Merry First Christmas!

I had the best time in Texas at Grandpa and Grandma B's new house. We shopped and ate a lot (Grandma is a wonderful cook). I had so much fun playing with everyone, especially Grandma and Grandpa B because I hadn't seen them in a little while. On Christmas Eve, we went to church, and my favorite part was the puppet show where a grumpy old puppet learned the true meaning of Christmas. And there was lots of singing, and I like that!

Here I'm opening my presents Christmas morning - I
especially love clothes!

I had fun playing with Uncle Stu, and my Grandpas and Grandma! I didn't want to leave! I'll be back for more swinging with Grandpa.

The day after Christmas, I finally got my first tooth! All that drooling was worth it. I also got my first double ear infection :( but Mommy and Daddy say that I was a real trooper on the flight back!

Meeting John Michael

Early Monday morning, Grandpa W, Mommy and Daddy and I traveled to Texas to spend Christmas with Grandpa B, Grandma B, and Uncle Stu. Just a few hours after we got there, I met my new friend John Michael. He's 7 months old and lives in Austin with his mommy Mary Beth and his daddy Mike, and he has two teeth! We had a great time playing together and sharing toys.

Catch with Daddy

She's working on her arm in between giggles, but it looks like she's a lefty.

More snow with Sophie and Daddy

(I'm enjoying the snow from inside where it's warm)

I'm 10 months old!

My first snow!!!

Not sure about Rudolph either

Multitasking baby

Santa's supposed to make you happy!

Annabel's not sure what she thinks about Santa. She sat on his lap at her school party on Friday, and then again at our neighborhood party on Saturday morning. Her reaction both times was pretty much the same - she just doesn't like the chubby guy in the red suit. She didn't think the rest of the party was so bad though - they were serving her favorite - donuts!

Our poor little girl has been really sad this week - stomach virus round 2, antibiotic induced diaper rash , yucky cough, runny nose, and teeth that just won't pop out of her puffy gums. It's a lot for a little person to handle!

Playing in the crib

Jolly Old St Nicholas

Annabel's first visit with Santa

Choo Choo!

At Grandpa's train club show

All bundled up

Out with mommy and daddy and Sophie for a post-Thanksgiving walk

Happy Turkey Day!

This year, more than ever, we have so much to be thankful for.

• Our family - some far and some near, all are very dear in our hearts
• Our friends, new and old, who have been such a support to us
• Our church family and faith, both of which have grown this year
• Our home and community and the comforts we enjoy
• Our jobs and working for a company for which we can be proud
• Our country, and the freedoms and opportunities it offers
• Annabel's birth family who are never far from our thoughts
• And the biggest blessing in our lives, our sweet Annabel.

Happy Thanksgiving Morning!

9 months old!

To celebrate my 9 month birthday, mommy and daddy took me to the doctor for a flu shot. I think there needs to be some retraining on what birthdays mean!

I'm now almost 22 pounds, so that means I get to move up to my big comfy carseat. It's kind of like a recliner! I can't wait to ride in style.

I'm finally over my nasty stomach bug - it lasted a whole week! Mommy and daddy got sick too. The doctor says I can start eating yogurt and lots of other fun foods, so bring it on! I'm still working on my crawling - can't quite get it yet, but I've mastered pulling up and holding on.

Who's locked up here?

Am I in jail or is Sophie?

This is what happens when backwards scooching is your specialty!

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Next year I'll be hitting you up for candy!

Annabel and Grandpa W

Double click on this one to see a bigger monkey!

Can I get you a coffee with that donut?

Yesterday, our moms' group from church went on a hayride at a nearby farm. We got to pick our own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, and it included donuts and cider afterwards. Annabel grabbed the donut right out of Mommy's hand and had herself a little treat.

Usually, you can double click on the pictures to make them bigger. These work!

8 Months Old!

Our little girl is getting big! Here are some of her new tricks:

• Has added Ba, Da, Ga, Ha, La, Ma, Na and some of their "oo" counterparts to her list of sounds
• Razzes and razzes and razzes
• Squeals whenever she spots Sophie, Oscar, or Lucy and loves to pet them
• Laughs with a cute raspy voice
• Holds her own formula bottle
• Scooches forward
• Almost crawls backwards
• Reaches for every possible thing in sight, including signs that say how old she is, and ears and hair when Mommy and Daddy are sleeping
• Occasionally naps (thank you Miss Fran and Miss Kim!)
• Sings in church, especially during the times when noone else is!
  

And here are some pretty leaf pictures

Oktoberfest!

Annabel went to her first Oktoberfest today at Bear Mountain. It was brrr cold and we had to buy hats to keep warm. The leaves are starting to turn and will be spectacular by next weekend.

Mommy and Daddy enjoyed some fine German bratwurst and Spaten Dark. Maybe next year Annabel can have a potato pancake and dance with the band!

Hiking in the mountains

Annabel went for her first hike yesterday at the Ramapo Reservation. She tackled a small hill and a walk by the river and around the lake. Sophie was ready to do more, but she may have to wait until Annabel can toddle next to her.

Picking Apples

Apple picking with my little friends

Go Big Blue, part two!

Giants 44, Seahawks 6

In the pumpkin patch

Go Big Blue!

First Haircut

It was really more like a bang trim, but we still think it counts as Annabel's first haircut since Mommy's hairstylist did the cutting. Some of those pieces are 1 1/2" long!

Not quite ready for finger foods

First trip to Central Park

Yesterday was Annabel's first trip to Central Park. We sat by the lake and

sang along with the guitar man.

Uncle Stu skated over to hang out with us.

Then we went to Central Park Zoo. We saw sea lions, polar bears, penguins, rain forest creatures including hundreds of bats, and lots and lots of monkeys!