I've been trying to take a bunch of pictures of Grace, but you know, things are busy. Still, I've managed to get a few good shots...which, at this stage in her life, is really all I need. I'm having a good time adding them to her baby book, one of my favorite projects.

Just a few quick notes about Grace:
• She loves to eat - about every 3 hours and she is having no trouble gaining weight.
• She doesn't mind tummy time, at least not too much.
• The things I love - she doesn't need to be held to fall asleep, she is content just sitting in her chair, and likes the sling.
• Evan is still a big help. He often talks about how much he loves her, although still shows no interest in holding her. But he does like to help her with her pacifier and gets concerned if she cries.

I just love this picture...little Mya holding little Grace. Mya just LOVES her (well, to be fair, she loves all babies and all dolls). So when Mya and Jackson came over for a playdate, Evan and Jackson played well together and Mya looked after Grace. It was adorable!

A few weeks back we went to Milwaukee with the Cagle's for the Brewers on Deck event - we went the previous year and Evan had a blast. Pretty much the same thing this time around...this kid loves anything to do with sports! Thanks to Grandma for her first real "babysitting" experience with Grace (much easier without her in tow, although I did miss her a little :)

We've been spending a lot of time visiting Aunt Kate at the coffee shop because 1) I love hot chocolate and 2) it's fun to say hi to her and to catch up with Grandpa (he loves coffee more than I like hot chocolate, so he's there more than we are). I snapped this photo of Evan and Grandpa discussing the days events:

I keep meaning to write down a few of the cute things Evan has been saying/doing in the last few months, so here it goes:

• He is very much into time and/or clocks. He's always asking what time it is and especially loves clocks with hands. For the most part he knows numbers 1-12, so it's fun to have him tell us what hand is pointing to which number.

• He is very good at playing/pretending on his own when playing with toys. Lately he also is loving to dance to any music and tries to copy the TV shows dance moves.

• We were in the car the other day, and Eric made a somewhat snappy response to a question I had. So I said, "Jeez, no need to jump on me." A few seconds later, Evan says from the back of the car "Daddy, why you bounce on Mama?" Laughter ensued.

• I've been pumping in order to get Gracie the breastmilk she needs, and Eric taught Evan to tell me "Pump it up" and also will from time to time ask me from another room "Mama, you gonna pump?"

A few pictures from Gracie's room:

I love these photos. Evan really is adjusting well to having a little sister. I guess I shouldn't even say he is adjusting - there really hasn't been any change in his behavior or attitude. He likes to "help" change Gracie's diaper and especially likes to introduce her to people. But for the most part he just goes about his day and is enjoying being at home with Mama and Gracie.

Grace's Birth Announcement.

Both of Grace's doctor appointments went well...no concerns and she is growing just fine. I think Evan enjoys going to the appointments knowing that he won't be getting any shots :)

A few pictures of my sweet little girl (some are with from my phone, so the quality isn't that great, but you get the idea).

So, the Saturday morning after Gracie was born, my sister tells us that she has a surprise for us and to be at home at 9AM, and to make sure that my mom was there as well. I didn't think to much of it, I just thought it was maybe a gift from one of her friends or something. Well, in walks BRADY! My mom freaked out, it was great. He flew in from Columbus, OH, just to meet his new neice. What a great uncle! Evan was pretty excited as well - and didn't leave Brady alone all weekend.

I must say that our first week at home has been pretty easy. I hope I didn't just jinx us. Gracie is sleeping very well and Evan isn't phased by her at all - he just goes about his day and occasionally asks how Gracie is doing. My mom and sister have been helping out a lot (since I can't drive for a few more days due to the c-section), so the days have been going by quickly and like I said, with ease.

I finally got around to processing the first pictures of Grace. Thank you to everyone who visited and helped make our experience at the hospital easy and fun. Especially my parents and sister Kate, who helped watch Evan and Wrigley so Eric and I could "relax" and get to know Gracie. So far, she is an excellent baby! We are beyond happy to have her with us.

Grace Rosemary is here! She was born last Thursday, January 13, weighing in at 7 lbs., 4 oz. and 20.5 inches long. We love her so much already. Here are the only pictures I have on my phone, and will upload many more when I get around to processing them.

We pass by the indoor golf place, Vitense, all the time when on the beltline. Of course, Evan always wants to go there to play mini-golf or drive the remote-controlled boats. Every once in a while we give in. Eric took this picture at the hole #9, which features black lights. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

Eric often emails me pictures on the mornings I work with updates of how the morning is going. Apparently Evan has found a new way to eat and thinks it's pretty great:

US Bank Eve.

Again this year we celebrated the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 at the Monona Terrace, with a host of kids activities - a magic show, train rides, and snacks. My mom and Aunt Mary met us there and it was fun, although really busy. We got a little lucky and had Evan ride the train while the line wasn't too long, and managed to make it home by 8:00pm, and Evan and I were asleep by 8:30. The perfect night :)

Olbrich Gardens train exhibit.

Last week Evan and I went to the train and flower show at Olbrich Gardens, which he loved. I was excited because for a few hours in the morning it was free, but apparently every other mother in the Madison area knew this because the place was PACKED. We had to wait 1/2 hour just to get it. But it was allright, it's always good for Evan to perfect his waiting skills.

A New Year, A New Calendar.