Smarty Pants

Grace is SO SMART. She learns really fast by watching us, and it never ceases to amaze me the things she picks up. Here are a couple of videos to show you what I mean.

(please excuse Gracie passing gas in this one...)

Did you see how she just grabbed the octagon and put it right where it goes! No help! I swear I didn't know 1 year olds could do puzzles like this. I didn't expect her to get any of it until a lot later.

She loves "helping" us with the dishwasher. Especially trying to close it while we're still loading it, or putting her toys in with the silverware. :)

Just Us

My good friend Melynda, who is a wonderful photographer, took our family photos a few weeks ago. We went to a ghost town (Nelson, NV) to take them. Although Grace was NOT happy most of the time, Melynda was able to get some great shots! We're so grateful to her for doing this shoot during her busiest month of the year.
Here are just a few...

12 months

Yes, this is the 3rd post that has something to do with Grace's birthday, but I've been putting off writing about her in this stage until we went to her check-up. We went today, so here are the stats:

-Weight is 20 lbs 6 oz (between 25th and 50th percentile)

-Height is 29 inches (50th percentile)

-Head is 18 1/4 inches (75 percentile... big head!!)

Grace is learning new things everyday! It's amazing to watch her understanding growing with each new thing I teach her or something she picks up from watching us. I really need to start watching what I do so she doesn't pick up bad stuff. ;) I showed her that her "Little People" cows say "mooooo" and she learned it right then and there! Now when I ask her what a cow says, and show her the little cow, she says "mmmmmooo". She knows how to blow kisses, sign the word "more", fold her arms for a prayer (although she only does it for a second and not every time we ask), put her hands in the air for "all done", push cars around on the ground, points to her toes when I ask where they are, and so much more. For months now, if she starts to get up on her knees in the bath tub, all I have to say is "Sit on your bum" and she'll plop right back down. I can't believe how much she understand what I'm saying! My goodness, she's so big and so smart.

She is all over anything that can be pushed around the room: toys, baskets, cars, strollers, high chair, chairs, etc.

Little thrill seeker! Grandpa Goates loves throwing her around and she loves it when he does!

Grace is the most amazing eater. As far as her meals go, I can put pretty much anything in front of her and she'll eat it without needing help from me. I can put a whole bunch of different things on her tray and she'll eat them nice and slow and doesn't shove it all in her mouth. She'll sit in her highchair while I'm cooking and she's perfectly content as long as there is food in front of her. She also still eats baby food and oatmeal whenever I offer. This helps a ton in getting her to eat something from almost every food group at every meal. Her favorites finger foods lately have been pineapple chunks, any kind of bread, cheese!!! (lots and lots of cheese), pears, clementines, pizza, sandwich meats, black beans (totally my child), and pickles (totally Ryan's child).

I've been working on weaning Grace off of breast feeding and straight to milk in a sippy cup. It hasn't been all that easy! I figured that it would be just fine because she would get thirsty and drink out of the sippy sitting right there... well, not so. The first times I offered it to her, she thought it was watery juice, like usual. But she took that very first taste of the milk and gave me this look like "What the...?!". After that and for the first week or two she straight up refused it. She would freak out and turn away from the cup if I ever offered it. I followed her Doctor's advice in not offering anything else. He says she's rebelling right now but it won't last much longer. In fact today she drank probably 3/4 of a cup of milk which is awesome for her! I'm still nursing her for one feeding at night but that will stop very soon when I know she's getting the hang of drinking regular milk.

Grace is officially walking now! All over the place. It's funny - I never noticed how noisy crawling is versus walking. Grace will walk all over the place in our apartment and she's so quiet about it. She's getting more stable each day and I can see how excited she is that she can walk wherever she wants to.

We have a girly girl on our hands. She loves anything pretty, which we of course call "pretties". She has always noticed my jewelry and she really loves hers now too. Over the last several months, if I would put any sort of toy on her head, or my jewelry on her, I would say "Pretty!" and she would get the funniest look on her face... all I know is that she KNOWS what that is and loves it. She'll then take something and try to put it on her head (usually ending up by her ear) and waiting until I tell her how beautiful she looks.

