Thursday, December 20, 2007

Month 8

Eight months lessons. The things kids teach their parents are crazy sometimes you might not think of them as lessons but as I look back over the past 8 months I cant even explain how glad I am that I have taken note of all the new things I have learned from my daughter. The first year is so special.

1. Sometimes I think Gracee is having separation anxiety, more for her daddy then me. When Jessy walks in the room Gracee starts to wiggle and giggle... sing and dance but then when he leaves she screams and throws a fit!

2. With one breath, Gracee can make multiple sounds. Sometimes its a song followed by 'raspberries' then dada. She repeats everything already! If I say 'mama' she says 'dada' and then shakes her head... its sorta like we are arguing! Really CUTE!!! Jessy loves it!

3. Gracee is starting to wiggle during diaper changes. She still does very well laying on her back and waiting until mommy is done but sometimes she wants to roll over or pretend like she is going to roll and then laugh! Or even try to unhook her diaper...

4. Gracee can hold two objects at a time, one in each hand. With a crude pincher grasp, she can pick up objects using her thumb and forefinger. She is developing so well! She loves to BANG things together!

5. Gracee likes to watch people. She just sits there and stares at her brother, sometimes when he lets her play with his tools she will bang them together then sit back and watch him... like she is taking in every move! She wants to be just like him.

6. When your baby eats a lot of carrots, squash, mixed veggies (the orange ones) the vitamins have no where to go but through their skin... really, Gracee is turning yellow! I asked the doctor about this and she said that means that she is healthy and to try to feed her other color fruits and vegetable's. Gracee loves everything so I guess I just need to mix in more green beans and peas!!!

7. My baby tasted formula for the first time this month... my pump started dieing so I had to either invest in another one (which didn't sound like a good idea since I was slowly drying up anyway) so I made the decision to give Gracee a bottle of formula and then a bottle of breast milk until all the frozen milk was gone. She didn't seem to mind.

8. Gracee really wants to move but she isn't that interested in crawling, she can sit up and scoot around using her legs. Its really funny cause one second she is in the middle of the room playing with her toys and the next she is under the TV getting into the DVDs! When you stick your hands out to pick her up she reaches for you (I LOVE THAT) but she wants to pull herself up and try to walk!

9. Gracee gets really excited and breathes in and out super fast (sorta like someone who is hyperventilating) its usually only when her brother comes back from a weekend with his mom or right before bed! She is so cute!

10. Gracee has 8 teeth! She has four on top and four on the bottom! She will be eating chicken off the bone before we know it!!!

11. She laughs at everything, she is such a happy baby! She really likes when you play paddy cake, she claps her hands and giggles! Even if she isn't on her daddy's back hopping around on the floor if you say 'bucken bull, bucken bull" she just cracks up!

12. There are sooo many more wonderful things that Miss Gracee has taught us all... I feel like I can go on for days... these are just the ones that stand out the most in my memory.

When you are a kid you know everything, parents just don't remember what it is like being a little person or so you think... but who would of thought once you become a parent everything changes, you realize what your mom meant when she was telling you not to do something, or trying to teach you a lesson. Huh really crazy stuff. Good luck to all the parents out there, good parents have great kids and great kids teach parents how to be good at being parents if that makes any sense. Happy Holidays to all.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Month 7

Seven months lessons, I know hard to believe huh? She is really thinning out, her face seems like it is getting longer, I mean she still has that sweet baby face but she is just growing up so fast! Gracee does this rocking thing now, sorta like Stevie Wonder she even sings... what a sweet baby girl!

1. Gracee has definite likes and dislikes, tastes and preferences -- in food, toys, and people. She imitates sounds and gestures. Her favorite foods are squash and carrots... she likes garden veggies and bananas too! Gracee loves her daddy and her bubba... she has a thing for the males in our family. Gracee loves her noisy toys and 'jump-e-jump'.

2. Gracee has a great sense of balance she is sitting up well and playing with everything. She loves to watch her brother run around and do the "bucking bull". Gracee likes to throw her toys so they are out of her reach and then tries to stretch to get them.

3. Gracee is so eager to learn. She is such a happy baby, she giggles all the time. Her favorite game is peek-a-boo - she really likes paddy cake too!

4. Gracee is eating alot more food - basically breakfast is oatmeal and bananas then a drink of juice or milk lunch is veggies and some juice or water then nap time and a full diaper of POO then around 5 more food (one thing of 2 Gerber) She likes green beans, peas, and garden veggies... more to drink and right before bed about half a thing of squash and 6oz cereal bottle. Good night at 8:30pm up again at 6:30a then the day starts over. :)

5. Gracee has hair. Her hair is coming in so fast it seems like everyday she has more hair!

6. Gracee is getting more teeth! She has been running a fever the past week and really cranky. Poor thing wants to chew on everything. She dives for your face and neck and rubs her face on yours. She is sweet!

