Baby with the Blue Dress

When Gracie smiles and she really means it, it is a full open mouth smile!  I just adore this little blue dress and this picture especially, don't you? 

Laugh

Grace has started to laugh a lot!  We caught this one on video while I danced around for her like an idiot.

Introductions

Gracie had a very exciting week.  She met Grandma and Grandpa S for the first time!  

Remi the dog was a big hit also!

Grandpa passed the taste test.

There were many smiles shared.

Everyone seemed delighted with each other!

Grandma Roberta won points for appreciating the many charms of Mr. Frog.  This is by far her favorite toy (besides her activity mat).  It is a frog head with a rattle in it that is attached to a blanket.  The blanket has a soft, fuzzy side, and a smooth satin side.  We never would have guessed this would become a favorite, but the heart wants what the heart wants obviously!  

Here is proof that she really does love this thing.  (There is a phantom baby hand to the right because I was babysitting our friends' baby Avery at the time this video was taken.)

Gracie really enjoyed a serenade from Grandpa.  She watched intently the whole time he played.  She may have a penchant for trombone!  

It was also Roberta's birthday, and we had fun celebrating with a symphony concert, Scandinavian Almond Cake and gelato from E-creamery (it is okay to be jealous; I know you are.). 

We are not too old for Pumpkin Carving

Some of us got together at our friend Penny's house for some pumpkin carving and beer drinking!

Penny was very smart to put down this tarp in her kitchen so we could scoop pumpkin guts with abandon.  

Grace fell asleep in Penny's arms.  It is too bad that Penny and Ryan are moving to California because obviously she is the baby whisperer.  She even does house calls!  

It was a good thing Grace was sleeping for most of it because there were some real psychos there.  Anne had better watch her back!

I disturbed this sleeping beauty for this next picture.  

All the jack o lanterns, including my little punkin!  This is a little weird with Grace lying on her boppy pillow, but since she isn't sitting up yet, this is the best we could manage!  No babies were harmed in the making of this party spectacle. 

A rare photo with mama in it, courtesy of Gini :)

Exploding Hand

Our good friend Erica took this video while kindly babysitting for us.  They are both keepers!  

My Bumble Bee

I did a photo shoot with Grace today and I can't decide which one is my favorite!

She has just started to really respond to us with big smiles, and it feels like magic when it happens.

I really haven't been able to capture it is in a picture. It feels more wonderful than the sun coming out from behind the clouds. 

She especially responds to Jason's voice and looks for him when she hears him from the other room.  Sometimes she'll stop nursing to look for him, and she wiggles with anticipation when he reaches for her.  She is Daddy's girl!  

I think this one is my favorite :)