Grace Is Growing Up

Grace has been interested in feeding herself with a fork or spoon. When I bring it towards her, she grips it in her hand and carries it to her mouth independently. Today, she took the spoon from me. Then picked up a piece of scrambled egg, placed it appropriately on the spoon and fed herself!

We also played a game of "chase" this morning. As Gracie crawled away from me, I shuffled behind her and said, "I'm going to get you!" She giggled with delight. As she reached the open child gate at the end of the hall, she tried to close it behind her (presumably to get more distance from mommy during our "chase" game...clever, I thought). However, we have it fixed open and she couldn't. She didn't mind it much when I caught up to her though!

I love Grace so much...it's amazing. And I am both excited and saddened by the thought of her getting older. I can't wait to hear her talk and watch her learn and discover more things. Yet. I want every moment to last...I don't want it to fly past. And I certainly don't want it to fly past with me wishing I had spent more time with her...more time enjoying every milestone and discovery. I can't get enough of the little one...and I wish I had more time. Anyone know of a country I can move to where they will pay me to stay home and enjoy my baby? I'll pack my bags.

Gracie Walks!

Gracie took her first independent step when we were in California in December, however, she would never take more than one step by herself. Each time she took one step, she reconsidered and returned to crawling. Yesterday, January 20th, I came home from work and was playing with Gracie. She stood up and Daddy walked in to the room. She took one step. Daddy stayed where he was...we both stood expectantly, wondering if this would be the day she took step two!

She took another step. We beamed a smile at each other. She didn't stop there. She took a little half step...then another step...and another. She took four big steps all by herself!! We were beaming and applauded her. Then I turned to Daddy and said, "Now, we're in trouble!"

Gracie continued to "practice" walking the rest of the night. She would stand up a short distance from something (e.g., Mommy, a toy) then take a couple steps toward it. She's catching on...and quickly!

This morning I heard her giggle again! It had been a while. She's been ill much of January and broke out in a full body rash on Monday. I took her to the doctor who said it looked like Fifth's disease or some similar viral disease. Nothing we could do except keep an eye out for signs of an ear infection. I must say, since the rash broke out, her spirits improved. Now her rash is nearly gone. She does still have a lot of boogies and a lingering cough. But she is laughing and smiling again. Whew! I missed that!

Grace Eats Cake?

Grace had her first taste of sugary frosting...she had no interest in the carrot cake!

Grace's First Birthday

Grace's first birthday party was a lot of fun! It was great to see friends and family and we all appreciated everyone who came to celebrate with us on a cold winter day--and right after new year's too!

Here's video of Grace "blowing" out her first candle...on her first cake!

Grace's Bath!

Pat created a video with his new recorder...here it is! Not too eventful, but now you can see Grace enjoying her bath! Tomorrow is Grace's first birthday party...let's see if we can get some video then!!