STATE of GRACE

This is it

2007-07-17T19:15:00.002-04:00

Last post. I feel a little sad to be closing the State of Grace. The same kind of sadness I felt before Julia was born, when I would look at Grace and think "this is it, the last time we will be a family of three." Of course, the flipside to both closing the blog and Julia's birth is that we have moved onto something just as wonderful. Living in a state of Grace and Julia has brought us so much joy. Our little family is complete.

As they say when one door closes, another opens. You can now find us and our two little ladybugs at our new address:

byronladybugs.blogspot.com

See you there.

Going out with a bang

2007-07-13T08:57:00.000-04:00

There's a lot of excitement at the Byron house this morning. Grace went poo-poo on the potty twice already and it's only 9 am. We've been slowly working toward potty training, with more setbacks than success. Finally we've taken the drastic action of having Grace nude from the waist down while at home, and what do you know, we're successful! We have been prepping her that when she turns three she will no longer use diapers. As it happens her third birthday comes while we are in Maine, so Grace equates learning to use the potty with traveling to Maine. After her first successful poo, she said to me "I'm ready to go to Maine now." Hopefully we'll leave the diapers behind before we depart.

In other developments, I have been working on our new blogsite. Obviously we have moved beyond living in a state of Grace; we're now in a state of Grace and Julia. I want to maintain this site as a stand alone record of Grace's life, so I have put together another site. We've been posting here for nearly 18 months, and it's a little sad to be moving on. If you want to check out our new home, click here.

How are you doing, really?

2007-07-08T17:48:00.000-04:00

I’m asked this question, or some variation of it, nearly every day. I listen to the quick intake of breath as the person asking waits for my answer, hoping for a positive response. About a month ago, my mom asked about my state of well being, and I replied “I’m okay.” “Just okay,” she said, worry creeping into her voice. “Yeah, Ma, just okay, not I’m getting depressed-okay, just okay.” She sighed in relief.

My loved ones ask these questions for good reason. In the three months following Grace’s birth I slowly descended into a devastating depression. By the time everyone, including myself, realized that I needed intervention I had stopped feeling nearly every emotion, save for overwhelming sadness. My depression was so deep and dark that my parents came running to Augusta. When they left, my sister started her vigil, traveling to Augusta every weekend for two months. Slowly I regained my life, rebuilt myself and finally bonded with my beautiful little girl, my Grace. It was a long road to travel.

There were a lot of things that contributed to my depression, including a traumatic birth experience and a difficult recovery, a colicky newborn who screamed for hours on end, refused to breastfeed or sleep, new motherhood in the absence of geographically close family support, and perhaps most importantly, my own history of depression. While the signs of depression were painfully clear, both Craig and I failed to read them, and I think in my own case, I didn’t want to read them because admitting I was depressed meant I was a failure as a mother. Or at least that was my thinking at the time.

With help from Craig, my friend, Quentin, and my family I did make a full recovery, but not without outside help. This help came in the form of psychotherapy and medication, and it wasn’t until Grace was seven months old that I could say with absolute belief and confidence that I was, in fact, a good mother, the best mother Grace could have. Who else knew her so well, sacrificed so much, and grew so much as a result of being her mother. Yet at the same time I felt that having made it through postpartum depression I would never have another child.

So it was with great deliberation and some hesitation that Craig and I decided to conceive another child late last summer. My biology had started whispering in my ear when Grace was 20 months old. That whisper turned into a roar when she turned two. To my great surprise I wanted to have another baby. As soon as we made the choice to try, I became pregnant.

We knew that in order to be successful during the postpartum period of this pregnancy, we would need to take a number of steps. First, I would need a healthcare provider whom understood not only postpartum depression, but my depression in particular. My search for a caregiver eventually led me to a wonderful midwife: a woman who listened intently as I related the story of Grace’s birth and my subsequent depression. This was also a woman who intuited how and why my depression occurred even before I gave her all of the details.

Second, I knew that I wanted and needed a different birth experience. Unknown to me at the time, I was not a good candidate for an epidural with Grace’s birth. Unfortunately I got one, with disastrous consequences. Epidural out, I needed to have natural childbirth with this baby. To birth naturally, one must be physically and mentally prepared. Jeri, my midwife, got me in contact with a natural childbirth educator, Belynda. Over eight weeks Belynda prepared Craig and me for what to expect. In the end, I think her greatest gift to us was self confidence. We knew with absolute certainty that we could birth naturally. We also read a lot. Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth was our bible. We actually became pretty militant about our birthing style.

As another step, Craig and I made a pact with each other. It’s pretty long, and it includes all the watch signs. It also gives him permission to watch over me, worry over me, question me, and probe my state of mind. It reminds us that we can and will get through another depression should it occur. The depth of my relationship with my husband makes the pact unnecessary in many ways, but reading it aloud to each other cemented our commitment to a healthy postpartum period, come what may.

Finally, the last step was to take preventative medication. I started six weeks before Julia was born. This was a difficult choice to make, but one that both Jeri and Craig felt was absolutely necessary, and in the end, I did too. Why run the risk of losing precious time with my baby to a depression that we could prevent? I worried about the health consequences for the baby. In the end, the consequences for me if I don’t take medication, are far scarier.

So this leads me back to the question I posed at the beginning, how am I doing, really? I can answer that easily. I’m well. Happy. I had a wonderful, wonderful birth experience. Rather than feeling broken, I felt empowered and full when Julia came into the world. Julia, as it turns out, is not a colicky or difficult newborn. She sleeps and eats like a champ. She smiles at me constantly. It’s easy to be a mother this time around.

I still keep watch. I know Craig does too. I also know that the medication works. I knew it before Julia was born. Like it or not, medicine helps me keep an even keel. It allows the rational voice to come through. It helps me to roll with things, not blame myself so easily. It may be a crutch, but I don’t care. I am able to enjoy both of my girls in a way that I couldn’t after Grace was born. This is an immeasurable gift. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

One month

2007-06-28T12:57:00.002-04:00

Julia turned one month old yesterday, and it's been a very, very good month. In part, our success is due to the fact that we are second time parents (no need to keep a poop log this time, we just know that she's eating well because we have a vague notion that we've changed a lot of diapers), but it has also been made that much easier because Julia is a very easy baby. She sleeps very well, often giving us five hour stretches at night, and she eats very well (no need to do battle which we often did with Grace). She's a happy baby, smiling often, and crying very little (relatively speaking, she is a baby after all). Grace is also doing well. We have encountered a few bumps (she still doesn't want Julia to use her old stroller), but more often than not we are struck by the affection Grace demonstrates for her sister.

I have a much longer post that I have been writing in my mind, but with two girls to care for, it will have to wait till another day. In the meantime enjoy the videos. I will upload new photos soon.

Videos:
Julia, one month old, after her bath
Grace holding Julia

link to photos

2007-06-08T14:40:00.000-04:00

Click here to see photos from the first 11 days of Julia's life.

more pictures to come

2007-06-07T19:25:00.000-04:00

Since Grammy and Poppy went home without any pictures of Julia, we knew we needed to update the blog right away! Below you will find a sampling. We will upload many more to our flickr account soon.

All is well. Julia is a very mellow baby, quite the change from older sister Grace. Grace loves being a big sister, to our great relief. Mom and Dad are doing pretty well also, a bit tired, but that's to be expected. --Ellen

Baby Byron is Here..

2007-05-29T14:25:00.004-04:00

Yes. The blog will have to change names soon from "The State of Grace" to some derivative of our family name. This blog is no longer about one daughter, it is about two daughters. Ellen gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, bundle of joy named Julia Anne Byron. She was born on Sunday May 27th, 2007 at 3:21PM. Since it was during the Indy 500 and I come from that neck of the woods I contemplated the name Danica in honor of female racer Danica Patrick. Unfortunatly that did not go over well with Ellen. Oh well, she will always be little "Indy" to me!

Julia weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces and was 22 inches long. Here is a picture of Ellen's sister Betsy holding Julia.

The labor and delivery was a completely different experience from Grace. We decided we would stay in the comforts of our home for as long as possible since neither one of us like the idea of being in a hospital for what we hoped would be a natural life event. By staying at home we managed to avoid all the medical interventions that were pushed on us during Grace's birth. This cut both ways however. It was great to be in the privacy of our bedroom for what was an incredibly intense and personal experience however this meant labor was painfully intense and very fast.

Ellen was a champion and managed to stay at home through transition. At the end of this point it was apparent we needed to get to the hospital right away. With Betsy's help we got Ellen in the car and rapidly made it to the hospital which is literally 10 blocks from our house. We got there and made the walk to the birth center. On the walk Ellen had three contractions which at this point were right on top of each other about 50 seconds apart. We made quite a scene in the hospital. It was something out of a movie with Ellen having major contractions and Betsy and I reminding her to breathe and keep it together. Our midwife was not even at the hospital yet and the baby's head was ready to crown. The nursing staff was very excited and they took their places for delivery.

I think Ellen was waiting for Jeri (our midwife) to arrive because once Jeri showed up, about ten minutes after we got Ellen onto a bed, Ellen finished the job. We were at the hospital for about 20 minutes before Julia was born! Talk about excitement! It was incredibly dramatic. We cut it very close but got the job done. The best part was that because we nearly delivered in the parking deck, there was no time for any medical intervention. This provided for an entirely different experience from Grace's birth in Augusta. We have many more stories to tell, especially regarding Grace's response to the new baby in the house. I have attached movie showing Grace's first interactions with Ellen and Julia (this video is uploaded in Google Video; try clicking on the link below to view movie). The patch on Julia's head is an electrode placed there for the hearing test a nurse was about to perform. Enjoy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1439400718003363648

Craig

Not yet

2007-05-25T15:50:00.000-04:00

It's been two days since my official due date passed. What's in a date anyway. You're not really considered overdue unless you go past 42 weeks. Now I really hope that doesn't happen, but a few days or even a week doesn't seem unbearable to wait. Of course maybe that's part of the problem. As my OB with Grace said, "Until you are absolutely sick of being pregnant, this baby isn't going to come!"

We went in for non-stress test this morning (they measure activity and heart rate to assess the health of the baby) and baby performed like a champ. The biggest change post due date is in my disposition. I don't want to talk about when baby will come. I don't want to talk on the phone (unless I have to). I feel myself slowly withdrawing into "baby zone", where I can concentrate solely on convincing this baby to come out. I guess that's my long winded way of relating to friends and family that no, I'm not avoiding you, I just have something bigger on my mind. If I don't answer the phone, don't take it personally. Believe me, the news will spread like wildfire when I go into labor.

Until then....

morning conversation

2007-05-19T16:27:00.000-04:00

"I don't want a new baby in my house."

"I can understand how you might feel that way."

"Babies cry and cry. They can't do anything."

Long pause.

Can you think of anything that might be good about having a baby in the house?"

"No."

"You know, the baby will grow and will learn how to do lots of things. Eventually you and baby will be able to play together. Does that sound good to you?"

"No."

Very long pause.

Talking to herself "The baby will grow and grow. The baby will learn how to play with me."

update 2

2007-05-16T14:23:00.000-04:00

The appointment today revealed no changes in the status of my pregnancy. Craig was surprised, especially given the degree to which I am nesting. I think that has more to do with the fact that he and Kurt are in the midst of staining two decks and adding insulation to our attic. I think it's only natural to feel a little anxious about the upcoming birth given the state of our house.

In any case, no change is good news as far as I am concerned. Let them finish the attic and the stain. Let me finish my last minute preparations. Let Craig and I have at least one evening alone before baby arrives. Then he or she can come.

Until then....

pregnancy update

2007-05-10T19:50:00.000-04:00

I met with my midwife today, and here's my status: 38 weeks, 26 pounds, and no cervical changes. Baby is quite contented to stay in utero. No surprise really. I was a week overdue with Grace, and there were no hints that labor was impending until it actually started. My midwife doesn't anticipate an early delivery, in fact I will likely go over again.

That's not a bad thing. For all the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, I'm not actually ready for this baby to come out. We still have a lot of work to do on the house, and we still haven't decided on a name for baby. Yes, we have a list, and each day we knock another name off. We decided that even if we come up with something, we will keep it to ourselves. We've had 38 weeks to name the kid already, what's another two or three weeks for everyone else to wait? Don't worry, it won't be something like Hummingbird Byron.

Visits

2007-05-06T12:02:00.000-04:00

We've had a really nice weekend. For one Craig's semester is officially over. The exams have been graded and the scores submitted. We also had the great fortune to have four friends visit over the course of the weekend. Dan and Nina came in for a short overnight. We had a relaxing morning in the park before they departed for Atlanta. Nina took these pictures while she was here.

On Saturday, Grace's godmother, Quentin, and her beau, David, came to spend the night. There's nothing better than an evening with your best friend, her mate, and your own husband. I wish we could have had a week together. Here are some pictures from their visit. Also, below you'll find a video of Grace and David playing with rockets.

Doodling

2007-05-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

Below are some pictures that Grace created on her Doodle. Craig and I were so amazed to see what she had drawn that we had to take pics. Doodle images only last for a few minutes in our house.

"Guy"

"Happy Family" (from left to right Grace, Mommy, Daddy, and Baby)

Spring Break and More

2007-03-14T18:56:00.000-04:00

We've been home for four days, and we are still missing the beach. We had a great time with both sides of our families, but our time at the beach was a definitely the high point. Below are two videos taken while we were on Long Boat Key.

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In addition to the videos, we have also uploaded over 100 pictures to our flickr account. You can view three new slideshows to the right.

Enjoy.

Gems

2007-02-22T09:35:00.000-05:00

From the mouth of our babe...

SCENE: Grace, Ellen and Craig playing with Legos in the Living Room

Ellen to Grace: What's your name?

Grace: Bwace Marget Byon!

Ellen: Yes! What's Daddy's name?

