Leaning Back, Looking Up

This was the big thing a few weeks ago...leaning back, or looking up. Laine discovered that our ottoman was perfect to lean backwards on. She backs up to it, feels around a little to make sure she's supported, and arches over. If we're on the other side, it's a bonus--she can smile upside down at us! Other places Laine's enjoyed looking up are restaurant high chairs (leaning back to check out the ceiling), her crib (holding on to the sides), and if she can get you to hold on to her properly, she'll lean back in your arms.

Hats and Storm Clean-up

Laine will finally let me put a hat on her...but only if we're headed outside. Guess she knows it's impolite to wear one indoors! Now we can get some good use out of the hat Reed and Shelley Jassmann gave to her for her birthday--it's SO CUTE!

After the windstorm we had, Laine and I ventured out and found lots of branches and leaves to pick up and inspect. On mornings when it's not raining, it's been great to get outside and walk around, as it helps Laine last a little longer before her ONE nap (which started about a month ago). She has dictated the change to one nap...and it hasn't always been easy. For a while, it was more than once at 9am for only an hour or so. That means she was awake until 7pm at night, and rather cranky at times! Try as I might, she would not go down for an afternoon nap. Things have smoothed over now and she is going down from anywhere between 11ish and 12, and napping almost 2 hours, sometimes longer.

Hugs

I guess I'm going to have to teach Laine that it's common courtesy to make the extra effort and take your thumb out of your mouth when accepting a hug from a friend! These two hugged and hugged--darling.

Cutie Olivia and Laine.

Laine is always giving hugs these days, and sometimes pats your back when she does.

This is how we lose stuff now...

Carris Bonfire

We had a wonderful (if short) time at the Carris Bonfire. Even with a little rain it was a great time! Hot toddies, delicious clam chowder and Courtney, Michael and Cami were all great reasons to bundle up and warm our hands by their beautiful firepit. Laine was a bit under the weather so we kept our visit brief, but it was a great time and we're already looking forward to next year!

Laine enjoyed looking at the bunnies--"Bu!" she said when we told her what they were.

A Good Place To Sit

I walked into the dining room the other day to find Laine sitting in her small toy bin. She wasn't stuck--she just decided it was a good place to sit.

Decorating

A few Saturdays ago, when Laine woke up from her nap, there was a tree in the living room! We'd put the tree together (artificial, obviously) and we'd gotten up all the lights, the ribbon and the pearls. Next year we plan to get a small real tree in addition to our big one, but this year we opted not to. It just seemed like a lot of fuss and mess with a one year old around--and in a year Laine will have a blast helping us search for the perfect tree to cut.

I can't believe what I'm seeing!

(Actually, this is what Laine does if you say, "Oh no!")

By the next night, we'd gotten our outside lights up (thanks to a two hour nap from Laine), and the ornaments on the tree. After a few hours, we decided that instead of hovering over Laine and constantly "No no no"-ing as she grabbed everything, it was easier to put her play-yard around it and then we can momentarily leave her in the living room without the possibility of the tree crashing on top of her. Plus, maybe we can get our money's worth out of that play-yard we weren't using!

Laine has enjoyed some of our other decorations around the house. My grandmother gave me some type of Christmas decoration each year, and we have figurines and the like for every corner of the house. Below is Laine's favorite--I can put it on the floor and she like to get a close up view of all the kids peeking into Santa's workshop. She also likes to woof-woof at the dog in the scene (um, and the mouse).

Her hair is starting to get shaggy!

Thanksgiving

We didn't get many photos from Thanksgiving...most that we did get were kind of blurry, as I don't think we had the flash on. But below is Laine's dinner plate with all the Thanksgiving favorites: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, party potatoes, and Mush (yams). The last two are Good/Seeks family favorites, and it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving without them.

Laine ate a bite or two of turkey, some mush, and a bite each of stuffing, green beans and potatoes. She was more interested in the Goldfish crackers Grandpa had on the table!

Aaron and Rosie dishing up. Yum.

