CRIB TIME?.. no thanks, Mommy.

Anyways, we hit the 12 week mark TODAY. Yes, our baby is 12 weeks old. I can't believe it!
Last night I decided that the sleeping in the bouncy seat or on our chest on the couch should come to an end. I never ever thought my child wouldn't be sleeping in a crib by now.. but guess what.. she isn't. I'm a terrible Mommy... she won't sleep a long time in the crib or bassinet. It is not going to happen in one night (even if I thought it would I managed to prove that theory wrong last night). I have hit a level of exhaustion though. Daddy is okay with letting her sleep on his chest, but he stays up until 3am and then gets to go get in bed until 9am or so... Mommy on the other hand gets up at 3am after only sleeping a couple hours (because getting in bed early has gone out the window with Daddy's new work schedule) and then I get the morning feeding duties with a little one that is an early bird. -- which may not come to a surprise to anyone that knows me or better yet Gran Gran Grace..! She is wide awake and ready to play at 6am. So, needless to say, I am in need of some sleep and it doesn't seem be quite that easy! We just haven't managed to get to where we sleep in bed and she wakes us when she cries. By the time she goes to sleep we seem to be dosing off on the couch. I know we aren't doing this whole parenting thing by the text book and probably not how you'd do it-- but its our kid, our lives, and we aren't soliciting for advice! Thanks though. I think what really set me off was the fact that a girl I know had on facebook that her baby, that is like 8 weeks old, slept all night-- I knew at that moment I was a terrible mother and I had to work on getting my sweet pea in her bed or bassinet or something.

Today I set up the Jumparoo. The instructions say 4 months and older. But, I figured that our little runt could try it out.. simply because she is strong enough to hold her head pretty steady. Keep in mind she is still only in the 18th percentile for weight! Her feet don't come close to touching the ground (hence the blanket and towel in picture above) and it took 3 receiving blankets stuffed all around her to fill in the gaps around her in the seat, but she liked it nonetheless! She is not a big baby by any means! As a matter of fact, we went to Wal-Mart tonight and the cashier, whose name happened to be Tiny (ironic I know), said "Oh hunny, she is very small for a 3 month old." But, Tiny said she was precious and we were welcome to come through her line any day!

SPLISH-SPLASH Grace Anne loves taking a bath!

Tonight Grace Anne had her first splish-splace bath. In the past she has been in the bath sling that is a mess material that keeps her from being submerged in the water. She has gotten where she loves taking a bath and she has really gotten strong enough to hold herself steady. The baby tub has a seat basically so she can't go too far.. but she loved splashing her feet. I think a video may be in order... but I'd prefer to video that when Daddy can help... and Daddy is working tonight.

This week has been exciting because Grace Anne got to meet her other great grandfather. Pa Gene came to visit. (Family Treen Info: Kris' mom's dad) He and his wife Sandra showed up Monday to see the little one. Pa Gene loves to travel and loves to drive... so with that being said.. you never know where he will be or when he will show up! Mommy and Grace Anne got to visit with them for a couple hours. Daddy was working because UPS has been laying people off... he has to work on whatever shift he can get on! But, we did get to go out to breakfast with them on Tuesday morning before they headed on their way... Needless to say they were ready to kidnap her. I reminded them, as I do everyone, taking my baby is going to cause me to make a phone call to the "authorities" and I don't care if you are family! But, they were in love with her! They got to see her show her pretty smile, fancy rolling over, and they were even lucky enough to see her show her strength! We hope they come back real soon!! We love visitors!

In other news, it was basically Christmas at the Kepley Casa. Today was National Signing Day and that is like Christmas morning to Daddy-o. The Vols came through with some strong recruits and Daddy was in a very good mood! He, as always, is excited about the Fall and what the new season will bring! So Happy Signing Day, Daddy! I'm so happy you got Da'Rick for "Christmas"... I'm so happy we took him away from UGA and all our little UGA fan-friends (like Uncle Mitch.. haha).

SNOW much FUN!

So, the "blizzard" wasn't quite a blizzard. The local weather folks played it up to be a huge winter storm coming to snow us for a week. Thank goodness we weren't snowed in for a week, I don't do well cooped up in the house and Daddy-o had tickets for the UT basketball game.. against the Gators... so really not a good weekend for him to be snowed in either!

Friday the snow didn't arrive nearly as quickly as they had predicted. Kris was anxiously awaiting its arrival (as he anxiously awakes anything weather related). Few things really get Kris hyped up, but the list does include snow, national signing day, and the first volunteer football game of the season. We're talking the "Christmas Morning Syndrome." It's cute.. and actually just another one of those reasons Mommy loves him so much.. :)

Grace Anne didn't have much to do with the snow, but as you'd imagine its hard for a 2 and 1/2 month old to really get into the snow! Mommy strapped her in the Baby Bjorn though and Daddy went sledding with the Rigglets. Then, Mommy got to sled while Daddy did baby duty. So, we had a blast and look forward to the days ahead when little Miss Sunshine can really enjoy the excitement of the winter wonderland!

We finished out our snowed-in Saturday with chili, chips, and cheese... (petros, frito pies, whatever you want to call them) and snow cream with the Kathy, Alexis, and Elaina.

TARGET..who me?