Grace: Freg Byon!

Craig: What's Mommy's name?

Grace: (pause) (pause) Mommy Byon!

~~~~~~~

SCENE: Grace and Ellen sit on the couch, Grace strokes Ellen's hair

Grace: Mommy, your hair bootiful.

Ellen: Thank you sweetheart, your hair is beautiful too.

Grace: No, mommy, my hair cute.

~~~~~~~

SCENE: Grace meets Grandma's friend JoEllen. Grace feels nervous and holds Ellen's hand.

JoEllen: Hi, Grace. My name is JoEllen.

Grace (looking at Ellen): This my mommy.

Grace (pulling at Ellen's sweater): This black.

JoEllen: It is black. Does your mommy like to wear black?

Ellen (laughing): Black is a minimizing color!

Grace: My mommy has big boobies.

~~~~~~~

SCENE: Driving home from preschool. Grace sings songs.

Ellen: Oh, honey, you're my princess.

Grace: NO mommy, I your Bwace!

~~~~~~~

SCENE: Ellen and Grace lay in Grace's bed after a nap.

Ellen: Do you know there's a baby in mommy's tummy?

Grace: Yes, there a baby in mommy tummy. The baby play with pink soccer ball. The baby need to go outside and play soccer ball with daddy.

Ellen: Really, the baby needs to go outside and play with the pink soccer ball?

Grace: No, Bwace need to go play pink soccer ball with daddy.

~~~~~~~

SCENE: Ellen, Craig and Grace hanging out in the kitchen

Craig: Grace, there's a baby in mommy's tummy!

Grace: No there not. There a baby in your tummy!

Craig: Really?

Grace: Yes, there a boy baby in your tummy and a girl baby in my tummy.

Craig: Who else has a baby?

Grace: Ollie have a boy baby in his tummy.

~~~~~~~

SCENE: Grace and Ellen watch a video which shows a baby being breastfed.

Grace: Mommy, what that?

Ellen: That mommy is feeding her baby. The baby gets milk from her mommy's boobies. When you were a baby that's how you ate too!

Grace: No, I not, mommy. I not eat milk from your boobies.

Ellen (laughing at the memory of what a difficult eater Grace was): Okay.

Grace (after thinking for awhile): Mommy, you okay. You have milk in your boobies. I have orange juice in my boobies.

the news

2007-02-18T19:44:00.000-05:00

It's been a month since we posted, so there's a fair amount to relate. Since Craig posted our videos, we had a visit from Gwammy (Craig's Mom), Grace and I went to Florida to celebrate my Mom's 70th birthday, we experienced the stomach flu, and finally, we were adopted by an adorable male kitten. The following photos and text highlight our month.

Gwammy and the Colts
Gwammy arrived on January 18th to spend a weekend with us. The weather was a little chilly (at least by Georgia standards), but that didn't prevent us from spending lots of time outside. Grace received a post-Christmas tricycle that she mastered with Gwammy's help (as you could see from the earlier video posts).

The other bright spot was watching the Colts clinch the AFC champ-ionship. Let there be no mistake, the Colts won because of Grace. Every time she has worn her Colts cheerleading outfit, the team has won. Grace's influence carried them through the Super Bowl (though I know that Grace's daddy might have a disagreement with my assertion of Grace's power). Regardless of whether or not Grace indeed influenced the Colt's journey to victory, one undisputed fact is that she is, quite possibly, their cheekiest fan!

Florida, Florida!
In early February, Grace and I travelled to beautiful Mount Dora to help my mom celebrate her 70th birthday. For real, my mom turned 70! I have to admit that I used to think that 70 was a little old (sorry, mom). Now that both of my parents have passed that milestone, I have reassessed my view. Seventy is definitely not old. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Aunt Betsy cooked (and I assisted) in a fabulous meal. This was followed by some pretty great gifts as well.

In fact, the celebration was capped off with the best gift ever, especially given the circum-stances. Now everyone knows that my mom can be a little prickly when her kitchen is taken over, and her birthday dinner was no exception. She groused at Besty and me a bit, so much so that we joked about the queen being present. Well, as you can see from the photo, the queen was present. The last gift of the evening was a red tiara sent from my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Mark. The gathered guests (and the queen herself) laughed so hard at this offering that tears streamed down our faces!

We had a wonderful, wonderful visit in Florida. Grace and GG took walks together (Grace actually rode her trike while GG walked). Mom, Grace and I went to the Orlando Museum of Art to see the Gee's Bend Quilt exhibit (a story in and of itself...upon seeing the quilts, Grace started to do somersaults on the floor; a sercurity guard followed us closely for the rest of our visit), and we also managed to walk through the Mount Dora Art Fair (with 250,000 other people).

The interloper
Shortly after our return from Florida, someone new entered our lives. What can I say, he's adorable, extremely loving and playful, and he has fleas. We have been adopted by a stray kitten. We think he's 6-7 months old, and he just showed up on our porch. Craig feels that kitty understands that I'm a sucker. He now has a cozy bed on our back porch (complete with heating pad) and receives kitten chow and milk every day. Oliver is beside himself. We don't dare bring the kitten inside (fleas notwithstanding). And in reality, what would we do with three cats. The litter with two cats is nearly unbearable. We have advertised kitty at Mercer and dropped numerous hints with our extended family...anyone want a kitten?

Sick
Don't worry, no photos here. Grace got the flu for the first time. She was sick. The sickest I have ever seen her. Her temp was 102. She laid on the couch like a little rag doll. I paced and called my mom with worry. At first we weren't sure of the cause for her fever. Finally, while snuggling with Craig on the couch, we learned the cause. She soaked his pullover (and the couch cushions) three times. Her face carried a bewildered expression. To our knowledge, she has only thrown up one other time, and not nearly with so much force. She spent a fitful night in our bed where her last cycle of fever broke around 11 pm. The following day she was in good spirits, and since then has shown no ill effects. I, on the other hand, had to keep her home from school for three days, so I exhibited a number of ill effects, namely frustration at not getting work done.

Job
Which brings me to my last heading. Yes, I'm now employed. I wasn't looking for work, but it found me. I am now developing grants for the Georgia Children's Museum. The work is part-time, and I'm able to do most of it at home (when I don't have an ill child). I am finding the transition back to work to be a challenge. I don't seem to have a minute to spare. I have to say that having extra money really does make a difference. Craig and I lived for two years hovering above the poverty line, and now we are both gainfully employed (with reasonable salaries). It's amazing how life changes when you least expect it.

New Videos

2007-01-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

I am posting three new videos of Grace doing cute/funny things. She recently acquired a new tricycle and, no surprise, she loves it. Grace calls it her "bike-ride". She rapidly learned how to pedal forwards and backwards and just today pedaled down to the park with Ellen for some time at the playground. She loves to wear her 'special hat', as she calls her helmet. We have not pushed the helmet thing too much but since she has one when she rides on my 'big-boy bike' she wants to wear it whenever she gets around the trike. The spring semester is now in full swing and I am feeling overextended as usual and typically bring too much anxiety home with me. As the calender quickly fills in it begins to become apparent that the baby will be here before we know it. I hope we will be as ready for it as it will be ready for us!

My friend Kurt from Indiana drove down to visit this past weekend. It was a nice visit. The weather was sunny and mild and we actually got to take the canoe out on the Ocmulgee River. There was not much wildlife activity on the water so all we got to see were paw prints in the muddy river banks. Regardless, it was great to use the canoe that has been somewhat neglected ever since Grace arrived in our lives. Enjoy the videos.

Craig

First Day: Learning to Ride

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Second Day: She's a Pro
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flickr updated

2007-01-17T20:44:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it did take nearly two months to post the pictures from our trip to Indiana. They are uploaded now (click here), and not a moment too soon. Grace's grammy, bammy, bonnie arrives tomorrow! Grace has already decided that their first activity will be to play with her train. She told me that she intends to "share" her train with bammy. She'll also share her train with me and her daddy--if we're good. I don't think that Lynne will have a moment to herself (at least while G is awake) for the duration of her visit.

Since I last wrote we had our ultrasound (see below). Baby looks good. He or she weighed 13 oz at 20 weeks gestation, and I assume that's a good thing. I'm making a great effort to keep my weight gain at a minimum this time round, so it's good to know that baby is developing normally. As planned we didn't find out baby's sex, which was a good thing because he or she wasn't extremely cooperative during the ultrasound. We met with one the doctors in the practice, and both Craig and I were very happy with the appointment. I made the switch to a midwife over a month ago, and since that time my anxiety level has diminished significantly!

Craig's semester is well under way, and while he has a heavier teaching load, his stress level is actually lower. In short he's teaching classes that hold more interest to him (and with which he has more teaching experience). His department was also able to locate some funds with which he can do some preliminary research (a very good thing since the budget was cut significantly early in the fall). He's happy.

I'm happy too. Really, really happy. Kind of a strange sensation for me, since I'm prone to melancholy. Life feels good. I feel very contented with this pregnancy, and I'm looking forward to the birth. I know that we'll have a rough road this summer, but I feel like we're taking the necessary steps to make that transition as smooth as possible. I could go into more detail, but I'm too interested in relishing this particular period in my life.

Enjoy the pictures. We'll get some with Grace and Bonnie posted soon.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

Whew! We have been busy. I can't quite seem to be able to set the necessary time aside to upload photos and update the blog. Never fear, most photos are now on our computer, so the next step is loading them onto flickr. Hopefully that process won't take two months. I also intend to post pictures from our trip to Indiana, BUT it's not going to happen today.

This post is to let everyone know that we're still kicking. We had a wonderful Christmas. Craig and I were beyond happy to be able to stay in our own home for the holiday. Watching Grace come down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought her was priceless. It was also great to have my family here to share our joy. Aunt Betsy came from Savannah, and Uncle Matt, Grandma and Grandpa made the trek from Mt. Dora. We missed Uncle Paul and Aunt Wendy, but we plan to share a white Christmas with them sometime in the future.

Back in the days when I blogged daily, I always had cute Grace stories to share. Now the backlog is so long, I'm not even sure where to start. Christmas day alone provided enough memories to last a long time. In any case, last night we took Grace to watch the Mercer Women's basketball team. The highlight of which, at least in her mind, was dancing to the music during commercial break. She clued into the game once or twice, but eating popcorn and sliding around on the chairs was too much fun to pay close attention. The basketball team didn't do very well (the men are much better, we hear), so we'll have to attend another game soon. Regardless, we do know that Grace prefers watching B-Ball over sitting through a choir concert (something we tried and failed to do in November).

Craig is back at work getting ready for the semester. It's going to be a busy one. He has three classes (one more than last semester). He'll be booked every day (last sememster his Thursdays were clear). I am gearing up to deal with the increased anxiety that will inevitably come. It's likely that his workload will preclude many trips to the doctor with me, though he and Grace are going to accompany me on Friday to watch the ultrasound. Yes, I almost forgot, I'm still pregnant. Twenty weeks and counting. We will get our first lengthy glimpse at baby. We are more tempted this time around to find out baby's sex, but my gut feeling is that we'll wait. What's another twenty weeks.....just long enough to drive some of our friends and family nuts.

That's the scoop. Next time look for pictures.

Ready for Christmas Eve Dinner

Happy Christmas Tree to all, and to all a goodnight!

2006-12-24T20:20:00.000-05:00

I have posted a short video greeting of Grace in front of our HUGE (10 ft.) Christmas Tree. We had oyster stew for dinner and I read Grace 'Twas the Night Before Chrsitmas'. We are totally set for Santa. He has four chimneys to choose from in our new house and Ellen, Betsy, and Mom Williams have been busy making cookies for ole St. Nick. Grace knows that Santa will be visiting and bringing lots of presents for her. We miss all our loved ones who can't join us for a Macon Christmas. Please know that you are all in our thoughts.

Much Love,

Craig

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Grace and Daddy go to Visit Santa

2006-12-12T14:51:00.000-05:00

Grace got her first exposure to Santa yesterday. She was unsure of what to do. She declined sitting on Santa's lap and rathered to watch from a safe distance. When she realized that candy was the reward for this vist she thought Santa might be alright. We approached and she still did not want to relax. Santa read us a book and in the end, the only way Grace would get into a picture with Santa is if I accompanied her. Here is the what happened.

It's December already?

2006-12-09T16:06:00.000-05:00

I'm not ready. The holidays are coming a little too fast this year. It doesn't help that I arrived home from Michigan/Indiana four days later than anticipated. Driving alone with a two year old for that distance went surprisingly well, but I'm certainly happy that I divided the drive into two sections. Many thanks to Quentin's parents for housing Grace and me in Nashville for the night.

Today Craig and I officially lost our minds and bought a ten foot Christmas Tree. I'm hoping that our puchase will get me rolling in the holiday spirit ASAP. Once the tree is decked in holiday lights and ornaments, pictures will be taken and posted. We might even add pictures from our Indiana Thanksgiving/Christmas. We had a great time, by the way, and the highlight was meeting our niece, Anne Conley Byron. Grace was exceptionally loving to Baby Anne, and we hope this bodes well for baby on the way.

Well, that's enough. Pictures to come soon. I don't want to get behind again!

Our life, in nursery rhyme form

2006-11-15T20:06:00.000-05:00

One, Two
We were married in June

Three, Four
We soon wanted more

Five, Six
We added Grace to the mix

Seven, Eight
We decided to wait

Nine, Ten
That was then

Yes, the rumors are true. We are expecting baby number two! As of today I am thirteen weeks along. I had my second doctor's appointment this morning, and I'm able to report that baby has a strong heartbeat. That's about the only concrete information we have on this little human being thus far. We hope that he or she is developing in all the right ways at the right time. We'll have to wait a few more months until our next ultrasound to confirm that information. If morning sickness is any indication of his or her health, then I must be gestating a superhero. In the last seven weeks I can't remember a day when I felt well. At least I don't throw up every day!

