Thursday, May 27, 2010

Sweet Dreams.. Sweet Pea
So, good thing I'm not one of those people that require advance bookings for visitors
(we used to have a family member that made you feel as though you weren't welcome without advanced notice) ! Yesterday Kris told me his grandpa and wife were in Pigeon Forge... He told me this around 11:30 and within an hour they were visiting! Its awesome they could just show up to see Grace Anne! (Glad they didn't come to see me! I had just gotten out of the shower and my hair was still in a towel !) I love Pa Gene and Sandra! They are both a lot of fun to talk to and have actually surprised us with a visit twice since Grace Anne was born!


The latest money expenditure ( came in the form of Breathable Bumpers. I've walked into the nursery on several occasion to witness a foot between the bars. Of course the bumpers have been removed from the bed as they are "unsafe" once the baby can roll over due to suffocation risks. But walking into the baby's room to see a foot dangling out of the crib is is a scary sight! When I walked in there yesterday morning and the foot was a whole leg I had to find a solution. Her whole leg was between the bars and that was more than scary-- it was terrifying. "What if's" filled my mind!! The only solution I could come to was to purchase the Breathable Bumpers and hope for the best. They aren't exactly cute and I don't exactly like what they look like, but if they keep the little one safe, well that's the ultimate goal.
I know what some of you are thinking... "When I had kids they didn't have that stuff AND they turned out fine.." and those were the sentiments of my neighbor Bob... "If all this baby stuff is so dangerous, then why aren't we all dead?" I must admit, Bob has a point! (For any of those who have not met Bob, you are missing out. He is in his 60's, nuclear engineer in Oak Ridge, and truly a good hearted man. When you ask "hey Bob, how are ya?" he will most certainly reply.."better than I deserve") But as previously mentioned, we are keeping our baby safe and new research and technology has lead to the need for more stuff I suppose!!

I'm posting a few pictures that I've failed to include in previous posts...


The pictures above are at Daddy's softball game Monday.We had a picnic dinner before the game and then watched Daddy's team get blown out by the "Waterdogs." It was a very warm day and Grace Anne was rockin' the Zutano hat!

Last week we went to see the fourth graders that I student taught. We watched their musical and then attended the Rock Star party-- Grace Anne got to dance with my crazy, fun mentor teacher!

Toys are becoming so much more fun at 6 months! I couldn't help but include this picture!

And, for Daddy's sake... I'll note that 100 days from today begins FOOTBALL time in TENNESSEE.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Where has the week gone?

The weekend was super productive! We were supposed to go to the beach with Granddaddy and Grandy... but we just couldn't make the trip as Kris had to work Friday and it is atleast 6 hours from here... We couldn't put Grace Anne in the carseat for 6 hours on Friday night to only really have one day at the beach before having to head home Sunday morning. Really, Mommy and Daddy couldn't handle the short rushed trip either... So since our weekends have been so busy, it gave us a chance to get some stuff done at home. Don't get me wrong, the weeds are still taking over and there are still plenty of closets to be organized! But, that being said, it was productive. On Saturday I reorganized the dining room- cleaning the china cabinets, buffet, and liquor cabinet out. On Sunday, I cleaned out the shed building behind our house! I have cleaned it out once, but it needed a second go. Since it is May, it was much easier to trash the Christmas decorations and non-sense stuff that I've been hanging on to. I mean Christmas decorations seem to be much more sentimental at Christmas time. But, Sunday (when it was 90 degrees and the sun was beating on the building and sweat was beading on my forehead...) I could have cared less! After several huge black trash bags and a decent collection of Garage Sale material, I was quite proud of my accomplishments! I'm quickly realizing that Grace Anne is getting her own collection of paraphernalia and I continually ask myself... "do we need this?" Or when it comes to her out growing clothing or even toys or gear-- I wonder... "Should I save this?" I mean... Will we have another baby? Will it be a girl? Will this stuff be dry rotted by the time we decide or she arrives? AH! the questions! haha

Furthermore, if we end up moving anytime in the near future... it will be a blast! We have so much stuff. I had enough stuff for a two bedroom apartment BEFORE inheriting a whole house full of stuff. Whew!
I can't believe its Tuesday.. I didn't post since last week... what?! Anyways, we picked up the 6 month pictures today and I must say... they are so sweet! I love this baby.. I love my family.. and i really wouldn't trade the life I'm living for the life I once plan and thought would be "ideal." Clearly a lot of things aren't ideal... but, not to get mushy, I must admit I am very thankful to have Kris and Grace Anne (and Brewski) to make my life fulfilling! Now check out the pictures!
Click: Grace Anne's 6 month album



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Beep Beep in the Jeep...


