Three months old

Our little girl turns 3 months old today! She is getting so big, and cuter everyday.
Here is what she's doing now:
*She responds to us more and more when talking to her
*Grins from ear to ear when you go pick her up in the morning
*Sleeping 6 hours straight (hallelujah)
*Holding her head up
*Smiling all the time
*Giggles
*Tries to roll over during tummy time
*Is walking....just kidding!
Here are just a few pictures of our bright eyed Grace.

Her new G Diapers

Gorgeously Green

Over a year ago, Jason bought me this book, Gorgeously Green (because I saw it on Oprah and wanted it), and I never picked it up, until now. After reading and watching a few shows this past Earth Day I realized that I NEED to do my part to help our Mother Earth. I remember that I had this book shoved underneath my bed. I started reading it this past weekend and can't put it down. I have already made my own All-Purpose Spray using water, vinegar, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil and lemongrass essential oil. It is great. This book challenges you to take baby steps and do what you can every day. Eventually you will be living a totally different lifestyle, and a healthy one to boot!

Yesterday I bought these awesome little reusable/washable snack bags, instead of using plastic zip lock, from Esty.com. They are big enough for a sandwich, snacks, fruit, etc. Check 'em out...Evelyn Fields. A friend of mine at work had one filled with mixed nuts and thought it was a great idea. How many stinking plastic baggies do I go through a week? Way too many!

When I was pregnant I thought for sure I would be using cloth diapers (yes, all you mothers out there can tell me how CRAZY I was)...that hasn't happened and Grace is three months old. So instead I bought the G diapers for Grace. I got this idea from Carrie, and finally got the starter pack. I found them at Mother's market, but they have them at Whole Foods, and online too.

Like all good things, you never want to do it alone...I would love for my friends and family to take the Gorgeously Green challenge with me. If you have any tips feel free to pass them along. Have fun!

Love,
A

The Aquarium

While J had the week off for Spring Break we had planned on going down to San Diego for a day or two. Maybe going to the zoo or Sea World, but decided to stay local. I had never been to the Aquarium of the Pacific, and so we spent a day with the sea life. It was fun...crowded, but fun!

The jelly fish were so cool!
Our "L'il Diva" taking a l'il nap

She's trying to find Nemo!

Easter Sunday

We had a great Easter. The day didn't go as planned, but it was still a blessed day. We were going to go to church with Carrie, Jason and the kids, but we had a rough night and ended up staying home. We went to my mom's later in the afternoon, and the Prince family was going to come with us to my mom's, but Miss Violet was not feeling well. We missed them. Grace had a good time at Grandma's house. The food was spectacular (chicken, pork w/ cherry sauce, carrots, asparagas, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and dessert that was out of this world). Here are a few pictures of the day, a little out of order.

Smiley!

Little JJ coloring Easter eggs.

Uncle Eric and Krista with Baby G

Our good friends Carole & Ray Wilson (my high school teacher)

Grams feeding her the pacifier

Funny Girl

Jason and Grace stuffing eggs for the hunt

Uncle Jason hid the eggs in really hard places, but they found them all!

The cousins: Jason, Jack, and Krista on their way out to find the eggs

Hanging out with mom and dad

Curious

Grace is becoming more and more alert and curious as to what is going on around her. She loves listening to Jason play the guitar and sing. She will just sit and watch him. Our girl LOVES music. She no longer likes to be in the bjorn without facing outward. I think she feels like she's missing out on something...who can blame her. When you talk to her she responds to us in her own words, more like coos and gurgles. It's great! Here's a few pictures.

Getting ready to go walk Murphy. She's staring at the ceiling fan.
Loves daddy's singing and the fact that he's learning to play the guitar for her.

Hanging out at the HB street fair

What a beauty

Thank you God for our little daughter.

Taking advantage of our time together

It has been a blessing for me to be able to stay home and just be a mom the last two months. The first month the three of us spent it together. We were fortunate to have Jason home as we bonded as a family. Not many jobs allow dads to say home/work from home for that period of time. Thank you Sage Hill! I know Jason got a little stir crazy towards the end of his four weeks off, but I don't think I could have done it without him (I'm sure I could have, but wouldn't have wanted to). He took care of us and did all of the things that I couldn't do, because I had a baby attached to my boob all the time.
At almost 8 weeks old I can't believe how much Grace has changed and how our lives have adjusted. I feel comfortable going out of the house for hours at a time, and not worry if she gets hungry while we're out. We have now managed to get feedings done in 20 minutes vs. over an hour.
The aspect that I love most about staying home is, not only do I get to be there for our daughter, but we get to spend time with people like never before. Relationships are so important. Our lives were so busy and that has definitely changed. We're learning to slow down.

- I have never felt as close to my sister-in-law Carrie than now. I call her constantly with questions, since she knows so much having three kids of her own and being a nurse for 6 years. I've had so much fun with her, and I love that our kids will grow up together. I love you Care!
- Going to visit my mom at work so she can show Grace off to her friends.
- Spending time at my in-laws house A. they live 10 minutes away, B. Grace needed to get to know her Nanny and Poppy before they left for Africa for 16 weeks (see their blog to the right), C. I needed a helping hand every once in a while, D. We needed a place to stay while our house was being painted.
- Spending afternoons with my friends Nicole, Brooke, and Shannon.

I'm taking advantage of the time we have together. I know it will be difficult for me to go back to work, but I will have the flexability in my schedule to continue building relationships and spending time with the people I love. I thank God for my family and friends.