Morning Snapshots!

Oh man - when Josh travels - I become exhausted. I just don't sleep. Go to bed at 9, wake at 10, 1, and 2. I usually get up - maybe I just need to learn to stay. in. bed. Anyhow - this little girl has no problem sleeping. When he is gone - I try to send at least one picture a day. When I was in Florida, I realized how much fun it was to get pics!

Six Months

Amazing little Grace, you have had such a BIG month. You are growing by the minute and Mommy and Daddy love you more and more. It's amazing how much FUN you are at this age and we love being with you.

You are still an amazing sleeper. Consistent as the come - you get tired around 6:30pm every night, take a nap, and at 7:30pm we feed you one more time and put you to bed for the night. On March 5th, Mommy and Daddy had to unswaddle you for the first night because daycare found you on your tummy during your nap! We were SO worried that you wouldn't sleep as well and were ready for a long night - but you slept just as well (with a NUK feed around 1am). You kept your arms STRAIGHT out - but just loved every minute of the new found freedom. You prefer sleeping on your side sometimes - but for the most part are still a back sleeper.

This month you have continued to have your morning meal from Mom, and then have three 7 ounce bottles at day care, and then eat twice more from Mom before you bed. You are a good eater and don't get impatient. You are very consistent now even on the weekends - eating every three hours. It's been a warm winter - so when we took you for a walk on a warm day - you went four hours because of the heat. You love to eat - but really aren't picky or impatient. You are such a petite little girl and we think you always will be.

We've had fun this month - going to Uncle Anders and Aunt Sara's for a party night, having Grandma and Grandpa Wiersma babysit while Mommy and Daddy went to sushi for dinner, attending another Gopher baseball game to see Daddy get an award, a couple "Baby Group" meetings, and a lot of other fun things!

One March 16th, we also tried rice cereal for the first time! You didn't enjoy it at all. We waited until six months per APA guidance and because you were doing so well with breastmilk. It was confirmed we did the right thing because you didn't seem to mind that we had waited so long. You tried squash on your six month b-day, but you clenched your mouth and gave the WORST face. You did not like squash at all. We will keep trying to see what you like.:)

You had a big month at daycare as well. Your primary caregiver, Nicole, had a baby! You've now been attended to by Mary and you don't seem to mind at all. Mary is great, singing songs to you and playing games. You are such a happy baby and daycare loves you just as much as we do. They often tell Mommy and Daddy how good of a girl you are. When other babies cry, you don't. You are so even tempered and laid back. We love this about you.

You are getting in to more and more things every day. You've really figured out your jumper. You enjoy pushing off and SMILE so big when you do it. Mommy loves how you LIGHT up when she comes to pick you up from daycare and you are in your jumper. You are also getting so good at tummy time. In no time, you'll be moving around! Daddy often comments on how much fun you are at this age - so smiley, happy and overall content to just be playing or left on your own. Your toes are your BEST friend. You grab them and talk away and even put them in your mouth. Daddy does not like it that you do this - but Mommy thinks it's funny. You grab your feet and roll to your side, then flare your legs out and go back on your back. Such a pretty and good girl. You also love being naked and zerberts. They make you giggle and we finally get that real laugh out of you!

Miss Grace - you are an amazing, kind, gentle and loving little girl and you've got so many wonderful people in your life that love you.

Hunger Games

This last weekend, I started The Hunger Games. I normally do NOT get in to all the "hype" books...but with the a movie coming out, etc....I decided that the $7 book at Target was worth a try. I was ADDICTED this weekend - to the point where we drove in to Uptown to take Grace for a walk, and I read the book the entire time. I couldn't put it down. And it was AMAZING. Read it if you haven't.

I love reading a physical book. There is something about holding a book that I just absolutely love. I know these Kindles, Fires, etc etc are all the rage and people love them - I just have no interest. The issue now, however, is that there are two more books to this series.....and I really want them.

The movie comes out tomorrow. I'm fighting the urge to go to it - I have no idea when I'd even be able to see it.

This last weekend was great weather wise. Grace and I even got to go for a walk!

Plus, our little girl turned SIX months on Tuesday. I definitely owe this blog an updated six month post - and will get to it soon!

I did it!

So - I did it for TWO days in a row! Yesterday, not another dime spent. This morning, I logged in to our credit card account - and saw that our amount owed didn't change! It is so much fun to see that and play this new little game with myself. I must admit though, I was REALLY wanting to stop this morning and get Caribou versus the tea that I get at work (pre-bought months ago and use the water from the cafeteria here) - but I realized I didn't need it.

It was SO beautiful out last night when I got home that I wrapped up Grace and kept her in her carseat - snapped her in to our BOB - grabbed Lila (hesitantly...) and was out the door.

In all honesty....I REALLY didn't want to take Lila too....but felt super guilty leaving her at home when she had been in her kennel all day. Needless to say, the walk was short because every time we saw a dog, I thought I was either going to lose the stoller or the dog. I had to keep her leash short so she'd stay on the sidewalk and not spend her time sniffing everything and jerking me around. In the end, that's likely the last time that happens. Grace loved the walk though! She stayed awake most of it and was happy when we got home!

