Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Month 13

Its funny all the new things that have happened in a month. I planned on doing the first year's lessons and then doing something different but I really think that keeping note off all the new stuff she learns each month will make a really neat keepsake when she is a mommy. Gracee's new lessons:

1. NO BABA... yeah right! I planned on bottle breaking miss thing on her one year birthday, not working out... I'm a softy and when its time for the little princess to go 'night-night' she needs that stinkin thing... it would be different if she wasn't so picky about the food that goes in her mouth.

2. Gracee drinks from a big girl cup... she used to drink out of a sippy cup but she would rather have a straw from a big cup. Just water... not into juice or milk from a cup yet.

3. Gracee is still in size 4 Huggies... my big ol' lady is still wearing snug and dry size 4. We buy the big box from Sam's!

4. Teething when will it end? Gracee now has 12 teeth... she got her top molars (barley poking through) 4-19-08 and had a temp for almost two weeks, she didn't whine too much but the last two weeks she hasn't slept through the night and needs to be rocked to sleep... I think that they are just about done coming through and we can get back on a normal schedule.

5. Bootail loves to get into drawers... she likes getting all the pens out of daddy's desk and she really likes to get the paperclips and rubber bands out of mommy's desk. She just wants to help work!

6. Gracee likes to push buttons... she is the perfect height to push the buttons on the T.V. and she really enjoys herself... makes the volume go up then down and changes the channels.

7. Bootail likes to climb... up the steps, climb the couch, on top of her picnic table, she even climbs her brothers step stool and gets stuck (she doesn't know how to get down yet!)

8. Gracee is eating more table foods... she has tried and liked hot dogs, American cheese, toast, waffles with butter, bacon, chicken nuggets, eggs, pringles and crackers.

9. Gracee can walk... she took her first steps 4-22-08 (a year to the day we brought her home from the hospital) she was stiff legged for a while but now she learned that she could lean forward just a little and it makes her go fast!

10. Gracee isn't too sure about grass... Its so cute she will walk on the side walk just fine but as soon as you put her in the yard -- she is stuck! Well that was until today... now she can walk in grass (with shoes) but very very slowly!

Its great being a mommy of two perfect little people. I am so blessed to be with them 24/7 and see all the new stuff they are learning. My kids are good listeners and follow the directions (for the most part) & they are both so smart. Thanks for reading all of Gracee's new lessons.

Monday, May 19, 2008

13 Month snapshots


visit our other blog to see more snapshots we have done www.krumeesnapshots.blogspot.com

Friday, April 18, 2008

Month 12

So much changes the first year of life... going from a tiny squashy baby to doing and learning new things everyday... breast milk to formula to cow's milk... keeping your head up, sitting up then walking... pureed baby food to finger foods then table food. What a journey it has been and how much we have all learned. This is my first baby and I am so proud of how well I have documented her growth - as well as mine. Life completely changes when you become a mom... I am so proud of the mother I have become and the choices I have made.

Jared has been mine since he was 18 months old. He has taught me so much too, if you think being a mom is hard... try being a step-mom! Life never gives you too much, and I am thankful for all the bad times just as I am of all the good times. I couldn't be more pleased with my son, he is so smart and understanding... I sometimes forget he will only be turning four, I expect so much out of him because of the things he says and does. He is a very good little boy and adjusts well with his situation. God gave him two sisters within months of each other and he went from only child (on both sides of his family) to big brother. I have the best kids!


Here are Gracee's 12 month lessons:

1. Gracee stands up in the middle of the room... doesn't have to hold on to anything, she goes for sitting up, to the squatting position, then all the way up standing like a big lady!

2. Gracee has her one year molars 3-27-08... she was eating lunch one day and I noticed she had something in the back of her mouth, I tried to get it out, thinking it may be paper and realized... those are teeth! I was so excited... she didn't really cry or anything, her nose was runny but I just assumed it was a head cold!

3. Gracee loves her 'baba'... we have been working on using a sippy cup during the day and only having a bottle at nap time and before bed, but I don't know that we will make that one year goal of no bottle after the birthday! Its alright, once she starts eating more solid food she wont want that bottle!