7. Gracee says DADA! She said Dada for the first time on 11-1-07 and she said DOG 11-3-07, next comes NO I'm sure! :) 11-18-07 she sang DADA in church while everyone was singing!

8. Gracee likes to swing her left arm when I rock her sleep and she is drinking her bottle. She doesn't hold her bottle yet she puts her right arm right by my mouth like she wants me to sing forever.

9. Gracee is a wigglier... she fell of our bed 11-11-07 we left her in there after a quick diaper change I went to wash my hands then BAMM --- she will never be left alone on the bed again!

10. Gracee wants to crawl BAD!!! She keeps her head down and sticks her butt in the air and just the other day got on all fours for almost 4 seconds... she giggles and falls back down on her belly. It wont be long!!!

11. Gracee blows rasberries all the time. She likes to bite on her tongue and blow bubbles when she isn't talking or singing. She is such a sweetheart.

We just went to the health department and miss Gracee is growing like a weed! She weighs 19lbs 2oz and is 27 inches long!!! There are many more exciting things that go on on an everyday basis... these are just the big ones. We love to share our new experiences and hope you enjoy reading them.

Month 6

My baby girl is already a half of a year old! It is so fun to remember the day we first met. I was talking to a girlfriend (who is going to pop any day) yesterday and I just love telling my baby Gracee story. I hope you all enjoy my blogs and photos. I cant seem to take enough.

1. Gracee likes veggies... We have now introduced miss Gracee to Squash, Mixed Veggies, Peas, Green Beans, Applesauce, and Bananas. Her favorite is Peas!!!

2. Gracee is a big lady... She now wears size 3 Huggies Natural Fit diapers and weighs in at 18lbs 14oz!!! She is 27 inches tall!

3. Gracee loves her big brother... when Jared walks into the room Gracee just stares at him and glows. She is going to be his best buddy!!!

4. Gracee is a jumper... she loves her jumperoo. I think it is her most favorite toy!

5. Gracee is too happy ... everyone always tells me what a sweet personality she has, she hardly ever cries, and is always smiling!

6. Gracee is a daddy's girl... she loves her 'bubba' and daddy. They just make her so happy. She likes to sit in the shop and watch them work. Before long she will be out there greasy too!

7. Gracee has a pretend yell... when she is bored and needing alittle attention she just yells. Not a cry, and not a big scary yell, just a little high pitched noise. So you look at her and then she smiles.

8. Gracee loves her feet... wether she is sitting down or laying on her back she is trying to get her feet! She still stares at her hands a lot too!

9. Gracee gives the best hugs... she leans into you when you kiss her or give her a hug it is soooo stinkin cute!

10. Gracee is a great sleeper... Gracee and Jared take naps at the same time. Sometimes she gets off schedule but most of the time they are both napping by 12:30!

I dont know what is going to happen when this little lady gets mobile. She is always watching people and seems to be ready for anything. Jared is ready for her to 'grow up big' so he can 'show her fun stuff to do'.

Month 5

My baby girl is turning into a women. She is so ready to start crawling. I know that everyone thinks that their baby is the best, but I never thought it would be like this. She is so smart, so strong, such a happy baby. We are spoiled with this one! Gracee is still teaching us lessons as well as learning a few!

1. Gracee is still in a size 2 diaper. We really like Huggies Gentle Care, when she was NB it didn't seem to matter as much what type of diaper but now she has become more active… that's our brand and shape!

2. Gracee found her thumb. She has always been a hand suckers but she found her thumb a few days ago and really likes it!

3. Gracee ate baby food for the first time on the 13th. Squash… at first she wasn't too sure but then LOVED it! She didn't really know what was going on with eating from a spoon but wanted more, it was sorta like a lizard pushing food out of her mouth but wanting so badly to taste it.

4. Gracee likes her milk cold. No more nursing miss Gracee, she used to only nurse in the mornings but the past few days she isn't interested. I will still pump until I dry up. I would really love for Gracee to never know what formula tastes like.

5. Gracee eats a lot more. She now takes a cereal bottle three times a day breakfast lunch and dinner. Four oz of milk 2.5 table spoons of Gerber single grain rice. And at lunch and night time we mix in two teaspoons of squash. She only eats 4-5 times a day now!

