Gracie awoke in a good mood, but didn't really think getting dressed was a good thing to do and let us know adamantly that this was the case. Other than that, she was excited that daddy made chocolate chip muffins for breakfast, she ate the top off and then asked for a piece of cinnamon swirl bread.
Gracie had a good day at daycare, had a good nap, and I picked her up early and we headed to see a pediatrician. Gracie has had the diarrhea for two and a half weeks. I called the pediatric nurses line on Monday, just to see if we should be concerned. They went through a list of questions and indicated we should be seen within the next couple of days. I made the appointment for this afternoon and yesterday Gracie had no dirty diapers...but this morning she did again and at daycare as well, but it's starting to look a little more healthy. So I figured we better still get her checked out.
Gracie was a complete angel and cooperated so well with the exception of having her ears checked. Gracie has had 14 ear infections, tubes, and her ears checked so many times, it is quite traumatic for her. I explained to her as she was sitting on the exam table that now it was time to have her ears looked at and it wouldn't hurt. Each time previously I explained what was going to happen and she fully cooperated. At this explanation, she literally launched herself down from the exam table. She was going to have NOTHING to do with this. True to form, I had to hold her down for this part of the exam and it is not as easy as it used to be. She is one tough little girl.
Gracie checked out fine, they told us to continue doing what we were doing with her diet, etc. They told us warning signs to keep an eye out for, but since she was so active and is starting to get her appetite back little by little, there really wasn't much they could do for us. We need to keep forcing the liquids, which is quite easy as Gracie loves Gatorade.
Gracie understands pretty much everything these days and responds appropriately to questions. Tonight we were in the bathroom brushing our teeth, so I had her attention, and I started asking her questions about school.
Mommy: Do you like to go to school?
Gracie: Adamant head shake yes
Mommy: Do you like Miss Sarah (this is her teacher)?
Gracie: Adamant head shake yes
Mommy: Do you like Miss Kat and Miss Cassidy (the paraprofessionals in her room)
Gracie: Adamant head shake yes
Mommy: You get to go to school tomorrow.
Gracie: BIG GIANT SMILE
I guess I'll take it that she likes school.
We had a good night at home just hanging out.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday - Happy Girl
Gracie woke up in a happy mood this morning and was good natured but wanted nothing for breakfast, including her meds. I then signed "please" and she opened her mouth and took the first bite. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy, because she decided not to swallow them. So I got out some Smarties candy and everytime she took a bite (we have to get four down) she would get a Smartie candy. I never dreamed I would be giving my child candy for breakfast and on a school day no less.
I don't know much about Gracie's school day, but I do know she did not fall asleep on the bus ride home and did take a nap which made for a fun evening at home. Gracie was just plain silly. She was full of giggles and teasing. She also enjoyed the Christmas tree at daycare and I'm told she was very good about not touching it.
She is becoming so much easier to reason with and talk to as her comprehension levels continue to increase. She pretty much understands everything we say.
Gracie is starting to have opinions on things she never had opinions on before. She has her winter coat from last year a cute brown coat that still fits...but won't for long. She also has a pink sparkly coat that is the next size up just waiting for her. She loves looking at the pink sparkly coat and today she insisted that was the one she needed to wear.
Gracie is now sleeping soundly. Hopefully she will have a more peaceful night tonight...last night she kept talking in her sleep and at one point, while she was sound asleep, started clapping. I would LOVE to know what that dream was about.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
I don't know much about Gracie's school day, but I do know she did not fall asleep on the bus ride home and did take a nap which made for a fun evening at home. Gracie was just plain silly. She was full of giggles and teasing. She also enjoyed the Christmas tree at daycare and I'm told she was very good about not touching it.
She is becoming so much easier to reason with and talk to as her comprehension levels continue to increase. She pretty much understands everything we say.
Gracie is starting to have opinions on things she never had opinions on before. She has her winter coat from last year a cute brown coat that still fits...but won't for long. She also has a pink sparkly coat that is the next size up just waiting for her. She loves looking at the pink sparkly coat and today she insisted that was the one she needed to wear.
Gracie is now sleeping soundly. Hopefully she will have a more peaceful night tonight...last night she kept talking in her sleep and at one point, while she was sound asleep, started clapping. I would LOVE to know what that dream was about.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday & Sunday - Lots of Time with Mom and Dad
Gracie has been an absolute delight this holiday weekend. We've had a few tantrums, but most of them have been very minor. Gracie has been happy, agreeable, helpful and just plain fun!
We spent most of our weekend at home just playing and having fun. Gracie's cousin Kayla gave her a stuffed Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop from when she was a little girl. These three have been a huge hit. Gracie sleeps with them, wants to eat with them, watches tv with them, and all three have to sit with her in the rocking chair when she rocks. She had great fun watching a Barney DVD with all three of them.
Gracie did do a little shopping with me on Saturday afternoon at Target. We didn't stay long, just got what we needed and left. She was very well behaved and the only trauma we had was when a baby doll in an aisle started to talk -- she got very scared. On that topic, she gets scared much more frequently lately of sounds and commercials. I'm guessing it is the age and her heightened awareness of everything around her.
Today Gracie and I took a walk around the block in the morning and I think she just loved being out in the fresh air. We had to take it pretty slow though as there were a lot of slippery icy patches and Gracie doesn't do well on that.
Gracie and I did alot of singing of Christmas music and dancing today. She also took a three hour nap -- that is almost unheard of. I snuck in a few winks with her too.
