The Sara Adventure

Dear Grace, you turned one this week!  I can't believe it!  We had a party for you and lots of our friends came to celebrate.  I made you carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and you ate mostly the frosting- smart girl.

Every time I turn around you are up to something new.  Today you stood in the chair and yelled at a lady passing by.  She stopped turned around, and looked all over to see where it was coming from.  I just laughed and laughed as she walked away confused.

A couple days ago you crawled right past me and up the steps.  You were up 3 of them before I could get to you!  I wish you were slightly afraid of hurting yourself.  You've been pulling up on everything and climbing whatever you can find.


Autumn is such a fantastic season here in Chicago.  The breeze blows in your hair and you love it.  It's been a bit cool so I got some socks out for you.  They are too small.  I guess you've grown a lot this summer!  I'll have to get you new ones.

Well, I hear you waking up from your nap.  I love you little one! xoxo

Love,
Momma

... they weren't kidding.

Dear Gracie Leigh,

It's important for you to know that the reason I have not written you a letter in a few months is not because I don't care or I forgot. It's because you keep me busy. I have been spending my days with you, and nights wiped out on the couch with your daddy. Nothing could have prepared me for how fast you grow and change. I really just can't believe it. You are hardly a baby... you're really more of a little girl.

Well, I think May, June, and July have pretty much gone by since I wrote you a letter. So, let's see. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit in May. We went downtown and took the architecture tour. You were able to sport you yellow hat. We went to see Nana and Papaw in June. You stayed with them for two whole days while Daddy and I went camping. Everyone had a great time. You got to swim in a baby pool, and we got you an outdoor swing to keep at their house. It was a nice visit, and we got some pictures taken.

You are crawling. Not a little, but a lot! In two months you went from hardly rolling over to taking off crawling across the room! You are pretty fearless and try to eat a lot of things you find on the floor. You like to play peek-a-boo (both as the hider and the peeker). I've started calling you "Little Boo" because of how much you enjoy the game! You also love to go to the park. There are some water fountains at Mayfair Park and we run through them together. You love to reach out and touch the water. You also really like to watch the other kids playing.

You pretty much eat what we eat. You like all kinds of things. We've been eating a lot of fruit since summer is the perfect time for that. I think watermelon might be your favorite. You also like strawberries, blueberries, and pears. You can feed yourself, and you've been learning to use your new teeth. I think you have 5 right now. I know you can use them to bite me! We have been trying to teach you that biting isn't good.

You say "momma" and "dada." You can do the sign language for "milk" and "fan." You point at things you want and don't hesitate to tell us when you are not getting what you want. You also say "hey" and sometimes you wave. Your mouth rarely stops going. I think when you learn to talk you will do so all the time. You definitely have a lot to say. I can't wait to hear all about it.

One of my favorite things to do is get kisses from you. Your smiles are the best, and I'll do anything to make you laugh. In general, if you get enough sleep, and your teeth aren't too painful, you are a happy baby. I very happy little girl.

I hum songs as you fall asleep in my arms every night. It's pretty much the best part of my day. I love watching you grow up. It's amazing. It makes me feel so small. It makes me feel like time really does fly. Sometimes I want to freeze you right where you are and keep you a 10 month old forever.

I love you, Gracie.

Love,
Momma

Dear Grace,

You have a mind of your own. I can't believe how often you decide on something and then make sure we know about it. Sometimes you will just scream until I hold you. No one else. You want me. Sometimes you don't want to eat. You push your lips together and growl! You don't say any words, but you have a language of your own.

You have been teething. Bad. Your two bottom teeth, first the right then the left, just popped through in the last couple weeks. It's been getting us up in the middle of the night, and making you refuse food. It's been tiring for all involved. I can't believe you have those cute little teethies poking through. You've been trying to chew, so now you actually have some tools!

You've started scooting backward. You also have been rolling over one direction or the other about once a day or every other day. You're not really into it, but every now and then you flop over. You, a now expert sitter, have also been going from sitting to on your belly. I'm not so sure you do it on purpose though... I think you might just be testing your boundaries, and then fall forward. ha ha.

