I Am Mobile

I started crawling! I am so happy that I can get where I want to go (most of the time). Sometimes Mommy and Daddy put barriers in my way but it will not be too long until I figure out how to get around them. I also learned how to go from a lying position to a seated position and I am pulling to a stand. It has been an exciting few days for my parents. I am so happy that I am mobile that sometimes I giggle while I am crawling. Mommy and Daddy think it is cute.

First Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone. Mommy and Daddy were very excited for my first Christmas. After getting home at about 2:00 am from Aunt Dia's house, we woke up at 7:00 am to go to Aunt Patti and Uncle Ben's house for breakfast and to watch Caitlin open presents. Grammy, Grandpa, and Uncle Michael came along for all the fun. Caitlin was not awake when we got there, so we got to see her expressions when she saw her presents. Santa brought her a kitchen. I can't wait to play with it. Everyone had Belgian waffles for breakfast and Caitlin and I opened stockings. Santa left a stocking for me at Aunt Patti and Uncle Ben's house. After breakfast, everyone went home to prepare Christmas dinner, which was at our house. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to help. Once the turkey was in the oven, I got to open my presents. I got some wonderful toys. Later in the afternoon, everyone came over for dinner and, of course, more presents. I want to thank everyone for making my first Christmas a wonderful one. Thank you for all the presents and memories. More presents. I could get used to this.

Caitlin showing us her Christmas bubbles.

Caitlin and GG cooking with Caitlin's new kitchen.

Look at what Santa brought me.

My new train.

Mommy and her girls. The best gift of all.

Singing to GG and Caitlin with my new keyboard and microphone.

My shirt says, "What Santa doesn't bring me, Grandma will."

Time for dinner. Caitlin is telling me about all the good food I will get to try next year. I tried Poppy's mashed potatoes but I did not like them very much because they were too thick. I will probably like them better next time.

Mommy, Caitlin, and I playing with the jungle gym Aunt Patti and Uncle Ben gave me.

Daddy giving me a ride on my new train.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

On Christmas Eve, we went to church and then Mommy, Daddy, and I went to visit Don and Diane. They had a present for me and Daddy actually let me open it. Daddy must be getting soft in his old age because usually no one can open presents before Christmas. Thank you for the keys, Don and Diane.

After Don and Diane's house, we met everyone at Aunt Dia's house, which is a tradition in Daddy's family. Family and friends come over and open presents at midnight. Daddy says that no one, even me, can open presents before Christmas (except for the gift from Don and Diane). Mommy was going to wake me up at midnight to open presents, but she didn't have to because I never went to sleep. There was too much going on for me to sleep. I didn't want to miss anything. Caitlin also stayed up all night. We danced and played all night long. At midnight, she helped me open presents.

Napping at church. I needed to rest up for the night's activities.

Oh for me? You shouldn't have...Okay, you should have.

What could it be?

The traditional Tequila shot. Mommy has never been able to participate in this. Maybe next year.

Caitlin and I dancing to Aunt Dia's Mariachi Santa toy.

Meeting Santa for the First Time

I met Santa for the first time (Well, actually it was the third time, but this was the official visit). I was a little scared and I did not smile, but Mommy and Daddy still got a cute picture.

Here I come, Santa. I've been a good girl.

There was a machine that sprayed snow on me when I opened the mailbox.

Pushing the button for the Naughty-or-Nice Meter. It pointed to nice, of course.

Santa please bring me more teeth. This teething thing hurts.

Santa and Me.

This is the video of me meeting Santa. I was not sure about it and I started crying at the end, but at least they had already taken the picture.

Winterhaven

Mommy and Daddy bundled me up and I went to see the lights at Winterhaven even though I was sick. Daddy brought my wagon for Caitlin and I to ride in, but Caitlin wanted to walk, so I rode in it by myself. I enjoyed the lights and music, and I enjoyed watching people.

I took a quick power nap when we got there.

Time to wake up to see the festivities.

Caitlin did not want to ride with me, but that was probably a good thing because I was sick.

Mommy's favorite. This house had a Festivus pole like George Costanza's family in Seinfeld. They even had "Costanza" on the mailbox and a story about Festivus for those who don't know Seinfeld.

Look at all the lights, Daddy.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...

...but I will settle for the bottom right. Mommy and Daddy have been watching my two front teeth because it looked like they would come in soon, but they were surprised one morning when they noticed I had a bottom right tooth. Mommy was late to get teeth, so she wasn't surprised that I didn't get my first tooth until I was 8 months old.