Gracie continues to have very loose stools and I'm not quite sure why. Her appetite is still lagging, but she is drinking plenty of fluids -- but only Gatorade and water. I had her drink some milk on Friday and since she has refused it.
She is now sleeping and storing up energy for school in the morning.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
We spent most of our weekend at home just playing and having fun. Gracie's cousin Kayla gave her a stuffed Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop from when she was a little girl. These three have been a huge hit. Gracie sleeps with them, wants to eat with them, watches tv with them, and all three have to sit with her in the rocking chair when she rocks. She had great fun watching a Barney DVD with all three of them.
Gracie did do a little shopping with me on Saturday afternoon at Target. We didn't stay long, just got what we needed and left. She was very well behaved and the only trauma we had was when a baby doll in an aisle started to talk -- she got very scared. On that topic, she gets scared much more frequently lately of sounds and commercials. I'm guessing it is the age and her heightened awareness of everything around her.
Today Gracie and I took a walk around the block in the morning and I think she just loved being out in the fresh air. We had to take it pretty slow though as there were a lot of slippery icy patches and Gracie doesn't do well on that.
Gracie and I did alot of singing of Christmas music and dancing today. She also took a three hour nap -- that is almost unheard of. I snuck in a few winks with her too.
Gracie continues to have very loose stools and I'm not quite sure why. Her appetite is still lagging, but she is drinking plenty of fluids -- but only Gatorade and water. I had her drink some milk on Friday and since she has refused it.
She is now sleeping and storing up energy for school in the morning.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving and More
Gracie had a great Thanksgiving Day. We travelled to Grandma & Grandpa B's and she had a great time playing with and being spoiled by cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course G & G. She was very verbal all day and enjoyed the yummy food. Her favorites were the potatoes and gravy and stuffing. We also celebrated Grandpa B's 88th birthday with cake and candles and of course singing Happy Birthday. These are a few of Gracie's favorite things.
When we were leaving Gracie kept running back and forth to Grandma and Grandpa giving them hug after hug after hug. I think she would still be there going between them had we not finally escorted her out the door.
Gracie did pretty good in the car on the way there and we were hoping she would sleep on the way home as she was very tired. She had other ideas and didn't fall asleep until we were pretty close to home.
Gracie woke up bright and early this morning at 6:00 a.m. and was ready to start the day. She was pretty clingy to me this morning for a while. I think she was just tired from getting to bed late. She enjoyed a fun bath and then daddy put together her tricycle that we had gotten this summer for her and just hadn't gotten put together. So she was having a great time with that in our basement.
Gracie got an owie today. She has been going up and down the steps like a pro lately as long as she hangs onto the rail. So I decided we could keep the gate open at the top of the steps. I was upstairs and Jeff was downstairs and I felt it would be fine for her to go between the two of us if she wanted. I ran down the stairs to check on some pictures Jeff was hanging and Gracie was hollering at me, so I told her to come down. I didn't see how it began, but she fell down a flight of steps. She hit pretty hard and even sort of did a flip. I think it scared her more than it hurt her, but there were lots of tears over that one and of course I felt horrible. Needless to say, we'll keep the gate in place for awhile longer. Gracie and I snuggled big time after that and daddy was right beside us to offer comfort. I kept her awake for a while after that to make sure she didn't have a concussion.
Gracie did take a good nap this afternoon and then Baby Bop appeared in her doorway. Cousin Kayla gave Gracie her Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ stuffed animals from when she was a little girl. Gracie loves them and gave Baby Bop a kiss. Gracie is a big Barney video fan. We had fun playing with Aunt Sheila, Uncle Chris, and Cousins Kayla and Jason. They stayed and had pizza with us and Gracie was very excited to have others at the table with us.
She was one tired girl tonight and fell asleep quickly. She is loving all of this family time and so am I.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
When we were leaving Gracie kept running back and forth to Grandma and Grandpa giving them hug after hug after hug. I think she would still be there going between them had we not finally escorted her out the door.
Gracie did pretty good in the car on the way there and we were hoping she would sleep on the way home as she was very tired. She had other ideas and didn't fall asleep until we were pretty close to home.
Gracie woke up bright and early this morning at 6:00 a.m. and was ready to start the day. She was pretty clingy to me this morning for a while. I think she was just tired from getting to bed late. She enjoyed a fun bath and then daddy put together her tricycle that we had gotten this summer for her and just hadn't gotten put together. So she was having a great time with that in our basement.
Gracie got an owie today. She has been going up and down the steps like a pro lately as long as she hangs onto the rail. So I decided we could keep the gate open at the top of the steps. I was upstairs and Jeff was downstairs and I felt it would be fine for her to go between the two of us if she wanted. I ran down the stairs to check on some pictures Jeff was hanging and Gracie was hollering at me, so I told her to come down. I didn't see how it began, but she fell down a flight of steps. She hit pretty hard and even sort of did a flip. I think it scared her more than it hurt her, but there were lots of tears over that one and of course I felt horrible. Needless to say, we'll keep the gate in place for awhile longer. Gracie and I snuggled big time after that and daddy was right beside us to offer comfort. I kept her awake for a while after that to make sure she didn't have a concussion.
Gracie did take a good nap this afternoon and then Baby Bop appeared in her doorway. Cousin Kayla gave Gracie her Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ stuffed animals from when she was a little girl. Gracie loves them and gave Baby Bop a kiss. Gracie is a big Barney video fan. We had fun playing with Aunt Sheila, Uncle Chris, and Cousins Kayla and Jason. They stayed and had pizza with us and Gracie was very excited to have others at the table with us.
