Holiday Prep

Baby or Marshmallow?

Lumberjack Crew #3

With Christmas quickly approaching, we've been busy getting ready with gifts and decorations. To start the festivities, we went with the Sims to cut down a Christmas tree from the Elgin Chritmas tree farm. I liked looking at all the trees. There were so many that when M&D asked me which one we should cut down, I kept pointing to different ones. Luckily they were a little more decisive and we were able to pick a tree before my fingers froze. Frozen fingers? Yes, we finally got some cold weather, and I was able to try out my winter coats.

Fun with fish

With a tree purchased, we started shopping for gifts to put under it. My favorite place to shop was the holiday art bazaar. They had fun sculptures to play with, holiday movies playing, and lots of space for me to run around and explore. Mommie did most of the actual shopping while Daddy and I helped the vendors rearrange their goods. I hope everyone enjoys the presents we picked out!

Talking with my friend Manny Quinn

Zombie Walk

Walking makes me happy

Zombie Walk!!!

Since my birthday when I showcased my abilities to walk with a walker, I've been working on my walking skills. Daddy likes to call my current style the zombie walk. I tend to have my arms waving around in the air either over my head or in front of me. I think zombies are supposed to be scary, but when I do my zombie walk, everyone smiles and laughs.
I've also discovered so many things to explore now that I'm up on two feet. I like to rummage through the baskets in the living room and try to reach for things I can't see. I also love chasing Olive around the house. She usually avoids me. Maybe she's the only one who is afraid of my zombie impression.

Exploring the baskets

Thankfully Thinkering

Exploring a Giant Carrot

This past week was Thanksgiving week, so we had a nice departure from our normal routine. Daddy took off from work which meant that I got to see a little more of him than I usually would. Plus on Wednesday Mimi and Papa arrived to celebrate with us and eat Turkey. I spent most of Thanksgiving day playing with Mimi and Papa while M&D prepared a feast. We played with all of my toys, and I spent a lot of time showing them how good I am at walking now. I also showed them my new Highlights Hello magazine. I just got my first issue this week. Thanks Nana!
During the turkey feast, I tried all of the dishes that M&D prepared. I liked most everything, but the pumpernickel stuffing with butternut squash, fennel, and Gruyere was by far my favorite.
On Black Friday, we stayed away from the stores and instead went to a member's only preview of the Thinkery, the new children's museum in Austin. We have a family membership, so Mommie was able to book a slot for us. There is an area specifically designed for kids my age. At first I was overwhelmed by it all and sat around looking at all the other kids playing and learning. But after a while, I started exploring the giant carrots surrounding me. After thoroughly exploring the carrots, I ventured to another area where I could harvest root vegetables. I really enjoyed putting the veggies in and out of the baskets. I tasted several of the veggies and don't recommend eating them. Stick to real food. It tastes much better. I could have spent all night at the Thinkery, but we had to leave before I got my fill because it was closing time. I hope that we get to go back to the museum on a regular basis. When Cora and Adam come to visit in January, I want to take them to the museum to show them all the neat exhibits.

Harvesting Beets, Turnips, Radishes, Parsnips, and Carrots

You can't tell in any of these pictures, but I also got my first pair of real shoes this week, a pair of brown StrideRite boots with pink laces and fur collars. It's much easier to walk in them than with my other shoes. But I still like to take them off and chew on them as often as I can.

Cruising the Museum in my New Treads

The Best Holiday of the Year

Wendy, Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, A Lost Boy

This past Thursday, we celebrated Halloween, which M&D have assured me is the best holiday of the year. It's so great that Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Wills, and Aunt Christy flew in to celebrate with us! While we were in Chicago a few weeks ago, I asked Mommie to buy me a Tinker Bell costume at the Disney store. In doing so, I also determined our theme for halloween: Peter Pan. Everyone chose a character and dressed up in great costumes. Around 6pm we started trick-or-treating on our street. We did half of the block with Aunt Christy, then the other half with Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Wills. I wasn't able to say "Trick-or-Treat", so I just looked cute while M&D got the candy. A few of the houses had scary decorations, but I wasn't scared of any of them. I mostly stayed quiet and took in all of the interesting costumes.

Trick or Treating with M&D

After trick or treating, I had to go to bed. But everyone else continued celebrating in the carport, which was decorated with scary things. Peter Pan had become Peter Pandemic, and based on the screams I could hear from my crib, it must have been terrifying!

