First Day of "School"

Today was Grace's first day of Mother's Day Out at Grace Point Church. This is where Ben has gone since June 2007. I predicted she would be just fine being left there (which she was) and that she would have a rough time napping (which she did). I think the sweet ladies ended up wheeling her crib into their food prep/kitchen area so she could have some quiet and dark to nap and she did a little better. They said she ate great (both her bottle and solids) which confirms what we thought - it's not that she doesn't like bottles. She just VERY SPECIFICALLY does not like Brian to give her bottles. Little weirdo. She was happy to see me when I picked her up at 2, and she chatted with her brother all the way home. When we got home, she crashed until I woke her up to feed her at 4. Overall, I think the day was a success. She'll just be going one day a week for now (Ben goes Tuesdays and Thursdays). We'll switch her to two days either this summer or next fall depending on our work schedules and how she's doing. Anyway, another milestone! Congratulations on your first day of school, Gracie Belle!

Yippee Yi, Tewwy

While I was shopping for new boots with Mom, Ben told her that HE wanted some boots. This led to a trip to Shepler's to look for toddler cowboy boots. Ben sized up his boots in the store by choosing a stick horse and riding it ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, of course, Sweetie let him take the horse home, too (spoiled rotten!). Ben named her (yes, it is a female horse) Telly. He LOVES her. He rides the horse constantly (the boots are a constant prerequisite) and she sleeps on the floor next to his bed (her stable). Each time, before he takes off,he says, "Yippee Yi, Tewwy, wet's go, NEIGHHHHH!" Here's Ben and his newest best friend, Telly:

Ma-Ma

Ok, so it's not REALLY clear in this video, but I swear, she says it! I know it's not in context, but it is still exciting, because Ben said "Da da da da" first!

Six months? Seriously?

Here is the journal entry in Grace's baby book for her 6th month:

November came and went (very quickly), and my little personality is coming out more and more. I babble and blow raspberries and I tug and grab at anything and everything within reach. I smile easily and often, especially at Mommy and Daddy, and my face just LIGHTS UP when I see or hear my Bubba! We were able to spend lots of time with family this month. I enjoyed my first Ivanhoe and getting to meet all the new people! I was especially fond of Papa Otis!

For Thanksgiving, we had TWO celebrations. The first one was at the Ivans’ house with the Swartzs, and Grammy & Granddad. Uncle Brad, Aunt Jess, and Addison joined us LATE that night and we had a second Thanksgiving at home on Friday. We moved ahead with solids throughout the month, and as anyone who knows me could have predicted, I was not a big fan to start out with. However, by Thanksgiving, I was really getting the hang of it (maybe I was inspired by everyone else enjoying their food so much!). So far, I’ve had rice, wheat, and oat cereal (mixed with a bit of apple juice) as well as sweet potatoes, squash, pears and bananas. Mommy is trying her hand at making all my food and it’s going pretty well! I still nurse 5 times a day, every 3 to 4 hours; my bedtime is around 7 o’clock, with Mommy waking me before she goes to bed to feed me one last time. I had my 6 month appointment on November 20th. I weighed 13 pounds, 8 ounces and was 24 inches long. Mom thinks some of these measurements must be off, though, because the nurse said I was 24.5 inches long at my 4 month appointment…. either I'm the incredible shrinking baby, or somebody's notes are not quite right! The last thing I have to report is that I am SITTING UP!! It happened really fast. At the beginning of Thanksgiving week I couldn’t do it, and by week’s end, I was a pro! Somewhere in the middle of that, I also started getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth. Mommy keeps saying I need to slow down, but I know that freedom is just a crawl away and I can taste it!

Here is a video of Grace being Grace. I don't know what you would call this... growling? Yelling? She does it all the time, happy or sad. Ben was trying to get her to blow raspberries, but she wasn't really interested. If she ends up talking half as much as her brother, I'm going to be deaf by 35. I think I'm in trouble!

The Gored Snowman

I think it was the Christmas of 2005 (pre-Ben) that Brian and I were window shopping on Main Street in Boerne. We ran across these little snowmen made of out different painted gourds. I commented on how cute I thought they were, and my wonderful, attentive hubby had one tucked away under the tree on Christmas morning!





That year, as we packed up the decorations, I tossed Brian the snowman's box and asked him to label it. To his own amusement (he cracks himself up) he wrote "Gored Snowman" on the box, instead of Gourd Snowman. I probably giggled, but I know I recovered quickly enough to shake my head and roll my eyes.

Now, as I unpack the Christmas boxes each year, I am subjected to Brian's humor. I pull out that box, and I picture what might be tucked away inside: a snowman, stabbed through with a spear, or a tusk, or maybe a pool cue.... I don't know... what would be the weapon of choice for assaulting a snowman? Then I giggle... and shake my head... and roll my eyes.






This year, as I was putting it out, I showed it to Ben. Hey buddy, look at this little snowman. "No, Mom, it's a snowLADY. Look at her eyelashes." Okay, so he's right, it is a snowlady. He walks away, losing interest, then pauses to look back over his shoulder at me and adds, "Actually, it's a squash." I giggled, and shook my head, and rolled my eyes.

Family Photos

We asked our friend, Drew (who also took Gracie's newborn photos) to take some family photos of us. He knew about a great location, San Pedro Springs Park, and so we met him there one evening and had a ton of fun getting these pics. It was hard for me to choose my favorites, so I'm putting almost all of them up here. Great job, Drew! We love them and will treasure them forever!

Frito Pie Fright Night!

When we were at Love Creek Orchard with the Collins and Sullivans families, we got into a conversation about Frito Pie. Mainly how it is so good, but you never make it at home because it would involve buying a five gallon can of Rico Cheese. Then genius struck. What if you had a party that was centered around the presence of that huge-mongous vat-o-cheesy goodness? That's how we ended up hosting a Halloween pot luck... Frito Pie Fright Night!

The party was attended by the Sullivans, the Collins, the Jones, and the Schwartzs. The parents contributed to the Frito Pie fixins (we also had fruit salad and cupcakes) and the kids represented a diverse cast of characters. After a yummy, albeit nutritionally lacking, feast, we headed out into the neighborhood for some trick-or-treating!



Ben ready to go!

The rest of the party on the move!

Trick-or-treat!

It was a first Halloween for Grant and Grace! They were troopers despite the fact that they had no idea what was going on and they would not be able to participate in the candy eating!


Halloween babies & Mamas!



All the walking around was really tiring! Ben bummed a ride with Princess Avery, and Grace just passed out all together!



Thanks for the lift, Avery!

Not at all bothered by her crazy hood!

We ended the evening back in our driveway where we examined our goodies and Ben handed out candy to the big kids who were still out and about. It was an awesome night filled with yummy treats and great friends, and we're hoping to make it an annual event. Happy Halloween!

Get your candy here!