Curse You, Teeth

I hate teeth. 

Even if I put aside my extreme dislike for dentists and their pointy picks and judgey ways, teeth are just weird! Have you ever had a dream about losing all of your teeth or waking up with a mouth full of jagged edged broken teeth? (Shudder) I have. Add in that teeth are the "root" (hehe) of Grace's recent distress, and I'm one teeth-hatin' mama bear!  Her pearly whites are taking their sweet time to come in, meanwhile Grace is a red-cheeked puddle of drool, snot and tears. Her gums are angry and she whimpers in her sleep (when she does sleep) all night long.

Smiling through the pain. 

Ask any mom about teething, and I'm sure her experience will be different with each child. Honestly, Grace's first couple of teeth came in with little fan fare. I thought I was going to dodge the teething bullet, but no such luck. Basically all of the symptoms of teething are the same as the symptoms of a flu/cold. (Runny nose, fever, coughing, restlessness, crankiness, not eating/nursing, watery eyes, drooling, crying...) Teething is the usual suspect blamed if your child is experiencing any discomfort or unusual behavior. I swear. "Oh, she's walking funny? It's probably just teething!" Everything seems to be caused by teething.

"These are my teeth." 

No offense to all of you "teeth" enthusiasts, I'm sure my feelings will subside when Grace finally grows a permanent set. That should be about 15 years from now, right around the time some stuck up Orthodontist will recommend $15,000 worth of braces and head gear. I'll start saving, but until then, we're hanging in there with a lot of tylenol, frozen yogurt and baby carrots. Any other suggestions, witch craft or voodoo magic?

Chompers in the snow! Icing her gums, perhaps?

Soon enough I'll be playing tooth fairy, right?

Tell Me What You Really Think

You know how when you're pregnant strangers just have to say something about the size of your belly? Some people just physically can not keep their mouths closed and their opinions to themselves. 

"Wow, are you having twins?"

I honestly think they don't realize they're being rude, but most pregnant women are not interested in their commentary. 

The same principle applies to babies and toddlers. Strangers just can't resist saying something. However, sometimes what they say is entirely inappropriate. 

"Well she certainly gets enough to eat, doesn't she?"

Likewise, parents and strangers in the checkout line dole out labels and backhanded compliments about Grace that leave me wondering if I should be offended or proud. 

"She's a sassy little thing!"

So, in the interest of parents everywhere (and completely in good fun) here is an easy list of translations:

They Say "Sassy"  They Mean "Disrespectful"
They Say "Picky"    They Mean "Ungrateful"                            

They Say "Creative"    They Mean "Doesn't follow directions"

They Say "Mischievous"    They Mean "Naughty"
They Say "Sensitive"    They Mean "Cry-baby"

They Say "Healthy"    They Mean "Fat"    

They Say "Smart"    They Mean "Typical" 

They Say "Independent"    They Mean "Unfriendly"

They Say "Ham"    They Mean "Show-off"    

However, I have to hand it to the strangers. For once they actually got it right! Grace really is one sassy, picky, creative, mischievous, sensitive, healthy, smart, independent ham!

I couldn't be prouder!

We Might Just Melt Into The Atlantic Ocean

We had a great time camping*. 

*If you can call staying in a 27 foot trailer with all the amenities while your uncles cook for you camping.

Grace enjoyed meeting a bunch of her relatives, playing in a creek with her second cousins and snuggling with mama at night. 

Her meaty thighs were untouched by the mosquitos. 

"What is this place, Mama? Are we in the outdoors?"

She barely fit in the kitchen sink in the trailer (also known as Grace's Castle)!

Each morning around 4, I would bring her into bed with me and she would snuggle up under the blankets!

Then my mom, Grace and I raced home, cleaned up, packed and drugged Griffin. The next morning we flew back to sweltering melting sticky hot North Carolina. 

UGH! It is hot!

Grace's curls are back and the AC in ON!

Griffin is recovering from his jet lag/hangover and learning to use his new doggie door.  

My mom is helping me organize the garage and reupholster the dining room chairs. 

(Yeah, I know I really know how to show my guests a good time!)

Stay cool everyone.

Bam! I Speak Fluent Swedish...

Ok, maybe not fluent Swedish, but I did manage to decipher the instruction manual from Ikea and assemble my patio furniture!

My inner domestic goddess is doing back flips... 

(50 Shades of Grey anyone???)

The porch still needs some livening-up, but at least people can tell there are inhabitants in the house. 

This picture on the instruction manual almost scared me off...
I don't want to look sad and lumpy with cracked furniture!

But actually, I ended up feeling more like the guy on the right (and I didn't even call Ikea)!

I do have one small confession. When I went outside to enjoy my glass of ice cold lemonade- because that's what you do in the south- I realized I put the back of one of the chairs on backwards. Whoops. I didn't panic, I just pulled out my trusty wrench-screwdriver-tool-thingy and whipped that chair into shape! Grace was very impressed.

