June 30, 2006

This was our Gracie Girl one year ago. I remember everything about that day. I know what I was wearing, what the ultrasound room looked and smelled like, the look on Bob and my parents faces when we found out it was a girl, and even what I ate for lunch that day. It was one of the best days of my life when I found out that our baby was going to be a girl. Prior to having Grace, I had always dreamed of having a girl and I know this is because of my own Mom and the very close and special relationship that we share. If I am half the mother to Grace that my Mom is to me then I will certainly have fulfilled all of my life goals and dreams. Grace has brought indescribable joy and happiness to Bob & my life and we are beyond thankful to have our beautiful Gracie girl.

A Whole New View

Grace is pulling to stand on anything and everything she can find, including books, blocks, stuffed toys, furniture, and she has even tried to stand by using Emma & Lil' Bit......and just this week Grace has stood several times all by herself with hands free for up to three seconds!

Water Baby

Grace loved swimming with Mommy & Daddy in a pool for the very first time while vacationing in New Hampshire. Grace starts swimming lessons with Mommy at the YMCA this week. We can't wait!

Vacation Time in New Hampshire

Gracie Girl gives Memere a hand pushing her stroller down the Main Street at Clark's Trading Post while cousin Rose helps out via the Electricity rule. Cousin Rose was a great friend, playmate, and helper to Grace in New Hampshire. Grace enjoyed all of the special girl time with Rose on vacation! The girls take a few minutes from playing time to read Banyard Banter with Pepere.

"I'm Number One!"

"Today was the grand opening & ribbon cutting ceremony at a new branch of my Daddy's credit union. I was the VERY FIRST member to open a new account at the new branch!"

"Mommy & I were so proud as we watched Daddy partake in the ribbon cutting ceremony today. I am so lucky to have the best Daddy who is also the best CFO! I know my Daddy is a terrific CFO because he tells the best stories about the Treasury yield curve to put me right to sleep."

The First Day of Summer!

Grace & I celebrated the arrival of summer by spending most of this beautiful day at a local park under a very tall tree. Grace enjoyed crawling, standing, looking at books, people watching, and "talking" to the other babies and children visiting the park. Once we arrived home, Grace took full advantage of her first "lazy day" of summer by lounging on our hammock. An absolutely perfect day for both Grace & Mommy - the only thing missing was Daddy!

School's Out!

Hooray! School is out for the summer for Maddy & Memere. Here's to some well deserved rest & relaxation to you both (Grace hopes to inspire you with this picture)!

Quack

Once Grace turned six months old, I decided it was finally time to pack away her infant tub. Grace loves her baths in the "big tub" and laughs loudly each time she sees her duck towel appear after bathtime is over. The fun never ends!

"Happy Birthday Poppy & Uncle Adam!" "I couldn't believe it when Mommy first told me that my Poppy & Uncle Adam have the same birthday! I am sending you both LOTS and LOTS of hugs & kisses all the way from Maine to Vermont on your special day.

I love you both so much!"

Happy Flag Day

The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885 by BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, in Fredonia, Wisconsin. She arranged for her pupils to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. Grace painted a beautiful American flag to celebrate and honor this special day.

Lions & Tigers & Bears....Oh My!

We enjoyed our beautiful sunny Sunday at the Maine Wildlife Park. Grace saw so many animals that were VERY different from those seen at the farm that we visited last week. The wildlife park was full of animals found in the Maine wilderness including: black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, lynx, fisher cats, skunks, raccoons, turtles, fish, moose, deer, bald eagles, vultures, ducks, peacocks, wild turkeys, and geese. The picture above shows Grace watching an owl. Grace's excitement is obvious - a wide open mouth with her hands clenching the cage!

We took a break part way through our glorious day to lay out a blanket and eat all the while enjoying our beautiful surroundings. It was a perfect day. We can't wait to go back again.

Is it a Black Bear? No.

Is it a Brown Bear? No.

Is it a Polar Bear? No. It's a Gracie Bear!

You Talkin' to Me?

Grace did her best diva impression when she was fitted with a cool new pair of shades at a wonderful Grace celebration today at Celeste's house. Rebecca and I were so excited to introduce Grace to Celeste and Bob, Abigail and Julian; Lisa and Scotty; Magda and Kiki; and Sally. Rebecca had the great pleasure of working with Abigail, Kiki and Scotty at the Morrison School. It was such a pleasure to see them and their devoted, caring parents again. Sally was the Physical Therapist at Morrison and taught Rebecca the ropes. Celeste laid out a tasty, elegant spread of delectable foods in their beautiful sunroom. It was wonderful to see everyone again.

