Schnapps the Schnauzer

Schnapps the Schnauzer is an old friend of mine--he's pretty much legendary in my family. When I was about 8, we were staying at a hotel in Iowa City, as I recall. We walked by the gift store just outside the hotel and there in the window was the cutest, most adorable stuffed schnauzer you ever saw. This meant a lot, as we had a very special real life schnauzer named Sebastian. The only thing was, the store was closed. And I wanted that schnauzer BAD. It's not like I was unsophisticated enough to throw a fit...instead, my problem solving skills came into play. I cleverly suggested that we break in, take Schnapps, and leave the money and a note explaining that the store was closed but that we really wanted that schnauzer! Logical? Only to an eight year old who wants nothing more than to cuddle with a stuffed dog.
OBVIOUSLY, Jim and Cindee Good were not down with this plan. But OBVIOUSLY, Schnapps is currently in my possession. What happened? I'm a little foggy on the exact details, but being that this was before the internet, I gather that my parents called the store once we were home, bought the dog by credit card and had him shipped. Funny enough, I can't remember if he was a birthday gift, Christmas gift, or what. But let it never be said that my parents didn't do everything in their power to make me happy. (I swear I wasn't a spoiled brat, but this story doesn't do much to prove otherwise, does it?)

Bottom line is, Schnapps is making another little blond girl very happy. He is currently a very nimble wrestling partner for Laine.

No Photos, Please

Someone's been watching Mommy when she's taking pictures. Every time I try to take a photo these days, my peanut wants to demonstrate that she knows where the lens cap goes!

Courtney and Cami

We met up with Courtney and Cami at Bellevue Square for a little playtime and shopping. Laine had a blast watching Courtney and got a lesson in going through the play tunnels. She had been hesitant about it the last time we were there and I wasn't about to crawl through myself to show her how it's done. (At least not with all those other parents around watching!) After watching Courtney do it once, Laine was crawling through with confidence!

No Peas, Please!

New discovery: Laine likes Gerber's pureed peas, but not REAL peas. I gave her chicken, cheese, and peas for lunch the other day, and she carefully picked up and ate all but the peas. There was a tray full of peas left, and then...

the peas ended up on the floor, and then...

they ended up in her hair. I don't think I like peas now either.

Laine at Eleven Months

The current news with Laine is all things mechanical. Well, not mechanical, really, but how things work. She is interested in the buckles on her carseat, stroller, and high chair. The other day I clicked in the main buckle of her carseat, went around to the other side of the car to get her blanket, and when I came back I found her trying to click the chest strap together. She watches very closely to see how things are done, and then tries it herself.

Opening and closing doors of all kinds is also a big thrill.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E...although I have to admit I encouraged this for
the photo op. Lucky for me, she hasn't rediscovered it since then!

Another new "word," although again it's only been spoken once, and repeated immediately after I said it. After giving Laine some cut-up banana at lunch, she said, "Bananana." Yes, there was one extra syllable included! She has slowed down lately on talking and babbling...and I think this may be a trend with her. She did the same thing before she REALLY took off with cooing. Soon, we may not get her to quiet down!

Laine has started "sharing." As she was chewing on her penguin the other day, she offered it to me and put it in my mouth. Giggling, she took it back after I had a nibble--and kept sharing it with me for the next few minutes. She did the same thing with her Daddy, too!

Laine is learning fast the the shoes can make the outfit,
or in this case, the boots!

We're trying lots of new foods, including small pieces of meat. Laine LOVES chicken, but still needs to learn how to wait a bit in between bites. I laid out ten or so pieces on her tray the other day and a few minutes later she had them all in her mouth and was chewing on a big wad of meat! Apparently I still need to space out what I'm giving her to eat!

Hair combed back and enjoying the fresh air after a bath.

While reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," Laine tried out a little imitation. On the last page where they show all the animals, I always point to each and make the animal sounds. When I get to the goldfish, I usually move my lips and make a sort of bubble sound--and for the first time last week, Laine tried to make the sound herself. She wasn't totally successful, but boy was it cute when I realized what she was trying to do!

A Leg Up

This is pretty much how you'll find Laine sitting these days. She is always kneeling, squatting, or has one leg up. I imagine she'll be figuring out how to stand up unassisted very soon!

Three and a Half Musketeers

Laine was made an honorary Musketeer when she went to lunch with Lori, Janette and I. There are days when I certainly miss working with these two wonderful women, but I sure don't miss the crazy phone calls regarding variance requests!

First Word?

You won't believe me. I'm not sure if I believe it myself. I keep asking myself, "Does it really count? Does she have to say it at least twice to confirm?"

On Friday night, Jayson and I were playing with Laine in the living room. We were goofing around with her blanket--playing peek-a-boo--and I said to her, "Go give Daddy kisses!" She started crawling towards him and said, "Shisshes." Jayson and I just looked at each other, not knowing what to think. Did it count? She's never made any babbling noises close to this sound, but when we tried to get her to do it again, she wouldn't. (She also didn't give Daddy his promised kiss!)

Fast forward to Tuesday night, playing on the couch. Jayson was making her stuffed bunny hop around her, and he said, "Bunny goes 'hop hop hop'!" She said, "Op!" Again, we just looked at each other...did it count? In order for it to count, do they have to know what it means, or just repeat it? She definitely knows what "kisses" means, because she'll do it on command (of course, not if she doesn't feel like it, in which case she'll simply pretend she didn't hear you!) At any rate, Laine is working very hard on communicating!

Say CHEESE!

Three words: What A Mess. We have since moved on to cut up slices...she does just fine!

Laine In Action

Laine's favorite commercial: sadly, she has one. During the Today Show, there is a commercial that runs that has kids listing the foods they don't like. "I don't like pasketti 'cause it looks like worms," says one little girl. Laine is focused and completely caught up when this comes on--her back is usually to the TV but she'll turn around until it's over--and I've been known to rewind it a few times as she watches.

Singing and dancing--she does both. Listen carefully, she quietly "sings" along with the music.

Pearly Whites

Laine is a happy, friendly baby most of the time--but it's hard to get one of her smiles on camera lately. In the last two days, I've finally gotten big smiles and all six teeth captured on film. There are four on top, and two on the bottom...and a big gap in between the middle two! We're sure there are more on the way, as Laine has been drooling massive amounts, occasionally waking up in the middle of the night with a loud cry, and rubbing her ears now and then. But so far, nothing new.

Oh Deer!

We had some visitors in our neighborhood on Sunday evening. Luckily, they were nibbling on our neighbor's plants, not ours!

Grandma B's Birthday

On Saturday, we celebrated Grandma's birthday. Instead of cake, we had marionberry PIE! Laine had a great time playing with her Auntie and grandparents. It was a fun-filled day with lots of laughs--mostly at Laine. She got up on her knees and starting bouncing around, waving her arms. Sometimes, she looked like she would fall flat on her face but she hasn't yet. We just make sure to keep a close eye out when she's bouncing on the kitchen floor!

Wearing the adorable apron Auntie brought Laine...or really, it's wearing her.

Again, this girl needs a lesson from Miss Manners.

Happy Birthday to you, Grandma!