Give Me Something to Chew!!!

This won't be long cause I need to get to bed. Pretty normal day today. I went to school and hung out with my friends. They were fine, but I think my gums were bothering me cause I was a little edgy today. I managed to maintain my composure all day, but when mommy came to get me, I let it out a little. Mostly because I know I can cry and mommy will take good care of me. So the ride home was noisy for mom at times and at other times it was really frustrating for me. You see, I have this book that I like to "read" (I really mean eat). Anyway, I wanted something hard to chew on and darn if I could not find the little plastic ends on my book. I tugged and pulled and darn near ripped that thing apart trying to get some satisfaction. So when I got home and daddy gave me a cold chew toy, ahhhh that was heaven. So from that point on, I was quite agreeable and plain pleasant to be around. Daddy fed me some oatmeal as you can see in the pictures, but as you can also see, I was more interested in my thumb. Some days, that is all I want. That's okay, cause I know I am getting some boppy when it is all over.

I am pretty tired tonight. I should probably get some sleep cause me and the gang at school have some plans for tricks on the teachers tomorrow. I want to be well prepared.

Goodnight to all in GracieLand. Enjoy your dreams, I know I will.

Gracie


I am so happy, I am about to eat!!



Can you see....

where my...

priorities are at?

What a Weekend!!!

Gracie here,

Well another weekend has come and gone and boy was it great. I am not sure what got into me, but I have been so happy. My grandpa and uncle are in, so we have been going places like the beach. I love it there. I remember the first time I went mommy let me put my piggies in the sand. Wanna talk about a weird feeling! I didn't do that this time, but it was still fun. Grandpa loves seeing the water wherever he goes, and having an ice cream when he gets there. I guess it is a tradition. Anyway, more about me. You know how I have been telling you that sometimes I am a little grumpy. Well this weekend I can't really think of anytime I cried. Matter of fact, I pretty much laughed myself silly. Like tonight, when daddy got home, I was playing with him and mommy and I couldn't stop laughing. It was big laughs to, not wimpy ones like before. Beats me, all I can say is I love it and I never want it to stop.

Today I went to church and heard a great sermon on covenants. Truthfully, I was more interesting in looking around and trying to get everyone's attention. Trust me, I get the attention all right. Church was extra long today because of everyone getting this tiny piece of bread and little sip of juice. Mommy tried to explain to me what it was all about, but once I gathered that the boppy was not involved, my concern drifted to other things, like all the hugging. I have been going to this church for like, 3 months now and this is the first time I have seen so much hugging. Hey, doesn't really matter to me, I just thought it was weird. Oh yeah, one more thing... my uncle got saved at church today... isn't that awesome? All I need to know now is what does it mean to be saved. Daddy keeps telling me that I am perfect right now and not to worry about it quite yet. That's cool daddy, just make sure you tell me when I can understand. Right now, hook me up with a boppy and do that tickle thing you do, I want to laugh.

Alright then, I have said enough. Bottom line, it was a great weekend and I had a great time laughing and playing with my family. I go to school tomorrow where I get to hang out with Christopher and the gang. I imagine I will have a good time.

Goodnight everyone...

Gracie


I love it when daddy comes home...

Okay guys, it is time for me to go to sleep...

Timberrrrr!!!

Ok guys, like I told you the other day, I was able to sordt of sit up for 3 seconds. At the 3.18777777777777777 second mark, I came crashing down. Uh, hello, Mommy, you were supposed to catch me! Where's the trust I tell you.

So, I told you guys about my friend Christopher, and no Daddy, he's not my boyfriend! Christopher and I had lots of tummy time together in the last couple of days at daycare. But, I'm going to come clean and let you guys in on a little "Manchi" Secret: I am not willing to share my Mommy with Christopher. When she comes to get me from daycare, I want the attention. The last couple of days, my Mommy will come stand by me at the changing table as I am getting my final changing of the day from the teachers. But this leaves Christopher on the floor by himself and he doesn't like it. So when he cried, my Mommy left my side and tried to comfort Christopher. OH I DON'T THINK SO MOMMY!!! And I let her know it, so then she comes back over to me and Christopher cries. This goes on for a while and I think Mommy feels as though she is running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

Life is good. We have lots of visitors in town and they include my Grandpa Ed and my Uncle Sean. They're so cool. It's only a matter of time before I slobber all over them!

Thanks for making me puke tonight Daddy. How many times does Mommy have to tell you not to jostle me and throw me around like a football after I eat. Enjoy the stench from my up-chuck embedded within your comforter. Take that!



Mommy, I think I hear something!!!

Like a Weed!!!

Hi Everyone!!!

Gracie here, and super happy am I. Take a look at the picture below. Do you notice anything? Yup, that is me sitting up by myself and by my count, I lasted all of 3 seconds. I have a couple other pictures of what happens if mommy does not have her hands on me, but they are barrassing as I am face first on the ground. Oh well, those were three great seconds.

