Birthday Fun

We saw it only fitting to celebrate Gretta’s birthday for 2 days for a few reasons, one being it took about 2 days of labor for her to make her way into the world, secondly we had to celebrate on April 5 in Thailand and then when it was April 5 in the US, third Josh had Monday off so why not have some extra fun?! Actually it was kind of rainy both days so we didn’t get to do much other than go to the mall and walk outside under cover up above the streets! No pool or park for the big birthday.

On Sunday we went to one of the malls and saw a photo exhibit and did some walking around and walked to lunch at a Chinese place we like. Then we went back to the apartment and got the birthday girl down for a nap. When she woke up we did some presents and pictures. Thank you Uncle Seth and Kim for the adorable dresses! When Grandma Peg and Grandpa Steve visited in March she opened her present from them, a book that she is loving and another cute outfit. Also, the maid brought her a cute cup with cartoon characters on it. Grandma Rachel and Grandpa Fred’s present came April 5 US time and she got some Easter candy and a rubber ducky that lights up, which will surely make bath time a whole lot more fun. Right now she enjoys chewing on it. She also received some very cute cards from Auntie Molly and Uncle Elden, Laura and Tom and Beau, Jess and a special photo card from their son Devin who is 5 months younger than Gretta but already hitting on her…..:) Also, many email greetings were sent our way and we thank everyone for thinking of Gretta on her day of turning the big 1 year.

Later we had her favorite, spaghetti, for dinner and then tried to engage in some fun cake time…..she wasn’t having it. She did NOT like having frosting on her fingers, maybe it reminded her of sand? Anyway, she did have a little taste and enjoyed playing with the bunnies that were on top of the cake and REALLY liked the candle flame! We had to watch her pretty carefully because she wanted to touch it. Overall, it was a very fun day!

Woo hoo presents!

What's in there??

Her latest facial expression.


One of my favorite pictures, so glamorous and hilarious at the same time!



She needed to see what the pictures were looking like so far.....



Mmm....cake


She likes to point so it looks like she is saying she is 1 year old!



Fire.

Gretta Renae turns 1 today!

What can we say about the past year? It’s been an amazing and fast ride! We have been pretty spoiled with our Gretta and she has set the bar quite high for any future siblings she may have. She has had her moments as any child is sure to have, but they are few and far between. In fact, we practically forget that any bad days ever happen! We don’t think we could have asked for a more happy, easy going, lovable, huggable, kissable, snuggable (this is SO a word), wonderful, beautiful baby girl.

She has been fun at every age so far, it has just been unbelievable watching her grow into the little person she has become so far. Even though every once in a while we might pine for the days when she would just sleep or lay on the couch unattended, we wouldn’t give up these moments of chasing her around more and watching her discover the world around her. It is amusing, to say the least, to observe her little mannerisms and expressions!

Here is a little photo montage we put together of her 1st year. Warning: It’s about 10 minutes long (couldn’t help it!) so if you choose to watch it, you might want to first make sure you’re comfy, then maybe grab some popcorn or other snack item and a beverage of your choice. If you’ve got the time, it’s worth it! We're hoping this will buy us a little time to post about her big day too....

Slowly but surely.......

Thank you Big Head Todd and the Monsters for the song!

Congratulations!

Jess's cousin Jenny and her husband Tom had their baby at 5:27 a.m. Saturday morning, weighing in at 9 lbs. 9 oz and 21.5 inches long. Congratulations to Jenny & Tom, big sister Nora and their new little boy Bennett Norris Fitch!!

Check out their blog (link is in our sites of interest list) for pictures of the newest cutie pie to join the clan!

Digital age

We had a little issue with our external hard drive this week, which is where we store all our pictures so haven't been able to post anything lately! There are downsides to this digital age after all....it is scary thinking we could lose all our pictures due to something like this. We went out and spent some time at Pantip...the computer mecca, Scott Walcker you would go ga-ga over this 5 story mall filled with all things computer! So we got another external hard drive and are working on backing up the back ups! Here are a few things that have been going on in the last week.....


Gretta's front teeth!

Some crazy hair at bath time.

Spent some time at the pool....just chillin'

Our adventure for the weekend (after Pantip) was trying our hand at making potato leek soup, yummy!

Someone REALLY liked it and gobbled it right up!

Stand by Me

SOOOO big!


Watch out world......


I CAN STAND!

Water and Pizza Baby

We'd like to mention that Gretta actually has 4 teeth coming in now. We thought it was just the 2 front teeth but looks like the ones on either side decided they should make their debut as well. Also she has been doing a lot of letting go and standing on her own at least 2-3 times a day now. She started doing it in the pool and even walking towards us, but that resulted in her going under the water! She didn't mind it though and has become a real water baby.


Crawling to the pool.




Josh blowing bubbles






Grandma and Grandpa's last day.


For Jess's parents' last night in Bangkok, we went to Baiyoke Tower, the tallest building in Thailand. It is 1056 ft tall including the antenna.



Steve got this picture of the baby elephant on the street.



We were on the 77th floor where there is an open-air revolving observation deck.


Our monkey child.




Then we watched the sunset over Bangkok from Baiyoke Tower.


After that, it was time for PIZZA!


We found a new Italian restaurant called Basilico and decided we had to try their pizzas, SOOOOO GOOD!




We got a front row seat and Gretta was fascinated watching these guys make the pizzas, as was I, got to take some cool pictures!

11 months old and a trip to the beach

We have visitors! Jess's parents are here for a few more days and we headed down to Krabi last weekend to enjoy the beaches. We stayed on Railay Beach and could only get there by long tail boat. It was hot, but gorgeous and we had lots of fun! We went out on sea kayaks and out on a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. We also got to just hang out and relax by the pool and on the beach.

Covering her ears, the long tail boat was loud!

Railay Beach on Krabi

The view from our bungalows.

Grandma Peg and Grandpa Steve

Out on a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands.

Thanks for this outfit, from our friend Laura, it kept her cool!

Proving to be like her mom, she did not like the ocean and preferred the pool!

She didn't particularly like the sand, the first time we took her to a beach last summer she seemed to like it, this time she didn't like it at all! Anytime it touched her feet or hands she would fuss.

Had to show off her flip flops from our friend, the captain, Kirk!

Goodbye beaches.....

We celebrated Steve's birthday yesterday with a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant. Peg and Steve are on a day trip to the River Kwai, hopefully having a good time! Peg is getting her elephant ride that she promised she wouldn't leave Thailand without.

Today we are celebrating Gretta's 11th month of life! Wow.

She likes to direct things.....she is the boss after all.

We noticed at the beach her two front teeth are starting to come in! You can barely see because she likes to stick out those bottom ones!

So grown up!