Your hair keeps getting blonder and blonder. It's beautiful! In the sun it looks like shades of gold. I like to put a little bow in it. It's long and in your eyes again, but I don't want to cut it. I think I will just pin it back.

Well, I love you more than you will ever know. You bring delight and entertainment to all of my days. I miss you when you are asleep. I pretty much kiss you and cuddle you all the time... and if I'm not kissin and cuddlin, you can be pretty sure your daddy is.

xoxo,
Momma

Dear Gracie poo,

I love you. You are a complete person... a very small one... but whole nonetheless. When you look at me and smile it evokes all kinds of emotion. There is the cute factor- the fact that I can't help but smile back. I tell you you are beautiful like 100 times a day. There is love- the kind I choose and the kind I can't help. From the day you were born I loved you. The more I get to know you the more I love you.

You started giving me hugs and kisses the last few weeks. The first time you laid your little head on my chest and held on tight, tears swelled in my eyes. It was as if you were telling me "I know I am loved and safe." I can read about attachment theory all day, but I never knew how it felt to be attached until now. I would try to explain it, but I really can't. All I know is we have a bond that can't be broken.

Sometimes you open your mouth and slobber all over my face. I call it a kiss. C'mon, give me a break, I'll take what I can get. We both love it, and that's all that matters.



We went to the pediatrician on April 4th and you are one long skinny baby! You were:

16lbs 10oz
27 and 7/8s inches long

You can sit up for long periods of time, but sometimes you get tired and don't know how to lay down. You eat 2-3 meals a day. You love bananas, just like me! We started giving you a little water in a sippie cup, and so far you just think it's a toy. I had to give your bangs a little trim because they were poking you in the eyes. You like for me to hold you a lot, especially when you get sleepy. Sometimes you just want your mommy, and that's okay.


You love toys that make noise! You have a train that makes "choo choo" noises and even a cell phone that talks to you. You love it when I hide and then pop up and say "boo!" We both enjoy sucking on your little toes after your bath. We've been reading lots of books and you think it's funny to watch me read. I've been trying to teach you some words and some sign language. I think you've been trying to say "momma" and "bottle." Every night when I give you a bath I show you the soap and say "bottle." You've started to say "ba" when you get in the tub. Maybe you are trying to say "bath"... I suppose time will tell!

We go on long walks every day. Daddy carries you in the carrier and you look around. Sometimes you talk and talk- to the traffic, to the trees, to yourself... who knows. Sometimes you take a little nap. We can't wait until it gets warmer and you don't need so many layers of clothes! When the breeze is warm you kick with excitement, and when it is cold you groan.

Well, that's all for now. You are growing so fast, I probably left something out! We love you more than you will ever know. xo!

Love
Momma

She's My Baby, Grace!

By: Sara Boyle

Who has ticklish toes,

And a little round nose,

Big brown eyes,

And chunky thighs?

She’s got a smile on her face,

She’s my baby, Grace!

She can babble and coo,

But what else can she do?

She can play with a toy,

And laugh for joy.

She can stand up tall,

Even though she is small.

She’ll give you a kiss, with her mouth open wide

And laugh at peek-a-boo, when you try to hide.

She keeps getting stronger,

And I know before much longer,

She’ll be learning to talk,

And learning to walk.

She holds my heart in her hand,

I think you understand.

I’m so proud every day.

I love her in every way.

Do you like Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies?

Then you are gross. Seriously, I pretty much hate any cookie with "oatmeal" in the name. I don't care what else you put in it or if it is your Grandma's secret recipe. Ick.

However, I LOVE oats in my muffins! It was a life changing experience when I started baking with whole wheat flour and oats. This recipe vaguley resembles the original, so I won't bore you with what it looked like before. Here is my version:

1/2 C butter
3/4 C brown sugar (packed or course)
1 egg
3/4 C apple sauce
a little oil... like maybe 1/8- 1/4 C
a little vanilla... maybe 1 teaspoon
1/2 C re'glar flour
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 C oats
1 C or so chocolate chips
1 C or so of walnuts (or pecans!)- no need to chop if they are already in halves

Preheat to 350 degrees. You know the drill- cream together the sugar and butter. Add the egg, applesauce, oil, and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients separate- the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, oats, chocolate chips, and nuts. A little at a time mix the dry into the wet- it will all be a bit lumpy. Bake in greased cupcake tin or use cups (I like the cups because I freeze them and they seem to maintain their shape better that way) for 25 minutes- use the toothpick test if they don't look quite done.

