Winter Blues

Man am I behind.......................

It has been a long winter over here at the Starck home. We have had a few major snow storms, freezing cold temperatures, and two tornadoes. I am so ready for Spring that I can taste it. Grace went sledding this winter for the first time ever. To say that she enjoyed sledding would be an understatement. I took her myself one afternoon and she was silent on the way down the hill and then after she realized we stopped she just laid back in that sled and belly laughed. I thought to myself this is what being a parent is all about, spending time with your children and really enjoying it, because in that second my heart was so full it could have fell to the ground. Then after a few more trips down the hill I thought to myself "what am I thinking I am seven months pregnant and one wrong bump I could break my water" LOL and that was then end of sledding that day. The next sledding trips for Grace were courtesy of my little brothers. All I had to do was bundle her up real good and they did all the hard work- walking up and down the hills to send her in a state of enjoyment.

We did several indoor activities this Winter. We played over at my friend Angie's house quite frequently. Grace is in love with Luke and Jacob and could stay over there all day if we could. We went to the indoor mall playgrounds a few times, Chuck E Cheeses, and Magic House. All in all, my little girl is one cool chick. She sure knows how to take it easy on you because she tolerated being cooped up in the home better than any child I could imagine. She was making me proud turning into such a little home body the last couple of weeks.

Now, I am going to try to make the best of the next few weeks. I plan on taking Grace to the Zoo, Magic House, and Botanical Gardens at least once each place and to the park next door several times. I want to savior each and every second of the next few weeks spending time with just her because after Caleb gets here things will be different. I love that I waited these few years in between to have children so I was able to do such special things with Grace.

Sunday Funday

Boy has it been an extremely busy week. I worked full time hours at St. Marys, picked up an extra few hours at Shriner's, and then graciously went in to St. Marys last night to help because they had a call in. With that being said, Grace and I really didn't do anything fun this week. She went to her babysitters twice this week. She played at my Mom's house with my nephews Shawn and Collin on Friday. She stayed the night at my parents house on Saturday while I went into work and Jamie spent some time with my brother Sam.

I vow I am going to do something very fun with Grace today!!!! Maybe Incredible Pizza, The Magic House, or Monkey Joe's but she is going to have a great day with Jamie and I as soon as I wake up from taking a little nap.

I will post pictures later. Wish us much needed and deserved fun!!!

Bath Time

Grace loves getting in the bath....

She loves putting her alphabet foams on the walls.

She loves drinking the "clean" water.

She loves pouring water from one cup to another.

She runs down the hallway heading to the bathroom when I just mention getting in the shower or bath, in hopes to get in.

I love sitting next to the bath watching her play!!!!!!

Laundry is my Nemesis

Today I took Grace to Ms. Judy's so I could get a few things done around the house after our lazy relaxing weekend.

I had EIGHT loads of laundry to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I turned on my satellite radio and just folded away. In between loads I cleaned, dusted, vacuumed, etc. I accomplished everything I needed to do and more. I can get so much stuff done when I don't have Grace Adeline here with me. Is that mean to say?

Jamie was off the entire weekend, had Monday off, and took a half day today. So we have had tons of quality time home together- I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are going to participate in the "Great Date Experiment" its about keeping the spice in your married life. I will keep you posted on how it goes. We will start in the first week of March.

Update with grace

Grace is 19 Months now!!!

What is new with her:

She is talking so much- she probably has a 60 word vocabulary
She is obsessed with Sesame Street, she loves Elmo so much!! I catch her talking to them in her bed when she is suppose to be going to sleep saying "hi Elmo, night night Elmo". Sesame Street is her favorite show to watch on TV.
She continues to love her Daddy so much- she can't get enough of him
She now tries to say everyone of my siblings names and cried for Mama and Papa all the time.
She can count and say some of her ABC's
She goes to the babysitters house 2-3 times a week and loves it there.
She is 26lbs which is in the 64% for her weight and she is in the 94% for her height.
She eats anything and everything!!
She loves to have books read to her and is starting to really like puzzles.
She plays really good with other children.
She has so much energy!!!

I love her to pieces and she warms my heart several different times a day. She is stubborn and mean at times and then can turn around and smile and giggle and blow you a kiss at the same moment.