Cherish the Moment

It is so true what is said about not blinking or you will miss much.  One night as I was putting on your pajamas, you got the giggles.  All Daddy and I had to do was look at you and you would burst into a fit of laughter.  I found myself staring at you, burning the image in my mind.  Drinking in the shape of your little mouth spread wide in laughter, the shade of your pink lips, the glisten of your eyes, your little round cheeks shaking, and that sound. It was one of the most joyous sounds I had ever heard - the sound of a happy baby.  One that knows she is loved and secure.  It was then that your daddy made the comment about loving to have the moment captured on dvd.  And yet, even without the dvd, I will always remember holding your hands while you stood on your changing table in your little footie pajamas looking lovingly at us - so proud of yourself, the sound of your beautiful laughter.  Yes, I will remember it more clearly than if it were burned onto a thousand dvd's.  This laughter that was meant for only us is more precious because my memory carries it always, and it is memories like this that are close to my heart.

I find myself more and more often stopping to quietly watch you because time is passing too quickly.  In the 7 months since you were born, you have gone from a tiny helpless newborn to my inquisitive daughter who is funny, charming, and loving.  Every moment is precious, and I am desperately trying to soak it all in.

Grace at 7 months

Spetembert 13, 2007 - October 13, 2007


Well, Sweet Girl, the theme for this month seems to be the mouth.   Your greatest accomplishment for this month is getting your paci in your mouth all by yourself!  Thank you for that, by the way.  It saves you a lot of heart ache, and me as well!  

You have also discovered new sounds which include baba, dada, and gaga.  I love your little voice.  I could listen to it all the time, and if your incessant babbling is any indication, I will certainly get my wish!  

You have also learned to transfer objects from one hand to the other and lunge for things.  You are still trying your best to crawl, but it still resembles the worm.  You get on all fours, rock, and then lunge with all your might until you reach your goal.  Persistence is the key!  Our greatest lesson this month?  We have to stay on our toes to keep up with the uber-curious wiggle worm that you are!

Hush Little Baby

By the time this picture was taken, you had had your fill of the photo shoot.  I love it though, because it's a glimpse into reality.  A reality that does have a lot of smiles and giggles, but also a reality that has struggles and tears.  Sometimes you cry because you are hungry, sometimes because you are tired, sometimes because you want to be held or snuggled, or because you aren't getting exactly what you want, sometimes because you need a diaper change, and a few times because you have been hurt or scared.

These are the easy tears - these tears I can fix.  It is the tears that I know will inevitably come because your feelings are hurt or your heart is broken that I dread.  I wish I could take all your hurts and fears and pains away from you.  I wish you would never have to feel an ounce of disappointment or uncertainty or waivering confidence.  I know it is inevitable though, so my prayer is that you will only have to feel enough pain and cry just enough tears to help you become compassionate and empathetic.  And in those times, just as the one on the day of the photo shoot, I am your mama, and you are my baby.

Grace at 6 months

August 13, 2007 - September 13, 2007
16 pounds. 

6 months... I can't believe we celebrated your half birthday this month.  Right before my very eyes you have exited the infant stage and entered the baby stage. 

This month, you learned to sit up all by yourself which is such a huge accomplishment.  It means that your little back muscles have gotten very strong.  You are trying to crawl and will get up on fours and rock, but get frustrated when you can't get your arms to work, so you've learned how to move like a worm or roll where you want to go! 

You learned that your toes taste pretty yummy along with fruits and veggies. 

The only food you've tried that you don't like is green peas.  Although, I must say that after tasting them, I don't blame you! 

Your second tooth came in, exactly 2 weeks after the first one.  You now have both front bottom teeth and demonstrated just how well they operate when Daddy let you try a Snickers bar! 

Nothing is safe within reaching distance of those little hands.  We learned this when you pulled my salad onto my lap.  I am mesmerized as I watch them maneuver in new ways each day. 

You, my sweet daughter, amaze me each day as I watch you learn and grow.  And, each day I am amazed at how much I love you.

Grace at 5 months

July 13, 2007 - August 13, 2007

Oh Sweet Grace, how time is flying by!  This month, you have learned so much and amaze us every day.  At 4 months, 1 week, you had your first big girl meal of rice cereal.

You began rolling from your back to your tummy, so as soon as you are laid down at night, you flop like a fish to your belly - your favorite sleeping position.  You now spend most nights sleeping in bed with us since we discovered you sleep better that way!

Those little hands of yours are never still!  Plates, eye glasses and jewelry are all fair game.

The constant drooling and hands in your mouth finally paid off.  You got your first tooth at 4 months, 3 weeks.  It's the bottom left one.

Your newest trick of the month is blowing bubbles.  I especially love getting woken up at 4:00 a.m. or being showered by rice cereal.  Ehhh, small price to pay for the advancement of skills. :)

By far the hardest thing I've encountered yet as your mama was returning to work.  After nearly 5 months of just us at home during the day, I had to return to being a teacher.  I spent several nights before, as well as the morning of, and many other times in tears.  It is gut wrenchingly hard, but I know God has a reason and a plan.

It has been a wonderful 5 months.  I am so lucky to be your mama.

