My Gracie Girl

Three years ago I nursed you to sleep. I tucked you into bed beside me. Then, you were my baby.

Two years ago I sang “Gracie” as I rocked you to sleep in my arms. I laid you down in your crib and covered you. I checked back to make sure you were snug and warm. Then, you were my toddler.

Today, with only a few stories and a kiss you climbed into bed on your own. Now you’re my little girl.

After you were fast asleep I covered you up and placed Tang, your beloved stuffed tiger, in your arms. This is because in my heart you’ll always be my baby.

Winter Days

We’ve had a couple snow days this week. Cabin fever kicks in fast when living in a small apartment which makes staying in feel nearly impossible. Still, the opportunity to “take it easy” on account of the weather has been quite nice! We’ve done a lot of cooking and baking. Gracie loves helping out in the kitchen so it’s an excellent way to occupy her. Brian helped her to bake and decorate pink cupcakes one afternoon which I think was the high light of her entire week! She described them using the word “delectable.” Often I wonder where my sweet baby girl has gone and what has shaped the personality of the precious little girl I now see in her place. We’ve had a couple of snow ball fights and made a trip to the golf course to go sledding this week too. Winter is far from my favorite season but this one certainly hasn’t been without its highpoints! Still, I’m ready for summer!

Happily Ever After

Janurary 22nd, 2009
The Wells Arnold Wedding

Welcome 2010

A new year has begun. Strangely enough, it doesn’t feel that way to me. School started back today though, so soon enough I am sure it will. 2009 flew by. I wish I could say I accomplished all I intended to, but who really has that kind of success? What I can say for the previous year though, is despite the hardships and disappointments I faced throughout it, it turned out to be more fulfilling and amazing for me then I ever imagined it would be. Now, this year, as I plan to marry Brian with Gracie by our side, I can’t wait to see what lies ahead! My resolution for this year is simple. Take life day by day. The chaos and stresses of last year has shown me there are so many details beyond my control. With that in mind I hope to live life to it's fullest, be grateful for my job, and enjoy each day with my daughter knowing that as long as I can take care of and provide for her all other aspects of my life will fall into place. This year is going to be great and I'm exctied for all it has in store!

Happy Holidays

The holidays came and went all too quickly this year. For some reason, the month of December seems to have gone by in a blur! I enjoyed all parts of it; it's just that when looking back on it so much of it seems to run together. I'm sure a great deal of that is because school ended for me the month before and eight hours of work aside, I had few commitments past "spoil and love on my little girl." It was a blissful start to the holidays and kept me a cheerful mood through out them.

One of my best friends, Emily, and her son, Sebastian were able to come up from Florida and spend the week before Christmas here with us. Gracie (after some adjusting) enjoyed having a live-in playmate and I, of course was happy for the opportunity to catch up with someone who I don't get to see nearly enough! We did some shopping in Cincinnati, made gingerbread houses on our own and with the kiddos, visited the children's museum and looked at bridesmaid dresses. I'm pretty sure with Emily's and my sisters input I've chosen the style that will be used in my wedding. It was a busy, but extremely enjoyable week!

Gracie's loved every minute of this Christmas season. Brian and I did our best to make it special for her. We started the month by taking her to see Santa and go for a carriage ride through the Greene, a local outdoor mall. We made a big to-do about decorating our tree, went and looked at Christmas lights a few times, made and decorated numerous batches of Christmas cookies and of course sipped a lot of hot cocoa. This was such a magical year for her and it was so much fun to watch.

Christmas Eve Gracie took a red bubble bath, put her Christmas PJ's on, and opened her presents from her Daddy. Afterwards (in addition to her regular night-night stories) we read the night before Christmas and finally, we laid out some treats for Santa and his reindeer. I tucked Gracie in and laid out the presents. Then, I moved her to my bed and decorated her room. Her "new big girl room" was B and I's gift to her. After I was done I moved her back to her room and she woke up in awe.

Christmas Morning went perfectly. Gracie was thrilled to see Santa and the reindeer had nibbled on the treats she left, and was amazed Santa brought the Mickey shoes she asked for. It was so much fun to watch her and I am now more convinced then ever that there are more things more pure and beautiful then my little girl's belief in Santa.

Tomorrow will mark the end of this year. It's brought so many wonderful and unexpected things and I can hardly wait to see what the coming year has in store!

Happily Ever After!

The wedding will be in May of 2010!

Totally Content.

What an amazing day!

It started this morning when Gracie and I boarded a train in Mason to go meet Curious George. It was just under a 2 hour event, and was filled with Gracie laughter! She loved every moment of it. Afterward we had lunch at my all time favorite restaurant, and hit up Jungle Jim's to stock up on coffees, vegetarian"meats" and dried fruits. When we got back into town Gracie went to Gemma and Poppy's, and I went to dinner and a Dragon's game with Brian. Everything today was so much fun!

From the time I woke up this morning, until now as I am moments away from crawling into bed, I've been smiling.

I'd say with the start of summer, things are looking up again!