Glenn and I hosted the 4th annual Pajama Jammy Jam on New Years Eve.  We had a very low-key night just the way we like it!  

I came home today and found our "bird" asleep on her side.   Andrea says it reminds her of how piglets sleep.  How cute!!!

Christmas at Mama B and Buford's house.  Last year two of us were pregnant and there were no kids. This year there were 5 grandchildren!!  My how things change.

A few pictures from Thome Christmas on Christmas Day.  Gracie had fun opening presents and playing with her cousin Lauren and uncle Michael.

We are all about our hands these days.  She started with just the one hand and has progressed to eating both hands at the same time.  Her newest thing is trying to suck on her hand and the pacifier at the same time!

Tonight we had our first annual "Girls Christmas Party".    We have been friends since we all worked at Outback together- at least 6 years ago.  It's crazy how much our lives change from year to year.  

Gracie rolled over from her tummy to her back tonight!  Just once- we couldn't get her to do it again.  Glenn and I both saw it though.  Very fun!

Glenn is very proud of getting this shot of Gracie's smile!  What a cutie (if I do say so myself!)

Baptism

Gracie was baptized today!  It was such a special day and we were so proud.  Glenn's dad is a deacon and was able to assist with the vows at our wedding and do Gracie's baptism.  It makes it so personal and special.  I love it!  Just another one of the perks of being a Thome!  Thanks so much to everyone that came to celebrate.  We had a wonderful day.

These are two of my new favorite pics of Gracie!  The first is naked time on the changing table... always fun!  And the second is Gracie ready for daycare with the cute little hat that she borrowed from her cousin Lauren.  

We're getting ready for Gracie's baptism and wanted to send a reminder to anyone who would like to join us.  Gracie will be baptized after the 11:30 mass at St. Theresa's on Sunday.  We're going to host lunch afterwards at our house.  

Things are going well in the Thome household.  Gracie is playing with toys full-force now.  She's really learning to entertain herself and can keep happy with her fingers in her mouth for a pretty long time.  Of course, what do I know?  This is my first time!  But it's long enough for Glenn and I to get in a meal without doing the baby trade-off.  

She even looked like she might roll over tonight.  But she didn't get it done.  Fine with me!  I'm scared of her becoming too mobile!

Gracie is really getting in the holiday spirit with her new Santa outfit!  We went Christmas shopping today and Gracie was a very good girl.  It's amazing how much better she is these days.  I don't have to run for the door as soon as she opens her eyes!  

Red found a new fun cuddling spot!

Gracie has finally started playing with toys!  It's so much fun!  Not to mention, so much easier to entertain her.  So far she really loves her little stuffed elephants.  

Gracie got to hang out with her cousin Kyndal tonight.  Of course I had my camera going!

We went to mom and dad's in Missouri for Thanksgiving.  It was a nice long weekend and I got some much needed rest.  We learned once and for all that Gripe Water is Miracle Water.  Before we left for Missouri we ran out of gripe water and we didn't bother getting any more for the trip.  I think we both thought that it couldn't possibly be doing anything.  Well, Miss Fussy Pants was out in full force for 2 days before Glenn made an emergency trip to Hannibal for more gripe water.  We immediately added them to the bottle and, lo and behold, our sweet baby was back.  Every mother should know about this stuff!!!!

Here is Gracie with Aunt Brooke.

Today Sarah Thome become Sarah Trout as she married a wonderful guy named Joe.  She was a beautiful bride!

Today I am thankful for the talents God has given me to share with others. 

Mama and Papa B came to Omaha this weekend to spend some time with Gracie while Glenn and I were tied up with Sarah's wedding.  

Today I am thankful for our parents (Judy, Duane, Brenda and Danny) for loving us and loving our baby soooooo much!

Blowing bubbles!  

Today I am thankful for adorable little baby fingers and toes that make me smile!

We finally have Gracie's baptism set for December 14th after the 11:30 mass.   The deacon from St. Theresa's came over last night and apparently decided that we are OK parents!  :)  So we're on for the baptism.  We'd love for all of our family and friends to be there!  

Well, we've decided that we shouldn't break our feeding routine.  Gracie hasn't been quite as happy since we backed off on the rice cereal.  We got more Gripe water and we're back to bottles.  At least we know that it was helping, I guess.  Honestly, I don't know how much longer I'm going to last with the pumping.  I'm really getting tired of it. 

