Fun and Busy weekend

4th of July weekend was filled with stuff to do. We had tons of fun. Friday night we had a bbq at our house with the Gregory's and later played in the pool. This was Grace's first time in a swimsuit and in the pool other than just her feet.

J and I had a wedding for our good friends Rena and Bennett on the eve of July 4th at the Long Beach Yacht Club. It was such a beautiful wedding, intimate, personal, and so much fun.

From Left: Russell, Jason S., Jason G., Chris M, Greg, Chris I., John
Grace's 4th of July outfit. She was such a trooper. We ran on the boardwalk in HB with Jason's parents, sister and kids. We watched the HB parade and then ran back. We started at 9 am and didn't get home until 1:30...she was so good!

Our friend Jayme invited us over to her house for her birthday BBQ and swimming. Below is a picture of Grace hanging out with her new BFF, Addison Kaikko. They're going to be thick as thieves, those two! Look at the matching headbands. Thank you Aunt Jenny.

Catching up

It has been a busy month for the Gregory family. Grace is growing so fast, and we're enjoying every moment of her. Today she is 20 weeks old. She is definitely going through a growth spurt. She was sleeping through the night for about a month, and this past week she started waking up again once or twice a night. She is now rolling over (back to front, front to back), babbling so much more (she said, "uh-oh", on command), and is teething (we felt her two bottom teeth today as she was chewing on our fingers and on her own).

Grace hangs out with Grandma on Tuesdays while mom and dad are working. She looks forward to this day every week. Grandma spoils her for sure!

On May 11th my friend Jenny welcomed her baby girl, Addison, into the world (in her bedroom). It was a total accident. She couldn't get to the hospital on time! Addison is adorable and so sweet. Mom and baby are doing great.

On June 12th my friend Nicole welcomed her baby girl, Mandy, into the world.She is to tiny and equally adorable. This is Nicole's 3rd little girl!
Congratulations to both of you! Grace has so many girlfriends to play with.

We celebrated my mom's birthday on June 7th. She came over with my newphews, Jack & Jason, and we made her a big lunch and spent a few hours walking around fashion island. Grace had her first ride on the merry-go-round.





A week and a half ago we welcomed home Jason's mom and dad after being in Sudan for nearly 3 months. We missed them dearly and are so glad to have them home. Grace loves hanging out with her Nanny and Poppy.

Yesterday was Jason's first Father's Day and we had such a great day! He gives Grace and I so much to celebrate. Grace is the luckiest little girl to have a daddy like him. He can't wait to get home from work to see her, gives her baths every night, sings to her, reads to her, take her on runs & walks, and just can't get enough of her. Thank you J, for being the most amazing father.

Sleeping like a baby

I first have to mention that Jason and I got a new mattress today after many years of needing a new one (the mattress was more than 15 years old). Needless to say, we can't wait to sleep tonight. When it comes to sleeping, we are ALL getting a little more sleep these days. The last three nights Grace has been sleeping 8 hours through, skipping her first night time feeding. It has been so great! I pray that this continues.
She is now starting to roll over, hold her head up, sit up in her Bumbo, blow bubbles, enjoys playing on her play mat, and loves to smile!
Daniel and Bethany were over this past weekend and they took some amazing pictures with their awesome camera. We had a great time hanging out with them and are excited that they are a little closer to us. Enjoy some pictures.

After bath time all bundled up

Spending time on her play mat

One of my clients gave Grace a frog puppet that makes noise...she loves it!

Happy Girl

Mother's Day

When I asked Jason what we should do for Mother's Day (thinking we could invite my mom over for lunch or something), he said, "Isn't that for me to plan?". I was thinking, since when have you planned Mother's Day...not thinking correctly. Well, since I became a mom!! Totally forgot that I was going to celebrate my first Mother's Day this year.
The day was awesome. J took a feeding for me that night and he and Grace let me sleep in until 9 am. That felt so good. I was greeted by the two of them with breakfast in bed. J had cooked breakfast with G in the bjorn...it was really cute. Scrambled eggs, toast, juice and coffee. Just what the dr. ordered. I got lots of little gifts (running outfit, a new book, my favorite candy, Kenny Chesney's new CD, gum), and a big one...my new Blackberry! I love my husband. He is so extremely thoughtful and creative when it comes to buying me gifts.
Later in the afternoon we went over to my moms house for dinner. We had a great time with everyone.

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!