I've been out of commission for a while with blogging because I accidentally dropped my laptop on the tile floor. I think my big belly got in the way. So, now I only have Ben's computer to use every now and then when he's playing basketball. Here is an update of the past couple of weeks in the Martino home:
Big Girl Bed: It only took Gracie a week to figure out she could get out of bed herself. She is very good though when she gets up and usually just plays in her room until we come and get her. When she tries to sneak out and we see her she runs back to her room and quickly climbs in bed...its pretty cute. As far as potty training, I'm not quiet sure I'm going to tackle that until after the baby comes...we'll see.
32 Weeks: I'm 32 weeks along and everything is going really well. I feel great and look forward to meeting this sweet little girl who moves around in my belly way more than Gracie ever did. If you have any suggestions on names we'd love to hear them. Gracie came with my to my apt. today and insisted on undressing because she remembers that from her apt. She was pulling at her dress when the doctor came in saying, "I nakie doctor". It was pretty funny. 
Gracie is sleeping in her toddler bed (at night and for naps) and has been for over a week now. It was a much easier transition than I thought it would be. Ben sang songs and laid with her the first night for about 20 minutes. After that, she went down fine (a little fussing) and has been doing great ever since. It is so cute to see her in there and it really makes her seem so much bigger. It's pretty funny because there are a few things to remember when putting her in her "big girl bed"... she is very particular:
On Friday we had a birthday party with Gracie and two of her friends who also have January birthdays. The theme was teddy bears and I made the cake. It was my first time making a cake like this and I really enjoyed it (even though it took a few hours). I think I might have to take a cake decorating class some time. Gracie especially liked the cake and sat at the table for 20 minutes enjoying every last bite. 
We had such a wonderful day celebrating Gracie's birthday. We began the morning with pancakes and bacon on the "You are special today" plate. Of course we had to decorate with streamers and balloons to set the mood. 
That afternoon I had a meeting for church. Luckily the other women at the meeting have kids who Gracie loves to play with. We brought cookies and Gracie thought it was a play date just for her. 
After the meeting we met up with Daddy at McDonald's for Gracie's very first Happy Meal and let her play in the play area for the first time. She liked the chicken nuggets and especially the toy. It was hilarious watching Ben go through the tunnels and down the slides with her. 
After her nap, she opened her wagon from Nana and Pop and we went on a nice walk around the neighborhood. The weather was perfect. 
For dinner we had chicken and broccoli (one of Gracie's favorites) and then opened more presents. Her two favorite things were a flute/recorder (thanks Nora for the good idea) and Mickey Mouse blanket Grandma sent her. 
We ended the night with a Pazookie from BJ's. I don't think I've ever seen Grace eat that much dessert. She practically ate the whole thing by herself. She was definitely wild when she got home from sugar overload and was fun to play with. 
I think she somewhat understood it was her birthday, she definitely knew presents and treats were involved, understands that she's now 2, and was such a happy little girl all day!
Wow, I can't believe my litttle girl is 2 years old. Happy Birthday Gracie Girl! We love you. More updates to come.
2 years old
Over Christmas break (Dec. 27th) Steven got married to Melinda Winegar. Ben and I left Gracie with Nana and Pop and took a short little trip to Utah to be there for their wedding. The wedding was beautiful and "The Graham's" looked as happy as ever. It was fun to be with family (minus all the kids, and the Menloves...Jen had tonsillitis) for a short time. We were grateful we were able to attend the wedding and be there on their special day. 
We've had a very eventful Christmas break. This year we spent Christmas with Ben's family and really enjoyed ourselves (during the times we were healthy). Poor Gracie was really sick again this Christmas (as last Christmas) and spent the morning in the ER for dehydration. I was just bragging to everyone how she hasn't been sick since this summer, and of course I jinxed myself and she got sick over the break. Later in the week, Ben and I both got it, but luckily it only lasted for 24 hrs.
Six flags was another fun day. I was surprised at how many little kid rides they had. We were there from opening to closing. My little dare devil wasn't afraid of any ride. She would come of saying "more".
Luckily we ended the break on a good note with a happy little girl!
We've been trying to soak up this time of year because it always seems to go by way to fast.
Thanks to Ben we have Christmas lights up this year. He and Gracie go out every night together to turn them on. 
We've been married for over 3 years now and have never had our own stockings. I've looked every year, but just have not found anything I loved so I decided to make my own. It defeintley makes the mantel complete and Grace loves pointing out who each stocking belongs to. 
Ben was excited to come home from school the other day and say that he meet his first celebrity. Andy Baldwin "an officer and gentlemen" from one of the seasons of the bachelor came to speak at Ben's school to recruit people to the marines. Maybe Ben's next celebrating citing will be someone that he is more interested in, but either way at least now he can say he met someone famous.
It was so nice this weekend having Ben around for 6 whole days! We spent a few days home putting up Christmas decor and the rest of the time in Dallas with Ben's family. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed being with family. This weekend I began to get a small glimpse of what having a two year old will be like. I know most people call it the "terrible two's" but I think troubled, trying, teachable, terrifying, and terrific could also be described at this age. She is teaching me so much lately and I'm slowly learning how to be a Mom to an almost 2 year old. Everyday''s an adventure.
Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. I forgot to get a picture of the food, but the table setting with china and crystal was beautiful.
We went to Gatti Town ( a nicer version of Chuck-E-Cheese). Of course Gracie won this game with the help of Daddy
Her favorite thing to do was ride the merry-go-round. She won that little doll on the game she played with Ben and wouldn't let it down the rest of the day.
We went on a cute little train ride that they turned into the polar express. It was fun to sing Christmas songs on the train and see Santa.
I really don't like posting pictures of myself pregnant so this might be the only one you get. I've had many requests of my growing belly. I figured since I'm half way there I'd let you all see. This time it has gone by much faster than when I was pregnant with Gracie. I can't help but think since I'm half way there I'm going to be getting twice as big. Poor Gracie... my stomach already gets in her way when she sits on my lap to read books. This pregnancy has been really easy and I'm really enjoying it.
We all dressed up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse thanks to Gracie's love for Mickey. My sister gave Gracie this cute costume that she found at a yard sale for .50 cents (thanks Jen) and we took off from there. We had a great day. We went to music makers, a friends Halloween party, the ward party, and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood after. Gracie loved all the costumes (especially hers and Ben's). She even thought Ben was really Mickey when he first came out all dressed up. By the end of the night she got really good at trick-or-treating, and understood it meant candy in her bag. She would first knock, say "treat", was very polite and said "thank you", but only after saying "more". We had a fun Halloween!!!
I love fall, and especially all of the fun Halloween activities. It is a low key, stress free, fun time of year. Gracie's loved all the pumpkins (even though she still calls them apples). We're looking forward to dressing up going trick-or-treating.
We went over to some friends house to carve pumpkins and have delicious caramel apples. Gracie did not like taking out the pumpkins seeds. All we heard was "awh-oh" every time a little pumpkinwould get on her hand...thats my clean little girl for you. 