Gracie was all smiles in church this morning!

Today I'm thankful for early morning quiet time.

I had to work a half day today so it was another early morning for me.  Glenn was left to "babysit" for the morning.  Later, we both enjoyed our favorite Saturday afternoon activities.  Glenn and our friend Andrew watched football and Gracie and I went shopping!  Younkers was INSANE today and Gracie seemed a little stressed out.  But we managed.  She is really doing so much better now.  We even tried a bottle tonight without the rice cereal and it seemed to go fine.  Hopefully I get can back to nursing and away from that stupid pump!  Here she is asleep in the Boppy. 

Today I am thankful that Gracie is not a picky eater!

Nothing exciting happened today so here is a cute picture!

Today I'm thankful for an evening with nothing going on.  

I got to stay home with Grace today since I had to work last Saturday.  It was nice to be able to spend the day with her again... knowing that I would go back to work the next day!  We went to a consignment sale that I've been looking forward to for a month.  It was a pretty good one and we got some great stuff for cheap!  

Gracie was so cute today (as if she's not cute everyday!)  She was checking herself out in her mirror and sticking her tongue out.  She seemed fascinated by the face in the mirror that did what she did.  So cute.  

I also have a little surprise for daddy.  We had a little photo shoot with one of Glenn's stuffed animals.  For those of you who don't know, Glenn is crazy about Ostriches.  

Today I am thankful for second hand baby clothes and toys and the people who don't mind selling them.

First snow??

Do you think this is enough for a snow day??  It's weird... for the past few years I would get so mad when Glenn had a "snow day" because he'd get to stay home when I had to go to work.  But I was actually hoping that maybe we would get enough snow for Glenn to get to stay home with Grace for the day.  I guess it's because I know that there is no such thing as a day off anymore!

Today I am thankful for a nice warm house to call home. 

No news today really- so here's a cute picture!

Today I am thankful for a great doctor who helped my baby girl feel better.

Tonight Glenn and I hosted a weenie roast on our deck.  We invited our good friends Andrea and Andrew (and Ellie) and Sarah and Jeff (and baby Becker).  We had a great time roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores!

Today I am thankful that our children will grow up with our friends children!

Our first Sunday paper!  We've become so domestic!  Glenn and I were excited to finally subscribe to the Sunday paper.  He, of course, wants the sports page and I want the coupons!

It was an absolutely gorgeous day today.  We started out with mass followed my coffee and doughnuts in the church basement.  Then Meg and I ran a few errands.  Kari and I were going to head out to see W. (the movie) but I had mother's guilt and couldn't leave my baby.  I guess I should get used to that!

Today I am thankful for beautiful weather!

The girls and I started this morning with breakfast and a craft show!  What a great start to the day!  Then Glenn and I took Gracie over to Ben and Kari's house for their annual Halloween party.  We just went early to keep up the tradition.  

Grace is starting to "find" things with her mouth... like my finger in this picture!

Tonight I am thankful for our good friends who keep our lives full and fun when our families are so far away.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tonight we went trick-or-treating at On With Life where Glenn and Gracie got to meet some of my patients.  Gracie actually tolerated her costume really well... but Red wasn't as cooperative!

Tonight I am thankful for a job that I like enough to come back to at night for entertainment!

Today was my last official day of maternity leave and Gracie and I had a pretty good day.  We started rough, though, at the doctors office where she had to get her first shots.  It was very sad!  I thought I was plenty used to her cry that it wouldn't bother me.  But a whole new type of cry was invented with the shots and it was heart wrenching!  

We had a little baby photo shoot that afternoon in her little halloween outfit.  Later we went to Target for more professional pictures.  We had so much fun taking pictures there!  She was a little fussy and we had to cut the session short but we still got some good pictures.  It will be fun to go back when she's a bit older!

Tonight I am thankful for my mother-in-law who is so happy to help with Gracie!

Grandma Judy came to Des Moines to babysit today.  The report was that she was a perfect little angel.  She didn't fuss at all.  Why can't she do that with me???   Work was good today but it's nice that I get to be home with her tomorrow.   It's funny how staying home makes me appreciate going to work, and going to work makes me appreciate staying home.  

