Merry Christmas to ALL!!

The Night Before Christmas...we read the story and then tucked in our little sweetie in her new nightgown made by Grandma...

Before church on Christmas Eve...

Hannah loved Santa and even gave some pretty good smiles! Christmas morning we enjoyed the luxury of being able to sleep in--the last year for a while, I'm sure! Hannah was delighted with her new market place kitchen and other toys that Santa brought, she was REALLY good this year. She is just so much fun to watch play and 'talk'. We look forward to going to Missouri tomorrow to visit mommy's family, although the nine hour car drive may prove to be a challenge, we'll get there one way or another! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We put up the Christmas tree last weekend and much to our surprise, Hannah has not bothered it at all. Sure, she points to it and loves to be REALLY close to it, but she hasn't disturbed it. Putting up the tree is one of my favorite parts of Christmas--I love all the ornaments, each with it's own story. Some of them are 33 years old!!
Hannah also enjoyed her first taste of snow this week. It only snowed a little bit at our house, but it was enough for her to want to go out in it. We bought her some snow shoes last night, so when we get enough to play she and Ike can go have some fun! Ike's favorite past time is having snow balls thrown for him--he would be out there for hours if you let him!
Mimi and Papa bought Hannah Elf on a Shelf for her birthday...I thought she might be a little young for it, but she LOVES him! Everyday we ask her where her Elf is and after looking around she points, smiles and waves to him. Of course, we have him send back a wonderful report to Santa so that she can be sure to get everything on her list. And every morning he's in a new part of the house, watching and just waiting to be found!!

Second day down...

A funny story about Hannah's second day at school. She managed to go to sleep during her afternoon nap on her little cot underneath her blanket. She was asleep for about 40 minutes when she woke up, sat up, took off her socks and laid back down for two more hours of sleep. To any of you who know her well, this is no great surprise. Her shoes and socks are the first thing off when she gets into the car and she would much rather walk around barefoot anytime! She ate well and slept well and played well...we'd call that a banner day! Thanks be to God for banner days :)!!

Hannah's first day of 'School'

Today is Hannah's first day at Little Tykes learning center. She joins seven other toddlers and three teachers--Miss Lindsay, Miss Stephanie, and Miss Roberta. She seemed quite interested this morning when I dropped her off--so many new things to see and watch. She is such a nosey little peanut that I'm sure that's why she didn't nap this morning. Just too much to do! She will fit in just fine once she gets used to her new surroundings and friends. They sleep on cots for their naps--all in the same room--like a bunking party everyday. How lucky is she!! Even though it's been a hard morning (for mommy and daddy, too), we're more than halfway through the day and I can only pray that she is sleeping with the rest of them :). Here's a picture of her that they sent me with a cute little e-mail from her. I'll share some others with her new backpack on when I get a chance.

So, we made it through day one. With little to no napping and not much bottle drinking, but we made it none the less. Hannah made some good friends yesterday and took a liking to a little miss Lauryn. When I went to pick her up, they were having snack time--goldfish--how could Hannah not love that? They were all seated in their table with the seats cute out of it...it was precious!! Hannah and Lauryn were sharing goldfish and every once in a while Hannah would touch Lauryn's hair. It was super cute!! They did art projects and played and I praise God she got along with the other kids. All the way home she jabbered about her day and when we got home she went right to playing...she will learn SO much there, even though it was a hard day, I am so thankful that she has a safe. loving place to be!! Dropping her off on day 2 was MUCH easier!!Here's Hannah and her big brother Ike checking out her new book bag!!What a darling little cutie!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Turkey Day with Grandma, Grandpa, Oma and Opa. We had a very nice day filled with delicious food and amazingly, the only one who napped was Hannah! We reminisced about last year when Hannah was just a few days old and she joined us at the dinner table in her Boppie for a nap...what a wonderful year of blessings we have had and we have so much to be thankful for! Our health, our happiness, our wonderful friends and family, our jobs, our house, our freedom, our relationship with the Lord, and our hope for another wonderful year. Happy Thanksgiving!!

One Year Old!

On Saturday, November 14th we celebrated Hannah's first birthday. It was a superb party and a wonderful celebration with our dear family. It was a pink theme and everyone--even grandpa, papa and great grandpa (Opa)--wore pink!! The weather was beautiful and we were even able to go outside for some pictures. Hannah enjoyed opening all of her wonderful gifts and playing with her toys. We cannot believe how quickly the first year has gone and how much she has changed. She is such a joy and a blessing in our lives and we thank God for the privilage and honor of allowing us to be her parents. We love our little girl!!

