After her birthday I had a few short weeks at home with her before I started my new job teacher special education resource year round at Heritage Elementary. After 6 years of teacher Jeremy and I finally have the same schedule.
We spent the week for Fourth of July on a StayCation in downtown Raleigh at Ann Marie and Mark Davis' while they were out of town. We loved being tourists in our own town!
Grace went from walking to running and hasn't stopped yet. She also took a nasty fall of the front porch in July.
Grace started swim lessons in July and just finished her second session. She seems to be a natural. She loves to play tick tock a little game where she gets to rock back and forth, blast off and kick off the wall, and jump in. She is not a fan of swimming on her back. She will go all the way under and kick up if you let go of her.
In August Grace and Jeremy had their first weekend alone together. I traveled to Austin for the 3rd Annual WOLFr weekend with my Mom, sister, two cousins and Aunt. We had a blast and I am pretty sure Jeremy and Grace did too!
During our first track out in August we flew up north for 10 days. We spent 5 days in Port Huron and Okemos with my family seeing lots of friends and family. Grace tried to sneak her first bite of a coney dog! Than when traveled to Chicago to celebrate Grandma Lutz's 90th birthday party. We also saw Tara when we where there.
My Parents came down for a quick weekend visit in October and we loved our time with them!
Grace dressed up as a Monkey for Halloween and we spent the evening handing out candy and eating white chicken chili and Uncle Brians!
Tara surprised me by coming down the weekend after my birthday to celebrate and kick off our second track out to a great start! It was also the weekend of our 3rd annual Chili cook off
Grace spent the majority of the last 4 month sick. 4 double ear infections and two bouts of pink eye in 12 weeks. She is tricky thought if it wasn't for a fever and poor sleeping at night you would not know this child was sick!
On November 12th Grace has surgery for tubes in both of her ears and clearing of her left tear duct. She was a trooper. She did not cry when she went back with the nurse and calmed down fairly quickly once she had her Daddy! She went back for surgery at 7:30a was done with everything by 8a we were home by 8:45a and she was running around the living room by 9:30a!
A few days later we trekked up to Gatlinburg for week trip. We ended up cutting it short because someone did not like to nap in the condo. If you recall our trip from last year up there you will know that we were a little apprehensive to see how this one went. Needless to say we had a great time. We love the mountains!
The Amazing Amber Parnell took beautiful pictures of our family again this fall! We are so blessed by her friendship and talent.
Jeremy's parents, brother, sister in law, and nephew Daniel came down for Thanksgiving/Christmas! It was a wonderful time and Gracie was spoiled.
This GIRL!
--She has a heart for Jesus, this is the thing I am most proud of seeing develop in her. She has a little people nativity and will look for Baby "Gegus" kiss him and tell him " I wu u" and "appy birday"
-Grace will also sing worship music in the car when we aren't paying attention today I caught her singing Jesus along with the song
-She reminds up to say grace before we eat and names all her family, care givers and friends in her prayers by herself. She loves Soccer and will yell ball when we watch Jeremy's girls games.
-She is empathetic to others. She will get upset if another child is upset and run to comfort those who are hurt or sad. She'll rub our backs and look for kisses if we stub our toe.
-Grace loves to give kisses. She will run back and forth between Jeremy, Zukey and me and kiss us over and over again.
-She does not walk
-She is busy from the time she wakes up at 5:15a until she goes to bed at 7p. She does not stop. She has more energy than average!
-Grace still does not sleep great at night. A good night means she's only woken up once. Most times she doesn't need us to get back down but we hear her. (She has also been sick for most of 6 months!)
-She is GO BLUE baby and will say "Go BO" to any sporting event on TV we are working on Go Wings (she'll say it when she's reminded.)
-She talks! A lot! two and three words in a row. She knows at least 10 signs and is learning new words everyday. Yesturday she said beer for the first time.
-Grace loves her Doggy! She will start saying "Zuka" when we pull into the neighbor hood and Zukey is the first thing she looks for when she wakes up.
-She likes art. Coloring, Finger Painting, Making whatever Mom comes up with!
-Grace loves to read and will often sit and "Read" to herself.
-She loves a "Show" YoGabbaGabba, Team Umizoomi, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse are her favorites.
-She loves Minnie and Elmo.
-Grace's little imagination is developing so fast. She is great at pretend play and loves to make soup, have tea parties, and cook in her kitchen. She also loves to be a helper from raking leaves, to unloading the dishwasher and switching the laundry over. I LOVE IT!
Grace Kathryn Lutz being your Mommy is my greatest accomplishment. You are a true blessing to all those who know you. God certainly knew what he was doing when He gave us you! I love you sweet crazy Girl!