4. Gracee loves blocks... she has always played by herself very well, but when she gets the blocks out she can play forever! She still loves to play with all of her brother toys but sometimes he would rather her play with her "baby toys"

5. Gracee gives kisses... we have been working on blowing kisses for a while now... she waves bye-bye and smiles really big... sometimes she will say bye-bye and other times she will blow a kiss (if she don't decide to chew on her hand when it gets to her mouth)

6. Gracee doesn't do bows anymore... she doesn't really like anything on her head, hats, bows, ponytails... hehehehe she just likes her long locks to blow in the wind!

7. Gracee took 10 steps... I was soooo excited! Jessy had just stepped out so he missed it but how cool? I was there to see my baby girl walk across the room for the first time! 4-10-08 I love being a mommy!

8. Gracee goes to bed at 9:30 and is up by 5am! Its funny to think that she was such a sleepy baby when she was tiny and now she is up at 5am... she don't stay up long (cause mommy is still tired) I change her wet diaper and give her a 6oz bottle and she goes back to bed til 8ish. when bubba wakes up.

9. Gracee plays so well by herself. I love that she doesn't need me to be by her side all the time. When she gets sleepy she does get clingy and if I were to leave the room to get her bottle she may start to scream, but it is fake, and not all the time.

10. Gracee is a daddy's girl! She loves Jessy... she can be playing having a great time... and then Jessy walks in the room and whatever she has in her hands she drops it and 'turbo' crawls to her daddy... he swoops her up and they both laugh and are so happy!

11. Gracee loves to pick up her toys... it is so cute, her favorite thing to do while her brother is building with the blocks -- is take them and put them back in the container! She puts the cars and other toys in the toy box! It is soooo cute! When she eats in her high chair and she is done but still has food on her tray, she puts it in the cup older, to let me know she is done! She loves to be clean and organized!

All of her firsts are now her all the times... She is the best thing I have ever done! It's hard to believe that she is already one year old. Congrats to all of her accomplishments and remember to always take note but don't compare to other babies... everyone is different and everyone is special! My kids are at different ages and stages in their lives but have such a great bond. We are truly blessed. Thank you for reading and learning with us.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Baby steps...

This is written by Memaw Donna:

First let me say that until you are a grandparent you won't really 'get' this...I remember when my best friend Debbie became a gramma and she'd tell me stories about Taylor. I'd listen and smile and think "wow that's nice Deb." Then it was gone....now that I'm a gramma I totally 'get it'. So, here's my story!

It's not unusual for my daughter, Kadee, to call me in the evening. We actually talk several times a day. For the past year and 9 months our conversation is often about a certain little princess. Prior to Gracee's birth, Kadee would call me when she felt nauseous, movement, emotional, had cravings, had a question or concern, or just needed to talk to her mom.

It's so hard to believe that a year has passed since Gracee was born. The time has gone by so quickly. Kadee has proven to be an outstanding mother. As much as I'd like to take credit for that I really don't feel that I can. (well maybe a little..) She is much more mature then I was at that age. Much more grounded and sure of herself. She has the ability to stop and think before freaking out over a high fever, snotty nose or a tumble off the bed. I'm sure she still freaks out on the inside but she never lets Gracee or Jared see that. She is always 'the mom'.

I love watching Kadee be a mom. Love just pours off of her. I've never known a happier mom and I've never known a happier baby. I'm not saying that because it's my daughter and granddaughter...other people see it and say the same thing. You don't have to be around them very long to see the bond that they share and I'm so lucky to be able to witness it on an almost daily basis.

It has made my bond with Kadee even stronger. I think that Gracee and I also have a very strong connection. I have to say that Gracee lights up when her gramma walks in the room. (I've been told that I light up too!) (Kadee will tell you that she lights up when anyone walks in the room but I like to think that it's all me!)

Kadee is also a wonderful step mom. Jared is one of the smartest 3 year olds I've ever known. He doesn't miss a thing. You have to be very careful what you do and say around him, because he will share it with the world. (just trust me on that!) If you didn't know it ...you'd think that Kadee was his bio mom. Again there is a love that is so apparent to anyone who is around. It's hilarious to see Gracee and Jared interact. They are best friends. Gracee LOVES her big brother and Jared takes care of his little sissy with such pride. They have their own little language that only they understand.

I could go on and on about my wonderful daughter and her wonderful kids...but the reason I started this blog is to share a story.

