Moments of Grace: 2011

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

NEW WEB ADDRESS

Due to technical error, I had to move my blog. The new web address for Moments of Grace is: mandiandgrace.blogspot.com

Hello, family and friends. In the midst of a couple of hectic weeks, Baby and Mama have made to sure to have lots of fun moments together. Here are a few pictures to show you what we have been up to lately.

We love the big bath now!

After many failed baths filled with tears and screams, Baby Grace has finally learned to love the big bath tub, as opposed to the Puj tub (in-sink style) that she refused to out grow... but her chubbiness had other plans :)

We stand now!
By standing, I mean that she now crawls forward (we were stuck in reverse for 6 weeks or so) to every tall object in sight, and pulls herself up into a standing position. This is her new favorite thing to do. Mine to watch.

We smile big in new PJ's!
The time before bed is usually one of the most fun with Baby Girl, that is...until the extreme fatigue hits her. She loves playing with her toys and cuddling. And I've been on the hunt for 2 piece pj's for her. She looks so old and toddler-ish in them. Slow down, Baby Girl!

We clap for joy in our new PJ's.

JoJo bought these new rainbow striped PJ's for the sweet little lady. After washing them and putting them on, the little one clapped with joy in excitement. Safe to say she likes them.

...and we get into things...
...including chocolate covered ice cream "Dibs" that Mama forgot were in little hands' reach. They were meant to go into the trash. Instead they got on her hands, face, dress, shirt, and I assume by the smile that some got into her little mouth, too.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Updated Picture

An updated picture of Baby Grace for you all to enjoy. She was diligently watching Grandma cook something on the stove.

Yeah, So...

Dear Friends and Family,

I am here to admit that I failed miserably at the whole "Daily" blogging thing. It all started when Grace got sick, then Mama got sick and among other things happening in our lives, the blog had to take a spot on the back burner. Over the past couple of months, I have taken many pictures, almost every day, and have lots to share. I've retitled the blog, and will be revamping it more over the next few days. I know that at this point in our busy lives, I will probably not be doing a daily thing (now watch me eat my words and be on here every day just to spite myself...). But I do know that when I have a moment to share a photo, story, or anything I think may brighten your day as it has mine, I will take the time to do so. My sincerest apologies to the Daily Photo Challenge members... you have all done a much better job than I have, and I wish you all luck as you finish out the year.

I hope you will all continue to enjoy the insight into Miss Grace's life, even if it isn't an every day thing, but rather more of a couple times a week thing. Since I stopped blogging about 2 months ago, she has grown considerably as I am sure you can imagine. I wish you could all see her in person on a regular basis, but since that isn't an option, I will continue to share her here with you. I know that she will bring smiles to your faces like she does to mine, no matter how many miles you are from us here in the Pacific Northwest.

Sending love to all our family and friends,

Mandi (and Grace).

Friday, March 11, 2011

70/365 (March 11) Stay still? Yeah right!

After waking up from a 2hr nap this afternoon (thanks in large part to the immunizations that caused her to be awake the majority of last night), Grace decided she wanted to spend about an hour rolling all around the living room. I have been saying I need to babyproof the house for a while now. I no longer have any time to procrastinate. She may not be crawling quite yet, but she is very mobile, and the crawling is not far behind. It took her about 90 seconds to roll from one side of the room to the other, and back. My little girl is growing too fast! I couldn't pick just one, two, or even seven pictures from today. So, have 10 :)

All smiles!

Pure joy.

"Do you really need to take so many pictures, Mama?"

There she goes again...

After she finishes a roll, I usually always say "Tada!" She waits for it, now :)

Simply adorable.

Having fun!

Rolling is a a full body workout for her. Legs, arms, everything.

Trying to escape from Mama and her camera.

When she was done rolling all over the room, she spotted Mr. 8 Legs on her carseat and sat there, playing with him for a good 15 minutes or so. Always her favorite!

69/365 (March 10) Pretty in Polka-Dots

Grace has been doing so good at sitting. She loves to sit up and play with toys, or just sit up and check out everyone and everything else that is going on around her. I'm confident enough with her sitting now, that I don't feel an immediate need to always be behind her to catch her if she tumbles (of course when she is on the carpeted floor, only...).

And just like in the pictures a few posts ago about her rolling, she has developed a great sense of self-pride when she sits on her own for a prolonged period of time, too.

"Look Ma...No hands!!"

Doesn't she look super adorable in her polka dots? This is an outfit she got from her Auntie Priscilla for Christmas. It is still a little big, but it looked so warm and comfortable yesterday that I thought she should wear it anyway.

68/365 (March 9) Mama and Baby!

