Family Reunion

We had a very busy, but fun weekend. There was a family reunion for Brad's Mom's side of the family. Unfortunately, we didn't get may pictures at all (I did give the camera to Brad...that was my mistake :) But we all had a great time visiting with everyone. It was held at a swim club so the kids swam most of the day and Brad and I took turns chasing Grace around. After the reunion, Brad's brother, Todd and his family came back to sleep over our house. The kids LOVE spending time together! It was the first time they all met Grace. It didn't take long for Grace to warm up to Emma! Emma seemed to really enjoy having another girl around for a change and was she was so good with Grace. She played with her in the pool and even read her books! It was a fun weekend and now we all need naps!!!

Aidan going off high dive.

Grace giving the reunion a thumbs up!


Emma, Aidan, Nate, Grace and Ryan

The girl knows how to relax by the pool :)


Emma and Grace

A Little This and That

The boys are finally done school and so far I am enjoying them being home (minus the arguing). They are a big help with distracting Grace so I can get little things done that otherwise are impossible. Grace also seems more at ease with them home. Grace had an eye doctor appt. this week just to check her out. That was a nightmare! The whole thing was just bad! Starting off with them having me wait in the examining room for about 10 long minutes with a 14 month old surrounded by big equipment with lots of gadgets. From what the doctor could see, she looks fine. Today we head to the audiologist. I'm not worried in the least. She hears EVERYTHING! But we'll go just to check it off our list of things to do from the IA doctor. She has also been getting caught up on her immunizations. The ones from Russia were all good, but she is still behind on ones they didn't give her. She doesn't enjoy the nurse very much now. I have the feeling the next time we walk in there the crying will start immediately. Poor thing!

The other night, Grace was just sitting on the couch with Brad and I when she climbed onto me and wrapped her sweet little arms around my neck so tightly. Then she lifted her head and gave me the sweetest little unsolicited kiss (closed mouth this time :). It felt like she was saying, "I love you, Mommy". It brought tears to my eyes!

Getting ready to jump!

This is the best action shot I could get. She loves to dive off the seats!

She figured out to float on her back on purpose now. I can't get enough of her in the pool :) Too stinkin' cute!

Grace discovered the baby doll stroller and had some fun cruising around. She is still working on turns :)


For those of you who knew my Pop-pop or know my dad, you'll appreciate this. Nate was telling (more like reprimanding) Aidan to watch that Grace doesn't fall into the end table because "she could fall into the corner and get hurt". A little while later I found this blanket draped over the table with books holding it in place. He is such a good big brother! I guess the worry wart gene has carried on to a new generation. My dad doesn't like it when I call him that. He's cautious! I'm not afraid to admit that I also got the "cautious" gene :)

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful dads out there! Brad is one of the best!!!


Aidan took a foot in a bad place during the photo shoot!



Ta Da....

She Cracks us up!

The boys could barely breathe from laughing so hard the other day before school. Grace was laying on the floor doing "snow angels". They kept yelling for me to get my camera, but the time I got there she was done the snow angel part. Next time, I'm gonna put swiffer cloths on her arms and legs and let her clean my floor:) Then Aidan, put his backpack on Grace and she walked all over dragging it behind her. It was so cute!!!




Grace loves the pool! We have finally figured out the floatation system. She wears a lifejacket and water wings. As you can see, she just floats around on her belly with her feet up in the air. When we say to "swim", she kicks her legs and moves her arms around. She doesn't go anywhere, but it is adorable :)




We could use a little advice. It seems that Grace is taking 2 steps backwards with feeling secure. She is glued to me more than ever and spends a large part of her day sitting on my lap just sucking her thumb. She was more active when we first got her home. I did leave her for about 50 minutes one day last week to go see Aidan's play. There was no way I could miss it since he has been feeling a little neglected lately. I left Grace with a good neighbor who she sees and interacts with everyday. She especially loves her daughter and 2 pugs :) She had already been very clingy before I left her, but it has been ongoing for about 6 days now. When she wants to play with a toy, she will carry it to me (I constantly sit on the floor to be near her) and sit on my lap to play with it. She also brings books over CONSTANTLY. The teacher in me loves that part and I love to reading to her, but she also needs to play. The weird part is when we are outside she could care less where I am. She walks all around visiting the pugs, yelling at the kids, etc. We walk in the house and she won't let me put her down or leave her side. I can't even reach for a tissue 2 feet away without her panicking. We were making such progress a couple weeks ago then she got sick. Then this started. Before she was clingy and wanted me near, but she would play on the floor near me or even leave the room. (She is allowed to leave the room, but not me :) Now she seems to play less and suck her thumb so much more. When the rest of the family is around, it is less severe. The mornings are easy now. She plays with the boys and wanders all around. But as soon as the bus leaves and we walk back inside, it all starts up again. I'm hoping with the boys finishing up school on tuesday that maybe things will ease a bit. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone???? Is regression common??? I hate the idea of Grace being scared and insecure. I know I've rambled, but hopefully you get the idea.

My three little darlings!

Pinball Parlor

We had Nate's birthday party at the Pinball Parlor this past weekend. With the exception of chasing Grace around, it is such an easy, fun party to have. It is in this guy's detached garage. Brilliant idea. The downstairs is all video games and the upstairs is all pinball machines. We had pizza delivered and brought cake. The rest was just video games and pinball! All the boys were so well behaved and seemed to have a great time! Grace was exhausting, but luckily Aunt Denise and Uncle Andy came to help. Most of the time :)

Grace joined in and played some dance game :)





Hey, wait a minute! Isn't she suppose to be helping with Grace???


Brad made the huge "sacrafice" and played a game with Grace.





I wash so many additional pots, pans and bowls everyday!!! We have increased the cabinet locks :)

Feeling better! Grace still has a runny nose, but is doing much better. My week and a half of wonderful naps has come to an end though. I'm hoping she falls back into her schedule when she is completely better.