I Ripped It Up Right Good Mommy

Gracie girl had her six month wellness visit with her pediatrician yesterday. She now weighs 16 pounds, 1 ounce (60th percentile) and is a whopping 27 inches long (90th percentile)! Grace announced her arrival into the office by producing a very high pitched squeal, which got the attention of everyone there. Grace was delighted by all the smiles she received from her greeting. Grace's excitement escalated very quickly once we entered the examination room. All it took was placing Grace on the paper that lined the exam table to make Grace the happiest baby in the world! By the time the pediatrician entered the room to examine her, Grace literally had the paper so shredded and crumpled that I had to hold her throughout the entire exam. Grace loved the sound that the paper made when she moved on it and she squealed so loudly with excitement that the entire office heard her once again!

Pulling Up to Stand!

Learning Time

"My Mommy just gave me a puzzle." "Seriously Mommy, do you really expect me to do a puzzle?! But I'm only six months old."
"Hmmmmm."
"Look at what I can do! I've had at least eight hours of inside learning time with my Mommy (with occasional breaks to eat!) for the past five days because of all the rainy weather we've been having -- all that learning time has definitely paid off."

Elllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Grace's favorite thing in the entire world is her flat pink Ella the Elephant seen here. Grace ALWAYS falls asleep with Ella tucked snugly under one arm. We couldn't resist taking Grace's picture tonight after she fell asleep in her crib with her dearest friend. Despite two very bright nightime mode camera flashes, Grace remained sound asleep as we took this picture!

The Half Birthday Celebration Continued.......

We extended Grace's half-birthday celebration into an entire weekend of fun! We spent today in Portland at the annual Old Port Festival. Despite the winter-like temperatures, we had another amazing day. I tried to keep Grace warm but she obviously didn't seem to mind the cold wind! Grace loved every moment we spent at the Festival including the people, jugglers, food vendors, dogs, musicians, and dancers.

Because Grace is a "Big Girl" now, she rode in an umbrella stroller for the very first time and loved it! One of our local radio stations was handing out balloons so we got one for Grace and tied it to her stroller. Grace spent most of her time at the Festival with her hands up in the air trying to grab a hold of her priceless blue balloon. Bob and I couldn't stop smiling as we watched our determined little girl continue to grab that balloon over & over & over again as it kept blowing away due to the ocean breeze! A Big Sloppy Puppy Kiss!

A woman with her ten week old puppy named Bella approached us because she saw Grace curiously watching Bella. Grace got a huge thrill from being able to pet Bella. Grace even received a large wet kiss on her hand from this special pup. The woman was surprised that Grace was only six months old and commented on how alert she is! Grace certainly does not miss a trick! This was Grace's first dog experience......could there be a dog added to our family in the near future?!?

Six Months Old!

Our beautiful girl celebrated her half year birthday today. Grace brings true joy and happiness to our lives. Bob & I are on cloud nine (and then some!) each and every day because of our dear Grace.
We love you more than anything our sweet Gracie girl. Thank you for making the past six months the best ever for us.

This past month was a BIG one for Grace. Here are just a few changes that occurred:

• First teeth
• Sitting independently
• Able to get from her tummy to a sitting position all by herself
• Pulls up to stand from a sitting position independently
• Beginning to crawl
• True babbling!
• Drinking from a cup
• Drinking from a straw
• Trying to self-feed using a spoon (all the time!)
• Lots & lots of laughing
• Emerging pincer grasp
• Prefers to sleep on side and tummy
• Transfers toy from one hand to another
• Favorite things: Ella the Elephant, sound play, bubbles, music, having her hands wiped, eating, drinking from a cup, going outside, picking flowers, our three cats, movement games, animals, meeting new people, sign language, and books, books, and more books!!
• Grace loves learning new things - you can see the joy in her eyes when she learns and masters a new skill. She is the hardest worker we know!

A Big Birthday Party for Half a Birthday!

"Excuse me Daddy, I'm a Big Girl now and I would like to stand for this part of the tour please!"Grace was perfect throughout the two hour trip thorough Pineland Farms on her half birthday. She loved every part of the farm tour - the farmer/trolley driver Ken, the tour guide Scott (from Vermont), the baby calves, the big cows and the horses. Grace was such a Big Girl on her half birthday. She finally got to see the animals in all of her farm books come to life. Hooray!

This is Grace with a baby calf sharing their milestone celebrations with each other. The calf was shocked that Grace was doing so many Big Girl things. Grace was so impressed that the calf could eat 2 bails of hay each day. We're going to have to keep a close eye on Grace when she's sitting on the lawn!

This was a special moment for Grace as the foal hurried over to see Grace and was intent on nuzzling her. The foal had not come over to see anyone else in the group but was very interested in communicating with Grace. Although no words were spoken, Grace and the foal shared a very special baby moment through their touch and eye contact.

Guess Who Dressed Grace?!!?!?!!!!!

While Mommy gave Grace her nighttime bath last evening, Daddy went upstairs to get Grace her pajamas. Daddy thought it would help Grace to learn colors if she wore as many as possibe all at once! When Mommy saw the finished product she smiled and thought Daddy was being very silly! The individual pajamas pieces were given by Maddy, Uncle Adam, & cousin Heather. Grace certainly lit up the room this morning when she woke up on her big six month birthday!