6. Gracee can sit like a big girl. She doesn't pull herself up completely yet but if you sit her up and spread her legs open she will sit there and laugh for quite some time. At least 'til she spots those toes then all she seems to think about is trying to get those things in her mouth.

7. Gracee goes to bed at 9pm and sleeps until 7:30am. There for a while she was waking up at 3 in the morning hungry… that is why we started the baby food.

8. Gracee is a big lady! Breastfed babies poop isn't near as stinky as babies who eat formula… but once babies turn into big ladies and eat food the poop changes! We experienced a thicker consistency, more of an olive green coloring, sticky poop now. WONDERFUL!

9. Gracee is a singer… when she gets tired she makes this noise, kinda like a slow noisy sigh… AAAAAAAAA. Not a yell, just a noise. Really, really, really funny!

10. Gracee is getting big, she already weighs 17lbs 6oz and is 25 3/4 long!

Kids are what it's about. To teach is to learn… Jared is a wonderful big brother with such a creative mind I know when Gracee gets older she will be a handful! We are too proud of our kids and thank you all for reading and growing with us.

Month 4

Time flies when youre having fun! The summer has gone by soooo fast and our kids just seem to be learning more each day! Jared is a superstar and makes my jaw drop on a daily basis! He is so smart I have to keep reminding myself that he is only 3... some days he just blows us away!
Gracee is right behind him... she turned 4 months old today. We go to get shots and a four month check up 8-22-07 so Ill update everyone on how well she is growing!

1. Gracee got two teeth today! Jessy was ready to feed her some food at dinner tonight! Jared and Jes gave Gracee mashed potatoes. Jared said "she has teeth now... she can eat with us!"

2. Gracee can roll from her belly to her back (she has only done it a few times) but not from her back to her belly yet! Its sorta like that one shoulder acts as a kick stand does on a bike! LOL

3. Gracee goes to bed at 8:30pm and wakes up at 7:30am. She just lays in bed and coos. Sometimes she even laughs until I come to nurse her. First thing when she sees me, she just grins.She is such a great baby!

4. Gracee laughs so much. Sometimes when you dont feel like even smiling, she laughs at you and you cant help but crack a smile! She is just such a happy baby! She giggles all the time

5. Gracee is a grunter! Miss Gracee Mae only poops once a day now... and you know when she is trying! Jared came in to the kitchen to tell me "Gracee is trying to poop... I can hear her all the way in my bed room!"

6. Gracee still has no hair... so mommy makes bows! She doesn't seem to mind the large bows in her face!:) She looks so sweet! We love 'em.

Just needed to update everyone on our little angel. Our lives just werent complete without kids! Its such a wonderful learning experience for everyone. Thanks for reading the blogs.

Week 13 - 3 MONTHS!!!

My baby doll is growing up... she is 3mo old and teaching me all kinds of new stuff about being a mommy. She is so smart and growing so fast. Now since it is her 3 mo birthday I think Im going to write monthly lessons, I know that you all love hearing about my new things each week but you're going to have a baby of your own to understand the true love between a mom and her children.

1. Gracee wants to sit up soooo bad! She looks like she is trying to do sit ups. She grunts and tries so hard to sit up.

2. Gracee cant wear new born clothes anymore! Her three month clothes are still big on her but a few weeks ago she still wore her 0-3 mo stuff! She is growing.

3. Eating cereal three times a day. 3oz breast milk 2tbl spoons rice cereal. I am still producing more then enough milk but I only pump four times aday now. 8, 12, 5 and right before bed around 11pm.

4. Gracee still hasnt rolled over but she really really wants to. She hikes her legs up and rolls to one side but that is it.

5. Gracee is a talker. If you dont keep talking when you walk into the other room she starts to yell (not all the time but a lot) she likes to know you are there. Call it spoiled if you want... she is an awesome baby.

6. Gracee loves her hands. She likes to look at them and then try to eat them. She is a good sucker too. You can hear her in the other room sucking on her finger and thumb at the same time. She is sooooo cute!

7. Gracee is starting to get ticklish. If you kiss her on her neck she giggles and sometimes under pits too. She is something else... it makes me laugh out loud.

I love my kids more then anything. They are my life. I get up everyday for them. to see them laugh and smile makes my day. I grow each day learning and teaching my kids. How flippin lucky am I?

Week 12

Well if I had it my way this would be Gracee's 3 Month Birthday but she was a week late... She is now 12 weeks old and doing wonderful! She is so smart and alert. I cant believe how fast she is growing. Im still taken back by all the new things she teaches me.

1. Gracee has beautiful blue eyes... she has her daddys eyes thank goodness. She loves to look at people and smile. She actually follows me with her eyes when I walk across the room. She has been doing this for a while but its becoming more apparent that she is watching her mommy!