That begs the question, how am I or we feeling mentally about this new development? Mostly good. I wanted to get pregnant, and I did. The thought "be careful what you wish for" has crossed my mind more than once. It's a radically different experience the second time around. For one, we suffer no delusions that it's going to be easy. We also have no hope that this will be an easy baby. I know too well not to hope for something like that. While everyone likes to advise us that the likelihood is low that number two will have the disposition Grace possessed (read difficult), I know that chances are equal that we'll have a tough second child. This is the product of Ellen and Craig after all. I think the biggest difference, though, is my level of worry. With Grace I was aware of every minute stage of fetal development. With this baby, I have to remind myself that I am pregnant. As if there might be some other reason for me to feel so ill on a day to day basis.

So big change is on the horizon for us. At some point the "State of Grace" will morph into another identity. In all likelihood, I will start a new blog, so that this one remains in its current form. That's months away, though. Now we just get to enjoy our life as it is, because it's not going to be like this again, ever.

Below is a picture of our nub at nine weeks.

"I need a seep in mama big bed"

2006-11-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

That's what Grace said when I went up to her room for the second time after putting her to bed tonight. The first time she told me that she needed Daddy because she had a poo poo (what a good girl for requesting her dad). And this would just be a cute Grace bedtime story if she hadn't been up three more times with additional poopy diapers following the first. There's something wrong here. My hope is that this is a twenty-four hour bug. That's my first hope. My second is that Craig and I don't get sick with whatever has befallen our girl.

Grace has a very hearty constitution, so I don't often have to deal with illness. I don't know if that's all good though because when she does come down with something, I feel overwhelmed with inadequacy. I'm sure most parents feel this way when their children are sick, and there's clearly nothing to be done except to keep them hydrated and comfortable.

So I'm on hydration watch. It's what I can do.

this is Macon

2006-11-09T20:23:00.000-05:00

I could have also entitled this post: "feeling the urge to curse".

Lately my posts have been entirely Grace centered, to the point that I haven't even injected my latest parenting insecurites or Craig's latest job anxiety. Posting about our inner life just felt a little too real.

That's over now....well at least for this post. What has prompted this change in attitude? I live in Macon, Georgia.

Maybe you didn't understand what I just wrote. I LIVE IN MACON, GEORGIA.

Oh, you still don't understand. I'll explain a bit further. This evening Craig and I went to Netflix to pick out another movie. At the bottom of the page there was a listing for top Netflix selections for Macon. Just guess what movie currently sits at number one? To help you along, the number one Netflix selection for all users is Crash.

Okay, okay, you can't come up with it.

The movie that most Maconites select to be sent to their home is: Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.

Enough said.

Halloween Pictures

2006-11-01T19:47:00.000-05:00

Uploading pictures in record time! The slideshow for Halloween 2006 has been added. To put the latest pictures in perspective, here's a blast from the past....

2004: Baby Bee and Magnum PI

2005: Our little devil

2006: Cougar girl

Happy Halloween, 2006

2006-10-30T20:15:00.000-05:00

At the Byron house we've been celebrating Halloween since Sunday. We started with a Halloween Carnival sponsored by the Knight Foundation for our neighborhood. While the Knight Foundation provided the cash, we provided the manpower. For two and a half hours I painted zombies and clowns on small faces, and Craig ran pumpkin bowling (yes, it's just what you would imagine). We also had a cake walk, a mummy wrap, a candy corn toss, and bobbing for apples. It was crazy, exhausting, and fun. We had a really good turn out, and we hope that in the future we'll get more neighbors involved in the planning.

To celebrate the season today, we met up with our new friends, the Jordan Family, and attended Mercer's Harvest Fest. Below are two videos of our fun. The first shows Craig and Grace practicing how to say "Trick or Treat". The second shows Grace and Evan greeting eachother on campus.

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Tomorrow we will actually do some limited Trick or Treating. We will stop in to see Grace's favorite neighbors, Yosi and Aaron, and then visit another neighbor, Jeremy. At this point Grace has had enough candy to last a year! Happy Halloween to all!

Slide Show Extravaganza

2006-10-25T21:23:00.000-04:00

After months of laziness (well, at least when it comes to uploading photos), I have finally added four months worth of pictures to my FLICKR account. If you look to the Slideshow column at the right, you will notice SEVEN new shows, starting with Mercer Girl and ending with Grace & Baby Alex. The last set of photos were only taken today, so you can't be much more up to date. As a teaser, I have included a picture of Grace and Baby Alex below. No her face isn't dirty, those are kitty whiskers. She's going to be a cougar for Halloween, and she wore her costume to her kindermusik class this morning. ENJOY!

Pics and Post

2006-10-19T21:43:00.000-04:00

Cleaning up after some fun in the yard

Grace at the Ocmulgee National Monument sporting snappy striderites from Godfather Arthur and Amber

Grace and Blue Baby (originally my blue baby, which makes her 30+ years old) after haircut number two

Just some random shots of the babe. I desperately need to update my flickr account with pictures. We are nearly three months overdue. I suppose that's what happens. Tomorrow we are off to the Atlanta Zoo with our new friends, Ani (Mommy's friend), Evan (Grace's beau) and Baby Alex. As usual, there's so much more to relate, and I'm too tired to do it. Yes, yes, there will be more soon. ~Ellen

Grace's first campout

2006-10-10T20:12:00.000-04:00

We just returned from a fantastic weekend at Desoto Falls State Park where Grace enjoyed her first camping trip. She slept in a sleeping bag in a tent between her mom and dad. This was very exciting for her as evidenced by her early wakeup at 6 AM. One night she even got up and climbed into my (Craig's) sleeping bag. We sat around a campfire, ate lots of popcorn, and went on two hikes. Grace wanted to actually walk most of the way. Along the Apallachian Trail Grace hiked about 3/4 of a mile up very steep and difficult terrain. Below is some video documenting Grace's unique style...

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This video was shot along the trail while resting on a boulder...

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We have many pictures and other stories to share but they will have to wait until the next post.

Craig

Happy Birthday Ellen!

2006-10-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

October 5th is Ellen's birthday. In honor of this Grace and Daddy have worked out a little number...

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We have a babysitter lined up for the evening and we are hitting town. (Actually, we will just walk up the street to Mercer's music hall where a perfomance is being held.) The weather is just about perfect right now so it should be a very nice stroll through campus. Ellen and I are both looking forward to it as it gives us the opportunity to meet with people from our community.

Grace is doing well. We are preparing for her first ever camping trip this coming weekend. I have a fall break from classes (4 day weekend, woo-hoo) so we are traveling to the mountains of north Georgia. We will visit Desoto Falls State Park from Sunday to Tuesday. Hopefully, we will miss any crowds and have our pick of campsites!

Enjoy your weekends and please visit Dropshots to enjoy more videos of Grace since our move to Macon at the linked web address.

Regards, Craig

Dragon

2006-09-24T20:22:00.000-04:00

Here are two videos which show Grace receiving a Halloween costume from her Grammy.

Enjoy,
Craig

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Happy Birthday, Iris

2006-09-21T15:38:00.000-04:00

newborn Iris

Last year Craig and I were lucky enough to be present for the birth of Bryan and Dawn's beautiful little daughter, Iris. Today she turns one, and we wanted to wish her whole family the best. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to make it back to Augusta since our move, so the only news we hear about Iris comes from The Rainbow Goddess Daily . Check in there for great pictures of Iris and her family.

Happy Birthday, big one year old. This year you're going to have even more fun!

Poo Poo

2006-09-12T20:53:00.000-04:00

in the bed.

Don't worry there's no picture to post. About a month or two ago Grace started stripping down and peeing in her crib. She only did it at naptime, normally after she fussed at me for fifteen minutes while I tried to ignore her and finish my email in the office. Eventually I would climb the stairs and find her grinning "Mama, I pee pee." I'm proud to say that I never reacted to her antics. I would calmly remove her from the crib, strip the bed, all the while speaking to her in an even tone: "Grace, honey, no more pee pee in the crib, okay?" I know what you're thinking, maybe if I responded to her more promptly, she wouldn't pee. No way, Jose. She pees whether I'm there in an instant or finish an email and cup of coffee.

After doing some research (really, there's a lot out there about peeing in the crib) I decided to try dressing her in a onesie for naps and bedtime. So far, so good. It seemed to be working. That was until yesterday when I found her without onesie but with diaper intact. Hmmm. How did she get the onesie off without unbuttoning the snaps? This was a warning I should have heeded.

Fast forward to her nap today. She woke a little early, so I decided to let her fuss to see if she would sleep some more. Then the fussing got loud, REALLY loud, like hysterical crying loud. I rushed up the stairs, threw open the door to her room, and there she sat, huddled, crying with snot and tears shooting from her face. She reached out her arms and shaking said "Mommy, poo poo". There beside her lay a small brown pile. As I reached into the crib, she clutched me, shaking and crying. She was nearly inconsolable. I sank into the glider and slowly rocked her bare little form. Eventually she stopped sniffling and sat up.

"Honey, why did you poo poo in the crib?"

Blank expression, one tear slides down cheek.

"I pee pee and poo poo."

"Okay, well let's clean it up."

Off come the sheets, the waterproof sheet, the blankets, the woobie, her froggy, her pillow. Even Elmo was damp. Down we go to the laundry room. Another day, another load, but really what should I do?

I'm at a loss. Tonight, we put the onesie on backwards. Next we'll try putting the diaper on backwards. Some people resort to ducktape. Is that really necessary? Should I be actively trying to potty train her? Is that what she's trying to tell me, or is she just pissed because she has to sleep in her crib and doesn't have the freedom that mommy and daddy experience.

Suggestions, anyone? You don't have to post them, you can reach me by email at embyron@gmail.com.

Whew!

pee pee

2006-09-08T11:01:00.000-04:00

In the potty. She told Craig she had to pee pee last night, so he got her on the big potty (with her small seat). It took a little while, but she peed. Then this morning, she told me "pee pee in potty." I asked her if she needed to go, and she said "yes". So again, she sat on the big potty and within seconds she was going. Yeah, Grace!

From everything I've read (and from what our pediatrician and other parents have indicated) it's best not to force the issue at all. Our plan thus far has been to demonstrate how to pee pee (by watching Craig she tried to pee standing up a few times), to talk about the potty in glowing terms, and to lavish positive attention on her after she pees. I have restrained myself from asking her if she wants to go (it's hard sometimes, believe me); instead I wait for her to annouce her needs. Sometimes she lets me know after the fact, but that's okay.

It's ridiculous how excited I can get over Grace's bodily functions!

Again, no picture

2006-09-06T09:21:00.000-04:00

Why? Because I forgot to bring my camera to Charleston over the weekend. Quentin managed to get a few shots, so perhaps they will appear at a later date.

We really had a good time. Grace loved being around Q's niece and nephews. She really loved sleeping in a big girl bed. I, however, am not the least bit tempted to make that transition at home. For one, I relish the extra time I get in the morning because she is stuck in her crib, and two, we have twenty-two stairs in our house. The idea of my little nub waking from her nap and stumbling down all of those steps is simply too frightening. She's generally good with the steps, but most of the time she wants me to hold her hand. We are going to wait for a big girl bed until it is absolutely necessary. Besides, she's still my baby.

The weekend was also a success for C. He prepared enough lectures to last him through October, and many of his labs are also prepped. I think we have successfully traveled the start of the semester without too much angst. This year is going to be tough, probably next year too. At the moment he isn't required to teach a full load, but that will change with a new academic year. In all honesty, I think it will take at least three years for that aspect of our lives to be running smoothly.

In earlier posts I have written about my misgivings about our neighborhood. The word I have used most frequently is transitional. I've come to realize that this term is somewhat confusing. What exactly do I mean? It's transitional in that not all houses are occupied and some should be condemned. It's transitional in that we can't get a pizza delivered past 7 pm because of the neighborhood's reputation. These things are changing, in large part because of the University. In fact, Mercer was recently written up for their work on revitalization of our neighborhood, in particular, and Macon, in general. Press is good, very good. The more homeowners we can get, the better.

She really likes me...

2006-08-29T13:08:00.000-04:00

Grace had her first day of school this morning, and she surprised me. She actually buried her head into my leg when we arrived. She never does things like that. It was short-lived; soon she was playing with a tub of plastic frogs and turtles and failed to say goodbye to me. I still liked it though. At noon when I returned to pick her up, she ran across the room into my arms. What? Is this the same girl that cried and fussed everytime I tried to take her home from Open Door? Who knows what has caused this new reaction: her age, the teachers, the program? Maybe she really missed me? Little miss independent, who always likes to walk herself, even made me carry her out to the van after class. I'm not going to question the days events; I simply want to relish my girl's attentions.

taking pictures again

2006-08-28T20:04:00.000-04:00

At one year, we were still taking numerous pictures of Grace per week. At age two we're only taking a handful each month. I feel like a post without a picture isn't dressed, so it has taken me awhile to get a picture worthy of posting. It's all in the eyes of the beholder, I know.

In my absence from the blogosphere a few things happened. I was offered the job I wrote about in previous posts, and I subsequently decided to turn it down. There are lots of reasons for this, but writing about them, heck, even speaking them out loud, simply sound like justifications. In the end, I went with my gut, which told me that the job wasn't the right one for this moment in time. The decision was very difficult to make. I made it though, and I'm living with it.

Of course, the most mind/time consuming event in our lives has been Craig's first week of classes. Together we have experienced lows (i.e. my lecture stunk) and highs (i.e my lecture was okay). To say that we've experienced highs is really a stretch. I think it's better to say that Craig has related a sense of "Yes, I can do this" to indicate positive feelings. We are now beginning week two, and so far so good. We both are acutely aware that feelings of insecurity and anxiety will be relieved as the semester progresses. We're in a rough bit though, at least for a little while.

