Baby 101

Grace has been busy learning to take care of her baby.

She pushes her in the stroller.

(she's still learning to multitask - walking and grabbing baby is too advanced)

She kisses and rocks her baby.

(learning to hold baby and not clap for self is also too advanced)


She even feeds her baby.

(feeding baby and not self hasn't been achieved perfectly either)

Presents, Presents, Everywhere

Merry Christmas!!!

'Twas the Weekend Before Christmas

We spent the weekend in San Antonio celebrating Christmas with all the Velas. Grace grew the family number to 18 this year and we were blessed to all be together.


We tried taking a picture of all the cousins. Grace wasn't really cooperating and certainly didn't want to wear her hat.



Grace got lots of loving and attention from her cousins.


Obviously shopping with a 10 month old is quite difficult. Add the horrible shopping in Corpus on top of that, and I feel like I'm a terrible gift giver these days. However, I was so excited about Kelsey and Taylor's towels that I had made for them.


Steve got to put his Santa elf skills to the test by putting together one of Grace's presents. She wanted to be a part of it as well.


These silver pants were the hit of the white elephant exchange.



But this was Grace's favorite place all weekend. Right in Grandpa's lap.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Brrr!! I'm sure our 40 degree temps today are quite balmy compared to other areas. Getting Grace to cooperate and wear a hat was not an easy feat. She did leave it on for our ride to the post office, but I'm not sure she could see out too well.



PS: In the first picture, notice the thumb and the tugging on the earlobe. While Grace has been a thumbsucker for a while now, she's recently added the ear thing in. Anytime she's tired, bored, or needs comforting, those two things pop into action.

Do you think she cried?

Of course, she did. They did manage to capture this shot between tears though. Santa's beard was real and yellowing. I think I would have cried too if I were in Grace's position.

Let Them Eat Cake

Grace's friend Madeline turned 1 last week. She has been so fun to watch grow this past year. I love to find out from her mom what she's currently doing so that I know what to expect from Grace in 8 weeks.

Her mom made a delicious cake that Madeline loved getting into.



Steve gave Grace a few tastes so she'll know what to expect in 8 weeks.


Happy Birthday, Madeline!!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

how lovely are thy branches....for now, at least until a curious 10 month old gets a hold of them