We give thanks...

For our family and friends,
For our health and happiness,
For our beautiful daughter,
For the food at our table,
For all of our many blessings this year.

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

18 Months Old!

Why does time fly by so quickly this time of year? I cannot believe that Hannah is already 18 months old and that Christmas will be here before we know it! Our little girl has been busy playing, learning, chatting, eating, and growing! Two growth spurts this fall have led to two closet reorganizations and countless trips shopping to find pants, shoes and tights that fit! With rainy and cold weather...playing outside has been less frequent but we are managing with weekly trips to storytime at the library - which Hannah loves - plus we have made some new friends! Hannah loves to try on shoes and likes to wear my blue slippers around the house - so cute! She likes to play with Elmo and her baby doll, her little doll house, stacking and lining up items, reading books, and "helping" mommy with almost any task!



She most recently decided that she was going to drink her milk out of a cup all by herself and does an amazing job with little to no spilling! She is also not in her high chair anymore and sits in a booster at the table with us - so grown up! So proud of her daily accomplishments, her good manners, and overall happy personality! Love you baby girl!

Halloween was a Hoot!

Trick-or-Treat! Our little owl had a blast this Halloween! Hannah looked oh-so cute in her handmade owl costume and pumpkin tote! Mike did a beautiful job on the matching owl pumpkin and H monogramed pumpkin for the front steps. We had to bundle up this year as it was a bit chilly, but luckily we "made it work" and Hannah's costume looked adorable!







The Sunday afternoon before Halloween was gorgeous and we took advantage of the weather and headed outside to carve our pumpkins! Hannah was an excellent helper and we all enjoyed the afternoon together! Happy Halloween indeed!

17 Months Old!

Take my word for it - the sign actually does say "17 Months!" This was a challenging photo shoot for our very active and precocious daughter! She has been busy developing a very sweet and funny little personality, testing her limits, and "talking" up a storm this month! Big teeth news - top and bottom molars, plus another bottom tooth, have all arrived! Still pushing milk (which isn't her favorite) but Hannah is a good eater and will try most everything we offer! Cheese, juice, applesauce on the go, goldfish and cheerios are top requests - as well as a new found love for "chips" which can be anything from Gerber cheese puffs to baked cheetos. (Yes, Hannah has plate envy and wants to eat what Mommy and Daddy are eating!) She loves shoes, both hers and ours, and is constantly finding shoes to put on and attempt to walk around in! Too cute!




Hannah is such a good little girl - well behaved most of the time, listens to simple directions, "cleans" up with mommy, plays well independently and with others, loves bathtime, calls out "nite nite" when she is tired and ready for naps and bedtime, waves, smiles, laughs, gives high fives, knuckles, hugs, leans in for cheek kisses, loves to call out for her mama and dada, (which is the best thing in the world to hear!) loves to "read" and be read to, still twirls her hair, loves to watch Sesame Street/Elmo, and is an amazing little dancer! She can say cheese, shoes, sox, ice, juice, hi, more, no, nite-nite, awa (water), papa (for my dad), uh-oh, nana (for banana), nak (for snack), roh-roh (for ruff-ruff like a dog), moo, duck, and probably a few more words that become more clear every day! Amazing to watch how she learns and problem solves, and figures out how to "make things work" as I tell her to do! Love our sweet baby so much and are so proud of the little girl she is becoming!

Hannah loves Rudy's BBQ!

While in Texas for Fall Break...Hannah had her first encounter with Rudy's BBQ and loved it! She ate ribs, brisket, bread and chicken - and even tasted the famous "sause." (she loves "dipping" food so we let her try the sissy sause as it is now called, didn't it used to be Doc's not-so-hot sause back in the day?) I am one proud Texas mommy, now that my daughter has a love for Rudy's!



Amazing weather allowed for lots of time outside - which Hannah loves! We played and ate, and shopped of course - visited with family and relaxed! And in the words of Pat Green, Southbound 35, I "...let Texas fill my soul."

Frequent Flyer

Hannah is my favorite little travel companion! Since she was born, we have gone so many places! Recently, we flew to Denver - and had a great weekend visiting my college roomate Dana & her husband Adam! We were also able to spend time with other college friends and their children who were in town! Hannah bonded with Dana and they were "best friends" the whole weekend - too cute! We had a great time and enjoyed a fun couples baby shower on Saturday night for my friend Jen who is having twins! Didn't get many photos...too busy having fun! Thanks for hosting us Dana! We will be back again soon!

Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Looks like a very similar grin shared between us!
(Hannah grinning while playing with her favorite push toy!)


(An old pic of me playing happily in a basket!)


Hannah playing in one of her toy boxes and a diaper box! Looks like we also share a love of playing inside toy baskets and other items! Thanks mom for sending the picture!