In the Mail

Mama finally has the Christmas cards in the mail. She worked on that during my nap this morning. Sending out the cards made her get all sentimental so she's going to share some pictures from last year with you. This is what Mama looked like at this time last year. I'm in this picture too! They painted Rudolph on Mama's belly. It was my first costume.

She was so happy and excited about getting to meet me last Christmas. I wonder why we don't have a big tree like that this year. Hmmm...

We had a really fun play date at the library this afternoon. There were about a dozen moms with their babies. Mama took a few pictures of the chaos. I loved playing in the sun.

Where's Mina?Look at that little boy beating up on that girl! I stayed out of it.I checked out the storytime room. Someday I'll get to go to Wee Read. It's at 10:30 on Thursdays and I'm napping then about 99% of the time. I stole some puzzle pieces from my new friend.

Puzzles are very interesting. I don't have any at home.I think you're supposed to flap them around in the air. Mama just wanted to share this picture to show you how cool the mural is in the storytime room.

Let's see, there has been a lot going on. I'm CRAZY for my Dada. I scream when he comes home in excitement. I cry when he leaves in the morning (unfortunately I've been awake at that point the last few days). I walk around saying Dadadadada. He wasn't home for supper one night and I called his name and looked for him for about an hour. Last night Mama went to the store and Dada danced with the potato masher. He's so easy to love. I'm a lucky lady (and so is Mama!!!).

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I had a date with Matthew yesterday afternoon. Mama and Jamie were really impressed when we walked into the dining room together and started chatting. They think young love is adorable. Matthew fed me some crackers and I really liked that.

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I've been napping like it's going out of style. I typically nap from 9am-noon and then from 3pm-5pm. I go to bed at 8pm and wake up around 5am on a bad day, 6:30 am on a fantastic day. I very rarely wake up in the night and when I do, I put myself back to sleep. I take my naps in my car seat. Mama settles me in there and rocks the chair for a couple of minutes while I sit in my room with the white noise machine on. It works like a charm so she isn't going to change it. I sleep all night in my crib with no issues, but my naps only last half an hour if I'm in my crib. Weird, huh?

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My eighth tooth is in. They haven't gotten a picture of it yet. Dada is glad I'm finally symmetrical.

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I get to see both sets of grandparents this weekend and lots of extended family since there is a Christmas party on Saturday. I'll try to remind Mama and Dada to take some pictures.

Snow Baby

Mama made a deal with me a couple of months ago that she'd buy me a snowsuit once I learned to walk. She followed through and boy am I glad she did. I love the snow like every Midwest girl should. Dada doesn't know he should wear a coat in the winter.

Now what do I do? I think I'll throw snowballs. Mama didn't get any pictures of that, but I really creamed her. Snow is fun to crawl around in.

Do you honestly think a snowsuit can slow me down?

We went inside after a while, but now my parents know that I love the snow. I even ate some.I kept my snow pants on for a little while afterwards. Do they make my butt look big?This morning I found a pacifier in my toy basket and I decided it was my new favorite toy. I chewed on it all day long.Dada enjoyed getting some love from me. I think it's fun to act like a tiny baby.I hope everyone had as fun of a weekend as us. I can't wait until next weekend when we get to see lots and lots of family. I get to see both sets of grandparents and all of the extended family on Dada's side. Do you think I'll get any attention at all?

Beefy

My doctor's visit went well today. I got to see Dr. Lisa and gave her lots of smiles. I showed her all of my tricks. I think she liked it when I walked over to her and grabbed her leg. She's so much cooler than that other doctor we saw last time. My weight was up to just under 19 pounds so I'm holding steady in the weight percentiles. I'm fit, trim, and very active. Dr. Lisa thinks I'm doing great and made Mama feel like she's doing great too. Yay! The only part of the visit that wasn't fun was the flu shot. At least it was the second part so I won't get another one of those until next year. Mama nursed me afterwards and all was right in the world.

Now that I'm all better, Mama is going to let me play in public again. I wonder if she'll take me to the library or to the mall play area. I haven't played at either place for a few weeks. I'd better not get another cold right away because Mama wants to meet Vanessa. Mama is also thinking of taking me to visit Santa Claus in the mall. Dada is going to miss out, but we'd have to wait in long lines if we went at a time that he was available.

The UPS guy has been coming to visit the last couple of days. Mama has let me see my birthday presents, but she won't take them out of the boxes for me. I can't wait to play with my new boxes. Tehehe!