Grace loves my sunglasses (I like how you can see Ryan smiling in the reflection in this pic)

Besides liking dress-ups, she is also very much a little drama queen. She has started the tantrum phase and I'm not looking forward to more experiences with it. As Grace was pushing around her walker/stroller, I tried to re-position it to send her in another direction. She was NOT happy about it, plopped down on the ground, and started to cry. My goodness. In the car the other day, she was playing with my phone, pushing buttons and making it light up. It was locked, so I didn't worry about her messing anything up or calling anyone. But when I looked down at it the screen said "Emergency Call" with a flashing red light and was already 20 seconds into a call. I immediately ended the call, realizing she probably called 911 somehow and braced myself for a visit or a phone call from the police. Not 5 seconds later Metro PD called my phone back to make sure everything was ok. What did my drama queen do when I took the phone away so quickly? Flipped out, cried, and tried to hit anything that was near her.

We had a family photo session a week ago and then a separate session for Grace's one year photos. Here are a few teasers from those. Great big thanks to our good friend Melynda (who did Grace's newborn pics as well). I will post more when I get them.

Birthday fun!

On saturday, we celebrated Grace's 1st birthday with a great party! My parents came for the weekend and I honestly could not have pulled it all off without their help. It was SO GREAT having them in town and I wish they could have stayed longer. :) It was easy to see how much Grace loves them and relished having their undivided attention for a couple of days.

Grace's party was a pink cupcake theme and it was held at our local park. We served chicken salad croissants, fruit, veggies, cupcakes and candy (or as Ryan called it: "chick food"). I didn't end up having the kind of time I hoped for to set up, so we didn't get it as decorated as I wanted. We also had a little mishap with the mysteriously disappearing balloons. (literally, they just disappeared! we had them at the park with us, and a few minutes later they were NOWHERE.)

I made some party favors out of baby food jars filled with pink, white, and green candy.

Grace was so excited when everyone started singing! She was just beaming!

Cake!

Grandma and Grandpa Goates

Grace's birthday-buddy, Greydon.

Honor and Grace (great names, right?). These girls were so cute, totally matching!

Other than it being a bit chilly (Grace's lips were a bit purple until I put her sweatshirt on her), she seemed to love all of the attention and the fun. We brought her little push-along toy stroller so she could walk around wherever she wanted and she loved that! I made the shirt for her (it has a "1" on it) and some necklaces (her "pretties") so she would feel like a real special birthday girl. :)

We had a great time at her party! We're so lucky to have such amazing friends here in Henderson, and that we live close enough for family to drive down and visit us.

Happy Birthday, Gracie. :)

Letters to our Birthday Girl

Dear Grace,

Today you turn one year old. It seemed like you knew today was a special day from the moment you woke up. I walked in your room and you were all smiles, just sitting there in your crib, waiting for me. Throughout the day you have come over to me to cuddle up on my shoulder several times, and lingered there longer than usual. It warmed my heart and showed me how much you must love me too. I hope you are always able to know how much we love you.

Where do I begin to tell you how special and beautiful you are? Your dad and I had planned for you for a long time... talked and wondered about you, and even knew your name (Grace) long before you came to this earth. When we found out we were pregnant, and again a few times throughout the pregnancy, your dad would give me Priesthood blessings and tell me of the family we would become. I was told that you and I would become the best of friends and I immediately felt the assurance and the excitement from hearing those words. Grace, you are my little sweetheart, always with me wherever I am, and I love it! You can't say much or do much yet, but I never feel lonely when we're by ourselves... because we're together!

When you were born, one year ago today, there were quite a few complications. Just minutes after you were born, you were taken away from me and into the NICU where we could only touch your sweet face and hands and couldn't hold you until sometime the next day. Our hearts were broken as we left for home without you. Walking through our little apartment, seeing an empty nursery, and not having you there with us for 13 days was the hardest experience we've ever gone through. But our hearts are now full with all the love, joy, smiles, and "loves" that you give to us. We are beyond grateful to Heavenly Father for your special spirit and that He blessed your little newborn body with the strength to stay on this earth to be with us.