She was one tired girl tonight and fell asleep quickly. She is loving all of this family time and so am I.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday - Feeling Even Better
Gracie had a great night and didn't really want to wake up this morning. She had no appetite this morning and I was a little scared we were going to have problems getting meds in as she didn't want any yogurt or toast or juice or anything I offered her. I finally pulled out some Smarties candy and she even refused those at first. Finally she ate one and I gave her a yogurt and med chaser. After that we got everything we needed in her.
Gracie had a good lunch and even ate a little more for supper tonight. We also had a no dirty diaper day!!! To celebrate Gracie decided she did not need a nap. She was super tired when Jeff picked her up and fell asleep in the van on the way home. The nap was shortlived as her teacher, Miss Sarah, came for a home visit with us today.
Gracie was soooooooooo excited when she saw Miss Sarah and escorted her into the house and sat on her lap and danced with happiness. It was good to hear about all the progress Gracie is making at school. She is following routines very well. Miss Sarah indicated that at the beginning of the year Gracie wouldn't stay in line with the other kids and there was always someone close by to help her back into line. She now lines up beautifully with everyone else. She also shared that she is making some progress in playing with other kids. She indicated that if Gracie is just left to find her own fun at free play she will find an adult to play with, but if they have her do puzzles or something else with others, she is happy to do so.
Miss Sarah also shared with us that Gracie sometimes finds things very funny and it just cracks up the whole class. Yesterday they got to pass around a stuffed turkey and when it was her turn she thought this was so hilarious. She would say "turkey" and then just laugh and laugh.
Gracie is doing better with sitting in her chair at circle time. They still use a bumpy pad for her to sit on so she can kind of bounce in her chair.
It was a very good visit and it was fun to hear of all her progress at school. We are certainly seeing so much here at home too.
Gracie was so tired, she fell asleep at 6:37 p.m. and I put her to bed. I wonder if she will sleep all night through. I hope so.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie had a good lunch and even ate a little more for supper tonight. We also had a no dirty diaper day!!! To celebrate Gracie decided she did not need a nap. She was super tired when Jeff picked her up and fell asleep in the van on the way home. The nap was shortlived as her teacher, Miss Sarah, came for a home visit with us today.
Gracie was soooooooooo excited when she saw Miss Sarah and escorted her into the house and sat on her lap and danced with happiness. It was good to hear about all the progress Gracie is making at school. She is following routines very well. Miss Sarah indicated that at the beginning of the year Gracie wouldn't stay in line with the other kids and there was always someone close by to help her back into line. She now lines up beautifully with everyone else. She also shared that she is making some progress in playing with other kids. She indicated that if Gracie is just left to find her own fun at free play she will find an adult to play with, but if they have her do puzzles or something else with others, she is happy to do so.
Miss Sarah also shared with us that Gracie sometimes finds things very funny and it just cracks up the whole class. Yesterday they got to pass around a stuffed turkey and when it was her turn she thought this was so hilarious. She would say "turkey" and then just laugh and laugh.
Gracie is doing better with sitting in her chair at circle time. They still use a bumpy pad for her to sit on so she can kind of bounce in her chair.
It was a very good visit and it was fun to hear of all her progress at school. We are certainly seeing so much here at home too.
Gracie was so tired, she fell asleep at 6:37 p.m. and I put her to bed. I wonder if she will sleep all night through. I hope so.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday/Monday - Slowly on the Mend
Gracie had a much better day on Sunday and had no dirty diapers...although today she had three. She has a ton more energy, but the appetite is still way below normal. She continues to drink alot of fluids and eat a little bit here and there.
Gracie did go back to daycare and school today and did good at both, although she really didn't want mom to leave her and was quite clingy.
Jeff picked Gracie up at daycare today and Gracie was daddy's girl tonight! She was a happy girl, but tired. She is now fast asleep and so very peaceful.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie did go back to daycare and school today and did good at both, although she really didn't want mom to leave her and was quite clingy.
Jeff picked Gracie up at daycare today and Gracie was daddy's girl tonight! She was a happy girl, but tired. She is now fast asleep and so very peaceful.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Saturday-Playdate Reschedule Due to Stomach Bug
Gracie woke up a little before 5:00 a.m. this morning with diarhea again. That was the theme of the day. At last count I think we had 6 nasty diapers and one total blow out that sent her clothes to the washing machine.
The good news is she seemed to have a little more of an appetite today and her energy level definitely was increased. She was dancing and running around the house. She also had times when she just wanted to be held or lay on her bed and snuggle.
We ended up canceling her playdate for today and rescheduling. We just didn't want to pass this bug to others. I was bummed as I was really looking forward to it and I knew Gracie would have had a good time too.
We did end up taking her for an outing to Shopko late this afternoon as she was just going stir crazy at home. I think that helped a bit and she had fun being out and about, although the transitions from the car to the house and vice versa are major tantrum causers. We've been seeing that more and more frequently.
When Gracie wants me she calls me "me mama" or sometimes she'll say "need me mama", but she says it so fast and linked together it sounds like "mean mama". It cracks me up when she says it.
We're hoping for a healthier day tomorrow.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
The good news is she seemed to have a little more of an appetite today and her energy level definitely was increased. She was dancing and running around the house. She also had times when she just wanted to be held or lay on her bed and snuggle.