So, today Grace Anne and I went to Target (my all time fave store that I am addicted to and visit frequently...and have lately been claiming that I go for exercising since its too cold to walk outside)!! While we were strolling through the aisles I noticed a local news anchor. I saw her several times as we roamed down every aisle and sifted thought the clearance items on each end cap. Apparently the news was at Target doing a fun little story on what you need when you get snowed in. Of course we aren't going to be snowed in (FYI: the local meteorologist are calling for snow.. and in Knoxville that apparently means a blizzard is coming so we need to run and get our milk and bread). Nonetheless, the camera crew and anchor (who was doubling as field reporter) wewere getting two Target customers to participate in a little relay race. Grace Anne and I were just shopping for Daddy some cereal when the camera man came barreling down the aisle behind one of the contestants. We got caught on tape! Daddy saw it on the news tonight and took a picture of it with the camera, the picture above is the picture he took of the TV with the news on. I'm so proud that my child was in Target when she made her first TV News appearance. She is going to be a superstar, ya know. She'll be making many more TV appearances... you wait and see!
On the SNOW front, we may get 3-4 inches (that according to my in-house meteorologist). I don't think we will be stuck in the house (hopefully not, don't want to go stir crazy....you all know how I like to be on the go go go!) But.. I can gaurentee that every grocery store in the Knoxville area saw an increase in bread and milk sales. Kris doesn't understand the bread and milk phenomena, but that's the two items people buy around here when it snows or shall I saw when there is a snow prediction. Kris claims that if the power goes out then everyone would be drinking warm milk and eating bread and nothing about that seems appealing to him. What he doesn't know and hasn't gotten to witness is the jugs of milk end up in the snow AND they aren't warm-- that's what happened in the Blizzard of -93! I just felt like I couldn't end this posting without referring to the Blizzard of '93.(For the non-locals, the blizzard of 1993 was a huge snow storm that will be talked about until the end of time in this city!) Above is a nice retro picture of the infamous 1993 snow.

Thank Goodness for $10 Co-PaysSo, another trip to Knoxville Pediatrics! The doctors office either thinks I am: a.) wonderful, caring mommy or b.) a ridiculous, over reacting, pathetic stay-at-home first-time mother. Regardless, they always know who I am when I call... which in some ways makes me feel like its a nice, small town sort of practice. But, its not... it is a huge practice! The office we go to have 13 pediatricians.. yeah 13. So, they probably shouldn't know me so well especially when Grace Anne is only 2 and 1/2 months old! I'm thinking that they probably are leaning toward choice B above.. but oh well, so be it!

Anyways, we went to the doctor today. She was definitely sleeping more yesterday and through the night. While I love the thought of her sleeping, I was somewhat concerned that it was all of the sudden. This morning she woke up and ate. She just didn't look like she felt too good with her gooey, puffy eyes and snotty nose. I don't think she ever truly got over the snotty nose.. even with the Little Noses saline drops, the bulb syringe, and two humidifers! But, the coughing, sneezing, and fussiness was really breaking our hearts. Another concern I had was RSV... I don't think she was exposed to it anywhere, but I've heard several friends talking about their kids having it recently.. sooooo I felt it was a good idea to have her checked. Nonetheless, my "friends" over at the doctor's office told me to come on in and we could see another doctor since our doctor was out of the office today.

The good news: RSV test was negative! Dr. Blevins (the doctor we saw today) said that his 3 month old has been suffering from the same symptoms. He said the only thing he could recommend was tylenol to help her feel better overall and rest... trying to keep her happy enough to sleep! (so that means lots of cuddling with Mommy and Daddy)He also noticed and commented on her amazing strength! She just props her self right up as if she was doing push ups. She is really holding her neck steady now too! Anyways.. she still has no fever, her tempurature has hovered at a little bit above 99 degrees all day. So she isn't even really "sick"! She just doesn't feel 100% and I'm sure its the weather etc. The doctor told me there isn't any concern and she doesn't have some chronic problem or anything. Again... another reason for them to lean to option B above. One day I'll look back and think gosh I was such a silly, first time Mom! But, those of you that are experienced-- go ahead and giggle, have a little laugh.. just don't send me advice--- we are learning and we aren't soliciting advice at this time! But, I will say, at this point I have to make the best decisions for helping me sleep at night! (my sleep is so limited I need to make it as restful as possible and we have enough other stressers in our lives right now)

There is something to be said for.. CHANGING TABLES!

As promised, on facebook, the update on backseat diaper change. I was trying to go ahead and run in Kroger. I felt like it was more sanitary to change her diaper in the car rather than a public restroom.. I've changed her in the trunk plenty of times, but it was too cold. I have changed her in the backseat though also. I began changing her diaper and felt something. She was peeing on me! I'm not talking a little tinkle! it looked like I had peed on myself! I put the clean diaper on her.. put her back in her car seat, without pants, and headed home to change clothes-- so much for saving time and taking a quick trip to Kroger! We made it back to Kroger, did our shopping and returned home. All ended well!

Oh and here are a couple pictures from our fashion show! haha...

All I wanna do is... MOVE!

Whether it's riding in the car, going for walks, chillin' in the stroller, or just moving her arms and legs... Little Miss Sunshine wants to move all the time!! (what can I say--she can't sit still--who'd she get that from?!)

It's amazing how much we learn about her tendencies and personality each day. We have definitely discovered that this child does not sleep! It is as simple as that! Last night Kris held her and she slept on his chest from about 12:30am to 4am. I got up at 4 and fed her and she didn't go back to sleep until 8am! Yea and that nap lasted about an hour and she was ready to eat again by 9:30am. Once she ate she didn't go back to sleep at all until half way through out afternoon walk. It's amazing that this child can stay awake so long-- Daddy says she gets it from me.. maybe so.. but still, aren't 2 1/2 month old babies supposed to sleep more than 6 or 7 hours in a 24 hour period?

I'm trying to keep the videos coming. It's very difficult to upload them to the blog because it takes forever! I've created a YouTube account so that we can upload them easily. The latest video clip (click on the pink, bold words) may not be nearly as exciting to most people.. but we laughed so hard. I've finally figured out what she was doing in my tummy for months! I'll warn you she is intense!