Heck of a week

This week couldn't have come to an end any sooner! I swear, this was just one of those weeks that nothing goes the way you hoped and everyone is tired and whiny including me. And, of course, band camp began this week so Gene's been gone at night all week. Nice.

It all started Sunday when Gracie got up at 1:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. She was inconsolable. I fed her and laid her back down. At the 4:30 a.m. feeding, I decided that I didn't have anything going on at work first thing so we would take our time getting in, maybe sleep until 7:00. Oh, no. She got up at 5:30 a.m. which is very early for her. She went to sleep for a hour in the swing then was ready for the day. Seriously? Hasn't this girl heard of beauty sleep (for her and her Mommy)? Guess not.

On Monday night, Gracie had a fever. I gave her some Tylenol and laid her down. She slept soundly but Tuesday morning she had a raging fever. I knew it was something more than teething so I took her to the doctor. Yep, first ear infection. If she's anything like her brothers, you can go ahead and put us down for tubes, Dr. Hamm. We did have Gracie weighed though and she is a whopping 16 pounds, a pound more than at her 4 month check up. No doubt about it...this girl likes to eat!

Meanwhile, Andrew has decided that he wants to get up at all hours of the night to potty and change into underwear. Now, I appreciate his move from a pull-up to underwear. But this boy is not a quiet kid. He's very much a bull in a china shop and flings open the door before the crack of dawn to tell us his pants are twisted, he hears a noise, etc.

We had "meet the teacher" yesterday for Austin. It went well mostly because we are looping to 2nd grade with Austin's 1st grade teacher who we adore. She did so well with Austin all year with few incidents. Austin's grown a lot since kindergarten and he's now on the 2nd grade hall upstairs at the elementary school.

AND to end the week on a very happy, less sleepy note...Gracie is officially 5 months old and cut her first tooth today! She's been pretty ill all week but tonight she was back to her happy, laid back self.

So, here's to the end of a hell of a week. This mama's pooped!

Playing photographer

Last week, I was home with all the kids because Andrew had a stomach bug. While we were home and the boys were playing, I took some pictures of Gracie. Here are a few of the good pictures we took. She's so photogenic!

Gracie's 4 month check up

Grace had her 4 month check up today. She got 2 shots and one oral vaccine. She weighed 15 pounds (70th percentile) and was 25 1/4 inches tall (90th percentile).

We got the official OK to start solids. The pediatrician said with 2nd and 3rd babies when he says "it's OK to start solids" that really means keep doing what you've been doing with solids. We started cereal when Grace was about 8 weeks old and have tried bananas (those give her gas so we've stopped them), apples, and tonight we tried carrots. At first she wasn't sure about them, but she gobbled them up!

Newborn photos

Right after Gracie arrived, we got a photographer, Julia Cantley, to come to our house to do a newborn photo shoot. We did not do this with either of the boys and I really did regret capturing those tiny baby moments. Julia did a wonderful job!

Gracie is 4 months old!

I can't believe that Gracie is 4 months old already! She's such a sweet baby. She only cries when she truly needs/wants something. She's very laid back and easy going. Gracie loves her brothers already. She smiles and talks to them all the time!

She's rolled over from tummy to back and back to tummy and she's just discovered that she has feet. She's constantly grabbing at them. And I think she's teething. She's drooling everywhere and can't keep her hands out of her mouth.

What a blessing she is!

Happy Belated 4th of July

We had terrible weather on the 4th of July so we didn't get to do any fireworks. Plus, Gene had to go downtown for the summer band concert that wasn't. So, we decided to get some fireworks and shoot them off today. I'm sure it's illegal, but the boys had a wonderful time!

And, yes, Andrew is wearing long sleeve, long pant pajamas in the middle of July with temperatures in the upper 90s!

Beach Trip

Over Memorial Day weekend, we went to the beach. It was a quick trip but so worth it. We have finally found our "place" at the beach! Nonna, Papa, and Ella went with us. It was so nice so spend time with all of them.

The weather was nice and the boys had a great time in the pool. Andrew discovered that he loves to "swim" and is very, very brave when it comes to the water. I guess it's time for swimming lessons for him! Gracie had a good time too napping by the pool. She loved the ocean breeze. Don't we all!

Gracie rolls over!

Gracie rolled over today from her back to her tummy. I put her on the bed (on her back), turned around for a second, and when I turned back around she was on her tummy.