Grace Anne loves Brewski... she loves him about as much as he hates her grabbing him! Actually, he is a really good sport! She also loves the camera, phone, or basically anything with a light... hence her infatuation with grabbing it to put in her mouth!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Doctor's Report:
She's perfect!
(and of course... we agree!)
Where to begin? How about with the fact that the "Jeep" was a bad purchase? Okay, I don't truly feel like it was a bad purchase, but according to my latest handout (from the pediatrician's office) on how to raise my child... walkers are a bad idea and shouldn't be purchased! The handout claims that they are not only a danger, they may also slow the child's development. I don't think that I've hit on my "walker" research, but I went back in forth with the whole walker idea.. and I ran across the study that claimed baby walkers could in fact slow the child's development as it would give children the opportunity to rely on support to walk and it would slow their ability to walk independently. Now, this may be the case... or it may not be.. BUT, ultimately the joy Grace Anne has gotten from the Jeep in the last week will make up for any developmental lack. And, honestly I don't buy into this nonsense. Yes, if a baby is left in the walker all the time then he or she isn't going to have the upper body strength or ability to hold him/herself up. Futuremore, the claim that walkers can be fatal may be true, but no child should be left unattended so is the walker the only thing to blame? NO! hello people. (Ps. The doctor didn't think the walker was a problem at all-- and by the way, we love the new pediatrician!)
Okay, off the soapbox! Grace Anne is growing like a weed! She is up to 14 and half pounds which puts her in like the 22nd percentile... but her length is up to 25 1/8 inches making her jump to the 53rd percentile. Our little runt is long and lean! For her sake, I hope that continues!
She did have shots so today has been rough.. she has slept a lot but when she is awake she is cranky! (A cranky camel is what we call her because of the Zoo book we have..just an FYI)

We are up-ing the fruits and veggie intake to twice a day! She isn't supposed to eat ANYthing during the night and it is time to work on getting Grace Anne to sleep consistently, in her crib... through the night! Whoa! Lots to do.

Finally, Daddy didn't get the job he really wanted in Nashville. Due to the fact that he is still searching for a job and that we have started paying student loans and all that nonsense.. looks like no beach trip with the Kepley side of the family this weekend. Daddy can't get off work and really we can't afford for him to miss work. We will miss the fun times and hope to get Grace Anne to the beach this summer... fingers crossed another opportunity comes along very soon! We are all bummed out about the current situation.

Oh and apparently there was a recall on infant tylenol so tell your mom friends! http://www.tylenol.com/page2.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subp_tylenol_recall_1.inc

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Half a year old...
6 months...
yes, that time has come...
I really can't believe it and I'm pretty much still in denial.. but its true. Grace Anne is officially 6 months old! Wow, where has the time gone? what happened the 2nd or the 3rd month? how is it May already? I have a distinct feeling I'll continue to ask myself where time has gone over the next several years and I am so glad I am staying home with her now... (even if we are POOR!)

So, anyone who knows me that my birthday is a week long event-I'd celebrate all month if I could get away with it). I love my birthday! I always dreamed of celebrating my half birthday but never could convince my mom I deserves presents and cake at the 6 month mark... Grace Anne didn't quite get a birthday party, but she did get a present. She had played in a Jeep walker at Babies R Us last week and loved it. When I went to get it I found an adoreable pink car walker. It was more expensive, of course, but it was so cute.. and so girly and I opted last minute for the pink. We got home, assembled the walker and began to play. The store didn't have this particular walker on display so we hadn't "tested it." Plus, since it was an impulse purchase, I had not done my research!! (I always research these days)
Anyways, we get home and she is in the adorable pink car, cruising along much slower than she had in the Jeep. I looked down and her heels were rubbing the back bar on the walker! I am fully aware that there is a point in every girl's life where style will surpass comfort and the pain for beauty adage will ring true... but at 6 months old this is not a lesson to be learned. I'd much rather her heels be blistered from the must have, stylish shoes that SHE picks out one day than the half birthday present from Mommy and Daddy. So, we traded in the pink car.. returned it and got the Jeep. She loves the Jeep and its a much better fit.
On Friday, we had pictures taken. We really wanted to have family pictures, but we got some really cute pictures of Grace Anne as well. I can't wait to have the actual pictures! But here are a few of the proofs!
PS... she is trying so so hard to crawl! She can't stand it! She gets up and loses her balance and rolls over... so she will roll back to her tummy and try again. So funny!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Elvis... Beale Street...
the Peabody... Rendezvous...

yes, you guessed it... MEMPHIS!

We had a great weekend with friends in Memphis. Kris' college suite mate, Brent, got married in Memphis this past weekend. We had a blast spending time with his friends, taking Grace Anne to see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, and trying to eat a 12 lb. burger (with about 10 people we succeed!). We decided to leave on Thursday night after Daddy got off work, we didn't have a hotel for Thursday and ended up in a "below Mommy standard" hotel.. actually it was miserable because it was so stinkin' hot... and since there was no hairdryer, Mommy's hair looked lovely on Friday!
Grace Anne loved the ducks in the Peabody lobby! She watched them swim around and around in the fountain. As soon as she couldn't see the one she was following with her eyes, she'd start following the next one. It was so cute... Mommy and Daddy bought her a ducky rattle in the gift shop.. she loves it too!

The groom wanted his friends to get together and try to eat a 12lb. burger at Kooky Canuck (Daddy isn't the only one that loves Man Vs. Food on the Travel Channel)



On Friday night we went to the cocktail party hosted by the bride and groom (pictures of Daddy-o's college buddies below). Daddy was going to go out with the boys after walking us girls back to our hotel. Since it was nearly midnight, we weren't allowed to cross Beale St. A police escort would have been nice, instead they sent us about 6 blocks out of the way and by the time we got back to the hotel Daddy decided he was hungry and wanted to stay with us (which was good since the groom skipped out early anyways!)... so we ordered pizza and hung out to the wee hours.. which was fun for Mommy and Daddy while Grace Anne slept! (picture below is Beale St. earlier in the night.. before the craziness began)


Saturday we made another trip to the Peabody to watch the ducks march and then on to Rendezvous for a fabulous rib and brisket lunch. I started thinking of all these questions about the BBQ pit and kitchen, even though I'd been there before and seen the Man vs. Food episode. Well, I started chatting with the kitchen manager and before I knew it I was in the kitchen checking out the BBQ pits. I was my mothers daughter in every way at the moment in time!





Saturday night we attended the wedding. We rode the trolley down Main St. and had no idea where we were going (we relied on Kris' friend Red's wife to know since she had gone to the rehersal dinner)... Katie didn't know and was no help! After talking to the police office, security gaurd, and groom himself we found ourselves at the church -- we were there in plenty of time and still got seated on the back row. Apparently the bride requested the ushers seat us in the back in case the baby cried. The baby didn't make a peep the whole wedding and we really wished we'd packed our binoculars. We were stunned by the fact she had made such a request to the ushers and they adamantly admitted it was her request. Which, is fine... but the 10 empty rows in front of us seemed to really make us stand out! Oh well, her day... her way... I suppose.

The reception was at the train station and the entertainment was dueling pianos. It was a lot of fun! Grace Anne was a hit and everyone wanted her picture. Of course we were all coordinated and matched up as a family. Daddy even had a couple dances with the little one.. (and Mommy)!
We are so thankful Grace Anne is a great traveler and that she was a perfect angel at the wedding and reception. We are so blessed!

Let me end by saying, I am so glad we got married the way we did-- After watching the festivities of the weekend, I am sooo happy the day was about Kris and I and no stress or distractions were involved! I am glad to have such a wonderful, supportive husband and Grace Anne is lucky to have the best Daddy there is!