20 weeks

Grace is 20 weeks old. People always said time flies, but I didn't realize how much until I had Grace. She is certainly the apple of my eye and I'm amazed at how much she changes every day!

We went to Duke last Friday for a dermatologist appointment for Grace's hemangioma and we got a *WONDERFUL* report! Grace's ulcers have healed (except one tiny spot)! And the best news is that she didn't have to have laser when we were there! :) We no longer have to apply the topical ointment, but we do have to apply Aquaphor and keep it bandaged to keep the hemangioma moist. We've been battling this round of ulcers since mid August, so its nice to have them healed. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Still keep them coming as we will continue to keep her on the propranolol for a while. Since hemangiomas will grow up until 9mo. to 1 year of age, we're afraid that if we take her off of it now, the hemangioma will continue to grow and get angry looking again, as well as form more ulcers.

Scott has been out of town a lot lately, so I recorded Grace babbling the other night to send him. Thought I'd share with you all too (just ignore me in the background) ;) Sorry for the crummy image, it was taken with my cell phone!

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin....

One:

Two:

Three:

Grace has decided to roll over again, but not until today, since last Saturday and she's done it quite a few times. She'll roll from her belly to her back, but not from her back to her belly! She's sporting her "I love Daddy" shirt because were off to the airport this evening to pick him up. He's been gone since Tuesday morning! He sure is a busy guy!


We go back to Duke tomorrow for a hemangioma check up! I'm pleased to say that the 2nd round of ulcers look just about completely healed!! WooHoo!! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this time, but keep them coming. She will continue to stay on the oral medication I know for a little while longer, but I can't wait to see what the doctors have to say tomorrow. I'm thinking it looks so good they may not even have do laser (knock on wood)! I'll post the appointment outcome whenever I get a chance.

Playtime

We love Crewe's hand-me-downs! :) He's outgrown this little rainforest jumper so Grace is enjoying it for the time being. I've put her in it a few times before, but this weekend she really enjoyed it. Here's a few pictures of my cutie!

Grace decided to roll over this weekend. Scott & I were busy getting ready and Grace was getting a little fussy so I laid her on her belly. When I looked at her again she was on her back. I asked Scott if he'd picked her up / moved her and she said, "nope, I guess she rolled over." So I put her back on her belly and we watched her roll to her back. But, she hasn't done it since! :)

Doctors Visit

We went to the pediatrician for Grace's 4 month well baby visit on Wednesday. Grace now weighs 12 lbs 6 oz and is 24 inches long. She's in the 30th percentile for both weight and length. The doctor said everything looked great. She got her 4 month shots too, and only wimpered for about 10 seconds. I guess she can stand that pain after having 5 laser treatments.

Here are a few pictures of Grace at the Spinal Cord Society Golf Tournament that was held on Monday. I had the opportunity to photograph this years event, so Grace tagged along and was wonderful all day (thank goodness)!

There were a total of 28 teams, and when we got around to her Daddy's team, he had to get some smiles and sugar!


This is Grace at the auction. After riding on the golf cart all day she looks worn out! Maybe that's the "I'm ready to go home" look! :)
Grace is now beginning to laugh, but when she does its such a quiet laugh. Its too cute! She's not yet rolling over yet but she's half way there. We finally let her sleep in her crib at the lakehouse the past two nights and she's done wonderful, better than Mom and Dad! The first night she slept from 9-6, had a bottle and was out again until 8:30. Then last night she slept from 9:30-5 and instead of a bottle I gave her passy to her and she slept until 8! :)

It's amazing watching her grow and do something new each day, whether is a new facial expression or a new noise or reaching a new developmental milestone. I love her to the moon and back!

4 months old

Time sure is flying by. Grace was 4 months old on September 8th. We go back to the pediatrician next Wednesday for her 4 month check up, and another round of awful shots!

She's grabbing for things and loves playing with this little monkey toy that she has. She continues to keep her hands in her mouth and do lots of drooling, but no signs of teeth yet. Grace still isn't enjoying tummy time much, but has now gotten to where she can turn over on her side, yet she hasn't figured out how to get on her back just yet!

Jaxon W Smith

Yesterday I went to the hospital and saw my awesome friend Sandi and her new baby boy, Jaxon! He was born Sept 8 just before 9:30pm, weighing in at 9lbs 2oz & measuring 22 inches long.

Grace & Jaxon are to the day, 4 months apart. It's really cool because Sandi and I are 4 months apart too (just not to the day)! Here's a shot of Jaxon and his big sister, Gabby...

Can't wait to get back to Columbia and see this little fella again!

Labor Day Weekend

Last Friday, I went down to the beach with my friend Heather and her two boys, Luke & Ayden. We went to lunch and Heather and I took turns shopping/sitting in the car while all the kids napped! Then we went to the Aquarium. I hadn't been since they redid it a while ago. It's probably been 8-10 years since I was there last. It was really neat!

Ayden


Luke

On Saturday afternoon before heading back to the beach to take Mom out to dinner, Grace and I got some pier time!

And again on Sunday too! Scott even took the day off and hung out with us!

Sunday night was the annual Bulls Bay Labor Day Weenie Roast. This year it was down at Mr. Ken's playground.

Grace slept just about the whole time we were there!

Gigi's Birthday

Saturday night we went out to Tale of the Whale for Mom's Birthday dinner! Dinner was delicious and the fellowship with everyone was wonderful!

Sorry I dont have pictures of everyone there, I so wish I did! For those that came, thanks for helping us celebrate Mom's birthday! :)

Labor Day Update

Happy Labor Day! Well it's hard to believe that summer is coming to an end and fall is fast on its heels. Much faster than I thought with the cooler weather we've been having lately. We got to enjoy a nice relaxing weekend with friends and family and I will post some pictures soon. Meanwhile, I wanted to give everyone an update on Grace.

She'll be 4 months tomorrow. My how time flies. I was talking with my friend Sandi who is due anyday (today's her due date) and she's now having contractions 20 minutes apart (hurry up Jaxon, we can't wait to meet you). Talking with her today, it seems like just yesterday I was anxiously awaiting Grace's arrival and beginning to wonder if each pain or movement I felt was the beginning of labor. While I enjoyed having her all to myself and being able to feel each and every movement, it was the best day of my life when they laid her on my chest and I was able to finally see her beautiful face! And now, here we are, 4 months later. Wow!

We went back to the dermatologist last Thursday and we'll be continuing our current treatments of the propranolol and ointment. Her doctor and I are pleased with the results of the propranolol as the hemangioma seems to continue to not look so "angry" and continues to lighten up some. The new ulcers I had talked about previously are now each about the size of a dime, and there are 3 of them, in addition to 2 others that look like they want to get started. Grace is still uncomfortable when being held at times and especially when her bandage is being changed or we're taking off / putting on clothes. She did have another laser treatment when we were there. So now she's had a total of 5 treatments. She was running a low grade fever as well, so we're keeping a close eye on her. We're not sure if the fever is from some infection in the ulcers or if its "teething" time. We continue to pray every day that she will find some relief soon. Thanks to everyone that has sent us encouraging emails / notes and sent up a prayer for us as well. We love you all!