Pot sitter

For those of you who might not know, we have decided to put our house on the market. We love our little house but we are quickly outgrowing it and are now working on whipping it into selling shape. The house is in shambles right now as we try to move out half of our belongings, clean up/fix up those things that need it, work, and chase after Gretchen. Now that she's walking like a pro, Gretchen has just been wandering around the chaos getting into whatever she pleases, as you can see in the picture below. I walked around the corner into the kitchen and saw this. Unfortunately I couldn't find the camera under the rumble so I had to use my cell phone to capture this moment.

She's a big girl now

Since Gretchen's birthday, she has ceased to be a baby and is now a fully functioning toddler. She went from taking seven steps one day to being able to make more than one lap around the house unsupported. We had our first incident of melting toddler in Target, and if she doesn't get her way, she will let us know all about it. The doctor cleared her to drink cow's milk, and she likes it. And the doctor also cleared her to eat "just about anything you want to give her." It's amazing how fast she has grown up. Below are pictures from her birthday party and some of her playing with her presents or just being silly and getting into things.



Melissa made the welcome banner.


...And designed the cake. Strossners made it based on her design.


Gretchen looked around while everybody sang "Happy Birthday."



And then she was sad when Mommy took the cake away to be cut.



But it was worth the wait.



The fam's all here.


Gretchen opened some of her own presents.



The stuffed animals from Uncle Pat were met with an appreciative "ooooh."


Here, Gretchen is checking out her new ride. A 30th anniversary edition of the Cozy Coupe from Papaw, Kay Kay and Uncle Jesse.


She and Daddy are looking forward to going for a ride.


Hot wheels!


"Honey, have you seen Gretchen?"


There she is!


Sometimes, a box is the best toy.

Summer fun

So much has happened since our last blog post. Gretchen had her first trip to the beach in June and absolutely loved it. We took her to the water's edge and she wanted to keep going. She loved bobbing around in the ocean, walking into the waves, and floating around the pool in her lily pad. Cousin Betty was there as well and we celebrated her first birthday. The girls had so much fun chasing each other around the condo. Since coming home, Gretchen has sprouted her 7th tooth, is working on her 8th, eats whatever Mommy and Daddy do at dinner time, and has taken her first steps. So far she's able to take two steps at a time before losing her balance.

We celebrated the 4th of July yesterday with Halmoni and Uncle John at lunch and some friends of Clayton's for a dinner cookout. Gretchen was absolutely pooped by the time we made it home last night after a fun-filled day. We're all home together today and enjoyed Gretchen's first visit to The Greenville Zoo. The elephants were a big hit, as well as the orangutans. The mother orangutan watched Gretchen the whole time. Gretchen also loved the lizards and frogs in the reptile house, much to Clayton's dismay.

Swimming with Daddy and Papa Joe.

At the aquarium, talking to the fish.

Riding around on the Boardwalk with her new seahorse buddy.

Walking the halls at the hotel.

Hanging out in her chair on the beach.

Silliness.
Talking to her horse.

She turned her music table into a walker.
Hanging out with Halmoni on the 4th of July.
Wearing out Uncle John walking laps around the house.
Looking cool in front of the elephant enclosure at the zoo.

Posing with Mommy.

Riding around with Daddy.
Iguanas are pretty cool.

Bobblehead

Gretchen is really putting things together these days. She calls Hawkeye "dog" but recognizes that her name is Hawkeye and looks for her when we talk about her. She learned today that a doggie says, "woof, woof" and makes the cutest face when she says it. This past weekend we realized that she knows the song "If You're Happy and You Know It" because she'll start clapping whenever we sing it. Also, she is self-aware. Clay put a bow in her hair yesterday morning and she ignored it until she saw her reflection. She immediately reached up and yanked it out. Another thing Gretchen understands is the difference between nodding one's head "yes" and shaking it "no," though she prefers "no," as you can see in the video.

She's got Seoul

We've been experimenting by letting Gretchen eat what we're eating for dinner with mixed results. Last night's (admittedly bland) turkey mac: Ick. Tonight's dinner, Bulgogi and steamed rice: YUM! Gretchen has had her first Korean dinner and absolutely loved it. In fact, when we tried to give her baby food veggies to augment her supper, it ticked her off. The only remedy? Cantaloupe and blueberries.


Turkey Mac: Fail.


Hmmm. This looks different.


Mommy feeds the first bite using chopsticks.


Omnomnom!


Fist bump! "Good dinner, Daddyman."


Note the hair sticking out (rice makes a good hair gel). Note the rice on the pants as well. You can't see it, but Hawkeye is down below hoovering up all the dropped bits. She's learned that when Gretchen is in the high chair, smart dogs hang out under the table. Also: When we were discussing Hawkeye having figured out the best seat in the house, Gretchen stopped what she was doing and started craning her neck to try to see the dog. She knows Hawkeye's name.

By popular demand...

Sorry for the hiatus, Gretchen fans. Gretchen is doing well though, growing like a little weed and full of energy. Mommy and Daddy combined don't have the stamina of this child. As you'll see, she's into everything, and no object is an obstacle.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last few weeks to make up for our absence.


Astonished by the deliciousness of black beans.


Triceratops Gretchen says, "I'm coming after YOU!"


"If you twist these two strings together over and over, you get a really great knot."


One sock, one toy. We have victory.



Homemade broccoli and cous cous baby food made with the Beaba from Auntie Verna


Almost enough hair for a ponytail. We called this her Samurai Topknot.


Bubbles!!


Hawkeye taught me everything she knows about playing with toys.



Hmmm... What to read? What to read?


Stick with me, dog. I'll drop all kinds of food on the floor.


Early morning bed head.


Trying on a bathing suit and swim shoes for the beach!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today has been a wonderful first Mother's Day. We spent it just the three of us. I was treated to brunch made by Clayton (french toast with homemade strawberry-pineapple syrup, bacon and mimosas. Yum!). I received a wonderful gift too. Clayton took Gretchen to the Color Clay Cafe and had her little footprints placed on a ceramic tile with "Happy Mother's Day 2010" on it. Precious. I hardly had to lift a finger all day and just spent time with Gretchen and Clayton. It was a great way to spend any day, but especially my first Mother's Day.

Gretchen has another new word. Actually it's technically two words: thank you. It is the cutest sound imaginable and she can say it perfectly. At one point this afternoon she got tongue-tied trying to say it, paused to think it over and said it again properly. I'm constantly being blown away by how she is learning and doing. My little baby is growing so fast. Clayton and I went to a wedding last night and we both got choked up during the father-daughter dance. Having our own little girl and knowing that one day we will go through that experience and have to let her go...it's just too much. Soooo, we have decided that she will be homeschooled and is not allowed to date...ever. Okay, fine, she can date when she's 40...maybe.

Here are some pictures from our special day.

Helping open my Mother's Day present.


Going after the camera.


"Oh no! The blue ghost is on the loose again!"




Playing with tupperware.


Being silly under the table.


Sippy cup mishap.