William is Here!!!!!

I HAVE A COUSIN!!!!!!!!! William Isaac was born on Feb 23, 2008 at 1:10pm! He weighed 6 lbs and 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. He's a tall skinny fella! He's got loads of dark hair (I'm jealous!) and he's my first cousin!!! How exciting!! We got a phone call on Friday night that they were heading to the hospital, so on Saturday morning when Dad went to work, Mom and I drove up to Iowa for the weekend. The first day they wouldn't let me into the room, some rule about not being a sibling. But the second day Mom snuck me in!! I'm happy, too! I love William!

Here is William with his proud parents BT and Leah!!!

Grandma wanted to help introduce William to me. She held him down low to my level so I could see him.
"Grandma, he's so handsome!" I said in awe of William!
"I think so, too" Grandma said back to me.

Grandma pulled me up on her lap after I stopped trying to touch William's nose (I like to touch noses for some reason - I mean why not? They stick out and just ask for it!) Grandma told me how I'll get to play with toys with William each time I come up to visit!
A little bit bit later, Grandpa showed up. He's very proud of William!!!
Just look at the three generations!!!! What a cute family!
And I'm even more happy because tomorrow I get to go up to visit William again with Daddy!!! Dad said he would bring the camera, but he's not sure he'll remember to take photos. I'll try to remind him!

Pepe Le Peu

This afternoon Mom and I had just gotten home, and like usual, Mom let the dogs out to do their natural duty. Mom was getting me out of the car when she saw Turk make a beeline for the hill side. She glanced up to see what would make Turk run that fast....and she saw a black tail rise up into the air....

"Oh NO!!!!!!" She screamed out in horror. I was completely clueless. She left me in my carseat and grabbed Ophelia and threw her in the car with me. Then she took off running up the hill. I turned to Ophelia to ask why Mom was chasing Turk and that cat...

Ophelia looked back at me and said, "Daphne, that's not a cat. That's Pepe Le Peu."
My mind daydreamed about the handsome Pepe for a few lingering moments... Then I realized that THING on the hill was not the cute cartoon Pepe, but a real live SKUNK.
I was shocked at how small it was... comparable to the size of a "teen" cat. You know, bigger than a kitten, but not as big as a full grown cat. But that big ol' tail sticking straight up in the air made it look taller.

Turk did a full court press on the tiny, yet odorous beast. Lil Pepe tumbled on the ground, sending out several shots of his fresh aroma right on Turk. And of course, Turk did not like this fresh scent, so he pounced on Pepe like he was a stuffed animal. By this time, Mom caught up to Turk and grabbed him by the collar dragging him back - but not before she got sprayed herself by the adorable Pepe!

After Mom and Turk were a few feet away, Pepe got back to his feet and scampered off into the protection of the overgrown evergreen. Mom was dragging Turk with all her might with her right hand and covering her nose with her left hand. I could see her gagging and trying not to throw up. She tossed Turk into his kennel, leaving the garage door open, and tossed her clothes into the washing machine with about four loads amount worth of detergent!! Ophelia and I just hung low, holding our noses as well.

Once she was in some fresh clothes, she didn't stink too bad. But the upset Turk in the garage was filling the whole house with Pepe's scent. Mom made several phones calls and finally found a home remedy... Peroxide, Baking Soda and Dish Soap. She whipped up a double batch and washed down Turk and herself in the tub.

Surprisingly, the odd combination worked! Turk didn't smell anymore, and neither did Mom! A little fabreeze made the house smell better and I can go back to dreaming of my cartoon Pepe Le Peu again!

Feeding Frenzy

One of my favorite places to sit in the house is near the stairs, because I am so close to the dogs! And since I am a hungry hungry hippo, I almost always have food in my hands... And well, I don't tell mom, but I tend to share my food with Turk or Ophelia. The dogs just look at me with those big brown eyes and they just watch the food go into my mouth... So I share with them. Mom tells me no when she catches me, so when I see her watching I just sit here and smile. But when she's not looking....I share!

Bathtime Fun!

As I am getting older, I am enjoying bath time so much more! And I get to stay in the tub longer each time and play with my toys!! Just look at how much fun I am having!!!! Oh, sorry for the nudity...where are those black "censored" boxes when you need them???