2. Three month old clothes fit! Gracee is growing fast the 0-3 mo little baby clothes are going into a storage bin for the next baby girl we have! She can still wear a few things and the other day I had her in a newborn outfit (has to be one big newborn) but most of her clothes are 3-6 months now!

3. Gracee puts a smile on everyone. I love to hear how pretty my baby girl is but the best is when she smiles, she is so sweet. Her big ol' grin just makes you smile no matter what. Even people that dont know her and just happen to be passing by her smile when she does... funny!

4. Gracee is a talker... she cos grunts and talks all the time. Im not sure what she is saying but it is some good stuff!!! The cutest damn thing ever!

5. No matter who you are baby talk happens... you know that high pitched voice and the goo goo gaa gaa talk. Everyone that talks to her does that. Its funny really. A grown man gets in her face and starts talking like a baby. Makes you laugh out loud!

6. Size 2 seem HUGE! But that is all we got...Huggies size 2. Memaw Donna hooked us up when she went to SAMs club the other day! They will be a perfect fit before we know it!

7. Gracee now eats cereal. At night I have been giving her a bottle with three oz of breastmilk and two table spoons a rice Gerber baby cereal. She does good and it fills her up 'til 9am!

Gracee has a huge heart I can already tell. Her smiles and laughs are for everyone to share and pass on throughout their day. She is a glowing little baby girl with two very proud parents. Thanks again for reading!

Week 11

Miss Gracee Mae is growing so fast... right before our eyes. She isnt a tiny baby anymore! Crazy all the things we learn each week. She just makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing all the time. Babies have the sweetest smiles... melts your heart, no matter what mood you are in!

1. Gracee is teething... she has been chewing on her fist and tonge alot this week. She drools all the time and I noticed on wed. that her nose was running. All the signs of new teeth!

2. Gracee loves her stroller... she smiles big when I put her in it. She knows we are going for walk and she gets to lay back and enjoy the ride.

3. Gracee is the cutest baby... we were in the Linn county baby contest and even though we didnt win (out of 29 baby girls) she was the cutest! I think everyone thinks that their baby is cute but I KNOW MINE IS! The winner was only 8 days old and I think one of the judges was related to her. Small town what do you expect? lol

4. Gracee loves to look around... we bought her a stand up saucer from target this week and she loves it. Its funny how small she is in it. Her feet can almost touch the bottom, Im sure she will fit in it perfect soon! She just sits and looks around!

5. Gracee sleeps all night... she has a great schedule but now instead of staying asleep til 7am she has been sleeping til 9! I have to wake her up before I explode! We have been giving her a 3oz cereal bottle before bed and it keeps her full longer!

6. Moving up to size 2 diapers... we still fit in size one but size two are for 12-18lbs and we went to the health department today and found out little miss Gracee weighs 13lbs 4oz! She pees more now too so why not huh? Size 2 it is!

7. Gracee loves to talk... she coos all the time its funny I will walk into the other room and keep talking to her and she gets louder like she knows. Then when I come back in the room with her she lowers her voice! Got me another smart one!:)

Thanks again for reading my blogs and watching my Gracee Baby turn into a little lady! I have posted a few new pics. Have a great weekend!

Week 10

Getting in the double digits! WOW... I cant stress enough how lucky we are to have such a wonderful little family! Jared loves his little sister, when he wakes up from his nap he has to kiss Gracee. She is so lucky to have such a smart little brother to learn from. Here are a few new things we have learned from miss Gracee week ten.

1. Gracee still tries to laugh. She looks at you then smiles, waits for you to smile and then pushes out a little laugh... sooooo cute.

2. Getting alittle louder.... Gracee just lays on the floor and coo's. She loves to watch Jared play on the floor by her. He talks to her and whispers in her ear a lot.

3. She loves her daddy... Gracee is on a great schedule. She still goes to bed at 10:30 and wakes up at 7:15am. After she eats she gets to snuggle back in bed with her daddy. She stretches until she is right on him and she puts her face in his arm pit.

4. Gracee eats at 7am, again at 10:30, then a 3-4oz bottle at 1p, again around 3/4p. Then she eats another bottle (5-7oz) around 5 or 6pm... one more time around 8 or 9pm just a few ozs and then the two oz bottle at 10... sometimes if she isnt done with the bottle she likes to keep it in her mouth until she is out at 10:30pm. And then we start the day over.

