How They Play

She loooves to play with Little People (or, really, chew on them) while he works on his latest project. When she learns to crawl, this will look a lot different! And, yes, her bald spot is really that big. She's not on her back very much as she prefers her tummy, but when she rolls or scoots, she pushes with her head. Hence the huge bald spot.

Our Girl

Grace got her first cold at the end of last week.

Even for something as minor as a cold, it's hard to see your own kiddo feel miserable. I really feel for parents who have to deal with more chronic issues. Grace is fine now. After being adjusted and soaking in lots of TLC, she's still in a serious mood but is getting back to normal. I guess it gave us a chance to fire up the humidifier (which is shaped like a frog, by the way.)

Here's our sleeping beauty.

This is the Life

He looks cozy, doesn't he?

Ever since I told him the story of the Three Bears at bedtime from memory, he's been fascinated by the actual book. It's the $.49 Little Golden Book from my childhood. That book has been a part of many happy hours with a child in a parent's lap!

Link to a Coupon

I should have posted this before! But, better late than never. Here's a link to 30% off your entire clothing/shoe purchase, in-store only, at Babies R Us through Oct. 4. I went last night, and between the sales and clearance racks, I found some wonderful deals for babies on the way! The coupons is good for clothing up to size 48 mos. Print and enjoy!

http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/corp/092309_BRU_Apparel_em.pdf

And Now, Presenting...

the Incline Railway Train Stadium.

Great Playdate

Jen and the girls came over yesterday and we were able to catch up on some chatting and playing. As they say, a good time was had by all!

He won't be doing this again, as blowing bubbles into a camera doesn't do great things for the camera. But, isn't it a cool shot?

Somersaulting the chair. The kids all thought this was a great pastime.

Delia, Ella, and Jonathan

Trike and bike

Grace was a good sport and hung out with us. She's getting over of her fear of anyone who is not me, and was very content to sit in Jen's lap. Jen and I were able to catch up on things after a very busy summer for all of us.

Bubbles and sidewalk chalk

Tee ball

Presenting...

The Police Street Sweeper Trainer

The guy in the middle is the instructor and helps the other guys when they don't know how to turn the wheel. The doors open to show the emergency exits.

I could probably turn this into a Lego creation blog and feature a newly invented vehicle each day...but I'll refrain!

Admiring Herself in the Mirror

I Had to Post This Link...

because it went so well with yesterday's bubble post. Click here to see. I really like Mercer Mayer.

Why the Vacuuming Had to Wait:

Because blowing bubbles was more important.

According to Jonathan

Some good ones from the past few days:

"The great thing about playing football is that you get to fall down on each other."

"As we grow, dying isn't as far off, huh?"

About a Lego vehicle with a scoop on its side:

"The scoop carries left out and damaged cars, like from a hurricane or something, and it carries them off and recycles them and makes the metal into something else."

First and Last

Grace's first ride in her umbrella stroller and Jonathan's last drive in his Cozy Coupe. He's passing it on to a little buddy who is almost two years old. We're still grateful to our former neighbor, Pam, who found it for him at a yard sale. He's outgrown it and and wanted another friend to love it next.

For Daddy

Licking the Spoon

Brother and Sister

Perks of the Season

This is a busy time of year for Jeff's job, and it has been especially intense lately. I'm ready for the intensity to be over. At the same time, we are super thankful that he has a job, that he can provide for our family, that he is in town the majority of time, etc. I don't want to sound ungrateful for a blessing like a job! But, we are ready for this season to be finished.

Anyway, Jeff has been working with some international guests including some from Japan and Hong Kong. In their culture, they always bring a gift to the host. (I think this is a really great custom. Maybe we'll start doing it in our family. The trick will be remembering to bring the gift!)

Check out these great gifts they brought to Jeff!

Something tells me I'll be the one who gets to use those cute shirts. I think Jeff and I will both enjoy the contents of the box...truffles from Hong Kong. Yum. I already tested them. They passed the test!

Here are the 6-Month Pics

Here she is! This dress-the one she tried to wear to church Sunday-is special because it was mine when I was little. Nobody remembers why this one was saved or who it was from, but I spent some time repairing it and making bloomers for it so that Grace could wear it. I just finished in time for her to put it on. I could barely button it around her neck! I also had to let the hem out of the dress Sunday morning because it was so short. Oops!

She can't sit up on her own quite yet.

And I couldn't resist this pic of her after I changed her out of my dress.

And here's Jonathan at six months.

Sweet Dreams

Naptime

Nighttime

(These were Jonathan's pajamas. I love seeing them again.)

The Last Week or So

Snuggling Huskers. John and Cheryl brought these outfits for the kids to make sure they're loyal to the right team, despite our location.

Not a great picture of Jonathan, but he's showing a drying head from a sunflower. My mom planted a few this year and they grew into monsters, around 11 ft. tall, creating thousands of seeds apiece. We're letting this one dry and then we'll pop the seeds out to enjoy them. My dear friend Anna sent me some sunflower seeds to plant when Grace was born. I have to confess, Anna, in my new-mommy delirium, I didn't get them planted. But we'll enjoy seeds anyway, and your note was right-things were better by the time the sunflowers bloomed!

Sitting pretty with Daddy before a major blowout. Perhaps she'll learn to do that somewhere besides the car seat...someday.

Jonathan (pretending to be a street sweeper) with Cheryl

John meeting Grace

Six Months!

Yes, she's six months old today! I plan on taking some special six-month pictures of her when she wakes up. I'm not sure I'll get them posted today, though, so I thought I'd let you know how she's doing.

According to my digital scale at home, she weighs 16 lbs., 15.5 oz. and is gaining well, although I still have to watch that carefully. (Did I mention that I found a wonderful digital scale on clearance at Target? I got an amazing deal! I hope I can share it with any local friends who need it, too-it works for toddlers as well.) I tried to measure her, and she's somewhere around 27 inches long. (Jonathan was 18 lbs., 10 oz. and 29 3/4" long at this age.) We gave her squash this week and she likes it. She's still sleeping well and usually happy. We're very thankful.

Her first year is flying by, just like I knew it would, but it's still hard to believe just how fast it's flying, sometimes. We're really enjoying Gracie.

The Eyes Have It

More Pics from the Visit

Mom, Grace, and me.

The grandpas with Grace.

First taste of squash, for breakfast this morning. She liked it. I'm counting on her liking everything like her brother did! My freezer is stocked with fruit and veggies that I've been pureeing and freezing in ice cube trays. We're ready to give some new foods to Grace. I'm not sure I'm ready for her to grow up so soon.

At the zoo. Grace and I went shopping while Jonathan went to the zoo with his grandparents. I think it was special for him to have their undivided attention, since the baby gets a lot of attention in any family. Ours is no exception!

Playing Old Maid and Go Fish on the last night of the visit. Thanks, John and Cheryl, for coming out to visit Grace and the rest of us, too!

Here They Are...

Pictures from our visit.

There are pictures of me in these posts since Jeff's parents were taking the pictures. Poor Gracie doesn't have a smile in any of them, but rest assured that she warmed up to her grandparents and showered them with smiles throughout their visit.

I think he's going to spend his childhood showing her his world.

Grandparents and grandkids.

Parents and kids. Before church. And before I discovered Grace's blowout upon our arrival at church. So, this is not actually what she wore at church Sunday. Also, Jeff was actually leaving for a business trip right after this. He's on his way home now.

The grandmas with Grace. She really did smile a lot, I promise.