9 Months!

Our baby girl is 9 months old! She was so joyful throughout the Christmas holiday.  She loved all the decorations, lights, and the tree.  Of course, she felt the need to touch the tree and decorations all the time.  I think she heard the word, "no" and "gentle" an awful lot this month. :) 

Highlights from the month...
She loves to wave bye-bye, sometimes she will do it with both hands at the same time.
No new teeth, but her gums are swollen and she is drooling a lot, wondering if the 1 year molars are coming soon.  Still taking two naps a day.  Her morning nap always seems to be the longer nap.  She goes to bed at 7pm and wakes at 6am. (Still wakes once a night to eat.)  She is cruising around furniture pretty easily.  Many times she holds on with only one hand.  The other day she let go and stood holding onto nothing for about 10 seconds.  She is starting to climb...she has conquered the fireplace and dishwasher.  Mackenzie really enjoys swinging outside (we've been blessed with nice weather this December).  She loves pushing buttons...especially on the remotes, phones, and printer.  Her favorite toy is "Sophie the Giraffe," it has been a great teether.  She in size 4 diapers and wearing 12-18 month clothes.  She loves banging objects together.  One of her favorite activities is to play with the leapfrog letters on the refrigerator.  She loves Morgan o sing to her and enjoys peek-a-boo.  She has a laid back personality and loves to watch her sister play and act silly.  The only time she really cries is when she is overly tired or really hungry.  Mackenzie is very social and loves going on play dates where she can watch the big kids play.  When she is relaxing she loves grabbing her toes.  She always likes to sleep on her tummy with her bottom in the air.  She is a good eater.  Her favorites snacks are cheerios and yogurt.  Mackenzie is my snuggle bug and constantly climbs into my arms.
We love you sweet girl!

Merry Christmas!

Santa brought Morgan a telescope!

Morgan and Mackenzie also received a puppet theater.

Sister Love!

Our sweet Mackenzie's first Christmas!

Signing "Happy Birthday Jesus!"

Playing with her new Fisher Price IXL Learning System.  Thanks Papa and Gigi for the cool gift!

We had a wonderful Christmas!  We spent the morning at home.  Then went to Andy's parents for the rest of the day.  It was a great day!  Of course the most important part of our day was celebrating the birth of Jesus.  I love that Morgan understood the reason we have Christmas is to celebrate His birth!

Christmas Eve

We enjoyed Christmas Eve with my side of the family.  We went to church and then everyone came back to our house for dinner and gifts.  It was so much fun seeing the excitement on Morgan's face.  I didn't get a family picture.  By the time we got home from church and had dinner, Mackenzie was asleep in bed.

The table all set for dinner.

Morgan and Mackenzie's new wagon from Grandma.  It will be perfect for them to ride in to the neighborhood pool this summer!

                                                      Chef Morgan!

Morgan with her cousin in matching pj's.  Mackenzie had matching too, but she was sleeping during this photo.

Cookies/milk and a special drawing for Santa from Morgan.

All I want for Christmas...

is to kiss those chubby cheeks!!

Baby Jesus

Morgan was asked to put baby Jesus in the manger during a special celebration at Gigi's work on Friday.

Since I helped her put baby Jesus in the manger scene I didn't get a picture.  She did a great job!  I did get a wonderful picture of Morgan and Mackenzie with Papa and Gigi.

Christmas Program

Morgan did a great job at her preschool Christmas performance!  She sang, did the actions, and even waved at all of us multiple times.  It was the most outgoing she has ever been in a big crowd.  We were really proud of her!  This was a big change from special person's day.  She was so nervous and barely sang in November.  Funny how different a child can be in just one month. 

Walking into the performance.

Waiting to begin.

Singing with actions!

A Beautiful Story

Yesterday Morgan told Andy she was going to read him a story out of her bible.  Below is what she said. 

"God was living up in heaven all alone and he said, "I need a friend."  He asked Papa Bob if he would come to heaven to be his friend.  Paps Bob said he would.  Now Papa Bob lives in heaven.  God now has a friend and isn't lonely anymore."

I think that is hands down the most beautiful story I have ever heard.  And to think...it came from my three year old.
Oh Morgan, you sure know how to make your mama proud!

In just a week...

In just one short week my baby has grown so much!  She now can stand up in her crib, she's beginning to cruise the furniture, she climbs on the fireplace, and she got her pincher grasp down and shovels cheerios, yogurt melts, and puffs in her mouth with ease.  She also has started waving bye-bye!  Wow!  It is amazing how quickly babies learn new tricks.  I love her confidence and that twinkle she gets in her eye when she is showing off! 
Mackenzie, we can't wait to see what you surprise us with next! :)

Santa at Crown Center

So excited....Pure JOY!

We love Santa!

Family Pic!  Cheese!!! :)

Lunch at Crayola Cafe

We had a wonderful morning at Crown Center.  We started off with Morgan having a blast in the Crayola playland.  I think she went through the exhibit about six times. :)  Then the special moment of the day...seeing the big guy!  Morgan loved Santa and told him she would like a puppet theater and a telescope (my little scientist).  She told Santa she likes looking at the stars and moon.  Then Santa told Morgan how he loves astronomy too.  She thought that was pretty cool.  Mackenzie liked Santa too.  She sat there content just watching Morgan and Santa talk.
The tradition we started when Morgan was born is to make our Santa visit a family day.  We visit Santa and then the girls get to pick out a Hallmark ornament.  Then we enjoy a fun lunch out.  Morgan chose the Crayola Cafe for lunch and a cute  playschool house ornament.  Mackenzie got a baby's first Christmas ornament.
Both girls passed out on the way home!  They had a fun and busy morning.  I love this special time with my family. 

What a statement!

 This is what Morgan decided she wanted had to wear to Walmart the other day.  She was beyond proud!  You probably can't tell in the picture but the stripped shirt and stripped pants are two different shades of green.  She thought the hot pink socks and animal print shoes gave it something special.  The funniest part...I had three different people at Walmart comment how cute she looked.  They seemed pretty serious too.  Sometimes as a mom you just have to roll with it.  I don't ever want to squish her creativity.  After all, I've seen far worse fashion at Walmart and I'm sure all of you have too! :)

"Look Mommy...I'm sooo fancy!"