All the "kids" were together this year; Aaron, Lorin, Jill, Jayson and I. (Laine isn't one of the kids, she's the baby.) We have so much to be thankful for this year; most of all our peanut, who is happy, healthy and growing fast!

Madly Updating

Since returning from Arizona, I have been completely behind on blogging. I think one can attribute it to having an active one year old running around the house, pulling everything reachable off the shelves. Lately, our house looks like a hurricane hit it: tupperware and toys litter the kitchen floor, books are strewn throughout the house, clean laundry sits forever folded in the basket (but not for long if Laine can reach it). Now that Christmas is upon us, we have added wrapping paper and gifts to the pile of STUFF that Laine can distribute to various rooms. Maybe January will be dedicated to digging out.

Since early October, Laine has been walking. She first stood up in the middle of the room completely unassisted on the 30th of September, and about 5 days later took her first steps (two steps and a lunge at me) just over two weeks before her birthday. By the 20th of October, she was walking about 15 steps or more at a time, amazing me by walking from the master bedroom closet to the bedroom door. From there, her development in all areas seems to have exploded, sometimes overwhelming us. I am constantly surprised with her comprehension and always seem to be smiling at our happy, eager-to-learn girl.

In October, Laine:

• Picked up her nail file and started to "file her nails." She then proceded to give me a manicure.


• Mooed at the cow picture in her book; well, it was more of a "Mmmmm!"


• Continues to "clean" everything--the floors with a washcloth, her highchair tray with a baby wipe, and herself while in the tub.


• Pointed to a pumpkin in her book when asked where the pumpkin was.


• Puts the lid on her box of blocks. I love it that my girl is an organized cleaner.


• Began nodding yes--much to our amusement. She doesn't just nod, she stops when her chin is on her chest and gives us a very stern look. Poor girl, we are constantly trying to make her do this, as it cracks us up!


• Got another lower tooth (left of the middle).


• Got her first fever and bad cold, on her actual birthday!


• Still tall and thin, Laine was 21 pounds even and 31.5 inches long the day after her birthday.

In November, Laine:

• Gave me a tongue kiss. She pretty much licked my tongue.


• Can imitate meow and quack, but both sound a little like, "waah." You can only tell the difference by what animal she's pointing at.


• Can point out her nose when asked.


• Puts her arm through her purse and carries it around like a little lady.


• Started walking backwards and gets very excited when doing it. Somehow, it sort of looks like she's doing the moonwalk.


• Started quacking when she sees ducks in her books.


• Started woofing when she sees a doggie in her books or outside. Her bark is a high pitched, breathy and excited "woof woof!"


• Got another lower tooth (right of the middle).


• When she was "rearranging" the fridge for me, she suddenly turned around, put down the soy sauce and walked over to her sippy cup. She took a swig, put it back on the chair where I'd put it in her reach, and got back to work.


• When I asked if we should call Daddy, she looked up at the phone on the counter.


• When eating meals, Laine likes her sippy cup to be placed specifically in the cup holder on her tray. Anywhere else is unacceptable.


• Can point out her mouth, tongue, eyes, ears and toes when asked.


• Tries to put on her shoes and hats, with some success.

Please ignore the giant pile of toys...they were all gathered to make room for the Christmas tree!

It's Snowtime!

My favorite picture from the snowfall.

I can just hear Laine a few years from now...

"Can I go out? Can I? Can I? Can I?"

"If I could get this gosh-darn door open..."

I thought I was SO prepared for the snow. Auntie had bought Laine some great snow pants, and I accessorized soon after with hat, mittens and coat. I went looking for boots, but couldn't find any in a size that would be anywhere near acceptable for Laine, so sadly, and most importantly, Laine was bootless. She wore shoes on her first outdoor excursion, but no matter, as it was only a 20 minute jaunt to the cul-de-sac island and back!

Quite a struggle to get up!

What a daredevil...walking in the middle of the street!

Completely bundled up.

It was so much fun! Lots of laughing and excitement!