A Day in the Life...

These pictures are just a little glimpse into the busy life of Gracelynn.


Gracelynn's new highchair...she LOVES being a big girl!

Gracelynn's first Easter dress

Such a poser...

look how big I am! Close up!
Gracelynn loves her kitty cat
Another high chair shot.

Who says you can't play without any clothes on?
Experimenting with new hair styles
Daddy giving a Sunday morning bath
Dad! My ears don't stick out that much!
All ready for church!

Blurry...but it shows how much she can't hold still!
Pause a moment to pose...
Cutie pie!
Such a ham!
I love moving!

Sleepy eyes...
After nap time
First cracker...6 month birthday
So tired...
I love my food!

Long time...

Sorry for the gaps in posts. School has been kicking my fanny as of late, and between being a mommy, student, wife, house cleaner and personal shopper...some things just have to fall by the wayside, lol. Unfortunately, blogging is often one of those things.

Life is going really well. An update from the last blog: when we went back to the doctor at the end of that same week, Gracelynn had gained over 3 oz...which is considered good for her age. Since then, she has been eating like it is going out of style! She is still not a chubby baby, but I know she is getting what she needs! She is getting anywhere from 28-32 oz AND getting two meals a day. The doctor said in the next month we might want to up it to 3 meals a day. He also said we could start introducing pureed meats in the next month...fun! (actually that just sounds gross!).

Gracelynn is now so active. She gets up on her hands and knees and will rock herself. She often (accidentally) propels herself forward onto her face. She, however, doesn't seem fazed by it. She also rolls and pivots/army crawls ALL over the place. She just doesn't stay put. We finally had to get a highchair (one that sits on a kitchen chair) because she wouldn't sit still in her bumbo anymore. This way she can't flip or buck herself out of it when she sees something she wants.

Gracelynn is incredibly curious. She stares at and ponders things when it is something new. She has also learned to discriminate between faces she recognizes and those that she does not know. She will smile so big at myself, Ben, my mom, my step-dad and my siblings. She will even smile at some of our friends we see regularly, but those that she doesn't she will just stare at wide eyed like she is trying to place them. I always laugh and tell her not to be a snob...lol

I also am 95% sure that Gracelynn is saying "hi". I ALWAYS say this to her...and I am pretty sure she is copying after me when I say it. It sounds more like "Iyeee", but I chose to believe that it is her first word...lol

I wasn't sure how many knew, but I have a new job. I am now working for Jackson County Board of Services for a program called EITAS. This stands for Empowering Individuals Through Advocacy and Support. I am a service coordinator and will have a case load of 35 individuals with special needs. I only have 4 of my cases right now, but I am anxious to get going. So far I REALLY enjoy my new job, surroundings and coworkers. It is also an exempt position (paying more...Thank God!), and that allows me to have some more flexibility in my hours to accommodate being a student, mommy and wife all at the same time. It essentially means that when it is necessary I can work from home, take time without using vacation and sick leave, and in general set my own hours. Very exciting! The most exciting thing is that I am using my education now...and since I am paying dearly for that, it is very exciting!

Well, I had better get back to work. I have class tonight, and need to get some logging done for work before I head out for the day!

Later folks!

p.s. pictures to come!

A Whole New Ballgame...

I can't post much now, but I will edit to add more when I have time. I just wanted to let everyone know that after much screaming, crying and pulling my hair out....


GRACELYNN HAS HER FIRST TOOTH!!!

New Info:

Hey guys! Sorry for the little bit of information, but weekends are always so busy for us. This is the first chance I have had to post anything. However, Gracelynn DID in fact get her first tooth. I called all the grandparents. Ben thought I was a little crazy, but I told him we only get one chance to act like fools about Gracelynn's first tooth.

It also got me to thinking...Friday night was the last time she will ever have a toothless grin. I had a classmate of mine say something about remembering the firsts, but also remembering the "lasts". Those kinds of things don't often stick out in our mind...but I thought about it this time. It was sad, no doubt, but nice to take a moment to think about that.

We just got back from Gracelynn's 6 month appointment, everything checked out great except for her weight. She has dropped into the 45th percentile...losing about 1/2 lb in 3 weeks time. She has been sick, but the doctor was a little concerned. We are going in for a weight check on Friday. If you think about it, pray that she will have rebounded.

Here are her OFFICIAL 6 month stats:

Length: 26.5 inches (75%)

Weight: 15 12.8 lbs (45%)
Head Circ.: 43 cm (70%)

Doctor said she looks great and that there are 4 more buds in her mouth that could break through any day! 5 teeth!!! I don't know if I am ready for that.

Gracelynn has also started sitting up this weekend...for extended periods without assistance. She loves being independent. I am enjoying the times she is sitting still, as I know that once she starts moving, we won't see her.

Well, I have to head to class, but I will leave you with the pictures from Gracelynn's 6 month photo shoot. The studio actually had us sign a release to have her picture on the wall!!! She did great



Ok...I am off. More to come...

Whew...

