Sunday, September 29, 2013

Big Yellow Truck Has Big Wheels

Grace LOVED my Dad's truck!


I'm not exaggerating to say that Grace would spend her entire waking life inside the cabin of that truck if she could.  She is already obsessed with garbage collection day on our street and every semi, truck or minivan we pass on the highway.  Having a really big yellow truck with "big big wheels" in our driveway was heaven to her!


We all look turns sitting with her in the cabin while she made engine and horn sounds.


We went to the zoo while they were here and saw the dinosaurs.  They are a must see attraction.  For Grace, there are a must see 5 times attraction, apparently.  I'm drawing the line there though.  Luckily, the exhibit is only in town for another couple weeks because I'm dinosaured out!


Dad did an amazing job babysitting while we were both working.  


So did Uncle Steve!  (piano dollies make great trains)


Both girls adored our time together.  Grace woke up excitedly every morning, looking for them and for the truck.  Both Dad and Uncle Steve fell into child care naturally.  They were so confident in fact, they put both girls to bed while I heard a symphony concert one night and so we could go out to dinner the next!


Their departure was sad for us all.  If only the big yellow truck could visit every week!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

A New Addition

A lot has been going on since I last posted!  My dad and uncle visited for the last week, Jason had his 32nd birthday and started his first week of work, and Clara started sleep training!


Yes we are torturing this gorgeous baby over here, but only because she tortured me first.  Before we started sleep training, she switched to getting up every two hours during the night.  The change in sleep pattern coupled with our usual soothing techniques suddenly not working well brought us to this decision.  It happened that way with Grace too, and it didn't take very long to sleep train.  Every minute of screaming is agonizing however, so please send us all your good vibes of strength and such.  


Oh, and big big news!  Dad and Uncle Steve brought Grandma's piano to us!  I've been reunited; we belong together!  I also feel like my love for piano playing has been renewed in a way that I haven't felt since high school.  It fills our hearts with joy and I can't thank everyone enough who helped make it happen. 

So, there will be more on all of this later.  We're a bit ragged over here, as I'm sure you can imagine! 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Shots and a Lollipop

These pictures are from Grace's 2 year Doctor's appointment.  She received shots and her very first hard candy.


They are a month old, but I forgot to post them.  


They are too sweet to miss!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

3 Months Old!

Clara is 3 months old today!


She loves sitting up and watching the action.


And by action, I mean this energetic big sister!  It warms my heart to see Clara smile whenever Grace is nearby, and Clara's head moves from side to side as she watches Grace tear around the house.  Grace loves to snuggle and comfort her too.


They love to play and spend time together.  Sometimes Grace is a little too rough, but her intentions are almost always good, and Clara is tough.


Grace loves this dinosaur at the park.  She is cautious with new experiences like swings and slides, but she eventually musters up the courage to try new things.  We are so proud of her when she does, and she is proud of herself!


Clara is still not sleeping through the night.  She shifts between nights only waking up once and nights waking up three times.


We're pretty tired, but it is worth it for this baby with the sweetest temperament!