We ended up canceling her playdate for today and rescheduling. We just didn't want to pass this bug to others. I was bummed as I was really looking forward to it and I knew Gracie would have had a good time too.
We did end up taking her for an outing to Shopko late this afternoon as she was just going stir crazy at home. I think that helped a bit and she had fun being out and about, although the transitions from the car to the house and vice versa are major tantrum causers. We've been seeing that more and more frequently.
When Gracie wants me she calls me "me mama" or sometimes she'll say "need me mama", but she says it so fast and linked together it sounds like "mean mama". It cracks me up when she says it.
We're hoping for a healthier day tomorrow.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday - On the Mend
I stayed home with Gracie again today and she is on the mend. Her energy level and appetite are on the way back. She still had a few funky diapers, but I'm told to expect that for up to a week or more. She started out pretty cranky this morning, but had a really good day. She was funny and talkative. We had some good quality time together playing, just laying around, dancing, etc.
We have a playdate tomorrow and I was worried that she would have to miss it, but I don't think that is the case. It will be good to get her out of the house, I think another day at home will drive her stir crazy. I, on the other hand, could very easily become a stay at home mom. I am a total homebody.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
We have a playdate tomorrow and I was worried that she would have to miss it, but I don't think that is the case. It will be good to get her out of the house, I think another day at home will drive her stir crazy. I, on the other hand, could very easily become a stay at home mom. I am a total homebody.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday - Stomach Bug - Day 2
Gracie continues to battle the stomach bug, although she ate a little more today and I didn't have any problems getting the seizure meds in (thank heavens). That is always my biggest stresser. The diarhea is still going on and she still isn't back to her normal activity level, but she did get up and move around a bit more today.
Gracie saw daddy for a few minutes this morning and then he worked a long day, so she was in bed before he got home. This didn't sit well with her. She asked about him all day. At one point after supper she burst into tears and stood at the top of the steps by the doorway. She wanted her daddy. Then tonight she was totally teasing me. I asked her what her name was and she wouldn't tell me. A little later, I asked her again and she told me it was "daddy". All night long whenever I would ask, she would tell me "daddy" and then she would smile.
On top of the stomach flu, Gracie is now coming down with a head cold. She's being a trooper though and has been very good. Let's hope tomorrow is a healthier day.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie saw daddy for a few minutes this morning and then he worked a long day, so she was in bed before he got home. This didn't sit well with her. She asked about him all day. At one point after supper she burst into tears and stood at the top of the steps by the doorway. She wanted her daddy. Then tonight she was totally teasing me. I asked her what her name was and she wouldn't tell me. A little later, I asked her again and she told me it was "daddy". All night long whenever I would ask, she would tell me "daddy" and then she would smile.
On top of the stomach flu, Gracie is now coming down with a head cold. She's being a trooper though and has been very good. Let's hope tomorrow is a healthier day.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday - The Flu Bug Has Hit!
I stayed home today with Gracie as she has a stomach bug of some sort. She has major diarhea and refused to eat most of the day. You've heard it before and I'll say it again...that makes getting the needed seizure meds in her a bit of a challenge. I'm happy to say eventually we got them all ingested, but not as timely as we would have liked.
You could tell that Gracie felt pretty rotten as all she wanted to do was lay on her bed and have me talk to her as her Mickey and Minnie Mouse figurines. You know, after a while you run out of things to say and she wouldn't allow me to sing with them very often. We literally spent hours today sitting on her bed and talking. She was very sweet all day and even cooperated for diaper changes -- thank heavens because well today was not the day for a wiggly squiggly girl.
Gracie did eat some supper tonight, but I think she may have regretted it later. She acted like she wasn't feeling well again. I suspect we may have another day at home tomorrow. We'll see what the morning brings.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
You could tell that Gracie felt pretty rotten as all she wanted to do was lay on her bed and have me talk to her as her Mickey and Minnie Mouse figurines. You know, after a while you run out of things to say and she wouldn't allow me to sing with them very often. We literally spent hours today sitting on her bed and talking. She was very sweet all day and even cooperated for diaper changes -- thank heavens because well today was not the day for a wiggly squiggly girl.
Gracie did eat some supper tonight, but I think she may have regretted it later. She acted like she wasn't feeling well again. I suspect we may have another day at home tomorrow. We'll see what the morning brings.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday & Tuesday
Gracie has had a good couple of days with the exception of very loose stools and her appetite hasn't been so great either. She seems fine otherwise and doesn't really complain that she isn't feeling well. I'm just not sure what's up with that. Tonight I made her some chicken noodle soup thinking that would be good for her tummy. She ate a couple of spoonfuls and then decided she didn't want anymore, but instead of telling me this, she would just open her mouth and let it slide out.
Gracie's delayed motor skills have always kept her from climbing on things. She just didn't have the skill, strength, balance, or confidence to do it. This is how I found her last night...I think perhaps our no climbing days are gone.
Jeff picked Gracie up at daycare tonight and I worked a little late. I got a frantic call from home - did I know where Mickey Mouse was? Gracie has an extreme obsession right now for her Mickey and Minnie Mouse figures. She loves for them to talk to her and she plays with them as well. She was refusing to do anything, including a diaper change, until they could be found. Gracie had a doctor's appointment this morning and I had taken them along to entertain her. They were still in my purse...so I had to get on the phone and assure her that mommy had them and would be bringing them home soon. Gracie was VERY happy to see mommy, Mickey, and Minnie walk through the door.
