Christmas Day!!! Twice!!

Christmas morning I woke up earlier than normal and got Mommy and Daddy hoppin' right away! I got new books and yummy food in my stocking, but I couldn't figure out that squishy orange ball in the toe, and then some clothes and another book of old nursery rhymes. Mommy got a new knife for the kitchen and Daddy got a wine chiller and a pillow! We had fun...until Mommy put me in a box...I didn't like it much.

Later on we went to Nanna and Grandpa's house where I got my Discovery Dome, my first dolly and some special clothes from Aunt Janell. At the end of the day, I was soooooo tired...but I had fun.
Then the next day we went to Gram and Grandpa's house in Reno for ANOTHER Christmas! That's where I discovered Mommy's new toothbrush and got some bath toys and books from Gram and Auntie Kirstie.

Christmas Eve 2007

My First Christmas!
Today was a fun day for me. I slept in, I went shopping with Mommy and Daddy, and then we got all dressed up! Look at my pretty dress! Daddy tried to buy it big enough but its just a little snug...can you believe I'm so tall?? I had to start the classic little girl move and lift my dress up to show everyone my tights and isn't that some great "cheese" Mommy is giving the camera?? I got really tired later on in my jammies, but I didn't want to go to bed. With a big bow like this, how could I?

Yeeeee-haaaaaa Ya'll!!!

Mommy, Daddy and I just got back from a trip to the great state of Texas!!! Home of the Alamo and the state where Daddy was born. We flew in on December the 15th and stayed all the way until December 22nd. We went to Rudy's, Texas Roadhouse, The Salt Lick, Austin Land and Cattle, H.E.B, San Antonio's Riverwalk and the Alamo, the Apple campus, the mall, the capital building, the Trail of Lights, Best Buy, Whole Foods and Mommy went on two ride-alongs with Rob in his police car. It was a fun trip and I was really good most of the time. My schedule was all messed up, but I liked the puppies Kimber has and I learned to slide off the sofa feet first, rather than diving off head first. I also started to "cruise" around the coffee table when the puppies weren't trying to lick me. Mommy hopes to go back in a couple years...maybe I'll go too...

Happy 30th Birthday Daddy!!!

December 7th was Daddy's 30th birthday...and oh what a weekend it was! Friday I got to hang out with Nanna all day and even into the night when Daddy and Mommy went to Haps Steakhouse for a nice dinner. Then Saturday, we celebrated with Nanna and Grandpa at their house in Pleasanton. Doesn't Daddy look good in that sweater...and ooooo...that cake looks yummy too!!!!

The last part of the weekend celebration was a party at our house with family, friends and neighbors galore. I got to play with everyone and stay up for most of the afternoon when I should have been napping. I had extra fun because Claudia played with me and later my friend Gabbi came too. Aren't we cute in our matching outfits??

Tradition...

So I guess the story is

that every year, Mommy and Daddy
go to San Francisco to see the lighting
of the Christmas Tree in Union Square.
Well, this year, because
I'm so little still,
they decided not to go.
But Daddy couldn't resist going
to see the tree a week later.
So here I am with Mommy in front of
the tree and doesn't it look
great all lit up like that??
Pretty!!!

Ready for Santa...

I'm all ready for Santa!!! Our tree is up...
but I didn't help. I took a great nap and
Mommy and Daddy did all the work. :)
I think it looks pretty good, and it sure
is big compared to me. The "leaves" are
kind of pokey, so I don't think I'll touch
them anymore, but that ribbon sure
looks inviting...hehehe.

Starting the Season...

With cutting down our family Christmas tree. We drove and drove and drove way up in the mountains and went to the Norquist's house and cut down our tree. It was chilly cold, and that's why I look like a bear again. We cut our tree and then took some pictures...I liked looking at Sammy more than anything else, so this was the best picture. We spent the rest of the day with Nanna and Grandpa at their house decorating...well...they decorated and I slept. Everyone seemed to think I would attack the tree in their house...but I don't much care to thank you very much. I think it looks nice just as it is, so I leave it alone.

4 Generations of Women!

This is my Great-Grandma, my Mommy, me and my Grandma on Thanksgiving. I guess its not often that there are four generations living, so Mommy tries to take a picture of us all as often as she can. Sorry I didn't smile...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What a day! I got up early and had my breakfast and then a nap. Family started coming over at noon and we had a great time! I slept while everyone ate and then I got to come down and try my great-grandma's yams! I didn't like them, but please don't tell her. :( Then later my new Auntie Jen gave me a bottle...until I figured out she wasn't my Mommy. We watched a movie too and had pie for dessert. I finally went to bed at 8:30 and Mommy and Daddy say they "crashed" at 9:30. I think it was a good day...

