So Stylin' at Eight Months!

Gracie is showcasing her baby robe in these pictures. I thought she looked like she could be going to the Day Spa in her cute robe!






*She is so close to crawling, but can't quite figure it out. She tries to army crawl to get to her toys, but with all her effort - she pushes herself backwards instead of going forward. Poor thing...this just makes her more frustrated, and she cries.


*She looks like BABY ROCKY in this picture - doing her push-ups!

*She's always singing - Perfect example in this picture.





*She loves food. When she is in her baby walker and she sees me warming some milk or heating up some vegetables...she goes crazy. She wheels herself over to me in a panic and pins me up against the counters. It's really funny.


*We really do try to keep her face clean while she's eating! :)

Memories Anyone?!

This Tag has been passed around from Blog to Blog...and I think it's a fun one!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Feel free to leave a memory for Brittany and/or Jody! Have Fun!!

A New Duck for the Big Cheese!

Gracie is a little messier lately since she found her new love for Pureed Fruits and Strained Veggies! So OUT with the Old Infant Tub and IN with the New Inflatable Duck. Not only does the "Duck" quack at you while you're getting clean...but look at it! It looks so comfortable. I'd take one if they made them in my size!


Don't let her charming smile fool you. She was actually quite weirded out with the Reddi-Whip! Jody and I thought since she's constantly grabbing at what we're eating...she might enjoy playing in some whipped topping. Wrong! The texture scared her and every time she touched it - she shuttered. Jody let her try some, and she thought it was okay. Great news...I guess she'll be a healthy eater and stick to the Pears and Squash!

LET FREEDOM RING!

Gracie's First Fourth of July was one to remember. We started off the day volunteering at the annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast. Every year the LDS Missoula Stake does this breakfast to raise money for the Fort Missoula Museum. It was fun to see so many people in the community at this event. Then we headed off to Salmon Lake. Gracie is a natural on the boat - she was great and played on the beach with me. The lake water was a little cold for her liking...so we didn't get in the water much. Gracie and I cheered Jody on as he attempted to land a backflip on the wakeboard! Backflip...Wakeboard..should those TWO words be together in the same sentence?! He looked awesome out there. Check back...because we'll be posting some pictures!


After a Great Time with the Bell Family at the Lake, we headed back to Missoula for some fireworks. Gracie watched in amazement as the bursts of color filled the sky...and then her stomach got the best of her. She decided she was starving, and the bottle I quickly made for her was NOT the desired temperature...so the "God Bless America Dramatic Firework Finish" was coupled with Gracie screaming at the top of her lungs! It was the Perfect Night.


We are so grateful to live in this beautiful country where we enjoy so many freedoms!

*AMAZING GRACE*

Here's a video showcasing what Gracie has been up to in the past month. The highlights include me trying to record myself feeding Gracie and her grabbing the spoon from me, Gracie's first taste of peas, and her singing and walking with help.

  

Our little "Amazing Grace" has filled our home with so much joy. There are certain things we do each and everyday...and we wanted to share them with you.

*We Eat!...And this has become one of Gracie's favorite things to do. She can't get enough of her fruits and veggies. Pass the Green Beans Please!
Look at her stare down the spoon I'm holding above the camera.

*We take a nice warm bath... Here she is fresh out of the tub...with water still on her face.

*We Sing! I'm always singing to Gracie, and although she enjoys nursery rhymes...she seems to have a special love for Broadway Tunes. Her favorite is the "Phantom of the Opera" right now. I in no way have a voice like "Christine"...but Gracie seems to enjoy it. She tries to "out sing" me, and it's pretty cute. The other day I started singing a song to her that I used to sing every morning on my commute to work when I was pregnant. She got the most amazing look on her face...and it made me tear up...because I know she remembers hearing it. She's our angel.

*We Walk! Gracie always wants to be standing and walking. She will grasp so tightly to mine or Jody's hands and pull herself to her feet.


*And We LAUGH every chance we get!

A few days ago...Jody put the game "Pop Goes the Weasel" to shame. Here's a video of him making Gracie laugh!

Move Over Katie Couric!