Okay, I thought this was never going to happen. When I was about to be born and even several months before, mommy and daddy were gathering so many clothes at garage sales and discount stores and parties. You would not believe the boxes and boxes of clothes I have. I must have been getting clothes for weeks in the mail after I was born too. I say all this because tonight I am going to bed in an outfit that is ever so slightly too small for me. I could tell mommy and daddy were getting a little frustrated as the were quickly coming to the realization that there is nothing for me to wear to bed and that they have to go shopping any day now. I never thought we would come to this day. You should see my closet, it is full of clothes that I will never be able to wear again. (Lets hope I have a sister, or else my brother is going to look very silly). I think the surprise is due to the fact that I might have gained almost three pounds in the last three weeks. I am a whole 18 pounds now. As far as how tall I am, well take a look at my daddy, I am definately taking after him. To be honest, I am almost taller than my mommy.

Today was a good day, but I overheard Ms. Maria tell mommy that I was a little grump today. Okay, that may be true, but you try getting stuck in a room full of cry babies. Oh yeah, don't forget about my new friends. I hung out with Christopher but I felt really bad when he started crying when I left school. I think I am going to have a problem with this for the rest of my life.

Okydoky, I should get to bed in my too small outfit. I sure hope it doesn't ride up my bottom, oh wait, the diaper kinda prevents that.

Sweet dreams and God Bless. I smile when I think about all of you. Thanks

Gracie


Look, no mom hands!!!

My New Friends

Gracie Poo here,

Well, it is official!!! There is no doubt!!! I say this with all honesty!!! Those around will testify!!! Are you ready? Well here goes...... I am officially.... (pause for effect)...TEETHING!!!!!! Yeah and ouch! Finally, when someone catches me drooling like there is no tomorrow, they will be right when they so profoundly say "...you know, that girl is teething, with all that slober, there is no mistaking it." If that were the case people, I would have been teething from day one, and I can tell that is not the case. Today though, mommy and daddy can see little slivers of white lines on my bottom gums. I am trying to open wide enough for you to see in the picture. Can you see them? Anyway, while my new friends are bringing nothing but smiles to my mommy and daddy, I see things a little differently. You see, for me this is nothing but painful. I can't get enough of chewing on things, kinda like my daddy. He insists on chewing on my piggies and tummy like I was a side of beef. Actually, it cracks me up every time, I love it. Back to topic, my teeth. I tell you what people, this had better be a quick phase in my life or I don't know what I am going to do. Between the sucking on things, the crying and the endless drool, who knows how I am going to make it through this. Say little prayers for me and my new milestone.

Okay, if teeth was not big enough news, then my impending graduation from 0-6 month class sure makes the headlines. Mommy is way more excited about this than I think most normal people should be. She wants daddy to frame the plain sheet of paper telling me what class to go to next month (she calls it a Diploma). I know, she is silly and there is no changing it. So in late February, my Freshman status at daycare is so over. I think I am going pull rank and make the peewees in the junior class carry my boppies. (I wonder when drama team try outs are??????)

Okay, as you can imagine, I am a little beat from all this growing I am doing. I should really get into bed so that I am not all that fussy tomorrow. For the two of you that are reading this, goodnight and sweet dreams. May your thoughts be filled with boppies.

Gracie


Can you see them?

The Weekend is Over

Okay, let me tell you a story....

Gracie here,

Well the weekend is coming to an end and to be honest I am a little sad. I love hanging out with mommy and daddy. Today we went to church and got to hear a missionary from Africa tell us stories. His name is Toby Hull and he ministers in a place called Burkina Faso. He did a really good job speaking and even with me being so young, I was moved by what he is doing there. He showed a video done to that Mercy Me song, I Can Only Imagine, and it made me want to cry. I feel so bad for the people over there. I am glad there are people like Toby to tell them about God. Now if only someone can get me to understand!!! Oh yeah, there was another video that sure got the fire in my belly roaring (or was that just hunger pains?) Anyway, they showed this video of a missionary in Iraq, Pastor Thomas. He was so moving and made me want to go to Iraq. Then again, I would settle for being able to go across the living room floor. He told stories of how God provided when there seemed no other way. How radical Islamic leaders threatened his life and then opened their arms to him. He also said there are 500 people going to his church every week. WOW!!!! And they say there are only terrible things happening over there.

Okay, that was church. When we got home, I played for a long time. Mommy and daddy watched movies and laughed at me alot. I didn't think I was being all that funny, but hey, what can I say, I am adorable. After lots of playing and eating and sleeping, I was spent and had to crash for the night. I think that is my favorite part of the day, cause I know that I get to be held by mommy for a long time. I love being held, especially by mommy.

Alright, goodnight everyone. I hope you have sweet dreams, I know I will.

Gracie

Oh yeah, pray for the people in Africa and Iraq, and say a little extra prayer for Pastor Thomas and Toby Hull.

Saturday Sillies

Howdy folks,

Well, gunna be a short entry today cause I need to get to bed so I can get up for church. Today was a great day. I pretty much took it easy all day, napping and eating and playing with mommy and daddy. I even played a trick on daddy. This morning, when I woke up I was laughing and playing with my toys in the crib. Daddy I know got up reluctantly to hook me up with a boppy, so for fun, right when he was done making the boppy I pretended I was asleep (don't worry, I was not really hungry). When he got to the room and noticed I was "sleeping" he said something under his breath and went back to bed. I waited just long enough for him to fall back asleep before I "woke up" and played with my toys. I call this the Saturday Sillies. By the way, my toys are kinda noisy. I guess my daddy wasn't in the mood to be tricked again, so mommy got up to feed me. I was nice to her and let her get me up. Mommy is so cool.