In Grace's world all is well, as usual. On Friday morning, she and I drove to a neighborhood Baptist preschool to check out their MMO. It's no Open Door, but the teachers seem competent, the environment is bright and friendly, and Grace settled in immediately. Yes, my child still has NO separation anxiety. Many of our friends probably find it incredible that we would send Grace off to be instructed by Baptists. It's pretty much all we've got, that is if I don't want to drive 20 miles a day to take her to the Presbyterian MMO. My fears were alleviated when I met another Unitarian couple who send their two year old to the same MMO. I don't imagine that her teachers will understand that Grace was dedicated rather than baptized, but then again, does it really matter?

In other Grace news, we've managed to find another two year old with whom Grace can socialize. On Friday afternoon, Grace and I met Wyatt and his mommy at the local children's museum. Like most children their age, Grace and Wyatt buzzed around the museum in their own orbits. Every once in awhile they would cross paths and interact, but for the most part each child was centered on his or her own toy and the adults in the room. As the afternoon wore on, however, their interactions became more frequent, and by the time we left the museum and came back to our house, they had legitimately started to play together. This type of interaction is a first for Grace. By the end of the evening, she and Wyatt were playing hide and seek, screeching at eachother from behind our dining room curtains and then chasing eachother around the table. Below is some video we captured of their play:

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This week will be short for Grace and me. On Thursday, we are heading for Savannah to spend a couple of nights with Aunt Betsy, and then on Saturday, we will meet up with Aunt Quentin in Charleston to celebrate her birthday. I am quite sure that Daddy will be very pleased to have a break from his girls. Our absence affords him the opportunity to work all weekend with no worries about family obligations. I promise to take many pictures from our trip and post them soon.

Second Interview

2006-08-21T18:31:00.000-04:00

I met with the VP for Institutional Advancement today, and the interview went well. She asked some difficult questions, but it was good because she made me think about whether or not I really want the job.

The answer, at least to myself, is I don't know.

When I arrived home after the meeting Grace was awake and bossing the babysitter around. I had promised the sitter that Grace would be sleeping the entire time I was gone--even though I know better than to promise such a thing. While we find Grace's antics to be endearing, if somewhat infuriating at times, babysitters tend to view her without the rose-colored tint of parental love. She can be a little demanding. The only way I could even get a sitter for the afternoon was with the promise of Grace's slumber. I don't think we'll be calling this sitter back anytime soon.

At the end of the day, I loaded Grace into the stroller and we walked up the hill to meet Craig on Mercer's campus. We walked through the park and stopped to let Grace run around on a playground. There were four older kids playing in the area, and Grace spent much of her time with an open-mouth, staring at the kids ride bikes and rollerskate. At one point she turned and looked at Craig and said "He ride on a bike." I think this is the longest sentence we have heard since Grace started talking in earnest. Her statement was enough to top off the day, and we walked home for some dinner.

Now Craig is bathing her, and I am just about to put our dinner in the oven. During our meal, I'm sure we will discuss the job at length and perhaps reach some sort of resolution. Maybe not though. That seems to be my state of mind these days: indecision.

Job

2006-08-18T15:34:00.000-04:00

A little over three weeks ago I saw an advertisement for a part time editing position. I wasn't actively looking for employment, but our move to Macon had stirred thoughts of going back to work. For one, I've been lonely since we moved, and the idea of adult interaction was appealing. And two, Grace has been dying to get out of the house and spend some time with other little kids. After reading the ad, I decided to submit an application. A week later, they called to schedule an interview which was held this morning, and this afternoon they called to "take the next step".

My head is spinning a bit. When I applied, I don't think I had fully entertained whether or not I wanted to go back to work. When I got the interview, I went into full panic mode about whether or not Craig and I should have another baby instead. Still, I went to the interview, and it was the best I've ever had. The women with whom I would be working are engaging, smart, enthusiastic and flexible about work scheduling. They have kids. They know what it's like. I felt an instant rapport.

The next step is an interview with the VP for Institutional Advancement, but aside from making an absolute fool of myself, there's no way I can mess up getting the position. The salary isn't huge, but I would be able to pay for childcare and gas and still have plenty left over. I would only work for 20-25 hours a week, so Grace and I would continue to have lots of time together. She would get to socialize with other kids in a childcare setting, but it wouldn't be full-time.

Overall this seems like a good thing.

I'm still nervous about it though. I haven't worked in two years. I haven't ever spent that much time away from my girl. I think we're ready though.

Crush

2006-08-13T22:08:00.000-04:00

Grace is in love. The object of her affection is the new spanish professor that moved into our neighborhood. Her name is Yosalida, and she and her husband, Aaron, came to Macon from Arizona. From the moment Grace met Yosi, it's been hard to tear her away. At a neighborhood meeting Grace fussed loudly because she wasn't sitting with Yosi. Then this afternoon, Craig stopped by to talk with Aaron, and Grace cornered Yosi and took over their house. When we tried to leave, Grace took off up the stairs.

This is great.

I can imagine that as Grace ages there will come many times when she wants to run away from us. Just two blocks away, Yosi and Aaron will provide her refuge. Hopefully, Craig and I will return the favor; Yosi is thirteen weeks pregnant. Now, my biggest concern is how to deal with Grace's jealousy once baby arrives!

Wellness Check

2006-08-09T12:35:00.000-04:00

We met with Grace's new pediatrician this morning to establish a relationship and to get her two year wellness check. Grace at two is 34.5 inches tall and weighs 24.5 pounds. Her growth has slowed in both measures, but she remains a healthy little girl. To our surprise she needed one additional shot to complete her immunizations, and she took it like a champ, no tears, in fact no noise at all. She also had to get her blood drawn, which meant that she left the office with two boo-boos that needed multiple kisses.

Craig and I both really like the pediatrician. He seems thorough, but relaxed. He reinforced the positive parenting techniques that we are trying to employ. Grace clearly understood that he was the authority in the situation, and fussed while Craig dressed her in a manner that suggested she wanted the doctor to take note.

To celebrate we took her out for lunch where she ate macaroni and cheese and banana pudding. Now she is taking an overdue nap. Last night we had the babysitter put her to bed, and she managed to convince the sitter that she should stay up until 8:45. It was a a late night at the Byron house, and Grace has been yawning since she woke at 7 this morning.

Last night, we took my parents out for an evening of "Russian Romance". The Macon Symphony held of fundraiser which included Russian folk music, vodka martinis and a viewing of "From Russia with Love". We had a really wonderful time, and it made me feel a bit better about our new hometown.

My parents departed for Michigan this morning, and we finally have a quiet house again. Of course, it feels a little lonely too, but the semester is just about to begin at Mercer, and I'm sure things will pick up soon.

Happy Birthday Grace!

2006-08-07T14:01:00.000-04:00

Today Grace turns two, and what a week she has had leading up to her birthday. It all started last Tuesday morning when Craig and I loaded her into the car and drove to the North side of Macon for her first-ever hair cut. Upon moving to Macon, we started looking for a hairdresser for Grace. She was long overdue for her first cut. Every day her golden locks looked more and more like a lion's mane and less like an adorable two year old's hair. In any case, we were told to take Grace to Denise at Hair and Nails 2000. Not surprisingly, Craig and I were a little nervous for our little girl, but Denise soon put us at ease. In less than five minutes, Grace's hair was bobbed and beautiful, and she had a sucker to prove her bravery. Denise collected Grace's cropped locks and put them in a baggy for me to save, and it struck me that these small strands would always have much more meaning to me than to my little girl.

Her haircut was just the beginning though. On that same day Grammy arrived from Indianapolis to see our new home and, most importantly, spend time with granddaughter number 1. From the moment Grammy (or Mammy/Mommy as Grace calls her) stepped into the house both she and Grace were smitten. For the next five days Grace turned on the charm and love for her Gram who, in turn, soaked up every ounce of it. There were lots of hugs, many kisses, and quite a few quiet moments of snuggling. On Friday, Grammy had to share Grace's attentions when Grampy arrived. When Grace was an infant I think that Grampy's antics often confused and/or scared her, but as a vibrant two year old, she finds him to be quite funny. With two doting grandparents in the house, Grace was walking on clouds, little did she know that this was just the beginning.

Saturday was a big day. Not only had we planned to celebrate Grace's birthday, but we also had some special guests arriving. First, Aunt Betsy came in from Savannah. She was followed by Aunt Quentin who drove over from Augusta. And last but not least, my parents arrived from Florida. Let's just say that there was a lot of shrieking from Grace as each of the celebrants arrived. Somehow as an adult I tend to downplay any celebrations held in my honor. What would it be like to relish the attention as voraciously as Grace does?

But I'm getting in front of myself here because Saturday was also a big day for another reason. Before the guests began arriving, Grace and I took a shower and afterwards she ran around naked exploring her bedroom. Grammy and I were talking at the time, and I noticed that Grace had spread her legs and was looking down at the floor. OH NO, no pee pee on the carpet! I grabbed her up and rushed her to the bathroom where I sat her on her potty. She thought this was great fun. She jabbered on about the potty, so I decided to sit down, this might take awhile. No sooner had I settled in that a look of concentration came across her face, and then I heard the tinkling of pee pee. YEAH Grace, pee pee in the potty, pee pee in the potty!! I called for Grammy, she called for Craig and Grampy, and soon the bathroom was filled with applause for Grace's accomplishment. She pointed to the potty just in case we didn't realize that she had filled it.

I can't adequately describe my emotions but watching my girl go potty for the first time nearly made me cry. It was an early glimpse at the pride my parents must have felt at my accomplishments. Yes, it's just a little pee pee, but it's also the beginning of a new stage for my girl, my beautiful wonderful baby.

But back to the party....once my parents arrived we gathered together to serenade Grace with the birthday song. She was a little confused by the singing (maybe because it was off key) and by her cake. It took a lot of coaxing, but once she tasted the butter cream frosting, she understood the wonders of birthday cake. She proceeded to strip the cake of its frosting to her audience's delight! Then came the presents. There were books and clothes, a sit and spin, and legos. What else does a girl need! It was a wonderful afternoon. Grace basked in the love of her family, and Craig and I marveled at our parents, my sister, Betsy, and my soul sister, Quentin; all of whom continuously demonstrate their love and commitment to us as a couple and to our child. Life is good.

So Happy Birthday to my little girl on the official day. I hope that she always knows and trusts in the love that her family has for her.

(postscript: Blogger won't allow me to add more pictures to this post, so please look for them later in the sidebar)

Grace's Mom, Private Investigator

2006-07-25T19:45:00.000-04:00

Being a mom is sometimes like being a detective. Your child's behavior offers clues that you must find, gather together, and use to understand what he or she is experiencing. This is an especially difficult task when said child can't talk or is just beginning to use words and phrases. For instance, for a couple of days last week Grace was a total pill, so much so that I begged my mom to take her for a week. She was irritable, grouchy, just plain difficult. She also ran a slight fever on one of those days. She's run fevers before, so I decided that it might be something she ate or a little cold. In that same timeframe she had a few fitful nights sleep. She woke crying for mama, and it took me nearly two hours to get her back into deep sleep.

There were many clues as to what was going on with Grace. I just didn't put them together. Tonight, thankfully, Grace showed me her problem.

As I laid her down to sleep, she looked up at me and said "mouth, mouth."

"Yes, baby, what is it?" I replied.

"Mouth." She took my hand and brought my finger to her mouth.

I asked her to open, which she did, and I ran my fingers over her lower teeth. Nothing. Then I ran them over the uppers, and lo and behold there were two new molars there. NO WONDER my beautiful child had a rough week. Two little razor sharp teeth had sliced through her gums causing untold discomfort.

Like I said, being a mom is like being a detective. It's just that sometimes I totally miss the clues!

I'm sorry, (kiss), I love you

2006-07-24T20:13:00.000-04:00

Grace related those words to me last week after she elbowed me in the chest, and I said "Ouch!" She tells us that she loves us often, spontaneously wrapping her arms around our shoulders and hugging. Obviously we are soaking it up. She has taken to lengthening her bedtime routine with requests for backrubs and headrubs. When I can finally get her to lay down, she whispers "I love you, mama, night night." So I'm pretty much ready to give her anything she wants whenever she wants it.

The above picture was taken at the Georgia Aquarium this past weekend. I highly recommend going, but visitors should be prepared for intense crowds (made much more intense by our attempts to keep track of Grace, who in fits of independence did not want to hold my or Craig's hand). Even with advance reservations, it seems that the Aquarium could do a better job at keeping the crowd size manageable. Still, we had a great time, saw lots of fish, and asian clawed otters, whale sharks, and jellies. Thankfully, the drive from our house to the heart of Atlanta only took an hour and twenty minutes (which given how backwater Macon sometimes seems is a very good thing).

I'm continuing my policy of reserving judgment on our new hometown until we have lived here for a year, but believe me, I really have to bite my tongue somedays. Nina tells me that incompetence is a problem nationwide, but it seems particularly bad here. Either that or my northern mannerisms put people off. It's too soon to tell. E

Mercer Girl

2006-07-20T17:38:00.000-04:00

Yes, we are connected!

After two weeks of waiting, our internet and cable provider finally made it to our house to install all the necessary media for modern life. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have a connection to the outside world. And yes, I understand that this is a sad statement. I want you all to know that I am making real life human connections with people outside my home as well. In fact, we are waiting for a call from another Mercer person with a two year old to arrange for play dates and mommy time.

So lots has happened since we last were online. We made our move to Macon, Craig started his job, and we began the long process of settling into our house. In our larger family, news is also good. Laura and Mike welcomed baby Anne into their lives on her actual due date, July 16, after a long and difficult labor. We hear that Anne has a great disposition and is, of course, gorgeous. We are looking forward to making a trip back to Indy over Labor Day weekend to meet her and give her parents a well-deserved hug.

