Our Very Special Valentine

It has been awhile since I've provided an update about Grace's goings-on, so I thought now would be the perfect time. Since she turned one, Grace's well-baby exams are scheduled only once every six months so we don't get the frequent growth chart updates like we used to. We estimate that she is around 25 pounds and 33 inches tall. And in other news:

• Chad's dad - Grandpa T - came for a quick visit a few weekends ago. We went to the park one afternoon and hung out at home the rest of the time. Wanna know a very cool fact that Grandpa T pointed out? He and Gracie share the exact same initials: Grace EAT and Grandpa EAT.
  
• We've been to two children's concerts in the past couple of months (Lorna Miller's Little Kids' Jamboree and The Animal Tea Party). Portland is truly a mecca for family-friendly events. We have been lucky enough to stumble upon a couple of really cool venues.
  
• Grace started a new Gymboree class for 22-36 month olds. She and Chad go every Saturday morning for an hour.
  
• Thanks to Rubie's influence at a sleepover during the holidays, Grace learned how to climb out of her crib. The first time she did it was during a nap. She just came toddling down the hall, proud as can be. The second time, she fell and scared her poor mother half to death. So now the mattress is as low as it goes before she'll move to a toddler bed. How is that even possible?!
  
• Grace is constantly (and, for the most part, appropriately) nodding and shaking her head in response to yes/no questions we ask her. Yay for communication!
  
• I'm not quite sure how this happened, but in the past few months Grace has developed a bit of a Sesame Street addiction. Yes, it's educational, but it's still TV & I'm not sure how I feel about her liking it so much. 20 minutes a day can't be all that bad, right?
  
• In addition to dozens of framed photos in our hallway, we have a few photo albums designated for Gracie's use with pictures of all the people who love her. She loves to flip through the pages, and she's so cute how she squeals with delight when she recognizes someone.
  
• We have spent several recent weekends with my sister Noelle and her family. The three kids have soooo much fun together! I wish we lived closer...


• At the beginning of February, we celebrated the Chinese New Year with our BFFs, the Sages, at the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens. We spent the whole day exploring the beautiful landscape and watching some traditional Chinese performances. Our favorite was definitely the colorful lion dance.
  
• Earlier this month, Grandma Jan made lots of new outfits for GG: Two super warm, fleece hooded sweatsuits; one pair of adorable granny-style pjs with ladybugs printed all over (the buttons are even ladybugs!); a country-western patterned dress with fringe trim and horseshoe-shaped buttons; and THE cutest red bandanna-printed top and coordinating denim skirt (with a matching bandanna belt) to go with Grace's red cowboy boots. Words do not do ANY of her creations justice. We'll just have to post pics of Grace wearing everything.
  
• Since trying out the big-girl potty for the first time in October, Grace has become quite familiar with the process. In fact, she has done her business in the toilet on two separate occasions! We're very proud of our little potty pooper...
  
• Speaking of newly developed bathroom habits: In the past few weeks, Grace has really started to embrace her new oral hygiene regiment. She used to brush her teeth in the bathtub without any complaint; then all of a sudden, she didn't want any part of it. We tried everything to avoid a nightly meltdown, but nothing worked. Finally, we discovered that the trick was to let her mimic Chad. They stand at the sink together; she turns the water on/off; when Chad spits, Gracie spits; and when Chad is finished, Gracie is finished. It works like a charm.
  
• In celebration of Valentine's Day, Grace helped me decorate some pink, strawberry-flavored cupcakes to give to her friends. It was certainly an exercise in self-control, as GG really wanted to lick/eat every cupcake we decorated. In the end, she enjoyed one of her very own lovely creations and learned a small lesson in sacrifice for the sake of giving to others...
  

That's about it in a nutshell. As you can see, we're all having fun and staying busy. Although most aspects of parenting so far are pleasant and rewarding, we've certainly faced some recent challenges. Chad and I are learning that the 'Terrific Twos' can start early. Like most toddlers her age, Miss Grace is not the least bit shy about asserting her desire for control, independence, and autonomy. And just as we continue to teach GG about boundaries, she is teaching us a thing or two about patience. And love. And all that it means to raise a happy, healthy little person.