Get funky and shake your booty

...and I thought I signed her up for a ballet class!

My growing girls

Thirty

It's my 30th birthday. When I was younger, 30 always sounded so old. (Actually it still sounds old, but I don't feel old!) Is life as I expected at 30? Well...I'm not rich. I'm not famous. I don't even have a successful career. I'm not always able to afford the latest gadgets. And I haven't traveled the world.

But....I have a family that means the world to me. I have been happily married for 7 years and am still madly in love with that guy. I have two wonderful, beautiful, healthy children. I happily exchanged the career path for the chance to take care of my children everyday. I'm healthy and most of all, I'm happy. I'd say my life is pretty good. (And honestly, turning 30 doesn't bother me at all.)

Blue Eyes

My favorite blue-eyed people cuddling on the couch.

4 month well-child

They really need to have an entirely separate clinic for Well-child visits. Ugh.

We braved the flu-infested clinic for Grace's 4 month visit today. Thankfully I didn't have to drag Claire along. Grace is doing great, of course. She's doing so well on just breast milk that we're going to wait at least another month before starting cereal. Everything else checked out fine. She just stuck out her bottom lip when she got her shots, no crying. And 2 seconds later even gave the nurse a big grin. My brave girl. Nothing like the banshee wail that Claire used to get after her shots. But then again Claire was and still is a little over-dramatic.

At 4 months Grace weighs 14 lb, 12 oz -- 75%
her length is 26 inches---95%

For comparison, at 4 months Claire weighed 14 lb, 5 oz -- 70%
her length was 24.25 inches -- 55%

4 months old

Dear Grace,

My 4 month old. My sweet, smiley, happy, adorable, chubby 4 month old. The unending smiles, the giggles, the babbling, and the playing have made this such a fun month.

You have truly found your voice these last couple of weeks. Your occasional coos have turned into lots of chatter. When Claire is around you stay pretty quiet, but then again it really is impossible to get a word in edgewise when your sister is around. But when she's gone or out of the room, you have plenty to say. It's adorable listening to you talk! You've also added a funny grunting in the midst of your talking. You're just experimenting with your voice, I guess.

You don't care to be on your back much, you much prefer sitting up. You're so strong and it seems like it won't be long before you're sitting up unsupported. You've also very recently started standing up. Before anytime I tried to get you to put weight on your legs, they would just crumble. But now you can completely support yourself and can even stand on your own holding onto the edge of a chair or couch for a few seconds at a time.

You're getting more interactive with toys. You love to always be holding onto something. The way you attack the little birdy on your bouncer seat toy bar is hilarious. You're starting to reach out and grab at more things. It's getting harder to do things with you sitting up in my lap. While the coordination isn't completely there yet, your little hands are always getting in the way of whatever I'm trying to do.

People keep asking me if you're an easy baby. While you're very happy and content the majority of the time, I wouldn't call you easy. You definitely have a way of making things difficult at times. You and your sister seem to know how to gang up on me at the exact same times. Maybe you're going to have a big personality just like Claire or you're just making sure that you get enough attention too.

I'm excited to see your personality continue to develop. And I'm excited for the new milestones that are coming in the months ahead. I love you so much, my love!

Love, Mom

Trick or Treat

Claire looking exhausted after an evening of trick or treating.

Gracie-"I want candy too!"
Claire discovered her new favorite candy...Pixy Stix. She said, "It's just like pouring sugar in your mouth!" Exactly.

Nate was working, so it was just us girls for Halloween this year. In the excitement of getting ready, Grace missed her evening nap and didn't sleep at all while we were out trick or treating, so by the end of the night, she had had enough (hence the screaming picture.) I asked Claire what her favorite part of the night was and she said getting candy, going to strangers houses and wearing glow stick jewelry (best Dollar Store purchase ever!)