Anyway, not much happened today. I have rosey cheeks again, which makes me wonder if I am starting to not feel well. Hopefully it is nothing more than another cute feature I have.

Daddy worked on the house while I was trying to sleep today. I think he put some more crown molding up. This time in the bathroom NEXT TO MY BED!!!!! He is not completely satisfied with it, but I think it looks great.

Okay, I have to get ready for bed. I will write more cool stuff tomorrow. Until then, take a look at some pictures we took today outside. Aren't I beautiful?

Gracie


Mommy and Gracie

Daddy and Gracie

The whole family....

Play Time in the Toy Basket!

Well guys, here I am, hanging out with my friends in my Toy basket. I love this place. All my stuffed nanimal friends and I are hanging out here before bedtime. Mommy and Daddy are in the background playing with me too. Daddy likes to entertain me with his goofy faces. I find them peculiar, yet strangely intriguing. He's so silly and I love him so much, he always makes me giggle and smile. And Mommy might as well permanently affix her lips to my cheek - let's just say that I am not deprived of smoochie kisses!!!

OK, you guys have to stop spreading rumors and Christopher and I, we're just friends. He's not my boyfriend! Don't you know that boys have cooties? Golly gee! And it's not Shepard Smith that is a cutie sillies, it's Steve Doocy from Fox & Friends (sometimes I watch that show in the morning as I am enjoying some boppy cuisine). Sometimes I like boppy benedict, or boppy over easy, but my very fravorite these days is sunny side boppy. I get new recipes everyday from the Bobby Network Channel.

Goodnight,
Gracie



I love my toy basket!!!

Ahhh, isn't he dreamy!!!

Hail to the Chief!!!

Hello all you guys,

Well, today was the day! My mommy and daddy have been so excited about today that it was actually getting on my nerves. What in the world is an inaguralamation???? Whatever, daddy watched it on the t.v. when he should have been sleeping today, and if mommy finds out what I know he is going to be in lots of trouble. Me, I don't really care. I kinda worry about social security and the war on terror and tort reform, but mostly I worry about not getting the boppy. If Mr. President had put in his speeches something about BOPPIES FOR ALL then maybe he would have got more than a measly 60 million votes. Oh well, I guess he will have to settle for a smaller majority, but as my daddy says, a majority is a winority. Actually he doesn't really say that, or at least not in front of me if he knows what is good for him.

Okay enough politics, today is a day for everyone in the world to see freedom march. While I don't really understand freedom very well right now (remember I am only 5 months old!!), I hear it is a pretty neat thing and that our country is taking some pretty tough punches trying to promote it. In my book, that is okay, keep doing what you are doing country (just make sure I get a boppy and some sleep during it.)

Yesterday was a great day. I think Ms. Maria was a little frazzled with all the other babies crying at school. I of course was on my bestest behavior. Mommy is taking me back and forth to school, which I really enjoy. Mommy is so wonderful to me and I enjoy every second I get with her. Matter of fact, daddy was asleep when I got home yesterday, so it was just me and mommy all night long. I should tell you I didn't get all that fussy. Daddy, are you catching on here? I am trying a new cereal, big news if you ask me!! I think I like it as I notice I am eating more and more. Please understand, I am still saving room for the boppy. But you have to watch me drink these days. I am all over the place. I love to look around while I am eating. There are so many things to see. Daddy is usually walking around, the fan is spinning, the lights are on, mommy's hair is all over the place Fox News is almost always on T.V. (I think Shepard Smith is a cutie). Anyway, I know I am making it difficult to feed me sometimes and I hope mommy and daddy can forgive me, but there is just so much to see and learn, I want to do it as fast as possible.

Okay, that was yesterday. I will tell you about today when it actually happens. I did want to give a shout out to my good friend Heath. He is having his 2nd birthday party on Saturday, and I while I think I will not be able to make it, I will surely be thinking about him. I have a picture of him somewhere with his daddy and me when I was born. Anyway, Happy Birthday Heath and tell your sister I said hi.

I have been getting some really nice comments about the things that I have been writing and I really appreciate it. There is this lady Sherri that wrote something and I showed daddy. He said some really nice things about her and mentioned that he misses her and her family very much. Thanks Sherri, you put a smile on my daddy's face. Oh yeah and Linda, you always make my daddy very happy. He always tells me how wonderful a cook you are. He tells me stories of how you used to drop pies off at the house before work for him and his friends. (He also felt bad for the times he let the trash pile up, just remember he was young and you should see him now. He is always cleaning up behind me and sometimes my behind!!!)

Thanks for reading everyone, I am glad you are enjoying my adventures.

Gracie



Wave your piggies in the air wave them like you just don't care!!!

Heath, Bruce and Gracie on my Birthday

Inauguration Day 2005
Taken from Whitehouse.gov

Terrible Tuesday!!!

Well, if you look at the picture I posted today, it really is not a good reflection of how I have been feeling today. Let me take you to the beginning......

First, on school days, I normally wake up around 5:45 with some help from mommy and daddy. Today I helped them get up at 4:45. You see, it was friggin' cold in the house, almost cold enough to see my own breath. Daddy was a little frustrated, I could tell. He kept saying "it is set at 73, but it is 64 in the house." I have no idea what that meant, other than to say it was FRIGGIN' COLD. So mommy feeds me, and daddy races to get me ready for school so that he can avoid traffic. (for a reminder of how where I fit in the whole traffic scheme, read this entry.