All Better

My cold is completely gone! I'm so glad the snot bubbles are no longer 'cause it was really gross. Mama finished her super secret project so she can share some pictures with you now. Christmas cards will be in the mail next week so you'll have to wait until after that to hear all about the photo shoots (yes, plural, I was VERY difficult) and see any of the pictures from the cards.

I like sitting in the rocking chair all by myself. It's fun to stand on it too, but Mama gets really nervous when I do it.

I gave Mama lots of cute poses when she wasn't trying so hard to get good pictures of me.
I'm working on my eighth tooth really hard so that's why I have so much drool.I've discovered my body below my belly button. Mama has to keep a onesie on me or I try to take off my diaper. Mama should bring this picture with when I get my weight checked tomorrow morning.

Mama has been letting me gently hold onto pretty things. I haven't broken anything so far.

I know how to direct the band when I hear music.

Mama is still working on my alphabet book. She's trying to get a good "Z" picture.

Mama has to stop here because my play date will be here any minute. I can't wait to see Matthew! I'll have Mama tell you all about my appointment tomorrow. She's not looking forward to it because my weight doesn't seem to have gone up according to the home scale. We'll see.

Happy Christmasgiving!

We're all home safe and sound after a fantastic visit with family and friends. Mama and I left our house on Monday morning. We didn't do a whole lot that day since it was our travel day. On Tuesday I got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa D while Mama made homemade baby food with Aunt Emily. They made pears, avocado, bananas, squash, and sweet potatoes while I got spoiled rotten. Leif is such a big boy and I hear that he tried food for the first time today. He'll get to try some of the food they made in a few days.I think I should show him how to eat properly.Or maybe Tater could help him if he makes a mess.Who doesn't love Tater? He's too much fun.On Wednesday, Mama got her hair cut and I got to go shopping with Aunt Claudia and my cousins Hailey and Macy. We celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving with Mama's family on Thursday and Dada was there when I woke up for the day. I was so happy to see him. Everyone enjoyed my dancing. I got to open my first Christmas present ever.I liked the bows.Dada went hunting on Friday and shot a few pheasants. I got to see "Uncle" James when I was eating supper. I didn't know what to think of him. He kept making funny noises at me. He was very impressed with my moves.Dada took a whirlpool bath with me that night. I loved it. Mama enjoyed taking a bath with me on Wednesday. I wish we had a big tub like that at home!He did more hunting on Saturday morning and shot a couple more. Mama needs a good pheasant recipe. Grandma and Grandpa H were in charge of me Saturday night. We left on Sunday morning and it was snowing like crazy. Mama apparently flirted with disaster, but I slept through it and nothing was hurt.

Dada and Mama decorated for Christmas yesterday. Our next task is to work on the Christmas card picture. Mama has had it planned for over a year, but now she needs to execute her plan. We did some videos this last week and Mama will share them with you sometime when she isn't so busy. Mama thinks it's good to be home, but I miss my grandparents and Tater.

Shower

Mama went to a baby shower yesterday and she left me home with Dada. We had loads of fun and I only asked for her for a few minutes before my afternoon nap. She was gone for 7 hours!

Mama got a picture of the crew. These are friends from college. She met most of them on the first day she moved into the dorms.
They all like to take pictures too. I'm glad Mama left me at home! Nicole has a cute little baby bump. She's 22 weeks along.
I'm heading to visit family tomorrow so I don't know how much I'll be having Mama update the blog while we're away. She has all sorts of plans scheduled and is hoping that I sleep well. Oh, and I still have my cold. I was getting better, but then it came back full force yesterday. I'm a snotty mess.

The Life

We had a perfect day yesterday. Today wasn't bad, but we really enjoyed ourselves yesterday. I had a fun play date with Matthew. I took a nap in my crib (instead of my car seat) that lasted more than an hour. I was in a happy mood, like most days. Dada came home at a decent time and we played and played and played.

I got to try strawberries for the first time. Yummy!Matthew stole my can, but don't worry, I got him back later. Matthew was in the best mood ever. He was smiling and laughing most of the time I was with him.

Sweet revenge! Mama finds it alarming how happy I look when I'm being naughty.
Mama pulled my pants up high and laughed at me so I cheesed it up for her.

Mama tried to catch my happy squeals on tape, but I stopped as soon as she got the camera out. At least you can see my progress when it comes to climbing stairs and walking.