Ok...the protected thing did not work. So....I am going to try and make things less "out there". You know, less details, names, etc. Hopefully it works.

I haven't updated in forever. I am horrible at doing this. I think about it at the worst times and just don't have the energy half the time. But I wanted to update you on little miss and the rest of the family.

Gracelynn will be 6 months old this coming Sunday. Can you believe it??? She is growing so fast and while it is hard to see my little baby slip away, I am no where near ready for another.

The poor thing suffered her first ear infection. I guess I should say we ALL suffered. Sleep was non-existent, work attendance was spotty, and nose suctioning was in high demand. But alas, we all survived and we are all healthy now **knock on wood**.

Gracelynn will be going to her 6 month appointment next Monday, so I don't have all her "stats" for you, but I will give you the best I can:

Weight (as of 5.5 months): 16.5 lbs
Height: 26.5 inches
Hair: Still very little, but it seems to be staying brown
Eyes: Turning more blue every day
Teeth: None yet...but she seems to be working on it
Crawling: Trying SOOOOO hard
Rolling over: Yes, both directions
Walking: She wishes
Talking: Babbling. She holds conversations with everything: mommy, daddy, the dog, the cat, her toys, etc.

I don't know any other stats...but if you want to know something, just ask

Ok...on to the good stuff. The pictures:

Here is my baby girl playing hard at daycare. She would prefer to stand any day.


One of my new favorites! She is trying so hard to crawl here!


Sweet smile...


First superbowl! She is channeling Olivia Newton John here. Let's get physical...


Meeting Jackson...the gentle giant.


Trying to eat...but daddy is so distracting


Exersaucer time! She is fascinated that she can stand up in this!


Mid-roll. She finally figured out that she can go where ever she wants by rolling.


Not really the baby...but this is our new living room furniture!


Another shot...our front room.


My two sleeping beauties!


Cutie pie!


This also turns into a table, but right now we have to play with it this way.


Daddy's first (and only) attempt at feeding Gracelynn cereal. She had more on her face and chest than in her tummy.



More interested in her toy than the camera.



I came in and found her sound asleep like this. It took a lot to get her foot back out without waking her up!


Ok...until next time.

Love, us!

Allow me to explain...

Well, in case you didn't notice, we are now protected. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain to you why we did this. I also have a facebook account and post pictures on there. I was under the impression that unless I accepted someone as my friend, people could not see my name, my pictures, my place of employment, etc. I was wrong. On facebook you belong to networks. I am in three: Kansas State University, MidAmerica Nazarene University and Kansas City, MO. I found out that ANYONE in these networks could access my page. Suddenly I just felt really vulnerable and exposed. I kept thinking "ANYONE could stumble across this information!" I had pictures of Ben and I, our full names, my date of birth, pictures and details about Gracelynn. It was enough to make me sick and really think about what I was doing.

Now, I am not telling anyone this to scare them. We are all aware of the sickos that are out there these days, but the way I look at is that I don't want to put the information directly into their hands...they're gonna have to work for it. My blog, while a great way for me to keep up with friends and keep them updated, was just too out there. Anyone who entered our web address could access all the information I put out there. What's even scarier, because our names are there, you could find us via a web search!!! It was just too much of a risk.

I appreciate the validation and sentiments from you guys, and I will continue to update. If someone you know AND I know asks why they can't view our blog, tell them to email me and ask me to add them to our permissions list. As I said before, I want folks to get to stay updated...and to see that beautiful girl of ours, but not at the risk of something happening.

Thanks for understanding :)

Going Protected

Just wanted to let you all know that our blog will be going protected soon. I realize that with our names and pictures of us and Gracelynn, it just isn't safe to leave it unprotected for anyone to stumble across.

So, if you would like to be added to our protected list, please post a comment with your email address so I can add you.

Thanks!

Amber

ETA: For those of you that are wondering HOW to go protected it is pretty simple. You go to your settings after you have logged in, then to "permissions". Here you can chose who you would like to be able to view your blog (there are several choices). It is nothing personal to those out there that have been viewing our blog for a while. I am more than willing to add you...just let me know your email address. Thanks!

Christmas 2007

These pictures aren't in any particular order...but enjoy our Christmas pics!


Baby girl after all the gifts were opened. She sacked out on the floor!


mmm....the bow is much better than any old gift!


Oh...I like the paper too!!!


I don't need no stinkin' blocks...I have paper!


Oh wait, blocks are fun too.


Santa's little helper.


Mommy and baby in their PJ's


Daddy and baby in PJ's


Christmas morning...bring on the presents!


And it's a.....BOOK!


Stocking time! Look, I am just a little bigger than my stocking!


Getting kind of sleepy.


Christmas Eve...opening our new PJ's


Hm...how do we do this?


Do I have to wear this???


Mmmm...blocks ARE good!


Perfect size.


Our little ham!


Helping daddy open his present.


Daddy has his Mechanix gloves...I have my gloworm!

Merry Christmas to one and all. We had a great day, and we hope you did too!

The Weyrauchs