she drinks tomorrow. I typically only get 2 ounces out, wich sucks. She does still nurse in the morning, when I get home from work, and before bed so I'm not too concerned, but it's frustrating. Tuesday I didn't get any out. Thursday she woke up really early so I thought I'd be able to get her more than usual but when I got all set up to pump, it didn't work. My pump is broken. I am so bummed. Why couldn't it have broken last week? You know, when we had a coupon for 20% off? That would have been thoughful. If any of you are done with yours and will let me buy it off ya, let me know. I don't really want to spend the money on a new one.

If that's not enough,

Gracie is WAY off her sleeping schedule. Thursday night she woke at 3 am. This morning she waited until 5 am. Tonight she got sleepy and crabby at 5:30 pm. So, like a good momma, I put her to bed and told her it was just a nap, not for the night-that's WAY too early! She woke up at 6:30, but went back to bed by 6:45 just to wake up again at 8:00. This crazy girl then stayed up until 9:00 and went back to bed. So much for quality momma/baby time!

Tinkerbell

Grandma Y. bought Gracie a Tinkerbell outfit.
Here's my little fairy.

She has started wrinkling her nose when she smiles really big. It is SO cute!

Bouncy Bouncy!

This is exactally what momma was imagining when I bought this!
Brian said she spends an hour every morning doing this.

Transifions

Gracie has had a rough couple of nights. On Tuesday we finally got her crib assembled and put into place. She's not a fan. She had a nice little groove made into her bassinet and was quite comfy, thank you very much. I'd put her to bed and she'd instantly turn her head to the side, stick her thumb in her mouth and close her eyes. Not with the crib. Tuesday she cried for a long time before we got her to sleep and then woke up at 3 am. That is very not like her, as she has slept through the night since she was 8 weeks old. Last night she didn't wake in the middle of the night, but it did take us almost 2 hours to get her to sleep. Brian said she slept well for her naps today though, so I am hopeful that we are over that hump.Before

After

Exersaucer Fun

"I think I'm getting the hang of this thing, Momma!"

Daddy Time

Gracie Loves Seth

Gracie has her own favorite Brewer. I know, you're all thinking "yeah, right, she's 6 months old." Really, she does! When Seth McClung (relieving pitcher) comes over to the fence, he grabs her toe and makes a farting sound with his tongue. She lights up and giggles like crazy! Lately, all it takes is to hear his name; "Gracie, Seth is coming!" and she will light up and start making the farting noise with her tongue! It is the cutest thing ever. We asked Seth if he would be willing to let us go on the player's side of the fence to get a picture of him with Gracie. He said of course, and here are a couple of the pictures.

Mama, Seth is WAY taller than you and Daddy! It's scary up here!

When Seth took her from my arms,
he lifted her in the air and started playing with her right away!

She did end up getting quite upset with him when he asked if she was stinky and actually smelt her butt. She screamed and looked at me like "Mama! Seth McClung just sniffed. my. butt." It was pretty funny!

Mama's Girl?

Don't worry, I know she's not saying "Mama" in reference to me. "The book" says she'll say lots of vowel/consonent combinations. It still puts a smile on my face to hear "mama" when I come home from a hard day at work!
Yeah, I know she only says it once, and it's really far into the video-but she's just too cute to crop!

Bitter Peas Face

When I went back to work a few weeks ago, Gracie was progressing nicely through the flavors of baby food. She had mastered rice cereal, was fine with peas, and could deal with green beans. When I say "could deal with" I basically mean she'd eat them, but between each spoonful she'd give me what Brian refers to as the "bitter beer face," if you remember those commercials. She started that way with each flavor though, so I figured she'd grow out of it.
Now Brian is the feeder, since I am at work at lunchtime. He has admitted to me that he can handle dealing with the shots at the doc's office, but not "bitter beer face." So, he has moved on to fruits. Boo! Doc said veggies first so she doesn't get used to the sweetness of fruit and refuse to eat veggies! This weekend I decided to rewind and remind her about peas. It didn't go very well...

Where Is Gracie?

Pretty Kitty

"You can't see me!"

Much to the kitty's chagrin, she has become Gracie's favorite toy. No matter what Gracie is doing-rolling, playing with another toy, even nursing-when the kitty comes near she stops what shes doing and tries to pet the kitty. Usually the cat is OK with this scenario, even putting up with the occasional pulling of fur that is involved. I've only caught her try to bite Gracie twice-and they were both gentle warnings (although, she still got whomped for it). It is very endearing to watch their interactions. The only bad part is that, of course, Gracie's hands go straight from the kitty's fur to her mouth...and then she ends up with a beard that rivals daddy's.

Gracie in her kitty outfit.

Six Month Checkup

Gracie had her six month check up today. The good news is that she is healthy and growing. She weighed in at 15.13 lbs, which is the 50th percentile. Her height is 25"-the 25th percentile. Her head circumference is 43 centimeters, which falls at 70 percentile. So basically we have a short big headed baby! She had more vaccinations, and slept the whole day after all that crying. She's finally up, and crabby as ever.

Happy Half Birthday, Baby

I can't believe it, today is Gracie's half birthday. She is officially six months old. She has accomplished so much! She rolls-everywhere! We'll put her down on one side of the room and blink-suddenly she's on the other side. Baby food is still a little struggle, as she much prefers to nurse. It's getting a little better each day and she has tried sweet peas, green beans, and carrots along with rice cereal. She can almost sit up on her own, but tends to try and grab something in front of her and flop forward. If she's on her tummy and the kitty comes and sits just out of reach, she grabs at Mary and has even lifted her butt and tried to scoot forward to get to the kitty. Of course, Mary watches this with an entertained look on her face, and scoots farther away if Gracie has any success at all. She loves her toes and plays with them whenever she can. She has sucked on them a few times, and looks very confused when we put her in feetie pajamas! "Momma! Where'd my toes go?!" She is still a great sleeper, and has even changed her own bedtime from nine to seven! I usually wake her up around 6:30 for breakfast and put her back to bed. She gets Brian up between 8:30 and 10:00 but still finds time to nap for an hour or two at noon and is often sleeping when I get home around four!

Pic-A-Nic Anyone?

Hey Hey Boo Boo, I'm a pic-a-nic table! Don't tell Yogi where I hide my pic-a-nic basket!

Tag!

Tags are Gracie's newest favorite toy. It doesn't matter if it's on her clothes, a blanket, or an actual toy. She has much more fun with the tags than anything else I give her!