3…The Magic Number

This girl is three. 

We (barely) made it out of the terrible twos alive.  Her preschool teachers describe her as a party in a can.  I’d say that is about right.  Because most parties I attended in college were loud, left me sweaty, covered in unknown stains, and crying in the corner.  

I prefer the term "hot mess."

She is sassy and smart.  She is the ultimate Daddy's girl and loves nothing more than to be with, sit on, kiss, climb on, or dance with her Daddy.  When I make her mad, she says, "I'm telling Swoan!"

She is always on the move and can often be found standing on her head.  Her athletic abilities are staggering.  She can do pirouettes, hop across the room on one foot, run like the wind, do forward rolls, and leap from the couch to Sloan’s chair unscathed (which are about 4 feet apart).  And trust me, I have not tried to teach her any of these things.  And given her passion about all things pirate, she usually does all of the above while wielding a sword.  She is currently enrolled in a creative movement class and we are hoping to put her in gymnastics as well after the New Year.  Yes, I do think she is a bit young to have 2 classes a week.  But her temperament and energy level are such that I really do think she will do best when her schedule is booked and her boundaries are firm.  Henry and I will just happily read books and try to move as little as possible while she runs circles around us.

She has two imaginary friends with whom she does EVERYTHING.  Their names are Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Walker.  Incidentally, there is a teacher at her school named Mrs. Walker.  Mrs. Walker isn’t her teacher, but since Mrs. Walker is my friend in real life, she just might dote on Gracie a bit.  And Gracie loves her fans.  We once saw Mrs. Walker at a restaurant and she screamed louder than a tween at a Bieber concert.  At least once a day she asks me, “Remember when we saw Mrs. Walker?  I WUV MRS. WALKER!!!”  

She is a horrible eater.  She would prefer to just eat cheese, crackers, bacon, and Honey Banana Chobani yogurt.  She will pretty much do anything, including keeping on her sleep cap or pooping on the potty, for the promise of a chocolate chip.  And her heart is so big that it is unacceptable to her if only she gets a chocolate chip.  EVERYONE present must eat a chocolate chip with her.  So I take one for the team and eat the chocolate.    

She continues to love her Pinkie and loveys.  She is learning to sit for long periods of time while I do her hair.  Of course, this requires the help of Pixar and snacks, but yesterday I spent 5 hours braiding her hair in the hopes we don’t have to mess with it much during the next two weeks while we move. 

And now, I’ll leave you with her interview.  The answers in italics are my explanations of her own words.

Favorite color: Purple

Favorite Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Favorite Song: Jesus Loves Me

Favorite Food: Pizza and Candy!!!  (And of course she asked for candy after answering this) 

Food that is yucky:  beans (actually ALL vegetables are hated equally. She goes to bed without dinner a lot.  A lot.  But she weighs 34 lbs, so clearly, she isn’t starving.)

Favorite Restaurant: Angelo’s

Favorite Sport: Dance class!

Favorite TV Show: Little Einstein’s

Favorite Movie: Mary Poppins (We watch it at least once a week.  We are watching it now.)

Favorite Toy: Lego Soup (She likes to “cook” with legos at her kitchen.)

Favorite Game:  Hide and Seek (*ahem* not so much the seeking)

Favorite Thing at School: play toys with my friends and see Mrs. Walker on da pwayground

Favorite Place to Go: Costco

Favorite Thing to do with Mommy: Spin to music

Favorite Thing to do with Daddy: Cuddle

Favorite Things about Henry: I can’t remember. (I do.  I’d have to say that he has never once hit her or pushed her despite her constant fretting, pushing, sitting upon or toy stealing.  In fact, we’ve had to teach him to use his hands to pry her off of him sometimes.)

Favorite Thing About about Myself: I don’t know.  I gotta tink about it.  I SOOOOO funny. 

If I could go anywhere in the world it would be: Costco. 

When I grow up I want to be: I want to be Gracie Mommy.

3 words to describe myself:  energetic, silly, mischievous

My wish for the coming year:  to be a witch for Halloween.

All Clear!!

