daddy's girl

Gracen and I wanted to say thanks to our guy for being so wonderful. We got lucky with this one! Gracie and I have been sick this week, and papa has kept us and our home from falling apart. We are most grateful for his dedication and love. We love you too!

VOTE NOW.

So, what do you think I should be for Halloween? The jester outfit is a bit small (made for a newborn) and the chicken outfit leaves little pieces of yellow fuzz all in my hair (mama is lazy and hasn't washed it yet). Please take a moment and help us decide...

but i want it!!!!!!!!!

So, sweet thing has learned to pout. I didn't think this would happen quite so soon, but Gracen is a gifted one and seems to have learned that with a little boo-hooing, she gets what she wants. I had hoped I wouldn't be one of those mothers that give in to this, but I don't seem to be able to help it. The pouting goes like this: Gracen plays with empty box of miso ginger rice while in high chair, box falls to ground, gracen grunts, cries, screams, mommy picks up box, Gracen giggles and smiles, mama smiles too, process repeats indefinitely. Whining also follows 1) baby's not being looked at directly while mama's washing dishes, 2) Harley takes baby's lamb, 3) Gracie's toy is out of reach, 4) bottle or breast runs out of food, 5) the list goes on. Oddly, with the emergence of the pouting in other areas of her life, she has quit crying so much when we put her down for naps or for the night. It makes no sense. I'll try to be strong...
While she's not yet crawling, though we expect it to happen any second now, Gracen has learned to move quite efficiently around the floor--a roll and scoot. I left the room for a second and came back to find her under the coffee table, chewing on her daddy's sneaker (pictured above). We discussed where daddy's feet were likely to have gone and what might possibly be stuck to them and determined that they're probably not the best toy to play with. She was a little disappointed.
This is Gracen with her buddy Georgia, the beautiful daughter of Chris and Nancy. I think Gracie's a little jealous of Georgia's newfound mobility. Unfortunately, this shot doesn't show Nancy singing and dancing, which is what the ladies are watching so intently.
We love our baby slings!!

Jump, jump, ram the door frame, jump, jump, squeal and giggle, jump, jump, ram toe into door frame, scream!!

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...