I am waiting in line to see Santa. I wish he would send me more teeth soon because I am sick of teething.

Making Beans with Nana

Nana makes really good refried beans. I am still too young to eat them, but Nana let me help make them. I helped sort the beans before cooking them. I can't wait to taste Nana's beans.

8 Months Old

I am now eight months old. My parents can't believe how fast I am growing. I am not crawling yet, but I can move around on the floor by rolling and scooting. I babble a lot and I eat very well. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of me. Here are some cute pictures of my 8th month.

Playing in my room

Having breakfast with Caitlin. Nana has to keep up separated because Caitlin likes to feed me.

Caitlin and I are good buddies. I just helped Aunt Patti get Caitlin up in the morning. I enjoy spending my days with Nana, Caitlin, and a variety of visitors while Mommy and Daddy are at work.

Mommy's car.

Eating with Daddy. I eat rice cereal, all level one baby foods and I am working on the level two foods. I am not picky, which makes Mommy and Daddy happy. Daddy always wants me to taste his desserts, but Mommy won't let me.

Beauty Must Suffer

As my Grammy's mother used to say, beauty must suffer. Today, I got my ears pierced. Mommy wanted my ears pierced but she was upset that it would hurt me. She was also worried that the person piercing my ears would mess up and the earrings would not be in the correct place. Mommy worries about those types of things. Daddy had to hold me during the process. Caitlin, Aunt Patti, Uncle Ben, and Nana were there to watch. I didn't dry for too long. Mommy cried more than I did.

What's going on, Dad?

What did I do to deserve this? I've been a good girl.

Mommy, make it all better.

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

Aunt Patti got a bubble machine for Caitlin. Caitlin, Pinto (Aunt Dia's puppy), and I had fun chasing the bubbles.

Let me do it Aunt Patti. I don't need any help.

First Thanksgiving

I spent my first Thanksgiving with Mommy's side of the family in Phoenix since Daddy was in Las Vegas for a race. I met Uncle Dick and my Mommy's cousins for the first time. It was great to meet everyone. I can't wait to see them again.

Uncle Michael and Me with Cousin Joon and Trinity

Going for a ride on Uncle Dick's shoulders. I feel so tall.

Nathalee and I are helping Micah open his birthday presents. Happy 6th Birthday Micah.

Nathalee is watching me take a nap.

Who's that baby in the mirror?

Even since I was a little baby, I have enjoyed interacting with that baby in the mirror. One day, Mommy caught it on video. Enjoy...

Wagon Rides

Nana and Aunt Dia have been taking Caitlin and I on wagon rides in the neighborhood. Poppy built wagons for Caitlin and I. Caitlin's is a Panther Flyer for the Amphi Panthers (Uncle Ben's basketball team). Mine is a black and white police cruiser. Sometimes Caitlin would rather pull me in the wagon rather than ride in it.

Where are you taking me, Caitlin?

Let's go, Poppy!

Best Buddies

Here is a video of Caitlin pulling me in the wagon. I had a god time even though she kept trying to go off the sidewalk.

Hide and Seek

Mommy let me play on the floor in my bedroom while she put laundry in the dryer. She figured I would be in the same place when she returned, but I surprised her. In less than two minutes I moved from the middle of the floor to under my crib. I was so proud of myself.

Can you find me, Mommy?

Look what I did. I'm not scared.

Peek-a-boo

7 Months Old

Today I am 7 months old. I weigh approximately 15.5 pounds. As you can see I have grown a lot. I am usually a very happy baby with a good personality. I am teething a lot but I don't have any teeth yet. I can go from a seated position to a lying position and I roll around on the floor to get where I want to go. I get up on my hands and knees and rock, but I haven't crawled yet. I love playing on the floor with my toys and playing with my cousin Caitlin. My favorite toys are a ring stacker and Mr. Moose. You may remember Mr. Moose from one of my very first posts (Thank you Uncle Dave). I am not as excited about my jumper as I used to be because I don't have enough freedom, but I do like it for short periods of time. Compare these pictures to previous month birthdays to see how much I've grown.

I've almost outgrown my changing table.

Who's that big girl in the car seat?

Gracie's Birthday Party

I went to my first children's birthday party today. Daddy's second cousin's daughter, Gracie, turned one-year-old. We had a good time. I played with Gracie and Caitlin and we played pin the tail on the donkey. Pretty soon I will get to have a birthday party. Happy Birthday, Gracie!

Caitlin, Gracie, and I

I didn't have to wear a blindfold and I still didn't win. Oh well, maybe next time.