It is with great news that I can report that Gracie passed her most recent blood tests with flying colors.  All threats of lasting health issues posed by her birthmother are done with.  There is not a trace of her birthmothers yucko immune system left in sweet Grace and we never again have to go to the clinic at MCV for blood draws.  Which is a blessing as when we went in December they dug around in her chubby little arm four times without being able to get a vein.  We went again this past Tuesday and thanks to the many prayers of my bible study ladies and orphan care community friends, they found a vein on the first try!  Yes, she still cried the entire time and I had to literally lay across her, but we have been given the go ahead to never return again.

I still try and read as to whether the drugs sent through her system in utero will have a lasting effect on her development.  For now, she shows no signs of any delays.  She is easily soothed, quick to laugh with Henry, and is chatting up a storm.  I can't remember what all she is supposed to be doing at 15 months as Henry did have a speech delay at this point and had just begun to walk. 

But as for now, she can say the following...
Mama, Dada, Budda (for brother), baby, no, uh-oh (though like most toddlers, she has yet to discover hurling your sippy cup across the room does not warrant an uh-oh), yum yum yum (when she wants to be fed), banana (though, like her brother, and now her parents, she says buena), makes monkey noises whenever she sees a buena (thanks, Henry), and, of course, choo choo.

She loves to empty her kitchen cupboards.  She loves to drag the broom and dustpan around the house.  I'm thinking of getting her her own swiffer broom so it can actually be a useful habit.  She loves to lunge towards people, so be prepared for big hugs.  She loves to sit in her booster seat and often drags it to various places just to sit a spell.  She loves to lunge and ping-pong between the two orange kids chairs we have.  She prefers to look at regular books as opposed to board books and is surprisingly gentle with the pages.  She does not, however, sit still for anyone to read her a book.  This does not stop Henry from trying to "read" her Hop on Pop and Green Eggs and Ham.  She enjoys climbing the stairs.  She likes building with blocks, playing trains, and pushing baby dolls around in her grocery cart.  It may be time for a baby doll stroller.  Unlike Henry, Gracie will eat anything set before her, but especially loves avocado and bacon. Both of these foods make her shake with delight.

She can find her nose and belly button and when I ask for a kiss, she attacks my face open mouthed.  Her favorite person continues to be Henry.  They roughouse and often roll around the floor, kissing one another and laughing.  I am thankful that she is big enough to hold her own.  She is all smiles when being watched by others, but when I return, she suddenly needs to be held by me STAT.  Her favorite sitters are her Auntie Ann and Mrs. Scoggins. 

At present, she currently uses more hair products than I do.  Her daytime routine includes a hair moisturizer called "Curl Creme Brulee."  So she now smells like Caramel.  Because, you know, she wasn't delicious enough already!  She loves bath time, in particular, splashing.  Policeman Henry is quick to gently grab her hands and remind her "No splashing."  We wash her hair once a week and co-wash it (wash it with just conditioner) once as well. 

She has 14 teeth.  6 of which "erupted" last week.  You know, when Daddy was out of town.  Awesome. 

Gracie continues to be beloved by all who meet her.  And she is the apple of her big brother's eye.  When someone else holds her, he is quick to let them know that she is his baby.  Sometimes he will be playing with trains and just stop, get up, go give her kisses and then return to what he is doing.  Yesterday he told me he needed to give her at least 16 kisses a day.  On the mornings he does not climb into her crib to snuggle her, he empties her bookshelf into her bed.  I am ever so thankful he loves her so dearly.  It is why we have instated the following rule--

Gracie will never be allowed to date someone larger than her brother. 

Raindrops on Roses

So I’m channeling my inner Barney Stinson mocking Oprah as I say….MYYYYY FAVORITE THINGS!!!!

Also, in this fantasy, I’m able to share with you, dear reader, the things I love most.

