FAC

The Communication Department at Purdue has a longstanding tradition called Friday Afternoon Club, FAC. Each Friday the graduate students (and sometimes faculty) get together at a bar or restaurant to socialize. This past Friday FAC was at Boilermarket which is a local pizza place. It was a "family friendly FAC" so we decided to go and take Grace. She had an awesome time!

Trying an orange for the first time.

Smiling over Daddy's shoulder

Our friend Vicky kept peeking over Mark's shoulder. Grace LOVED it!

Happy 10 months Grace!

We cannot believe that Grace is 10 months old today! She has grown up so incredibly fast. Her newest "trick" is waving. It's so cute, she does it with her palm towards her face instead of out. She also loves to make clicking noises with her tongue.

We did our "birthday celebration" celebration this morning because Daddy had to leave for Cincinnati for work. The candle is in Grace's new favorite food--waffles! She loves them! This morning she almost ate a whole one and that was after having her diced kiwi and strawberries, and her baby oatmeal!

Thanks for being such a fun little girl Grace! We love you SOOOO much!

The incredible growing baby!

Grace had the same pair of pajamas in 4 sizes--newborn, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. Here is the progression:

Starting in the upper left corner and going counter clockwise we have December 2nd (newborn size), January 22nd (3 months), June 30th (6 months), and September 3rd (9 month size and not too happy to be having to lay on the Boppy--she'd much rather sit or stand now!)

Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's

This past weekend Mark and I, along with about 30 of our friends, went camping at Pokagon State Park in northern Indiana. This is a Labor Day tradition that we skipped last year (remember--I was about 30 weeks pregnant this time last year!) and were excited to get back to this year.

The Fab Five--Williams, Porco and Galls

With some of my Purdue girls!

Mark's cousin Jared and his wife Shanna

My Alma girls and Shanna

Grace spent the weekend with her Grandma and Grandpa Williams in Indy. Grace's GG and Great Aunt Julie made a special trip down from Michigan for the weekend to hang out with her. All reports indicate that Grace had a great time. There was shopping, swimming, playing, dancing, and a whole lot of fun! Thanks for taking such great care of Grace for us!

Grandma and Grace

It looks like GG and Aunt Julie have helped Grace shop 'til she dropped!

Happy baby!

"What you talking talking about Grandma?"

Daisy was worn out! Evidently she did not want to leave Grace's side the entire weekend. If she was not in the same room as her she whined until she could see her.

Grace's basket of toys

(Notice the padding on the fireplace? Grandma and Grandpa did an awesome job baby proofing before Grace got there!)

Dancing machine

Peek-a-boo

Grace in the pool with Connor who is Grandma's cousin's grandson (not sure what that makes him to Grace!)

What's new with Grace?

Our little girl is changing very fast! It's so much fun to watch her learn new things each and everyday. She is crawling so fast, pulling herself up on the couch, the walls, the windows, etc. and walking along them. Each day she gets a little more confident--to the point now that she'll let go and hold on with one hand. Today we were visiting our friend Sarah Garrison and she crawled over to her stairs and crawled up four of them!

Wouldn't you just love to drive by our house and see this face in the window!

Grace is also growing in leaps and bounds. At her 9 month check-in she was 26 1/2 inches, 20 lb. 1 oz, and her head circumference was 45 cm. Two weeks later when she went in for a cold and ear infection she had gained 10 ounces! She now has 6 teeth--three on the bottom and three on the top.

The photo on the left was the day we brought Grace home. The photo on the right was taken last week--she's almost outgrown her infant seat!

Perhaps one of the most exciting things for us is to see what great friends Grace and Daisy have become. Grace chases Daisy all around the house and Daisy is really gentle with her. Grace will hold out Daisy's toys to her and they'll play tug-of-war but Daisy barely pulls and Grace just gives big belly laughs. When we take walks there are certain houses (those with big dogs who have run out at us before) where Daisy makes sure she's right next to the stroller ready to protect Grace! They are adorable together!

Grace has always been a great sleeper and although she doesn't sleep as long as she used to , she still sleeps about 10 hours a night. Most nights she fusses a bit before she falls asleep. This started when she started to crawl. Now when we put her in bed she sits up--problem is she struggles to lay back down. So she often falls asleep with one or both of her legs underneath her and then we go in and readjust how she's sleeping.

Grace also continues to amaze us with how she can maneuver her toys. She has had this toy since Valentine's Day and the other day she just seemed to figure it out!

Finally, Grace continues to be our social butterfly. Whether it is hanging out with family at our house or going with Mark and I to events with our friends, Grace is always giggly, smiley, and just fun to be with!

Grace with her Aunt Amy

Daddy and Grace at BDub's for FAC (Friday Afternoon Club for the Comm Dept.)

Needless to say, we absolutely adore our little girl. She continues to brighten our world!

A weekend with the Galls

A few weekends ago we spent some time with our friends Ryan and Jill Gall and their little boy Noah. We had a great time going to the State Fair and letting the kids play in the pool. It's so much fun because Noah and Grace really interact now--he even kept coming up and giving her kisses!

I love these shots--nothing like men with their babies!

This is one of the reasons we go to the fair every year--fried Snickers--yummy!!!

Grace sound asleep next to the giant gourd

After the fair it was pool time!

Mommy passed her prelims!

Today I defended my preliminary exams. Those were the exams that I took over a four week period and that I have to pass before I do my dissertation. This morning I met with my committee (4 professors who wrote the questions and reviewed my responses) and had to orally defend my responses. It went really well. They had a lot of great feedback and things for me to think about. But best of all, I passed! Some of our good friends, Mark, Grace and I celebrated with lunch at Nine Irish Brothers afterwards.

We're all so relieved that the exams are done!