The life and times of Gracie and Me....

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. I've been a bit overwhelmed lately. All is well with our littlest lovee. In fact, each time I've been to the doctor recently, both physicians have commented that "that's one happy camper" in there. Speaking of appointments, I have to tell you this story. Gracie went with me to my appointment this past Tuesday. As I was about to step onto the scale (she's not too keen on getting weighed at the dr's office), she patted me on the back and said, "It'll be alright, Mama." Then, after the nurse had finished taking my blood pressure, and we were waiting for the doctor to arrive, Gracie looked up at me and said, "Mommy, you're a brave girl!" Well, I may be brave, but I'm also worn out after working all day. Perhaps that would explain why we still had pumpkins on our stoop and a fall wreath on our front door, at noon on Christmas Eve!

I hope all of you had a fabulous Christmas celebration. We went to our former church for their Christmas Eve service. God's presence and love was definitely experienced. Plus, it was wonderful to hug the necks of old friends. Gracie tried her best to sing 'Joy to the World' and all the other songs sung that night. We loved seeing her 'enter in' to the service. They ended with a 5 year old, little boy singing, 'Happy Birthday Jesus.' It was absolutely precious!

Christmas morning was so much fun. Gracie is old enough now to open her own gifts. She was a little worried when she tore into the first package. She thought she had 'broken' the wrapping paper. She took more than an hour to open her gifts because she stopped to play after she opened each one. Overall, we think her favorite gift was a fake, plastic slinky. :) It doesn't take much to please our girl!

As most of you know, I'm a kindergarten teacher. Which means, I'm on Christmas Break this week! So far, I can't figure out how I ever get out the door by 8 AM each day, as Gracie and I have both been in our pj's until at least 11:00 each day! I really didn't feel well yesterday morning. So, by the time I was ready to run errands at the bright and early hour of 3:45 in the afternoon, my girl was needing some Monday afternoon loving. We tickled and kissed each other over and over again for about 45 minutes. It was a tremendous treat that neither of us get at that hour on a weekday.

Today, has been quite nice. I'm conquering loads of laundry and taking lots of kiss/hug breaks throughout the day. I put Gracie down for a nap around 1:00. I kept hearing her talking and singing, but then she got kind of quiet. I crept upstairs to prepare a bubble bath for myself. (I love bubble baths!) Just then, she started jumping up and down in her crib and broke into a rousing chorus of "Shoo Fly don't Bother Me!" I started to laugh! She remained in her room for the duration of her nap time, although she never napped. When I felt she had 'rested' long enough, I went into her room and found a funny sight. She had leaned outside of her crib, grabbed several stuffed animals out of a basket and wiggled them between the slats of her crib. She had also grabbed a little puppy dog backpack, somehow put it on her back the correct way, and buckled the thing. Wide-eyed, hair going everywhere, she was a sight to behold. I had to take a picture. The child cracks me up sometimes!

I love being mommy to this vivacious two year old! I can't wait to see what God has in store for us with this next little embie baby! BTW, I think I felt the baby move last night. Hmmmm....more on that later! Happy New Year everyone!

The Latest

On Monday, I had my 12 week ultrasound (even though I was actually 13 weeks this past Saturday). Once again, everything looked great! Our littlest lovie is measuring a few days ahead of schedule this time and had a strong, healthy heartrate. Apparently, the baby's spleen and bladder looked good too. My dr. did an additional, "freebie" peek and was describing these beautiful organs to me. I honestly had no idea what I was looking at! Our Creator is so amazing!!! We are fearfully and wonderfully made.... Ps. 139.
We showed Gracie the picture of the baby, Monday afternoon. She was so funny. She said, "I have a baby in my tummy too." We tried to correct that misconception, but she hung fast to it. She also grabbed the neck of my sweater, poked her head in my shirt because she wanted to see the baby! She's my silly girl. :)
As of yesterday, I have been shot free for two weeks. Awwww! Such a blessing! But I wasn't assured that I could stay off my medications until Monday. That was the 'cherry on top' of my good news day. Why did it take two weeks to make this determination? Let me just say, "Oh the drama of bloodwork being delivered STAT." Apparently, my results have a tendency to get lost in cyberspace!
I felt pretty good yesterday. I actually ate Italian food last night, with little consequence. The very thought of garlic has made me want to pass out for the past several weeks, and I love garlic! So- I'm hoping that I have turned a corner as I enter the 2nd Trimester!