Look! I'm standing!

I'm such a big girl now!!! I've been crawling for a month now, pulling up on things here and there but tonight I surprised Mommy by crawling over to the couch and pulling up on the sofa, all by myself. Now this is a special trick because the sofa isn't that easy to hold on to...so Mommy was excited for me. Ms. Laura, my daycare lady, thinks I might be walking by Christmas...we'll see...

I STILL love bath time!

When we were in Windsor...
I got to take a bath in the big bathtub all by myself. And Daddy was being silly and put the bubbles from my bubble bath on top of my head but Mommy and I had to admit it was a little funny. So Daddy grabbed the camera, and here I am!

My First Trip to Windsor!

This weekend I got to go with Mommy and Daddy to Windsor, which is north of Santa Rosa, but not quite to the redwoods (not that I know what those are yet, but oh well.) We left Friday evening after bathtime and got there in just a couple of hours and got right to bed. Then Saturday, I got up with Mommy and we let Daddy sleep a while longer. I ate, and played and then took a nap while Mommy and Daddy got to enjoy spending some time together. Then we left and went to a little country market for lunch and then some wineries. This picture was taken at Ferrari-Carrano, the winery with the best gardens. Isn't it beautiful?? (Can you see Mommy's "tail"?? Hehe! She forgot it was there!) It was rainy and cold but I know Daddy had a really good time. :) And then when we left, we got a little "lost" and made our way over to Korbel which was nice too because they had a big fireplace where I could sit with Mommy. :) Then we went back to the timeshare that Gram and Grandpapa let us stay at (Thank you!) and I got another good nap and we just spent the time together under warm blankets and in front of the fireplace. I had my Daddy and my Mommy all to myself the whole weekend!!! It was great!!

TEETH!!!!!

Holy moley people!!! You could have warned me that this wasn't going to be much fun! It all started the other day when my gums started getting really puffy, and I was drooling like a faucet, and then there was this strange sensation in my mouth...Daddy says it was called "pain", same as when they give me shots. I didn't sleep much Halloween night because it was all bothering me so much, so instead I slept alot the day after. Then Mommy was gone for a couple of days and my mouth was hurting more and more, but I was really good for Daddy and let him sleep at night. Friday night, the 2nd, I didn't let Mommy sleep much because I was getting her up every four hours to give me more Tylenol for my little teeth to stop hurting. And then finally today...there they were...two little white things in the bottom of my mouth. Amazing! Now if only I could figure out how to stop biting my own fingers and thumb and making myself cry, that would be ~really~ amazing. :)

Aaawwwwwwww Moooooooooooom!

See! This is what happens when you're in a hurry and you take my special bibs off wrong. I'm covered in sweet potatoes, but I'd much rather have my tummy full of them. Guess we just need to take our time a little more often, don't we Mommy? :) Hehehe...

My First Halloween!!

Look! There's me! No silly! The ladybug...right next
to the little pumpkin and diagonal from the little
Tigger and right in front of the big Tigger. I know
I don't look thrilled...but really this buggy thing is
cramping my style. My wings are squished...
the Pumpkin keeps screaming because he can't see...
the little Tigger is flopping over...and big Tigger
keeps kicking my seat. I'm just gonna sit here and
suck my thumb until all you crazy people quit
flashing lights in my eyes and get me outta here!!!
Mommy says no candy for me this year, but I'm
really just interested in a bottle and a nap.
Can someone help me out with that?? Oh, and by
the way, that nice lady wearing the vest...that's
Ms. Laura...she takes really good care of me while
Mommy and Daddy are at work everyday. We have
fun together. :)

Guess who's CRAWLING?????!!!!!!!