Not spending a dime...

How often do you not spend a day in a full day? I feel like 99% of the days, I buy SOMETHING. Whether it's a soda from the vending machine, filling up my tank of gas, stopping at the store to pick up dinner, paying for parking....the list could go on and on.

Yesterday, was one of those days that I didn't spend a dime! And I take note of these days. I literally went to work with my lunch (included a soda in my bag), picked up Grace from day care and came directly home. I did have a couple friends over with babies - but I literally did not spend a dime. In fact, I actually returned something - so I made money yesterday!

When Josh got home - I bragged about this. He actually paid for parking downtown and spent $8. But not a bad day either.

I'm thinking (not sure if I'll do it) about trying for this again today......

New Years Resolutions - because I've realized.....

...that 99.9% of my posts (well - maybe just all of them) have been about Grace and baby life. Yikes. Better change that up.....

Back in late December Josh and I DID make resolutions again for the new year. What most of you don't know...is that last year.....the last resolution that didn't make official announcement on this blog is that I had written "Baby?" on the bottom. And here we are.

That being said, here are our 2012 New Year's Resolutions:

1. Pay off our second mortgage and keep our savings at the our noted $$ mark.
2. Have $5k in Grace's college account (or savings).
3. Josh to discuss options with partner at PwC.
4. Write our will.
5. Drink less and watch less television.
6. Consider (keep in mind CONSIDER) having a second child and timing.

I know these aren't super exciting - but they are what they are:) It's always nice to have something to strive for. Most importantly, Josh has already achieved #3. Less importantly, #5 seems like a pipe dream....

Baby Group

This weekend, on Sunday, Grace and I met her friends in South Minneapolis. She LOVES this time. So do I and so does Josh. Honestly, it's good for me to see the moms and for Josh to do what he wants (this time, he got a haircut and went and hit golf balls).

Here is a CUTE picture from the group! Malik is on the left (he's ADORABLE and 6.5 months old) and Cannon in the middle (he's 7 months and also adorable). I have to hold Grace up still - but she's getting close to sitting on her own!

Josh and I had a great weekend. My mom and dad stayed at our house and we were able to get out and have a few drinks and a great dinner - and just come HOME without worrying about Grace. Dinner at Fujiya and then darts at Williams. I beat him twice...(hahahah) and then we just sat and talked for a couple hours. I miss those times...but I think we both are so thankful for our babe. She went to bed like a champ for grandma and grandpa and was ready to go early in the morning as always. With it being in the 60s on Sunday, Joshf and I did our normal walk around St. Anthony. I'm super sore today though - first time I've gone walking in a long time!

Picking Up Grace

.....is usually my favorite part of the day. I leave work each day arounf 4/4:15pm and drive 25 minutes to pick her up. I sometimes stop and run a quick errand if needed - but I'm always there by 4:50pm each day. Since she's dropped off so early - I make sure I'm not the mom that waits until 6pm to get her!

Yesterday, I went to get her.....and she was sitting at the big table with her friend Annika. From behind, I could see she was grabbing at her and talking to her. I got in front of her....started talking to her and received this:

Saturday during Busy Season

I should be more used to it...but it's still sad to be home on a weekend without Josh. Luckily he is local, but he still got up at 6am and will just be getting home here in a little bit. Grace and I didn't get up until after 7.....and headed to Sam's Club, did a quick stop at Target all by 10am. While she napped and played all day - I've been cleaning the house and doing my schoolwork. I figure if Josh had to work all day, I might as well too. Now, I still haven't showered...... Tomorrow, he'll also have to work, but we are also headed to the Metrodome for another Gopher game.

Grace has had a GREAT morning. As witnessed by the above picture. However, this is the THIRD outfit she's had on today....

This week was a pretty good week work wise. It was super busy (which I like) and with the sad news of Josh's grandmother passing, it was also busy on the homefront. Josh had to make up some lost time at work :( That being said, I've felt like I've let my job slide a little bit. I get to work by 7:30am mornings when I don't drop off - and 7:50am on days where I do. I leave work at 4/4:15 every day to pick up Grace by 4:45/5pm. Since she is dropped off so early (7am - when they open), I really hate to have there ALL day...and so I've made it standard that I leave at 4pm. Now, days where I drop off and Josh picks up, she's there from 7am to 5:55pm. That makes me sad.

I digress. So, I've felt like I've let me my job slide. My yearly review was on Thursday. I really thought something would be mentioned. Last year, I was given a 5% raise when everyone else got 2% and ranked a 1. This year, I thought I'd be given the 2.25% everyone else got and possibly not ranked as well. I was wrong. I was given another 5% raise and kept my ranking. It's good to know that as long as I do my job - nobody cares how much I work. My job really is flexible and I look forward seeing what each day has in store. Some days, I hate being there while Grace is at daycare, but in the end I know it is the best decision for everyone...including Grace. Her bank account is seeing 5% of every one of my paychecks - so I know she'll be grateful some day!