On the road again...

well, maybe not again. I am on the road for the first time. I am headed to Springfield, Illinois. doesn't that sound exciting?? Springfield, Illinois. It just sounds like a fun place. I hear it is our state capitol, so it must be a great place! Our friend Lori lives there (lori, my personal photographer!). I can't wait to see all the fun places she has for us to go! I think we are going to Washington Park and to the state capitol! Check back for some wonderful pictures!!

edit: here is a quick sample of Lori's work!

Happy Birthday Buela!

Today is my Buela's Birthday! I wish I could go see her but she in under the weather so we have stay home. I hope you get some wonderful gifts and we will be out to see you as soon as possible!! I miss you and can't wait to bring you your gift!!

There's a monkey in our house

My newest skill to report this week is...drum roll please........climbing up on the chair! Today I grabbed on to my mom and used her to help me pull up. I have been practicing on my dad. When he is on the floor, i climb over and all around him. My next goal - the couch. I love the couch and can't wait till I can climb up there and run all around. Mom warns me I wil bumb my noggin, but I think I will be OK!

Saying it with a smile

I have learned yet one more trick. I have figured out what the phone is for. When I can get ahold of one of the phones, I like to put it up to my ear and say "hi". It's pretty funny. It makes you wonder how many times i have seen my momma and poppa do this exact same thing. Now when there is someone on the other end, it's a totally different story. Then i clam up and sit there and smile. No talking or babbling, just smiles. So if you are talking to me and you don't hear me talking back, know I am saying hello with my smiles!

Welcome to St. Louis, Shelby!

Today I went a BBQ at my friend Shelby's! It was actually at her grandma's house. It was alot of fun. There was a cat there who actually liked to be petted! I wish bootylicious was like that. Mom tried to take some pics of Shelby, but I liked to run over there and try to get Shelby. Mom and dad had some really good BBQ. After dinner we sat around and visited wuth Andrea and Darrin. Shelby slept a lot while we were there. I liked to explore the house. I even figured out how to climb the stairs while i was there! thanks for having us! We had a great time!

let the games begin

Amelia is beginning to master the art of temper tantrums. She has figured out how to hold on to what she wants and pulls back. It's kinda funny when it happens, and as long as she doesn't see me, i have to laugh at her. She first did it to me with balmax, then she did it to Darrin with a magazine i think. It was totally unexpected and took us both off guard. I really expect to just take the balmax back and she clamped down and held on. i had to pry her fingers off. She has also started to throw herself down when she is unhappy. If you tell her no, she gets mad, makes a fake crying face and throws herself on the floor. It's really hard not to laugh at her. We try to ignore her so she won't get the reaction she wants. Where do kids learn these things? How do they know to throw themselves on the floor? there has to be a secret class on misbehaving; the toddler years :) this pic was snapped right after the tug of war over the blamex ended.

one, two buckle my shoe

I have been paying close attention to everthing mom and dad does. everything. One thing i have figured out is that shoes are for feet! I like to take my sandles and try to put them on my feet. It will occupy me for awhile sometimes, which mom and dad like. I have also tried to put my shoes on mom and dads feet! that didn't work out as well!

Eleven Months!!

Wow - how can I possibly be 11 months? It can't be possible! Wasn't i just posing for my 10 month pics? Well, time flies when you are having fun i guess! This has been a very busy month for me with lots of changes! My favorite change this month is that my daddy is home with me full time now! We have had a great summer so far! and it's only just begun! We have big plans this summer - swim in the pool, swing in my new swing and enjoy each other's company! Mommy has some things planned to - like a party for lil ole me :) Plus some trips to the zoo, the botanical gardens and maybe a water park! They all sound like fun to me :) I am looking forward to my first summer!

Is she destined for the San Fransisco Ballet??

One of the newest things that Amelia has learned to do is stand on tippy toe. She has taken it past just standing on her toes for a better view. She likes to move her feet around and actually fold her toes under her and stand on them. It looks painful but she continues to do it. I managed to get some pics today. I personally love the first one. It is too cute! When I took these, she was looking in the door for her poppa. She could hear him but not see him. She then decided to start yelling DAD DAD so he would come see her! She is starting to let us know what she wants, and we already know she wants it now! She has become very independent and very demanding. Toddler-hood here we come!

The pointing has begun

This has become Amelia's preferred way to communicate with us. She will point at something and stand there saying "uhh" until we figure out what she wants. I have to say, I wasn't looking forward to this phase. I have tried since Amelia was about 4 or 5 months to use some basic signs. Bite, drink, milk, cat, dog. Amelia will watch me and then laugh and go about her business. We are trying to tell her what things are when we give them to her. "here is your milk, that is your giraffe, cat, dog etc. She still prefers to point and say "uhh". I hope this is a quick phase! Now one thing that she will say is Cat, or tat. She would chase the poor cat around all day if we would let her! Here is a pic of her and the "tat" - well - as close as bootylicious will get to her!