Fascinated by "Scary" Decorations

Chicagoland

Eating High above the City

The first weekend of October, Mommie, Daddy and I flew to Chicago to visit Mimi and Papa. It was my second flying trip, and I behaved myself very well. On the way up, I slept on Daddy for most of the flight! When we arrived in Chicago, Mimi and Papa met us in the airport, then we drove to their apartment. They live on the 30th floor of an apartment along Lake Shore drive. With all the windows, there are great views of the city. Daddy didn't get too close to the windows because he's afraid of heights. I must not have inherited his fear because I loved crawling right up to the windows and banging on them. I also enjoyed chasing Bonnie, their cat, around the apartment.

The Main Staircase of the Driehaus Museum

The Bean in Millenium Park

The main activity on the trip was relaxing and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. We went for a lot of walks around the city. The highlight was touring the Driehaus Museum, a restored Gilded age mansion. I quietly took in the ornate tiles, intricate glass work, and period furniture. We almost got to see the entire house before I got cranky and let everyone know that I was done with the museum.
We also visited Millenium park, Michigan avenue, and Olive park. I got to spend lots of time with Mimi and Papa. They took care of me while M&D went to the Museum of Science and Industry and put me to bed when they went out to dinner with friends who live in Chicagoland. I hope that I get to visit Chicago when I'm older and can walk and see even more.

Napping in Daley Plaza

Baby Party

Cruising with Fisher

Today Mommie, Daddy, and I went to a baby party with all my friends from my play group. It was a surprisingly pleasant afternoon given that it rained all morning. There were lots of toys and blankets to play on. Everyone brought food so that we could have a pot luck dinner. With all the eating and playing, the afternoon flew by in a hurry, and soon we had to head home to take a bath and go to bed.

Mommie and I have been going to the play group for the past few months. Every Tuesday we meet at a different person's house and have fun for about an hour. Everyone lives in Crestview and Brentwood, so it's easy to meet up. We've hosted play group twice already. I like playing with my friends. Since we're all within a few months of age, we get to learn from each other and talk about our developments. I'm about in the middle of the group. I have three teeth peaking out, but Jane has 8 teeth fully out and Thalia doesn't have any. I'm great at crawling and can stand up on my own, but Cole and Hudson can already walk and Bay is just learning to roll onto her belly.

I can't wait until next Tuesday's play date!

Group Photo with my Playmates

Weekend Warriors

Testing out the new Backpack

The past few weekends, M&D and I have taken road trips to College Station. M&D head to the A&M football games while I get to play with Nana and Papaw. Now that I've become an expert crawler, I have a lot of fun exploring their house and finding all of the things that I'm not supposed to play with. I've recently become aware that if I want something, I can scream to tell everyone. I also scream to let them know if they've taken something from me that I wasn't done playing with. I might have learned this great screaming fun from my cousin Adam, or maybe it's just part of my normal development. Either way, I like to hear myself scream. Sometimes I belt out a loud one and look around proudly to see if anyone noticed. I do the same thing at daycare. In fact, my teachers at daycare asked M&D if I do it at home, and they reassured the teachers that this is my favorite new habit. My other new trick is trying to stand up on my own. I am very good at standing up while holding onto things, but I'm still working on staying upright once I let go. My best free stands have been about 3 seconds. I can just imagine that soon I'll be able to walk like some of my classmates and my cousins Cora and Adam.

Hanging out in Great Grandmother's Apartment

Spring Cleaning

Look Familiar?

Over the past few weeks we've been homebodies trying to clean up around the house and fully recover from the construction. We've gotten into a great routine. During the week, Daddy drops me off at daycare, and Mommie picks me up. At night we get to play for a little while or go for a walk. Around six o'clock, I eat my dinner, which is more than just milk now that I've started eating solid food. Usually M&D use dinner to introduce me to the new food of the week. So far I've gotten to eat rice meal, oat meal, and apples. M&D give me one new food at a time to make sure that I'm not allergic. After I finish my solid food, I get to drink a bottle to satisfy my hunger. I have to eat a lot since I'm growing so much.

I'm Good at Feeding Myself

After my bottle, I put on my pajamas and get ready for story time in the rocking chair. M&D take turns. One night Mommie will hold me while Daddy reads, and the next night they switch places. We get to read one or two books depending on how long the are. I'm usually quiet during story time because I like to focus on the words and pictures. Between the stories I sometimes finish off my bottle or get a little more time trying to burp.

Story Time in the Rocker

After story time, I say good night to M&D, we turn on the ocean and light, and I lay down in my crib. M&D set me down on my back, but I like to roll onto my stomach to sleep. While I'm getting into position, they sing me Twinkle, Twinkle. Then it's dream time.