There you have it. I love them and so does Alan.

I doubled the recipe and it made about 2 baker's dozen. Fill the cups pretty much to the top- they don't rise much at all.

Dear Gracie,

I am almost a week late on writing this because we have been busy!

You've been learning a lot this month. You're getting very good at sitting up, and we've been practicing a lot. I think you'll like it more as you get stronger. I love the look on your face, because you seem so proud! Here you are on the bed sitting up on your own:

A huge first this month was starting solid foods! About a week before you turned 6 months old we offered you a little cereal, and you loved it! Then a few days ago you tried bananas, and today avocado! You don't get much since you are still nursing most of the time, but you like to try new foods. I just got tired of you trying to steal things off my plate! Here you are licking the bowl:


You have been trying to copy me lately. It seems you want to do everything we do! You make chewing motions when you watch me chew, you stick your tongue out when I stick mine out at you, and you even try to mimic words. I swear you almost said banana! You love to play games. You stick your hand out so I will pretend to eat it, or sometimes you stare at me waiting for me to look at you... then you smile : )

Nana sent you a walker and you are almost big enough for it. You can make it a couple feet, but it takes you a while because your toes barely touch the ground. You love to sit in it and talk and look around. Most of the time you are just as happy as can be.

We haven't been to the Dr yet, but our scale at home says you weigh a little over 16 pounds! Sounds like a lot to me, but you are right on track. I just can't believe how fast you grow! Even though you have made physical strides this month, I think the most impressive is your communication. You reach for things you want, hold your arms out so I'll pick you up, and make chewing motions when you are hungry. You know how to tell me what you need, and it is so much fun.

We had a million wonderful memories this month- smiles, laughs, and jabbering. One time you fell over while sitting up, this scared you, and you began to cry. I picked you up, held you close, and kissed your little tears. In no time you were ready to play again. This sounds like a bad memory, but the joy of comforting you makes it a wonderful one.

We love you!

As I watched Grace's eyes flutter closed, I smiled and thought back to how itty bitty she was just a few months ago. I cradled her in my arms and watched her lips pucker and her hands twitch. She is the image of comfort and contentment. I kissed her forehead and thought about all the neurons zapping through her brain connecting ideas and words; it must be working overtime to catalog all that she is learning. As I stood over her crib and watched her sleep for just a few moments, I realized that life is short and children grow very quickly.

I have spent about the last 15 months nourishing Grace's developing body. I was the only food she needed. Now, as she quickly nears her 6 month birthday, she desires more. I am a bit sad as I mourn the loss of this exclusive relationship, but at the same time over joyed for her health and growth! Today I mixed up a couple tablespoons of baby cereal to see what Grace might think of the idea of eating. She scarfed it down in excitement. I couldn't believe it! After watching me use a spoon for months, and even trying to get food out of my bowl of off of my plate, she knew what it meant to eat. She chewed it up and swallowed it, and now I have to swallow the fact that she is ready for food.

So as I turned out the light and closed the door I said a prayer for us both. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to have a child, a healthy child, and be able to watch and help her grow. I asked Him to comfort her as she meets challenges- big and small- and to comfort me as she meets them as well.

These are the lyrics to a song called "when you dream" by the Barenaked Ladies. I love this song, and it's something I think parents of babies ponder. Just wanted to share : )

With life just begun, my sleeping new son
has eyes that roll back in his head
They flutter and dart, he slows down his heart
and pictures a world past his bed
It's hard to believe
As I watch you breathe
Your mind drifts and weaves

When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
Do you dream about
music or mathematics
or planets too far for the eye?
Do you dream about
Jesus or quantum mechanics
or angels who sing lullabies?

