Christmas Extravaganza

Look who I got to see yesterday! She snatched me up as soon as we got to Great Aunt Shirley's house. I loved her pretty necklace that I got her last Christmas. It has her name on it!Dada has been talking about getting a Blackberry and now I understand why. They're so fun to chew on.I left some hand and face prints for Shirley. I hope she likes them!Great Aunt Lois took some turns holding me too. She loves to say "Go Cyclones" because she's such a big ISU fan. Hehehe... Actually, Mama told her that she wouldn't get to hold me anymore if she taught me bad language like "Go Hawks." As if Mama would really be that cruel.We have high hopes that McKay will be an ISU Pom Squad member next year. She'd be a beautiful addition to the squad.Mama didn't notice that I chewed on stuff even more than usual yesterday. Today it's more obvious. I'm working on some molars on my left side on both the top and bottom.I almost got to try my first M & M yesterday, but my grandma didn't let that happen.I loved getting into Shirley's stuff. I bet she'll find all sorts of things out of place in the next few days.Grandma helped me open some gifts.I got an Usborne book from Great Grandma R. It's touch and feel even. She also gave me some cash for my next shopping adventure. Thank you!I particularly enjoyed the bows she gave me.There were a lot of people so that meant a lot of shoes. I searched through all the piles of shoes until I found something that I shouldn't have. Too bad my grandma was so on top of things.Mama took some pictures of my presents since she kind of fell down on the job at the party. I got a cute little doll from the Allisons. I've given her kisses on the lips. They also got me the cute snow suit for next year. I'll be styling. Mama can already imagine how cute the photos will be. I got Noah's Ark little people from my grandpa's brother Wayne and his wife Terri. They must have seen my wish list. Thank you so much everybody. I'm already enjoying my new stuff.Mama changed my diaper and I took off before she could pull my tights back up. That's an exercise in balance! I walked all around the living room with my tights around my ankles.

I played and played with my new toys last night and this morning. We need to get a good zebra picture for my alphabet book.The funnest thing to do is to pick up as many animals at one time as possible. So far I've only managed three at once.On Friday I met the scariest guy in the world. Classic.This morning I yawned and headed up the stairs for my nap. Mama caught on and I had a nice nap until I woke up cranky from my mouth hurting.

Mama will post the Christmas card outtakes tomorrow night. Most people should have received their cards yesterday or they'll get them tomorrow.

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.