1980's Yellow Dress

When my mom was born, she had a ruffled yellow dress with a matching bonnet, yellow socks, yellow shoes and even yellow blanket. She even had some professional photos taken in the dress! As she got older, Grandma decided to keep this whole outfit for mom to keep. Several years ago, when my Mom bought Grandma's house, they put the dress in a special location so that when I was born I could have my own photos in the dress. Years went by and I was born... And have you seen me in this dress???? (By the way, isn't my mom cute there? I thought I looked like her baby photos, but that doesn't really look like me....) That would be a big fat no. Mom lost the dress!!!! She's searched the house high and low ever since she knew she was having a baby girl. She never could find it. Then last week when she decided to stop looking, she came across it!!!! She was so happy, but so sad at the same time, because the dress is so tiny and I'm so big.... But she tried it on me anyway.... It wouldn't button and it's way too short and the shoes, socks, nor bonnet fit, but for a few photos it was worth it, Mom said. Mom didn't have the blanket, but I have my own yellow afgan. Look at me!!! What a cutie I am!!!
But I didn't want to sit still very long for a photo shoot, so up I went! Mom wanted me to post this photo on here to show how much a mini-dress it is on me!
Mom - this dress smells a little musty....like it's been in a box since 1980. Oh wait, it probably has!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!! I know I'm a few days late, but I hope you all enjoyed some loving this week. I know I sure did!! In fact, maybe too much. Everyone keeps calling me a flirt!! Here's the story. On Valentine's Day, we went out to eat at this "All you can eat crab leg" place. Well, Dad got that - mom got chicken. While they were busy eating, I was busy flirting with the gentleman at the table behind us. Then the very next night, we went out for pizza and I proceeded to flirt with every male in the room there, too. Okay, okay, so maybe I am a flirt. But there is something about guys that makes me smile and make cute noises!

Dad got this rose for Mom, but I'll pretend it was for me. Isn't it pretty?? No one will give a bite of the chocolate on the counter, they keep saying something about no sugar for me....

William's Shower

A few weeks ago Grandma and Mom helped give Leah a baby shower for William! That made me happy, because it meant a trip up to see them!! I love when I get to visit Aunt Leah and Grandma! I got to see Grandpa, too! (as you can see above, Mom made a diaper cake for the shower, too.)

We drove up on Friday night, so I got to see how big Leah's belly was getting! At the time of the shower, she was at 36 weeks. I wanted the baby to be born while I was there, but mom said it was still too early for William to get here. On Saturday morning, we all drove over to Aunt Lou Anne's house for the brunch shower. The shower was right during my nap time, so soon I found myself cuddling in the arms of anyone who would hold me. Here mom caught me on film in Aunt Missy's arms.
The shower was full of fun games by Leah's friend Amy, and Grandma made tons of good food!! Then Leah opened up the gifts - she got tons of adorable clothes for William!! Mom and I posed for a photo with our cousin Stacey.
After the shower was over and we were cleaning up, I was starting to get pretty fussy. Aunt Leah thought it was funny. She just wanted a photo with me, but I wouldn't stop being fussy... Sorry Aunty Leah!!!!

Bumbo Growth Chart - 12 Months!

As you all know over the last year, each month my mother has placed me in my Bumbo chair and taken what has been referred to as the "Bumbo Growth Chart Photo." And of course, I've always sat pretty for her, showing how much I have grown the last month. Well, for my big 12 Month/First Year photo, I decided to be a little silly and not sit the same way!!! I think it's cute...

So for comparison sake, check out my first six months of Bumbo Growth Chart photos... I can just barely hold my head up on my own in the first one!! Second month was one of my first recorded smiles (and I'm trying to hide it!) Month three was with some Easter flowers, sadly month 4 is my chunky stage... Month 5 was my tongue stage, and month 6 was some fun in the sun!
Here's my Months 7-12 chart. Month 7 was on the dock at the lake, month 8 was gearing up for a big Chiefs game! Month 9 was in my Halloween costume, while month 10 was in front of the Christmas Tree! Month 11 was outside in the snow and of course month 12 is my First Birthday!!!
But if you want to see me sitting normal, here's a photo to compare my growth with.... Mom made me sit normal for at least one photo. But I couldn't do it...so up goes the foot! (Notice no socks.... I can't stand those things! I pull them off within seconds of them being put on me!)

