three lil' piggies

It's okay to be jealous of my mad skills with baby hair. I realize it's truly a gift.

For Jessica...

We just had a wonderful visit from my baby bro. Uncle Ronny Mac was fortunate to arrive just as Gracen was beginning teething. Very pleasant kid. She cried, no--screamed, all day yesterday. This should be a fun next couple of months. Ronny Mac is taking off this Saturday for a year-long excursion in San Franscisco to pursue his music and to experience a new world. We're all so proud and excited for him, but a little bitter that we'll have to be so far away from him for so long. He and his friend will be taking a week and a half to get out there to make the most of the cross-country trip. He's got it all planned out, hopefully. I have insisted a phone call daily, but he seemed to think that is a little overkill. Can't imagine why! Love ya Muck...have a blast...

Gracen began eating her first solid food yesterday--rice cereal! It's earlier than I had planned to start her, but she's been so curious about our eating lately that I thought I'd give her a shot. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES it!!!!!!!!!!

If you are reading this blog at all, you have, or soon will, probably see the new house. My most dedicated reader, however, is living across this great country in the land of Colorado. The following tour, therefore, is for her...until she, the hubbie, and the baby (on her way) can come for a visit.

"Kur Plunk..."

is the sound my beautiful daughter makes as she falls off the couch. Soon followed by "AHHHH... AHHHHHH... AHHHH... AHHHH!!" for what seemed like hours, but was probably no more than five minutes. Generally, I feel like a pretty good mother. No, an excellent mother on most days. Not so today my dear people. I was sitting right beside her. I turned my head to reach for the remote (less than four feet away, please keep in mind), and there she went, a crumblin' down. It all happened in less than two seconds. As soon as Adam walked in the door (he'd been at Lowes getting the tools for what turned into a day-long war with the new microwave), she immediately became quite and acted like nothing had happened. I think she likes a bit of drama in her life. She did have a recent visit from her Aunt Belle (aka "Annie") and Ghi-Ghi (aka "Mama," "Judi," "Gaga2"), which could explain this. Overall, she seems to have suffered no ill effects from the experience, except a little bruise on her brow--more of a little redness than a bruise actually. I have a horrible fear that the lil' redness will ease its way down to her eye and hook her up with her first shiner. Wouldn't that be fun?!?! I should report myself to social services.

My fabulous parenting skills were given yet another boost of confindence as I was tidying the house this morning for Ronny Mac's visit. As Gracen needs much amusement, I decided to wear her in her baby carrier as I went through my chores. It occurred to me a few hours after waking that I had not yet brushed my teeth. Our lil' cleaning team headed to the bathroom, where she giggled at herself and me in the mirror as I brushed my teeth and danced around. Feeling rejuvenated that I had overcome yesterday's mommy's-not-such-a-good-mommy couch fiasco, I went to spit the toothpaste. Still dancing, humming, being generally goofy, I look up to realize that I have spit the toothpaste on my poor child's forehead, quite close to the aforementioned bruise. This kid's such a trooper; it only made her laugh more as she began to run her hands through the ickiness and her hair. It was a great moment in parenting. I'm thinking I functioned better when Mama was here (we got over a week with her!!)--not so sure I should be left alone with a baby!!!!!

here are your pics...

Mean, Stupid Bloggerman!!!!!

Feeling guilty about my lack of dedication to writing on this ole blogspot, I just spent the last 45 minutes spilling out all sorts of introspection on life's challenges, the grandeur of parenthood, countless other fabulous things. But it went away. Don't know where. It was here, probably my longest entry to date. I tried to add some pictures, and then it was gone. Where? I only have so much depth for one day, so I'll give it a try later...

Pictures of the lil'un today...

In Loving Memory...

Dutch McDaniel

What a beauty...

"We Made Poo!!"

I am amazed, daily, at how drastically different my life has become. A year ago, I was spending my days helping children work through their problems, teaching classes, having meetings, talking to adults on a regular basis, puking from morning sickness.

Today, my big moment of excitement came when my darling daughter finally made poo. I apologize to the readers who would rather not hear about poo. Personally, I'd rather not write about it, but alas, this is my life, and it is best to write the truth. Gracen had gone three very long days without going, and I was beginning to stress. I researched online, called her Dr. Auntie Lala, emailed other mothers. Constipation is a funny thing with infants, and like any other topic on babies, the ideas and opinions are countless. Some say give white grape juice, others prefer prune juice (that would have been Gaga's recommendation as well), while still others think a glycerin suppository is best.

In the end, I tried none of the aforementioned techniques, and my little beauty made a BIG beauty of her own this morning. Odd that I should feel such a moment of pride from such a simple event, but I did. I even had to call her daddy and update him. For some reason, and I can't imagine why, I didn't feel the enthusiasm from him over this blessed occasion. Gracen felt it though. She was pleased and knew she'd done a good thing for herself and for her mama's nerves.

Random Pics for AnnieBelle

Daddy, Mommy and Gracie at Figure Eight Island. What a happy family!!
Elenor, Gracen and Sadie at the beach. Gracen is getting some good tutoring on how to be a fabulous girl from her friends.
Gracen is wearing her "My Grandpa is the best!" outfit for Papa Jim. She's a lucky girl to have such wonderful grandpas.
Here is Gracen and her new buddy Violet. They were ridiculously cute together on the beach. Violet likes to nap on the beach. Gracen, not so much. Mama had to spend a lot of naptime staring at the beach from afar...
Here are the beautiful Walton women, Sadie and her mommy Kelly. Adam was worried about having a child of our own, for fear another couldn't be as perfect as Sadie Mae. We can only hope!!
I FOUND MY FEET!!!!! These are her new favorite toys. She hasn't yet put them in her mouth, but she appears to have the flexibility to get 'em in there any moment now. We're so proud.
Notice how I'm on my tummy. Got there on my own. No help. I can even go back to where I started if I want, though it's more fun to just keep rolling. Seems to make Mama nervous--not sure why.
Mama and Gracie. Her hair almost looks like a normal baby!!!