We love you sweet girl, and pray for you every single day. There will be so many more great things to experience and learn together, and I look forward to all the memories we will make! Never forget that your mom and dad are always here for you. Happy Birthday!

With love,

Mom

Hey baby girl,

On this, your first birthday, I wanted you to know how much this past year with you has meant to me. Those first few weeks we were not sure that we would get this opportunity, but you were strong and blessed and pulled through and we are ever eternally grateful to your Heavenly Father for His help in getting you home to us. It was a rough time for us and tried our faith, but we trusted in those blessings that you received and we saw miracles take place.

Your addition to our family has been the greatest blessing that your mother and I have had. Your sweet spirit and engaging personality bring a joy to my heart that I only experience with you and your mother. You have a way of turning even my darkest days around as you greet me with that "one-tooth" smile and your little ball of energy.

This past year there has been a different feeling in our home and it is one that has drawn your mother and I closer together as we try our best to raise you in this world. We are not always the perfect family, but we are now the perfect family for each other. We thank the Lord each day for the opportunity to have you as our first born. We are excited for what the future holds for you and for us as we see you grow. Thank you for letting us be your parents and learn with you. You are my little princess and my second greatest joy behind your mother. I love you. Happy birthday!

Your eternally grateful Dad

The following are parts of a letter (dated Jan. 2010) from Grace's uncle, Thomas Goates, who is serving a mission in Argentina...

Dear Grace,

This is a very strange feeling writing this letter to someone who I don't know because we haven't met yet. Still, I am looking at a picture of the cutest little girl (you) while I write this. ...

There are some things I would like to tell you that I observed about the whole miracle of your birth. I was not there in person, but the Lord knows I was there spiritually because I was praying hard for you.

I remember before you were even born I would visit your parents or they would come stay with Grandma and Grandpa. They were so excited to have you join their life. I heard your name for the first time and it just fit, I love that name! Then I came out on a mission and received the news about the problems with your birth by way of email - talk about a blow to a missionary. Ask my companion, he would tell you how much I couldn't focus. At that time I started thinking about the significance of your name "Grace" and how it has everything to do with what I am currently doing. Grace is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. What a gorgeous name! I began to think of you, a little baby struggling for life in a hospital - so far away from me, yet so close. If there is anything that we, your loved ones, saw it was the grace of God to save your precious life.

In 2 Nephi 25:23 it says, "It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." This brings me to my nexxt point. Since you were so little, so new, this principle fell into the hands of your parents. Let me tell you, what better hands could you have been in than Jamie and Ryan's? Because it is by faith that we bring about miracles (Moroni 7:33). The whole family was fasting and praying, and asking that God give you strength and to help the doctors [all that we could do]. The Lord answered our faith. ...

Do you see what I understand about your blessing to this family? Do you realize how badly we all wanted you to join us? How grateful I am to the Lord that He would save your life so that you can continue blessing ours! I cannot wait to come back home and get to know you, because as of this moment I just have a picture of the cutest little girl. But by the time you read this, I should be your favorite uncle because let's face it... I'm the coolest.

Take care of your parents for me because we both know they need it, haha.

Love,

Uncle Thomas

If you'd like to read about Grace's birth story, go here.

Google Reader

One of my biggest hang-ups about deciding to make our family blog "private" was that the people who connected to us through their Google Reader won't be able to use that tool anymore. It's hard to know whether someone with a private blog has updated unless you take the time to check it everyday, or at least often. Well what happens when you forget for a month? I guess it just means your waaaay behind! And, to be honest, it happens to me quite often with my own close friends' private blogs. Oops.

So in order to fix that problem (for those of you who use Google Reader) you can simply put this "feeder" blog address in your subscription list: http://rjturnerfamily.blogspot.com. I will put a quick reminder on that blog every time I post on our family blog so that you'll know to check this one.

My friend gave me this idea (thanks Whitney) so I stole it. I hope it helps those of you who already know what an awesome tool Google Reader is. If you don't, you can disregard this post... or maybe I convinced you to start using it? :)

Going Private...