Off to school we go, in the cold, I am awake, can't really fall asleep and really feeling the grump bug starting to bite. I manage to hold the bug off for a while, mostly because I got to school on time and I think my teachers are cool. The day actually got really good cause daddy picked me up WAYYYY early from school. At 11:00 I was on my way home... happy baby......

Then the bug bit, I became grumpy and I am not sure why. If I was to guess, I think some teeth are trying to make their way in. I can't be sure though. Anyway, we got home and daddy worked with the heater guy to get us some friggin' relief. We got it all right, about an hour later. It was like daddy turned the oven on, it was getting hot. I think that may have helped me get grumpy too. Anyway, from that point on I was admittedly tough to manage. I could tell daddy had a few things he wanted to take care of but I was having none of that. I am not sure what got into me, but for the next several hours, if I was not eating, sleeping or being played with I was screaming. Daddy put his finger in my mouth and I thought that was the cat's meow. That is what makes me think my gums are bothering me. Hopefully, I will make up my mind if I want to have teeth sooner than later so that mommy and daddy can give me some dope to help me feel better. (By dope, I really mean some Tylenol.)

When mommy got home, I really didn't get much better, however I was really glad to see her. I feel so bad that I could show her like I normally do. She was very patient though and held me the whole time, and I think that actually helped me feel better. I even managed to fall asleep in her arms, that is until daddy and his clodstoppers came home.

So, now I have eaten, had some boppy and am ready to crash. I imagine tomorrow will be a better day. Thanks mommy and daddy for holding me so much today, I know it helped me feel better. I love you.

Goodnight everyone,
Gracie


Don't let my apparent demeanor fool you!!!

Mommy is home, I am so happy!!!

Hello everyone,

Sorry for not writing yesterday, but I was just so excited and overwhelmed with my mommy coming home. Daddy went to go get her at the airport on Saturday while I was sleeping so that I could see her when I woke up. It was almost like Christmas when I was surprised first thing in the morning. Mommy and I hung out all day long, and I got all the smoochies that she was promising. First we went to church, where an associate pastor preached about something. I don't really remember because I was sleeping. Daddy said it was something about Godly resolutions for this new year. After church, mommy, daddy and I went to Ruby Tuesday for some boppy!!! They had something other than the boppy, but I could tell they wanted some. From there we went home to play for hours and hours. I wrastled with daddy and got so many hugs and kisses from mommy. Mommy also got to feed me with the spoon like daddy has been doing. I think I made more of a mess than usual last night. Oh well, I got to look at mommy the whole time, so I didn't care.

Today was a holiday so I didn't have to go to school. We pretty much played all day, unless I was taking a nap. Mommy and I went for a walk later in the day, but it was kinda cold so we did not stay out too long. Daddy spent the day working on the lawn doing some shopping. I think he got some more frames for pictures of me. Okay guys, we all get the point, I am beautiful. Do we have to rub it in to the whole world?

So I am getting ready for bed now, cause I have to be well rested for school tomorrow. I would hate to be in a bad mood for Christopher.

Okay, goodnight everyone. I look forward to hearing from you.

Gracie


Yeah... Mommy is home!!!

Tonight, Tonight, Tonight.... Whaaa Ohhhhh!!!

Tonight is the night!!! I am so excited. Mommy is coming home from Africa and I can not wait. She has been gone for a whole week. Daddy and I talked it over and we decided that I will sleep at home while daddy picks up mommy from the airport. I guess he thinks I demonstrated responsibility in that I have been rolling over quite consistently. Saweeeet. Actually, the neighbor is coming over to watch me sleep so that I don't have to wake up an go for a drive.

Today was great, mostly because I was thinking about mommy coming home. Daddy and I played all day long and when we weren't playing I was sleeping. Life as a baby just doesn't get any better.

Anyway, much to say but little time. I need to get to sleep fast so that I am well rested for mommy tomorrow. I am so excited about all the smoochies I am going to get. I also hear mommy went shopping in Africa and got me something. I wonder what it is.

Okay, sorry for the short letter. I will write more tomorrow and tell you all about mommies trip. Until then,

Goodnight,
Gracie


Daddy, make sure my piggies are clean for mommy!!!

Daddy, I kinda like my new chair. Thanks!

Gracie and Her Friends

Daddy here,

Gracie asked me to send you some pictures of her and her friends playing. I could not help but laugh when I saw these pictures. I hope you get as much enjoyment as I did. Gracie is the one all the way to the right, she is one month older than Olivia in the middle and 2 months older than Kennedy, the sleepy one on the left. (Please don't let that sleeping fool you, that girl has some lungs!!!)

Well, I don't have much to say. I am sure looking forward to Gracie's Mommy coming home tomorrow. I must admit, I really enjoyed having Gracie all to myself for the last week. She was delightful (save the 6-7 o'clock hour when she goes into meltdown). Even that is enjoyable. Something about her tears running down my cheek just makes me melt. I hope I did not let her down this week, but I know she wants her mommy.

