Every now and then, there is a moment that makes you thankful for all you have. This Christmas was one of those for me. I am grateful for having such a wonderful husband & daughter, and family.

Christmas was a little different this year. Because Leah had fifths and Crissie is pregnant we weren't able to get together as a big group. Everyone got together with them without us, and then we got together without them. My brother's family usually can't make it up for the holidays because Pete works for UPS, so we are used to missing them, but it just didn't feel like Christmas. We will make sure next year is better.

Leah was excited about Santa (or at least the new toys under the tree Christmas morning) and all the other gifts she received. She is happy to have new things to play with, she was starting to outgrow a lot of what she had.

And... In the spirit of giving, we gave Leah her first fast food cheeseburger today. She loved it.

Pleading the 5th

In the midst of the holiday season, Leah (and possibly Joe) has caught fifth disease. At first we thought it was just another cold or maybe her incoming molar was bothering her, but two little girls at the sitter's had it so that is most likely the case. For the most part she has been in a good mood but has woken up at night when the Motrin wears off. Since she's sick, she had also been sleeping more. Sleeping in until 8 instead of 6! This probably means we won't see much family for Christmas but it is only one day, one holiday and there will be many others.

Merry Christmas to everyone & happy New Year!

Can you tell me where my baby went? Because this little girl is way too big.

I can not believe how big Leah is getting. She is full of words now and loves to pretend. She also loves to copy you. For months Joe and I have been the ones to chase her around the house, but earlier this week she started chasing me back. How adorable. She never ceases to amaze me.

This is the time we have been waiting for. Leah can finally communicate most of her wants. It is such a relief to know why she is upset or crying, even if we have to tell her no. Looking back to when she was a newborn, I remember chalking a few crying fit up as gas because nothing else seemed to be wrong.

It is fun seeing how excited she gets about new toys, Christmas lights or her favorite foods. Sometimes when I watch her I realize what a special time in her (and my) life this is, because this is when so many things are new & magical.

Holiday Season

We are in full holiday swing! Last week we put our tree up. It was very cold and very windy so we went to a lot up the street instead of cutting one down. We will start that tradition next year. Leah loves the tree, lights and all the decorations! She has gotten into the habit of saying "hi" to everything, it's really cute. I am looking forward to baking cookies and seeing Leah's face on Christmas morning - those should both be a blast!

Our Gingerbread House

Every year Jenni makes a gingerbread house with Jake and it has become part of our family's tradition. So, this year I decided to put one together with Leah. Here is the story in pictures.

Oh, this is going to be cool!

Notice the upside down shingles?

CANDY!!!!

Ok, let me try.

Aaand - we're done. Note to self: Don't try to cover-up upside down shingles.

I'm done!

Leah woke us up at 5:30 this morning, yelling "I'm done!" from her crib. Thankfully, she went back to sleep until 7. When Joe went in to get her, this is how he found her pacifiers.

We made it!

We made it through hosting Joe's family for Thanksgiving dinner AND now I can say we made it through Leah getting tubes in her ears.

Thanksgiving was fun, a lot of work but well worth it. It was nice to see everyone and see just how many people our house can hold. Unfortunately, Jim started feeling bad before he got here and while he was here it looked like he caught the same virus Leah & Joe had a month ago. Pink eye & everything. Debbie was coming down with something before they left. We hope they both feel better soon.

Leah had tubes put in this morning. I was a little worried about not giving her anything to eat before the procedure because breakfast is usually her biggest meal but she did fine. She is such a good baby, I don't know why I worry about anything with her. The doctor said her ears looked "pretty nasty" so I am glad we decided to go ahead and get tubes. We had no idea she had an ear infection.

I am too lazy to post pictures here tonight, so check them out on Picasa (link to the right).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I know we all have a lot to be thankful for this year and Joe, Leah and I look forward to another wonderful year.

Tag, I'm it!

Lettie has tagged me, so I am it. I'm supposed to find my 4th picture in my 4th file and post it.

This was taken when I was about 5 months pregnant. We were out shopping and noticed my belly looked almost exactly like the Gap Maternity mannequin. This was also the same day that I got my first comment from a stranger about being pregnant. A shoe salesman asked, "You go somethin' in there?" I wanted to tell him I just needed to burp.

So, to carry this on I have to tag 4 people. Sara, Debbie, Aminta (Ariana), & Alicia - you're it!

One sign you are around children a lot:
You have Farmer & the Dell stuck in your head all day instead of the hot new song on the radio.


Hi-ho the dairy-o, the farmer & the dell...

Before her haircut, long & messy.


After her haircut. She had to wear that shirt.

Sorry if this blog is boring, it's hard to think of what to write sometimes. We took Leah for her second haircut this weekend. The lady put Leah's sides up in two little pig tails when she was done & she looked like such a little girl! She is growing up so fast.

Last Friday (the 7th) we took Leah to see the ENT. Long story short, Leah's ears were still a little infected but he thought they would get better on their own. Well, we've heard that before. So this Friday when she woke up all snotty & yucky I took her in to the pediatrician and found out Leah has a double ear infection. She's had ear infections since the end of September. We are now scheduled to get tubes in her ears on December 2nd.

