Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Friends for Dinner

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We love having friends over for dinner. There is something really great about nourishing your bodies and your souls at the same time! Nick, Katie and Will were our guests a few weeks ago. How cute are Will and Grace at the head of the table? And mama Katie sure knows how to get a smile out of her little man!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Sleeping Beauty

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There is nothing more precious than a sleeping child. Our baby is growing up. Nearly every day, I am startled by how different she looks. "They grow up so fast...," "You're getting so big!," "Time flies-" all of these are cliche because they are SO true!

We gave up the pacifier last week. I say we, because I truly believe it was harder for me than it was for her! We settled on some new habits, which we may or may not regret later. She has a bedtime routine, for sure – we just eliminated the beloved "paci."

We do bath time, which she seems to love, brush teeth (she seems not to love), then lotion, nighttime diaper, pajamas, comb and dry hair, drink of water, a few rounds of Pat the Bunny and Goodnight Moon, with favorite blanket, rocking chair and a lap. In the crib, she has a turtle that glows with stars projected onto the ceiling (cue Gracie's "woooww" here), her Gloworm which plays music and Sleep Sheep that mimics the ocean/white noise. All of these distract her and help her go to sleep.

Hopefully she will outgrow all this by the time she gets married.

Monday, January 10, 2011

First Winter Snow!

Curious about the white snow blanketing our backyard, Grace and I (with the dogs too) ventured into the cold. Here is a summary in pictures. They speak for themselves. Perhaps we'll stay inside and enjoy its beauty from the warmth!

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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

With the new year upon us, we thought we'd take a little time for some reflection on 2010 and its top events for us. In no particular order...

1. Grace's 1st Birthday and all of her firsts this year!

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2. Trip to South Carolina & North Carolina with the Lears.

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3. Papa's surgery and health.

4. Weddings! Lots of 'em...cousin Hannah & Jeff, friends Michael & Mary, Andy & Michelle, brothers Josh & Alexis and Doug & Brooke!

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5. Our first home sold, big move to a new house and a kitchen remodel.

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6. Births of precious new babies! Our dear friends Ruby Fritzel and Will Brewer, and our very first niece, Evelyn Hebert (whom we can't wait to meet)!

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7. Carl's acquisition of the esteemed CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation. We are so proud of him!

8. Avenue Creative Co. web launch (finally)!

9. Trip to California to visit David, Peggy and co.

10. All the time spent with our favorite loved ones! Cheers to more of that in 2011.

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

19 Months

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Grace hit the 19 month mark on Dec. 26th. Time is flying. Her latest trick? Making a funny face when you ask her or anytime you whip out a camera. This does not making taking pretty pictures easy!

Her favorite meal seems to be macaroni and cheese with peas and fruit. That girl loves her some fresh fruit! She will eat most anything except the crusts of her bread.

She was given her first bike from Great Grandma & Grandpa Robinson just before Christmas. Grandpa bought a new truck, and Santa was handing out free bikes at the dealership. (I'm guessing they didn't have one in Grandpa's size.)

She is on the GO all the time unless she's sleeping. She claps or sort of jump steps when she's excited. She shrieks with delight when we pull into Mimi & Papa's or Nana & Grampy's driveways. She is very independent and determined when she wants to be. She's definitely more verbal, though often speaks gibberish sounding almost Russian. She readily expresses more frustration at any lack of understanding or miscommunication on our parts.

We have a potty chair upon recommendation from our pediatrician, but it's there more for the acquaintance of it, rather than actually using it just yet. Our next mission is to get rid of the pacifier, although it is one of the only things that can truly calm her down, besides her beloved blanket. (We have a Linus on our hands.)

She is obsessed with buttons, zippers, seatbelts, buckles, light switches, how things work, etc. She also loves purses, hairbrushes, chapstick and the like.

Her vocabulary is expanding to include: mine, hi, wee (Louie), ay-ya (Ellie), puppy, papa, cookie, mimi, nana, mama, mommy, dada, daddy, up, out, uh oh, go, book, bed, ball, bye bye, no, yeah, duck, quack, woof, dog, p (for please) and a variation of thank you that I don't know how to spell...and there is more I'm sure. It's amazing what she knows and understands but can't yet say!

Christmas!

Our second Christmas as a family of three was a joyous time. Especially since Gracie is understanding more and more. Seeing it through her eyes, and hearing her "woah" or "wow" throughout the season was magical. We shared Christmas Eve and Day with both of our Wichita families! We miss all of you far away. Here are a few pictures to document the day.

Our tree.
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Our little Hebert trio at Don & Susan's Christmas morning after a tasty breakfast strata.
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Don & Susan in their cheery Christmas garb!
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Newlyweds Doug & Brooke. We shared our evening with Josh & Alexis but didn't get a pic!
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Uncle Doug and Grace, enjoying a puzzle and a new soft blanket (which we think Grace thought was a dog of some kind)!
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Grace's favorite attire for the day - decorative beads - aka bling - from Mimi Susan's house!
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We gave Grace a kitchen for Christmas and Grampy Scott outfitted it with lots of fun gear...one thing being a mixer!
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A little cuddle time with the favorite blanket and Daddy.
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Our Christmas day meal at Mom & Dad's house. For you foodies out there...we had ham, twice baked potatoes, homemade rolls, JELLO salad, mixed greens with pears, nuts and feta, green beans and carrot cake for dessert. Yum.
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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Doug & Brooke get hitched!

Doug & Brooke tied the knot last weekend. We are so happy for them! Best two parts of their wedding? All the guests sat in a circle around the bride and groom during the ceremony. Really neat and meaningful. And, during their first dance – which I don't even remember their real song – because midway through, the "record scratched," and Brooke surprised Doug by whipping out a hairbrush and animatedly singing a few lines of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream! Loved it.

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Now, Operation Christmas!