My Nursery

I still sleep 10 to 11 hours each night. Sometimes I wake up needing a bottle in the middle of the night if I haven't eaten enough during the day, but usually I just sleep. It's easy to rest in my nursery since M&D recently finished arranging it. They got rid of the old day bed and replaced it with a wardrobe where I can keep my clothes. It also has the ABC's, so I can learn my letters.

Clowning Around in Target

Of course, we don't stay at home all the time. On the weekends, we get to at least go shopping. We buy groceries, and formula, and lots of other things. I take the opportunity lounging in my car seat to catch up on my beauty rest.

Fashion Show!

Everyone on Easter

Cool Like the Easter Bunny

This past weekend was very special. Sure, it was Easter, but the most unique part was that I got to see all of my grandparents and great-grandparents on the same day! It was a long day driving to Chicago with stops at Temple and College Station along the way....noooo...I'm just being silly. I didn't go visit everyone, but I did use my cute smile to lure as many folks as I could to visit me :)

Family week actually started last Sunday when Mimi flew in to visit. She stayed with us for the night then took me to daycare on Monday morning. I showed her my classroom and introduced her to Miss Becky and Miss Adriana. Super family week continued on Thursday when Papa flew in from Chicago. I showed him my daycare too. I like to show everyone all my toys and my crib. I also showed Papa my new play area. M&D moved their dinning table to the newly remodeled sun room so that I could have an area all to myself between the kitchen and the living room. It has a nice foam mat to play on plus my gym and all my toys. I'm lucky to be able to live in a place with such nice amenities for the low amount of rent I pay.

Showing Papa how to Sit in a Bumbo

On Saturday, Mimi returned, and she brought Great Gramps with her. We spent the morning smiling and giggling at each other. We posed for a few photos too.

Mimi, Great Gramps, and Me

Smiles All Around!

After lunch, I said goodbye to Mimi, Papa, and Great Gramps, and M&D drove me to College Station where we continued the Easter celebration with Nana, Papaw, and Great Grandmother. In addition to the smiles, giggles, and photos, I had some Easter surprises waiting for me including lots of new, larger clothes, which is a good thing since I've been growing out of my current ones. It's time to retire my 3-6mo clothing and move up to 6-9mo. The Easter bunny also brought me some new books, toys, and a few colored eggs.

Mommie, Great Grandmother, and Me

Portrait Time

Four Generations of Ladies

Even though I wasn't in my nursery, I slept well on Saturday night. Smiling for all my grandparents and great grandparents wore me out! I can't wait to see everyone again soon.

Taste Test

This week has been one of firsts for me. As M&D have been moving into their new crib and bathroom, spaced have been opening up all around the house. There used to be a dining table in the main room, but they moved that into the sun room so that I could have a big open play area. The play area has a big foam mat, pillows, my baby gym, and lots of toys. I imagine that I'll spend lots of time playing there. To complement my new area, M&D bought me a new jumperoo! It plays jungle noises and has a lot of animals that I can play with. I'm not sure if I'll spend more time jumping or playing on my mat, but I'll get lots of exercise either way.

Another big first for me this week has been food. At my 4 month check-up, Dr. Hughes cleared me to start eating solids. M&D agreed, and in no time, I started slurping down .rice cereal mixed with tasty breast milk. M&D were worried that I wouldn't like eating solid food, but they had nothing to fear. I love eating my food. I willingly open my mouth for each bite. If anything, the problem is that I don't get enough. I might start crying at the end of a meal, but Mommie always makes being done with my food so exciting that I forget that I want more.

My First Bite of Food

Can I have some more, please?

Despite all of the solid food, I still get lots of milk. Sometimes I let Daddy hold the bottle, but I tend to hold it and feed myself. If I get bored eating, I'll start to chew on my bottle and grab at Daddy's hair. Then he has to  hold the bottle for me to help me finish eating.
Whether I've eaten rice or milk, bath time is my favorite way to clean up. I've become a pro at sitting in my tub and playing with the water while I get cleaned up.

I can feed myself!

Wearing my warm duck cloth in the tub

Hot Diggity Dog

Amazed by that Other Baby in the Mirror!

This past week I've gotten to explore more of the world around me. Inside the house, I still enjoy playing with all of my toys. I spend a lot of time in my jungle gym grabbing for toys above me and looking in the mirror. M&D set up a nice foam mat underneath my gym which makes it firm but cushy. I could almost fall asleep in there...well, okay, sometimes I do, but you would too if you played so hard with the crinkly winged firefly, the squeaky squirrel, and the jingly owl.

