The Real Grace

Just have to share these cell pictures - some old, some new - as I feel like they help capture the Grace we experience on a daily basis. While she does smile probably 99% of the time, she also has quite the personality behind that smile! And since I keep my phone handier than my camera, that's where I tend to get our true blue Grace photos. Here are a few favorites:

First Mother's Day

I know, I know. You're thinking how I'm consistently several weeks behind - and you're partially right. :) This time was actually on purpose, though, as our celebration of moms just wrapped up last weekend...

Mother's Day #1
That Sunday, David got up with Grace and the two of them went to grab my favorite breakfast. I woke up to a burrito from Market Street with extra bacon and cheesy potatoes, as well as chocolate milk and Dr. Pepper in frosty mugs. Does David know me, or does he know me? There was also a pretty box next to my plate that housed an even prettier watch. I think it may have been a subtle hint, but I adore it...and him for all his thoughtfulness. We were running behind for church by this point, made ever more complicated by a crazy poo incident and subsequent addition to my shower (Grace). We ended up making it, though, and even hearing my favorite song. Afterward we went to lunch with David's family, including his Nana who'd only seen Grace twice before. At the table we had a great-grandmother, a grandmother, a mother of four, and a first-timer...wide variety of moms, I'd say! It was unusually cool outside that evening, so our little family of five went for a stroll around the neighborhood. After putting Grace down, David and I curled up on the couch with a pizza for the season finale of Amazing Race. It was a pretty great first Mother's Day.

Tuckered out after the emergency bath (Daddy's arms seem to have this effect on her)

Hangin' with Nana

The veteran and the newbie

Love my Gracelyn

David's mom (DeeDee) with her mom

Ready for our walk

Sweetest face ever

Mother's Day #2
Since we'd had a wedding in Ft. Worth the Saturday before Mother's Day, we decided to hold off on going to Huntsville until the following weekend. That then got switched to the next weekend due to my mom's best friend's birthday in Matagorda Bay - happy belated birthday, Carol! We drove down Friday evening and Grace slept much of the way, so she stayed up until 10:30 playing with her GramB and Papa John. The next day, us girls went down to Spring to pick up my grandmother at the Conservatory. It was the first time I'd seen her new place since she moved in last fall (after selling the home my grandfather built for them nearly 40 years ago). It definitely lives up to the 'luxury retirement living' concept and is absolutely perfect for my Gram, who's still quite the social butterfly. We ate lunch in the dining room where she got to introduce Grace and me to some friends (unfortunately her "man friend" was out of town). She then came back to Huntsville with us for the remainder of the weekend, which was spent celebrating both Mother's Day and her 87th birthday. We had a great time! Plus I finally got to see my mom's newly renovated house, which I must say turned out beautiful.

Sharing banana pudding with GramB (a major treat)

Playing with Aunt Kimmie's old doll

Daddy is so silly

Loving on GiGi

Four generations

Our happy girl

Until this year, I'd never given a whole lot of thought to this day. Mother's Day was just Mother's Day...another time to spend with family. I see it quite differently now. Not just because I'm part of it, or because I can now fully appreciate my own mom, but because I realized for the first time (sitting in church that Sunday) how difficult a day it must be for so many. For those who've lost a mom, lost a child, desperately want a child, or for whatever reason just have a hard time finding joy on that day, please know that you weren't forgotten. I was definitely reminded how important it is to treasure my time with Grace and my own mother (and others that I love) while I have it, as I know the Lord promises us nothing in that regard. The little daily frustrations are just not important...family is important, and faith.

P.S. As I type this, my sweet mama is back again (helping with Grace) due to me getting my wisdom teeth removed yesterday. Thanks, GramB...we love you!

Viva Las Vegas

A couple weeks ago, David and I got to go on another all expenses paid getaway thanks to his job. This time he won a quarterly contest and the prize was a weekend at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. His boss, Scott, hosted the trip and brought one DM and three reps (and their guests, of course). David and I flew in early to have an extra night to ourselves and a full day at the pool on Friday. It was so nice to just be together. We realized that it was our first real time alone, with total freedom, since having Grace...nowhere to be, no one to meet up with, and no baby to get back to. So we made the most of it! We ate dinner at one of the million restaurants at our hotel and then hit up several of the other major hotels/casinos, before finally landing back at the Foundation Room atop Mandalay. There we got my favorite picture of the weekend due to the awesome view:


We spent the following day by one of the many pools and were gradually joined by the others as they arrived. That evening, Scott took everyone to dinner at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms Hotel, where we ate probably the most incredible meal David and I have ever had. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The group went up to Ghostbar afterward where I got to stand (or be dragged, actually) over the glass window that looks 55 floors down. Not my favorite! The rest of the skydeck was pretty cool, though, and our group had a lot of fun together.









Saturday everyone kind-of went their own ways to shop, sight-see, relax, etc. Dave and I decided to check out the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay and then go see the lions at MGM. The aquarium was cool (although our pictures didn't turn out that great), but the lions were one of the highlights of our trip...we must be getting old! Despite the pandemonium at MGM due to it being a fight night - Mayweather vs. Mosley - the lion habitat was pretty clear, probably because they were just laying there like duds. We were patient, though, and after a while the trainers came out to feed them. Of course, everyone started swarming then, but we were right up front as they threw meat on the glass. Pretty crazy to have them two feet in front of you! That night, David and I went to another amazing dinner with Scott and his wife, Linda. They're a really great couple and, although they live in California, we look forward to hanging out with them again.








I told David on our way to the airport the next morning that I don't think I've ever left Vegas sad to be going home. It's so much fun, but you can only take so much! Plus, I'd started getting sick the day before we left (and almost backed out) and the drugs they'd loaded me up on could only do so much. And I was just ready to see Grace who, from what my mom had said, appeared to be getting sick as well...bless her heart. So, needless to say, the following week was not fun. Luckily we had a great trip!

Eight Months

Well, here we are again, me trying to blog about Grace at eight months when we're almost halfway through May! New things happen so quickly at this age...much has already changed in the last two weeks. Luckily I have a frame of reference to help me remember what she was doing as of May 2nd, since DeeDee and GramB kept her that weekend while we were in Vegas (next post).

Grace had the army crawl down pat and could get just about anywhere...grunting the whole time. She did seem to know that there was something more to it and would get up on all fours, but just fall back down frustrated. She could easily go from lying down to sitting up (she doesn't like being horizontal unless she's asleep) and from sitting to army crawling. She'd make the 'm' and 'd' sounds, among others, but not specifically say 'Momma' or 'Dada' and associate it with us. She'd just repeat them over and over - ma ma ma ma ma - during bored or aggravated moments. She had three bottom teeth (not sure where the other one is) and four top ones trying to poke through. She was eating a wide variety of pureed fruits and vegetables, and totally hooked on puffs. The only thing she'd refuse to eat was peas; she despises peas and promptly spits them out or gags. Poor David, he loves peas. She was (and still is) just incredibly busy, and nosy. She'd just about give herself whiplash trying to check out other people or things. She'd also fight you when it came to cuddling or rocking...she doesn't have time for that! What can I say? She's quite the character.

Social Butterfly

Grace has had some good times with friends lately. Here are a few cute moments captured on camera:

Checking out her guest, Sam

Luckily he doesn't mind her grabbiness

Who knew babysitting was so much fun?

Kisses from Dylan

Kisses from Reed

Classic Grace...food on the face and drool on the dress

Already can't keep their eyes off each other :)

One of the bigger turnouts at playgroup

Always going for the sports toys

I smell a double date someday!