Grace is One

At one, Grace:
*is very mobile, walking forward and backwards (new trick), running, climbing up and down stairs, bikes and furniture, copying Con's summersaults, running down the driveway and (newest trick) walking up and down little steps, often while holding someone's hand, but she tries with or without help. And all this with surprizingly few bashes and gashes. When she falls, she keeps her head and face up, at least most of the time

*loves music and will clap, dance, or even "sing" along (it sounds more like coo-ing or squealing)

*has wonderful fine motor skills--can pick up any little bit and colors (just like her big brother)and only likes to eat what she can feed herself--finger foods only, nothing from a spoon. Milk in a bottle and water, juice, etc. in a cup, and don't mix the two up, she will have nothing to do with a cup of milk or water in a bottle

*likes Conrad the most, Daddy second, and Mommy comes in at a distant third, unless she is hurt, and loves kisses and makes the cutest kissing noises, but still kisses all open-mouthed like babies do

*loves to play with her brother or even all by herself (yay!) and lova-loves to be outside

*is girly, girly, girly, loving babies, cuddling in her pink blankie and howling dramatically for anything that doesn't go her way, and loves the word "Pretty, pretty" (yes, we say it as one word) especially when it has to do with painted toes or bows in her hair (Thank-you, Katie)

*has gotten a few words under her belt (OK, these are since her birthday, but it still counts) like Mama, Dadadada, ba (which means bottle, water, brother, ball, bath, shower, baby...), apap (for papa), ma (for more), and (just this morning) up (clearest word she's ever said), uses a few signs and gestures (milk, water, all done, and her own version of I want and shakes her head for no) and lets us know what she wants surprizing well with grunts and babbles

We love our Gracie-Gracie-Goober and the wonderful spirit, personality and charm she brings into our family!