Amelia and Santa

We were nervous about having her picture taken with Santa this year. Imagine that you just learned to recognize your parents and the few other people you see every day. Then suddenly those you trust hand you over to a large, round man dressed in a red suit, black boots and covered in white facial hair. Pretty scary. We didn't really want to put Amelia through that so we opted for this friendly Santa - who also happens to be grandpa. Amelia was pretty happy with the whole experience.

December Watch Me Grow - a little late

Sorry for the delay in getting this regular feature out which usually appears on the 15th of each month. The holidays have been busy. The pictures from left to right were taken on: 10/15/04, 11/15/04, and 12/27/04, respectively. That doll doesn't stand a chance. Click the picture to enlarge.


Watch Amelia grow into her glasses. The picture below was taken in early September 2004.

And this is our little girl on 12/27/04 - decked out and ready for a winter stroll. Notice the tongue - she just started sticking it out and now does it all the time.

Bring on the Presents

Amelia had a great Christmas. Here she is with her first present, 3X's her size. She was so content playing with string, ribbons and paper that it was hard to get her interested in the actual presents she received.

Christmas Photo Shoot

Amelia posed for one great Christmas photo ...

then attacked the camera ...

and tried to pull down the tree.

Hey, that's me on the wall

Amelia admires her prominently positioned picture.

By the Chimney With Care

Guess whose stocking this is. Family, friends and adoring fans ... insert presents here.

Kicks of Fury

Amelia loves to kick. Every night before bed, in the morning when she wakes up and just about any other chance she gets. Rufus has learned the hard way that her little heels are sharp. I think we have a little black belt on our hands.

O Christmas Tree

Amelia is fascinated with the Christmas tree. Whenever she gets close to it she has to feel the branches (fake) and try and pull the needles out. This is my fault because I taught her to pull leaves from trees outside. I really had to distract her to get this picture. Seconds later she spun around and was trying to pull the tree over. BTW: all she wants for Christmas is to stop teething.

Look Ma - No Hands

She has been doing it for a few weeks now - sitting up on her own. No strings, pillows or props, I promise. This is her serious pose. She can hold it for at least a few seconds.


She likes to lean forward, chew on her feet and laugh.


And eventually she tips to one side, falls over and laughs.

Holiday Decorating With Amelia

Baby's first frustration with tangled Christmas lights.

Amelia sporting her angel pose.

Rubber Ducky

Don't even THINK about taking my rubber ducky, Amelia says as she lounges in her big girl bath.

Overalls

First Thanksgiving

Amelia had a wonderful holiday. She enjoys the simple pleasure of munching on a roll and watching everyone else devour the meal.


Here are the little ants [sic] Sabrina and Brandi giving their new niece lots of attention.

Watch Me Grow 11/04

Here is your monthly update on our baby's growth.
From left to right 9/15, 10/15 and 11/15

My Dog Rufus

Amelia discovered her dog recently. She can't keep her eyes or hands off of him. Rufus has been very gentle with her, tolerating grabs, pulls and scratches from his baby sister.

Baby Mullet

Amelia's first hairstyle has emerged, and it is a mullet. But don't worry little girl, you are not alone:

Baby Mullets
Her hair is actually most like a Skullet

Bella Rose

Amelia's friend Bella came to visit this weekend. She is an adorable 2 yr old who loves "baby melia" as she calls her and Rufus.

Family Trip

This weekend we took Amelia and Rufus on a little trip to a cabin in the woods in Davis. It was a little chilly but Amelia got out some and saw leaves on the trees (one of her favorite things to do). We drove around and saw Turner Falls and Arbuckle Wilderness but Amelia was asleep in the car so she missed these attractions. She did wake long enough to see her first lake at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area


Our cabin was very rustic. This is my failed attempt at a photo op. Baby with antlers:

Baby Bath Robe

Amelia has received a truckload full of clothes. We recently discovered this bath robe in her closet and couldn't resist.

First School Pics

We got Amelia's first ever school pictures back today. I couldn't believe how great they were. Emma was there when they were taken and said Amelia was crying and chewing on the fake leaves in the background.



"I am Amelia - ruler of pumpkin land. Bring me larger pumpkins or I will crush you"

Sweet Tooth

We hoped to pose Amelia near halloween candy in her pumpkin outfit for a nice holiday picture. She couldn't take her eyes off the candy and within a few seconds ...



She had the hang of this whole trick or treat thing.

I Have Lips

Amelia recently discovered that she has lips and now sucks on them from time to time. This is the most recent in a series of little discoveries that Mom and Dad have witnessed including her thumbs pictured below; feet which she recently realized are great for shoving in her mouth; wrists which were discovered one day when she clasped her hands together and wiggled them back and forth; and, fingernails used for scratching anything that makes noise. These may seem insignificant but we get really excited when witnessing these moments.

Exersaucer

Amelia is now comfortable sitting up so we got her an exersaucer. These are the modern version of walkers which, according to the baby class we took before Amelia's birth, are now thought to be extremely dangerous because an unattended child could easily tumble down a flight of stairs in one. The only thing dangerous about the Exersaucer is toy overload. This little contraption places a dozen or so toys right eye level. Amelia can't decide whether to laugh or cry. We are told she will get accustomed to it. It also will help her develop that baby body builder physique

Baby Body Builder

Amelia is getting big enough that she is starting to outgrow some of her clothes. For some reason this picture with her shirt tucked in and her tight pants craked us up. It reminded me of pictures of one of the first body builders Jack Lalanne who is often pictured with his shirt tucked too tightly into his pants. BTW - I wrote this post Sunday morning and this afternoon Emma saw CNN announcing Jack Lalanne's birthday today, he is 90+.


Searching for Jack Lalanne pictures turned up this photo below which I had to share. While we like to pose her for opportune photos this is ridiculous.

The Opposable Thumb

Already learning to eat with a spoon - but what a mess she can make.

Pumpkin Patch

Watch Me Grow 10/04

Here is your monthly update on our baby's growth.
Picture on the left was taken 9/15/04, on the right 10/15/04.



Track her progress from left to right: 6/15, 7/15 and 8/15

Literate Little One

Amelia loves to have story time with Mom and Dad every night as a part of her routine. She enjoys looking at the pictures and if we are not moving along fast enough she tries to help turn pages.

Now With Movies

Always on the cutting edge we have now added movies of your favorite little girl. Check out Amelia Rolling Over Most of you will already have the Real player required to watch the short film. If you don't click here. For those of you watching at work now is the time to mute sound as you will get to hear her.

Enjoy the show

Growing Up

Amelia took her first bite of real food this week. Too bad the rice cereal she is eating has the consistency of wallpaper paste.


And after she eats like a big girl she takes a bath like a big girl.

Great Sitter

Grandpa and Janet babysat last Sunday and when we returned we found our little girl looking so happy and content.

Above Average

Amelia had her 4 month check up today. For those of you keeping track she is now 25.5 inches tall (90th%tile), weighs 15lbs 2oz (75-90th%tile) and according to her shirt political intelligence is off the charts. Thanks Aunti Steph for the tee.

Party Girl

Amelia went to her first baby birthday party this weekend for her now 2yr old friend Bella Rose. Amelia slept most of the time but otherwise had a good time. For those of you with memories of late 1970's McDonalds parties be prepared for a few changes. Don't expect an appearance from Ronald or to guzzle an unlimited supply of orange drink. There are still happy meals and super sweet sugary cake for everyone.

Fingers Also Taste Good

Still no teeth - they must be coming soon.