Gracie continues to talk and talk. She was half listening to a "Dora the Explorer" show the other day while she was sitting at the computer. On Dora they were talking about how to get to the top of the mountain and were repeating "bridge", "door", "top of mountain". I didn't even realize Gracie was listening when I heard those exact words come out of her mouth. While in the waiting room at the clinic today she asked me "What's that?" She was referring to the front desk. She also made friends with a couple at her appointment. They asked her how old she was and without missing a beat she said "three". I about fell over.
Gracie and I played with her Jack in the Box over and over and over again tonight. She thought it was great fun for Jack to go back in the box.
My sleepyhead is now snoozing away.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Weekend
Gracie woke up on Saturday and was in a good mood. Gracie and daddy hung out together in the morning and I got back home a little after 11:00 a.m., just in time to head to an adoption celebraton at Catholic Charities...November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Gracie had a good time, but it was a little hard to socialize as Gracie just wanted to walk the halls. We did chat with some families we knew and met some others. There were games for the kids and seeing the other children her age, we were reminded that she is definitely about a year younger developmentally than her actual age. She charmed many with her smile, her love of dancing, and even though she wasn't able to understand the concept of the games, she was given prizes and treated very well. Her favorite prize was the mini cupcakes.
Gracie was very tired as the party interfered with her naptime, so we headed home for a few z's. Gracie was very moody after she woke up. We did run out for a quick errand and Gracie got to see light up Santa's and snowmen and she loved it.
Gracie's tummy started acting up. Not sure if it was something she ate or a bug of some sort, but the diapers got so nasty that at one point, the Pampers that we swear by didn't hold it all in. The poop was EVERYWHERE. Daddy got to clean that one up.
Gracie was very much a mommy's girl and wanted to be held ALOT.
Today Gracie was mommy's girl again, but was in a good mood. She needed alot of snuggling this morning and I suspect her tummy might have still been bothering her a bit. She was a very good girl today and amazed us with her words and awareness. She was watching Dora on a video and was drinking juice out of her Dora sippy cup. She had to point out to me that Dora was on her cup too.
Gracie LOVES when her Mickey and Minnie Mouse figurines talk to her. She wants either Jeff or I to hold both of them and do the entertaining. Today I noticed her a couple of times with both of them in hand and she was doing the talking for them. Mostly sounds rather than words, but her imagination is starting to blossom.
Auntie Kathy and cousins Maria and Josh came to visit for a little while today. Gracie was happy to visit and especially enjoyed spinning Auntie Kathy in our computer chair.
After nap it was a pretty lazy afternoon to play and just hang out. I think we all needed that.
Gracie LOVES money! She gets excited when she sees it. She has a book from school that she pretty much knows by heart and she says alot of the words. It is a book to help with speech. Anyway, the book repeats "Natalie likes..." with different items such as a ball, swing, daddy, etc. So Jeff is reading it to her and so he reads "Natalie likes...", the answer was supposed to be a ball. Gracie as confident as can be says "money"! Nowhere in this book is money mentioned. We both cracked up and she was pretty proud of herself.
Gracie got to have a sucker tonight. She loved that.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday - So Many Words
Gracie had a great day both Thursday and Friday. She is talking up a storm. On Thursday night she sat on my lap and we had a conversation. It was so much fun. I couldn't understand everything she said, but I caught alot of it. She was responding to my questions.
Today we took Gracie to back up child care through work and Gracie had a great time. They treat her so awesome there. They usually require the kids to stay in one room, but they let Gracie take them for walks and let her go between the two preschool rooms today as she liked to go visiting when it was music and story time. Go figure. She wasn't very interactive with the other kids, but loved the adults. She ate and ate and ate at lunch time. Now I know why those legs of hers are growing so long!!!
Gracie had a great night tonight and was a very happy girl. Tonight when we layed down for bed, she all of sudden said "money". I asked her what she needed money for and she told me "pig". Of course she wanted to put money in her piggy bank. I told her we would have to wait til tomorrow. Silly girl!!!
She is now sound asleep. She has to rejuvenate and get her energy stored up. Tomorrow we are going to an adoption celebration. November is National Adoption Month -so we are going to party.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Today we took Gracie to back up child care through work and Gracie had a great time. They treat her so awesome there. They usually require the kids to stay in one room, but they let Gracie take them for walks and let her go between the two preschool rooms today as she liked to go visiting when it was music and story time. Go figure. She wasn't very interactive with the other kids, but loved the adults. She ate and ate and ate at lunch time. Now I know why those legs of hers are growing so long!!!
Gracie had a great night tonight and was a very happy girl. Tonight when we layed down for bed, she all of sudden said "money". I asked her what she needed money for and she told me "pig". Of course she wanted to put money in her piggy bank. I told her we would have to wait til tomorrow. Silly girl!!!
She is now sound asleep. She has to rejuvenate and get her energy stored up. Tomorrow we are going to an adoption celebration. November is National Adoption Month -so we are going to party.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday - Great Mood Gracie
Gracie was in an exceptional mood this morning. She was silly and happy and goofy and bright-eyed. I just love those happy days. The only hiccup in our morning routine is when she didn't want her diaper changed so she bit me. So not only did she get a diaper change, she got a time out to go along with it.
Gracie had school today. I don't know many details about her day, but she did come home with some fun projects that she made in school. Gracie loves looking through her take home folder with me.
Gracie fell asleep on the bus ride home which means no nap. Mandy said she had a meltdown this afternoon so she had her just lay down for a while, but she never fell asleep. Then she got up and got a second wind. She said she danced and played and talked using words she didn't even know she knew.
