And, we're back! New Year's only resolution is to return to blogging. I have no excuses to give, so I'll not bother with making one up. I've just been absorbed in family life these days and loving every moment of it.
This is one of the 100+ photos taken for our would-be Christmas card. We didn't get a single perfect shot out of the bunch. The picture was either unfocused, our hair was a mess, or a dog would sneak into the frame at the last second. I don't mind our dogs being in a Christmas card, but the only view we were presented with was the rear, which just didn't speak "Happy Holidays." So let's pretend I was trying to be environmentally conscientious and wanted to save trees and cut down on carbon emissions. We really, really, really do wish all of you a happy holiday season!! And I'll refrain from my pretend eco-friendliness next year, and send your card out in November. I did buy FOUR books of Christmas stamps, so if you get a note from me in July, you can say hello to the reindeer or Mary and baby Jesus and be reminded of this blessed time of year.
Speaking of parenting, this fine looking ultrasound photo is of our new baby GIRL! Gracen's going to have a little sister. I won the bet. I won, I won, I won. (And because I won, I get a gourmet meal cooked for me by my losing husband once a week for a month). We had another ultrasound performed by my Aunt Minerva over the weekend, and we were trying to get some good 3D shots. Unfortunately, nameless lady is a bit stubborn when it comes to sonography, and refuses to help us out. In order to get a really clear picture, you have to have a good pocket of fluid in front of whatever your trying to capture, else it comes out a little scary, as pictured above. I still think she's awfully pretty though. If anyone has any good little girl name thoughts that would flow well with Gracen, please share. I'm having a hard time with this one.
This is the beginning of Gracen's big girl room!! We're not going to use the box spring on her bed for a while, so we're keeping it as low as possible to prevent excessive injuries. Both of her parents had a tendency to fall from the bed. We have a mesh railing that I tried out for a day. She actually ended up sleeping in her bed that night, though I woke up around two AM to confused cries, with her sweet body pressed entirely between the mesh and mattress. For those of you that have been to our home and know the layout, we've moved the guest king into the office/playroom and are officially going to be sleeping upstairs. We'll be keeping all of our "stuff" downstairs, but we just feel safer being closer to the kid(s). I'm pretty sure we'll be loving having a downstairs master suite when they're older, but for now, it's good to have quick access to attend to their needs. Gracen is still on night sleep strike. Crying it out doesn't work, putting her in the bed with us doesn't work. We're lost. She does take 2-3 hour naps, which is good, but any suggestions, aside from drugging her, we'd love to hear.
Yep. You're not seeing double. That is indeed an official copy Froggy. For my loyal readers, which has probably dwindled down to two by now, you may remember me putting out a request via the blog last spring looking for another Froggy. Anyway, over the last few months, I've been getting emails and comments from people who have come across our blog in a Google search about stuffed animals. Strange we're so popular in the universe. A very nice lady recently, who's a big fan of Ebay, found a couple of potential frog links for me. One, I lost. The other is pictured above. I don't know this woman, but I love her!! And Gracen, of course, totally knew the difference. He didn't stink appropriately. I pretended to just take him out of the dryer, but she pinched and sniffed every single inch of him and finally threw him down. I returned our crusty, though newly bathed version, and eventually did a quick switch out with the new guy, and she's not noticed the difference. I'm waiting for him to get really dirty and then store him away for emergencies. A part of me feels horribly guilty for whatever reason.
I'm not sure that these pictures even need a caption. They were watching a Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas special. Walker climbed on the couch to chill, Gracie climed up for a snuggle. I cried and took a picture.
Adam and I at my parents lot on Reynolds Mountain. Someday, a house might sit on it. For the last few years, they have been landscaping and building incredible rock walls and Gator roads throughout the property. They have various boulder seating areas, like the one above. Really, a house isn't even necessary to love this spot overlooking Asheville.
The McDaniel-Efland sisters (left to right): Melissa, Shanna, Jenny, and Annie. Our biggest news from Thanksgiving was that Jenny and Andy are expecting a baby in May!! She is due a few weeks before us. It just makes me smile.
Adam and I drove through Cullowhee on our way up to his parent's cabin over Thanksgiving. We have to pass my old college house. Yes, those are pink cinder blocks you're seeing there. We paid $300 a month for this lovely, slightly divey home back in the day. It's in the middle of a cow pasture, and so beautiful. This home started my love of living far away from neighbors (just the ones you can see--we love the ones through the woods).
A view of the Riggsbee "cabin." I use this term very loosely. The are in the midst of a massive remodel/addition. They eventually plan to live here full time. This is where Adam and I had our first date, fell hopelessly in love, first kiss, proposal and honeymoon. A big piece of my heart lives on top of this mountain.
Ghi-ghi and Pops got Gracen a Radio Flyer rocking moose for Christmas. Hands down, her favorite present to date.
My sister Annie (Aunt Belle)has always been one to break into dance, often at random times, and she doesn't necessarily need music. Gracen, oddly, has this same "gift." The music over Thanksgiving and Christmas was on the entire time, and the dancing was nonstop. Seriously, NONSTOP. Gracen will come into the room, point at the listening device and start shaking it until you turn something on. At this point, the turner-oner must also dance. For hours.
Gracen and cousin Sabrina. I miss this girl. Come over, okay?!
Ghi-ghi, Gracie and Clem. We've seen a lot of my mom over the past month or two, and I have come to a new realization. I'm not nearly as fabulous to my child if her Ghi-ghi is around. She has no need for me. She won't come to me, cuddle with me, talk to me. Her Ghi-ghi gets it all. My mother, of course, loves this. In fact, Gracen's first full sentence is "Ghi-ghi, love you" (Ghi-ghi, nud-jooo). Speaking of talking, this girl doesn't stop. I can't even list all the words she has because it's gotten that extensive. She's repeating everything, so you have to be careful:) It's just amazing watching the process of her understanding so much of the language and is now able to communicate back with words. She still uses some signs, but she pretty much has the spoken words for those now, so she's using the language more.
She won't fall asleep for nap, so I just had to go get her some "mo milch" and hand her her "pashi," which she'd thrown out of the crib. It's quiet. She only took two hours to fall asleep. We're supposed to be going boating on the lake this afternoon with a picnic. So to all you people who are getting snow today, "PPLLLLFFFTTTTTTTTT!!" (that's me spitting at you) We get to play in the sorta-sun.
Gracie and Uncle Sheppie. The two were a bit rowdy together and none of the pictures had them both looking at the camera at the same time. Gracen would like to request a visit up from the ATL. We have a special Austin friend in town, so it'd be a good time to come:)