Go Gamecocks!

Grace is ready for her first Carolina football season

(and her daddy is excited too!)

Brooks has been looking forward to seeing his little girl in a USC cheerleader uniform since the day we found out that Grace was a girl.Grace loves her USC teddy bear that Kevin gave her.

This is Grace's practice uniform...she is patiently waiting for the "real" uniform which is being handmade by Janet.
Good Luck to the Gamecocks on Thursday night!

Family Reunion

This past weekend we went to Columbia for the Sloan Family Reunion (Brooks' mother's family). Grace had a lot of fun playing with her second cousin Annalise.

She saw a horse for the first time...

I think she thought it was a big dog.
Grace loved swimming in the pool with Booker.

After all the fun, she took a nap.

Grace already has two cars and isn't even one years old! Brooks' parents decided to buy her a car that would stay at their house so that she would never be without wheels.

Our Little Pianist

Grace really loves playing with her new toy piano. We decided to buy her this after she loved playing with her friend Keira's in NY. It has provided lots of entertainment! Her favorite thing to do is turn the pages...
She looks like such a little lady!

Saturday Night

Last night we went to the Mason's house for dinner. Grace loves dogs and had lots of fun playing with Bella and Moe. She watched them run around, laughed when they barked, and smiled when they licked her. Even though Grace loves playing with Mark and Carol's dogs, she really can't wait to play with their baby girl who is due to arrive in December!

Breaking Through

It's official...Grace is finally getting some teeth! Her two bottom teeth are breaking through! She woke up at 2 a.m. and then again at 7 a.m., which is very unlike her. I decided to check her mouth for teeth, and this is what I found... Grace is officially teething!

Fun in the Sun

I decided to enjoy my last Friday off before school starts by taking Grace to the waterpark. We have gone a few times this summer and she really seems to enjoy it! We met my friend Jackie and her daughter Taylor there and the girls had a blast! Grace had fun going down the kiddie slide with mommy and once again she loved the lazy river.

She also had fun just chillin in her turtle.

Taylor had fun jumping in the water.

Grace did lots of splashing just like in the bath.

Grace loves being around people and watching the big kids play.

The Girls

Here she is ready for the day.

Back to School

Grace and I had such a fun summer together, but it is almost over! I officially start back to school on Monday the 18th. Today I had a meeting, so I brought Grace to daycare (or "school" as I like to call it) for a trial run. She didn't cry when I left...at least that makes one of us! When I picked her up she gave me a big smile. Miss Barbara said she had fun playing on the mat with the others babies and really loved the jumparoo. I tried to take a picture of her, but when I put her back down she started to cry. She's no fool...she wasn't going to let me leave again. After a long day at "school," she fell fast asleep in the car.

Future Guitarist

Our Grace tends to get a little fussy in the evenings, which most people don't believe because she is fine if there are lots of people around. Grace likes to be fully entertained at night...which is great if we go out somewhere or have people at the house. Brooks broke out the guitar for a little entertainment tonight. Grace enjoyed listening to her daddy play and she even danced a little. After a while she became curious and wanted to touch the guitar. We may have a guitarist in the making!

New York, New York

As most of you know, Grace is quite the traveler...this past week was her 3rd plane ride to New York. She has been a great "flyer", but this trip was a lot easier on me because it was the first time Brooks was able to come with us. It was also the first time that our flight was on time! Grace was much more active on the plane now that she is 8 months old.

Opening and closing the window to see the clouds kept her busy for quite a while.

She also loved standing up and looking over the seats in front of us...good thing nobody was sitting there both ways. Grace smiled at everyone that looked at her and received lots of compliments on her good behavior.

Thursday, we spent the afternoon with my sister Kristen and the Reale family (my sister Jen, Dennis and their kids.) The Reales took us out on their boat while Grace stayed at home with her Nana...she had lots of kids to play with since her Nana has a daycare in her home.

Jake, Morgan and Allison

(Grace's Cousins)

On Friday, Grace enjoyed swimming in the pool with her cousins:

Friday night Brooks went fishing on the boat with Dennis and Jake ~ Jake caught the only fish!

On Saturday, we had a baptism celebration for Grace at my parent's house. Grace was baptized in SC so this gave those who couldn't make it a chance to celebrate her special day. Here a few pictures from the party:

Grace's new favorite face

Banana pudding was a hit!

Grace and her Nana

Great Grandpa Al

On Sunday we headed to Splish Splash water park. Grace spent most of the day in Kiddie Cove with Nana and Alli.

Sunday night Brooks and I went out to dinner with Jen & Dennis, Kristen & Steve and Mike & Danielle.

Monday night we went to Andrea's house where I was able to catch up with some friends from high school.

Grace had fun seeing her NY friends throughout the week. She even went to a Little Gym class with Gregory.