Gracie sat me on the couch tonight and snuggled in on my lap, she told me she was "snuggling". She had a pretty good night for being extremely tired. She is now fast asleep. It took her about two seconds to actually fall asleep.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie had school today. I don't know many details about her day, but she did come home with some fun projects that she made in school. Gracie loves looking through her take home folder with me.
Gracie fell asleep on the bus ride home which means no nap. Mandy said she had a meltdown this afternoon so she had her just lay down for a while, but she never fell asleep. Then she got up and got a second wind. She said she danced and played and talked using words she didn't even know she knew.
Gracie sat me on the couch tonight and snuggled in on my lap, she told me she was "snuggling". She had a pretty good night for being extremely tired. She is now fast asleep. It took her about two seconds to actually fall asleep.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday - Smart Girl
Gracie had a good day today. She was on top of her game! She got to go to the park at daycare and was very interactive with the kids and the playset. Usually she just wants to swing, but today she went through the tunnel (they just did this at school, so I'm thinking that gave her confidence), and was climbing all over things. Mandy said she was even climbing on things that she really doesn't quite have the skill level to do without help, but she was going for it.
On the way home from daycare Gracie wanted music, but it is now dark, so I didn't see that she must have been signing music to me. All of a sudden out of the back seat I hear her request "music" verbally. She also decided that mommy is not allowed to sing along to any music. Every time I start singing a song, she tells me "no".
Tonight Gracie informed me she wanted milk -- chocolate milk. So we put some chocolate syrup in her milk and she decided she would do the stirring. She did an awesome job. She was so proud of herself too. After a while she just got silly and started blowing bubbles in the milk. By the time she was done, she was covered in chocolate milk, as was the counter and the floor. It was worth the clean up to hear her giggle. Plus I was so proud as I remembered the days we tried and tried and tried to get her to blow bubbles.
Gracie was extremely verbal tonight, she helped read a number of books. She knows so many words that she has memorized from hearing the books over and over again and she identifies many of the pictures. You should hear her read us "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?"
Tonight Gracie made up for the supper she didn't eat last night. She was a human vacuum cleaner. It didn't hurt that we had chicken, her absolute favorite food in the world. She also scarfed down broccoli and mandarin oranges. She ate a little pasta, but wasn't as in to that. She did try to feed her pasta to a picture of Baby Bop on a DVD case.
Gracie was the splashing queen in the tub tonight. She was overall a very happy girl tonight.
She is now fast asleep storing up energy for her day at school tomorrow.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
On the way home from daycare Gracie wanted music, but it is now dark, so I didn't see that she must have been signing music to me. All of a sudden out of the back seat I hear her request "music" verbally. She also decided that mommy is not allowed to sing along to any music. Every time I start singing a song, she tells me "no".
Tonight Gracie informed me she wanted milk -- chocolate milk. So we put some chocolate syrup in her milk and she decided she would do the stirring. She did an awesome job. She was so proud of herself too. After a while she just got silly and started blowing bubbles in the milk. By the time she was done, she was covered in chocolate milk, as was the counter and the floor. It was worth the clean up to hear her giggle. Plus I was so proud as I remembered the days we tried and tried and tried to get her to blow bubbles.
Gracie was extremely verbal tonight, she helped read a number of books. She knows so many words that she has memorized from hearing the books over and over again and she identifies many of the pictures. You should hear her read us "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?"
Tonight Gracie made up for the supper she didn't eat last night. She was a human vacuum cleaner. It didn't hurt that we had chicken, her absolute favorite food in the world. She also scarfed down broccoli and mandarin oranges. She ate a little pasta, but wasn't as in to that. She did try to feed her pasta to a picture of Baby Bop on a DVD case.
Gracie was the splashing queen in the tub tonight. She was overall a very happy girl tonight.
She is now fast asleep storing up energy for her day at school tomorrow.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday - It's a School Day
Gracie had a pretty good night and woke up in a good mood. I find that if her Minnie Mouse figurine is in bed talking to her when she wakes up, it puts an instant smile on her face. Minnie will have to be there in the morning more often.
Gracie had a good day at school and was happy to be there. Took a very short nap at daycare and got frustrated with the other little girls at daycare today when they were playing on the mini playset. Gracie decided to pinch them. Mandy gave Gracie a timeout to re-group and get the frustration level down. This helped immensely. I just love that Mandy is consistent with us in how she handles these kind of situations. Consistency is key for Gracie.
Gracie was a dancing queen tonight when she got home. She didn't want supper, although did eat a part of a banana a little later. She was very tired tonight and had moments of being very happy and moments of being very sad. She liked when daddy would hold her and sing to her. We were going to let daddy keep holding her and singing her to sleep, but she decided only mommy would do at sleepy time. It didn't take her long at all to fall asleep.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie had a good day at school and was happy to be there. Took a very short nap at daycare and got frustrated with the other little girls at daycare today when they were playing on the mini playset. Gracie decided to pinch them. Mandy gave Gracie a timeout to re-group and get the frustration level down. This helped immensely. I just love that Mandy is consistent with us in how she handles these kind of situations. Consistency is key for Gracie.