Grace at 4 months

June 13, 2007 - July 13, 2007
13 pounds, 5 ounces.  24 3/4 inches.

You turned 4 months old on Friday the 13th!  It seems as if this month you have realized that there is a great big world that you can't wait to discover.  Your nosiness has multiplied as you don't want to lay down because you are afraid you will miss something!  Your little head is in constant motion trying to take it all in.  Your eyes can now focus across the room and we can see you following us with your curious little eyes.  All that they can see is an opportunity to learn.  You have learned that your hands are a great tool, and you are reaching and grabbing at everything you see.  This month we celebrated Father's Day, your first 4th of July, and the birth of your cousin Ava.

You are a joy and a blessing!

Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day on June 17 by going to church, then a cookout at Mimi and Papa's house.

 

Grace at 3 months

May 13 - June 13, 2007

This 3rd month has been so much fun!  We celebrated Mother's Day on your 2 month birthday.  The best part of Mother's Day was dedicating you at church.  We believe that dedicating our children does not grant salvation, but instead, it is a promise to God that we will raise you according to His will and a request for prayer as we take on this most important task.  I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to be able to celebrate the day as a mother myself.  God has given me a most precious gift.  I grew up dreaming of becoming a mommy; never did I dream it would be you that gave me the name.

You are sleeping for about 10 hours straight at night.  We have discovered that you love watching tv!  Your face gets a precious mesmerized look on it when we sit you in your bumbo and turn on "Baby Einsteins."

We went on your first out of state trip to Virginia.  Daddy had to go on business, so we tagged along.  The drive there and back took quite a bit longer than we anticipated due to the fact that you demand breaks from the torture chamber otherwise known as the car seat every half hour or so.  Nonetheless, it was fun and a nice get away.

 You are learning and changing every day.  My how the time is flying!

Grace at 2 months

April 13 - May 12, 2007

This month, you began smiling at us instead of spontaneously, cooing, and laughing.

You also rolled from your tummy to your back and began sleeping for 7 straight hours at night. 

You love your activity mat and your duck on wheels.

At your 2 month appointment, you weighed 10 pounds, 10 ounces and were 22 3/4 inches long.

As your little personality is developing, we are having so much fun with you!

Easter

We celebrated your first Easter on April 8, 2007.  It was also your first trip to church.  You wore a pink Feltman Bros. dress with white lace and white booties with pink ribbon that Aunt Janet made for me with I was a baby.  The weather was terribly cold for April, so we wrapped you in extra blankets for our first trip to a place that I hope will become very important to you.

The Easter bunny brought you a stuffed bunny, and after church, we had lunch at Granny's house.  We watched Brandon, Jacob, Cole, Kayla, Ethan, and Brelyn hunt eggs.  Next year, you will be toddling along with them, putting eggs in your own basket!

Grace at 1 month

This has been a month of adjustment.  I've always treasured sleep, but you are teaching me that it is completely overrated.  You're also teaching me that I just thought I was late everywhere before.  We are learning all about feeding schedules, sleep schedules, and how to bathe, dress, and diaper an itty bitty - sometimes in the dark. :) 

You have such good head control, even as a newborn.  In your first month, you have had 2 appointments with the pediatrician, smiled, went to church for the first time, and had your first tub bath.

We are learning what your cries mean and what makes you happy, sad, mad, and excited.  We love you so much, Baby Grace!

Dear Grace

March 13, 2007

Dear Grace,

Wow.  That's the first word that comes to mind.  You are here.  After all these months of planning, dreaming, and feeling you grow in my tummy, the dreams are reality.  I am overwhelmed as I think of it all.  This marks the beginning of a new life - your's and mine.  You are more beautiful than words.  As I stare into your trusting  face, it's impossible not to give God credit.  The way that he formed you, creating every cell, fashioning your tiny, beating heart, giving shape to your nose, and your fingers, and your lips is nothing short of a miracle.  

This is the first day of the rest of our lives, Sweet Grace.  My promise to you is to love you, keep you safe, and do all I can to lead you according to God's will.  I'm sure there will be times when you don't like me very much, but please know that I dearly love you.  I promise to pray for you every day.  You know, before you began growing in my tummy, I prayed for you.  I prayed for your creation, your safe entry into the world, and your soul.  I pray that you will know Jesus as your personal savior and live in His will.  

This day will be a day of celebration from here on out.  It marks the day God chose for you to be born.  It marks the day you took your first breaths.  It marks the day your daddy and I began the journey of a lifetime.  It marks your birthday.  This will be a special day where you will be celebrated.

Hold on, Baby, we're on the ride of our lives.

Love, 

Mama

Splish Splash!

Oh how you love baths!  Getting in the warm water and being clean feels wonderful!  I remember the first night we brought you home and tried giving you a sponge bath.  It's amazing that in less than a month, we have gotten so much more comfortable with our tasks and routines.  Bath time has become my favorite part of your bed time routine because I love to see  you smile as you feel the water.  It won't be long now before you learn to splash!

 Grace's first sponge bath - March 15, 2007

Grace's first tub bath - March 24, 2007

Homecoming