Today I am thankful for my health and the health of my family.  

Miracle of miracles!  Gracie slept through the night last night!!  I had to get up a few times to reinsert the pacifier but I didn't have to feed her until she took a bottle this morning.  Wow!  That was great!  Will we be lucky enough to get a repeat performance tonight?!

I thought I would add a picture of what our nights REALLY look like!!  Ha ha!

Tonight I am thankful for my parents for their love and generosity.  

I'm sure you are all dying to know how my day went.  Well, am I a bad mother if I say that is was really good?  Because it was.  Our day started rocky because the alarm wasn't set right (actually the clock wasn't set right) because our power was out yesterday.  We didn't wake up till a few minutes before 7.  Not good because I told Carissa I was going to leave my house at 7.  Anyway- we got ready to go in a fury and really didn't even have time to think about whether or not it was sad.  But I did get to work on time and had a really good day.  So- today I'm thankful for awesome co-workers especially Aaryn who brought me doughnuts and flowers and Kim who brought me a pumpkin spice latte.  

Glenn and I attempted dinner out again and ended up leaving in a rush before we got kicked out for disrupting other patrons.  The funny thing is how EVERYONE has advice for you when you're trying to calm a crying baby.  "You should put her on the dryer"  "Take her for a drive" "Tell your husband to put her up over his shoulder"  "Blah Blah Blah"  as if we've had this child for 2 months and haven't tried or even heard of any of these solutions.  But some of the people were nice and understanding with the sympathetic looks and the "it will pass" comments.  

Tonight Glenn is thankful for Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster.  

Last night I was reading my favorite magazine- Real Simple- and they had a story about a few readers that kept a "gratitude journal".  In it they simply listed things for which they were thankful everyday.  The article suggested that there are actually health benefits to this type of journal (making it somewhat of an ironic selfish venture!).  Anyway- I'd like to add a "gratitude" component to my blog from now until Thanksgiving and see where that gets me.  

On another note, I'm going back to work in the morning.  Wish me luck!  I can't believe I've been home with Grace for 2 months and now it's time to get on with our lives.  It will be interesting to see how it goes in the morning.  

Today I'm thankful for my beautiful daughter and my wonderful husband who is a wonderful daddy.  

So, I keep taking pictures all week of Gracie doing the same thing and by the time the weekend comes, my battery is dead.  :(  Last weekend I didn't get any pictures of Gracie's first hayrack ride and today I didn't get any pictures of her first Race for the Cure, Farmer's Market, and watching the Nebraska game at the Chicken Coop.  

Yes, Glenn and I took Grace downtown to join the other 19,997 people (or so) in the Komen Race for the Cure.  It was cold and very very crowded and I learned something about my husband today... he does not enjoy crowds and really hates them with a stroller!  So we started walking on the race route and bailed after about 5 blocks.  We hit up the farmer's market instead for some of Glenn's favorite cinnamon rolls and breakfast burritos.  

Later Glenn talked me into going to the Chicken Coop to watch the Nebraska game.  These days ANY excuse to get out of the house is a good one for me.  So, we packed Grace up once again and she slept through the entire game (almost).  Of course I sat there with my iced tea and read a book!  (The Audacity of Hope by Barrack Obama... very good so far but I need a dictionary with me when I read it!)

We got the car back today so Gracie and I weren't confined to the house.  We did a little shopping from Craig's List and got a bunch of baby clothes!  I got 2 dresses and 4 outfits (I think all of them are Baby Gap) for $27.  I guess this is what I'll do until garage sale season opens again!  :)  

Has anyone ever heard of Gripe water?  Our pediatrician says that some moms swear by it for colic.  We started trying that today but if it works, it's definitely not instant!!  Are we going to make it to 4 months?????

The CR-V was getting fixed today so Gracie and I were homebound all day.  At least it was a rainy day.  I can't believe I only have one more day of maternity leave.  Looking back, the time went really fast.  I'm ready to go back though.  I actually miss work and miss treating my patients.  I just need to remember that I felt this way when work stresses me out.  It scares me a little that I will miss so much time with the baby.  I haven't been away from her for more than just a few hours.  Obviously I'm also nervous about leaving her at day care with strangers.   I know that's going to be hard!  Thanks so much to my friend Carissa who is going to watch her the first day I go back.  That will make it so much easier.