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving! This year we will host Joe's side of the family at our house and I am excited to see everyone. It should be a lot of fun! I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already, it seems like we were just going to the pool last weekend.

Joe turns 31 on Monday! Happy birthday, Joe!

This could get interesting

The babysitter has informed me that Leah has learned how to take her clothes off. She's been doing this during nap time. Her diaper is the next thing she will figure out.

Hmm, do they sell baby proofing kits for diapers?

Photo Wall Contest!

This project has been a year in the making. When we put our last house on the market, we took almost all of our pictures down because they say they can be distracting to potential buyers.

Last weekend I finally decided to put together the photo wall I had envisioned. I have seen some that are well done and others that were not my style. So, here it is. I think it turned out pretty well but it is not complete. I have one 4x6 that should come in the mail this week.

That means I still have one empty 4x6 frame! So please, if you want your picture on our photo wall or have a suggestion e-mail me or post it as a comment and maybe you will be the winner!

If you do one thing today

If you do one thing today - VOTE!

Happy Halloween!

Painting her pumpkin

All dressed up

Dancing with the pumpkins

Halloween was Friday and Leah dressed up as a fairy. She kept her costume on the entire night and helped up greet everyone at the front door. I took her around to a few of the neighbors to say hi, but we didn't go trick or treating. We'll save that for next year.

Leah painted her pumpkin on Wednesday and only tried to eat the paint 10 times. Some of it made it in her mouth but she didn't seem to mind the taste.

Besides that we had a pretty good week. We made yet another trip to the doctor on Thursday because Leah had a sore that looked pretty funny. Luckily it turned out to be nothing, but the pediatrician said she still has two ear infections. We go to see an ENT (ear, nose, throat) on Friday.

One year ago today...

Leah working hard on moving day.

A year ago today we said good-bye to our first home. I remember how focused I was on not getting stressed out about the move & all the changes going on.

They say things happen for a reason. I have spent most of the last year missing our old house & my old job, everything I loved & hated about Memphis, and the friends we made over the last 6 years. And now I think I can be grateful for the move for a number of reasons.

We are closer to family, who are there to love & support us and watch Leah grow. We also have enough room in our house to be comfortable and host visitors. Looking back at our first house, we would be cramped with so many toys and unable to sell our home for a number of years.

What does the next year hold for us? We still have a lot of painting to do, but we love our new home. We hope to continue meeting our neighbors, making new friends, and watching our trees grow.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

Last night I was reading books to Leah and read her favorite one - The Pigeon Wants a Puppy. It is a pretty silly book and you combine that with puppies and Leah is in love! Basically, the pigeon goes on and on about how he wants a puppy then sees how big it is and changes his mind. At one point the dog says, "Woof!" and the pigeon screams, "Ahhhh!"

After I read the book it fell on the floor while I was reading another one. Leah wanted down, picked up the pigeon book and said, "Woof! Ahhhh!" So I read it to her again and when we got to that page she said it again.

Needless to say I was impressed with her memory and being able to put that together. I just had to brag about our little girl.

So happy!

Pink Eye

Pumpkin Patch

Potty

This has been a great weekend, I think Leah is happy to be well. She has been in the best mood, probably excited to be out & about again. Jenni watched Leah for us on Saturday so we could get a break from the baby (it was a rough week) and Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch. Leah loved it! She ran all over and loved looking at all the animals.

We got her a potty a few weeks ago. So far she just likes to stand in the potty, so we have some work to do.

Thursday and Friday she was telling me no whenever I went to get her from Joe. Of course, Joe really loved that! She picked up a lot of words this week - puppy, please, cheese, juice, quack, meow, and teeth.

Joe has pink eye now and isn't feeling well. Saturday morning he went to urgent care to get eye drops and they said his ear drum looked red. He caught whatever Leah had. I hope he doesn't get as sick as she did and starts feeling better soon.

I hope everyone has a great week & enjoys the fall weather!

She's better!

Leah is feeling better now & went to the sitter today for the first time this week. It's nice to have our playful baby back.

10 ways you know Leah is sick

1) Leah sits on your lap for 2 entire books.
2) Falls asleep reading those books.
3) You go through a box of Kleenex a day.
4) I am out of songs. I have sung them all.
5) 4 hours of uninterrupted sleeps feels like an accomplishment (again).
6) A lunch of mandarin oranges & cheese is considered successful.
7) Leah doesn't think her medicine tastes good anymore. Before we got an "mmm" afterwards.
8) A 3 1/2 hour morning nap.
9) Leah hasn't worn a shirt in 2 days.
10) You already know if she has a fever based on the number the digital thermometer starts reading at.

Left to Right

Just a quick update. Leah's ear infection is gone from her left ear, but she has one in her right now. She still has a fever and a cough when her temperature is up. The doctor said she wanted to see Leah again if she still has a fever on Thursday and that she probably has a virus in addition to the ear infection. Thursday seems so far off, I hope she is better by then!

What a hottie!