I am listening to Paul Harvey right now talk about the cost of raising a kid from birth to 18. He says it comes to well over $100,000. Then he goes on to mention all the joys we get out of it. If you want to smile for a bit at what a blessing God has given us, click here for Paul Harvey.

Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave comments as I hope Gracie puts a smile on your face, if only for a second.

Daddy


Hurry up and count daddy, Kennedy is about to flip me!!!

I had to goose Olivia to make her smile.....WAKE UP KENNEDY!!!!

Aren't we redonculous?

Should I tell her that her piggies smell?

I have bigger eye than you.....

Thank God it is Friday!!!

Wahoooooooo!!! Friday is finally here and I am so happy. I don't have to go to school for three whole days and MOMMY IS COMING HOME TOMORROW!!!!! I am so excited. I think I am going to tell daddy to take a break so that I can get some cuddles from mommy.

Today was a great day. My teacher says I was really happy the whole day, that is until I started moving backwards again when I was trying to move forward. I have got to figure this thing out. Anyway, even though it was raining outside and we couldn't go out and play, I just plain had a good day. Daddy came to pick me up right on time and off we went to brave the traffic. When I say "we went to brave" I should say I sleep and daddy braves. I think it is a great arrangement. When we got home daddy again tried to feed me with that spoon thingy. Actually, I kinda liked it, except I had to take a break half way through and "take care of business" if you know what I mean. Daddy sure does. Ten minutes later, I needed a change of clothes and a for real cleaning. Oh well, when I was all cleaned up we were back to eating. I managed to eat the whole bowl of cereal, that was a lot and I liked it. I only had a little bit of boppy and I seemed filled. I can see some real possibilities with this eating with a spoon thing.

So, below is a picture to prove that I am actually the one writing to you. I am trying to figure out some proper grammar in this picture, but I can't ask daddy, he ain't so smart in that area.

I have to go to bed. I must get all my beauty sleep for when mommy comes home. I hope I have a dream about her tonight. I asked daddy to send you some pictures of me and my friends Olivia and Kennedy. I thought they got my best side. Tell me what you think?

Goodnight,
Gracie Poo



Daddy, should I use a Hyperterxt Transfer Protocol?

I am so happy!!!

The Munchie here,

Hope everyone is enjoying my typings. I am having fun telling you about my day. Like today, it was great. No particular reason, except I got to hang out with my daddy for a while. Lets see, I went to daycare, hung out with Christopher, took some naps, HAD THE BOPPY!!!!, and really did not cry that much. My teacher said I was really good and cheerful today. That is good, right?

Daddy came at the normal time ( I was really hoping he was going to be early :o). We went home and played for a long time and then it got a little crazy. You remember me telling you about the "something other than the boppy" incident yesterday. Well, it reared its ugly head again today. This time it was a little different in that dad did not put me in the highchair (money well spent if you ask me) opting for the bouncer I was already playing in. He also decided to mix the cereal such that it had the consistency of something like cereal and not pure formula (I could have told him that was a bad idea). So I have to admit, it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had a pretty good amount before I realized I could easily get full on this stuff and miss out on the boppy. So I did what all boppy addicted babies do, I started crying. Yup, it worked, just like I had planned. Daddy gave me the boppy and I gave him a check mark in my brain. Way to go dad.

So, when I was done with the boppy, daddy and I went to one of his friends homes for dinner. I think his name was Jerry, but I could be wrong. Anyway, they had a really neat looking house and I could tell my daddy was getting another list of ideas to add to the incomplete list he has already has. Oh brother, when will it ever end. So Jerry and Sandy were really cool and they kept saying nice things about me. I liked it over there and I think daddy liked it to. He was bragging about the spaghetti and meatballs they had for dinner.

Now I am home, I have had my final boppy for the night and am ready for a little sleepy. Thanks daddy for a good day, but mommy you need to come home. Daddy doesn't clean me right and doesn't cuddle me the way you do when it is time to sleepy. I miss you.

Goodnight friends,
Gracie


Okay, this isn't so bad.

West Wing Wednesday - click me

Daddy'o here,

Well Gracie has finally gone to bed and I am able to breath a bit slower now. In all truthfulness, Gracie has been very good while her mommy is gone. I think she knows something is a little different and is starting to really miss her mommy. Only a couple more days and mommy will be home. You better believe I am going to give Gracie's mommy a big kiss when I see her at the airport. She left in such a hurry last week that I think we robbed ourselves of an affectionate moment. So mommy, stand by for a bunch of kissies.

So West Wing Wednesday you are asking. I love that show and do almost anything to make sure I see it. Like yesterday when I was given a choice of today or tomorrow to have dinner with a friend. It guess what day I picked. You got it. So when 9 o'clock hits and I am still typing, I am hitting enter and you got what you got.

Several things about today that I really enjoyed and am thankful for.

1. Gracie's mommy called. I love her voice.
2. Work went well, and I got stuff done.
3. I got to pick up Gracie early, more time with the Munchie.
4. There was little traffic on the way home, save the dump truck that rolled over right at my exit. I pray he is okay.
5. Gracie laughed at my silly faces, or was that my normal face.
6. The President of the United States made me proud.
7. I saw a "60 Minutes" story on Thomas Quasthoff that reminded me of the power of the human spirit.
8. I ordered my new favorite pizza from Papa Johns (Hawaiian BBQ Chicken). GET IT!!!!
9. Gracie POOPED!!!!!