His fontanelle pulses with lives that he's lived
With memories he'll learn to ignore
And when it is closed, he already knows
he's forgotten all he knew before
But when sleep sets in
history begins
But the future will win

When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
Are they colour or black and white,
Yiddish or English
or languages not yet conceived?
Are they silent or boisterous?
Do you hear noises just
loud enough to be perceived?
Do you hear Del Shannon's "Runaway" playing
on transistor radio waves?
With so little experience,
your mind not yet cognizant
Are you wise beyond your few days?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?
When you dream,
what do you dream about?

I wrote this yesterday, but didn't get around to posting it until today... I'm sure it's because I was too busy playing with my sweet baby.


Dearest Gracie Leigh,

You turned 5 months old yesterday! You are 22 weeks today. Every day you amaze me. You learn constantly... it's amazing to watch you discover the world for the first time. You notice everything it seems. You stare at the shadows moving along the wall, jump when I blow my nose, and laugh when I make a funny face. You sure don't miss much. You know when momma and daddy aren't near, and this upsets you. You know that when you are hungry and I walk through the door that your problems are solved. You greet each day (too early- at about 7am) with a smile! You are happy most of the time, but know how to tell us what you want.

Your father has taught you how to suck on his nose. It really grosses me out, and now you think it's okay to do it to me as well! I try to bump noses with you or give you eskimo kisses and you chomp and drool all over my nose!

You are big enough for your jumperoo now and you're into all the little things you can touch and push. You just discovered how to turn around in it this week. You love to stand, but you're still not interested in rolling over. It's not that you aren't strong enough, because you are. I think you might just decide to crawl first! You like to tell me stories and wait for my response. You laugh a lot, but only when you want to. Sometimes I can't do anything to get you to smile, and sometimes all I have to do is look at you. You have a mind of your own for sure. We often understand each other, and I'm starting to wonder if you know what I'm saying some times.

Last week we got a huge snow storm- about 20 inches. I can't wait until you want to play in the snow with me. This year you had to just look from the window. You've made lots of new friends this month, which you find fun. Everyone loves you and you seem to love them, too. I started classes and once a week daddy puts you to bed. You are crazy about your daddy.

Well, I guess that's all for now. Time just moves by so fast, it's hard to believe. We have a great life together- the three of us. We are so blessed to have each other, and we're so glad you're our daughter.

Love,
Momma

Dear Gracie Leigh,

Happy 4 month birthday! You are asleep right now. So sweet and so peaceful. I stopped swaddling your legs about a week ago, and you seem to like it. Yesterday you went to the Dr and she said you look very good! You are right on track in every way- it's such a blessing to hear you are healthy.

As of January 5th you
Weigh 13lbs 11oz
Are 24.5 in long

You are actually long and slim looking... don't know where you got that from! For Christmas we went to Louisville and to Murfreesboro, and you were able to spend time with all four grandparents. Not many kids get to do that! Everyone loves you so much and it was nice that you got to know your family a little better.

Some new skills you've been working on: Standing. Oh boy do you love to stand! Of course we have to hold you under the arms, but you can put weight on your legs for several minutes. You love to look around at everything and are enjoying the new perspective. Instead of rolling over you have improved your balance so that you catch yourself before you tumple over. I'm not sure why, but you are just not interested in rolling over! Lately you have enjoyed bath time. What a great day it was for you when you discovered splashing. Now mommy gets a shower when you get a bath : ) Let's see, what else... you are now sleeping through the night except for waking once. I would say you sleep about 17 hours a day on average.


You love to squeal and scream and make long "ehhhhhh...." noises. Not so much "ah" and "oo" anymore. You want to make long and loud noises! You grab onto anything you can get near your hands... and much of it you enjoy putting in your mouth. Your hands are an endless source of entertainment, and you are now interested in your feet as well. If only you could get them to your mouth on your own : )

Well, that's been our lives together the last month. Lots of sleeping, a good amount of playing and smiling, and plenty of eating. You are a wonderful part of our lives.

Love,
Momma