IT'S ME!!!!! This is so great! I can get across the floor to get my toys...I can touch the "no-no" by the coffee table...and the "no-no Abby" on the coffee table. I can follow Mommy into the kitchen and suck on the floor...I can...wait...what's that room? Oooooo...a step and something called an "office". Hey, wait...what's this white thing Mommy just put in my way? Oh, no...its a gate. I guess I can't go in there. But what else can I do...let's see...ooooooo...what's this skinny black thing with buttons on it? Oh...this ones a "no-no Abigail". Alright...back to my play mat and my favorite toy...a free rattle from the top of a present. :)

Houston's...three years later

Today we went to Houston's Restaurant in San Francisco to celebrate three years since Mommy and Daddy's first date. They thought it would be nice to take me too, but I taught them a lesson or two. Because I'm such a busy body right now I didn't want to sit still and be at the table, so Mommy and Daddy had to take turns taking me to see the great open kitchen and the water fountains outside. They didn't get to sit together for more than a couple minutes the whole night...and I don't think that's how they wanted to celebrate the day...but I'm little and I just don't know better. But Mommy and Daddy know better now and they say that next year I don't get to go. I think that's okay with me.

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Today we went to the pumpkin festival with Stephen and Michelle and then on to the Ritz for snacks and pictures.  I took a nap at home first, then had a bottle in the car and when we got there...uh-oh...Mommy had forgotten my hat.  So Daddy bought me this new one and I'm a little unsure about it, but at least it keeps the sun out of my eyes.  I didn't nap the whole day while we were out, so boy was I relieved to finally get back in the car and sleep the whole way home.  Overall, I think it was fun, but it'll be better when I'm older.

Time for a 6 month check-up!

Today we went to go see Dr. DeVilliers again...and that lady Nurse Charlotte who gives the shots. (I'm not sure I like her much...) Anyway, I'm still healthy as can be. :) 75th%ile for height, 50th%ile for weight, and my head is totally normal too. (Hard to believe with my parents, I know!) I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do and more! Dr.DV says I should get my teeth soon...I don't know what that means, but I guess I'll find out soon. I get to start more "solid" food now, and Mommy learned a trick to get the food in my mouth over my thrusting tongue, so it'll be much easier. And guess what, I don't have to go back and get more shots for three whole months!!! Hooray!!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

Today was Mommy's birthday and we went to
Buca Di Beppo's for dinner. I didn't have good naps today, so I was kind of fussy, but I got to play with Grandpa's mustache, Uncle Colin's "handles" again, and suck on Auntie Kirsten's spoon. :) Gram held me too and gave me lots of kisses. Mommy's 28 now...but I have a feeling she'll be 28 again. ;-)

Shopping time!!!

I'm big enough for the cart now!!! I sit-up okay...but I have to hold on or I slip sideways. I went to Target with Mommy and Daddy today and we got formula and birthday cards. Riding in the cart is fun, but Mommy says I have to learn not to suck on the bars. ;-)

Look! I'm a bear in Tahoe!!!

And my arms won't even go down because I'm hanging on Mommy. :) This is my bear coat and it came in really handy when we went to South Lake Tahoe this weekend. :) We stayed at the Marriott Timberlodge Resort and got to rest and eat good food. I didn't get to see the snow that had fallen because I slept the whole way there and it melted too fast. I practiced my crawling a little bit in the room, but mostly I just cried and wanted to be held because I was still sick with a cold that I had for 3 weeks. I feel a little better now, so I'm going to get back to working on my crawling.

Look! Its got handles!!

Hahahaha!! Uncle Colin lifted me up high and I found handles way up here! They're fluffy and squishy and feel funny in my fingers. But they work really well. :) I don't think he'll be putting me up here on his shoulders again any time soon...

What in the world is that???

Its hard. Its orange. It doesn't smell. P...p...pu...pump...pumpkin. Hmmmm...pumpkin. But Mommy calls me her little pumpkin...so how is this orange thing a pumpkin too?? I don't get it but this little one is mine. Mommy picked it out and I tasted the stem just to make sure it was okay. It didn't taste good, but since I could hold it all by myself, I kept it. Then the nice pumpkin lady took this picture of me and Daddy and Mommy. :) What a cute little family!

St. Supery!

This is me sitting in my stroller at St. Supery with Mommy and Daddy and Stephen and Michelle. We had a nice lunch together at Mustards and then we went the the party at St. Supery. The weather was perfect and we all had a good time. I played with leaves that fell on my blankie and the grass that poked through too. Napping was out of the question because I didn't want to miss anything. :) So I slept all the way home instead. :)

BBQ at Nanna and Grandpa's house

Today we had a BBQ at Nanna and Grandpa's house and Auntie Shannon came with Bruce and my friend Gabby. Gabby snuggled with her Mommy most of the day, but she got to hang out with me and my Mommy too and I got to play with Grandpa. The good news is that I've gotten much better at napping when we go to Nanna's, but Mommy says I still have a long way to go. I'm getting to be a big girl though...I'm gonna figure it out soon...