Okay, I should stop writing before I bore you to tears. I hope you are enjoying our musings and fear not, mommy will make her appearance soon. Thanks for stopping by.

God Bless,
Daddy


If this does not make you smile......

Milestone Wednesday

Gracie here, I am really excited, really frustrated and really tired all at the same time today. Let me tell about this glorious day.

First things first. I POOPED!!!!!! Trust me, this is a big deal. Most babies go once a day. This one, a little less frequent. I know this really freaks my mommy and daddy out as they are always asking Ms. Maria if I had a "vowel movement". I never understood why they ask this as it is very clear I am not talking out loud yet. Now in my head, you would not believe what I am saying. Like tonight when daddy got this really great idea to feed me from something other than my boppy. (For an understanding of my passion for the boppy check out one of my previous entries.) So if you look closely at the below picture, you will see that in my head I am saying some very choice things about my daddy. He eventually gave up after several spoonfuls and a couple audible outburts from yours truly. Needless to say, only a few minutes later me and the boppy were reunited. He will learn, rather I hope he does.

So why am I frustrated. Well, I think I am catching on that daddy is actually taking care of me without my mommy. I really miss her and can not wait until she comes home and takes care of me better than daddy. Not to say anything mean (cause if you can't something nice, then don't say anything at all, right?) but my daddy is not my mommy. Mommy smells better, ALWAYS feeds me the boppy, usually is the one that I get to ride to school with and is always the one that picks me up. Kinda like my mommy says all the time, daddy is great, but only in small doses. Oh well, I think I can handle it for a few more days, but if it goes much longer than that, well as all I really know how to do is cry, stand by.

All kidding aside, I am doing great and daddy is always playing with me. (This may explain why I always want to be held at school, and no, not by Christopher!!!) I am learning so many things and it seems so fast. It is so weird to experience so many new things every day. Lately I am working on this whole moving around thing. Get this, I rolled all the way across the living room the other day. Daddy was trying to get me to come to him and I was getting really frustrated because I can only move in reverse (daddy said he had a car that did that once). I can not wait for the day I can move forward. Oh yeah, I think I can see much further than before now, like today when daddy was all the way across the room sticking his tongue out. I saw him and started laughing. Pretty cool huh?

Okay, it is my bedtime and we all know I like to get all the sleep I can. I will show you some more pictures tomorrow, as dad jacked up the camera while I was suffering through cereal.

Goodnight and sweet dreams,

Gracie (aka "The Munchie")

THIS IS NOT MY BOPPYYYYYY!!!!

Mommy, I miss you

Mommy,

If you can read this, I just wanted to say I miss you and can not wait until you come home. Today was good. I heard that I was not as grumpy at daycare as yesterday. My day really picked up when daddy showed up really early to pick me up. I was so surprised!!! We went to the car wash together and then to my neighbors house for a visit. They have such a beautiful home, I want my mommy and daddy to make ours look like theirs.

Anyway, daddy got me a new highchair today. Not really sure why he did that, aint no way I am taking anything other than the boppy and I don't see myself taking it in that funny looking chair. Check back later as I am sure daddy is going to try to take pictures of me in my new chair.

Okay, not much more to say. I am really tired tonight and should get some sleep. Maybe my daddy will tell all about the smoke alarm going off two times in the house last night. He has got to figure out what the deal is.

Goodnight,
Gracie



Mommy is my favorite toy!!!

Djibouti Blues and the Taste of Toes

Daddy here, now that Gracie is asleep, I get a chance to add to this webpage. So you may remember Gracie mentioning mommy was on a trip. In case you were not able to figure out where she went, I am here to help you out. She went to a small country on the east coast of Africa called Djibouti. Lots of people do not know much about Djibouti, so just click on the link provided to learn a bit. Anyway, she should be back in a week, so for the time being I am alone and unafraid with the Munchie and we both miss mommy very much.

Gracie asked me show you a couple pictures she recently had taken. The first one is from today as she was trying her darndest to get her piggies into her mouth. I helped her out a little and advanced her piggies to her mouth and she made a very funny face. Lesson learned, as FDR once said, "walk softly and carry a wipy for your piggies before you try to lick them", or something like that.

The second is her showing us how big she can open her eyes. I can't get enough of that smile.

Well, it is getting late and daddy has to go to work tomorrow. Check back soon for more pictures and dribbles of wisdom from Gracie.

Daddy


I wonder what my piggies taste like?

Eye see you!!!

To all my fans

Greetings and Salutations!!

Big words for a baby huh? Well, if you went to such a cool daycare like me, maybe you could say big words like that.

Today was a pretty okay day. I think I missed my mommy and daddy more than usual today as Ms. Maria told my daddy I was a little more grumpy than normal. If it is not my longing to be with mommy and daddy, then it may be the fact that I have not gone #2 in a couple days. You know what I am talking about. All the grunting in the world gets me nothing but flushed skin. Wish me luck tomorrow (daddy, hook a girl up with some apple juice tonight).