And I mean that literally. Leah woke up from her nap yesterday with a 103.2 temperature, a rash, cough, and so pathetic. Fussy, only wanting to be held. Poor girl. We gave her Motrin and called the doctor. I was concerned because she has been on augmentin since Tuesday for an ear infection, so what was making her sick? They said to go to the ER, so off we went.

By the time we got there the Motrin had kicked in, her temperature was down, the rash had almost disappeared and her mood had improved. Luckily, the nurses & doctors didn't make us feel too stupid for being there. They said it is either an allergic reaction to penicillin or a virus. Since Leah is still running a fever when the Motrin wears off, my vote is a virus.

I hope she starts feeling better soon!

Ring around the rosie

Leah has this toy, it is on loan from Aunt Crissie. When you turn it on it plays the song Ring Around the Rosie and spins the little bugs around. Leah knows how to turn it on and off and really likes that she knows how to do this.

Thursday night she was playing with it but she would knock the bugs off & lean over it, putting her belly on the stage. She wanted it to spin her around! She did this a few times, knocking the bugs off & laying on the toy. Joe and I were cracking up! Leah is getting so smart.

Go Vikings!

Trees & a Corn Maze

Weeping Willow

2 Maples

Cherry Tree

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

We had another great week. The trees came Friday as you can see. They are as big as I thought they would be and Joe had been good about watering them. I can't wait to see them grow!

My brother's birthday was Monday and Friday was my dad's 61st birthday! We went to a corn maze on Saturday to celebrate. Jenni, Jake & his friend Kole went with us. They did the long maze, we did the short one. I've never been to one before and they sure make you feel lost. You can't see anything! We all had a good time and Jenni got to give Leah her first M&M.

Joe was demonstrating his handiness on Sunday by installing a new glass door on the house. The one that was there when we bought the house blew off over last Christmas (previous owner = not so handy). So, I will have to post pictures of his work next week.

What a week we've had!

Where do I even begin? I'll start with Leah. She LOVES apples. She gets the biggest smile on her face when you give her a whole apple. I take the skin off for her and she goes to town. I think she likes it for her teeth, too. Last Friday her 5th one came in - the top right.

She can sass you pretty good now and it's hard to keep a straight face. You tell her no and she gives it right back - usually leaning forward with her finger out as she tells you "NO!" She is really something else.

Leah has many words now, I will list them for you. No (of course), yeah, mama, dada, baby, bubble, apple, shoe, ball, tickle (this one is a long stretch), eye, boom, and Leah. She also says woof for dog. I think that is all of them. Tickle comes out more as tcksh, but we know what she means. She also uses baby for belly.

We had our first visit from Parents as Teachers last Wednesday.


Another development is that she brings me her shoes to put on! This is a big deal to me because two weeks ago it was a huge fight to get her shoes on, and now she wants to wear them all the time (see picture above).

As you can see, Leah is going to be a fairy for Halloween. I thought it was a good pick for this year because we won't be going door to door so it doesn't need to be warm.

Last week Joe had his first international business trip, he went to Mexico. It was a different trip for him because he doesn't speak any Spanish. He did bring back the bottle of tequila I requested, and a new phrase. Taco de Ojo - literal translation Eye Taco. Apparently there that would be the equivalent of eye candy. I won't tell you how that came up in conversation on his business trip, it's a different culture there. :)

Leah and I have both been fighting a cold and she had a fever all weekend then got a rash on Sunday. I was home with her on Monday and it turns out it was a reaction to the MMR she got on the 17th. Quite a delay there, but the doctor said it was nothing to worry about and she wasn't contagious. She seems better now.

This weekend we bought 4 trees for the house! I am really excited to have trees in our yard. We bought a weeping willow for the backyard to screen us from our neighbors hopefully, two maples for the side yard and a (fruitless) cherry tree for the corner. They are being planted Friday and I'll be sure to post some pictures. They always look big at the nursery and so small when they are planted.

Cooper is finally home! I haven't had a chance to talk to Pete or Melissa yet but I am sure they are happy and grateful for their little guy. Their entire family has been through so much this past month.

Ok, I've talked enough. I hope everyone has a good week!

12 months old!

Let me tell you something...

I wanted to make sure we thanked Debbie for flying in for Leah's birthday. That made it extra special for us all.

Leah continues to grow and impresses us everyday. This weekend I took her apply picking with some friends and she had a great time. I've never seen anyone so happy to be eating an apple!

She also had her 12 month check-up with our new pediatrician. The new doctor seems really nice and knowledgeable.

Weight: 18 lbs. 13oz, 15th percentile
Length: 29 1/4", 50th percentile

1st Birthday Party

I might go a little picture crazy here, but I think it is well deserved.

I know I said I needed to warm up before the party, but this is taking it too far!

Katie selling the balloons.

OMG, I love being smothered by balloons.

The Cake

I'm supposed to do what?

Ok, I'll trust you. I'll try it.

You're right! It is good!

Drink break.

How old is Leah?

A few from our Orlando trip...

Animal Kingdom

Disney World

Sea World

I'm ready for the trip home, mom.