5. When mommy has to pump she has to pump! Jessy and I were outside chatting with Megan... we normally would have been sleeping I pump as soon as Gracee goes to bed and then we go to sleep, however that wasnt the case this particular evening. Well I came inside to pump (at 1am) and noticed that sophee ate the important part of my pump... I didnt get angry until Megan and Jessy asked if I could just go to bed and get up in the morning a buy a pump at the local Wal-Mart (40 miles away) Long story short me and Meg went to Wal-Mart (Jes had to stay with the kids) and I purchased a dual-pump! Best investment ever! I suggest starting out with a dual-pump it saves A Lot of time!!! Oh and I got home to pump at 3 in the AM!

6. We dont really need a baby monitor. Our place is only 1200sq feet and it is very open. Gracee has the monitor in her bed, one speaker is in the kitchen and the other is on my desk. They just make an annoying buzzing sound (that only I seem to hear). I guess it would be helpful in the shop for Jes when he is watching her and she is in the house sleeping... I'll move one out there!

Long week of fun in the RAIN! We learn from both of our kids... Jared is quiet the story teller, he tells us all kinds of new things that he learns everyday some good some not so good. Its hard to believe that he is only turning 3 yrs old in 2 weeks! Thanks again for reading my blog and watching my kids grow.

Week 9

Gracee is fantastic! Each week new lessons, its sorta hard to remember them all cause the week has gone by so fast. We have been going to the pool as much possible (and I'm still crazy white) but let me think back over the week and see what is new with my girlfriend...

1. She loves baths, I already knew that but havent posted it yet, I think it is the warm water. She knows after her tubby and night time lotion she gets a 2 oz bottle and sung to until she falls fast asleep.

2. Gracee baby scared me this week. I woke up at 8:30am and my baby girl was still out. I was honestly afraid to check on her. I sat up in bed, looked into her crib and could see that her chest was moving up and down so I woke her up at 9:15am to eat (my boobs were flippin HUGE). She ate and went back to sleep til almost noon.

3. I have learned that even though she is in bed wiggling at 7am that doesn't mean she is ready to get up. It means she has gas. She only has a pee diaper in the morning and after her morning nap (directly after her morning feeding) usually 10am she will have a full diaper of poo! And she will want to stay awake until 2pm.

4. Gracee laughed this week. It is the cutest damn thing ever! She smiles at everything but now as she coo's she grunts and makes a loud noise like a laugh!

5. No matter how upset she is as soon as I start to sing "Hush little baby, dont say a word, mommy's gonna buy you a mocking bird..." she stops. It is like she is listening and knows that everything will be okay. Its amazing really. Sorta like hitting the pause button on a great movie so you can get up to go pee!

6. Gracee stands up so well. I have nothing to compare her to other then her two cousins. Tylan is a strong baby too and he is growing to be such a man. But baby Jeremy Jr. well he still seems like a new born, he is only two weeks younger then Gracee and he still has trouble keeping his head up. I really think it is the breast milk.

7. You can drink two to three beers a night and still breastfeed. It wont hurt the baby. My mother in law told me that it enhances your breast milk too! Something about the yeast and wheat in the beer. (same thing with wheat thins... beer just gives you a little buzz).

All I can say is we are so lucky, both kids are happy and healthy. Jessy and I couldn't be more proud of our little family. Thanks again for reading my blogs and posting comments. Loven ya...

Week 8

It is summer time and we are doing new things every time we turn around. Jared just got his head buzzed (GREAT SUMMER CUT) and now him and Gracee look even more alike! :) We go to the pool as much as we can. And LOVE to play with Dad. Jared just lights up when Jessy walks into the room. Gracee loves her daddy too.

Well Im not sure if you are enjoying my blogs about the lessons I have learned each week having a new baby... This is an experience that I have never done and each week seems great to me. So I share. I do love comments but totally understand that some of you have no idea what it is like to have a baby.

1. Gracee is going to bed at 10:30pm on the dot and waking up at 6:45am all week now. Today she slept until 7:20am! At 9:45pm we give Gracee a bath in her "ducky tubby" and by 10:15pm she is eating her 2 ozs while daddy or mommy rocks her to sleep. In bed at 10:30pm... ROCK ON!!!

2. If Gracee is fussy and Im trying to get something completed Jared can calm her down just as well as me or Jessy can. He just loves his baby sister! He says "its okay I'm here".