In news outside of our family, both Craig and I were saddened to read about the death of Tricia Black. For those who follow our blog, you may remember my confessional post about following Tricia's battle with cancer. She touched so many lives beyond those who knew her, and I encourage anyone to spend some time on her blog (see sidebar). Whenever I have felt stressed or discouraged about being a mother or parenting in general, I have looked to Tebs Page for inspiration. I do not think I could manage cancer and a toddler with as much grace and candor as she did.

I don't want to disappoint those visitors who come for pictures of Grace. She remains our funny, confident, loving, persistent, sometimes infuriating, beautiful girl. She continues to enrich our lives and test our patience. What was life like before, we wonder.

we're still alive

2006-07-13T10:32:00.000-04:00

This will be short because I am posting from C's computer at work. We don't get our cable and internet hooked up for another week and a half, and I will write a much more lengthy post at that time.

In any case, we are alive and well in Macon. The move was trying, but I suppose that is a universal experience, especialy when a toddler is involved. All of the repairs we requested prior to closing on the house were not completed when we closed, and I had a fitful night of tears over the situation. Those repairs have been/will be made over the next month, and I'm feeling much more relieved.

On the family front Grace is doing very well and loves her new room and the house in general. The kitties seem to be enjoying the additional space as well. Craig and I are astounded that we could ever live in such a fabulous house, and I have to say that the house makes living in Macon much more appealing. Macon itself leaves a bit to be desired, but I will not let myself make judgements until we have lived here for at least a year.

Craig seems to be enjoying his job and the department. He is busy prepping his coursework for this fall and working on a manuscript resubmission. He still manages to walk home for lunch every day (it takes him 7 minutes to walk from his office to our front porch), and in those terms, our move couldn't be better.

For those who haven't heard our tale of woe over the house numbers, be aware that if you really want to get in touch with us, please use 1073 instead of 1061. If you write to us at 1061, the letter will be returned. This story is much too long for this post, and I am still too irritated about it to relate the story anyway.

Already this post is too long. Craig and Grace have left to talk a walk around the building, so I should end soon and let him get to work. More pictures of Grace to come soon. Love to all. E

2006-06-19T14:50:00.000-04:00

At this point, posts are going to be few and far in between. Our back bedroom is almost completely filled with packed boxes, half packed boxes are stacked in nearly every other room of the house, and Zuzu, our sensitive female cat, has taken to hiding for most of the day. Thankfully Grace seems to be taking the mess in stride, partly because every morning she has someone new to see and something new to do (this morning, for instance, she and her Aunt Quentin spent three hours at the YMCA pool, and tomorrow she will be with Abby at her house in Martinez).

Yesterday, we took a break from packing to celebrate Father's Day. We drove to the Savannah River towpath, so Craig and Grace could jog while I road my bike. We took a break three quarters of the way through our trip to take a swim in the Savannah River. We brought a suit along for Grace (without swim diaper) and midway through our fun, Grace crouched down along the riverbank and started to pee. As she watched the stream flow down her legs, she looked up at Craig and said "I pee-pee." We couldn't be more proud!

Hopefully, we'll be able to work in a little more fun while we're packing over the next week. We're planning to disconnect our internet soon, so this may be my last post for awhile. See you soon in Macon.

Address Change

2006-06-07T13:15:00.000-04:00

Grace at Isle of Palms

After we made an offer on the house in Macon, I came up with this really cute idea for address change cards. Once the offer was accepted, I set out to order them. When I filled in the section of the card with our new address, I used the address from our loan application thinking this must be the right one. I was wrong. Our address cards arrived this week, and I got them ready to send out to people only to realize that NO our zip code is not 31210 but rather is 31201. Ackk!!!!! My mother says this is what happens when one tries to be too efficient! In any case, you all should be receiving your totally cute cards in the mail soon, and if there's any confusion over my notation, our zip code is 31201!!

slow on the update

2006-06-06T20:14:00.000-04:00

Once again, we are falling behind updating our blog. This is what happens when you add a near two year old to the moving mix. Thankfully Craig has been successful at setting up the moving company (among other tasks) while at work. Goodness knows we wouldn't get those things done at home.

So last week Grace and I traveled to Isle of Palms to spend a few days at the beach with Quentin and her family (our absense allowed Craig to get a lot of work done on the house). Grace loved the ocean; she squealed with delight every time we crossed the dunes, and it came into view. We had a great (but somewhat sleepless) time. During the course of our visit Grace learned to climb out of her pack and play (and fall on her head, ouch), and she's put this skill to good use on her crib at home. Yikes. Craig and I aren't ready for this!

Now at home, we have settled into an unsettled routine. Grace seems a bit concerned by the number of boxes occupying all of our rooms, not to mention the elevated stress levels of her parents. To relax, we have started a water babies class, and tonight Daddy was able to make it for the class as well. The babies range in age from six months to four years, so there is a great diversity to enjoy. Despite my assurances that Grace can trust me in the water, she is clearly more comfortable in her dad's arms. There are so many ways in which Grace prefers her dad that I try not to take it to heart. Though sometimes I have to admit that it hurts my feelings.

I promise to add new pictures soon, including some with Grace's hair in pigtails. I know, I know, can you believe that she has enough hair for that!

Bubble Bath

2006-05-25T13:23:00.000-04:00

Those are Grace's latest words. She pronounces them very slowly, and it sounds like bu-bul baf. We've been waiting for her to develop her language skills a bit more, and I think we're starting to really see the transition from dolphin speak (as her teachers at Open Door call pre-talking) to real words. Of course, Grace has never had any difficulty making her needs and wants known to us. We certainly understand her when she yells Dada at 6:30 in the morning or repeats "No" ten times in a row, but I am enjoying watching her acquire new sounds and words.

Since Craig and I have been so fixated on our move to Macon, we haven't posted much on Grace. She's still in that magical state of being a baby and yet a toddler at the same time. Over the last few months, her temper tantrums have increased in fury, but for the most part she stays in good spirits. She and I have started to have legitimate fun together. The reason I say this is because now we can participate in similar activities (swimming at the pool, for instance), and we share really wonderful quiet moments together where she lays beside me and rambles on about whatever is on her mind.

There have been so many moments in her short life that I have been overwhelmed with my feelings of love for her, but something is different now. I feel that overwhelming feeling of love all the time. Perhaps it's because I can see even more clearly her life unfolding before her. There were times during my pregnancy and her early life that I had ambivalence about the choice I had made to become a mother. I suppose that those early misgivings only make my emotions now seem that much more compelling.

Here's a picture of my love at Open Door's End of the Year Party.

Tour of the new house

2006-05-24T10:59:00.000-04:00

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I have finally finished the home video of our new house we will be closing on at the end of June. This may be a little boring for some of you but trust me, I have edited out the worst of my camera work. The video is about three minutes long and has no sound but it does give you a good idea of what our new home in Macon will look like.

Enjoy,

Craig

It's been awhile

2006-05-17T12:19:00.000-04:00

Because we've been very busy. In the last two and a half weeks we made an offer on a house, countered a counter offer, received an acceptance of said counter offer,and welcomed lots of family to Augusta to attend MCG's commencement activities where Craig received his Ph.D. hood. It's been a wild and emotional ride, but we couldn't be happier.

First, we'll update you on the house. On our last trip to Macon, we concentrated on viewing homes close to Mercer and downtown. We saw some pretty crazy, and somewhat scary homes, mixed with two beautifully restored historic houses close to campus. It was a very difficult decision to make, but in the end we decided to maximize our dollars and make an offer on the home that included Mercer's financial incentives. Above you will see an image of the house, but this doesn't do it justice. As soon as Craig has a spare moment, he will upload a video clip that highlights the interior (including heart of pine floors, floor to ceiling windows, grand living spaces, and ample bedrooms). As I mentioned in an earlier post, making the decision to settle in a transitional neighborhood requires a leap of faith on our parts. We simply remind ourselves that buying this house represents an opportunity to live by our values...and how often does that occur in this day and age?

The day our final offer was accepted my parents came into town, and they were quickly followed by Craig's Mom and Dad, his brother, Mike, sister-in-law, Laura, and my sister, Betsy. On Friday, we all gathered together to attend the Ph.D. Hooding ceremony, which was a lovely intimate gathering of those receiving degrees from MCG's School of Graduate Studies. With 667 graduates, the actual commencement exercises, held later that afternoon at Augusta's Civic Center, were far less intimate. In between the ceremonies we had some time to relax at our house (as you can see from the image above). The days festivities culminated with a dinner hosted by Craig's parents at the Partridge Inn. Here we were joined by our closest friends in Augusta, Quentin, Dawn, and Bryan. We shared an evening of wonderful food, too many drinks, and moving expressions of love, gratitude, and appreciation. While Craig and I still have one month left in Augusta, the evening of May 12 will remain in our memories as the night we celebrated our life in Augusta and upcoming move to Macon.

I know that Craig has much more that he would like to share himself, so I will end here. To those who provided emotional support over the last four years, please accept my deepest thanks. We wouldn't be here without you. E

our girl

2006-05-04T20:45:00.000-04:00

New Videos

2006-05-03T14:20:00.000-04:00

As promised, I am here posting some other new videos that I have recently uploaded. Remember, you can view all videos new and old by selecting one from the sidebar (new feature).

This weekend Ellen and I are going to make a return visit to Macon. Our good friend Quentin will take care of Grace ALL DAY on Saturday. This is, trust me, a daunting task for one person. That leaves Ellen and I free to leave early in the morning and come home in the same day without having to worry about Grace napping or turning her nose up at our efforts to feed her. We have a handful of places that appear to be close to Mercer's campus and with many of the "historic home" features we are looking for. Two of these we were very excited about after reading the description. We don't want to get our hopes up too high for that perfect house, and we certainly don't want to settle for a house just because we don't want to keep looking. If it comes to that we have decided we would rather rent for a while. Obviously one move is a lot easier than two moves (plus Mercer is only paying for one move) so keep your fingers crossed that we find the perfect place on Saturday for the Byrons to call their next home.

Enough with the chatter. Here are two new videos we call "Dancing with Dolly" and Grace at the Carwash".

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Video Hosting - Upload Video - Photo Sharing

Easter Egg Hunt

2006-04-29T01:21:00.000-04:00

I have finally gotten around to uploading some new video. Here you can watch a five minute clip of Grace going on her first Easter Egg hunt. As you can see she had a wonderful time, as did we. Don't forget about the latest slideshow Ellen posted about our future president.

I am too tired to say anything more except that making this five minute clip was hard work.

Enjoy,

Craig

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[April 30 update: The sidebar now contains links to video clips of Grace, enjoy!]

Loneliness

2006-04-28T11:55:00.000-04:00

After a scheduled meltdown at 11:45 this morning, Grace headed off to her crib for a nap. Crying hysterically often indicates a need for sleep. My own need for sleep was fulfilled yesterday evening when I went to take a nap at 5:30 and didn't wake up until 11:00pm. I think we've all been turned upside down by our most recent trip to Macon. Craig seems to be managing the best, in part because he can function with much less sleep than either Grace or me.

The quiet in the house and the upcoming change in our lives has made me feel somewhat melancholy. I know where my primary concern lies. I'm afraid that I'll be lonely in Macon, more lonely than I get in Augusta. That's the way it is for stay at home moms, unless you get really good at getting out of the house and making new friends. Since I have viewed myself as a short-timer in Augusta, I probably haven't made enough of an effort to reach out to other moms; hence the loneliness. I do have friends, but they work, which only leaves weekends for much of my socializing.

It's going to take a herculean effort to break out of that pattern in Macon. However, if there's one thing that can shake up your view of yourself and your life, it's a move. I never could have imagined how different my life would be in Augusta when Craig and I were first married and living in Ohio. If I follow that reasoning, who knows what Macon holds in store for me. I know how important it is to look at the move to Macon in terms of opportunities rather than losses. I'm working on it.

[see the new slideshow of Grace Byron, future president, at right]

Pool ready

2006-04-27T13:11:00.000-04:00

Bathing Beauty, April 23, 2006

We've calmed down a bit since our return from Macon. We decided that we don't need to hurry back this weekend to find a house. We're going to wait another week, partly to see what else comes on the market, but also to give us some time to re-evaluate what we have already seen. Craig and I tend to get a little overly excited, so it's a good thing to take a little more time to make a decision. This will also give us an opportunity to investigate rental property as well.

Yesterday afternoon Grace took a three and a half hour nap, so I think she has recovered from our trip as well. This morning she had a date with her Dad for donuts at Open Door Preschool. I'll let Craig relate that story at a later time, suffice to say that many donuts were consumed by Grace, her friends, and their daddies.

I just learned that the outdoor pool and waterpark has opened at our local Y. I intend to get the whole family there this weekend, and sign Grace up for a water babies class. Sadly, Macon doesn't have a facility such as this, so we're going to take full advantage of the Augusta Y while we're still in town.

I know that Craig has a backlog of video that he would like to post, so check back over the weekend for the latest.

Making our way to Macon

2006-04-25T13:17:00.000-04:00

We just returned from a busy weekend in Macon. We left Augusta on Friday morning, arrived in Macon by noon to have lunch with the chair of Craig's department, and then spent the rest of the day driving by prospective houses that our real estate agent had suggested. It was an exhausting day, and just the beginning of a tiring weekend.

In the end we saw a number of houses all over Macon. The northside suburbs look like suburbs everywhere, and in Craig's mind represent a certain kind of hell. Houses closer to Mercer are more interesting (and more expensive) with lackluster schools. In and around the University are historic homes that have fallen into disrepair. However, on the positive side, the magnet school two blocks from Mercer is one of the best in the state.

