Feliz Cumpleanos, Abuela

In case you're wondering, that's Happy Birthday, Grandma en Espanol. Today is my Grandma Elaine's special day. I've been thinking about her all day long, hoping she's having the best birthday ever. January is a very special month, indeed, because it is the birth month of not one but TWO of my grandmas! When it was Grandma Jan's birthday on the 16th, she was in San Francisco celebrating, but I got to see her a few days earlier to give her some presents and lots of love.

So, now that we're a full month into 2008, I'd say it's time for an update. First, let's talk about my teeth. I still have just the two bottom ones, but they will soon be joined by some on top. I've been working on those top front chompers for awhile now. Mommy and I brush my two little teeth every night and I love it! It's a fun game for me to chew on the brush, spit it out, look at it, then shove it back into my mouth for more.

As for my hair, it's really growing. It's still fuzzy and sticks straight up, but there's more of it. We can just about put it in a barrette.

Our whole family has been sick with colds for the past several weeks, so that's why we haven't checked in for awhile. In fact, just a couple weeks ago I experienced my very first ear infection. My parents didn't even know I had the infection until I developed a low-grade fever for which Daddy took me to the doctor and discovered the aching ear. After a week or so on some super yummy, bubble-gum flavored medicine, I was good as new.

So, at last report, I told you how I moved right from crawling into pulling myself up to a standing position. Well, I decided that there's a lot to see and do by crawling, so I gave that another try. I still pull myself up every chance I get, but I'm not standing unsupported or (gasp!) cruising yet. My parents are very relieved, to say the least.

Now, I've been told that every baby has her own special way of crawling, so I decided to try out a rather unusual technique. What the heck, right? I'm only a baby once. Instead of moving forward on both knees, I use my right leg/foot to propel myself while the left knee is in the typical crawling stance. Just think hermit crab. That's my inspiration.

So, let's do a quick inventory of all my many nicknames (it has been awhile):

• Gracie Girl
• Miss Grace Lemon Cakes
• Lemon Cakes
• Cheeks
• GG/GiGi
• Geege
• Gee-Race
• Gracie Dumps (This was a derivative of Gracie Dumpling, which turned into Dumpers, then just Dumps. Daddy has a whole song he made up for me surrounding this nickname.)
• Monkey
• Munchwee
• Muncheechee
• Smidgers

That's a lot of names for a nine-month old. But, somehow, I don't get confused. I answer to all of them.

Since we are making lists, here are some of my favorite things:

• Prunes
• Squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Pears
• Playing my Fischer-Price piano from a standing position
• Balls (I even know how to roll them back and forth)
• Animal noises (especially oinks)
• Bath time
• Brushing my teeth
• Being outside
• Norman
• Looking out the window above my changing table
• My super-soft, pink blanket from Great-Great Grandma Ora

And my least-favorite things:

• Peas
• The word "no"
• Boogie wipes
• Having to sit still while getting my diaper changed
• Having my face washed
• Shots (ouch!)
• Taking shirts off over my head
• Losing my binky

I think that about covers it. I'm going for my nine-month well-baby check up on February 12, so I should have some good developmental news to report after that. I only have a few new pictures to share, as we haven't taken a lot of photos lately. We'll work on that for next time. Ciao for now.