3. I might change her too much but she HATES being dirty.

4. Just started drinking "sprite water" this week. She loves it! I like to let her have milk (until she starts to play with the nipple) and then if she still seems hungry Ill give her a bottle with 2 oz of warm water and 1 oz of sprite. (Dont forget to shake it up and get all the bubbles out so it wont hurt the babys tummy)

5. If miss Gracee wants to nurse then that is what she wants NO BOTTLE! But on the other hand if she ONLY wants the BOTTLE... dont even try to give her the boob she isnt having it. She will use my boob as a microphone and yell until she gets her BOTTLE! She likes to nurse in the mornings and have a bottle later in the day.

6. Gracee takes NUK bottles from Gerber. She has been eating from a 5 oz bottle since she was a week old. Now since she is 8 weeks (tonight at 10:34pm) LOL she will be moving up to a 10 oz bottle. SHE IS GETTING SO OLD!

7. Gracee smiles A LOT but this week I have noticed that she will look you in the eyes and wait for you to smile at her. She gives you a huge grin... from ear to ear. It is soooo cute. Her daddy loves to lay on the floor with her and make her smile!

We went to the doctors today at 10 and Gracee weighs 12lbs 2oz! She did just eat a 5 oz bottle before she was weighed... but how great is that? She is growing so fast! She is 23inches long!! Next thing you know she'll be walking.Thanks again for taking time out of your day to read my silly blogs. I just love my life and love sharing all of my new experiences with all of my friends. Its funny how different your life will change when you have someone watching your every move. Have a wonderful week.

Week 7

Gracee turned 7 weeks old at 10:43 pm tonight! Its amazing... Amazing Grace.) How fitting huh? Life wouldnt be the same without her. She is such a blessing and we are so proud of her. She has Jessy wrapped around her littlest finger (and he doesnt even know it!) She fake cries and he is right there... sorta cute really!

1. I know all of her cries. There is a big difference between "Mom my butt is dirty GET IT OFF!" and "I'm flippen starving FEED ME!"

2. Still wearing size ONE diapers (those of you who were wondering what size to send from FLORIDA -- Oh yeah make it Huggies)

3. She smiles so big now. It just makes me melt. No matter how stressed I'm feeling as soon as she coo's and gives me a huge smile nothing else matters!

4. Gracee stayed the night at Memaw Donna's and Papa Kenny's last Friday night. She did great. I on the other hand was a wreck. At first at least. I cried but got over it after phone call number 3!! :) She did great... and my mom loved it!

5. Gracee is a good burper! She burped so loud during prayer in church last week... the entire row couldn't help but laugh!Life is Life .

The stuff you cant control can stress you out only if you let it! Take tons of pictures and enjoy every minute. In a month my oldest will be three years old. He is so funny now and well frankly he'll even tell you "I'm not silly, I'm funny!" He is loving every minute he has with his sister! He does great with her -- my little helper! Jared loves to throw the dirty diapers away!

Week 6

Gracee is such a good girl! She is growing like a weed and keeping her eyes open more often!:) 10lbs 13oz 22 1/4 long!!!She is just such a blessing!

1. Gracee looks me in the eyes and smiles. I feel like it is her way of telling me she loves me and she is soooo happy! Something about that "gummy" smile just makes my heart melt.

2. Gracee stayed overnight at Memaw Donna's and Papa Kenny's. I cried but they raised me to be such a wonderful citizen of this fine U. S. of A. I packed her two diaper bags and way too many clothes and blankets but hey who knows right?:)

3. I LOVE HUGGIES. They are my favorite diapers. LUVs are for boys, Pampers are too perfumey. HUGGIES ROCK! They fit just right and they keep all the poo and pee in til I change her (most of the time)

4. Its okay to take a baby to the doctor if you think they are sick. Gracee had a fever of 100.3 on Monday and I gave her Tylenol. Her fever broke but she had a raspy cough and snotty nose. So I had to take her to the doctor and see if I needed to give her anything else. They said she was fine, breast milk is the best thing for her. I think she has allergies!

5. When you drink beer, just throw the milk you pump out! I tried to feed Gracee but she really didnt like it so much. It was crazy I threw out over 20oz of milk... we had a fun time at the casino the night Gracee stayed at her grandparents house! I didnt think she would like it but everyone told me to try. After pumping twice my milk is back to normal.

Babies grow up so fast. I mean crap she already smiles. Next thing you know she will be laughing and clapping and walking... OH MY! :) Keep us in your prayers she still sleeps though the night and as long as she is clean and fed she loves to be stretched out on a blanket in the middle of the floor or someone holding her! Thanks for posting comments. LOVE U ALL!

Week 5

My kids mean the world to me. Jared is such a happy little man and a wonderful big brother. He is such a great helper and teaches me new things often too! Gracee girl is growing like a weed!