In the last five years Mercer and the city of Macon have made a commitment to revitalize the neighborhoods adjacent to campus. This comes in the form of incentives for faculty to buy homes in the area. If you purchase a home that has already been rehabilitated, Mercer gives you a stipend of $15,000 towards the purchase. If you buy a home in need a repair, Mercer will provide a second mortgage of $80,000 to rehab the property. Many faculty have already joined in the process of revitalization, and it is in this area that Craig and I would like to settle.

Buying a home in a transitional neighborhood takes a leap of faith. It is easier to take the plunge knowing that the University stands so firmly behind revitalization. In the next week to a month, we will continue our search. We already have a lead on a newly rehabilitated home, and we plan to return to Macon this weekend to hunt for houses a bit more. We may or may not realize our dream of living in a historic home, but we're going to enjoy the process nonetheless.

I would feel guilty if I didn't include a bit of information about the star of this blog. Grace was a trooper over the weekend. She had two days with no naps, and while a bit grumpy, she wasn't totally unbearable. Thankfully, Grace's godmother, Quentin, has agreed to watch her over the weekend while Craig and I trek back to Macon. We anticipate that our search will be a bit more fruitful without our near two year old in tow.

Below is a picture of the babe in her new bikini, thanks to Grammy.

hunger strike

2006-04-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

Today Grace ate one quarter of a banana, three ounces of milk, and two small bites of pasta. That's it. That's all I can get her to eat. This has been her mode for the last week or so: eating less and less and less. In fits of concern over her caloric intake I have allowed her to snack and subsist on a carb only diet. Today I drew the line. I have waited and waited and waited for her to demonstrate hunger. When she finally did at 4 pm, I offered her vegetable lasagna. She took two small bites and then started playing with her food. She pushed her plate away. So I took it and let her leave the table. I know that eventually she will eat--if she gets hungry enough. Or maybe she won't eat.

I don't want to battle with her over food. It's just that my life as her mom has revolved around her poor eating skills. It started with breastfeeding. She absolutely refused the breast around three months. Refused actually isn't strong enough of a word for her aversion to the breast, but that was over a year ago thankfully. In any case that early bad experience with Grace's eating patterns has turned me into a paranoid food-pushing mother. The angst of it all.

My mom thinks that Grace, being a strong willed individual, will always fixate on the issue causing me the most stress. In this case it's food. So perhaps I should fixate on something else. It's really too early for potty training. I suppose I could fixate on her sleeping habits, but she's already a good sleeper. I'm afraid that all I'm left with is food. Hmmmm, maybe I should just try to find some humor in all of this. It's worth a try.

in her studio (aka the kitchen)

2006-04-19T10:29:00.000-04:00

This post is for my dad. He kindly made Grace her very own table, pictured below. I knew it would be a big hit, but even I've been surprised by how much she loves sitting on her own to work on artistic creations.

Georgia Peaches

2006-04-16T19:46:00.000-04:00

Yes, that's us, and that's what we will continue to be. I have been offered and have accepted a tenure-track position as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. The offer includes a good salary, start-up funds, moving expenses, and the chance to settle down a bit more. The department requested that I start sometime in July, and we anticipate moving to Macon in late June.

This is exciting news for the family. It will mean more stability in our financial and emotional lives and a significant step forward for my career. While we never imagined that we would remain in the south long-term, we're looking forward to enjoying warm temperatures year round and living in closer proximity to Hotlanta (we'll be 1.5 hours south).

Now it's time to get busy, really busy. Over the next two months there will be many trips to Macon to set up new living arrangements and to familiarize ourselves with the area. It will also be a time when we cram in lots of extra moments with our friends in Augusta. Over the last four years we've come to view this town as home. In fact, Ellen and I have been together longer in Augusta than anywhere else. This is where our daughter was born, where we found a supportive church community, and made lasting, deep friendships. Our parting will be difficult, but we know and hope that Macon and Mercer will provide many new experiences and relationships.

Obviously there will be more posts concerning our progress towards moving, our new address, and new contact information at Mercer in the coming two months. Also, tune in to the blog for more videos of Grace from this spring. I have a backlog of footage that I need to begin uploading when there is a free night.

Craig

Olivia Newton Byron

2006-04-11T12:21:00.000-04:00

Our Friend Matt, who now lives in Colorado, bought this outfit for Grace before she was born. Grace accessorized the ensemble with a headband and belt.

Grands

2006-04-06T16:23:00.000-04:00

Grandparents are great. Grace's grandparents are better than great. My mom, dad and grandma arrived on Monday, and we managed to fill nearly every moment with new experiences and fun. Grace thoroughly enjoyed her time with her grands. She had three new laps to occupy, and she spent much of every day rotating between them. Grace's great gran, or GG as we affectionately call her, had a workout each morning when Grace commanded "up, up". She wanted to be seated in GG's lap. Then it was onto Grandma's lap for some songs, and Grandpa's lap for some kisses. Grace behaved true to form, a princess in every way.

On Monday, we had an impromptu celebration for Craig's upcoming graduation. He received a spectacular pair of Pentax binoculars from my parents (Thanks to Uncle Mark for steering Mom and Dad in the right direction). Craig already has plans for his present. Unfortunately he didn't get much time to try them out because he departed the following morning at 5 am for his trip to Vancouver.

Thankfully the rest of us didn't need to rise so early. We spent a leisurely morning and early afternoon at home. After Grace's nap, we ventured downtown to the famous Beamies for lunch. Grace cleaned out an entire container of cocktail sauce and tried to liberate GG's tartar sauce as well. With food in our tummies we headed for the river. The weather was absolutely perfect, and we all relaxed on benches and watched the water. Grace provided constant entertainment and exercise. Grandpa and I spent a lot of time trailing after her so that she wouldn't pick up too much garbage (one of her favorite pasttimes).

The main event on Wednesday was a trip to Aiken, SC. Mom went to a trendy little knitting shop while the rest of us wandered the main drag. We spent quite a bit of time in the Aiken Center for the Arts, which featured large metal sculptures of crustaceans. Grace was pretty excited. Between the sculptures and the jazzy music playing she was ready to set up camp and stay the night. When we tired of window shopping, Grandpa took us out for icecream. I thought that I would share a small bowl with Grace, but in the end she only allowed me to have two bites while she gorged on the rest. Grandpa tried to share his butter pecan, but it didn't hold a candle to the chocolate delight I had ordered!

This morning we gathered ourselves together a little bit earlier (after one of mom's famous scrambled egg breakfasts) and set off for the Georgia Golf and Gardens. The previous night I had arranged for golf cart transportation through the gardens, so my mom and grandma could enjoy them fully. I think we were quite a sight as we traveled along the path--especially when Grandpa decided that Grace should learn how to drive and honk the horn too!

As you can imagine the gardens were glorious this time of year. If we had more time, I think we would have enjoyed a picnic along the lake. My dad commented that if he lived in Augusta, he would like to bring his morning coffee and paper there to read every morning. We ended our trip in the children's garden, which also has some enormous golf balls for kids to climb on, and Grace and GG had a great time following eachother around.

It should be no surprise that when my parents and grandma departed this afternoon Grace's behavior made a radical change. She's been a pill since they left the driveway. By the time I got her into bed at 7 pm she was crying and I felt near tears myself. Thankfully Daddy will be home tomorrow afternoon!

I feel so contented that my parents and grandma were able to make the trip up to Augusta. To have my grandma, my heart, in my home was such a special treat. As always, to share my daughter with my parents is a true joy. When I see the love they shower upon her, I feel their love that much more.

I'm almost embarassed to admit that I took 218 pictures while they were here. I have uploaded a selection of those to my Flickr Account for your enjoyment. -Ellen

Twenty Months Old and Ready To Drive

Hello Cow, Hello Gorilla

2006-04-03T12:48:00.000-04:00

Meet two of Grace's animal friends, Mr. Gorilla and Mr. Cow. In the last month Grace has taken to acting out scenes with her animals. It often involves one animal clomping around and making noise while the other animal tries to plant a kiss. The kissing thing she picked up from Craig. He likes to kiss Mr. Gorilla, what can I say. Craig and I are thoroughly enjoying watching Grace imagine new activities for her animals. Nana-Nina says that this is advanced behavior for our girl. Of course we're proud.

Today marks the beginning of Masters festivities in Augusta, and there can't be a better time to see our city (that is if you don't mind the golf traffic). Our spring has sprung, and the entire town is lit up with azalea and dogwood blossoms. Spring in Augusta is beyond anything I have ever experienced. The Midwest and Northeast may have spectacular falls, but there's no place like the Classic South for the months of March and April.

Today also marks the arrival of my parents and grandmother. They will be staying with us for a few days while Craig travels to Vancouver for the craniofacial research meetings. It is fortunate that their trip coincides with peak azalea season. I am eager to give my grandma the grand tour. Grace, no doubt, will be ecstatic over all of the extra attention she will receive in the next few days. The girl can turn on the charm, as Aunt Besty and Nina can both attest.

I will do my best to post pictures of the extended Williams-Phillips family over the next few days. E

hmmm, what does fingerpaint taste like?

2006-03-31T12:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Daddy

2006-03-29T12:30:00.000-05:00

It's Craig's 31st birthday today, and Grace and I are busy with preparations for his birthday dinner tonight. The kitchen is already a disaster; imagine a 19 month old making a birthday cake and you get the image. Thankfully, Grace is giving me a nap break right now, so I can get things under control.

As I reflect on the last year of Craig's life, I see a number of highlights. Writing his dissertation, defending it, watching Grace learn and grow, Craig and I learning and growing as a couple in our sixth year together, applying for jobs, teaching anatomy, the list could go on. It hasn't always been easy, he's had to withstand varying degrees of stress and anxiety along with the triumphs. When I think of how proud I am of his accomplishments and who he is as a man, I can't help but get emotional. My friend Quentin often says of Craig, "he's a good one, there aren't many like him." So happy birthday to my good one. I hope for many more happy years to come.

To close, I thought I would post two pictures of Craig and Grace; one from just about a year ago, and the other from this past weekend.

On the canal

2006-03-25T17:28:00.000-05:00

Last weekend's post has been hard to top. We can't in fact. Everything we have done in the past week just pales in comparison. That won't stop me from posting though.

For us most weekends are crammed with errands or work around the house. Pretty boring stuff. We also try to make time to do something together, all three of us. Today, we decided to take Grace for a boat ride on the canal.

The Augusta Canal Authority owns two Petersburg boats which travel up and down the canal three times a day. These boats are replicas of the orginals that transported textiles and other goods on the Savannah River. We thought Grace would LOVE going on a boat. She would get to see ducks, and turtles, and maybe a gator. But NO she didn't love it. She liked it. By the end I think she really enjoyed herself. However, she didn't particularly like the life preserver she was forced to wear, and Craig and I worked hard to keep it on her for the duration. She looked like a little orange pilsbury doughgirl. The preserver made it really difficult for Grace to snack on the oatmeal and raisen cookies mama brought for her to enjoy.

There's no surprise that the person who most enjoyed the trip was Craig. We were the only passengers, so the captain let Craig take the helm for awhile. Now Craig can brag that he has driven the largest electric boat in the world (at least according to our tour guide). Grace didn't seem phased that her dada was steering the boat. She was much too interested in the fire extinguisher at that moment.

The entire trip took an hour and a half. I don't think we're going to run out and do it again next weekend, but it's definitely worth another trip when we have guests in town. I have uploaded pictures from our excursion onto Flickr, so you can enjoy them as a slideshow or individual images. -Ellen

St. Patty

2006-03-18T09:50:00.000-05:00

Beads. Suckers. French Fries. Marching Bands. Giant Inflatable Slides.

Yesterday was the best day of Grace's life.

We picked up Craig from MCG at 1:30 and found a place on Telfair to watch the St. Patty's Day parade. All children love parades, and Grace is no exception. Beads were thrown. Candy was tossed. Grace learned quickly to run into the street and pick up the loot (this morning we wonder whether or not this was a good skill to learn). Mommy relented and let the girl have her first sucker ever (she has received many over the last few months; seems every time there is a party at Open Door she comes home with candy). At first Grace didn't know what to do with the sucker. Daddy showed her the ropes, and soon yellow drool was streaming down her chin onto her green outfit. Life was good.

Of course, the main attraction in the parade was the marching bands, at least from Grace's perspective. She bobbed up and down as the drums played. She swayed back and forth to the horns. I think it's time to invest in some Sousa marches for the babe to enjoy. At one point, Craig had to restrain Grace from running into the street, and she had a major meltdown. Being the supportive partner, I snapped as many pictures of Grace's grimace as possible.

After the go-cart riding shriners passed, we made our way to Beamies for some refreshments. Many of you know how much I labor to ensure that Grace eats healthful meals, so you won't be surprised that when our order of fried oysters and french fries arrived, Grace stuffed her face as quickly as possible. She dipped her fries in cocktail sauce, ranch dressing, and ketchup. I thought she might cry she was so excited. When there were no more fries, she tried to drink the ketchup from the bottle like a beer.

She did cry LOUDLY when we walked past the inflatable slides that were set up at Oglethorpe park for the Irish Fest. So both Craig and I took turns waiting in line so she could go down the big kid slide. Craig and I are too big to slide with any speed, but Grace raced down so quickly I almost didn't catch her on film. We finally managed to tear her away from the fun at 5pm, and by the time we walked to our car we had a very tired girl on our hands. She went to sleep without too much fuss, and then Craig went out to meet the guys for some St. Patty's celebrating (we're pretty sure that the last time we celebrated St. Pats together was five years ago in Indianapolis). Hopefully we won't have to wait another five years to spend the evening of March 17th together again!

For additional images of our day yesterday, see the sidebars entitled "Slideshows" or "Photos".

