Chicken eats. (part one and two.)

These videos pretty much speak for themselves...

We sat our trusting little Grey down for a taste of Chicken and Chicken Gravy. Trying to stay away from anything too sweet...we went straight for the meat! I took a first bite for her to show her how yummy it is (my first lie to her! May it be the last...)  Needless to say, she didn't agree.



(sorry about the shaking...the laughing, I couldn't help it!)

Later in the day. We thought we'd mix it with breast milk and give it another go:

a tooff!!

A tooth. Yawn...yeah, yeah - what about those eyes?!!

One day after her 7 month birthday, a little white pearl showed up on our sweetie's gums... I didn't actually even notice that it had broke through... it was Dad's great discovery! Today it is pointy and I'm sure Grey can feel it. Ooohhh, the lovely feel of a new beginning!

horsin' around

Neil Diamond studied to be a doctor but didn't pass organic chemistry. At that point, he realized it might not be his thing. Neil Diamond. Yeah exactly, NEIL!!!! In an interview he said he considers himself one of the luckiest people in the world. He and I both. I'm 33 years old. Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he penned the Declaration of Independence, the world's most principal and transcendent document for human rights. Yes, it was 1776 and he owned about 200 slaves at the time but whatever, he also admitted it was necessary guidelines for the future. If he had a nickel for every time someone quoted 'we hold these truths to be self-evident'... oh wait he is the nickel. Christ Jesus was crucified when he was 33. Woah! This year, for me, at the ripe age of 33, I realized that the coolest thing I've ever done in my life was become a husband and father. Like, James Dean cool.  Hip-shaking Elvis on prime-time cool. I've finally MADE IT!! And it's the hardest, most difficult, and crazy *thing (*accomplishment) I've ever **done (**achieved), and it's only just begun. Watching Dena and Grey together lifts me up off my feet. Every time. Today we went to the Arlington Nature Center, Tree Hill, and Grey saw a horse for the first time. She loved it. God has his plan and you kinda have to brace for it and go with it but when you reach a place where you never imagined yourself and find that it shadows everything you've ever done or tried to do... Try to hold on... and simply give thanks. The best journeys in life are the ones that answer questions you never thought to ask.

I had to include this pic of Grey and her teething carrot.

art by grey

Inspired by wanting to write letters to all our lovely grandparents and great grandparents, I thought it'd be fun to put in a little "hello" from Grey. I'm sure she could hold a pen, but it would probably go into her mouth. So I thought finger paint of some sort would be nice.

I readied some paper, paint (food coloring and water!), and although my husband is a painter, my brush was a muffin wrapper crunched up. I dipped the wrapper in paint and Grey moved the paper under it....sometimes grabbed at my arm trying to get the colored wrapper. But the outcomes where pretty nice. As nice as baby art can be. If nothing else it warded off boredom for a little while. (and amused mom!)

Here is one for the blog to enjoy...

Ah. Autumn.

Autumn time. So refreshing! A hot beverage on a cold day...
Going for a brisk walk, breathing clean cold air...
Enjoying every moment wrapped in a cozy scarf...

Yes, I'm super duper WAY cute.

Come on fall!! I am so ready! Today's high is a ridiculous 90. Raise that a few notches for entering-car-temperatures. Poor Grey. She's been a good sport about being indoors so often. And enduring the wait as the AC in the car kicks in. Still, we are rockin the winter wear when we can. Hats and onsies. Tanks and long socks... Someday we'll get to jackets or even pants.
I'm having fun dressing this little one.
Also, those extra touches help strangers know that she is a GIRL!

going faster than a rollercoaster.

You know what I'm talking about. T I M E.

And I'm not even going to think about how the rest of 2010 will fly by with all the holiday madness. I mean fun.... Everyday Grey is growing and learning something new. Us too! New stuff is beginning everyday. We are venturing out with cloth diapers. (Ohh, so brave...) And we got Grey into her own room. Leading to much more sleep for mom and dad...ahhhh.

I think she's in the process of scheming on how to get around on her own. I put her on the floor and she does this squirm forward on her belly and face. Mmmm, not quite a crawl there, my love.

And although it's bringing on pain now, the idea of teeth is coveted. I give her a cold carrot or apple to soothe aches and I think that might be helping. Or she is just happy to have whatever-it-is that mom has. Hey, if she wants fruits and vegetables, that's all good with me.

But other than this, she hasn't had much practice with food. Nope. Still stuck on mom's milk. But still thriving! I have a feeling that next week with the 6 month check-up we'll be instructed to have her try baby food. For practice if nothing else. We'll see. Stay tuned.

She's funny. Look at her crossing her little legs. Hee hee.

Ready for rocket ships or whatever gets a spoon a little closer to my mouth...

 

baby dedication!

Sunday was the highlight of this week. 

Started with all of the Kahles off to church together. This never happens because Jude is usually playing guitar, so I stay home with Grey - or the other way around - I am singing, and Jude's with the babe. We could leave her in the nursery. We visit the nursery...but we won't leave Grey there* till she can at least sit up on her own.

Anyways. Grey was amazing. I mean, as parents, of course we think so. But even the pastor was impressed.**  She was the cutest. She tuned right in and was such a good baby. I know, I know, I'm gushing.

