Reading with Daddy

I LOVE to read, helping to turn the pages and babbling away. I really like the books that have an extra flap I can pull down on the pages, usually hiding more words or a picture. I feel like I'm interacting with the book (just like a good student of literature). Okay, so maybe my books are just about shapes, colors, and animals but I'm only 11 months old! ;-)

11 months old (February 7, 2007)

Oh my! We are in disbelief that Caleigh is almost a year old. But it also seems like she has been in our lives forever. What a wonderful journey we're on.

Helping Oma unpack

It's always fun pulling stuff out and flinging them everywhere. Their new apartment is very spacious and Oma has gathered a basket full of fun stuff for me to play with when I visit. I'm going to like staying over with them!

In her snowsuit

The snows came and Caleigh was prepared [thanks, Maggie]!

In addition to the dogs on her snowsuit, Caleigh was also sporting a dark gray sweater, trimmed in red with an embroidered dog on the front. So cute!

We didn't actually play in the snow, but Caleigh was fascinated with watching it float by and accumulate from our kitchen breakfast area.

Caleigh's new "smile"

Not sure where she picked up this smile, but she "posed" for the camera smiling like this for about 3 days. It made us laugh (which probably just encouraged her...), but she has stopped now!

Yummy cantaloupe, especially since we let her eat it with her own two hands!

Caleigh in her overalls

Well, one pair. This kid has a pair of overalls for every day of the week. She will be country-fied regardless of growing up in suburbia (aka Philadelphia or "the big city").
She likes to stir make believe concoctions in her nesting cups. These things are great in the bath, kitchen and living room -- who knew they were so versatile!

She is walking with Daddy, proud as can be.

Just some pictures of our cutie

We're not sure what she was doing in the saucer, but she likes to hide her walrus down near her tummy and then VIOLA!, showing us that she hasn't lost it.

She likes striking a pose now for the camera, but I don't think we'll start her on modeling just yet. ;-)

In Daddy's old pj's

Oma dressed me in Daddy's old pj's -- a cool cowboy theme two-piece number. Very retro!

Waiting on Oma

Welcome to Philadelphia (and America!) Oma and Mr. Ertl.
I held out my (little bitty) "Oma" sign to hail her arrival. What fun we'll have all together in our house as they await their new apartment.

They were moving as much cargo in their baggage and on their person as airplane regulations would handle
-- we brought both cars to bring us all home! Of course, Oma rode in the back seat with me from the airport. I usually don't go out of the house with my pj's on, but this was an appropriate exception.

Lifting weights

Caleigh is flexing her muscles and getting stronger each day. Of course this is just a duster, but she has the pose of a real weightlifter!

Walking

Caleigh took her first steps on January 3, 2007. Four steps all in a row toward a toy she wanted to play with. Those timid first steps have turned into walking from room to room (usually carrying some item), getting up and down without holding on to anything, and stepping over things.

[These posts area little out of order since I've waited so long to catch up.]

10 months old (January 7, 2007)

I'm getting so big! That's Daddy swinging me around and making me laugh, and we caught Mama already ready for bed and in her pj's!

Happy girl

Caleigh is such a blessing and a happy little girl. We adore her smile. There is never a doubt when she is pleased. ;-)

She is getting more and more bold in taking steps and will soon be walking without toppling, we're sure. "Toddlerhood" makes more sense now.

I may have mentioned this, but she loves to come crawling, walking, whatever towards me when I try to take her picture or videotape. So I have to be quick not to just get a BIG HEAD in the shot.

New Years's Eve and Day

The first picture is just before midnight (2006) and the second was taken just after midnight (2007). I think she looks bigger in the second picture. ;-)

We are so blessed that our little one is sleeping well through the night. {who remembers when this started....I should keep a baby book ;-} When we don't mess her up by taking long or overnight trips, she sleeps 7:30P to 7:30A. Ahhh......

Thanks Indy Schantzes!

I really like my hat and mittens! And we've gotten lots of compliments when I wear them out. Miss you guys!

More Christmas in PA

Mama and Daddy gave me SUCH a cool Christmas gift. It has taken up residence in our living room and I play with it everyday. I can see myself liking this for years to come (at least that's what Mama and Daddy are hoping ;-)

I was all decked out in my red pants, red and white striped turtleneck and white sweater with candy canes on the front. Mama said it was still the Christmas season even though the calendar says January 15.

Ridin' the "buddin" (or vroom vroom as Daddy calls it ;-)

I just LOVE my "buddy quad" to use the official name on the side of the vehicle. Mama and Daddy can call it whatever they want, but I choose to be proper. ;->

It is SO FUN to ride through the house -- being pushed now, but soon I'll be able to get around all by myself.

Another special visitor

This time from Boston! John Buckley, one of Daddy's friends from college days, came by on Dec. 27 for dinner and a visit. We had a good time hanging out and I was extra good in the restaurant. ;-)
Thanks for checking my blog, Mr. Buckley! Come visit anytime.

Christmas (observed) in Pennsylvania

We waited a couple weeks after returning from our whirlwind tour of the Mid-West and the great Commonwealth of VA to celebrate Christmas at home. Our tree "survived" (or at least didn't drop all it's needles) the long time we were away with some help from the Harnlys (thanks Kristen and Allison!).

















Thanks for the big Santa, Grandma! He's just my size (literally...;-)

I think it's funny to stand and SMILE for the camera.

And we notice that taking a family self-portrait is hard...it looks like we're squishing our daughter!

More Christmas fun

Our neighbors, Sheriff and Rhonda, gave Caleigh this wonderful ornament.

Caleigh got a variety of cool gifts -- her first cuddly doll and a John Deere tractor!