Girls

Grace examines the water puddle in which she finds her hand...

Decides it looks tasty and she drinks like a puppy...

And is SO proud of herself!

Maddie

I've had these pictures to post since last week, but have just now gotten around to it. This week has sort of been a blur of busyness that includes making it to meetings, a cold that knocked my socks off for the past 4 days, going to see Kathy Griffin and preparing for my brother to visit tonight :) Last night I went with Gabe's mom Sandy, his sister Janie and Alexa to see Kathy Griffin (My Life on the D List) do her stand up routine in Maryland. It was hilarious and if you know anything about her style/brand of comedy you know that it has major shock value. There were some off color jokes not to mention her use of her favorite bad word (begins with "f") but once I sort of tuned that out, I laughed out loud over and over. It was a really fun night out and well worth being a little bit tired today.

Other news; Grace has gotten 2 teeth. They have finally cut through her gums (the lower 2 front teeth) and she has been a champ in true Gracie style. Nothing really bothers her. She has the best attitude and I just have to tell you this story. Every morning I wake to the sound of Maddie yelling my name: "Mommy, Mommmmmyyyyyy, etc." I never hear Grace make a peep. As I enter each morning I find Grace sitting upright in her crib looking through her soft book, quiet as a lamb. She sees me come in (I often startle her) and she gets that smile that takes up half of her face. She is one of the best ways to start the day. Maddie, on the other hand, has lots of things to tell me as soon as she sees me. She tells me stories from the night before that include when she got sad when Daddy left and the babysitter came, to the fact that later she ate a lollipop and read books. Even though she has been a bit difficult for the past few days, the fact that she can somewhat hold a conversation is pretty fun.
Dan comes to visit tonight and will be with us until Monday when he goes on business across the bridge. So excited to have him here as he has never seen our home. Which reminds me that we moved into this house literally 3 years ago this week! Time flies and to think when we moved in it was just us and our dogs and we've grown to capacity at 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs and did I mention we got a fish (named Dorothy) this week? Happy Friday!

Puppies!

In case you don't do Facebook, I've put these pic's up for all to see. Lois had her puppies on Saturday and there are 9 of them (5 boys and 4 girls). 8 are doing great, but the one being fed from a bottle is having a hard time. He was eating well last night though, so maybe he will make it. Maddie doesn't believe they are dogs. She thinks they are rabbits, hamsters or mice! It's a pretty quiet day around here. Had a busy weekend and Gabe had a nice Father's Day. He spent time with his girls. What more could he ask for?

Nueve Meses

Grace had her 9 month check up this week. She's doing great residing in the 30th percentile very comfortably. She weighed 17lbs 10oz and measured 27" long. Happy healthy girl and really beginning to come into her own. There are so many things I could write about her to tell you all who she's becoming, but here are a few things that come to mind. Gracie is happy; not just happy here and there, but always happy. She teaches me a lot about attitude considering she always has a good one and the small things in life please her. She stands up and is starting to cruise around on the furniture; just like her big sis at this age. She's daring with her new found ability to climb up the stairs! The other night she was exhausted and I was ready to take her up to bed (yep, take her up not down because she's moved out of the basement and into her actual crib :) she decided to climb the stairs all the way to the top with me shadowing her. She got to the top, her eyelids were red from exhaustion and she was so proud. It was like she couldn't believe that she had just done something she's been planning for a while. I know this because when Maddie and I have to run upstairs real quick to get something, Grace stands at the bottom step and cries. She hates being left out.

Basically Grace is busy. A very busy baby who keeps us on our toes and whom we love to pieces. In 9 short (at times long) months, she's become the perfect missing piece to our little family. We feel complete and that feels pretty special.

Baxter

Baxter 1999-2009
We loved him so much and will miss him even more.

Maddie's Performance at school today :)

Madeline

Some shaky camera work (Gabe :) but notice that Maddie is the one facing the wrong way!



After the performance, parents were allowed to come forward to take pictures and when Maddie sees Gabe and I she cannot contain her excitement!

Dear Maddie

Today I watched you from my car as you played at the playground at school. You looked so independent; running from here to there, your curls bouncing in the wind. You climbed some wooden steps over and over so that you could slide down a big yellow slide with a huge grin on your face. It took my breath away and made me cry. I cried because of how much I love you. Because of you I have been forever changed. You are the first person to make me a mom and I'm so thankful for that. It was your last day of your first year of preschool today and my heart cannot take it. You are such a big girl but still my baby at the same time. I feel overwhelmed with how much you've grown in 9 months; how much you've learned. Right now you love to sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and you request that I clap when you've finished. You talk in the 3rd person all the time. You always ask me to "huzzle" you while holding your nigh-nigh. Your favorite book is "Everyone Poops" and you have amazing manners. I could not be more proud of you nor could I love you more. You are my little "bug" and my heart.
Love,
Mommy