Next step: flowers, seat cushions and maybe a RED front door.

Two Kisses Goodnight

Every night before I lay my daughter down in her crib, I give her two kisses- one from me and one from her daddy who's deployed in Afghanistan.

 I am anxiously awaiting his safe return home in four months so he can give Grace his own kisses. 

That's just 250 more goodnight kisses...but who's counting?

(ME!) 

Sending kisses to our HERO.

Photo Credit: Skye Snyder Photography

This Memorial Day I've been thinking a lot about the costs of war. Thank you to those who have served and sacrificed. May we honor and remember you each day in the freedoms we enjoy. 

Family Focus:

Cole's Grandpa Les- United States Air Force

My Dad- United States Navy

Thank you. 

We Made It!

Grace on leg one of the flight after an outfit change en route to Phoenix

Grace was as quiet as a mouse and Griffin was as drunk as a skunk (thanks to a little thing I like to call, "laced hotdogs"!) They were such good travelers!

Whew, I was worried!

It was a long day of traveling with only a few casualties: I lost Griffin's leash and Grace may have pooped on Jessica...

Thank you, thank you, thank you again to Jessica for ALL OF YOUR HELP!

(I think I owe you more than that Pizza Hut in Phoenix...probably a new shirt, too!) ;)

The weather didn't disappoint. We had snow and wind, so we stayed in Loyalton at Aunt Becky and Uncle Don's house!

A sleepover! What fun!

We are so happy to be here! I can't believe it's almost been one week already. It is so much fun to be here with Grandma and Grandad. We've also been lucky enough to spend time with a bunch a family on the Anderson side!

I'm not sure who was happier to see Grace, Great Grandma Betty or Uncle Brandon!?

Just four more days until Auntie Jen gets here!

We've also been busy assembling and packing care packages for Cole. Three boxes are in the mail and headed his way!*

We love and miss you, DaDa!

*That means I've got Cole's unit's mailing address, so let me know if you would like me to send it to you. I asked him what he needs, and he said, "a haircut and clean laundry." Ok, I guess we'll just get creative, thanks for your input!

What Spring in North Carolina Means To Me

It's the middle of March, and I guess in North Carolina that means springtime! In addition to sunny 80 degree days spring also means:

Yellow pollen everywhere

Spring cleaning

Or at the very least I'll wash the sheets...

Sunning on the deck

This is how Griffin does it.

Short-sleeved baby onsies

Turquoise fingernail polish

Iced coffee

Lavender and honey gelato

My favorite flavor at Tuttimelon

BBQs

Cole is usually the griller, but I'll have to give it a shot.

Freshly mowed grass

Or weeds, whatever the case may be.

Swim suit shopping

I can't wait to take Grace swimming

Lunch dates with friends

Evening walks

Thank you daylight savings time

Mosquitos, fleas and ticks

Why do mosquitos always have to bite me on my ankles???

Long runs...

...in short shorts!

March Madness

My bracket is already basically a bust thanks to Duke and St. Mary's.

Humidity

Grace's hair gets curly!

Don't worry, the first day of Spring is officially March 20th, so if you're not already enjoying springtime fun, it's just around the corner! XO!

Grace Turns 4 Months Old

4 Things I've Learned In 4 Months As Grace's Mom:

1. I can accomplish most tasks with just my right hand.

Making coffee, going to the bathroom, feeding the dog... all while holding a baby!

2. Sleep is overrated.

Even when I have time to sleep, I don't sleep because there's something else I'd rather be doing.

3. Babies don't hold a grudge.

They don't! Grace has already forgiven me for every mistake I've made. These include, but are not limited to, putting her clothes on backwards, letting Griffin french kiss her, and forgetting to buckle all of the straps in her car seat.

4. Poo, pee, puke and boogers are no big deal.

I just wipe them up and we're good to go! The old me would be truly disgusted with the new me.

Grace had her 4 month well baby appointment

Weight- 13 lbs. 12 oz (71st percentile)

Height- 24.6 inches (81st percentile)*

*There's still hope for her volleyball career

A HAPPY and HEALTHY baby!

Some highlights from this week:

• Auntie Jen left after an amazing weekend visit.
• I locked myself out of the house and had to call a locksmith. Grrr.
• I went to Stroller Strides and for a run around the neighborhood. (Just 2 months until the Baltimore Half Marathon!)
• Baby Play Class
• Grace turns 4 months old. We took 4 shots of tequila to celebrate! (That's not true.)
• We got to FaceTime with Cole in Afghanistan! I was so excited to get to talk to him and see him! It was perfect timing because Grace was just waking up and full of smiles.
• We watched a Mad Man marathon! Oh Don Draper, you handsome devious fellow. I can't wait until the new season starts next week!