(Let it be noted that I said, things. Not people. It should go without saying that my most favoritetest of all favorites are Sloan, Henry, and Gracie. In fact, that’s a saying here in the Philips’ house. Sloan first said it to me when we were dating. “You’re my favorite.” “Favorite what?” I asked. “Favorite everything…” So if you hear me tell Henry he’s my favorite, rest assured, Gracie is my favorite too. And what’s my most favorite? Being theirs…)

So here, in no certain order, are my favorite things…

1. The entire works of David Sedaris.
Sure, he’s a bit crass. But he’s Southern, honest, and once worked as a Christmas elf. One of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received was from my friend Rich who told me my writing reminded him of David Sedaris. And I received his new book for my birthday from Sloan. The inscription said, “He’s almost as funny as you…” Be still my heart.

2. Chick-Fil- A Spicy Chicken Sandwich with extra pickles.
If you ever tell me how many calories this has, I will kill you. But seriously, I love CFA. I love that it is all their pleasure, they have the only dipping sauces worth the risk of car spillage (Honey Mustard and Polynesian, please), family nights where Henry eats free, Peppermint Milk shakes (damn you! Laura with posting the calories on FB!), Purel wipes, and they are the only fast food restaurant to get that children need bendy straws.

3. The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
Best children’s bible. Ever. Hands down. It has made me cry as it teaches my children and reminds me of God’s never ending, all rescuing, and unending love for us. I love it so much I asked that the money raised for Bethany from Grace’s birthday party be used to purchase these Bibles for the babies whose parents reinstate their parental rights. And props to the author who heard this and is working with the publisher to make this more feasible financially. My favorite is when it says at the end of the story of Noah’s ark in reference to the rainbow… “God’s strong anger against hate and sadness and death would come down once more—but not on his people, or his world. No. God’s war bow was not pointing down at his people. It was pointing up, into the heart of heaven.”
4. Motown
If you’ve been reading for awhile, then you’ve read about my love affair with Sam, Al, Diana, Lionel, Aretha, Gladys, Marvin, Smokey, Otis, and, in particular, a one Mr. Wonder. And, as of late,  Mr. Jerry Lawson and the Talk of the Town.

5. My DVR
It’s how Sloan and I can watch our shows together when he travels (and why I don’t get your Office references until Friday night). It’s how I always have a Thomas or Cat in the Hat episode on deck for the Pickle. It’s how I can watch last night’s The Sing Off finale whenever I want. (Who has two thumbs and had a Committed +Boys II Men Dance party this morning with her kids? Bob Kelso. No, I mean, me!)

6. Diet Dr. Pepper
The best part of waking up is DDP in my cup.

7. Wi-Fi and all things wireless
Because sometimes the only time a Momma gets to be alone with her internet is when she is on the potty and sometimes that’s also the only time she gets to print out that recipe for Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon.

8. The Crock Pot and my rice cooker
I’m not a super huge fan of cooking. Mainly, it’s the 5 o’clock “Oh! Crap! I’m the Mom and am supposed to be feeding these people” scramble that gets me. Enter the crock pot. Add meat. Add some type of liquid…soup, beer, wine, broth, all of the above, some spices. Enjoy aroma all afternoon. Then, help Henry pour some brown rice and water into the rice maker. Press button. Empty bag salad into bowl. BAM! Homecooked meal, y’all!

9. Bacon
To borrow a phrase from my high school friend Katie, simply put, Bacon is meat candy. Bacon, a team of doctors, Al Roker, and Ellen DeGeneres saved Henry’s life. If you think this is over reaching, I commend you to read the first several months of this blog. I kid you not, pork belly saved us all. And continues to do so…

10. My house…it’s a very very very fine house.
I love our big front porch and circular driveway. Even if they are littered with buckets, trucks, bikes, balls, and dirty shoes. I love my foyer and stairwell and how they are covered with photos ranging from my parents when my dad was in the army, to our honeymoon, to the four of us dressed up for Halloween. I love that my guest bathroom has all of our diplomas, baptism certificates, honor fraternity certificates, and random hunting licenses. I love my new lipstick red kitchen with its big, deep, farm sink. I love my living room that is wall to wall books. I love that there is a corner in the living room stocked with kids books and a big fluffy orange kid chair that Henry and Gracie fight over. I love that my family room and dining room are mirror images of one another in terms of paint color. In my family room hang two of my decopage paintings and in the dining room is an arrangement of all of the silver platters my Grandmother Johnson gave me over the years. I love Henry’s blue transportation room and Gracie’s pink and green birdy room. I love that everywhere I turn in my house I see those whom I love so dearly and there is not a place that isn’t kid proof. It’s not a museum. It’s a nest; a cocoon; a small picture of what I imagine heaven to be— a place where PJs are worn well past breakfast, shoes are optional, and there’s always a good tune on the stereo.

