Ho hum, cake again? 

Relaxing with grandpa after a long day 

This cake is pretty good! It also makes a nice face cream! 

Mom, I can't move my arms! 

Reluctant snow bunny 

Almost One!

Meagan is fast approaching her first birthday! This is hard for mom and dad to believe, it seems to have gone so fast. Our little family is doing well, Meagan especially. Meagan has been learning some new tricks over the last couple of weeks. Her new favorite activities are: Running laps around the first floor, Kicking things - she just figured out she could do this, Opening and closing drawers, Opening and closing cabinets, playing "catch" with mom and dad on the floor. She has also been eating more and more "big people food" and is not too picky about what we give her. As you can see, she is also getting out and about in the snow - she loves the outside. Stay tuned for more - I am sure the next batch of photos will include some cake eating!

Good Morning! 

I can walk all by myself! No problems here! 

Look out! I'm going down! 

Put on your walkin shoes

Meagan is getting this walking thing down pat. She is now trying to walk everywhere. She will usually make it 5 or six hesitant steps before she hits the turf - mom and dad see her running by her first birthday! Meagan also has a couple of new teeth up top and they have made it much easier to sample "big people" food. She has tried all sorts of new foods and is making quite a mess of things when she eats. She usually gets about half in her mouth and half in her bib - batting .500 is pretty good! Meagan is getting very good at her "dexterity toys". She has figured out how to stack rings and how to slide blocks into a square slot. Not bad for sub 3 footer!

Baby's first Christmas

Meagan got her first taste of Christmas festivities over the last few days and she loved every minute of it. Santa was very good to Meagan - the poor little girl has so much to play with now she does not know where to start. She enjoyed all of the celebrations and gift giving and is now trying to catch up on her sleep! Mom and Dad get to spend the next couple of days constructing and demonstrating her toys to her, as well as dressing her in all her new gear. Meagan thanks everyone for all of the wonderful gifts all her family and friends gave her. Dad and mom are especially thankful for all the "musical" toys (love getting those songs stuck in your head!). Meagan, mom and dad hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

Family Christmas greetings 

Meagan and mommy share some Christmas cheer 

It's fun to unwrap! 

Posing with her new chair  

Meagan and Gran share a holiday moment 

Is this for me? Of course it is 

One step at a time

Meagan had to get out of the house this weekend so she took mom and dad to the Botanical Gardens for a quick tour. Meagan enjoyed looking at all the plants, birds and butterflies as well as the big Christmas display. She is getting more accustomed to "lumpy" food but still wants nothing to do with her sippy cup. Meagan has had enough of all the furniture walking stuff and is just beginning to try a few steps on her own. She has not quite gotten the hang of it, but something tells me that by the new year she will be running around on 2 feet. Meagan is getting all set for Santa. I suspect she will enjoy the paper more than the contents this year, but it should be fun for all.

Dad and Meagan enjoy the gingerbread houses 

Mom and Meagan hide behind a waterfall at the Botanical Gardens 

Fun by the Christmas Tree 

Meagan gets into the holiday spirit! 

9 months and still going strong!

Meagan had her 9 month check up this past week - hard to believe she is that old (to Mom and Dad at least). The check up went well. Here are the measurements: 20 pounds 5 ozs., 27 1/2 inches long. Both measurements put her in the same ballpark with other 9 month olds. Her head measurement was up in the 95th percentile - baby has a big melon! That extra protection up there has served her well during her exploration - perhaps Santa can bring her a crash helmet! Meagan has a pretty regular cycle now when she is free. Crawl around until she sees something she can use to pull herself up, stand up and furniture walk for a bit, let go and stand on her own for 2-20 seconds, fall down and cry for 2-20 seconds, repeat cycle. This will continue for as long as Mom and Dad will allow. Meagan is also in active pursuit mode when Lucy is in sight - Lucy has been a good sport so far, but Meagan has not really figured out how to tug her ear yet. Meagan now has 4 teeth (2 up, 2 down) and still likes to try and eat everything in site (not so nice on the fingers). She is experimenting with mom and dad food now but so far prefers the pulverized stuff. Meagan and the family are looking forward to Christmas and the snow here has put us all in the mood.

Meagan meets Jack 

Sara shares a Thanksgiving greeting with Meagan 

Ever the innovator... Meagan presents - "Infant Step Aerobics". Feel the burn!
 

My friend, Lulu 

I can stand up like the big kids! 

Up on 2 feet!

Meagan has now discovered that she can pull herself up onto 2 feet! She is now obsessed with standing - unfortunately, she has a fairly low success rate which keeps mom, dad, and grandparents on their toes. She is also trying this in her crib - Her mornings now start with thump (bean to crib impact) followed by wailing. All a part of learning I suppose.
Daddy also notice a couple more teeth peeking out today - she is getting her 2 top teeth in. She is getting pretty good a crawling, but we suspect that before she has this mastered, she will be working on the "furniture walk"

Halloween take 2: Happy Baby Bee 

Aunt Chrissy and Baby Bee