Today was the annual trip to the pediatrician for Grace's well child checkup.  Her doctor is my doctor from childhood so its actually pretty fun to go to the appointments.  I think the doc secretly laughs when I tell him some of the things Grace does....cause its a bit of payback for all those things I did as a kid. 

Her stats were great today.  75% percentile in weight and OFF THE CHARTS in height.  Her growth curve has not changed since she was born so that is a good thing.   Developmentally, Grace is right on track. 

The only issue we ran into today at the appointment (well, other than trying to explain why she couldnt have 2.486 stickers!) were her eyes.  It seems that she may have a lazy eye or strabismus.  Jaime had a lazy eye as a kid so its not devestating but one more thing to manage on a daily basis.  No diagnosis yet---we are heading to the specialist pediatric opthamologist this week.  Details to come. 

This weekend, we are heading to Houston, TX for a Barnhart family wedding.  It will be Grace's first airplane ride so I am sure that will be an adventure.  Pictures and stories to follow on Monday!!!!! 

Dear Grace:

4 years ago today, you changed our lives.  Since the moment you were born, you brought smiles and laughter to every one you meet. 

It has been so exciting to watch you grow up.  Every day there is something new to learn from you and about you.  This past year, you have grown to be such an independent little girl....no more baby in you and you need us to help you less and less.  Somehow, though, you still like to cuddle at night just like when you were small enough to fit in one arm. Now, you are so tall that you can reach the cookie jar that we so cleverly put in the far corner of the kitchen counter. 

We love you Moo more than you will ever know.  And we cant wait to see what this year brings!

Love, Mom and Dad

We started this website so that there was a place for family and friends were able to stay updated on all the happenings in Grace's life.  And we havent kept up with the website.  That's a good thing though---we have been having such a great time and keeping so busy that we dont get a chance to update. 

But, we are giving the site a new life now.  Starting today. 

Here is the quick update from the past few months:

1.  A new addition to our family arrived Christmas week.  Polly is a Saint Bernard/Foxhound mix, 100 lbs young dog.  She is the sweetest dog we have ever met and loves to curl up with Bill on the couch every night.  Grace and Polly have become the best of friends. 

2.  Jaime and Bill are still working hard and spending way too much time on their Black.berrys. 

3.  This weekend, we went to VA Beach for a Barnhart Family event.  It was a blast!  Grace spent time with her cousin Drew while we went to a gala charity event for the SPCA.  Pictures are posted on the site of our trip. 

4.  Lookng forward, this month is crazy.  VA Beach this weekend, Grace's Birthday next weekend, Houston the following weekend, and Jaime ends the month in Miami. 

We will post an update again soon.

Every day Grace gets bigger and bigger.  Yes, I mean tall but really what I mean is that she has turned into a child.  No more baby.  Not even a toddler.  But a kid.  She is also quite the diva! 

We are working on cutting down on whining.  Yea I know......the whining will never end and we are definitely only at the beginning of all this butwe can do what we can to make it a little quieter.   But how are we doing it?  By asking Grace to speak in sentences.  It forces her to stop and think about what she is asking and 9 times out of 10, it works like a champ.  Bonus points to Daddy for that idea!!!

Our temporary roomie, Catherine, was talking to Grace the other day and said "Oh Grace, you are such a diva!".  Well, Grace just didnt agree with her.  She threw herself to the ground and cried for 5 minutes, repeating over and over again "I not a diba!  Cat call me diba!  I grace marie.  Not a diba!!!!!".  Hysterical.  It still makes us laugh.

Other than that, just the same old day here in Virginia.  Grace is spending her days playing with her friends at daycare and swimming in the pool on the weekends.   

What fun it was to have a long weekend!!!  

The pool is open at the house so we spent all weekend laying in the sun, splashing in the water, and just hanging out at home.  Great times!!!  Mommy bought Grace a kiddy pool, a new umbrella, and some pool chemicals.  And planted a few flowers.  That is it for the entire weekend. Doesnt that sound great?!!?!?  More weekends should be like that!

Grace is really growing up so quickly these days.  Full complete sentences, her own little opinions and ideas.  Its so amazing.  And what a Princess she is.  Lately, she is into Peter Pan, anything Princess/Dora/Diego, and loves to play ball outside with Daddy.

We have temporary roommates too....Catherine and Mitch.  They are building a house and are staying with us while the work is completed.  SO MUCH FUN!  We love having them here with us.  2 extra sets of eyes to watch Grace, other adults to converse with, and Grace just adores them both.

I know...nothing exciting right now!  More later..........

First of all, Happy Anniversary MoMo and Papa!!! 

Lots of new developments at our house in the past few weeks.   Most importantly:  the addition of a big girl bed.......yep, a real bed for Grace. She went from looking like such a big girl in the toddler bed to looking like my little baby again in a full size bed.  The room is decorated beach style and Grace is proudly referring to it as her "Jimmy Buffet Room".  This makes Daddy very happy!!!! 

And drum roll please for the 2nd development...........no more diapers during the day!!  That is right, potty training FINALLY clicked.  Now every morning we have to spend 5 minutes discussing which character to wear on our big girl pants.....Princesses, Curious George, Red Sox (go Yankees!!!), Tinkerbell....the list goes on.  She is so proud of herself and we are thrilled to see the end of diapers!!!

Mothers Day was great......I actually took a nap in the middle of the day for 3 hours uninterrupted!!!!  Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Grace and Bill made me a wonderful seafood feast dinner complete with lobster tails, shrimp, and crab legs.  Yummy! 

Happy Birthday Grace!

I cant believe that 3 years have passed since you came into the world.  How time flies! 

It has been so amazing watching you grow from the tiny newborn we held to the princess you are today.  You are the light of our lives and we cant remember what it was like without you.  You make it all worth it. 

Every morning when you run down to hall to give us hugs and kisses.  When its pickup time at daycare and you cant wait to show us today's craft project.  When you watch a movie and cuddle up on the couch.  Even when you have a little attitude and make us laugh.   All those moments are priceless and they are forever burned in my heart. 

I love you more than I ever knew I could love someone.  And it grows everyday. 

Happy Birthday Grace.  You are our princess.

Tonight was a sad night at our house.  We lost the family dog, Jake-Dog.  He was 17 years old and was such a great dog. 

He was Bill's best buddy for years through college and ever since.  He was Grace's first friend.  He was the best dog. 

He is already incredibly missed.