Cupcakes and Cocoa

For Greta's very first birthday party we filled the tiny house on Holly Street with balloons, cupcakes and our very best friends. Greta woke up with the biggest smile even though the weather was dreadful. And even though the weather was dreadful, our friends all came to the party smiling just as big. And this is what life is all about...balloons, cupcakes, hot chocolate and friends....at least it is to a one year old!

One Year Like No Other

She Grows and Grows on You

Look at her now. She took her first steps just after Thanksgiving this year, and I can tell how amazing it is to her - she wants so badly to run into your arms.....or your knees. She says Mamma, and Dadda (Mamma was her very first word, followed by Dadda the very next day!) She says Cat in a hushed awe. She knows that doggies pant and she also knows where her nose, and ears are! She loves to explore. Little does she know that each day is an adventure that I fall more and more in love with!

Halloween

It was a very scary night - we had so many trick or treaters come to our door! Greta delighted in seeing all of the kids. We lit jack o lanters and candles and had friends over for hot chili and "old lady fingers" and set the mood with a pot smoking with dry ice. And Greta was skunk!

Our Little Pumpkin

I have been looking forward to this for a year now - going to the pumpkin patch with my family. We went to Louisburg Cider Mill and ate homemade apple cider donuts and drank steaming hot cider. There were pumpkins, a corn maze and a zip cord for the, um, daddies. It was a beautiful day, windy and warm, and the trees are just starting to show their fall colors to Greta.....

How to Inflate a Baby...

Greta at the Kansas City Library

She absolutely loved it there...the energy was just right for her - stimulating, but not too much racket. She did the cutest thing that made me so proud and even made me cry.....She spotted a little girl across the childrens' area and crawled like mad to get close to her. She stopped at the little girl's feet and held her arm up and waved. Then she lifted both arms up to the little girl, and then she began climbing her! The little girl was cautious and Derek went over to them to reassure her. She said, "I can say hi to her but not to you!" She ran over to her mother and Greta followed her just as fast. Her name was Lottie, and Greta made a friend!

Dairy Queen

We went to Dairy Queen! It was one of my very favorite places as a child, and I think that Miss Greta is going to carry on the tradition.

The Joy of the Swing

A Day at the Park

Greta loves to swing! LOVES IT! We went to Loose Park and had a wonderful time -we walked and saw doggies. We played on the swings and found a new spray park. Greta also loved that. She doesn't even mind cold water. There was also a wedding taking place in the rose garden....we had a perfect view from a distant park bench. When the music began for the ceremony, Greta's attention went right to it - she has quite an ear!

Greta and PaPa

When they are together everyone has a wonderful time....

Greta and Charlotte

Greta and her cousin Charlotte met again, and had such a romp! Charlotte came to visit when Greta was born and this is the first time they have seen one another since...Charlotte lives in London! Greta enjoyed her so much and I could tell how much she wanted to climb stairs with her....maybe in a few months! Greta is so enthralled with other little babies - she loves new friends of the bubble blowing type.

Take a Belly Laugh Break

Greta has the best laugh! She laughs with utter abandon...until she sees the camera...so you only get a small glimpse.

Time is Flying

Greta has been keeping us busy! She began crawling on her tummy right at 7 months and is just about to gain speed on her hands and knees.  She  pulls up on me and would like to take a walk!  A week ago she began saying Mamma and the very next day, Dadda! They are the sweetest sounds she makes.  Greta also sings with us...she has a sweet little voice that chimes in with gaining confidence.

Greta has tried almost all of her fruits and vegetables and can not seem to pick a very favorite - but, pears seem to be in the lead.  She loves to drink water and is still happily breastfeeding - anywhere she likes!

Greta is such a happy girl, she finds humor in almost everything - except getting dressed...not funny at all! Hates it! She would much rather not...but would stay in jammies all day long!

No baby pool is safe this summer.....

Peek A Boo!

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Greta only takes naps in her crib because at the end she gets to peek and giggle at you! This is her new fun.  I captured this short video after going upstairs to hold her when she had woken and she was peeking and belly laughing. When she hears the door to her nursery open she pops her head up as high as she can and welcomes you with a big silly smile!

Everywhere She Goes....She Makes Smiles Happen

Greta is becoming such a little person. She has decided that she likes to have a big drink of milk around 8 and then enthusiastically show off all of her tricks rather than fall asleep. She rolls many times in sequence and can maneuver to an object by rolling rather than crawling at this point. She coos and sings...and my friends....we heard her say, "I love you" It is true and we are determined to capture this phenomenon on tape.

Greta gives kisses. She is very aggressive about them - very wet, with her little hands on your cheeks. Once you get one, you will never be the same!

Carrousel Ride

What little girl doesn't love a carrousel ride? I know this will be the first of many, many more. It was the highlight of our day at the zoo...And daddy thought it was pretty fun, too - but he got dizzy.

A Day at the Zoo

What a wonderful dad...what a wonderful day. We took Greta to the zoo! She had her very first carrosel ride with Daddy. We saw elephants and cheetahs and tigers and gorillas! The sun was bright, but there was a nice cool breeze in the shade. We found big wooden rocking chairs in a breezeway and had lunch and enjoyed the people watching, as well. Derek and I decided that one of the best things about being a parent is that you get to enjoy being a kid again and run through the zoo with out any cares...except finding the dippin dots stand.

Tall Drink of Water

Greta loves to have a sip of cold water... and pour it down her front...and pour it down your front. She loves it. She is on her way to becoming a big girl

How did we get off to such a quick start?

Greta is six months old. We wonder where the time went. Each day is so new and full of changes...Greta discovers something different every minute, and with each exciting discovery we find that our lives are more exciting and more enriched as well - more than I ever imagined!

Greta is full of life and love. She shows a dimple right underneath her right eye with every smile. Oh! And her smiles are also showing teeth! She has two front bottom teeth and is currently working on 3 top teeth all at once! She is almost ready for corn on the cob for the Fourth of July!

But, Greta doesn't give out smiles for just anyone. Never have I met a baby that is such a deep thinker and feeler...we call her sensitive, or maybe wise. Greta absorbs every energy around her. I have seen her study the faces of each family member or friend in the room - one by one, as she finds her place in our lives.

Greta loves her daddy and is very excited to celebrate his first Father's Day. Greta loves to feel his kisses on her cheeks and tummy - she giggles with abandon and squeals with glee. Greta thrives with his strong calming way and she adores his silly games.

Greta and me, her mommy, have a different way -I think we share heart strings. I think we are both in love.