Down on the farm

Today mommy and daddy took me to Grant's farm. I went with my friends our play group. Thomas was there - he was the only boy :) Mia and Tara also came with their mommie and daddies. . We had fun strolling around, saw some llamas, zebras, elephants, and some birds! It was raining when we left, but the sun peeked out and made it a nice day. My favorite was the elephant show. The elephant came out, played harmonica, took a bow and then waved goodbye to us with his ears. Can we teach Hugo to do that?? We also went on a train ride! Oh and don't forget the clydedale's - they were fun to see too!! I saw a HUGE turtle and Here are a few pics from Grant's farm!

Little Kipper

I am officially a little kipper. Mom and Dad signed me up for swimming lessons at the Y and I am in the shrimp and kipper class. Today was my first class. I have to say, the tub is more fun than this swimming stuff. Although i like the music selections that the choose, I am not fond of being dunked underwater. I kept it together and remained composed though. Never let them see you sweat , right? We sang songs like the wheels on the bus, row your boat and one about popcorn. We also played toss with some rubber duckies. that was my favorite part. I loved reaching for that duckie! I also learned to float on my back while mom and dad sang the alaphabet song. I look forward to going back next week - as long as I can keep my head above the water! Mom says look for pics next week - we used a film class this week and they have to be developed first!

just popping in to say hello!

New pics of Rosie!

FIrst trip to the little gym!

Today mommy took me to the little gym for a trial class. It was so much fun! We played with instruments, walked, ran, explored the gym, learned a somersault, and sang some songs! I had a great time - and even better my friend Mimi was there. She is a lot of fun - and did so much better than me at the sit still activities! I liked to toddle away while everyone else was sitting. Momma and Poppa I have a very wide independent streak - whatever that means :)

Feeling better!

I have been under the weather for the last week, but I am here to report that I am almost back to my old self! I even tolerated mom taking me outside for a couple of new pics! Hope you like them!

I am sick

I have a double ear infection - yuk! and i have had to deal with a temperature too. double yuk! My high was 104.4 - that is very hot for a baby! I have spent the last several days lying around on my parents and sleeping a lot. Momma and poppa have helped me feel better with warm bathes and lots of love. When I am frustrated, I have started biting too. I have been a handful! I hope i feel better soon!

I love my lovies!

When mommy was pregnant with me she made a few purchases for me in anticipation of my arrival. Some were practical, some - not so much. One thing she bought me was a blanket. Mommy had heard such good things about taggie blankets. Babies love tags, the feel, the texture etc. So she saw one on sale and got it. Then she happened along a boutique in kirkwood and stopped in. OH MY GOODNESS - mommy was in love. Everything there was so soft, so cute and oh so expensive! But let's focus on the soft shall we? There was a blanket there made by the little giraffe company. It was pink, small, soft and so snugly. Mommy read the tag and it talked about how it would hold the scent of the parent for baby's added security. Mommy was sold. With a gift card received as a present, mommy bought it. It was love at first touch for Amelia. Mommy like to believe it was because her and daddy followed the tag and kept it close to them prior to her arrival. The taggie blanket wasn't even a contender. The little giraffe doesn't have to go everywhere with Amelia, unless sleep will take place or she is feeling bad. After seeing how much I loved my little giraffe lovie - lots of other people bought me a lovie! I now have:
the ookie
the kammi
the christmas lovie
angel lovie
hairy elephanta
the giraffe headed one
my taggie
fuzzy bear
and lumpy/puffy - depends on who puts me to bed momma or poppa.
I have taken to sleeping with them all. Yes. I have 10 lovies in my bed!! TEN! I often snuggle up in the middle of all of them and drift off to sleep. I am quite happy with this arrangement - as long as I have my little giraffe in my hand, up by my face. It is definitely my favorite!

Ninja Warrior

Up to today, Amelia has had zero interest in TV. We routinely watch little einsteins once poppa has left for work - well, we sit still long enought to pat, pat, pat our laps and say blastoff to get rocket going. That's been it. On Saturday, poppa was watching the ninja warrior marathon on TV. It was scheduled to be on all weekend long. Momma happened to notice that I was standing really still and actually watching the TV! what?? watching the TV? Amelia? I guess i have been turning on all the wrong shows - backyardigans, little einsteins, the one with the blue bear, etc. All along she has been looking for something more exciting, something with action. She loved the Ninja Warrior! Maybe we will try MXC next!

I am in the double digits!

we're outta here!

Today is my 10 month birthday - Ten months! Each month holds more surprises and excitement then the last. This month I can walk, say momma, dada, uh oh, hi and bye. I have started to feed myself at times, and most recently have figured out how to go from a crawl to a stand then walk in the middle of the room. I have been busy learning all these new things. I can also shake my head no-no when i want. That seems to be my theme of late. When I want. I am nothing if not independent. I am wanting to feed myself more and walk everwhere. I will squirm to get down and do it myself. Look out world, here i come!! Here are my customary 10 month pictures.