Happy Birthday Aunt Janell!!

Okay, well...Happy Birthday a little early. We celebrated Aunt Janell's birthday today because she is in town now and won't be on her actual birthday. We couldn't quite work together well enough to both be looking at the camera, so Mommy picked this picture where we're both not looking. :) Can you believe that Aunt Janell is 25 years old on my 6 month birthday??

Whadda ya want??

Can't you tell I'm busy?? I've got some swingin' to do and I've got to look cute doin' it!

Oh! The drama!

Oh! My life is so tough! I sleep...I eat...I wet...I cry...I sleep...I eat...I poop...I sleep...and on it goes. When it all becomes too much for me, I just cover my eyes and shut the whole world out. Nothing but me and my bottle...ahhhhh...much better.

Clean baby!

I love bath time!!!! I like to be in my little bath tub with the warm water. It feels good on my belly and the soap makes me smell so good! I don't play much but I have a rubber ducky who tells me if my water is too hot. Maybe Mommy will be crazy enough to get me some of those squirting fish soon...

My Uncle Bubba!

Look at my Uncle Bubba! His name is really John and he's Mommy's baby brother. He's big and strong and has this funny, scratchy thing on his chin. He finally came to visit from Florida and played with me for a whole day with Auntie Kirstie while Mommy was at work. I like his big strong arms... :)

Big Girls go to Daycare

This is me on my very first day of daycare. Mommy was chicken and made Daddy take me and drop me off. Mommy went to my daycare first with my sheets, blankets, and toys and then went to work. She cried all the way to work. Daddy dropped me off and he cried a little too when he left. My teacher's name is Ms. Laura and she feeds me my bottle, picks me up when I cry and takes us on "buggy" rides. I like The Good Samaritan Preschool, but I'm always glad to see Mommy come in the door...

My First "Food"

What are you looking at?? Yes...I'm wearing my first food...what's it to ya?? Look at me in my own big high chair...looks just like my carseat. :) I don't like the food Mommy gave me, but I didn't cry and I actually ate some anyway. I'm four and a half months old and I still have a funny tongue thrusting thing that I do, so Mommy is going to wait a little longer before really starting me on solids for good. I don't mind...rice cereal is gross.

Happy Birthday Uncle Colin!

This is me and Uncle Colin on his birthday. It was a hot day, so Mommy stripped me down and gave me a wet napkin to try and cool me down. Then I got to ride Uncle Colin's motorcycle/lap. He and Auntie Jen can't wait to take me on a real ride...but Mommy says "No". So I cried most of the evening...

Time for a 4 month check-up

Today I went to the Dr. with Mommy. My pediatrician is Dr. Margaret DeVilliers and she's got a funny accent...she's from South Africa. She and Mommy talked for a while about me and then she poked me and played with me and listened to my heart. I weigh 13lbs, 9 oz, and I'm 24.5 inches tall. I'm in the 50th percentile for everything and as Dr. DV says...I'm "beautifully healthy". Look I'm a big girl...the first picture was take on June 10th (1 day before 2 months old) and the second picture was taken August 13th (two days after 4 months old) I've got a super cute bib too, don't I? :)

Party!!!

After they dedicated me at the church, we went home and had a big party. These are two special pictures from the party. Who would have thought my two great grandmas could become such fast friends??? And look at me and my Mommy...aren't we sweet together?? I didn't get to see many other people because I was napping almost the entire time...but I'm so glad there were so many people there who love me and my Mommy and Daddy. If you want to see more pictures....you can go to http://gallery.mac.com/stephenr#100015
where you can download and print copies for yourself. :)

I belong to God.

Today at church Mommy and Daddy gave me back to Jesus (not literally) and promised to teach me all about Him and to raise me to love and honor God, because children are a gift from God. All my Grandparents were there, plus Great Grandma List, Uncle Colin and Auntie Jen, and Auntie Kirstie. Mommy and Daddy's special friends Steve and Wanda were there too and helped take these great pictures. Pastor John (the same one who married Mommy and Daddy) gave me a special Bible that Mommy and Daddy can read to me too. When we got up on the stage I gave everyone a big smile and I didn't cry once...Mommy was so proud. Maybe that was because Pastor John had on a great plaid tie that kept me occupied...