1. Kids are the most important thing. When you have children -- they come first. No matter how slefish you were before they were part of your life, it just happens that way. You think you'll have to adjust and make a life change that may be difficult to remember but that is not the case. When you are ready to be a mommy it comes natural.

2. Moved up to size one diapers. My baby is growing up.

3. My boobs really dont hurt anymore! Breastfeeding is what god intended and it works well. It is a great bonding experience. Gracee is still at ten min on one side and five on the other. As long as you explain it to a three year old -- he'll understand.

4. Pumping your breasts is just weird but you have to do it. Sometimes you feel like a cow... its amazing to watch too! The milk comes out in all different directions, its not like a bottle nipple with only one hole!

5. Gracee would rather be stretched out on a blanket in the middle of the floor then in her swing or bouncer! She is still such a great sleeper but when she is awake -- she loves to lay on the floor, look around and "talk"!

Our love is overwhelming. Jared is totally and completely in love with his little sister! He really loves giving her kisses. Sometimes he sticks her entire foot in his mouth! He loves her so much. Jessy is really doing good helping out too! After working all day he usually watches her while I make dinner and then rocks her to sleep at night!

Week 4

Holy Crap my baby is already 4 weeks old! How crazy? It just goes by so fast! She is something else, and continues to amaze me... Amazing Grace.

1. Gracee sleeps a lot. She is still sleeping through the night, she goes to bed 10ish and wakes up 6ish. She sleeps thoughout the day too.

2. She is already starting to talk -- it sorta sounds like a kitty cat. It's not a cry just a little noise... really cute actually. "AAAAHHHH"

3. You really have to watch what you eat... everything goes to the baby! I ate a sandwich with hot pepper cheese and boy did she have gas!?! I try to drink tons of water and keep away from soda. Once I had a 'Mountain Dew' and her poo was unually bright green!

4. Sophee is doing better. She still needs tons of attention... but I think she understands that the baby isn't leaving.

5. Gracee sleeps in her bed all night, she gets up at 6/7 and eats then gets to snuggle with dad while mom gets ready for the day. She eats again around 10am! She is getting so big already she eats 5-7ozs each time she gets a bottle!

6. After the baby nurses, pump! Make sure you get it all out. It helps for bottle time (with daddy) and keeps your milk regular.

I can tell you by the size of the 'girls' how hungry Gracee is and how much I have to pump out! I save every drop she dont eat. Gerber makes little 'seal and go' puches that hold up to 6 oz and with any extra milk I have goes in the freezer (milk lasts for up to 3 mo. in if you freeze it! )Just alittle info to add to my Gracee book. And some for those of you who are about to have your first baby! I like to share new expeirences and things that I learn. Life is so short, and it goes by so fast. When you have children you really notice the import things and let the little stuff that used to be a BIG deal pass without thinking twice. Havea great week!

Week 3

Time flies when you want to savor ever moment... its funny cause that last week of pregnancy the days seemed soooo long. Now my baby is already three weeks old. She teaches me all kinds of new things.

1. Falling alseep with a boob in your mouth must be relaxing. Happens all the time! Miss Gracee likes to eat for about 10 minutes on one side then burp (like a man) and after about 4 min on the other side she is out!

2. Those smiles mean gas! Either she is about to burp or fart. But they are still smiles!

3. Bath time is fun time. Jared loves to help! He gets everything ready and when Gracee starts to cry he says "its okay Im right here." She loves the warm water but as soon as she gets cold -- watch out!

4. Mommy's aren't the only ones that stare at their babies. I caught Jessy checking her out a few times this week. She is going to be such a daddy's girl!

5. You can put a baby on a schedule. You have to start young and let them know who is the boss... She eats about every 4 hours durning the day and sleeps from 10pm-6am (sometimes later). Helps me plan my day with a three year old.

6. Write everything down. My mom did, my baby book is awesome. So much happens so fast if I didnt write it all down, it wouldn't seem special. I take tons of pictures and video tape silly stuff but she will love it when she grows up and has a baby.

Having a baby changes you, Im not sure if it the labor or the first time you get to meet your baby and hold it. People change all the time for different reasons -- but when you have a little person, its just amazing, hard to explain. I've never felt this much love.

Week 1 and 2

Week one and two Lessons

My entire life has changed. I have a little person who NEEDS me in order to survive. It is my job to teach her but the funny thing is she is teaching me too!
This is what I have learned the first week...