Gracie was a dancing queen tonight when she got home. She didn't want supper, although did eat a part of a banana a little later. She was very tired tonight and had moments of being very happy and moments of being very sad. She liked when daddy would hold her and sing to her. We were going to let daddy keep holding her and singing her to sleep, but she decided only mommy would do at sleepy time. It didn't take her long at all to fall asleep.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Weekend
Gracie's Saturday was not the best of days. She had happy moments, we saw smiles, but she was very needy. She wanted to be held alot...but not just by anyone, it had to be mommy. At 43 lbs., it's getting harder and harder to hold her while standing for extended periods of time...like all morning and when she wants to be held, she wants me to be standing up and walking with her. My biceps keep getting stronger! We did take a walk outside, but the wind was pretty raw and we all got cold.
Gracie did think it would be fun to wear mommy's shoes. I love when little kids do this and this was an especially exciting thing for me. Gracie struggled with walking for so long that I never really thought the day would come when she would actually be able to put on my shoes AND be able to walk in them. I just have to remember...Gracie gets to all of the milestones...she just gets there a little slower than others. She thought she was hilarious and the more outraged I pretended to be that she was wearing my shoes, the funnier she thought it was.
Sunday was a new day. Gracie had an awesome nights sleep and was in a great mood all day. She played with lots of toys. She is really starting to enjoy toys, we played alot with her playhouse and her Mickey and Minnie Mouse clubhouse. She loves when you talk for Minnie and Mickey Mouse. Gracie also sat on the floor today in the kitchen where I could hear her, but not see her and she was signing just about every other word of a Brad Paisley song along with the cd. Music is her thing. I wish I would have been able to record that. Gracie did alot of dancing today. She was wearing a frilly dress, so that just made dancing even more fun.
This afternoon we went and donated all of Gracie's old shoes that don't fit anymore to charity, then we went to Target and picked up just a few things. Gracie was having such a good time that after Target she lead me to Dick's Sporting Goods, so we went in there and tried out the bicycles with training wheels. Let's just say it's going to be a very long time before she masters that.
We played outside late this afternoon and went for a walk. Gracie was very sad that we couldn't walk to the local school playground. Actually I think the word is mad, rather than sad.
She ate a big supper tonight and was the splashing queen tonight in the tub. She is now asleep. The time change is throwing off her schedule. It usually takes her about a week to get used to that schedule.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday
Not too much happening in our world the last couple of days. Gracie has been a great tease all week, even her daycare provider indicated that she has been a bit of a tease there as well. Every morning I take our bags out to the car before we head out (she's just too much to handle with bags in hand too) and I say to her "Gracie, I'm going to take our bags out, I'll be right...." and then she finishes my sentence by saying "back". So this morning I say this to her and she ignores me, I say it again and again nothing, so the third time I say "Gracie" and she turns her head with the biggest smile on her face, sees me and then laughs.
When it was time to actually leave she was of no help putting her coat on, she was looking at a magazine and didn't want to be bothered. I told her it was time to go and she wasn't moving. I turned off all of the lights in the house and told her I was leaving, did she want to go with, again she totally ignored me. I walked out the door and stayed in the garage for a few minutes, nothing. I finally had to go back in, pick her up and bodily help her toward the door. If she grows too much more, I'm not going to be able to bodily help her anywhere.
Speaking of growing...she is! I put on size 5 sweatpants yesterday and they were snug. Size 5 shirts are on the way out too.
Gracie had a great night last night...I think it is because she is growing, although she did have some jerks in her sleep....which is usually an indication that a seizure med increase is in her near future. These aren't actual seizures, they are electrical discharges from the brain, indicating some possible seizure activity in the near future.
Gracie has been enjoying some afternoon time with daddy this week. He's been on early shift, which means the two of them get a couple of hours together before I get home from work. That has been enjoyable for both of them.
For those of you that listen to Garage Logic (a radio talk show), Gracie no longer wants music on in the van on the way home with daddy, she tells him she wants "Roycie". This is the end of the world as we know it. Daddy is elated....mommy, not so much.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
When it was time to actually leave she was of no help putting her coat on, she was looking at a magazine and didn't want to be bothered. I told her it was time to go and she wasn't moving. I turned off all of the lights in the house and told her I was leaving, did she want to go with, again she totally ignored me. I walked out the door and stayed in the garage for a few minutes, nothing. I finally had to go back in, pick her up and bodily help her toward the door. If she grows too much more, I'm not going to be able to bodily help her anywhere.
Speaking of growing...she is! I put on size 5 sweatpants yesterday and they were snug. Size 5 shirts are on the way out too.
Gracie had a great night last night...I think it is because she is growing, although she did have some jerks in her sleep....which is usually an indication that a seizure med increase is in her near future. These aren't actual seizures, they are electrical discharges from the brain, indicating some possible seizure activity in the near future.
Gracie has been enjoying some afternoon time with daddy this week. He's been on early shift, which means the two of them get a couple of hours together before I get home from work. That has been enjoyable for both of them.
For those of you that listen to Garage Logic (a radio talk show), Gracie no longer wants music on in the van on the way home with daddy, she tells him she wants "Roycie". This is the end of the world as we know it. Daddy is elated....mommy, not so much.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday & Wednesday
Gracie had a good day for the most part on Tuesday. She got to play outside at daycare and daddy picked her up at daycare and they spent a little time outside too. Gracie has been missing daddy. Matter-of-fact, she kept waking up through the night and was quite concerned that "daddy" was "bye bye". I would tell her that daddy was just sleeping. She would be okay with that for awhile, then wake up and do the same thing over again. Then this morning she was so scared daddy would leave before she would see him. Daddy went and snuggled with her before he left for work.