Walking with Mommie on a Chilly Day

In addition to enjoying time in the gym, I've been going for walks with M&D. Sometimes I get to relax in my stroller and stare up at the clouds and treetops. Other times, I strap myself into my baby Bjorn and hitch a ride with Mommie or Daddy. Usually I choose to go with Mommie so that Daddy can hold Olive, who likes to pull forcefully on her leash. We wander around the neighborhood on our walks passing the park or checking out landscaping to get ideas for what we'll do at our house. Sometimes we walk with a purpose stopping in at the IGA for some dinner supplies, picking up the bi-weekly CSA parcel of veggies and eggs, or taking Olive to a play date with Rocko across the street.

Ready to Walk the Dog

This past Saturday, I took my first big trip downtown to the Mighty Texas Dog walk at Auditorium Shores. It was a drizzly day, so we got to wear our wide brimmed hats and carried umbrellas just in case. Olive even dressed up in a bandanna for the event. There were hundreds of dogs there in support of the Texas service dogs. We took the one mile dog walk, then toured the numerous booths collecting samples and information. I liked looking at all the dogs and the two hours we spent wandering around flew by like one of the show dogs leaping for a Frisbee.

Posing by the City Skyline

After the dog walk, we got cleaned up and said hi to Marcie, the baby in the mirror. She makes me laugh and smile. I like to try and touch her face. I also see M&D in the mirror which makes me smile!

A New Crib

M&D's Old Crib

Has it really been a month since I last posted an update? I've been so busy it's hard to believe it's been that long! Hopefully things are settling down a little, but it's been really hectic at home recently. Just after my last post, M&D started moving into their new crib. They've been working with Chill, the contractor, to get all of the little items finished with house addition: touching up the paint, installing the door hardware, fixing leaks... There were a lot of little things. But they all got done so that the cleaners could come and make it look beautiful. The minute they left, M&D got to work moving into their new crib, which they say is really nice. In fact, they keep joking that they're staying in a fancy hotel now. Not having seen many houses in my short life, I think it's pretty nice.

M&D's New Crib

Bath Time in the Big Tub

I like it when M or D holds me up to the mirror so that I can talk with Marcie, the girl who looks exactly like me on the other side of the looking glass. But the best part is that I don't have to share my bathroom with them any more. That means no more baths in the kitchen sink! I have my own tub complete with a rubber ducky faucet cover.

Sometimes I let Mommie Enjoy my Bathroom

After moving into their new crib, M&D spent the next few weeks moving furniture into the new guestroom, and the remodeled sun room. It has taken them a while to get everything in order, which is mostly due to me distracting them with cuteness. It's hard not to distract them. They are so funny, I can't help but laugh at them and smile when they look at me. We spend a lot of time playing together and going on walks around the neighborhood.





And now on to the biggest news. I. HAVE. TOYS!!! I never really noticed before, but I have so many exciting toys to play with. There are toys in my jungle gym, toys where I eat, toys by my crib, toys in my carrier, and tons of toys at daycare. I can't believe that I never noticed them before. They are so fun to grab and chew. I entertain myself a lot with my toys, exploring the new textures, shapes, and colors. M&D like to hand toys to me because I reach out and grab them. How can I resist? They are so fun to play with!

Some toys I grab

Some toys I chew

Sometimes the toys surround me

All this playing makes me tired

Is this a toy?

Amid all the chaos of moving into the addition and playing with toys, I've gotten into a good routine. We
wake up every morning with big smiles around 6am. After a quick diaper change, I breakfast with Mommie while Daddy gets my bottles ready for the day. I hang out with them while they eat and get ready, then it's off to daycare with Daddy. I have a lot of fun at daycare. I make new friends and learn lots of new skills. Mommie picks me up in the afternoon around 4:30pm. We head home and wait for Daddy. Once we're all together we go for a walk or play with toys in my nap nanny or jungle gym. By 7pm it's time for my final feeding of the day. Once I'm done, M&D put me in my sleep sack, sing me Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and let me rest until morning.

Enjoying a visit from Valerie

Last week the routine was a little different because Mommie had to go to a conference in San Antonio. That meant that Daddy had to take care of me all by himself. I really missed Mommie, but we got to see each other on skype each day, and she sang me Twinkle, Twinkle before I went to sleep each night. Hanging out with Daddy for the week wasn't so bad, and before I knew it Mommie was back home. But I hope she doesn't go away again for a long time!

Daddy distracted me with toys while Mommie was gone