1. Breastfeeding HURTS! But it is worth it... as soon as I had to give her a bottle, it made me sad.

2. No matter how many times I change her diaper, she likes to poop in a fresh one.

3. Babies are so soft -- they are covered in peach fuzz! its sooo cute.

4. Dogs have feelings too! Sophee needs tons of love anyway... but now since Gracee is here she has decided to stop eating and start throwing up as much as possible until she has to be taken to the vet. (Dont worry to much $200 later we found out she just doesn't really like Gracee taking all of her moms attention! -- she is on two different pills to help her attitude! )

5. My boobs hurt. When Gracee eats from a bottle she is more likely to spit up! She eats so darn fast sometimes she even snorts!

Week # 2
1. When cutting baby's finger nails... it is more scary for you then them! I cut her poor little finger and was instantly heart broken. She SCREAMED I wanted to cry too!
2. I find myself spending hours just staring at my baby Gracee!

3. Your boobs will regulate milk... at first they are hard as rocks then you pump and feed the baby. Its all good! And you get used to the pain!

4. Every baby is different. We have been blessed with a sleepy baby so everyday life is basically the same this week. Other then an almost 3 year old boy who is trying to get away with whatever he can. He needs almost as much "EXTRA" attention as Sophee! :)

5. I really want my cuddle monkey in bed with us at night but Jessy says "Baby have cribs for a reason. Dont let them sleep in your bed! If you start now they will never leave." He is very wise!

Lessons

Once Gracee was born I decided to keep track of all the new things she has learned to do each week and then eventually each month. I just started this blog and she is now 7 months old, so the next few posts will be the past 7 months lessons. Read and enjoy all the new things miss Gracee has taught our family.

Gracee's Story

I never thought it would feel like this… you hear everyone else's stories about having babies and what they did or didn't do. How perfect their baby was or wasn't. But until you give birth and experienced the miracle of life you have no idea. I love this little person more then I love myself. She is now my everything… and it happened in a split second.

When that doctor put my 8lb 10.6oz baby girl on my chest, after 15 hours of some hard ass labor, I didn't hurt anymore. I had an overwhelming feeling a pure love. I have a baby. That is all I could say… "I have a baby!" In total amazement of the entire experience I have done something that I'm more proud of then any other accomplishments in my life. At 26 years old I now know what life is really about!

I am a mommy. I have been taught by the best and have a great support system. My husband is fabulous. My family and friends are so loving and giving, I know that this will be something I continue to learn and grow from.

We got to the hospital at 8pm Thursday night; I can't even explain the anticipation for meeting this new little baby. Jessy was excited but nervous and I was scared! The nurse came in around 10pm and put cervadil on my cervix. She told me that I couldn't go to the bathroom or eat anything for the next two hours. Then after that I couldn't eat after 12:30am! I love to eat so you better believe that I ate a sandwich, some pretzels and chocolate pudding as soon as the clock hit 12!

Then we had to wait 'til 6am to see if there was a change. Neither one of us slept well. Jessy had to sleep on the fold out couch (it was full size so not too bad) but he snored so I didn't really get much sleep. The nurses gave me a sleeping pill and Jessy said that I passed out like a rock but I don't remember anything like that! J

The next morning my nurse came in and checked me she said I was dilated to a 2 and she hooked me up to Patocin through an IV. At 9:25am Dr. Magee came in and broke my water, by noon I was dilated to a 4.5 and they asked if I wanted an epidural… My mom had just left to go to Target and Jessy just got in the shower so I didn't know what to do. I had been having contractions and starting to feel a lot of pressure so I decided to ahead with the shot! Jessy agreed the less pain the better so a little after 12pm I got the epidural. By 4:30pm I was fully effaced (the baby was making progress and moving down) but I was only dilated to a 6. Slowly but surely I dilated to a 10 and was able to start pushing. That was at 8:05pm. Gracee arrived at 10:43pm. It was a hard labor but well worth the wait! My mom and my mother in law were in the room when Gracee was born.

Everyone came into the room to meet her and were all gone by 1am. Jessy and I just looked at her and talked about the entire giving birth process (He watched!) She is such a wonderful baby! Took to breast feeding like a champ and sleeps so well! Her first night was awesome, I stayed awake just to look at her. I was pooped -- could hardly hold her but just couldn't stop staring into those beautiful blue eyes.

We got to come home Sunday and boy were we ready to sleep in our own beds!?! Gracee slept the entire way home and we had to stop at McDonalds to get a few cheeseburgers cause we were starving! My mom, dad, aunt Willa, uncle Al, Jeremy and Jayden were all here to greet us on bringing home miss Gracee!

Thank you all for your prayers, advice, gifts, and love. We need every bit we can get! We have been blessed in so many ways. I have changed so much and want to hug every women that has pushed a child from her womb and given birth. Mother's Day is coming up so please do something wonderful for your mom!