We've got ourselves a walker!!

Last week our precious, sweet baby girl took her first steps. She's still a little wobbly, but she's certainly making progress everyday in becoming more confident. We're sure by her birthday party this weekend she'll have a lot of showing off to do!! Her birthday party--where has this year gone? She has done some amazing growing and we love to watch her as she is turning into her own little person. She has conversations in her own language, she plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo, she loves Ike's toys more than her own, and loves to read books. She loves having dance parties and goes tick-tock to the clock. Being a mom is the most amazing gift I have ever been given and I honestly can not comprehend that she will be one year old next week...

She was a 'Lil Pumpkin for Halloween and enjoyed her first candy--sweet tarts and dumdums! We also carved pumpkins which she enjoyed watching us do.

It's happening...

Our little Miss has learned a few things in the last few days--to stand unassisted for seconds at a time and how to climb the stairs. I don't know if I'm ready for this or not. Wasn't it just yesterday that she couldn't roll over or sit up on her own--now she's getting ready to walk?? Impossible. Last night Craig put her feet on his feet and walked with her so she could get the action down...and although she didn't master it in that quick lesson I know it won't be long!! People always said that time flies --I never felt that way--but now I do! Hannah used to be just a tiny spot in her crib, scared to sleep in there by herself and needing her mommy or daddy with her to fall asleep. Now she takes up a large majority of her bed and can fall asleep by herself (with the help of her left thumb). She used to be the silent observer just taking it all in, now she's a wonderful journalist keeping us up to date on all the recent developments. It used to be that she could only eat one ingredient meals--now she can eat what we eat and a LOT! I would not trade the last ten months of my life for anything. It is the absolute best thing in the whole world for her to see me for the first time after work, drop whatever she is doing and crawl as fast as she can to get into your arms...I love you, Hannie!!

The Apple of My Eye

Today was Hannah's first trip to the apple orchard--she LOVED eating the apples by herself the tractor ride. This was definitely the start of a fall family tradition!

Our dear sweet Hannah is ten months old already!! She weighs 18 lbs. and is 28 ½ inches long. Yesterday we celebrated by getting her a new purple ball (which Ike decided should be his) and her first hot wheel car. She carries a car around at daycare all day, so we figured she needed one at home, too. We went to the Celery Flats for a family and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Hannah is crawling everywhere…fast! It is amazing how quickly she can get from one spot to another. Her favorite place to visit is Ike’s food and water and she pretty much makes a beeline there whenever she has a chance. She’s not so fond of the hardwood floors and she’ll do a spider crawl on her hands and feet so her knees are off the ground. She has just recently started playing Peek-a-Boo behind the curtain and stands up to the back slider and bangs on the glass to get Daddy’s attention when he is outside. In the last few days she has been standing on her own for a few seconds at a time, then puts her arms out in front of her and drops to the floor. She still loves being read to and has discovered that she is able to turn the pages. She has started babbling a little more and sometimes has quite a lot to say whereas other times she’s content just to sit and watch. The Little People Noah’s Arc flag is still her favorite possession and she has it with her most times. Elmo is her favorite TV friend—although I’m not sure if it is Elmo or the fact that’s the only thing she gets to watch, but she waves her arms and talks to the TV when he’s on. Sometimes she’ll crawl up to the TV and stand there staring up at it...it’s quite cute!

Last weekend her two bestest baby friends came over, Lauren (7 months) and Addie (4 months). Since Hannah is the only mobile one so far we had a difficult time getting them to pose for a picture—eventually it’ll be easier (I think). We look so forward to those three beautiful girls growing up together and it is amazing to see how different they all are.

We have some fun things planned in the next couple of weekends--her first trip to the apple and pumpkin orchard and her first fair...I'll be sure to post some pictures!

She is still the most amazing baby—a great sleeper, a wonderful disposition and a beautiful smile. The work day can’t go by fast enough until I get to see her again and hold her in my arms. She is such a special blessing for us and we are so grateful to have her as our own!!

First trip to the zoo!

Saturday we took Hannah to the Binder Park Zoo for the first time. She's been carrying around a small giraffe, named Geoffrey, for a few weeks now, so we thought it was time for her to see some in real life--and feed them! It was a beautiful day and we arrived early before the crowds, so we had a lovely time. Our first stop was at Wild Africa where we saw zebras, ostriches, gazelles, birds and a few monkeys along the way.
The most amazing part was actually getting to feed the giraffes. We were on a platform so their heads were at our level and we were able to feed them lettuce leaves.
Hannah seemed to be amazed at first, but then got a little overwhelmed as they were a tad bigger than her Geoffrey, she loved them from far away, though, and waved her arms and 'talked' to them. We walked through the children's zoo and by that time Miss Hannah was tuckered out and took a little nap, chillaxin' in her stroller.
Before we left, we had to get a friend for Hannah and Geoffrey--introducing Ginny! She was a hit and she and Hannah had quite the conversation most of the way home. We know Hannah loved seeing the animals and this will become something that we do many times as a family as she grows and gets big enough to feed the giraffes by herself!

8 months old

Hannah is just a little over eight months old. She weighs about 16 lbs and is 27 inches long. She is still so happy and content. She has just started crawling and loves chasing Ike and his toys around. She also enjoys playing with a Little People Arc from Mimi and Papa, her activity table and anything new. Last Sunday we went for a walk and got ice cream...all she needed was the cup with a little bit of water in it and she thought she had something special! She has learned to wave and give high fives. We're still working on getting her to blow kisses. Hannah is the biggest joy we have ever known and we love every moment we spend with her. She makes us laugh with her facial expressions and when she goes on and on with her ramblings...we just cannot believe how quickly the last eight months have gone!! What a blessing she is to our family!

Surprise!!

In June Craig, Hannah, and I flew to MO to surprise my mom for her birthday, to be able to celebrate Abby's 5th birthday, and to meet our newest niece, Emma. I love this video so much, especially Gracie's squeal!! We had a wonderful trip and can't wait to see them all again soon!!

Ike's in trouble now!!

These are a few of Hannah's favorite things...

Swinging SO high!

Relaxing in the hammock!

Splish-splashin' in the pool!

You're a Grand Old Flag

Hannah's first Fourth of July! It was extra special because Mimi was here for a visit from Missouri. She loved the flags and of course wanted to put them in her mouth! She waved the little flag and seemed to enjoy when we sang 'You're a Grand Old Flag'.


Hannah's such a big girl in mommy's rocking chair. It was pretty funny when we sat her in it for the first time, she knew to rock! She's something special, that's for sure!

A Banner Day!

Saturday was quite a banner day for Miss Hannah. We went to Holland for the weekend and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa...after Hannah's afternoon nap and lubing her up with an excessive amount of SPF50, we introduced her to the pool for the first time. She was all decked out in her hat and matching suit (super cute, if I do say so myself!). At first she didn't quite know what to think and just of looked around and studied all the other kiddos playing in the water. Once she got used to her new surrounding she started kicking and splashing, just like in the tub. She'd kick like a little tadpole and seemed to float on her back. (I'm still in awe of those swimming diapers and wonder how they work.)

We bought her an inflatable elephant floaty that she can sit in and float and a few water toys that spent most of the time in her mouth...with due reason.

After swimming and burgers and dogs, I noticed for the first time some little pearly whites poking through--our little girls is getting her two bottom teeth! And what a trooper--after months of drooling and chewing we were expecting the worse when it was time for her toofers. But, not a peep, no crying, no fussiness, no fever or anything. We do believe that she is the best baby there has ever been!! We're going to have to start brushing after our baths at night! We just pray they come in straight :). After dinner we enjoyed a bicycle ride to Captain Sundae where mommy enjoyed her favorite Captain Butterfinger and although Hannah couldn't have any this trip, we promised her a special treat next summer. We returned to the pool Sunday afternoon with Uncle Curt and Aunt Kristen...it was a beautiful weekend full of firsts for our precious angel and we enjoyed every moment with her!! Life is so sweet when it's shared with those you love!!

The Weekend...

We had quite an eventful weekend, Grandma's birthday, Craig's first Father's Day
and our six year anniversary--all on Sunday! We had a great time celebrating them all and daddy even got to sleep in--a rare treasure! In the midst of all the festivities, we went and bought a bike seat for Hannah--it was fine time we made it out of this neighborhood. She looks so cute riding on the back of daddy's bike and tonight they even ventured down to the lake and dipped their toes in the water. She loves being outside and on the move.

Let's get this show on the road, daddy!!

Her new 'funny' face--she sucks her bottom lip in, especially when she's concentrating on something. She's also learned to blow her own special raspberries--not traditional raspberries, she has her own special twist.