So, I got to hang out with my friend Christopher today. He is okay for a dude. Cool thing is we can both speak the same language and I really don't think the teachers quite understand us. I can tell, cause when I say something very clearly, they say something the exact opposite like"..ahhh do you want to go on your tummy?" Uhh no lady, I clearly said "...you have another 3 seconds to put a boppy in my mouth!!!" It is the same thing every day. I say one thing and they make these silly sounds like I am a dummy. And from everything my mommy and daddy say, which also can get pretty silly, I am no dummy. So teachers when I say "boppy" and you change my diaper, don't be mad when I "accidentally" pee all over the place!!!

So what do you think of the picture below? I call it "Where in the World is Gracie Alexandra". Can you find me? Can you guess which one I am? I will give you a hint... I am a rose between two stuffed animals. Ahh, I made that to easy.

Okay, well there is lots more to say and I have a couple more pictures to show you but I am getting very tired and need special attention. When I say special attention, what I really mean is A BOPPY!!!!!!

Goodnight all, my daddy says he is going to write something after I go to bed, I will ask him to show you some more pictures of me.

Gracie



Gracie, where are you?

Whoa... What a Weekend!!

Okay everybody, I will try to keep this short, but I have so much to say after this weekend. First things first. I miss my mommy very much already and she has only been gone for two days!!! You see, on Friday my mommy went to another country. I can't remember the name of it very well, except that when her and daddy would say it I kept thinking they were talking about my "booty". Anyway, I know it is in Africa and I also know that is very far away!! So, right now it is just me a daddy. He has been great. I was a little worried he was not cracked up to taking care of me by himself, but so far I have not starved and I am pretty clean, except right behind my ears. Oh well. So what did we do? Well on Friday we made a mad dash up to Jacksonville where my daddy is from. I don't remember much of the trip because I was sleeping. Daddy was very nice and played sleepy music for me. Anyway, we spent the day Saturday eating and sleeping and visiting some of daddy's friends, and of course my Grandma and Grandpa, and Great-Grandma. They are so cool!!! Most of what I remember is these flashes going off in front of my face all the time when I was at Grandpa's. Daddy says he got a new toy and never misses a chance to take pictures with it.

When we were done visiting daddy's friends, I think there names were the "pizzas"(I thought that was a wierd name, but daddy says they are very nice and thought that I was cute, I already knew that!!!) we went home and went to bed. Mommy would be very proud of me to know that I was in bed at my bedtime. I slept the whole night and got up today all giggles. There is just something about my piggies that amuse me.

When we got up, it was off to church. Daddy says he used to go to this church many years ago and it was clear to see he had many friends there. There were so many people that came up to me and grabbed my cheeks and belly and piggies that I couldn't even count them. (Just a note, that is the worst part about being a baby. Everybody think we are all into being picked at!!!). I can't remember all the people that we saw, but daddy kept saying that he missed them and seeing them was nice. I am happy for him. However, this little meet and greet was really cutting into boppy time so I gave dad a couple hints as to what I was capable of if I did not get a boppy very soon. He caught my drift and we were off. We went to Bruce and Heathers for some good boppy and a nap before heading back to home so I could get another boppy and go to bed. Are you starting to see the routine I am a victim of?

I can not forget to mention the real reason I went with daddy to Jacksonville. My two bestest friends are there, Olivia and Kennedy. We were born all around the same time (but I am the oldest). Olivia and Kennedy are very cool and I like playing with them. My fravorite was when Kennedy and I were wrastling. I ended up pinning her for a full count, she had no idea what had happened.

So we got home a couple hours ago and daddy played with me for a while. I am in bed (wait a minute, I am typing this right now!!!) and getting ready for daycare tomorrow. Check back later and I will tell you all about my new boyfriend, his name is Christopher.

Goodnight everyone. I must go sleepy now.

Grace

Check out our links!!!

Hello readers!!!

Make sure you check out the links to the right. Gracie has begun posting her pictures to Webshots.com and would like to share them with you. As well, Gracie points you to a few of her favorite sites. You can also see that mommy and daddy are right wing news junkies. Additionally, I will keep a list of friends that have their own blogs for your enjoyment. Right now Hal and Shayne are anchoring this list. Finally, with all the destruction in Southeast Asia, I thought you would appreciate a quick list of places to give and maybe a few info sites on what a tsunami actually is.

Anyway, enjoy the site. Make sure you post comments so I can make improvements.

Daddy


The Family

Daddy Pipes In

Gracie sure has a way of embelishing things doesn't she. Daddy here to set the record straight. First of all, Gracie is right on when it comes to how much we care for her. We love her so much and every little decision that is made always center around her well being. That being said, you have to understand how difficult it is to wake up at 4:30 when we do not get into bed until pretty late the previous night. I think it is fair to say, that we have to compromise. And when I say compromise, I mean you have to do what we tell you to. Now, we will never tell you to do something that will hurt you turn you into some bad person. As far as taking less than an hour to eat in the morning, well I think we have some wiggle room there. By the way, you have blown your whole messy argument when you ate from the same boppy the night before and made very little mess. So, you can do it. Also understand, that it pains us to spend less time with you in the morning. If it were up to us, we would hold you in our arms all morning long, eating or not. But at this time, mommy and daddy have to get to work very early and need you to help us out. So for then next little while, until you are eating cereal, mommy and daddy are asking you to pick up the pace on the boppy and save the mess for the daycare people.