Yep, we're taking the plunge. I always said I never would, but things have changed...

We'd still love to have our friends and family following our blog, so please let me know if you'd like an invitation! Simply click on "comments" under this post and leave me your email address. None of the addresses will be published for others to see, so don't worry about that. Thanks all!

Plastic Surgery?!

After our post-op follow-up appointment with Grace's ophthalmologist a few weeks ago, the doctor decided that Grace's tear duct was significantly blocked still. She referred us to an ophthalmic plastic surgeon, which immediately made me nervous. Plastic surgery?! Really? That's seems extreme. I made sure she knew my concerns in seeing a surgeon, especially plastic surgeon but she assured me that this surgeon wasn't THAT type. She does mostly medically necessary surgeries and wasn't the kind to be pushy to do a surgery in order to buy that new boat or car. haha I don't mean to sound so rode towards plastic surgeons... There is just a bad taste in my mouth about them doing all those nips and tucks and worldly changes to a person's appearance. Our doctor also explained that her own 3 sons had blocked tear ducts... 2 of them had it fixed with the same procedure Grace had, and the other needed surgery. Hearing that she recommended surgery not only as a doctor herself but as a MOTHER put my doubts to rest.

Ryan and I took Grace to see the surgeon for a consultation last week. We were still back and forth on whether or not having surgery was necessary when we know several kids whose eyes cleared up by the time they were 2. She (and the other doctor earlier) explained that because Grace's right tear duct probing went so smoothly and the actual metal of the probe didn't bend, and yet it still won't drain correctly, they are sure it's something that has to be corrected with surgery. There is possibly a deformation of the bone, like there isn't enough of an opening inside her nose at the end of the duct's pathway. I asked what it would be like for Grace when she's 10, 15, 30, etc if we didn't do the surgery. The surgeon explained that as a 15 year old wearing eye make up Grace would always be wiping her right eye which doesn't work with mascara! Plus she could get infections pretty often. Well, needless to say, that decided it for me at least! The jury is still out for Ryan though. He thinks we don't need to rush into a surgery right now and could do it in a few years. I feel like why not do it now while we have this surgeon ready to do it and we have the health insurance that will pay for 100% of it. I don't want to wait and do it wherever we go for residency and have to go through the whole process again with different doctors/surgeons.

So it's decided. I just need to schedule the first surgery for December or January... and then there is another surgery 6 months later to remove the stent they insert. In the first surgery they'll put Grace under anesthesia, try to insert the soft plastic stent into her tear duct, through to the nose and then if it goes through correctly they will tie it off with a knot. That will make it so that the skin forms around the plastic tube (which they remove in 6 months, leaving an open passageway). If they realize while in surgery that her nose isn't formed enough to get the stent in place then they will go to plan B... All I'll say about plan B is that it involves drilling into her nose and that we DON'T WANT PLAN B. I mean, obviously we can't choose, and whatever will fix the problem is a good thing, but it's more invasive and yucky (to Mom, at least). Ryan doesn't think it's a big deal, but he's not the mom, right? So we'll see how things go and hope that it goes smoothly instead of leading to plan B.

Just for the record, neither of us feel like this is a terrible thing that's happening to us or extremely upset by it. It's a bummer, sure. But we feel very much at peace with whatever has to happen and will deal with things as they come! :) I'm not posting this for pity or to worry anyone. It's just to keep loved ones in the loop and for family history purposes. I know a blocked tear duct isn't a life-altering issue and don't mean to sound dramatic, if it sounds that way at all. Thank you to everyone who shows concern and love when it comes to this issue! We really appreciate you all.

On a much happier note... This week Grace has decided her toys are boring and it takes a lot of work to find something she'll enjoy playing with quietly for a few minutes at a time. The other day I handed her our bucket of halloween candy (all in their wrappers... nothing she can get into or swallow). She had a good time sitting and playing with them, unloading and loading them back into the bucket, throwing them around the room, etc. But out of all the brightly colored wrappers, guess which ones she wouldn't let go of and carried all through the house...

???

Yep. The chocolate ones. That's my girl!