Farmer Grace

2006-03-16T21:21:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest video of Grace practicing her farm animals with me before bed. If you did not believe she was a born dancer then prepare to change your mind. Over the last several months Grace has been using basic signs to "talk" with us about the things she sees around her. It actually has been a great way for Ellen and I to begin to have little conversations with Grace. She loves to point at various objects and tell us what they are (either using a sign we both know or by making one on her own). So far, farm and zoo animals are the best things to talk about which suits Ellen and I just fine (although I think our cat Oliver would prefer it if we could talk about him more often). In the video you will see Grace sign for bird, pig, horse, rooster, and demonstrate some serious rhythm.

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New Pictures

2006-03-15T18:34:00.000-05:00

The following five pictures were taken this afternoon. If you would like to see the full set of photos, click on 'One Afternoon' to the right.

Fueling up for a trip to the playground.

Getting dirty in the sand box.

Yee-haw!

Mama just said No to me. I think I might cry.

Cleaning up after all the fun.

Dancing Queen

2006-03-14T11:51:00.000-05:00

Or perhaps I should say Dancing Princess. Whatever the title, Grace is our dancing girl. Craig wrote in a post in February that every time he drops her off at Open Door she entertains her teachers and the other kids with her dance moves. Grace's dancing isn't limited to the classroom though. Over the weekend while we were in Savannah Grace could be seen dancing at the Irish Festival and on a walk through Forsyth Park. Give the girl a beat and she'll start to move. We noticed early in her development that she enjoyed music, even if it was only her Dada doing his salt-n-pepa impression.

Grace's actions demonstrate that she loves to dance, and now my mom and dad have sent me an article that says dancing might be in her genes:

Some people, it appears, are born to dance. After analyzing the DNA of the families of 85 professional dancers and 872 other people, researchers spotted two genes that appeared in the dancers, but not in the others. They weren't genes for rhythm, coordination, or flexibility. Instead, people who love to dance are genetically programmed to respond strongly to hormones and chemicals that promote feelings of spirituality, social communication, and bonding with other people. "The genes we studied are more related to the emotional side of dancing," researcher Richard Ebstein tells Discovery.com. Dancers, he said, have "the need and ability to communicate with other people and a spiritual side to their natures that not only enable them to feel the music but to communicate that feeling to others via dance."

I think it's a little too early to speculate on Grace's spiritual nature. In the meantime, we're just going to enjoy watching her move her little body.

Southern Exposure: It's in the 80's here

2006-03-13T12:21:00.000-05:00

The Byrons are back together again. Grace and I departed Savannah at 1pm yesterday afternoon, and we arrived at the Augusta airport with plenty of time to greet Craig as he exited the plane. Grace gave her dad a big hug and a coy smile. At first she seemed a bit shy, but she quickly warmed up and was dancing circles by the time we walked to baggage claim. Craig's connections were so tight on the way home that his baggage didn't arrive with him. No bags means that Grace has to wait a little longer to get her gifts from Dada.

In terms of jobs, the meetings in Alaska were informative for Craig. He's no longer on the SUNY Albany list. I don't think we're too bummed about it though. There still appears to be interest from the University of Illinois, and he had a good interaction with a faculty member from the University of Tennessee. What this all means, who knows. We are still waiting to hear from Mercer as well. To say that Craig's job search has us preoccupied is an understatement. Of late, we seem to only be able to have conversation regarding employment. My vocabulary is beginning to sound stunted. If it isn't Grace or a job for Craig, I don't know what to talk about.

This may prompt some readers to wonder what is going on in my life regardless of G & C. I'm afraid I would have to report "not much". I've been under the weather with gastrointestinal issues for the last three weeks. I finally got a doctors appointment, but I have to wait another three weeks to see him. Hopefully, whatever has me down can be easily remedied. If I were Craig, I would undoubtedly give you much more information about my ills, but I learned after the puking post that some of you don't like to read that much detail!

The high temperature today is 84. As much as I dislike our steamy summers, I have to admit that 80 degree weather in March feels pretty darn good. Ellen

PS. No pics, sorry. Our digital is limping along. The batteries are only holding a charge for 10 minutes. It's either time for new batteries or a new camera.

Northern Exposure

2006-03-10T19:06:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Alaska! I am in Anchorage attending my annual anthropology conference and am having a nice time but missing Ellen and Grace. Hopefully they can join me next year when our meeting will be in Philadelphia, PA. The weather has been beautiful with crystal clear skies each day. The Iditarod sled dog race is in full swing and I am getting updates everyday in the paper.

Anchorage is a nice city. It is quite small and our hotel is centrally located so everything is a short walk from where I am staying. The Alaska Range is just on the edge of town with impressive Mt. McKinley on the horizon. The two photos below do a good job of showing you scenery I am enjoying. As we flew into Anchorage we had a great view of the mountains.

It will be great to be reunited with Ellen and Grace on Sunday.

Craig

Bye-Bye

2006-03-09T09:34:00.000-05:00

Daddy's plane departed Augusta at 6 am yesterday morning (I received a call from Craig at 11:30 last night that he had finally arrived in Anchorage), and Grammy leaves us at noon. Lynne and I took Grace into school this morning for her regular class, and Lynne was proud that she didn't cry in front of the teachers when she had to say goodbye. It's hard for Grace's grandparents to see her so irregularly. My dad calls weekly to check on the progress of "princess Grace". He often starts the conversation with "well, I was just sitting her thinking about the princess...." It's no surprise that Grace thrives on the attention she receives from her grands.

Grace and I will be alone for a few days until her dada returns on Sunday. To fill our time, we plan to take a roadtrip tomorrow to see Grace's Aunt Betsy in Savannah. We will spend a couple of nights there and then get back to Augusta in time to pick up Craig from the airport. He's only been gone for a day and already I am anxious to see him.

For those who are interested in news of Craig's job interview, he feels that it went well. Mercer is on spring break right now, so Craig doesn't anticipate that he will hear anything until the end of the month. He hopes to talk to some other employment prospects while he is in Anchorage this week. Obviously we are hoping that something good will come from his interview(s), but in the event that no job is offered, his post doc position is still available for another two years.

We will miss Grammy, but we look forward to seeing her and the rest of our family for Craig's graduation in May.

Fieldtrips with Grace

2006-03-06T13:25:00.000-05:00

We have two new videos to share of Grace's visit with her Grammy. The first one was from our visit to the zoo in Columbia, SC. The second video was taken on a church playground around the corner from our house. Grace is becoming quite the little ham as you can see from her lizard sign (tongue going in and out) and her boisterous "Hello!"

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Grammy's coming, Grammy's coming!

2006-03-02T10:54:00.000-05:00

I've been repeating this phrase to Grace for most of the week. Grammy arrives tomorrow afternoon, and we are excited to have her in Augusta. Her visit coincides with Craig's interview at Mercer (he leaves at noon today and returns late tomorrow evening) and his subsequent departure for the Physical Anthropology meeting in Anchorage, AK on March 8th. I think I may be the most excited person about Grams's visit because she will give me a needed break during Craig's absence.

She will get to see our girl in action: climbing on top of the kitchen table, out of her highchair (while strapped in!), and otherwise wreaking havoc on the house. Grace really is a treat to watch (except when on the verge of doing something dangerous). I told Craig that it's just a matter of time before she falls and seriously hurts herself (beyond the chipped tooth and numerous bruises she has already received). She comes by this naturally. Craig has a scar under his eye, on the back of his head, and on his knee. It was fortunate that a doctor lived in the neighborhood while Craig was growing up--it saved many trips to the ER.

Craig was up late last night putting the finishing touches on his presentation. He is rightfully nervous, but I kept telling him that regardless of the outcome I'm proud of him. He worries at times that our life has meant too much sacrifice for me (living on a post doc salary does present numerous challenges), but I remind him that our wedding vows didn't include a promise to live without stress or poverty. Whatever sacrifice the last five years has brought has been shared by both of us. We are equally committed to his journey to attain a tenure-track position. In the end, I simply feel fortunate that I have such a wonderul, smart, funny (and sometimes stinky) life partner. I wouldn't weather the challenges that life presents very well without him.

So please, think good thoughts for Craig over the next 24+ hours or say a prayer if that's your preference. --Ellen

Grace's walking shoes

2006-02-28T23:31:00.001-05:00

Grace decided that she wanted to dress like mommy so she put her shoes on the wrong feet and wore her headband (see at the end of the clip). Tuesday is usually my (daddy's) day to take Grace to her morning class. When we arrived, the song "Old MacDonald" was playing and Grace decided to bust out her dance moves. All the other mommys were very impressed with Grace. She did not seem to notice as she placed her hands on her tummy and swayed side to side. It was too cute.

In other news I am traveling to Macon, GA to interview for a job in the Department of Biology at Mercer University. Hopefully this is the first of at least a couple interviews to come. Just to give you an idea of the competitive job market, I have applied for 31 jobs SO FAR! I have received flat out rejections from around 15 and positive bites from 4.

Wish me luck!,

Craig

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Yoga Baby

2006-02-26T10:02:00.000-05:00

Whenever I have a particularly trying day with Grace, she always turns around and does something so cute, so loving, that I can no longer be frustrated. Yesterday was a trying day. So trying that I actually left for two hours to do laundry at a laundromat (we have a washer and dryer at home). Craig was left to fend for himself with the beast child. I know that oppositional behavior is very age appropriate, but I'm getting a little weary of "NO!"

So this morning Grace turned on the charm to warm my heart once again. Craig set up the yoga mat to stretch his back and Grace joined in. I don't really care for the word "cute", but it's appropriate for what transpired. To see images of our Yoga Baby and her Dada, see the sidebar entitled Slideshows. Enjoy.

ni, ni, ni, ni

2006-02-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

That's how Grace expresses no. This is a relatively new development, and for that I'm happy. I know that for some kids their first word is no. For Grace it was kitty, followed by ball, and then thank you (pronouced tank oo). Still, "no" is a firm part of her vocabulary now, and she chooses to express it loudly, much to my embarassment.

The latest fit of no occurred when I picked Grace up from her Mother's Morning Out Program. She loves going to Open Door. She loves it more than being with me; I'm just not that exciting these days. I went out onto the playground with one of the other mothers, Emi. Emi's daughter Misake ran across the playground into her mom's arms. Grace, on the other hand, took one look at me and ran in the opposite direction saying "ni, ni, ni, ni". Miss Mo, one of her teachers, gathered her up and brought her to me, and Grace promptly broke down into tears and threw herself on the ground. I had to pick her up while she threw herself around and exit the playground. She screamed the entire time. Her teacher said "Grace, you're hurting your mommy's feelings." Actually it doesn't hurt too much. I'm glad that she loves being at MMO, but I have to say that I wasn't all that happy about dragging her out the door while she screamed. I thought that maybe if I let her walk to the car on her own she would settle down. No, she turned around and headed back into school. So much for that strategy.

As Craig's mom says, she's no shrinking violet. That's for sure. Craig and I remind ourselves that it's good for her to have a strong will, at least we hope so.

BREAKING NEWS
Amendment to this post at 9:54 am: We just received news that Grace is going to get a little girl cousin this summer. Mike and Laura expect their little lady bug to arrive mid July.

aye, no, mou

2006-02-22T10:40:00.000-05:00

Grace has added so many new words to her vocabulary that it's hard to keep track. The last I counted she uses over 30 signs, but those are quickly being replaced with spoken words. I think that Craig and I understand 60% of what she says. The rest of the time she stares at us with a frustrated expression and repeats unintelligible phrases. As the title of this post shows, her latest favorites are words that describe her face: Aye = Eyes; No = Nose; and Mou = Mouth. I wish that there was a Grace dictionary to interpret the words that I don't understand.

Grace Pictures from her School

2006-02-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

Ellen has been reminding me that this blog is also for me to create posts. To get back into the habit, I have scanned some photos that were taken of Grace with her classmates. These really make Dad smile. For those who did not know, Grace goes to a Mother's Morning Out program on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at The Open Door Preschool.

Pictured from left to right, front to back are Misake, Grace, Jamie, Caleb, Kene, Henry, Shino

tall drink of water

2006-02-15T11:51:00.000-05:00

That's the verdict after Grace's 18 month appointment today. Since birth she has gained 15 and a half pounds and now weighs 22.8 lbs. She has added 13.5 inches to her height and now stands at 34 inches. She has grown two inches and gained two lbs in the last three months alone. These statistics put her at the 25th percentile for weight and the 95th for height (she's been at these percentiles since she was 4 months old).

The biggest change at this appointment, however, was the lack of tears over her shots. She received two today, and she doesn't have to get anymore until she starts kindergarten. It's time to celebrate.

Every appointment reminds Craig and I of how much Grace has grown and changed. It's hard to remember those first few months. When I see babies that are a year and younger I vaguely remember the early stages of development, but it seems like a long time ago.

As for Craig and I, five years ago today we got engaged. Neither one of us could have imagined what our life would look like today. We have a doctor in the family and a beautiful baby girl. I've got a lot more gray hair. In sum, the last five years have been better than we ever could have expected. Now we are anxiously anticipating the next stage, which will hopefully include a tenure track position for Craig and a move from Augusta. Keep your fingers crossed.

Happy Valentines Day

2006-02-14T20:43:00.000-05:00

Grace belongs to the Chicks Class at Open Door Preschool. Today they had their Valentines Day Party, and Grace brought home a special valentine for her Mama and Mama (as she refers to Craig most of the time).

Since Craig and I both have colds, we opted out of the traditional valentine's dinner out, and instead we ate take out Vietnamese Pho. The steamy and spicy pho cleared our heads, at least for a little while. Pretty romantic, huh?

Hope you all had a happy heart day.

Joyful Girl

2006-02-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

During this past week, as I have mourned the passing of my grandfather, my grief has been interrupted by a joyful 18 month old who demands that I pay attention to her happiness. I thought I should use this post to spread some of her joy.

