Birthday Girl

Can you believe it? Our little girl is one year old! It feels like yesterday she entered this world and changed our lives more than we could ever imagine. We spent Memorial Day celebrating with many friends and family, who made Grace's birthday such a special event. Thanks to all who attended the party and to many more who were there in spirit and sent Grace such special gifts and cards in the mail.

We joke with our large group of friends how just a few years ago we never would have thought our parties would turn into kid central. In total we had 8 kids under the age of 2 1/2 at our house, making it a challenge to coordinate nap and meal schedules. But it always works out and makes for a great time.

After Grace had her first "practice run" with a birthday cupcake that my mother made for her a little over a week ago in Denver, she got another shot at cake made by Scott's mother. Both times she was much more interested in playing with it than eating it. Although she did like sucking on the sugar roses that were used for decorations.

Link to all the photos: Grace's First Birthday

Kids are All the Same

Imagine my surprise (or lack there of, considering the title) when I stepped out of the shower this morning to find the debauchery pictured above. Sarah and I bring Grace into the bathroom when only one parent is at home and needs to take a shower. We liberally apply toys to the area and, at least every time before this, that has been enough to keep Grace busy and babbling away for the 10 min or so it takes to scrub all the previous day's dirt away and down the drain, peeking out once in a while to check on the young girl. Today, obviously, was different. If you are a parent, you know what I mean when I say, "It got too quite." Well, those "too quite" hairs on the back of my neck were starting to stand up so I peeked out and could only laugh at what Grace's curiosity had discovered.

Here she meticulously examines one tiny piece of her giant toilet paper pile.

Oh look! A camera! That flash is bright.

This reminded me of a similar incident with our other "child," Porter. Back in 2008 when Sara and I had family in town helping us preparing for our wedding, Porter got accidentally locked in the guest bath for some time. He too used the time to examine closely the toilet paper roll. I think he had a little more reason, however, as you can see from the bottom left of the photo, he had gone number 2 while stuck in small room.

As you can see from the photo below (taken in Dec), our two kids get along quite well, especially when getting into mischief together.

All the Single Ladies

While Sarah was visiting Denver last week, Grace developed a few new moves. She has started to dance with the music. As you see in the video above, it appears to be a primitive form of the opening sequence of Byonce's "All the Single Ladies" (YouTube). Although you might suspect Sarah is doing an excellent job of mimicking Grace just for the video, that's actually what Sarah does with her arms when she's dancing normally. Ok, not really - Sarah is an excellent dancer. It is unlikely, however, that Grace is mimicking either of her parents because as far as I can tell, she hasn't seen either of us dance. Chalk this one up to pure creative genius on Grace's part.

In the time since she has returned form Denver, Grace now also shakes her booty to the music if she is standing (continuing the trend of Beyonce music videos) I thought I wasn't going to have to deal with this type of behavior until she was a teenager...

Sam's

Grace and Mommy traveled to Denver this week for a weekend of baby showers for Grace's cousin-to-be! Of course a visit to Denver would not be complete without a visit to our favorite breakfast joint: Sam's #3. Famous breakfast burrito for Mommy and fruit and oatmeal for Grace.

A Devilish Grin

As you may already know, Sarah is in Denver this week leaving me all alone. Before she left, I synced her phone with the computer and rediscovered photos I had forgotten we had taken a week or so ago when the whole family was out for a walk. We strode by a school and decided to see if Grace would enjoy a ride in the swing. Remember when something so simple was so fun it put a smile on your face from ear to ear?

Check out the entire album of photos at: Picasaweb - Grace in Swing for First Time

...and enjoy a video. Isn't technology great?

You know it's been too long when...

... when Great Grandma sends an email asking for more photos. If there is one person in this world who has decided that learning to use the internet is just not worth her time, it's Grace's 91 year old name sake. Great Grandma Grace has admitted on more than one occasion that learning to use the internet is just not something that is going to happen for her - even if she lives to be 121 years old. Even so, she does regularly access the blog and view all the photos with the help of Grace's Grandpa (my father, and Great Grandma Grace's son). It was by this channel I received a dictated message from my inbox two days ago:

*******

Gracie,

Good morning, I hope you are enjoying your new kitchen. It has been eight days since your grandpa showed me a new picture. Ask your dad to send more.

Great Grandma

********

When Great Grandma's ask for you to jump, you don't ask why, you ask, "how high?"

Enjoy the photos of Grace eating lunch made for her in the new kitchen.

Spring Cleaning

Since the renovation has been completed we have been so busy with working, cleaning the house, and continuing with the slow process of moving back in that we haven't given much attention to the blog. We are about 90% complete with the move in now and should be getting back to posting photos of Grace more frequently.
One advantage of moving is you get to evaluate how much of your stuff you really want versus need. Our block is hosting a block garage sale next weekend and about half our garage is stuff we are looking forward to unloading during that sale. We have already made two trips to Goodwill with cloths, and after cleaning out the last few bags of cloths last night, it looks like we have one more. Finally, for a few large items, I've started my first sales on Craigslist.com. Although I have purchased a few things on CL, I must admit I was unprepared for the variety of people (and grammar) I would encounter.

Kitchen Complete

Sarah and I spent about 2 hours tonight moving stuff back into the kitchen and living areas upstairs. We can't wait to be completely moved back in and cook our first meal.

THE SUN!

Even with fair skin - when the sun shines around here, we try to get the most vitamin D possible. Grace is exemplifying the feelings of all Washingtonians on a beautiful day.