Gracie had an injury yesterday. She loves to stand up on the couch and she knows she is not supposed to. We had just got done telling her to sit down, which she did, but somehow she fell off the couch from a sitting position flat on her face and chest. I heard the thump, but didn't witness it. Jeff was in the room and did witness it, but wasn't close enough to cushion the fall. Our tough little girl who NEVER cries, cried and cried. She has a skinned up nose and upper lip. She kept telling me her tummy/chest area hurt too. I believe it did as she fell on that too.
Gracie had school today and they had an obstacle course that Gracie enjoyed going through. She went through the tunnel, jumped on bear prints, over the bear, around a spinner and jumped on a trampoline. I understand that Gracie thought the tunnel was pretty funny. Gracie also made bear ears in school. She was very proud to put them on tonight to show mom, but she didn't want them on for very long.
Gracie had a really good night. She talked a ton. She was absolutely thrilled when she saw mommy walk in the house with a McDonald's bag and when she saw I had brought her a "hamburger" she was even more thrilled. She had fun splashing daddy in the bathtub, we had a long story time tonight reading books, and Gracie was just a very good girl. She had an extra long nap at daycare to the point that Mandy had to wake her up. I could tell that she was much more rested -- it makes for a much easier evening.
Gracie and daddy are both sleeping. Daddy isn't feeling well, he got his flu vaccination today and is feeling a bit under the weather with it.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie had an injury yesterday. She loves to stand up on the couch and she knows she is not supposed to. We had just got done telling her to sit down, which she did, but somehow she fell off the couch from a sitting position flat on her face and chest. I heard the thump, but didn't witness it. Jeff was in the room and did witness it, but wasn't close enough to cushion the fall. Our tough little girl who NEVER cries, cried and cried. She has a skinned up nose and upper lip. She kept telling me her tummy/chest area hurt too. I believe it did as she fell on that too.
Gracie had school today and they had an obstacle course that Gracie enjoyed going through. She went through the tunnel, jumped on bear prints, over the bear, around a spinner and jumped on a trampoline. I understand that Gracie thought the tunnel was pretty funny. Gracie also made bear ears in school. She was very proud to put them on tonight to show mom, but she didn't want them on for very long.
Gracie had a really good night. She talked a ton. She was absolutely thrilled when she saw mommy walk in the house with a McDonald's bag and when she saw I had brought her a "hamburger" she was even more thrilled. She had fun splashing daddy in the bathtub, we had a long story time tonight reading books, and Gracie was just a very good girl. She had an extra long nap at daycare to the point that Mandy had to wake her up. I could tell that she was much more rested -- it makes for a much easier evening.
Gracie and daddy are both sleeping. Daddy isn't feeling well, he got his flu vaccination today and is feeling a bit under the weather with it.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Monday, November 1, 2010
Tired Monday!!!
First of all let me start out by informing you that November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Wear your purple!!! This years theme is "Get Seizure Smart". According to epilepsy.com, in America, epilepsy is as common as breast cancer and takes as many lives.
Gracie slept well until about 4:00 a.m. She awoke and asked for daddy. I told her daddy was sleeping, she sat up for a little while and then went back to sleep. Then when 6:00 a.m. rolled around she did not want to wake up. It was slow moving this morning. Jeff took Gracie to daycare this morning and she was very clingy.
Gracie had school today and I let her teacher know she was extra tired today. Here is what her teacher had to say about her day:
Grace was tired today, she tried to crawl in the doll bed when we were using it for a speech activity.
Today Grace was the calendar helper and helped point to the day/month/date with the pointer. She loves helping.
I'm finding that she just loves to help at home too. If you acknowledge what a good helper she is, she just beams.
Gracie got to play outside at daycare, fell asleep on the bus after school and then didn't take a nap. Tonight she was so tired, I had a heck of time keeping her awake until 7:30 p.m. I was able to get her to eat some soup, pears, and bread, then we did a quick bath. We read lots of books and she really enjoyed that as we snuggled with her head resting on my chest.
I read her a book I haven't read to her in a while. It used to be her favorite that we would have to read a couple of times a day about going to the dentist. I read it to her tonight and she remembered a lot of the the words, she was saying them before I even got to the point of reading them. I was amazed.
Gracie is now sound asleep all cozy under her Pooh blanket.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
Gracie slept well until about 4:00 a.m. She awoke and asked for daddy. I told her daddy was sleeping, she sat up for a little while and then went back to sleep. Then when 6:00 a.m. rolled around she did not want to wake up. It was slow moving this morning. Jeff took Gracie to daycare this morning and she was very clingy.
Gracie had school today and I let her teacher know she was extra tired today. Here is what her teacher had to say about her day:
Grace was tired today, she tried to crawl in the doll bed when we were using it for a speech activity.
Today Grace was the calendar helper and helped point to the day/month/date with the pointer. She loves helping.
I'm finding that she just loves to help at home too. If you acknowledge what a good helper she is, she just beams.
Gracie got to play outside at daycare, fell asleep on the bus after school and then didn't take a nap. Tonight she was so tired, I had a heck of time keeping her awake until 7:30 p.m. I was able to get her to eat some soup, pears, and bread, then we did a quick bath. We read lots of books and she really enjoyed that as we snuggled with her head resting on my chest.
I read her a book I haven't read to her in a while. It used to be her favorite that we would have to read a couple of times a day about going to the dentist. I read it to her tonight and she remembered a lot of the the words, she was saying them before I even got to the point of reading them. I was amazed.
Gracie is now sound asleep all cozy under her Pooh blanket.
Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie
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