2013 in Review..

We're ending 2013 on a good note..

besides a runny nose, Grace is healthy!!

 

It's been a good past year, a few bumps along the way..

but to end it with a healthy Grace.. is all that's really important to us!

 

Grace had two music class sessions this year..

& two swim class sessions as well..

(we'll shoot for the same in 2014)

she absolutely loves them both... she loves swimming with Dada

on Saturday's, and going to music class with Mommy on Friday mornings.

 

She celebrated her 2nd birthday in August with friends & family

she was wearing 9-12 month clothes & in a size 3 diaper..

weighing in at 19lbs, 31" long.

 

Grace is now closer to 22 lbs. In size 18 month clothes

she's around 33-34" tall (we'll know for sure on Jan. 6th)

 

Grace is now sitting up, pretty much unassisted..

& standing up quite tall with little to no support.

She also just got her walker at home..her 'gait trainor' and goes in it

daily.. with a iphone as motivation, she'll walk across the room in it

to grab the phone!

 

She was only in the hospital 1x this year.. back in June..

where she had her gtube revised.  A 3-day stay turned into an 18 day

stay, and we almost lost her.. but on the positive, her gtube has never

looked so good.. & she's gained a significant amount of weight since then.

 

She had her visit to the beauty parlor in December..

and another slated for January!!

(someone! has to help us with these curls!!)

 

A few weekend trips away.. NH last February..

and a visit to gramma & grandpa in NY in May & November.

Next year, we are looking at a warmer climate for vacation!

 

 

 

Here is she is January 2013:



  and just the other day..

 

A big difference..but still the cutest little girl in the world!!

 

 

Thanks for reading about little Miss Grace..

we appreciate all your thoughts & prayers for her!

 

As a stranger at the UPS Store said to me in June,

"You're both so lucky to have each other.."

YES WE ARE!!

 

 

 

 

Happy & Healthy New Year to you all!!

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

Christmas' Past & Present..

 

A fantastic picture I put together..that reminds me

how blessed we really are!!

 

 

 

Top right hand corner is 2011, bottom right hand corner is 2012

& on the left is 2013..

 

 

Wow.. big girl!!

Grace is doing soo well..

 

 

 

 

Love her!!

pattie & gary, Grace & max



Santa Claus.. '12 & Now..

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas

 to our readers & followers.. hope the magic of Christmas is with all of you!

 

Grace loved the wrapping paper :)

and she loved seeing her friends last night (the Hooley's)

& her cousins, Ben & Emily today.

She certainly has an outgoing personality!!

 

Here are some pics from the day's events..

 

 With her friends, "the hooley kids"

Goofing around...

 

 A handmade doll ..we'll call Molly..

Thanks to Aunt Theresa & Uncle Ray

(and Naomi for making it!)

 Unwrapping Santa's gift..and loving the paper..

 

 

Someone was a very good girl..

Thanks to our family who really gave Grace a lot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas! Peace & Love..

 

 

love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

 

 

For Gary's 'big' present.. I made him this shadowbox of Maxwell..

there is not a day that goes by that we don't wish he was here with

us.. and it's always a difficult time..but we are grateful for how far

Grace has come!  Looking forward to 2014.

 

 

 



Christmas Countdown..

It's going to be a busy next few days..

getting ready to make the dough for italian butterball cookies..

for my 1st Cookie Swap on Sunday

with 4 of my best girlfriends!!

Looking forward to it..on my birthday too!! What a better way to celebrate..

brunch, champagne & cookies!!

 

 

 Speaking of cookies.. look who tried one this week..

  Grace is doing soo awesome with her standing..this was on Thursday..when she was standing against the couch.. she did so well!! Her new bright pink gait trainor has been approved & we should get it after the holidays.  For now, she walked 5-10 feet, motivated by the iphone to walk to.. she's doing great.. getting stronger every day!

Our Christmas Tree.. looks a little crooked, ah?? lol

  Love her!

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the weekend festivities..

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell



My smart girl..

Here's my smart little girl..who mastered how to push

the top of this toy with 2 hands this week..

 

 

 



  Also doing more signing.. Mama & Dada.. although "mama" is a little off (Grace's sign & mama! lol)..she does Daddy really well..

And then if that doesn't impress you..here is the Red Sox World Series Trophy..

it was at the New Bedford City Hall today & Gary was able to get a pic

thru a friend that waited 15 min or so in line to take this picture!!

 

 

We are busy getting ready for Chrstimas here

as I'm sure alot of you are.

 

The trees on the lights are going up as I type!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!  Appreciate spending time with your family & loved ones.

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

Beauty Parlor!

Here we are.. Grace's first time at the beauty parlor.

trying to comb out her dreadlocks..

 

 

Milestone:  Grace knows how to use the iphone!

  And just working again Mom! My laptop keeps me soo busy!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

love,

pattie, gary & Grace, & max



Getting STronger...

