Growing Up

Grace Olivia is already two months old!

Grace's First Big Trip!

While I was busy packing for our family's trip to Grove City College for my brother Matt's graduation, Grace practiced holding her head up on her Boppy pillow. Let me add that it's amazing how much stuff is required to travel with a baby for a weekend. Grove City is an hour north of Pittsburgh, so we were anxious to see how Grace handled the 5-6 hour trip. However, she seems to be in the middle of a growth spurt, and she spent most of the trip sound asleep!



The Baccalaureate service was outdoors. Admiral Alan Baker, a Naval chaplain, spoke (and played the harmonica!) Grace did a great job. Steve joined the other new dads at the back of the crowd where they all rocked and bounced the babies. Here Grace is waiting for Uncle Matt to appear out of the crowd of graduates.
Grace had a meal from a bottle for the first time!


Grace and her Aunt April hanging out in the hotel room. Somehow we managed to fit 5 adults and a baby in a Pack 'n Play crib into the room!

Saturday was a fine day for Commencement ceremonies! The campus was gorgeous, of course, and the ex-Deputy Attourney General of the United States gave a good speech. Steve and Grace missed the end of the ceremony because they were in Ketler Rec. enjoying another bottle. I must say I rather enjoyed not being responsible for two whole feedings this weekend!

And so, Matthew T. Wilson is officially a distinguished alum of Grove City College
We visited some dear college friends in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Here we are with Natalie, and with Brad and Kelli. Thanks for the hospitality! Move to Maryland.

Feet

Daddy's Biggest Fan

Grace snoozed at Steve's lacrosse game last week. Steve's JV boys had a great season, loosing in the playoffs to John Carroll but finishing the season in third place.

This weekend we're off to our alma mater, Grove City College, for Matt's graduation! How will Gracie handle the long trip?? I'll have to document the whole adventure.

Grace and Pop Pop

Milestones

Ah, the busy world of a 51/2 week-old baby. Grace has recently found her thumb...

learned to swat at toys...

and likes to scoot around on the floor...although only her feet are working at this point. Her arms and face kind of slide across the floor!

Predictions

Grace, after she eats.

Our little Grace may not be so little when she's all grown...she's in the 95th percentile for height! Her pediatrician says she's long and lean. I suppose that would be good for a modeling career? A middle hitter on the volleyball court?

But her fingers are long as well, as my fellow shopper at Safeway pointed out this afternoon...so maybe Grace will be a pianist.

Whatever she does, she'll be cute doing it!

Grace's one month check-up went well. Her doctor was surprised at how alert and easy-going she was (as evident in the picture above), and commented that she's developing ahead of schedule. Grace smiles, coos, holds her head up well, and can track objects with her eyes. It's been fun having play time with her the past week!

May Day

Yesterday Grace turned one month old!

Today we celebrated May Day in Annapolis with our good friends Mandy and Emma. It was our first outing with another Mommy and daughter, and I had so much fun getting out into the warm sunshine with Grace. Grace loved it too, she slept the whole time.

Annapolitans hang beautiful May baskets on their homes and businesses downtown. The ladies from the Garden Club judge them and award ribbons to the best baskets. This new mom remembered the burp cloths, change of clothes, and diapers, but forgot the diaper wipes and the camera to take pictures of this beautiful city!! Thankfully Mandy provided both.

These are two pictures Mandy took of the Deterding girls out on the town!