Birthday Tooth

I thought I saw a little something in Alanna's mouth this morning so I stuck my finger in there only to find a new tooth! She now has three teeth on the bottom (and four on top) since she just got the bottom second to the left tooth. I have been feeling around for new teeth lately, but moreso checking for molars and not front teeth. Surprise! Maybe her other bottom one will come shortly behind this one?!

Charlie's newest trick

Charlie knows his phone number!! After a few weeks of asking him to repeat it (while driving between errands and occasionally at random at home), Charlie knows his phone number!!!! He was jumping on the trampoline this morning and recited his digits out of nowhere - without even being prompted. 4295260. Yay, Charlie! We'll have to post a video soon. :)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby Girl!!

Our Alanna girl turned 1 today! I think it might take a bit for that statement to actually sink in, but like it or not, she did indeed turn one today. We had a fun day together as a family, celebrating this little girl that has forever changed our lives. How she lights up a room with her big blue eyes and bright, pretty smile. How she babbles and shrieks and giggles at random. How she instigates rough-n-tumble play with her big bro. How SHE is the one who pulls all the pillows off the couches, not Charlie, who often gets the blame for such events. How she holds her arms up as if she has to be held right now or the world will stop. How she snuggles on your chest for hardly 3 seconds before picking up her head and flashing a toothy grin. Oh, Alanna - how we love you so much!! Happy, happy birthday to our sweet daughter! We love you so much!

Alanna's newest trick

Alanna does "Where's Alanna?" really well (covering her eyes and then uncovering and waiting for your excited response of, "There she is!") and has for the past few weeks.

She walks along the furniture now, too! I guess she started that a few days to a week ago.

Alanna also is feeling brave enough to push herself up to a standing position and then let go, standing on her own for a handful of seconds before either sitting or falling back on her bum. It's fun to watch her practice her balance!

She eats all kinds of things, even meat! I'm thinking it's because we actually fed her the meat baby food (usually mixed with something else). A friend gave us about 20 jars and that might be why she's willing to try and eat meat now. I never bought it for Charlie which might explain his aversion to meat. I'm not saying that he should eat steak all the time, but can't I give him a hot dog every now and then?! Charlie will eat tuna (tuna melts, tuna casserole), crescent chicken squares, fried fish and an occasional chicken nugget, but he'll pick around chicken or hamburger in a casserole. Oh, life's dilemas. :)

Lunch Funny

Overheard last week during lunch:

(Charlie, eating halved grapes with a fork)
"Whoa! Fast grapes!" as one flies across his plate.

So funny! Sounds lame when I type it, but trust me. We laughed. :)

Cabin in Bonanza

We spent the weekend at this cute cabin in Bonanza, CO September 22-23. It belongs to a friend of mine who was so kind to open it up to us (she even suggested it!). We had a blast despite the lack of electricity and running water. The fall colors were beautiful in the high country, and with the crisp fall air, it truly was a wonderful getaway for us.

After we put the kids to bed (Charlie was asking to go to bed around 9ish!), Matt and I sat by the fire until 10:15 or so. I left a battery-operated lantern on in the cabin so Charlie wouldn't get scared (Alanna was already sleeping). I tucked him into bed and assumed he would fall asleep since HE asked ME to go to bed. When Matt and I came into the cabin some 75 minutes later, Charlie was still awake!!! He managed to keep himself busy without waking up Alanna, who was sound asleep in the pack and play. When I asked him what he had been doing, he said, "I play salt." See the salt on the table? He found a salt shaker, dumped some out and played in it like it was sand. Soooooo funny!! Props to him for keeping quiet anway! I laughed about this for the rest of the weekend. "I play salt." Yeah, it looks like you did!

The 'upstairs' of the cabin was a little pull-down staircase that goes to a loft.  Super cute!

Mr. Outdoors was having a blast shouting and listening to his voice echo in the woods.

 

Loving on Daddy!

September Recap

Alanna's trademark: upside-down pacifier! Finally Dapper Dan is getting some attention. :)

One day, our elderly across-the-street neighbor was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Charlie talked about it the rest of the day. Yay for him, not so much for her.

Our gorgeous girl.

Huh. Note to self: stocking the changing table might not be the best idea.

This was taken the 15th of September when she started pulling herself up on the furniture!

Alanna's first bottle of whole milk 9-17-12. She loved it!

Scrounging for leftovers under the table. No matter how often I vacuum, she can almost always find something under there!

I caught her first wave on video, but here's a still picture of her in action. We happened to be at the zoo this day. So beautiful! 9-18-12

I put Charlie up on this glass enclosure to look out and find the tiger. I turned around to check on Alanna and looked back at Charlie only to find the tiger right on the other side of the glass. WHOA. It was a little close but fun to see nonetheless.

Popsicle saver: cut a slit in a yogurt tub lid and slide the stick through. :)

Crazy bedhead!! She woke up from her nap like this. Isn't it epic?!?!