Our Week

New this week:

Tuesday

Cole left for his deployment to Afghanistan.

:(

Wednesday

I talked to Cole in Kyrgyzstan. It was snowing and two below zero there. We had sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures in NC.

Thursday

We went to the last day of Baby Massage Class. Grace loved getting her legs, feet and face massaged, but was not so much into the stomach or back massage strokes. Also, I think her umbilical hernia is gone! (Please excuse her lack of modesty)!

I also met up for lunch with a mommy from baby play class. I have to say that I am so impressed by the kindness I see in most people everyday. In a short time, I have met some amazing women who are strong, sweet, funny and generous!

Friday

We napped through rain and tornado warnings.

Oops!

I forgot to ask Cole what to do in the event of a tornado...

Saturday

Griffin, Grace and I ran the Fort Bragg 5K. It was cold and windy, but I'm glad we went. Griffin acted a bit like a maniac in the beginning. He barked at every Rottweiler, German Shepard, child and blowing leaf. Can you say Napoleon complex? However, he seemed happy once we started running and was exhausted for the rest of the day (which makes me happy)!

Grace slept through the night for the first time. She must have been exhausted, too, because she slept from 9pm all the way until 7:30am! I think I only checked on her 3 times during the night.

Weird, she sleeps better and I sleep worse!

Sunday

Cole called this morning, and his group made it to Afghanistan...

only about 8,000 miles away.

I saw this music video today for the first time. I'd heard the song before, but watching the video made me love it even more! Thanks T Swifty!

The official music video for Taylor Swift's "Ours" Copyright 2011 Big Machine Records.

P.S.

Just 4 more days and Auntie Jen is coming to visit!

WE CAN'T WAIT!

Lucky In Love

Wow! It's hard to believe that it is Valentine's Day already. This time last year, I was flying out to Ft. Benning, Georgia to see Cole at OCS and watch his branching ceremony. I couldn't have been prouder of my husband!

This year we are definitely even more lucky in love! Cole got the day off to spend with his family, and I was wrong. I am even more proud of my husband this year.

Our big Valentine's Day "date night" included steak, a movie and popcorn at home.

Griffin drowned his single sorrows with a bone.

And... Boom! Love is assembling that @*#!ing chair for Grace's room. Thank you hubbins! (Now just a few more things to do and her room will be finished.)

As usual, Grace is not impressed.

Sending hugs to loved ones near and far!

XOXO!

If You Give A Mom An Hour...

If you give a mom an hour, she's going to want to take a shower.

When she goes into the bathroom, she'll probably need a towel.

When she opens the dryer, she'll realize she needs to fold the clothes.

Then she will want to put the clothes away, so they don't sit in the basket for a week.

When she looks in the closet, she'll remember she's out of milk. So she will probably go to the kitchen to add it to her grocery list.

When she's finished taking inventory of the pantry and fridge, she'll want to make a quick bite to eat. She'll pop a frozen burrito into the microwave. She might get carried away and make some guacamole. She may even pour herself a glass of lemonade as well!

When she's done, she'll probably want to empty the dishwasher. She'll wipe down the counters, call her sister and let the dog outside, and back inside, and back outside.

She'll probably run and grab the mail. She'll leaf through the magazines and junk mail and then open a card from a friend. When she reads the card, she'll get so excited she'll want to write one of her own. She'll go to the office to get paper and a pen.

She'll write a note. When the note is finished, she'll want put it in an envelope and put a stamp on it.

Then she'll want to address the note, so she'll pull out her iPhone. Which means she'll...check Facebook real fast. (I swear!)

She'll address the letter and put it on the counter to mail tomorrow. Looking at the counter will remind her that she wants to take a shower so... she'll head to the bathroom and turn on the water.

And chances are if the water's hot and she just put shampoo in her hair, she's going to hear baby Grace crying and awake from her nap...

*This post inspired by Mama's Losin' It writer's workshop

Football Fun

While I would have MUCH PREFERRED a 49ers v. Patriots Super Bowl XLVI, I'm still excited to watch the game (and the commercials)! I even made a pool for our family to make it a little more interesting! Come on big money!

Tonight I'm going to be rooting for Eli and the Giants (and if the Giants win, I'll just assume the 49ers would have won too)! Ha! Just think of all the pressure Eli has had to live with having Peyton as his older brother... besides, Tom Brady has Gisele (and 3 Super Bowl rings).

(This always cracks me up!)

Happy football watching day!

My Husband: An Officer and a Gentleman

He's home!

(At Least for a little while)

It is wonderful!

Wonderful to not always haul that car seat around by myself.

Wonderful to have someone to share a full pot of coffee with in the morning.

Wonderful to eat dinner together.

And clean up from dinner together.

Wonderful to lay on the floor and play with our daughter.

Together.

I like the sound of that.