16 Months

Dear Gracie,

You make me so tired, but you are so stinkin' worth it. Let's see, you do so much now, that it's hard to remember what you were doing before and what you are doing now. First of all, you are talking, talking, talking. I love it. Mommy got a new schedule this month, and now gets to spend Wednesdays with you. This past Wednesday, we went to the pool at Aunt Bino's house. You didn't like it at all. You swim all the time at Heather's, but I suppose it's different because it is a kiddie pool. We'll try agina and see if you'll get used to it. There was a little girl there that was a few months older than you, and she was a little fish. She loved the water and jumped in...you, not so much.

So far, we have survived the plethora of summer activities. Your cousin Britiny graduated. We attended the English family reunion. You saw fireworkd (and loved them). You have been great throughout. Next week we head out for our family vacation. We are going to Pittsburgh to ensure the car ride is not too long for you to handle. In case you are wondering, it is difficult to find activities that suit you AND your 12 year old sister. However, I think Daddy and I did ok.

Some words you are saying....gramma, papa, apple juice, cookie, banana. There are many many more, but these are some good ones. One day, I bought a package of fruit snacks that were smiley faces. When I took one out of the package, I made it say hello to you. You now refer to the fruit snacks as hellos. It is seriously the cutest thing I have ever heard. You were standing in the kitchen one day pointing to the container saying "hello". Priceless.

Also, when anyone asks you, "who's mommy's (or gramma's or daddy's or anyone else's) baby, you point to yourself and say, "me". Also super cute.

The doc also said that we should be brushing your teeth. I looked at him like he was crazy when he said it, but surprisingly, you love it. You remind me about it most nights. Good job...you don't want to be the girl with dog breath.

You also like to kiss everyone and you love your cousin Abby. You said her name all the way (and I mean all the way) to Geneva-on-the-Lake Wednesday. You both really love each other as you can see by the pic.

You are offering a whole new set of challenges and developing your own personality every day. I usually can't believe your mine. I just can't imagine how I ever lived my life without having you be a part of it. There is nothing like coming home from work and seeing your face and have you yell, "mommy!!!!" and right to my arms. I love you.

Love,

Mommy

Already an Update

Dear Gracie,
I know I am early for a monthly letter, but your recent change in attitude has warranted a new post. I knew eventually our luck would run out with having an angelic kid. For the past 15 plus months, you have done nothing but smile, laugh, giggle, say funny things etc. Hardly ever did you protest to anything. Well, you have changed. Yesterday, and for probably a week now, you have developed an attitude and became stubborn. I know I have your dad to blame for it, but I was hoping you would remain as good natured as I am (at least as I am most of the time). I think we may be entering what some call "the terrible twos" and you have just decided to be ahead of the curve. I am just going to ask...Please stop screaming. I don't think I can handle it. Your are certainly making an argument for being an only child. That's for sure.

On a lighter note. We bought you a potty. You sit on it. No going yet, but you'll get there. Last night you sat on the potty, said "pee pee" and then peed on the floor. Thanks. I know that all it will take is for you to "accidentally" go in the potty, we will cheer, and you will want to continue to go so you can clap and say "yay" with us. Then, bye bye diapers. Then, we move to the bink. (insert doom music).

Well, those are the updates for now. I will write soon.

I love you,
Mommy

15 Months

Dear Gracie,

Today, your dad and I took you to the doctor for you 15 month check up. Well, you don't care much for him or his nurse. They are nothing but nice to and think you're cute, but I think you know their game. For some reason you do not like people to look in your eyes, ears, or mouth. He shined the light in your eyes, and you gave him a look like you would kill him if you had the chance. He reported that you are in the 25th percentile of height and weight (meaning 75% of the kids out there your age are bigger than you are). You hit the big 20 pound threshold weighing in at 20 lbs. 2 oz. Yeah, I don't think the WNBA is in your future, but a co-worker of mine said Spud Webb was only 5'6", so maybe there is hope. Although, if you saw your dad or me play sports, you would understand why the liklihood of you being a professional athlete of any kind is slim to none. Sorry. Hopefully, you are ok with being nerdy. Speaking of nerdy, the doctor also reports that you have achieved and mostly surpassed all the milestones for your age. Already an overachiever - nice job.

