Moving!

Yes, it is true... we really are leaving Gig Harbor. Paul recently accepted a new job in Seattle and his commute will soon go from 20 minutes to 2 hours - each way! As much as we will miss the water and this beautiful community, we are looking forward to starting a new chapter for our family and getting settled in our new home.


Gig Harbor will always hold a special place in our hearts as where Paul and I met, got married, built a life together, and brought home our adorable little girl.


And some day we'll tell Gracie how she loved the salty air and watching the sailboats on our walks around the harbor.


Some members of the family are more excited about boxes and packing than others!


In other news... Gracie had her six month post Glenn cardiology appointment last week. Gracie received a clean bill of health and her cardiologist thinks she is doing great. Her sats are running in the mid 80s and she is in the 15 to 20th percentile for both weight and height. Our next appointment will be in six months! Even though by our accounts we think that Gracie has made huge progress since the Glenn, it's always tremendous relief to have it confirmed by her cardiologist. Can you believe that this was our little peanut six months ago...


And here she is now... getting ready to celebrate her first Thanksgiving at home!

Halloween, the Birthday Boys and Flu Shots

It was as busy week. We got together for a pre Halloween and birthday celebration with the cousins and Auntie Chris, Uncle Scott and of course Roxy. I love this picture of Gracie and Ava. They are always so cute checking each other out.


The lion pack and the bumblebee!


Our brave little lion.


The birthday boys... Uncle Scott, Paul and Dexter too.


Gracie and Daddy opening birthday gifts and a special surprise. Gracie's favorite thing to say these days is "Hi Dada."


Making great progress with physical therapy. Sitting up nice and tall!


And, finally vaccination success... the whole family is H1N1 & seasonal flu vaccinated! The flowers were a special treat from daddy after a frustrating week of long lines, many phone calls, asking to speak to the supervisor, a little pleading and finagling, and finally getting the actual shots. Sheesh, there were droves of people in Pierce County on the warpath to get the H1N1 vaccine last week, glad we got that taken care of.

Pumpkins!

The leopard and the panther

Mommy experiment...


What do you get when you put this raring to go, little cutie...


With this irresistible hairy guy in a confined space?


...One awesome physical therapy session!


She's air born!


Gracie's physical therapist has awarded Dexter the title of the Therapeutic Cat for the progress he has been making with getting Gracie to crawl.


So close...


Yet so far away... I think at this point Dexter is saying "Therapy session over, get me out of here..."


Awww, buddy, let's be friends...

Gracie goes to Leavenworth

We recently returned from our first family trip to Leavenworth, WA. Given my midwest roots, this time of year I start to crave some fall foliage, crisp autumn days, apple cider and pumpkins. What better to celebrate fall than a trip across Stevens Pass to enjoy the beautiful colors.


And here is Fraulein Gracie, our Bavarian Princess, getting in touch with her German heritage.


Practicing Gracie's "So Bigs" in the Biergarten waiting for a yummy pretzel.


The leaves, the mountains, the perfect weather...



And this adorable little girl... smiling wide, growing up so fast and standing up strong and tall.

Our Anniversary

With our wedding anniversary coming up this week, over the weekend we took Gracie on a site seeing tour of the venues of the Big Day. First stop, Chapel on Echo Bay on Fox Island. Here is our commemorative brick outside the Chapel which was recently completed.














Little did I know that the pitter patter of these sweet feet would be gracing the steps of that same sidewalk three years later.





Here we were in the Towncar ahead crossing the Narrows Bridge going over to Union Station on our wedding day. Yes, we really were adventurous enough to have our wedding in Gig Harbor and reception in Tacoma during the thick of construction of the new bridge.


















Wedding photos courtesy of http://www.wallflowerphoto.com

Roomie Reunion

Last week we met up with one of Gracie's former ICU roomies for a walk on a beautiful sunny day at Owen Beach in Pt Defiance. Gracie and Gavin roomed together after Gracie's Glenn surgery and Gavin had a Coartation of the Aorta repair. After leaving the ICU, Gracie and Gavin were next door neighbors on the Giraffe Surgical Unit recovery floor. Look at these two cuties now six months post heart surgery!


Here we are with Gavin, his adorable sister Elizabeth, and mom Heather.



During our long stays at the hospital we met some truly remarkable families. Each family with a unique story and a little one with a special heart. Families who we might not have ever met otherwise and whose kindness and friendship made our time at the hospital a little easier.