Merry Christmas!

Hello and Merry Christmas. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday. It was such a special year for us, Rose's first Christmas! She has loved the lights, sparkle and huge 10 ft tree parked in our living room for the last few weeks. She loves reaching out to grab the branches and touch the ornaments. Her favorites are the round ones. She finds Mom's Baby's First Christmas ornament from 1980 every time! There has been so much to look at and she has enjoyed taking everything in.

Opening presents

We were happy to host the traditional Russian Christmas Eve lunch and enjoyed meeting up for Ryan's family party later that day. Santa Claus found Rose, since of course she was on the nice list this year. We had a wonderful Christmas day and hosted Grandma and Grandpa H and Uncle Jay for a yummy lasagna dinner. The 26th was a day with Grandma and Grandpa T and then over to Great Grandma and Grandpa W for a visit with cousins and aunts and uncles. What fun!

How am I going to decide what to wear?!

Playing with my new toys

Happy family

It appears Rose may be in another round of teething. She bites everything (including us sometimes, and hard). Those 2 bottom teeth are pretty sharp! She is working on crawling, but is not quite ready yet. She does have the freestyle kick figured out while on her tummy. May we have a future swimming champ on our hands? She loves dancing to all kinds of music and enjoys standing and holding up on us or furniture.

Working those gums

I have been enjoying the last week and a half at home with her. We have had some busy days visiting, but it is so nice to have her at home to myself since we are so busy when we're in regular work routine. Going back on the 3rd will be tough, but I know she will enjoy her time back with Grandma's and Grandpa's.

Playing around with Dad

Silly girl!

Happy New Year!!!! 2011 has been an amazing year for us and we are so thankful for all of the wonderful memories made. May you be blessed with health and happiness in 2012 :) We can't wait to see what's ahead for us.

Holiday Time

What an exciting month Rose has had. She had her first weekend sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa T and was on her best behavior (thank goodness that she'll be welcomed back!).  She has also been spending more time with Grandma H and is enjoying having 3 different houses with lots of fun toys, all for her!!

I love sitting up all by myself!

She is also getting used to eating lots of solids. I am attempting to make her baby food at home and have had success using the Baby Bullet. If I can do this, surely anyone can. Her favorite foods include pears, apples, banana, avocado, zucchini and squash. She is not a big fan of sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, or peas. It took a week or so to get used to eating and now she loves it!

This spoon tastes pretty good

We had her 6 month checkup and she weighed in at 18lb 5oz and 27.25in long. She is a healthy girl, on the higher end of the percentage charts. The doctor said her extra "girth" is a good thing :) Those cheeks and chubby thighs couldn't be cuter. We think there is just more to love. She is in her 9 month clothes and in a couple of weeks, I expect us to be pushing into 12 months! She grows so quickly.

I better be on Santa's "nice" list this year!

She is babbling non stop and we think we hear "hi", "mama", "dada", and "yeah". She also loves to crawl in a circle and try and pull up on your legs. She is standing with little support and pulls hard on everything (necklaces, earrings, hair etc.). She loves music, lights and is fascinated watching Layla our dog. She loves her jumper and exersaucer and enjoys rolling across the entire floor now.

Dad and his little girl

Mama's Buddy

We're looking forward to Christmas to slow down a bit and enjoy our family time. Wishing Great Grandpa W strength and healing too.