My phone rang last night and it was Kadee. She had already called me twice to share 'cute' things that Gracee was doing. (And this was after I had stopped by to visit!!)

When I answered the phone this time I heard that Kadee was sobbing... I immediately felt panic shoot through my entire body...Then I heard the smile in her voice. In spite of her tears...she said, "Mom, Gracee.......mom.... Gracee just took 10 steps all by herself!!! She walked across the living room, she's growing up way too fast!"

I had to laugh out loud.... then my proud gramma instincts kicked in and I had to call Gracee's great gramma and tell her...then tell Jay and Kenny....If it hadn't been so late I may have called everyone I know! It was a wonderful feeling. I love to brag about my grandkids! I adore hearing the pride in her voice when Kadee talks about her kids. I can hardly wait to meet the next one....(no she's not pregnant!)

It's amazing to me how one little life can be such a joy and bring so much happiness to so many people. It is with great anticipation I look forward to the next year of her life. What are now baby steps will soon be "big girl" steps..Cuz our little girl is growing up...way too fast!

Gracee is turning ONE!!!

We sent over 70 invitations to family and friends for Gracee's ONE year birthday party. I know that the Florida people wont be able to make it but we didn't want anyone to feel left out. Here is what they look like:




Thursday, March 20, 2008

Month 11

I fall more and more and more in love with this little girl everyday, God has blessed us in so many ways I just can't imagine what he has planned for me next! Gracee Mae is 11 months old and I can not believe how quickly it happened... I can honestly close my eyes and remember the first time we met. She is such a wonderful addition to our family, Grace has the best personality and couldn't help make our family more complete. This months lessons:

1. Gracee got her ears pierced... she did so good, 2-23 Miss Gracee (all smiles) got some bling bling. Memaw Donna held her down while the two ladies with ear piercing guns got on either side of her... she had no idea... laughing a giggling then they did it. She whaled for a minute and then wanted her mommy.

2. Gracee has a hard head... Jared and Gracee were playing and there were three steps near by... she climbed them and then all I hear is screaming and my heart dropped I peaked around the corner and Miss Gracee was bright red and at the bottom of the steps, Jared looked at me with a very shocked look and said "I was watching her, she didn't fall down the stairs... hers rolled!"

3. Gracee was on fire...2-27 Gracee ran a temp of 103.5 under her arm (add a degree and that is 104.5!!!) We were panicking... I called the local doctors office and they said to give her motrin and tylenol altering every 6 hours (motrin lowered her temp with in an hour) then come in the following day at 12... found out she had a inner infection in her right ear... she took augmenting one time and was 90% better with in hours!

4. Gracee is still in size 4 diapers but we now like snug a dry... no more natural fit. She was peeing through her Huggies Natural Fit diapers by 4 in the morning each day. We decided to change the style of diaper and still stay with Huggies. Worked! Since she is more active and all over the place these diapers work great!

5. Gracee wears size 12 months clothes now... went through her onsies and had to put the 6-9 month stuff away. She is just too long. Its funny cause I cant find any 9-12 month it just goes 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, then 12month and then 18!!! So we went to the big girl clothes. She doesn't look like a baby as much now with her two piece pj's and little dresses! I love it, I really do.

6. Seeing RED... Gracee got PINK EYE 3-13-08. It is no fun to be sick all the time, but the doctor said that "its that time of year" Gracee does well with the eye drops and doesn't mind getting her eyes wiped all the time, she is still laughing and smiling with those sad little hurt eyes, I think it is worse on us then her!

7. Gracee said BYE-BYE for the first time 3-15-08. It was so cute... she has been waving bye-bye forever, but when she waved and said it. We were so proud!

8. We lowered miss Bootail's bed...the rail was getting close to her chest so it seemed like if she wanted she could jump right out of the crib. We lowered her mattress to the lowest setting. I LOVE IT! I feel like she is safe again. No more worries about falling out of the bed!

9. Gracee is a big lady... she falls asleep (after her bath) around 9pm. I put her to bed with an 8 oz bottle and she is out until about 3am... when she wakes with an extremely wet diaper and an empty tummy. Change her then another 6oz bottle and the rocking chair until Bootail is back to sleep then she is out (in her bed) until 7:30ish. She was getting into our bed at 3am but mommy doesn't want a 4 year old Gracee wanting to sleep with her so we have been doing the rocking thing again and back to her own bed!