Video #1: This is Grace enjoying her new swing that dada and grandpa put up. She really prefers to be twisted in the swing. Back and forth motion scares her.

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Video #2: It's fun to fingerpaint. Aunt Betsy was kind enough to get Grace paints for Christmas, and as you can see, she thoroughly enjoys getting her fingers dirty.

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Video #3: Here watch Grace and her latest dance move: circles.

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Finally for those of you who can't watch the video, click here to see Grace in the catsuit outfit her grammy sent.

I want to thank my friends and Craig's parents for extending their sympathy to me in the last week. I am looking forward to seeing my grandmother and other family this coming weekend as we join together to remember grandpa.

On a final note, Happy Birthday, Mom. We will see you soon.

Discipline

2006-01-30T12:30:00.000-05:00

There's nothing like an 18 month old asserting her will. It's enough to make me question my parenting skills. By 9:30 this morning Grace had experienced four meltdowns, tears streaming down her cheeks, legs kicking, voice screaming after Craig or I had told her NO. Finally I managed to drag us both out of the house for an hour long walk, and this action improved both of our moods. Still I'm feeling a bit at a loss in the discipline department.

Being the over analytical parent that I am, I've read at least three different philosophies on discipline, and none of them appear too helpful. I get that kids need discipline, that different kids need different types of discipline, and I understand that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff. There are moments though when the "small stuff" drives me bananas, like throwing food on the floor. Not funny. Well maybe a little funny, on occasion. Grace gets a devilish look in her eye when she knows she's doing something wrong, and it's so darn cute that I laugh despite my attempts to be the disciplinarian. But that's the cute stuff. The not so cute is throwing my coffee mug (thankfully empty) on the floor.

What is most difficult for me in this new stage of Grace development is when I overreact to small no-nos. This normally occurs at the end of a long day when both Grace and I are frustrated. I think I probably need a time out as much as she does at that moment (although, did you know, there's substantial disagreement in the literature about the effectiveness of time out). I guess I'm just going to keep muddling through. At least she pays a little attention when I say no. If it's Craig, she looks at him as if to say "whatever, you're not the boss of me!"

Grandma & Grandpa came to town

2006-01-27T12:51:00.000-05:00

Grace's grandparents arrived in Augusta last Monday, and they were able to spend three nights with us. Grace clearly loved all of the attention she received. Whether it was reading numbers with Grandma or making Grandpa chase her down the boardwalk at Phinizy Swamp, she ran the show. One of the highlights of their visit was the installation of Grace's swing. She doesn't like to go too high or too fast, but otherwise the swing is a big hit (for evidence see the slideshow at right).

Craig and I enjoyed ourselves as well. Having company was a great reason to cook and eat lots of good food. Since we weren't able to travel to Florida to celebrate my dad's 70th, we had a small party for him on Monday night, complete with made-from-scratch birthday cake. Of course, we probably have a few extra pounds to deal with as a result.

We took mostly video while they were in town, and I have to wait for Craig to upload it onto our computer before I can post images of Grace with her grandparents. This is probably a skill that I should learn sometime soon. In the meantime, enjoy Grace and her swing.

zoomania

2006-01-22T20:12:00.000-05:00

We woke on Saturday morning to rain and gloom. Kind of a depressing day. We had some errands to run in the morning, and by 11 we began to see the tiniest hint of sunshine. A little sun was the only motivation we needed. We buckled Grace into her seat and hit the road. It's just a little over an hour to get to the Columbia Zoo, and by the time we arrived Grace was slumbering in her seat. We let her finish her nap and then we caught the tram over the river to the animals.

I've had fun at zoos in the past, but nothing like Saturday.

Grace squealed when she saw the elephants. She clapped her hands together to sign alligator when she saw one warming itself on a bank. She flapped her little arms at the birds and hooted at the primates. She was so full of herself that her little body nearly vibrated when she walked. She strutted, she skipped, she ran. She loved all of the animals: turtles, gibbons, snakes, fish, gorillas, brown bears, monkeys, flamingos, giraffes, zebras, and more. For the first time she was more interested in the animals than she was in other little kids. We've been to the zoo twice before, and each time the main attraction was 4 to 7 year old boys. Boys don't hold a candle to tropical fish now (her dad is greatly relieved).

The only bummer is that both the video and digital cameras were out of juice, so we don't have any pictures to post. We did take our old camera, but I'm afraid that only the grandparents will receive those pictures by mail.

Instead, here's another blast from the past:

Grace at 7 weeks

two things

2006-01-19T10:51:00.000-05:00

1) Finally I have uploaded pictures from our Christmas in Georgia and Indiana. You can find those in the column to the right.

2) I have to admit to something. I've been reading blogs, somewhat regularly, of people I don't even know. It's one of those things where I found a link on a friend's blog and that took me to another blog. Now I know that this is the purpose of providing links, such that your friends and family might find some information or inspiration from another blog, but it makes me feel like a voyeur. I feel like I'm pulling back a curtain and peering into someone's living room. Again, I understand that this curtain is one that people want to be pulled back. He, she, or they are writing about their lives to form connections with a larger community. And I understand that for myself there's a reason I keep returning to certain blogs.

That's the real reason I'm writing this.

I found a blog through Mandy's Spot called Teb's Page. It chronicles one 29 year old woman's struggle with stage IV metastatic melanoma. Like me, she has a young child and a handsome husband. Unlike me, she is facing a devastating illness that may take her away from a life that she loves. Teb's page is both heartwrenching and inspiring. Her words, her posts, and people's responses to them give me hope for humanity--even in the face of such sadness.

I'm still battling with whether or not I should even read this blog, but I'm human, and I guess checking in on Teb's progress and setbacks makes me feel the interconnection we all share as people on this planet.

Of course a post isn't complete without a picture of our girl engaging in one of her favorite activities.

sleepy time

2006-01-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

Since we returned home last week Grace's sleep schedule has been in a bit of flux. Three of those days she simply wouldn't take a nap, and this is the girl that requires at least 15 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. And then over the last three nights she has been waking up crying multiple times (she was sleeping 13.5 hours straight before). What we've learned in the last 17.5 months is that good naps beget good night time sleep, which in turn begets good naps. Somehow this cycle has been disrupted and we're trying desperately to get back on track (it's amazing what three nights of poor sleep will do to a parent...I'm not sure how we endured 9 months of it in the beginning).

Now some of Grace's sleep problems can be attributed to our return home. There are so many toys that she forgot about while we were away, and she has to give each and every one individual attention. Unfortunately, I think the other issue that is leading to poor sleep is her Mother's Morning Out (MMO) program. Basically, we miss the nap window while she is in class, and this girl will NOT nap after school. I've tried. And tried. So what's a mommy to do (realize that this is a mommy who almost loves MMO more than Grace)? Suffer the consequences, I suppose. Taking Grace to MMO gives me a little sanity, some time for myself. How selfish! I don't really feel like it's selfish because I've learned through this mommy process that I have to find a balance between Grace's needs and my own. Whenever the balance tips too much to one side we're in trouble. I think this means that at least on Tuesday and Thursday I'm going to have an overtired girl...and probably an overtired mommy and daddy. EMB

Here's a pic from the archives.

Happy Birthday, Dad

2006-01-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

It's my dad's 70th birthday today (hard to believe since he acts 10 years younger), and we had hoped to make a trip down to Florida to see him for his big day (troubles with the car prevented us). We wish we could be with him, so to take our place we've posted some pictures of the 'princess'.

Directing Mama and Dada while they work in the yard

Two farmers after their work is done

Reading with Mama

Happy Birthday, Dad. We love you.

Paris Photo Extravaganza

2006-01-13T13:29:00.000-05:00

Okay, everybody, we have uploaded 70+ photos of our trip to Paris (see slideshows at right). As I write this Grace is fussing in her crib after waking from her nap, so I'll make this short. Hope you enjoy the pictures. We enjoyed our trip!

WE ARE HOME

2006-01-11T18:14:00.000-05:00

It's been 18 days since we last saw our house in Augusta. It's good to be home. Craig's friend Mark picked us up at the airport at 5:15 pm, and Grace was asleep by the time we had pulled away from the curb. The drive home from the airport (all 20 minutes of it) was a little rough...something isn't right with the Odyssey. Just what we wanted to face after nearly a month away: car problems. Oh well.

So it's back to life, back to reality?? We have a crunchy Christmas tree to dismantle, a barren fridge to fill, three full bags plus carry-ons to unpack. But once that's done we can sleep in our own bed, with our own animals, and wake up in our own home. The trip was great, but it's been too long away!

We will update the blog in the next couple of days with pictures from the Byron Christmas and of course our trip to Paris. Till then. e & c

Bonne Annee! (Happy New Year!)

2006-01-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Paris! We arrived on December 30th to wintry conditions. The photo at left shows the view outside our hotel room shortly after check-in. We have a great location. Craig needs only to walk across the street to be on the grounds of the Natural History Museum.

On our first day we acquainted ourselves with the neighborhood, the Latin Quarter, and that evening we enjoyed part of the mass at the Notre Dame cathedral. Our second day was a marathon. We began at the Eiffel Tower then went on to the Arc de Triomphe, from there walked down the Champs d'Elysee through the Grande Palace, the Petite Palace, the Place de la Concorde, and the Louvre gardens, ending our walk at Pont Neuf of the Ile de la Cite. We finished our day by watching the Eiffel Tower light up to greet the New Year with a thousand other Parisiens and tourists on an overcrowded bridge. After a poor night's sleep (too much New Year's fun) we spent a leisurely morning eating croissants, cheese, and coffee before an afternoon walking through the gardens and in the Grand Hall of Evolution in the Museum of Natural History.

Tomorrow Craig starts his work in the collection of the museum, and Ellen will try to visit the Louvre without exhausting herself. There's simply too much to see.

We hope you're all well. We wish you happy new year and hope to see you soon.

Love Ellen and Craig

Video Christmas Greetings

2005-12-21T17:51:00.000-05:00

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from the artist

2005-12-18T18:08:00.000-05:00

"Blue and Red"
Grace Margaret Byron (2004- )
fingerpaint done while sitting in high chair

"Rudolph: My Foot and Hands"
Grace Margaret Byron (2004- )
construction paper and glue

Craig spoke too soon

2005-12-15T11:52:00.000-05:00

Feeling better? Not quite yet. Turns out that the virus Grace passed to me turned into a bacterial infection, and now I'm on horse pill antibiotics and a prescription decongestant. Thankfully, the drugs are working and the nasty stuff is starting to come out--I know, kind of gross to write about, but I've been with Craig long enough to have been influenced by his sensibilities! Grace seems to have weathered this bug with no ill effects. Apparently I take better care of her than of myself...to all the mothers out there this is no surprise.

Grace is at her last MMO session for the year. They are having a winter festival: the PC version of a Christmas party. Grace looks too cute in the velvet jumper that her Gram sent to her. On Tuesday she brought home her latest art projects from school, including a decorated bell and antler ears. The idea of our little girl participating in art projects brings a tear to her daddy's eye. We've also been making trips down memory lane and watching old videos of the babe, which invariably leads to more boo hooing about how much she has grown. No worries that this makes us want another child just yet. Her dad thinks that ONE is the perfect number.
eb

Pictures from Nina

Feeling Better

2005-12-11T19:50:00.000-05:00

It has been a rough several days. Grace had a bad cold last week that is still with her in the form of a runny nose. Whatever Grace had was passed to Ellen on Thursday and she has been out of commission since then. Yesterday it looked as though Ellen was getting better but then today she felt as bad as she did on Thusrday. I think tomorrow will be different story since Ellen appears to be doing well after a calm day of washing cat urine off of our bedding. Yes, our cats have finally declared war on us. They are peeing in strategic locations sending a clear message they are unhappy. I guess they want some movies taken of them and posted to this site. Maybe next post. For now, I have a movie from the Grace vault. This was the first video taken of Grace on March 11, 2005. She was 7 months old and to me looks so different than now. Man, they do grow up fast don't they? Enjoy the video.
Craig

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cooties

2005-12-09T19:57:00.000-05:00

Yes, we have a problem with cooties. Last week Grace had a very full dance card and somewhere along the way she picked up a nasty little cold which she decided to share with me. This wasn't your garden variety cold. No, it was the type that makes individual hairs on your head hurt. Yesterday was so ouchy that I didn't even get out of bed except to move to the couch. Grace essentially had the run of the house, and thankfully she didn't hurt herself. This morning I woke from a coma like state at 9:30 to hear her chattering away to herself--I have NO idea how long she had been awake. After a slow morning I finally began to feel more like myself. Grace is chipper as ever, even though she has had a boogery nose for the last 4 days. I hope this cold doesn't last too long. I don't want to lose another weekend. EB

scrapes and bruises

2005-12-04T19:55:00.000-05:00

I don't think I can count how many times Grace has tumbled in the last week. It's not her shoes. She's not having little strokes. She's just into EVERYTHING. Like climbing on top of tables, twirling around the living room with a blanket over her head (the fall from that one caused a bloody lip and a bruise on her forehead), and generally crashing around the house. At her 15 month appointment, her pediatrician told me that the next three months are often the most dangerous for tikes. It sounded scary when she said it, but now it's my reality!

The incident that caused me the most indigestion though occurred while shopping for Christmas Presents. We were in an upscale store for tots (here we weren't shopping just dreaming), and the place is set up with an expensive play kitchen for toddlers, complete with wooden stove, table and chairs and refrigerator. Within minutes of being there Grace went for the fridge and pulled it down on top of herself. Ack. The furniture is supposed to be for KIDS. It shouldn't fall over on top of them! The store owner passed the blame off on me...should be watching the kid closer.

She's a joy, she's my love, but she's giving me grays!

I know it's cold in Georgia, BUT I HATE WEARING MITTENS!