10 months!

by Allison

Can you believe I'm into the double-digits already?  In a couple months, I'll be a year old!

At a recent visit to the pediatrician for a cold, I weighed in at 20.6 pounds.  I'm still growing strong & fast!  As you can see, that one tooth that I mentioned before is visible now, and there are at least 3 more on the way.  I will definitely be glad when all the teeth get here, as my aching gums can make it difficult to sleep soundly and can make me generally a little grouchy at times.  But for the most part, I'm a happy girl!

Want a closer look
at that tooth?

My hair has been growing too, and seems to be darker and straighter than my sister's.  She likes to help me maintain my luxurious locks.

I am highly mobile.  I've only walked a step or two on my own, but I can walk behind a push toy quite well, and like to walk holding hands.  I have mastered standing up and waving my arms in the air, and I am fairly certain that I could win a championship in speed-crawling.

I prefer to feed myself finger foods, but my mother still insists on trying to sneak some baby mush in my mouth.  I enjoyed grown-up chicken & dumplings this evening, probably my favorite meal so far.  I enjoy playing with all Gracie's toys, and sometimes my own.  I love dancing with the family, playing with dog food every time I get the chance to race over there, and I still enjoy hanging upside down as much as I can.  I've figured out exactly how much fun Dad is, and have been spending more time with him.  I get excited about bathtime, especially running water.  I am losing interest in naps more and more, but my parents won't give that up either.  Life as a 10-month old is fantastic!

All new!

by Gracie & Allison

What's all this?  Out with the old, in with the new!  We are starting a 365 day photo project.  We'll post a photo for each day of 2012 that in some way reflects our day.  Click on "Our 365 Project" above to see the photos.

In related news, as some kind of New Year's resolution that we don't quite grasp, our editor has given notice that she will retire "the blog" after Allison's 1st birthday.  It's probably about time she stopped putting words in our mouths anyways.  But the pictures (worth 1,000 words) will be here, and there will be another section for "Extra Specials," like the occasional video or other photos.

Yes, change can be difficult.  You have a couple of months to get used to the idea, and will get double bloggery in the meantime.  "Try it. You'll like it," as Toodee of the Yo Gabba Gang says.  Happy New Year!

Self-portraits

by Gracie

I took these photos of myself with my new kiddie-cam ("pink cammur"), which I love because I can flip the lens around backwards and see myself on the screen!  I tell myself: "Gacie!  1-2-3-cheese!"  It's awesome.  (Collage courtesy of Aunt G.)

Wrapping-up 2011

by Gracie

Happy New Year & Welcome to 2012! 

Christmas morning lasted about three days at our house.  The only thing that could've made it a little better is if all of our family had been here with us.  We are so fortunate to have generous grandparents, great-aunt, aunts, uncles, and cousins who re-stocked our toys, books, and wardrobes for us this Christmas!  And of course, there was also Santa.  Thank you one and all!  Perhaps these pictures will help you feel like you were here with us.

The unwrapping was quite fun for me this year.  Not only did I unwrap all of my own presents, I also unwrapped Allison's presents for her.  I got a sneak-peek of each of her gifts, checked with my parents to make sure it was really for Allison, and then showed it to her and handed it right over.  This seemed to surprise my parents, especially when I didn't hesitate to let Allison have her own baby doll, or to invite her into my tent.  I'm catching onto sharing, in most cases.

We have been enjoying all of our new stuff everyday: books, coloring books, giant pianos, "Gracie's house" tent, singing dogs, noisemakers, hand-crafted play food, pillow-pets, new storybooks... the list goes on and on!

Thank you for such a wonderful Christmas, everyone.  We will enjoy it all year long, and beyond!  New adventures in the new year coming soon!  Hugs, kisses, no-ees, good day!

12 Days of Christmas

All the busy-ness leading up to Christmas was as fun as the actual day:

12. We decorated.

11. We crafted.

10. We rode the train.

9. We teased the "Baby Santa" elves.

8. We tolerated the man in the red suit.

6.  We tolerated our mother.  (Dad, help?!)

7. We hugged.... or choked?

5. We watched for the reindeer.

4. We baked and baked and baked.

3.  And decorated some more.

2.  We wrapped.

1.  We snooped.

  

And FINALLY Christmas Day was here....

