The First and the Last?

This has been a week of firsts for us, and maybe one last. After being a little berated by the pediatrician at her 12 month appointment because Reina still used a bottle versus a cup, we were given a deadline to stop bottles by 15 months. Well, she's been off the bottle for 36 hours and counting...although she still rarely will actually hold her own sippy cup, so spoiled.

Anyhow, for the firsts, Reina had her first official "play date" with Sam(antha) and Brendan, some kids whose moms I used to work with. It was a fun time for all of us and Reina was wiped out afterward...easy bedtime!

Another first is discovering how to safely go down stairs (not demonstrated in the below photo). She's been climbing up them quite fast for months but until recently had no safe way to get down. Gravity and a lack of fear were a bad combo! So, she's learned to turn around and take each step at a time. She's also learned it is scary to go down too fast and asks for help. Good.

Reina is eating more efficiently and has tasted some interesting things because of her improved skills. She has tried mango (not a huge fan) and beans (totally loves, Daddy's girl) and french fries and chocolate cake(loves but will not get to eat too often). She has a new plate that divides her food and enables her to sort to her little OCD heart's content, thanks Sam! She also can recognize, get excited and ask for by name: cheese, which sounds like "thees" but is mutually understood.

Reina's walking is improving along with her eating and she now loves to do laps around the dining room and family room, stopping at the entrance to play peek-a-boo around the corner and to wave at me when she's in the hall. It is funny to see her develop a sense of humor. She likes to sneak up on her Daddy and tackle him when he sits on the floor.

Reina is also more interested in books, but I still find her chewing on hunks of them on occasion. She'll actually bring us one and try to climb into our lap to read with her. So very sweet. Her hugs and kisses are becoming more frequent, even through the glass door to the patio. She tried to kiss me while I was out and she was in but ended up just doing a blowfish on the window!

Oh yeah, and she can let Hermes out of his cage now, too. Sweet.

Ok, I've gushed enough for one day. Can you tell I'm having fun at home with my little person?

Kind of blurry, but I love the Elvis face and the upside down cup!

Intently reading a Christmas Angel book from Vivienne

Going down stairs the wrong way

Did she fall from the apple tree or just spring fully formed out of Bill's head?

Mmm, macky-cheese and beans, and a little pink tongue

psst, Mama, I REALLY like french fries

Rock Star Accountant

Recently Reina has discovered two things which are somewhat conflicting in nature and have us wondering about how they will each shape her character:

1.) She can not only empty containers, now she can fill them. With anything; blocks, books, sippy cups, dog bones. She loves moving things from one place to another. She'll play with a set of stacking cups forever, fitting them together and taking each one out at a time. She also organizes her high chair tray into things she'll eat and things she won't. A bit OCD...wonder where she gets it?

2.) She has a little piano-type karaoke toy that has a microphone that will amplify her voice. She likes to say "doo doo doo" into it and to breathe and drool on it as well. At first we thought she didn't really get it and it was just a coincidence. Not so, this is the first toy she grabs when given an opportunity. She has even started to sound like she's actually keeping time with the music. Then she'll pause, look at us out of the corner of her twinkling little eyes and continue.

So my question is this, do we have a little bean counter on our hands or a diva? Or both?

Bill shot this video and she clearly would rather watch her Daddy than perform on command. Since this was taken she has become much more professional and less American Idol about her singing, but it's all we've captured so far. She occasionally throws in some dance moves as well; she has 2, the butt bounce and the shoulder twist. Good thing she's already got a tutu.

Sorry this one you have to look at from the side, but it better demonstrates her singing talent!

Joining the Chiefs

This past weekend we had a EM Chief Reunion in Williamsburg, VA. We met up with Brian and Jamie (missed them terribly, hadn't seen them since, uh, last weekend) as well as Chris and Stephanie and their kids: Miss Libby and Logan. We had a great time just hanging out, watching the kids play and football. We enjoyed an afternoon at Colonial Williamsburg which was exciting for me. We stayed just long enough to get a taste without wallowing in history, which would have led to fidgeting and boredom (for Bill, not Libby).

This weekend marked Reina's 3rd plane trip and she was a champ. We flew on Skybus, which, despite the early departure times was really efficient and affordable. Both Bill and I were pleasantly surprised and the direct flight certainly reduced stress. The early morning helped keep Reina asleep as well, although we all needed naps afterward!

Overall, we had a nice, relaxing weekend with friends in a lovely location with good food and happy babies. Who could ask for anything more?

Bill and Chris get into the colonial spirit by doing time for unnamed transgressions

Brian and Bill continue the colonial tradition of tying up the stroller at Ye Old Hitching Post.

Reina's first car, My-Size Mini

Logan and Reina played together well all weekend...when Logan wasn't trying to give "lovin"

A warm Virginia day at the beach, in January. Awesome!

Reina loved the sand although it was weird to walk in...at least she didn't taste it this time!

2 Speeds

ON at full-manic-playing-speed...or OFF. My poor little girl, skipping naps sure tuckers her out.

First time asleep in the high chair. Note her favorite food: beige, mmm.

Bill thought he'd make her more comfy and tilt the chair back.

Yup, bib removed, dinner cleaned up, still asleep. This was pre-OSU beat down, too. poop.

Three roomfuls of toys for Christmas and birthday and of course, loves the box her diapers came in.

Ready to run, or at least walk halfway across a room without a face plant.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, we've been all over the map and are soon to travel again. As much as I love visiting people and seeing new places, I'll not be sorry to stay home for longer than a week at a time! In our recent and upcoming itinerary we've been to my parents (twice for Reina and I), Snowshoe, WV for some skiing, and coming up: Williamsburg, VA for an EM Chiefs and families reunion.

Skiing was fun, but daunting for me as it was only my second attempt. By the second day I felt comfortable enough to have fun but not enough to try anything beyond the bunny slope. Bill's trying to convince me that we need our own equipment so I can practice more often. Although we didn't bring Reina (thanks to Nana and Grandpa) it was a nice low key trip with friends and lots of Trivial Pursuit, our favorite.

While we were trying not to break ourselves in the snow, Reina began taking multiple steps towards objects and people of desire. Not a confident walker yet, but well on her way. She also now points to things, can turn on the TV and absolutely refuses to be fed from a spoon. Her meals consist mostly of crackers, Cheerios, cheese and bits of turkey or chicken. Her ability to block a spoon from her face is impressive, not to mention frustrating to us. It's a good thing she's cute.

As usual, pictures are worth a thousand words...here you go:

New handmade hat and sweater...thanks Great-Aunt Norma! The runny nose was in its final stages at this point, thank goodness!

Big girl in her rocking chair at Nana and Grandpa's showing ALL her teeth. Cheeser.

Scoot over Frosty

Deer right outside our condo window at Snowshoe...sorry Jordan.

Frozen eyebrows. Brrrrrr.

Brian, Jamie, Clark Griswald I mean John, Natalie and Bill

Detour at Cabela's. The SWAT team's waterboy got in some target practice.