We have our own little Rocky!!

here's some pictures to prove it..

 

  Just getting some work done Mom!

Sitting up!!

  And today.. standing watching the snow come down..

 

This afternoon, her first beautician appointment, as our favorite hairstylist,

Rhiannon is going to try & get those matted curls to not so be matted..

I don't think it's going to go that great.. we'll see!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up!

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell



Photos from our trip...

First a HUGE Happy 88th birthday to Grace's grandpa!!

 

Here's some pictures from our trip..

 

 Nonni & Grace playing "superstar"

Breakfast at Bob Evans & Grace showing off her $9.85 new fleece jacket!!

 I think Mom is saying "not so bad cake for $4.00"..  :)

Auntie April stuck me in this rubbermaid thingy.. I like it!

 

 

A nice trip..now back to reality!

PT, OT, & feeding clinic..

walking in her gait trainor, taking long afternoon naps & Mom has meetings galore!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

 



Grace's first visit to the Dentist!!

 

 

 

 

So, what if it's Grandpa.. :)

 

 

 

 

Tight lipped & all.. but she did okay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We traveled to Lewiston, NY to visit Grandpa & Nonni for Thanksgiving

and we are still here.. going back Tuesday morning. 

Grace is doing soo great with Grandpa & Nonni..

Nonnie has allowed Dada & I to go out every afternoon..

whether it's a mere cappucino down in the village or the casino (up $10 :)

it's been nice to have a few hours to ourselves.

 

This is what happened 24 hours into our first day!  It's beautiful in the least,

but I could do without it!   Great picture of the backyard covered in fluffy white stuff!

We've spent time with our nephew, Johnny Jr., Uncle John & Auntie April..

& do you all see that orb on my right shoulder.. I think Max may have been here as well...

Big girl sitting up at the resturant this morning..

 

 And a trip to the Casino this afternoon.. playing our favorite, "Jackpot Party".. we're up $10.00 .. sure would like to be up more..

but hey, maybe we won the mega millions!

 

It's been a fun trip!  Just a few days left.

 

 

Lots to be thankful for this year..

just a quick highlight, Grace is doing GREAT & is Healthy!

That is our #1 Thanks!!

 

I've reconnected with a high school friend & she is a Godsent!

A great babysitter, and house cleaner.. she is wonderful, caring & great with Grace!!

And good for me too!! Thanks Kim!!

Things happen for a reason!

 

 

 

Hope you all had a nice turkey day..and enjoyed with family & friends!

next.. 'stringing up the lights'.. :)

 

 

 

love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell



Making Strides...

Grace's gait trainor is here...

 

The only non carpet is the kitchen, which is small..soo she's just practicing..

but we will go to Vevo's this weekend to try there..

she does better without carpet for sure!

 

 

These are my two favorite pics of the week..

SITTING up like a big girl.. so

intensely playing with her horse..



 And in order to play with Dada he has to wear

his goggles.. Grace is always hitting his eyes!

 

  And watching Daddy read at Breakfast this morning....



 

 

 

Grace is getting big!

We are heading to Noni & Grandpa's for Thanksgiving!

Alot to be Thankful for this year..

& every year, when you have a healthy miracle like this little girl!!

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

Trying new things..

Grace got her new braces today..

and I don't have a picture of them..(yet!)

She got them after PT, so walked in her gait trainer in the old

ones.. she did okay (once mommy wasn't there, it was the

first time I had to wait in the waiting room).. then it was off to the sensory room

and this happened:

 

 a ball pit!! how fun!! She absolutely

loved it.. (I think Santa may be watching!!)

And who said I can't drink from a bottle, Mama??

Daddy brought home a giant eclair last night.. GIANT, ah??

 

 

 

And our big little girl is now facing forward!!

It was our personal decision & she is doing great with it :)

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up with Grace!

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell



Sunday! Sunday!

Hi, everyone! Been a little MIA.

Grace had a small cold this past week.. just stuffy nose

and such.. must be this wonderful weather we are having..

one day it's 58 (like today) & then down to 30-40's..

that's living in New England!

 

 

Today we had a baptism for my cousin's twin girls..

Congratulations to Kendall & Morgan!!

And to their parents & godparents as well.

It was a fun afternoon & Grace did soo great!

And she got to see her cousins.. which is always fun!

 

 

  Grace earning her keep.. working on fine motor skills!!

Absolutely LOVE this picture!!!!

(gotta be quick though, she still does not like hats!)

  And having a pizza crust today..

 

We are really trying hard to get Grace to the dinner table for at least breakfast & dinner.. the habits of trying to 'eat'..and the socialization

of eating at the table.. hoping she starts to get it!

She does put everything in her mouth..just need to get that swallowing part down!!

 

 

This week, we go and get her new foot braces.

Big girl braces.. on Wednesday.. I will have a picture for sure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all our veterans!

Enjoy your day off & remember to Thank a Vet!

 

 

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell