Got some cute pics this morning.  Check them out in the gallery.  Also I got some not-so-cute pictures.  Here’s an example:

What?  Is it actually painful to smile for the camera now?  Is it too much to ask for a real smile, not this plastered cheerleader grin you’ve been mustering up for the camera?  Geez, she’s such a goofball.  We watched the Veggie Tales “George-Ducky” today.  And of course we played outside for about 10 minutes but it was still wet and cold, so…she’s napping now.  She wears herself out playing so hard with JoJo!  AND…a very big development–Gracie peed in the potty tonight! Every now and then, she figures out to tell me when she needs to poop, but she’s never told me for pee. We hugged and kissed and flushed and washed hands, what a spectacular event!  And that’s my life, people.   

Today was great. Gracie slept till we woke her up for church, which is a plus whenever we’re trying to get dressed without a little monkey attached to our legs. Then she let me put her hair up in a cute little miniature ponytail on top of her head. We all had an awesome time at church, the sermon was incredible and the worship was better than it’s been in quite a while. And when she walked into her classroom, she made a beeline for her boyfriend, Kory. She yelled out, “Kory, I here!”

I got the best compliment on Gracie today–that she’s the best dressed baby, ever! And of course, I do have to agree. I work hard to make sure she’s got her matching tights and hairbows, and the perfect shoes to compliment the ensemble. If I worked half as hard to look as good as I make her look, I’d be Miss America. But so goes life with one child. The next one’s going to be lucky if he/she gets clothes without stains. The challenge is not in the first child, that’s nothing. All I have to worry about is what outfit she will wear the next day…try having a couple and making them all look cute. I’ve seen very dignified people with multiple children who let them show up to church wearing an easter dress, jeans underneath, snow boots, and a tiara. You know, you can only do so much.

We went over to my parent’s house tonight, which is a change from our normal routine. Normally, Gracie gets to see Ma and Da for pizza night on Sundays. We had to drop off the car and Chris helped Daddy finish the Scout. Plus, Gracie was happy to spend some time with Grandmommy and Grandpa since we don’t seem to see them near as often. We ended up going out for pizza and Gracie decided pizza wasn’t nearly as tasty as peas from the Salad bar. So she ate about 400 peas while we all watched in horror. Gross. She eats them like candy. Then AFTER the meal, she decided we’d better pray. So we all grabbed hands and bowed our heads. She’s so sweet, she never wants to pray out loud, but she closes her eyes and says, “Talk Jesus”

Gracie actually asked for bedtime tonight. She said, “Night night milky!” So we got a milk warmed up and she went right down. I love it now, when I leave the room, she says, “Mommy? I yuv you.” That’s my sweet, sweet little girl.

Friday night.  Everyone’s out hearing a local band play and I’m at home with the munchkin.  Partly because I didn’t want to leave her with a babysitter 2 nights in a row, and partly because I haven’t seen her all day and I just miss her to death when we’re apart.  (NOT that I didn’t want to hear your band play, Brian–I heard it was awesome!) I can’t wait till I’m able to stay at home with her full time like I used to.  In a little less than a year, we’ll be debt-free and I will happily quit my Thursday/Friday job.  I just miss her so much during those days! Tonight, we colored in her new coloring book, ate a banana, sang the theme song to “JoJo’s Circus” a million and a half times, read a buncha books, and whistled (Gracie’s newest hobby, and she doesn’t do it on command, I’m warning you!  She only does it when she thinks no one is looking/listening.)  AND–the highlight of the evening–we went grocery shopping at Buy For Less where they have those carts with the kiddie cars in the front.  She “drives” all over and yells “hi” to people as they pass.  There’s a tall, thin cashier that works there that Gracie LOVES–she thinks he looks like Chris and calls him Daddy when she sees him from the back.  Which in a way is kind of embarrassing, but I could care less. The kid’s maybe 17 or 18 and he just thinks she’s being cute.  Every time we see him, until he turns around, half way through the store, she’s yelling at him, “Daaaaady!  Come here!  Where are you?  Daddy?”  LOL  We always have to go through his line. 

So yeah, my Friday nights aren’t really what they used to be, I guess.  Buy For Less and coloring books were not really on my to do list when I was 22.   It’s true, having a kid changes everything.  But it’s a change for the better, always. 

Monster Cookie, Bubble Wrap and the kids:

Wow, you just don’t realize what they pick up when they’re just listening to what you say!  She is obsessed with not only Elmo, but now BigBird and “Monster Cookie” as well.  She’s decided her favorite toy is a sheet of bubble wrap she snagged off Daddy’s new barstool…Gracie’s so funny, especially when it comes to people she doesn’t know.  Since Chris and I refer to the crossmind teenagers as “kids,” so does she. At the mall last week. there was a group of goth kids with their hair mohawked and dressed in black.  Gracie saw none of that.  She said, “Hi, kids!” as we walked by.  And when the plumbers were here yesterday she said, “Bye, big kids!” (they were older than teenagers) as they left.  

Speaking of plumbers, we called because we had a leak in the toilet and it ran all the time.  The shower handles were becoming increasingly harder to turn, and eventually we couldn’t get the hot water on at all. The guys who came out did about 2 hours of labor, plus a couple hundred in supplies.  $300-$400, he told us.  Thank God for the home warranty that our realtor got for us at closing!  It’s renewable at $350 a year, and all we pay for any work (plumbing, electrical, etc) is a $55 deductible.  I’m thinking that’s a keeper.  So I’m $55 poorer today, but we didn’t have to choke up $300, and that makes me a very happy mommy. 

Now back to the Gracie girl.  I filmed her in the bathtub last night,and she counted to 10!  But she’s naked, so it’s not going on the site.  Sorry.  She only counts if there’s no one there to prove it or the video camera’s off.  What a brat. 

We took a walk today.  Since it’s been so nice and sunny–can you believe it’s January?–we’ve been spending a lot of time outside.  The park was so nice yesterday.  And today we just walked the neighborhood in the new wagon.  Gracie loved it!  Looks like the wagon walking may replace the stroller in a big way.  I’ve been trying to walk every day at least 4-5 days a week, but since we’ve been sick, I haven’t been able to keep up with that.  I’m glad to be better and back to a routine.  Gracie held on to the sides and enjoyed the freedom to lay down in the wagon, or sit up and wave at cars.  It’s like a whole new world when all you’re used to is the stroller!

She doesn’t know it yet, but her birthday party is gonna be awesome!   Now, no one be offended, it’s really just family this year, and Gracie has put in a special request for Uncle Josh and her favorite babysitter, Miss Meagan.  And her two best friends, Leah and AnnaMarie.  The best part is we’re taking her to Sesame Street Live.  She’s going to pee her diaper when she sees Elmo on stage.  We have opening night tickets in Row D, so I think we’ll have pretty good seats. I gotta go.  The princess is standing at the baby gate saying, “Hold you! Hold you!”  So that’s my cue! 

Bear with us…

Sorry about this, we’re still working to make this site spectacular so it’s taking a while to get all the kinks worked out.  So I’m not sure how many people will be reading the blog, but make sure you let me know if you like it.  We’re trying to make it user friendly and keep you all updated regularly.  She’s growing so fast and doing so well, we couldn’t help but upgrade so you all could know the latest.  Here’s another cool thing we’ve added:

You can look at pics! Most will be in the gallery, of course, but every now and then you might want to take a look at the cool stuff I put on here.  This one’s Gracie at the old house, with NO hair…that’s last winter about this time. Geez, it’s crazy.  And an update: Thanks for your prayers.  We stayed home from church on Sunday and Gracie got to feeling better waaaaay before me, but I managed to start to regain some of my strength too.  We spent Sunday evening at Ma and Da’s for dinner and lots of chasing and tickling.  Here’s another pic, just ’cause I need the practice at how to do all this.  I sent this one in for a baby contest.  If she wins, she’ll be on Regis and Kelly the week of her birthday.  If not, they picked the wrong kid and she’ll spend her 2nd birthday here.  Whatever.  It would be nice, but we’ll see…