Home 6 months!!!

Well, this week we celebrated being home 6 months and Grace turning 10 months!!! Man... time has flown by. It's a little sad, really. Where did my little baby go?? But, even though she's growing and developing like a weed, we're counting our blessings for such a happy and healthy baby girl. In the 6 mo. she's been home, Grace has gained 11 lbs., grown 5 in., found out she's allergic to cow's milk, grew out of her reflux, and hasn't had an Upper Respiratory Infection since Nov.!!!! We finally have a very healthy girl on our hands, Praise God!! Mike and I were talking over the weekend and looking back through some of our paperwork (we're finally doing our readoption-- that's another post-- it's very complicated and we're trying to do it ourselves-- and no one at the court seems to know how to help!!!)... but, we were looking at Grace's referral pictures and some other early pictures of her and we both finally verbalized that we had our major doubts that Grace would even survive till we were able to pick her up!! We prayed like crazy for her, but I'm actually glad that Mike never told me that he was scared.... I think that would have sent me over the top (which, he knew would have)!!!!! And then, when we finally made it to Ethiopia to get her, we really enjoyed our stay, but we both just really wanted to get her home and healthy and strong! There was a bad cold bug that was just starting to go through Hannah's Hope.... that cold bug put Grace in the ER when we got her home..... we hate to think about how her little body would have handled that cold if we weren't able to travel when we did! So, we're counting our blessings every day and thanking Jesus for this perfect baby girl that He saved for our family. Most of the time, I truly don't feel worthy enough to even be called her mommy, but He has the perfect plan for our Grace and I'm just striving to be the best mom that I can for her. But, I do have to say that I'm wild and crazy in love with this sweet, funny, and HAPPY little girl!!!!!!

Grace at 7 weeks- 4.3 lbs., 17" (our referral)In Ethiopia: 3.5 months, 9 lbs 22"Grace at home, 10 mo., 20lbs 27"

Lots of Changes!!

Well, we finally have standing and some "backwards" crawling!! Grace has definitely made some significant gains during her 9th month. She's not pulling herself up yet, but once she stands-- holding onto something-- she's good to go for quite a bit! Plus, there's finally movement. I'm thinking she's getting a wee bit frustrated with the backwards crawling because the motivation (toys, books, cat, etc...) to move is in front of her, but the more she moves, the farther away the reward gets!!!! :)

At her 9 month check-up, the Dr. was very happy with her growth, physically and developmentally. But, the Dr. is still charting her as if she was born at 32 weeks-- developmentally a 7 month old, instead of a 9 month old. I don't know... maybe it's because Grace is my second baby, or maybe because of the fact that Jacob did everything so early and "fast and furious", but I'm LOVING that Grace is staying a "baby" and not plowing through all the developmental milestones so quickly. I'm relishing in the everyday joy that she brings, and all the "little" things she does each and every day that absolutely amaze us!!

S0, 9 months has been quite a big month for Miss Grace!

We also just returned from a long weekend back in the snow at the cabin!! We were there with our wonderful friends and their 2 darling girls. It was fun to watch Grace with the big kiddos-- she wanted to be in on all the action. Too cute!


If only I could reach my favorite things!!!!
Look at me, dad!!
Soooooo Big!!!!
Playing cards with the "big" kids!
I love snow!!

Posing like a Rock Star! (his favorite thing to do!)

A Boy and his Cat!

These are sentences that shouldn't have to be said.... but they seem to be part of my vocabulary these days.

"Jake, the cat will not fit into that bowl!"
"Jake, I don't think the cat wants to be taped to the couch!"
"Jake, please unbuckle the cat from your sister's car seat!"

Jacob REALLY loves our cat, and she loves him too because she continues to put up with his antics!

Makes My Heart Smile

I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get two kids to smile at the same time!! But... this one was the best of the bunch. I'll take it!!! :)

On a side note... Jake has a friend over right now. They were playing the Wii and getting a little too loud.(shocking, I know!!) Out of my mouth came, "boys, quiet it down please, you're going to wake your sister!!" Oops..... but I liked hearing myself talk to two boys about "their " little sister. :) We shall see what plans God has for our family!!

Lovin' the curls!!

I don't do Grace's hair down very often, but tonight after her bath it looked too cute! I now use an African hair shampoo/conditioner (just bought it at the grocery store), leave in conditioner, and then a little Hair milk. Stretched out... those curls are 4-5 inches long!! LOVE IT!!

Soft and Oh So Cuddly!

Well, I've decided to start a little business venture (aka: starting our 2009 adoption fund!) and I'm selling these sweet and yummy blankets. They are made out of Minky fabric and are the softest blankets I've ever felt. (my sister just asked me if I made them in adult versions!!) Grace goes everywhere with hers and whenever I wrap it around her, she just snuggles down into it. It's pretty darling.

I have a boy and a girl blanket. The big dots are on one side and the reverse is the solid/raised dots. They are approximately 29"x34" and I'm selling them for $38.00.

**I've had a few people interested in the small sized "lovie" blankets. I can do a 15" square blanket (same colors/style as the reg. sized blanket) for $12.

If you are interested in ordering any, you can email me at: suzi_little@hotmail.com

Thanks.