G is 7 months old~ over halfway to 1 year

Gracie is 7 months old now. I just cannot believe it. So much has happened in her short little life. It seems like she should be older, of course I'm perfectly happy that she isn't!

this picture makes me laugh because as I was taking her picture she reached up to grab her bow (which she does often now) and I made her laugh so she got distracted and just left her arm raised!

As of now, Gracelyn is rolling over, both front to back and back to front. She cannot continuously roll, like across the floor. She will roll onto her back to her left and then back on her tummy to her right, just back and forth, back and forth.
She can put her weight on her legs for a few minutes before it's too much for her. She won't step forward though.

Gracie is very vocal. She "talks" loudly! Ryan and I went to lunch the other day and she was not fussy but letting everyone, and I mean everyone, around us know she was there. It is good for her because her voice box was damaged by the botulism but not everyone appreciates it like we do!

On the floor Miss G is quite the little wiggle worm. She can rotate her body 180 degrees. She lifts her arms and legs and LOVES to play with her feet. She can sit, supported, for at least 10 minutes, at most, so far, 12. She can lay on her tummy and hold her head up for at least 11, at most, so far 13. She's started straightening out her arms, as if she is preparing them for lifting up her body! Her physical therapist said he wouldn't be surprised if she is up on all fours, in the crawling position in the next few weeks! WOW!



She has tried applesauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots and peas. She doesn't like green beans at.all. She makes the worst face and blows raspberries (oh, she is blowing raspberries now too, which her brothers think is "sooooo cool!" and so funny!) to get every last bit out of her mouth. And side note: I wasn't aware that she could blow raspberries until she did with a mouth full of sweet peas. Carrots were okay with her, not her favorite but I think she will eat them mixed with peas just fine. The boys were never big fans of carrots but they didn't mind them in peas. I will try that mixture starting tomorrow.

Most of all, Gracelyn is a HAPPY, BEAUTIFUL, MIRACLE from God! He has such huge plans for her and it is so exciting and awesome to see the healing He has done in her in such a short amount of time.
She loves her brothers, lights up when she sees them and has started reaching for people. It absolutely touches my heart to have her reach for me as she gives me a HUGE smile. She has gorgeous grins!

I am so happy that Gracelyn's story has gotten out and helped in the awareness of this rare illness. Her battle was featured in the local paper and I have heard from friends with babies that their docs have mentioned it to them.