Gracie Grab Bag

Gracie is a daddy's girl.  She loves nothing more than to help Daddy bring home the bacon.  Me and Henry?  We like bacon, both figuratively and literally.  As in when I cook it, Henry runs into the kitchen and yells "BACON!"  It's like he's that dog on Beggin' Strips commercials.  I think it is from the large quantities of the yummy pork product I ate while preggers.

And some of you have asked to see Gracie's room. (Nice transition, huh?) Here it is.

  I like to think it is a bit Pottery Barn Kids, a bit Target, a bit hand me down, and a bit yard sale finds (like the white Vintage Samsonite luggage I'm using as storage in her closet I got for $10.) 

This was my grandmother's bed that we're passing down to Gracie.  The quilt at the end of it was made by my great grandmother.  I blatantly stole it from my Mom's house.  But it looks great, right?  And I'm making a decoupage collage birdy to hang above her bed. 

And just in case your cute quotient hasn't been met today.  Get ready for this one.  You're gonna die...

This is the face I get to kiss anytime I want.  God is so good!

Still Lovin' Bacon at 28 weeks

YEAH!!!! We have made it to our first goal of 28 weeks. My next goal is 30 weeks--March 27th.

Today has been the first day of my " Non-concentrated Sugars" diet. And they forgot my bacon again at breakfast, so I had the nurse order me some and I had it for my mid-morning snack. It has also been my first day of finger pricks to test my blood sugar and so far so good. The doctor does not believe that I'll need to take pills or shots. So this is good.

Also, my cable came back on today after lunch so I am once again able to watch Guiding Light.

I'm still waiting for Dr. Love to drop by for my weekly ultrasound. I am hoping things are either the same or better with my cervix so that they let me lay flat for a couple of hours a day. But for now I'll look forward to Bacon-wrapped scallops from Capitol Ale House. Yummy!

I love bacon

Today has been a laundry list of annoyances.

For starters, I did not sleep well because I dreamt all night about giving blood. Seriously, I was at the movies with Martin Lawrence when my church's Associate Pastor came to draw my blood. I think I dreamt this because today was also my three hour blood sugar test. This began with a 6 am blood draw, followed by chugging even more yucky orange soda. Then I tried to go back to sleep before my next blood draw, but spent most of that first hour with my head in the trashcan afraid I was going to throw up and then have to drink the Glucola again. Then I had blood draws at 8:15, 9:15, and again at 10:15. I was able to sleep between the 2nd and 3rd draws, so that was good. (Although it meant I slept through the Today show.)

Secondly, because of the blood test, I had to wait to have my breakfast until 10:30. AND THEY FORGOT MY BACON!!!! It took every ounce of courage not to cry when I lifted the lid to my breakfast and saw half of my plate empty. You have to understand--breakfast is the one meal here at the hospital that is always good because every day I get my two slices of yummy pork fat goodness. And because I ate breakfast so late, the nurse couldn't call down to the cafeteria for more bacon.

Thirdly, as if the bacon debacle wasn't enough, I find out that I do have gestational diabetes. So far they will be adjusting my diet before they do anything else. If you visit me, you could be the beneficiary of this as I'm giving away the pounds of chocolate I've accrued while being here. When the dietitian came to work out my menu with me, we actually discovered that my sugar intake probably increased since being in the hospital because most of the stuff I buy for Sloan and me is low-carb and until the hospital, I didn't have dessert with every meal.

And lastly, my cable went out around 2:3o today and remains out. I missed my Guiding Light, but hopefully it will be back on for Heroes tonight. Thank God for my laptop and Elliot Reid, my wonderful Webkinz.