Rub a Dub Dub

Fun Weekend

My parents came down to see us this weekend. (I mean, it had been 3 weeks since they'd seen Gracen and I guess Jeffrey and me.) We had so much fun! But they are, of course, over-protective grandparents, or does everyone else think that babies need knee pads while crawling, too? Any way, not only did they watch Gracen for me while I was at work, but they found the time to wash all my dirty dishes, wash my laundry, make some burp cloths for gifts, and help me put together my graduation gifts. Whew, worn out thinking about it all. Thanks again! My dad had to leave Monday morning to go back to work, so my sister drove down here to take my mom back Monday night. My mom stayed so that she could keep Gracen on Monday while I was at work. No, hospital pharmacies unfortunately don't close for Memorial Day, but we did leave a little early. I know my family is a bit unconventional when it comes to bending over backwards to make anything work, but it's what we do. My mom has definately shown me that you really can make just about anything work. Here's my dad walking with Gracen. (I guess her knees were too sore. ;)

After I got off work on Monday, we took some home-made ice cream to Jeffrey and the crew. No, farmers don't shut down for Memorial Day either. We also tried pig-tails on Gracen for the first time. I thought they looked soo cute, but Jeffrey didn't share my opinion. Gracen enjoyed some home-made ice cream, too.I know this picture didn't turn out the best, but I thought it was so cute. Jase (and his sisters) LOVE Gracen. They have so much fun with her and are just so precious with her.
It got a bit hot outside, so we started shedding her clothes. Here's Aunt Kristy. Gigi with Gracen. I just love this picture! I know I look so good, but I really wanted a picture with her.
And now a few random pictures that I wanted to share.
What can we get into next. . .

Where are her legs?There they are: peeking out the botttom.

Cute Question

The other day Jeffrey asked me if I was jealous because Gracen likes to come to him now, too. I told him I love seeing her light up when she sees her Daddy! He's so cute!

My First Mother's Day

This was my mother's day present from Gracen and Jeffrey. Isn't it gorgeous. He had a little help picking it out, but I don't mind with these kind of results. It has saphires, Gracen's birthstone, on it. Jeffrey said we could add to it with subsequent children, whenever that may be. I nearly ruined his surprise. I was checking our bank accounts online and noticed that some money was missing. I called him to see if he'd gotten any money out and what it was for. He said that he had, and it was to buy something for me. I stopped asking questions because I love surprises.
This is how they gave it to me. So sweet! Apparently it tastes pretty good, too!

After church, we went to Jeffrey's mom and dad's to grill. His sister and her two boys and his brother and his son ate with us.

How fitting to see this mama duck with her babies on Mother's Day!

It felt so good outside, so we went out to our hammock. Jeffrey started feeding Gracen, and then "Big Mama" decided to join in on the fun.

The hammock fell straight to the ground the second I sat down. We both fell right on our backs and just started laughing. You can tell that Gracen was very startled. Ha! She never stopped eating for a second. I guess she had a pretty good cushion.

But, Daddy fixed it, and we continued the fun.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you to my Mom for being the mom that so many people only wish they had. She has always been there for me growing up, getting married, having Gracen, and continuing to be there. I don't know what I would do without her. And that's something that I just don't say enough. Thank you for always being so loving, caring, serving, always there for me, showing such compassion for people in need, giving, thoughtful, hard working, honest, dependable, genuine, and so much more. I love you!

Crawling and Pulling Up

Gracen can get pretty much anywhere she wants to go. Now that she can pull up, that's all she wants to do. She passes up her basket of toys to stand up on the ottoman or couch. She has a bit of a cold, so when she's licking her lips in this video she's getting a little unexpected bonus.

Today, Gracen and I went to Vicksburg to Wal-mart and the GAP outlet. She did awesome. I tried to time the trip so that she could sleep in her stroller at GAP. But "Nosy Rosie," as we endearingly call her, wouldn't miss a thing. She missed an entire nap, so she could check everything and body out. I faced her stroller to the mirror while I was trying on clothes so she could entertain herself. She had a lot of fun talking to that beautiful baby! When she first sat up, her foot was still on the front of the stroller, but that didn't stop her. Her foot was on her cheek as she leaned as close to the mirror as she could. I wish I would've had my camera then. A little later she decided to roll over and slide out the bottom of the stroller. Luckily, she landed on her feet and started pushing the stroller. We were lucky she bump that noggin of hers, but as tough as she is, she might not have even cried. She crashed on the way home, played a little, and is now crashing some more! Well, she woke up, but as soon as I picked her up, she plopped her head right back on my shoulder. Poor baby couldn't breathe through her nose. She slept for about another hour on my chest while I soaked her preciousness in. She just keeps growing and changing so fast. I just want to pause time, so I can savor every moment with her. I never dreamed I could love someone this much!

I forgot to tell you that she got her first 2 teeth around April 17-18. Here she is showing them off.

This is a new expression she's been making lately. I don't know if she's playing with her lips or eating snot. Either way, it's really cute!I don't know what it is about expressionless pictures of her, but I think she looks so precious. My sister got her this little dress. She just needs a lay around her neck, a flower in her hair, and Hawaii here we come!
She crawled in the middle of the high chair and actually got out again. This was my high chair. Gracen seems pretty comfy.Gracen has a tendency to crawl under here and then freak out when she can't sit up or get out, but today she was able to get herself out with only a little panic. She's learning!