Saturday, August 15, 2009

All About Gracie


Brighton recently visited our home to evaluate Gracie's development and see if she qualifies for free physical therapy. She was actually not far enough behind to qualify for the regular program, but because of her unique beginnings, severe malnutrition, early sicknesses and adoption she qualified for the "A-typical program". The physical therapist was very helpful in showing me some exercises to help Gracie develop her trunk, neck and arm muscles. The very next day, as if Gracie was listening to her every word and decided she wanted to excel, Gracie started rolling over both ways - from back to tummy and tummy to back. She is getting stronger every day and will be sitting up on her own in no time! Last week we had a check up with Gracie's physician. Gracie weighed in at 15 pounds and 4 ounces!!!!! And she's 26 inches long. So - that puts her in the 20th percentile on weight (which is incredible given her start in life) and the 40th percentile in height. Her little legs are getting all chunky with fat rolls - so cute!

The following are pictures in no particular order of the past 2-3 weeks. Gracie's smile is sly and contagious. She's going to have flirty eyes and the best hair ever (which is growing like weeds! YAY!) We are enjoying her so very much!
Gracie's new jumpin' seat. She looks like a lopsided cricket when she hops on one leg and spins around. Its very funny!



For the next 3 pictures:
My friend, Britney, gave Gracie the butterfly onesie in the photo below. It is special because in the very first picture we had of Gracie (when she was severely malnourished and frail) she was wearing pjs with the "very hungry caterpillar" on it (I've included this picture also so you can see the difference - it's amazing!). When I realized what was on her pjs in that picture it was like God showed me a promise - that Gracie would be just like the beautiful butterfly at the end of that book. And now, here she is at 15.4 pounds wearing the butterfly on her outfit from that same book. The promise was true and God is faithful!


Our Beautiful Butterfly.


Gracie sits in her Bumbo seat on the kitchen counter while I cook. She looks like she's another decoration on the counter she's so small. I love it!

LOVE that smile!

The Gummy Smile!

The kissable cheeks!

The growing soft, curly hair!

The big eyes!

Stretching during play time.

Love that sweet face!

Just want to stare at her eyes forever!

"mommy's answered prayer" onesie. So true!

9 comments:

carissa said...

Love that beautiful girl!!! Can't wait to hold her! It amazes me how much a few exercises can really help them. We did the same thing with Hunter and it helped right away! Gracie can teach Hunter how to roll over and he can teach her how to sit. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Jenn said...

She is just so beautiful! Love the pictures of her in her Bumbo...those just make me laugh! :) Especially thinking of her on your kitchen counter. :)

Blessings,
Jenn

Renee' said...

15 pounds????? Are you serious? Oh my. It is so hard to believe that this was the frail tiny little girl(words cannot even describe how tiny and how frail!) who smiled up at me from her crib just over 3 months ago. Our God is MIGHTY to save!!

Alli said...

I love you Gracie!

becky said...

I really do think she's almost as big as my peanut, Camryn. I can't wait to get pics of all our girls together...well, Taylor may not cooperate but Camryn will.

Marti Pieper said...

Wayyy too cute. My kids grew up on The Very Hungry Caterpillar and friends. Kristen even had a comforter that featured him (very h.c.) when she was in college!

love you mucho,

Marti

Debi said...

Cindy and Foote family,
So fun to get caught up with your growing family.
What a miracle little Gracie is. It is hard to believe how tiny she was.
God has done great things and we are glad!!!
Love and hugs and prayers,
Debi

Unknown said...

1. Both of your girls are absolutely gorgeous!
2. I LOVE the caterpillar/butterfly story/promise...God is good and faithful!
3. I was thinking in viewing the pictures (before I read about her getting some therapy) that I could tell she was doing great with her arms/reaching because she had them forward in a lot of pictures..reaching and such..that's great!
4. Becky is right...Taylor won't cooperate for the group picture, but Camryn will!

Shala said...

She has changed and grown so much. Very thrilled for y'all. :)