10. Gracee loves to talk on the phone... no matter what it is she puts it up to her ear and jabbers! TOO FUNNY! The camera, remote, her cell phone, the real phone... really is cute!

11. Bootail gives kisses... if you say "give me a kiss" she opens her mouth and leans toward your face. Its a wet one! Grace is so smart! :)

Gracee is growing up to be such a doll baby. I just love all the new stuff she does... she started this O face... she says "OOOOOO" like it is something serious. It is usually when I say "UH-OH" she is funny! She likes to crawl after her brother (really fast) and take his cars... hehehehehe

Until next time (ONE YEAR LESSONS COMING SOON)

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Month 10

It’s so fun watching your child grow. They are born so tiny and fragile then in less then 10 months they are fearless… ready to get into anything, put everything into their mouth, and make as much noise as possible. Gracee is 10 months old and these are the lessons:

1.Miss Gracee started army crawling 2-1-08 then in less then a week was on all fours as slow as a turtle… now she is fast! I logged on the computer and then turned around and she was gone, it was quite and honestly my heart sank. I didn’t see her anywhere… in less then a minute she crawled from the living room, through the hallway and made it into the kitchen by the back door. She has really gotten quick in the past few weeks!!!

2.Gracee loves to chew on shoes… I really hate it but she seems to find the shoes no matter if they are put up or just laying by the door. Shoestrings are her favorite.

3.Gracee laughs all the time. She just giggles at her Memaw Donna. Daddy has the power too! When either one of them walk into the room, and don’t immediately pick her up, she starts to whale! It’s fake of course and they both give in and pick her up then she starts to laugh!!!

4.Baby Bootial waves bye-bye! It is so sweet… she smiles really big and waves you cant help but close the door and then open in again and say peek-a-boo, then bye-bye one more time!

5.Gracee goes to bed around 10 pm, she takes a bath in the tubby with her bubba at about 8 then drinks a 6oz bottle and plays ‘til she is flopping around and rubbing her face on you. Then it’s off to bed, she still likes to lay in our bed and drink another 4 oz bottle. She holds the bottle with her right hand and uses her left hand to grab across her face and ‘soph’ on the pillow on her right side. I put her in her bed around 11pm then she wakes up at 4ish with a full diaper… 4.5 oz bottle then back to sleep until 7am.

6.Gracee has her own language. Its sorta like this “gaga lagle daboo diddle ga mabma dadada”

7.Gracee loves the old cartoons. She will just sit in front of the TV and stare at it. She likes Tom and Jerry, Mickey Mouse, Flinstones, The Jetsons, etc.

8.Sissy (that is what we call her sometimes, that or Bootail) loves to play with her brother, she likes his monster trucks, Gracee can make them go! Bubba doesn’t always like it, ‘cause sometimes she takes his stuff, but for the most part they play well together!

9.Gracee still is eating Gerber #2’s, we try table foods but she really isn’t that interested, mash potatoes and mac-n-cheese just ended up on the floor, she did squash the green beans and figure out how to eat them right up but for the most part its just cheese curls, crackers, and gold fish (the snack)! She did eat a few french fries the other day with her bubba!

10.Gracee loves American Idol… she plays and crawls around while they are talking or during a commercial but just as soon as someone starts singing she stops what she is going and stares at the T.V. then starts to dance… it is the funniest thing. If it is a slow song she rocks real slow but if it is fast she bucks her entire body and makes her head bang all around (of course I have this on tape!!!)

11.Gracee likes to crawl, then pull herself up, look around and let go for up to 20 secs now… she started this on my birthday (2-13-08). She is such a big lady… hard to believe that in 2 months my little baby will be ONE!

I could go on and on… she is so fun and learning new stuff all the time! Gracee still only has 8 teeth and is starting to get more hair on the top of her head (right now she has a ton on the sides and in the back) We are so lucky to have such a sweet little girl. She is too smart for words to explain – such a little copycat! She is always watching and learning, as all kids are. 10 months flew by so quickly, once you become a mama life is too special, thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers… and reading about Gracee’s life lessons.