Good Riddance January

This month Amelia had two stomach viruses, an ear infection, rhota virus, an upper respiratory infection and the dreaded RSV. Some how she hasn't caught the pink eye going around at her school. Mom and Dad missed quite a bit of work but happily did not pick up any of this sickness. Other not-so-lucky parents of infants have been coming down with BIDS (Baby Immune Deficiency Syndrome) as discussed at Trixieupdate.com


Her most tragic illness is the RSV. She is taking medicine through the "Sport Nebulator" on loan from the doctor's office. Amelia likes this treatment about as much as a shot. We have to show her Baby Einstein DVDs just so she won't freak out while taking the treatment. Baby Tad models the contraption below along with all the accoutrements. With any luck she will be over this soon and the equipment can go back to the doctor. We couldn't be happier to see this month come to a close.

P.S. 6 hours after this post Emma cough a nasty stomach virus from Amelia. I am probably next.

Creepin and Crawlin

She's crawling now.

But she can only go backwards. Yesterday she got herself stuck under the couch.

Too Hot

In an interesting aside, some of Amelia's biggest fans were recently blocked from viewing their favorite blog at work. Apparently, the combination of the name "Amelia Rose" with the amount of pictures on the blog triggered a human or machine internet filter to block the site as p_ _ n (don't say it or the filter might block us again). A classic example of the problem with internet filters, they don't work. Studies have found that filters block sites they shouldn't and let in ones that should have been caught.

The Supreme Court has overturned laws requiring filters in public libraries, recognizing that internet communications warrant the same level of constitutional protection as books, magazines, newspapers, and speakers on a street corner soapbox. See cases here.

Unfortunately, the Court recently changed course and upheld a law requiring filters in public libraries. (123 S. Ct. 2297).

The internet can be a dangerous place for children. Amelia will be watched and monitored closely by her parents but hopefully not by her government.

January Watch Me Grow

Doll better watch out. Not only is Amelia bigger but now she has a tooth.


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.


From left to right these pictures were taken around 6/15, 7/15 and 8/15/04, respectively. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Bedlam Baby

Amelia is already keyed up to watch her Sooners take on the Cowboys Monday night.


Here she sports her first scarf, in crimson of course. Thanks Pat, Kim, Bill and Julie for the scarf. She loves it.

Playdate

Amelia's friend Alex came to visit this week. They had a nice little dance together.

Then they fought over toys. Alex shows his most intimidating face.

And after a while it was time to go.

Food Week - Tooth

To close out Food Week Amelia would like to unveil her new tooth. She enjoys biting just about everything with it. I know the picture is not so great but she likes to keep it hidden under her tongue. It took me over a week just to get this mediocre picture. It has been growing so it should appear more prominently in future pictures.

Food Week - Baby Cigar

I resisted the temptation to photoshop this picture and add hot red ash and smoke. Her cigar is actually a biter biscut, part of a whole line of baby finger food I never knew existed including wagon wheels and zwieback toast. None of it is very good, but she enjoys them. Here's lookin' at you Amelia.

Food Week - Frog's legs

Yum, nothing like traditional French cuisine for babies.

Food Week - Sushi

Continuing with our theme Amelia enjoys one of her favorite snacks, board books. We read to her every night and she usually seems very interested. She likes to look at the pictures and hear us reading but what she really wants is to chew on the book. She practically obliterated one last week, almost rendering it back into pulp. I couldn't resist posting this picture, a classic double entendre. First Book of Sushi (part of the World Snacks series) by Amy Wilson Sanger is really great. All young foodies should check it out.

Food Week - Duck Al'Bathtub

This week the blog will feature the culinary tastes of Amelia. Here she enjoys a crispy duck in the tub. Orange sauce on the side please.

Antlers

Here is a pretty cute pic from the holiday season.

Santa Fe

For New Years Amelia, Mom and Dad went to Santa Fe, N.M. to visit their friends Lynn and Mike Evans. Amelia proved to be an excellent traveler. She enjoyed strolling the plaza, eating wonderful meals on the town and even better ones prepared at home, watching pinion wood burn in the fireplace and taking naps while the grown ups drank wine. On her last day in town she saw her first snow. Time to put on the Sooner snow suit and head out on the porch.

It's still coming down.

Quite a view.

Let's Go Sooners

Amelia will be cheering on her favorite team tonight. Actually with any luck she will be fast asleep by 7pm CST when the game begins.

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.