Crash and Burn!

The other day we had some really nice weather outside, so Mom and I decided to go walk the trail by our house. After a few moments of riding in the stroller, I decided I wanted to walk, too. I didn't want to ride anymore. So Mom let me walk beside her. Now mind you, we just had some snow melt, so the ground was VERY SOFT. Well, I decided to get off the paved path and on my first step into the grass......Trouble.

Unlike the pavement, my shoes sunk into this soft thing they call ground. And it was a downhill slope, so over I went... I ended up doing a complete face plant and my feet ended high in the air! At first Mom laughed, then she rushed to my side. Don't worry, I didn't cry. I got right up and wanted to keep walking. Mom was laughing so hard at the mud on my face. She tried to wipe it off, but it just smeared.

So after we got home, she used a wet washcloth to remove the now dried mud. And we were both shocked to find little cuts underneath!! Whoops!

My first walking battlescars!!!!

Why go around when I can go under?

Tell me this, why should around take the time to walk AROUND a coffee table, when I can just as easy go UNDER it? Interesting..... First step, crawl under table. Second step, hold still a few moments to make the parents wonder you have gone. Third step, crawl towards the light.
Fourth step, take a breather and play with a toy if you get stuck...
Fifth step, crawl all the out from under the table!
And off you go!!

Mastered a task!

A month or so ago I posted a photo of myself, where I admitted I get stuck in bean bags. Yes, I share that unearthly habit with Fat Monica from "Friends". Well, I should now say I have mastered the bean bag chair!!! Now I can climb right over the thing!! And boy oh boy, when I get to the other side of the room, I take off running!! I get so proud of myself for escaping the prison near the computer desk!

No more board books...

Yup, that's right! No more board books or kid books for me! I'm ready for the big time! Bring on Tom Clancy!!! After reading one sentece in his book, I had to ask what "aft" meant. He uses that word a lot.

Please Pray for Tobias....

About a week ago, my friend Lily had a new baby brother born!! Yeah!! But earlier this week he had some trouble breathing, so his mommy Angie and daddy Micah took him to the doctor. From there, they sent him straight to the hospital. That hospital sent him to a bigger hospital. Then that bigger hospital sent him to even a BIGGER hospital!!!! Talk about some high emotions!! After some more tests, it was decided that Tobias needed heart surgery.

WOW. Heart surgery on a one week old....

But God was watching out for Tobias and his family. The surgery went beautiful and Tobias is doing great. But now he's got a long recovery road and I wanted to ask that you join myself and my family in prayer for Tobias, his sister Lily and his parents Angie and Micah. Thanks guys, I love you all!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!!

Much to the dismay of my two wonderful parents, January 31 was my first BIRTHDAY!!!!!! I'm such a big girl now!! It was a long day for my delivery, for me and my parents and my two grandma's and my Grant! Guess I should mention the doctor and the nurses, too. Everyone waited a long time for me. Now, I really don't remember all this, I couldn't exactly see it. But I had the bruises on the top of my head to prove it after I was born!

Thank you to EVERYONE for the wonderful cards!! My mom said she would keep them in my baby book so that when I get older I can look at them.

And now here's something I didn't know...when you celebrate a birthday, you get to eat this most amazing concoction! I have no clue what it is called, but it's soft to the touch, sweet to the taste and messy as all get out! Here Dad is holding it out in front of me, tempting my taste buds...

After they swiftly removed the open flame (doesn't that below downstairs in the wood stove????) Dad sat the object down in front of me... Grandma was here too and everyone was watching me. What was I supposed to do - eat it???
So I dug in deep with my fingers and brought them to my mouth....

OH.

MY.

GOODNESS.

Lord, thank you for inventing this treat!!!! I had never had anything like it! My mouth is watering even today just remembering it!

I just couldn't get enough of it!!! GIVE ME MORE PLEASE!!!!

Only after all the icing was gone did I realize that my mother had snapped about 132 photos, literally. And trust me, I was much messier than this photo, but since the icing kept going up my nose Dad would clean off my face between every couple of bites...

It was a great birthday and I can't wait for next year to have more icing!!!!!! I love you all, thank you!!!