Gracie Vs. Santa 2009

So, I got up the courage to dress Gracie up and take her to Hopscotch to see Santa. I knew that it wasn't going to be pretty, but it is one of those things you feel like you just have to do as a parent. What good parent doesn't take their child to see Santa? For days I had been prepping her: "Look at the picture of Santa, Gracie! He is so nice! Give the Santa ornament kisses . . . Santa LOVES Gracie!" You get the picture.

When we walked in the door to the toy store Gracie was already clinging to my neck, and with my winter scarf and flannel on, Gracie clinging, and the body heat of people crammed in line practically touching, my blood pressure was already rising. For over a half an hour we waited, Gracie never loosening her grip on my neck. We watched as little kids excitedly hopped up and down knowing that they were soon going to climb up the stair to the little room where Santa was waiting to discuss their Christmas wishes.

Finally it was our turn. I told Santa's elf that my daughter was going to be a hard sell with the whole sitting on Santa's lap thing. Afterall, she wouldn't even make eye contact with an elf - no matter how endearing the elf's jingly hat was to the other boys and girls. We walked up the stairs, and I heard Gracie wisper "Santa" before we even reached the top of the steps. She knew who we were here to see. "Look, Gracie! Santa!" I sang as we reached the top step. That's all it took. One look at this lunatic in the flesh and Gracie was screaming bloody murder trying to climb up my neck and over my head to run out the door. "Santa." I commanded, over the top of her screaming. "Let's make this quick. I'll hand her off- you just hold on to her and smile." Santa reached for her (an old pro) and I threw her in his lap. Because I know my daughter, I was prepared. The camera was already out and the lens was off.

Gracie was screaming and half trying to leap off his lap, half assaulting him. I snapped a quick shot, scooped her up and thanked Santa and his elf. We waltzed out past the line of kids and their parents who were all staring by now.

When we got to the door to leave Gracie loosened her grip on my neck, turned around, and shouted "Ho! Ho! Ho!" to the crowd. Gotta love my little pistol.

Thanksgiving 09

Sick with the Seahawks

Ben and Libbey came over to visit a few months ago when Gracie was in the midst of her month-long cold. It was so good to catch up with Libbey (whom I've been friends with for over 25 years) and watch our kids as friends now. Ben is just two weeks older than Gracie!

Fall at "Ma" and "Buck's"

Time seems to be speeding up. How can it be fall already? Gracie is more of a toddler than a baby these days, and we can't keep up with how fast she's growing up! At just 15 months old we have lost count of how many words she says (she points and names everything she sees), and gone are the days of the drunken sailor. She runs, dances, and climbs for the most part. She finally sleeps through the night (until about 9 in the morning!) and even naps in the day with little to no fuss. If we tell her it's time for "ni-night," she grabs her blanket, races to the stairs, and climbs up- eager for story time. Wow, we've come a long way! The intensity she had as a baby, however, remains. Tantrums complete with hitting herself in the head have replaced the colic, and she loves to boss and shout "NO!" especially at Bernie. I'm so proud of the little girl she's becoming. As my dad says, "She wants what she wants, and she doesn't want what she doesn't want." One thing she always seems to want is food. She's not a fan of little kid food like crackers and juice, etc. Just this morning she had eggs and portabella musrooms for breakfast and chili with onions for lunch. It's so fun getting to know her as the distinct individual that she is. I love this stage!

Trick or Treat!

Once again the Fasts hosted the annual baked potato bar for Halloween. We were unsure at first whether or not to take Gracie trick or treating because she is still too young to "get it," but she quickly proved us wrong. All night she led the pack of children and adults, never dropping her bucket of candy. She sped up and down the side walks and climbed the steps of many a front porch. Her only hesitation was the fact that people actually answered the doors and wanted to talk to her and offer her candy. As soon as someone opened the door she would spin around and rush quickly away. Campbell, however, was a fan of picking out candy from each bowl. She would stand for minutes at a time pondering which piece to take. Maya was the veteran, showing the little kids the Halloween how-to, and Peyton was the injured bee who managed to stay up happily until 9 at night! What a great Halloween. I already cannot wait until next year.

Campbell's First Birthday!

momma loves Gracie

Fireside

Aquarium Trip with Campbell