21 Weeks Old

Grace Lynn is almost 5 months... just under a week shy.

This last week has been a long one just for the simple fact that we are not getting ANY sleep.  Grace has decided that she wants to wake up every two hours at night (this has been going on for a little while now).  So, we decided to try the so-called Ferber Method beginning on Friday in hopes of her sleeping more by the start of the work week; well so far, we haven't had too much luck.  But it has only been 4 nights and we are hoping after a week or two, she will be sleeping much longer.  I think part of the problem is her teeth are probably bothering her and/or she is waking up hungry.  So, we have also decided to try loading her up during the day and just before bed in hopes that that will hold her over.  In doing this, just before bath time, we now give her cereal (yes she is eating off a spoon!).  She is starting to get it pretty well too.  At first she was pretty unsure of the whole thing and made some lovely faces.  Here is to hoping Grace figures this sleep thing out and allows mommy and daddy to get some rest too!  The only downfall so far to this sleep method that we have found is, with letting her cry more, we can't get back to sleep very quickly and also, baby girl now has a sore throat and has lost her voice; she sounds so pitiful :(  On the bright side, she still wakes up smiling and is overall very happy during the day... she is a trooper.

First time eating cereal

This weekend was also the Sheppard family reunion.  I always enjoy making it up to the reunion in Valdosta when I can and always have such a great time!  It was so wonderful to be able to go up with my mom and dad this year and take Grace to her first Sheppard reunion.  And, she was the youngest family member there this year!!  As a child going to the reunion I used to hangout with a few girls my age and this year, one of those girls brought her daughter Elle.  It just so happens that Elle and Grace are about the same age difference as Lauren (Elle's mother) and I.  It was so neat to see them interact and meet each other for the first time.  It will also be neat to watch them as they grow together at these reunions.

Myself and Lauren (1990); Elle and Grace meeting for the first time
with their grandparents

At the reunion, Grace got to meet much of her family for the very first time and she also got to have her first experience in the lake and with sand on the beach of the lake.  Yeah, go figure we live in Florida and she still hasn't seen a beach or lake (until now).  Garrett and I aren't much beach people and with a pool, haven't found any reason to go to the lake, let alone had the time for it really.  She was too cute in it though!!  All in all, it was just a wonderful time with family and I can't wait to get back up there (hopefully again next year!) and hopefully Garrett will be able to make it again.  He was unable to go this year, but was able to spend time with his dad while he was in town and also with his brother.  They ended up having a great day together as well.

Just before trying to eat the sand and 

then drying off after a fun time in the lake

Chatting it up with Great Granny

Hanging out with Nana and 

Great Granny changing her first diaper since changing her children many years ago!

Tuckered out after a long day, but tell me those are not the most beautiful
eyes ever on the most beautiful baby girl ever... love her!!

Finally, football season has started and of course you know this family is all about the Knights and Bucs!  Here's daddy and his girl ready to watch the Bucs first game of the season together :)

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