We love you Gracie, you are so beautiful and sweet. Watching you laugh is washing our frustrations away. Keep being you (just eat a little faster).

Daddy




Daddy and Gracie

About the Boppy!!

Okay, this is all being written with the understanding that I know my mommy and daddy are the greatest. They take care of me like nothing else and I should never complain. But this has to be brought out into the open. So for the last several months, I have enjoyed a very leisurely pace at taking my boppy. While I am not all that demanding, I require one about every three hours and usually want it filled all the way to the "6". So far, so good!! That is until this morning. To set the scene, you have to know that I think my mommy gets up at 4:30 or so to get ready for work and to give me the boppy before I go play with my friends at daycare. As far as I am concerned, this was working well. I was getting up at 5 and eating until 6 and then we left. What I never understood was all the commenting my mommy was doing in the front seat as the car would go then stop, then go then stop. She keeps saying something about traffic, I keep saying WAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Anyway, her and daddy somehow decided (without my input) to make changes that ensured my mommy left even earlier so as to not supposedly get stuck in this traffic. So where do I come in? Thanks for asking. This brings us to the boppy. For the longest time I have had a pretty slow steady stream come out of the nipple, we will call it a "manageable" stream. This morning, that all changed. Today, it felt like I was being fed with a fire hose. They call it "Stage Two" nipples, I call it WAY TOOOO FAST!!!. Mommy and daddy seemed somewhat frustrated when most of what they were feeding me was ending up on my bib. What are they thinking? They did cheer some when they were able to leave 15 minutes earlier, and while I am not aware of any traffic (mostly due to my trying to figure out what just happened) they seemed happy. Well, I got some news for you mommy and daddy, you have not yet begun to see a mess like I will produce if you keep wanting to cut into my boppy time. Boppy time is very precious to me and I will take as much of it as I want.

Gracie


Oh how I love to be naked!!!

I am sad :o(

Hello everyone!!!!

Today is a boo hoo day for me :o( You see, my Granny and Aunt Aggis (Mommy's mommy and sister) left for Connecticut today and I am sad. They have been here for almost three weeks and I can't tell you how happy I was to see them. First of all, they made sure I didn't have to go to daycare for two whole weeks, Yipeeeeee!!!! I know my mommy and daddy loved that too. Also, I got the attention I have been demanding for so long and I got it whenever I wanted. Granny was very good at holding me all day and giving me my boppy. I love my boppy (moment of silence for the boppy.....) Anyway, even more fun was Aunt Aggis (Alex, whom my middle name is taken after). She is so pretty and fun to be around. I hope I am that pretty when I am her age. So, what did we do, well most of what I remember is the boppy. But when I was not eating we went on long walks, on car drives to see the Christmas lights, and opening presents. What I lacked in dexterity and coordination with respect to opening the presents, I made up in in sheer determination. All said in done, I think I did pretty good and while I do not understand most of my toys, they had interesting colors.

So, today I am back at daycare. I do have some friends there, but they are nothing like Granny and Aunt Aggis. They were the best. Thank you for taking care of me and I can not wait until you come back.

Gracie


Playtime is GREEAAAATTTT!!!!!

My First Entry

Welcome to our Blog!!! I guess this is the newest craze, and to not be one to be left behind we will bend to the pressure and start our own. This Blog will be devoted to the life and times of Grace Alexandra, the baby (with maybe a few comments from the peanut gallery on other things). We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our lives and get a smile or two from the pictures Gracie will be sending.

Gracie just went to the doctor yesterday for a routine check-up and minus a scream that erupted from deep inside her bowels, she did fairly well. You see, at such a young age, Grace was a little averse to the FOUR shots being administered. I wish you could have seen her facial expression change from giddy laughing to a slow motion curling of the lips, with subsequent protrusion of bottom lip, to simply a beet red face warning of the previously mentioned scream. Now as the father, I had the responsibility of being the strong one, ever smiling and encouraging to this very scared child. And of course, I was just that father, minus the strong part and heavy a few tears of my own. I always laughed at the parents that fell apart when their own children were crying, saying I would be the oak, strong in the face of such pain and shine as an example to the young ones. Okay, if this is a sign of things to come, my daughter will have to be the one to walk ME to school!!!

Anyway, I digress. Grace got a clean bill of health and high marks on growing and drooling. She is 15 lbs and 25 inches long as of yesterday with a head that is in the 70 percentile. This is good as a big head so young can be nothing but trouble. As for the drooling, doc says we are "pre-teething" (translated - being a baby). He says this should go on for some time, finally ending before she goes on her first date, just in time for her first pimple.

As far as the fun part of her growing (you know, the signs that she is that much closer to doing the dishes!!), she is rolling over back to front and front to back like a champ. She has found new friends in her toes and is ever so close to actually getting them into her mouth. Wait a minute, that is my job!!! Toys are still more of a bother to her as her hands have too much slobber on them to actually be able to hang onto something.

It is a joy to watch our daughter grow from a wee wee wee baby to a wee wee baby. While I hope she takes her time growing, I am excited for when she is a wee baby. Oh that will be the day.

So, until the next entry, we say goodnight and sweet dreams. (Now if she only sleeps throughout the night, I may enjoy those same blessings.


Candy anyone?

My First Christmas

Grace Alexandra - Christmas 2004