Well, I knew the dedication was important to Jude and myself, not that we needed to go through the ceremony but we were excited to. All parents are anxious about raising a little person, but getting the moment to stand up and say that we wanted to raise Grey as God wants us to, and with the best of all our efforts...made me choke up. You can see in the video I'm holding back the tears with a little lip bite! Ha ha! It was so sweet. She also got presented her first Bible, and first prayer time with tons of church friends all surrounding her. She seriously had a crowd of church fam around her - that is one loved little girl.

It was a great day. I'm way proud! ***

Check out the video. You can skip till the dedication part. The explanation of the dedication starts at minute 40, then they begin at 49 and Grey is up at minute 59:30! I smiled at the camera to you on purpose...to anyone was watching.  To watch her in a fuzzy video: Grey's Dedication is the link for you.

I have crazy lip, and I look like Mark!

*from fear of sickness and overpopulation.
**Which just further verifies that he is both intuitive and supportive. We talked to him after and he mentioned he'd never see a kid focus in like she did! You can see in the video he pauses after the dedication to see if she'll brake her gaze. It's awe (of course!) Kind of makes it neat that he was there to marry us and dedicated our baby. Thanks Antley Fowler!
***hence the rambling. Sorry.

A shark, a plankton, and a walrus. The walrus was Connor and I owe him a pop-tart.

Upon leaving Navarre we saw these little fellas crossing the street and consequently, a pretty sweet photo op. Dena and I are at the point in our lives where we are not hesitating to jump on a sweet opportunity so we busted a u-turn right there on the causeway before the bridge (because u-turns on bridges are illegal and Dena and I aren't quite yet in the business of breaking laws). We followed these guys to a 'save the sea-life' festival a couple blocks off the main road. We were in road trip mode, fully packed and ready to travel but we stopped, woke up Grey and got her out of her car seat. Unfortunately, we caught up with these guys as they were de-costuming for their break but they were kind enough to get back into character for this pic and, though Connor (the walrus) was totally bummed he didn't get to nosh his pop-tart,  they were extremely gracious and willing to pose with us... without a peep of complaints. Awesome, guys, you're an inspiration to us all!!

Gulf Coast Vacation (vay-kay-shee-ON)

 Good morning, all. Greetings from the gulf coast of Florida, the panhandle, no not the guy roadside at stoplights asking for dollars (God bless him with abundant grace), the beautiful sugary white peninsular beach town of Navarre (nə-var). Google it whatever. That's where we are... here with Grandma and Grandpa Walton from Washington (state) and the John Walton's from Ohio (Grey is enjoying her 3 cousins! Caleb, Cole, & Celtan). The weather is perfect, actually a bit cool, we are watching (via tv) the tropical storm system batter most of Florida (& the Carolinas). Dang! wish you were here! Tropical storms are exciting to me but, of course, please stay safe! OK!?! Anyway! My first (we)blog(gingly) post comes to you with love and a small piece of advice- Vacations are brilliant (make a note of it), and my new favorite thing. Our biggest decisions made in 3 days has been the pool or beach, and Oh Heck (google it) or Texas Holdem(sp?). You know what else is a good idea? 'Bacon flavored Instant Baby Formula' (as seen online). It's never too early to nurture a healthy taste for bacon (thats what I always say and, no doubt, you agree). Makes a great gift (hint). Back to the weather, torrential downpour of bacon flavoring? Now that's news. From the 10th floor (our condo rental) and due to the crystal clear waters of the Gulf (of Mexico), you can watch the stirringly active sea life not usually visible off the coast of Jax Beach. Stingrays, sea turtles and a couple sharks, very close! one uncomfortably close while we swam. I'm sure they're always close by while swimming in the ocean but now we can see them. (Whoa! enter orchestral Jaws theme Du-nuh!) Yes, my dad humor has been in full force lately and you know I'm enjoying it. That's my new thing, cheesy humor is quite good for a goofy, juvenile laugh... and the kids like it too (haha). SO ANYWAY! to answer your question, there has not been a sign of the oil spill, not a drop. The water is clean and clear, the wild/sea life is thriving, and the local seafood is delish. Storms blew in from the south the first couple days we were here but no sign of the BP blunder. Sorry to disappoint those who appreciate some good scandalicious drama. That's what facebook is for. SLAM! (just kidding) JK (jude kahle) buy my book, it's called "What flavor, red or purple?"

Along came Kahle...I'm so glad she did!

The weather is finally cooling. I went on a nice long walk today with 2 other new moms from my church. It's nice to be in the same boat as far as any of our daughters (yes, we all have girls!) could get hungry or have a melt down at anytime. We did need to make a stop, but luckily for us Jacksonville is full of quaint little parks. Grey was awake, quiet and observant for the whole walk. So content! I took her out to stretch a little...and get her first swing experience!

 She loved it! She enjoyed the whole walk, actually. It's so nice to get her outside. Finally.

Of course...as soon as she got in the swing, she instantly mouths the black rubber. Nothing like a little immunity boost. Sheesh.

doing the blog thing.

We've been planning on starting for almost a year now, and finally, the blog has begun. Exciting! I am feeling pressure in writing an "amazing first blog" ...so I'm going to keep it simple. Actually, I'll just let Grey welcome you.


She's got lots to say. Babbles and bubbles mostly. At 5 months (to the day!) we're pretty proud of her!
Be ready for lots of future baby rantings.
I can't help myself.