1, 2, 3, go!

by Gracie

I can't believe that Allison did not share this major highlight of our trip to NanaBop's house.  The Gracie Rhythm Band has expanded to include wind instruments!  I embraced my role as the leader of this ensemble, and they sure needed some direction.  Thank you to the band's manager, Nana, for your support of the addition of kazoos and slide whistles.  Check out this video of our late night rehearsals... 1, 2, 3, go:

Texas & Turkey

by Allison

Wait!!  I can't tell you about Christmas events until I back-up to my first Thanksgiving and my first visit to Texas.  I had a lot of fun in my mom's hometown and visiting family there.

We had a big Austin outing as soon as we settled in.  First, we went to Zilker Park, where we rode the rails of the Zilker Zephyr.  I almost missed the ride because I was napping, but I woke up right in time.   My mom and aunts rode this train many years ago with their Aunt Mimi when they were just little girls.  We played at the playground for a while, and this was one of the rare occasions when I sat with someone besides my mom.  I really stuck close to her this trip.  Gracie, on the other hand, often forgot about me and our awesome parents because she was having so much fun with our grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

We recharged with a fun lunch at Schlotzky's, where Gracie and I enjoyed some good food and conversation, and then headed to the children's museum.




While Gracie kept busy operating miniature trains that went all over the museum, checking out dinosaurs with Nana, playing in the grocery store, building with all kinds of unusual blocks, and exploring cool lights in interesting spaces...

...I hung out in the baby area, where I talked to other babies, found new ways to make musical sounds, and touched a lot of new textures.  I'm glad I had mastered crawling and pulling myself up already.  I had a really good time here.

Gracie and I received our own personal pep rally and the appropriate attire to support our mom's alma mater, the University of Texas.  Go Longhorns!  (I feel I should include that for some reason, our dad seems to object to our support of the team.)  Thank you & Hook 'em, Aunt G & Uncle James!

As for my first Thanksgiving, I slept right through the family dinner, but when I woke up, I enjoyed some holiday mush, and they even saved me my own slice of pumpkin pie, which I quite enjoyed.

We had an outstanding visit to Texas and Nana & Bop's house.  Although I only understand a little of what she says, I know Gracie is still talking about all of our family (especially "Dames"), the crazy little dogs, and enjoying our mom's VERY OLD toys that we got to bring home with us.

My dad warned me about the mandatory family picture... it wasn't so bad after all:

 

I am looking forward to spending more time with these Texans again soon!  Happy very belated Thanksgiving!

9 months!

by Allison

Happy belated 3/4 of a year birthday to me!  I haven't been still long enough to update you lately.  I am now a super-speed-crawler, and I can stand right up when I reach my destination.  I love mobility so much that I find it difficult to settle down and nap for very long.  (This has significantly decreased my blog editor's free time.)

This was the first month that my photo- grapher had a hard time capturing my picture. Sitting still was not on my agenda.

Here are my stats:

* I am 30 1/4 inches tall.  I am so tall that my pediatrician thought it must be a mistake and re-measured me.  I'm off the charts!

* I weigh 19 pounds & 9 ounces. This is the 57% for babies my age.

* Although I didn't have any on the day that I turned 9 months, I have now cut one front tooth on the top row, and more are on their way.

* My eyes are still blue, my hair is still growing, and I'm a healthy kid.

Haha!  Gracie was taking a nap!

In my free time, I enjoy looking at people and things upside down, giving high-fives, and playing peek-a-boo.  I love playing with Gracie, especially at the dinner table and in the bathtub.  She even played with me in the play closet one day, instead of just shutting me in there by myself.  Don't tell her, but I also enjoy playing with her toys when she is not looking.  Gracie is very nice about showing me where my "baby toys" are at, but she isn't so keen on sharing her toys with me.

We've got more catching up to do.  I need to tell you about my first Thanksgiving and my first trip to Texas, so check back soon!