Grace in her birth mom's arms just seconds after giving birth. Angee was so blessed to be able to witness Grace's birth and help coach Grace's birth mom along with Grace's birth grandma. The spirit was so strong and there was so much love in that room.
Left to Right: Grace's birth father, Grace's birth mother, Angee holding Grace, and Robby. This was as we were leaving the hospital. We couldn't believe that we were able to bring home a little bundle of joy and though we hated to see Grace's birth mom sad, we knew that she had chosen adoption for a reason, which was love. She loves Grace more than anything in the world. She is truly amazing.
Angee with Grace's birth mother on Mother's day. This was only 5 days after Grace was born and 2 days after placement. Grace's birth mom is such a rockstar!
Grace with her daddy. She is definitely Daddy's little Princess. She has him wrapped around her little finger. He always volunteers for diaper changes and loves getting extra cuddles from her.
This was when she was only 3 weeks old. We love putting flowers or bows in her hair. Anything to make her look as girly as possible.
Grace at 7 weeks. She loves all her Aunties!
Grace and her birth mom at 5 1/2 months. She was able to meet her birth Great Grandparents that day.
Grace on Halloween just shy of 6 months. She is constantly smiling and laughing.
This is Grace in her blessing and sealing outfit. She looked like such a little princess dressed up in her poofy dress.
Grace's birth parents came to support us when Grace was being sealed to us at the temple. Though they waited outside for us, we truly felt their love while in the sealing room. We could not have been more grateful to them on this day. We feel incredibly blessed for their love for Grace and for us.
This is Grace at 8 months. She's always had such a fun personality.
Grace with her bear at 10 months. Every month we take a picture with her teddy bear in just her cute little diapers. At placement, we gave her birth parents both the exact same teddy bear so they would always be able to see how big she was compared to it. And so they would have someone to hug when they missed her.
Grace's birthdad came to visit Grace. She's almost 11 months old in this picture. (And very sleepy since it was right before nap time)
This is Grace at 11 months. It was her first time with pig tails.
Grace right before her 1st birthday. We just love those dark brown eyes and giant smile! She has such a special spirit and we frequently have complete strangers come up and tell her how beautiful she is. We can't help but agree.
Grace is 2! We can't believe our baby girl is 2 years old! She has such an amazing spirit and personality. She says "Hi!" to everyone she sees.
Grace in her first leotard at 17 months. She just started gymnastics and LOVES it! I love that we can encourage her in all sorts of activities.
Grace with her birth mom and birth dad. We love having an open adoption!!!!
Grace at 17 months. She is definitely showing more of her sweet personality every day. She is constantly making us laugh with her goofy grins and her infectious smile!
Grace with her brother Joey. They are just best friends! She is an amazing big sister! She is always helping by giving Joey toys, making him laugh, and giving him hugs when he is sad.
Grace is now 2 1/2 and a bundle of energy. She is constantly twirling and moving. They only time she will sit still is while watching a movie or reading a book. Every other second she is dancing, twirling, running, or jumping.
Grace was born on May 4, 2010. She was placed into our arms by her birth mother and birth father on May 7, 2010. We have a very open adoption with both birth parents and have visits, send pictures, emails, texts, phone conversations, and many prayers are said on their behalf. We love both of them so much and are so grateful for the love that they have for Grace. Without them, we would not be parents. We love being able to know Grace's extended birth family also and they have all welcomed us into their own families.
Grace has brought more joy to us than we have ever known. She is such a happy little girl and we love her so much. Grace is VERY spoiled by all of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She was the first granddaughter on both sides so that has helped with the spoiling. Grace has certainly grown in all of our hearts.
Grace loves to read stories and so we have started having story time several times a day. She will smile and laugh at almost anyone. She loves looking at other babies and always asks to hold them. She loves music, especially when mommy sings to her. She will dance to every type of music by bobbing her head, bouncing up and down, and waving her arms in the air. She amazes us daily on how quickly she is growing. She is already showing her spirited personality and definitely has an opinion on what she likes or doesn't like. She is running EVERYWHERE. She talks a lot but she loves to use sign language. She knows over 100 words in sign language and constantly learning more. She also recently started gymnastics and is loving climbing and rolling and swinging. She is a very bright little girl and is always smiling and saying Hi to everyone we see.
Grace is an incredible big sister. She is so gentle with Joey and is always asking to hold him. If he even starts to pout, she runs over and tries to put his binky in his mouth. She adores all babies but she definitely has a special bond with her brother "JoJo". She has to kiss him goodbye anytime she leaves the room. We are so excited to watch their relationship grow as they get bigger.
Nicknames: Gracie, Gracie-Boo, Love Bug, Baby Girl, Boo Bear, Bugaboo, Miss Grace, Daddy's little princess