Considering I am the one that is usually behind the camera, it is rare that I have a picture of Grace and I together. And even more rare that I have a picture of us together that I actually enjoy. My new goal is to work on getting pictures of us together more often. This was taken the other day and I love it. She looks a little zoned out, as we were on the way to her nursery to start her bedtime routine, but I approve.

This Mama loves her baby girl more than words can say!

And because this picture was so darn cute, I had to add it in. She loves her rainforest friends!

67/365 (March 8) Pride!!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Grace is quite the rolling machine lately. And all these rolling she has been doing lately has come with a new sense of self-pride. It makes me so happy and you can't resist not smiling yourself. No, really...she won't let you get away without smiling even if you really wanted to!

She always starts out on her back, then rolls over to her stomach. Immediately she perches up on her arms, gets a huge smile on her face, and then looks at everyone in the room to make sure you acknowledge her accomplishment and smile back at her. Then she moves on...

.... she rolls onto her back (the newest trick she has mastered!) and does the same thing; gets a great big smile and scans the room waiting for acknowledgement and smiles from all. She will do this for hours some days. I love how proud of herself she is becoming! And smiling back at her is a pleasure that I never could grow tired of.

66/365 (Mar 7) Pigtails and Hippos

My camera was out of commission for a few days, so I was only left with the option of getting a few pictures from my Blackberry...which is 2 1/2 years old and I need to start working on figuring out what I want to replace it with. Please excuse the very poor quality pictures that appear in the next couple of posts!

Grace has been quite the rolling machine lately. The Rambally's stopped by for a visit the other day and brought over some of the toys that their beautiful girls have outgrown. Some of those toys were little hand-held size stuffed animals. Grace almost instantly took a liking to the pink hippo. It is one of the only things that is just as enticing to her as my phone (which is truly amazing)! This was after she rolled her way over to it.

65/365 (March 6) Exersaucer

Grace has loved her Jumperoo at home since we got it for her as a Christmas present. She has recently started to enjoy the exersaucer that my mom has at her house, too. It is quite funny, though, because she tries to jump and bounce in it like she does at home... but it isn't designed to do that. She is determined to get it to do so one of these days, anyway :)

A little early morning exersaucer action. You can tell she isn't quite fully awake in these pictures.... she looks so cuddly!

Aww...there is the happy baby smiles!

And look at how much more curly her hair got over night!

64/365 (March 5) Curly-Q

My mom gave Baby Girl a bath the other day and let her hair dry on it's own, something this Mama admits to rarely doing. Considering it has been a while since I have done this myself, I hadn't realized just how curly her hair really is getting. Mom snapped a few pictures for me - to gently remind me of how cute her hair is on it's own, without bows or barettes or headbands.

Look at Mama's pretty girl!

Just call me "Curly-Q."

And for the record, Mom, I get it. I will start letting her hair do it's own thing on occasion. You were right...and I don't say that often!

63/365 (March 4) The Side Eye...

A certain little someone is starting to develop quite the little attitude. I wonder where she gets it from? Certainly not her mother, right?

Here she is giving me the side-eye as if to say, "Another picture, Mama? Really?"

Thursday, March 3, 2011

62/365 (Mar 3) Look Who Rocks 2 Bows Now!!

I was pleased to discover the other day that Grace has enough hair for two adorable pony-tails. And of course, where there is a pony-tail, a bow can't be too far behind :)

Even more pleasing than seeing my adorable baby with her two new bows, was seeing her with a great big smile!!

I had to compromise and trade my cell phone for her cooperation!

I love to play the game of "guess what the baby would be saying if she had a speech bubble attached to this photo." To me, this one looks like she is thinking/saying, "Are you talking to me!?"

61/365 (Mar 2) Catching up on Zzzzz's!!

It feels so good to sleep in your own bed!!

Grace fell asleep last night and hardly even stirred. She was out by 8 and didn't wake to eat until 3:45. Then she ate, and slept again until 7:30! The week spent in the hospital had really caught up to her I think.

An exhausted baby + a comfy crib = a great night of sleep for baby and Mama!

60/365 (Mar 1) Silly JoJo

After arriving home from the hospital, we were excited to discover that the tutu and matching poof headband I ordered for Grace's 6 month photo shoot had arrived. I put it on her, over her warm outfit she was wearing just to get an idea of how it fit. I can't wait for her photo shoot next week - you'll have to wait in suspense with me to see just how cute it is!

Eskimo kisses from JoJo:

Silly JoJo wanted to see how Grace would react if she tried it on herself. Since it is made to fit a 6 month old baby, this is the only way JoJo could "wear" it: