Happy Turkey Day!

Hope everyone has a fun-filled, calorie-packed, safe holiday with blessed friends and family!

Ready for Denver

We will be traveling to Denver tomorrow for a t-day visit. Grace's first airplane ride - we are a little nervous. Also, Denver is a bit colder than Tacoma... for that we are prepared.

Grace Is On A Roll

Okay....she officially rolls over. It may only be to her left, and only from her stomach, but she's doing it lots! She's also started chewing on her feet as of this week. Scott and I find it so enjoyable to watch. I know, I know, enjoy the immobility as much as possible now because we'll need baby gates all over the house before we know it. Sleeping is still an issue. Grace is actually screaming as I'm writing this as we are working on her getting herself back to sleep again. She's had a little cold, her first one at that, but it seems to have completely thrown her for a loop and she's somehow forgotten how to go to sleep without a fight. I'm just glad the books guide you through this process, letting your baby 'cry-it-out' has to be the hardest thing ever.

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween! Grace had a blast carving a pumpkin with her dad as pictured. The usual Halloween parties took a year off so there was no dressing up in the Templin household. Everyone kept asking what Grace was going to be, but let's be honest, dressing her up would be for our pure benefit and laughs, not Grace's. She's already starting her bedtime routine by the time the first trick-or-treaters came to the door. But we are already brainstorming great costume ideas for next year when Grace is a bit older to enjoy it.

Grace Gets Baptized

Grace was baptized at St. Leo's Catholic Church on October 17th, alongside her Godparents Sonia and Justin Buckmaster (my sister and brother in law.) We were very blessed to have many friends and family present to celebrate the special occasion. Some time ago I thought it would be a great idea to make something special out of my mother's wedding dress, one that her mother made for her. Once we decided on a date for Grace's baptism I knew a christening gown would be the perfect project. My mother took the scissors to her dress that has been packed away for over 35 years and used the fabric to make the bonnet and the bodice of the gown. The outfit turned out beautiful and Grace looked like a little doll! Thanks to everyone for making the event so memorable for us.

Family Treasures

Grace has been blessed with many gifts in the first four months of her life. From clothes and toys to blankets and books. One particular cherished item came in the mail soon after she was born. The package contained a beautiful handmade quilt and a letter explaining its origin. Before Scott was born, his Mimi (Grandma) made two quilts, one for a boy and one for a girl. He of course got use out of the boy quilt while the girl quilt got packed away. It was kept for 30 years until a girl came along to enjoy it. Grace is now grabbing at objects and she loves to lay on this blanket and touch the raised bonnets and arms on the quilted girls.

The next picture is of Grace in a little white dress that has now been worn by three generations. Scott's mother first wore it when she was three to four months old. It was kept for years to come, only to be brought out for pictures when Scott's only female cousin was born the same year Scott was. Now it's Grace's turn to wear this beautiful and delicate dress. The yellow blanket has also been used in the pictures of each girl wearing it. We can't wait to put together a series of the three photos showing each generation.

Grace is changing so quickly. She's putting everything you stick in front of her into her mouth, including her clothes. She's also babbling loudly and we joke she talks as much as her dad. Scott and I often sit in the nursery and giggle as we listen to her babble at herself while in the crib. Next week Grace gets baptized, so stay tuned for pictures from that event.

For more pictures of Grace and the family treasures: http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.templin/FamilyTreasuresGrace4Months#

Frizzy Do!

Grace has definitely inherited my frizzy hair, at least it seems so for now. It's color has lightened a bit and I swear I see more red in it everyday. She had her 4 month appointment today and weighed in at 13 lbs 12 oz.