"Happy Feet" is your favorite game. All it consists of is me singing happy feet over and over and you moving your feet as fast as possible. You have also learned to march and jump. One day a few weeks ago, you woke up from a nap and decided that you were going to talk. You started saying "Alli" which actually sounds like "Addi". Good enough. When you learn a new word...you repeat it and repeat it and repeat it. Like...Hi, Mommy, Daddy, Addi. You will repeat these words until I almost can't take it anymore. Also, this past month, you have decided that it is no longer necessary to give people open mouth kisses. Good choice.
Grandma Rose retired, and you were wonderfully behaved at both her parties. Thanks for that. You always seem to manage to make your dad and I look like we know what we're doing. We appreciate it. Now, you and Grandma can spend oodles of time together. She's a softie, so no worries.

Well, I'm sure there will be more to write about, but these are the biggies. I am about to go home from work and see your smiling, beautiful face. You have changed my life Marigrace, and you are truly a special kid. I love you.

Love,

Mommy

I have been inspired...

So, I have been reading Heather Armstrong's blog (www.dooce.com), and I am inspired to do a similar thing. No, not to make money, sell ads, or anything like that. It is to document the life of my daughter. So, many times I wish I took the time to write down things she did because they are wonderful stories to tell later on. Time goes so fast that sometimes I forget what she used to be like - even though she is only 15 months old! So, I am going to blog again. Next Up....MG at 15 months.

Ho Hum

Knowing that not very many people read this anymore, I feel a little better about what I'm about to write. Sometimes I look at everyone else's blogs and wish their life was mine. Everyone is out together, having fun, taking pictures, being social, having friends. I have none of it. I live in a world of housework, baby diapers, and work. I get out with Tom. I had a great weekend, but sometimes I just find myself being sad. I brush it off as the weather. I say to myself, "it will be different in the summer. You're just suffering from the normal winter blues." Maybe that is true. But deep down I think it is something more. I feel like I live in the movie Groundhog Day. I wake up and do everything over and over and over and over again. I don't know the answer. Maybe it is just life. This is just what happens. Still, I look at other blogs and wish I was there. I wish I could magically jump into the computer and be somewhere, share an inside joke, laugh. I don't know the answer. I don't have a solution. I don't know that there are any. Grrr.

Stuff

First, Go ABC with your new line up this fall. I love Dirty Sexy Money, Big SHots, and Pushing Daisies. Of course I am also a fan of the old stand-by - The Bachelor. Don't judge me. I think almost all the shows we are watching this fall are on ABC. Our luck, though, they will be cancelled. All the shows we loved last season are gone. Maybe that says something about our taste.

At the new job. Loving it. They got me rolling on work on the first day, so I have kept busy. I have a ton of training and what not coming up. It will be great!

That's all for now.

New Beginnings

Ah, I sit at my desk on my second to last day of work at a company I have been with for six years. I am filled with emotions of excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and a whole host of others. I recently accepted a position as CWRU in their Corporate Relations Department. Inevitably, when you start a new job, you begin to wonder if you can live up to the BS that you laid out in an interview. People have expectations of what you will be like. It always works out, and you always "get it" and do well. But there is always that first worry of failure. That you can't possilby live up to what they think you are. Then, six months from now, you laugh at the idea that you would have failed.

I'm so excited to start my new adventure. I have never worked outside the corporate world, and I look forward to the change. I don't know what to expect, and I'm trying not to set any expectations. All I know is this is the best move I have made in my working life so far. This could be a job where I really feel like I make a difference in the world, and it may be more than just about profits and shareholders. I'm ready for my new beginning.