Every year hundreds of journalists across the nation submit stories to be judged within the Society of Professional Journalism Excellence Competition. I am so excited because much to my surprise...I won First Place in our division for Feature News. It's a tremendous honor to be recognized for doing something that I love to do. Jody has always been completely supportive of me in this dream. He's given me the encouragement and means to accomplish this goal. And it's been great to be married to someone who also graduated in Broadcast/Journalism...Jody has stepped up many times and been my cameraman. (Even in 20 below temperatures - might I add when we were both freezing. Now - that's love.) The SPJ Judges gave me this nice award...and Gracie thought it looked delicious...she tried to eat it and put it in her mouth...just like everything else! :)



Before my maternity leave, I worked primarily on the Cops and Courts Beat. It was a tough beat with stories that often left me feeling so blessed for the life I have. The story I submitted in this contest was a Feature Piece on our SWAT team here in Missoula. The Police Chief and some of my Sergeant Detective Buddies were nice enough to let me really get involved in the Active Shooter Training they did at a local school. They made me look like I had a bullet wound to the leg...(that didn't wash away in the shower for two weeks - mind you!!) It was a visual, interesting and fun story to cover.

SPLASH MONTANA!

We are thrilled to announce that it has stopped snowing in Montana...and therefore time to hit Missoula's water park Splash Montana! Gracie loved all the sights and sounds at the pool. Her only complaint was the life jacket...she wasn't a huge fan. It was a beautiful day, and we had so much fun as a family!

Don't you love our Hats?! It was a great day to be outside cooling off in the water!

Small Business Summit in D.C.

I was completely surprised when my manager called me and told me congrats for winning a regional sales competition. I didn’t even know the competition was over! Well, the prize was a three day trip to Washington D.C. to attend NFIB and ebay’s 2008 National Small Business Summit. Our organization invites small business owners from around the country to be a part of the work it does every day, (lobby for the benefit of small business).

Above: I am in front of the Dept. of Justice building in Washington D.C. Our group had meetings with our senators; Max Baucus and Jon Tester, and our lone Montana representative of the House; Denny Rehberg. We also had some great speakers address the whole group. Among them were: Senator and Presidential candidate John McCain, political analyst and former Dancing with the Stars contestant Tucker Carlson, and former NFL Hall-of-Famer and current business owner Roger Staubach. Each one gave great speeches. It was a great trip and awesome to be in attendance.

Happy Birthday to My Hero!

24 years ago a very special baby came into this world. Doctors told his parents his abilities would be few. His life has been full of challenges, but his intellect and his ability to teach others how to appreciate and celebrate life have far outweighed any doctor's prognosis.


Today my brother Michael celebrates 24 beautiful years! Jody and I wish we could have been there with you Michael to join in the excitement as the Boston Celtics demolished the Lakers! :) I love Michael because he has a great sense of humor, he LOVES sweaters (even in the summer), he's a sport fanatic and he helps me keep my perspective of life focused on the heart and the spirit. Michael - You're the best brother a girl could have!

HAPPY FIRST FATHER'S DAY!!

It's a special day for Jody - it's his very first Father's Day! Jody is an amazing husband, a patient and incredible father and an astounding person. I always knew Jody would be a great father...I saw that quality in him when we were dating. However, it has been such a joy to watch him with Gracie. He is so tender and fun with her...and he looks great carrying the diaper bag! (Even though he thinks it is way too girly.) Jody keeps Gracie well-rounded. I often find them watching ESPN together, and Gracie has even helped Jody mow the lawn while in her front pack. This is your day Jody! Gracie and I are so lucky to call you "ours".

I've been very blessed to have a phenomenal father of my own. My dad has taught me about the person I want to become. He is so dedicated and such a hard worker. He never gives less than 110 percent at everything. He loves his family so much, and I know he would do absolutely anything for me. I'm just pretty lucky - I've had great examples of dads scattered throughout my life - including my own father-in-law. He is very considerate and loves our family so very much.


And before he was a great Dad - Jody was (and still is) a fantastic husband. Jody and I have so many wonderful memories. I want to share a funny story about us. We were on one of our first dates back in the Fall of 2003. Jody and I were in the backseat of the car with a few friends after one of his flag football games. We were kind-of squished, and so I leaned my head back on the headrest trying to give us all a little more room. (Side note - for those of you who didn't know me in college...my hair was long and curly...and some might say somewhat BIG.) Jody then said, while patting my hair, "Wow - this must be really comfortable when you lay down. Do you even need a pillow?" I laughed out loud. But Jody just looked at me waiting for a response. I then laughed even harder when I realized he wasn't joking!!! I love you Jody! And, yes...my hair used to make a pretty nice pillow!