Florida Part III

The last part of our Florida trip was very relaxing...lay babies on the ground and watch them play! Megan's parents had us over for dinner Sunday night--thank you Eads! Monday we just lounged around the house. The plane ride home was great. We had an empty seat next to us so Grace was able to stay in her infant seat. The plane was delayed two hours so it got to be a late night. But we're home safe and sound and that's all that matters! Thank you for having us Megan, Bobby and Aly! We love you all!

Look at that hair!!!

Aly celebrated her one month birthday on Sunday--Grace had to show her how to celebrate a birthday in style!

Happy 4 Months Grace!!! (Plus Florida, Part II)

Today is Grace's 4 month birthday...my how the time flies! We are still down in Florida so we have a bit of a different backdrop for this birthday celebration. We really missed Daddy but it was fun to share the day with Uncle Bobby, Aunt Megan, and Aly (although she slept through the singing and the cake!).

Grace and I have really been enjoying our time down here. Yesterday we just relaxed around the house and had some more time with the fam.

So interested in one another

"Hi Uncle Bob!"

Grace loved Katie!!!


Last night was bath night.

Grace was a little over-tired by the end of her bath.

Aly however was a champ!


Grace has done amazing every night here (I know, I'm probably jinxing myself for tonight!). She got up this morning at 7, nursed and then went down for another hour. I went in to check on her and this is what I found:

All the family left so now it's just Grace and I with Bobby, Megan and Aly. Today we took the girls to get their photos taken together (I'll see if I can post some soon!). It was so much fun. We then did lunch and some shopping while we waited for the pictures to be printed. As you can see, it wore the girls out!


They woke up for some play time and Grace fell asleep on Alyson's play mat. She has learned that if she pulls the handle on the bird house the lights will go on and music will play (this is the first sign we've seen that she is learning cause/effect). So she was sound asleep and then woke up, looked around, turned her head and pulled the handle. The music put her back to sleep--it was priceless!

Aly and her Daddy relaxing after a long day of modeling and shopping!

Florida trip--Part 1

Grace and I are currently in Florida visiting my brother Bobby, his wife Megan, and my new niece Alyson (born February 15th). Yesterday morning Grace and I flew out of Indy. I was so scared to fly with her by myself, but as usual, Grace amazed me! She did so well. She fussed a bit when we first got on the plane, I fed her, she looked around for a bit and then she fell asleep. And slept until right before landing when she woke up and wanted to eat some more. Barely any crying! I was so happy. We were in the last row next to the "window." Unfortunately the last row doesn't have a window and the flight was packed so we ended up with two big burly firemen next to us. We were a bit cramped and my arms fell asleep from holding her, but it was so nice that she was so good because I don't know how we would have gotten out if she needed to be walked.

Grace in her stroller after getting through security at the airport.

The highlight of the trip is definitely getting to see Grace interact with Alyson. The first thing she did when she saw her was reach out and grab her hand. We keep laying them next to each other and you can tell by the way they look at each other that they will be great friends!

Proud Aunt E!! It's already hard for me to believe that Grace was ever this small!

Since Grace and I were down here and my mom and Mike are still here (they came down when Aly was born), my Aunt Susie, Uncle Bob, and Katie drove down to Cape Coral from Daytona Beach. It has been so fun to share the girls with them. It's fun because my first trip to Florida and my first airplane ride was when I was Grace's age and I came down here to see Aunt Susie and Uncle Bob. We had a great day today just hanging out on the floor playing "pass the baby" and "look at the baby". Grace especially took a liking to Aunt Susie, as documented in the pics below. Apparently Aunt Susie's shoulder is a great place to catch a nap!

These pics don't capture the best part about what was going on below, Grace actually had her arm around Aly!

Floor time with cousin Katie

All ready for dinner at Bonefish

The three of us girls

And this is what the other side of the table looked like trying to get Grace to look at the camera :)

Baby Train

Grace and I will be here until Monday so stay tuned for more pics!

Is this heaven...no it's Iowa!

This past weekend Grace took her biggest road trip yet! We headed to Iowa so Grace could meet Great Grandma and Grandpa Williams. As many of you know, it is our yearly tradition to head out there every Thanksgiving. Unfortunately we missed this Thanksgiving because Grace was just too little to make the trip--so Mark and I were both anxious to get out to Sac City and to see the grandparents! We had a great weekend and feel so lucky that we have such a good baby--Grace was a champ even though she had to spend two full days in the car. She only cried about 10 minutes in the car on each day...AMAZING!

This is what Grace did most of the car trip...must get it from Mommy!

At a rest area in Illinois--time for a morning snack.

Lunch at Bennigan's at the Coralville Mall in Iowa City. After lunch we stopped in Daddy's favorite store in the world--Scheel's--more Iowa Hawkeye paraphernalia than anywhere else in the world!

We've finally arrived and Grace get's to meet her Great Grandma!

Look at my big blue eyes

Grace's first time at East End Supper Club in Lakeview--yummy dinner!

Bath time in Grandma and Grandpa's sink

Drying off after the bath

So content with Grandma and Grandpa

Three generations of Williams

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for all of your hospitality! It was so fun to introduce Grace to you. We can't wait to see you this summer in Minnesota! Love you!

Grace's noises

Grace has become very vocal during the past month. Here are a few videos that show her sweet noises-please excuse the noises Mark and I make back :-)

Tummy Time Pro!

Can you believe how good I have gotten at this tummy time business?

Just hanging out...

Seriously--who can resist those chubby cheeks?!?!

Just chillin' in the Bumbo--look how long her legs are getting!


Grace has graduated to riding facing forward in the carrier. This is how she helped me clean the house on Friday.

Grace also really likes to stand up now. The back of the couch is the perfect height for her to stand on when she's in the carrier.