Two Steppin'

You took two unassisted steps today. You are getting to be such a big girl. The only thing is, you will only take a step when you are preoccupied with something else. Then you get kind of freaked out that you are walking without help and you drop to your hands and knees to crawl. I try to call to you so that you'll walk to me, and you do come, but you know that you can crawl there faster.

You went and saw your doc yesterday for your 9 month check up and he said that 9 months is early for a girl to walk. He also informed me that you are still in the 5th percentile for your weight. Over the 50th for your length. I don't know where you are putting all that food, because you eat like a horse. You weighed all of 16 pounds.

You also got a flu shot and you didn't even cry. I was so proud of you. Not that I blame you for crying. But, you just watched the nurse administer it, then you scrunched up your eyes like you were considering letting out a wail and changed your mind. Brave girl. I love you.

Baby Einstein

My little genius. I'm pretty sure every mom thinks their baby is a future genius. Only in this case, it's true.

We stayed with your Grandma Connie last weekend and she showed you "Patty Cake." I don't know if it's Pat-A-Cake or Patty Cake, but you learned it Patty Cake. We were only there for a day and you learned it straight away. So, now when you are eating you love to clap your hands together. And, if anyone says Patty Cake to you, you immediately start doing it. It's so stinkin' cute. I think pretty much everything you do is pretty darn cute (except for that whole not sleeping through the night thing).

Latest & Greatest

Haven, your latest new thing is to bite my chin with your two little teeth. Usually it doesn't hurt, unless Daddy tells you to bite harder and then somehow you seem to understand what that means. After you bite my chin, you give me your finger to chomp on. And, then you laugh and crunch your nose up. I hope you always scrunch your nose up. It's a signature Haven face. You look so ornery when you do that. I love it.

You were so cute today, Haven. I was watching a movie and you had just woken up and wanted to sit on my lap. It so happened that in the movie a woman was giving birth and the baby she'd had started crying. You heard that baby cry and didn't take your eyes off the screen. When they showed the baby you reached out a hand to it like you wanted to touch it. It was so cute. I got a picture of you staring at the movie, but I didn't have my camera on me when you were reaching out. Darn it. Look how intent you are watching that baby.

The Youngest Base Jumper...and Dad's First Gray Hair

Oh, my little Haven. There is a good chance you significantly contributed to my first gray hair tonight. Today was an eventful day, as days go around here. From what your mother says, you refused to let her put you down for a nap today at all, couldn’t decide if you loved or hated the snow (most people are like that I guess), had your first snow ice cream (one of my favorites and apparently one of yours as well), and not ten minutes ago had your first unassisted base jump from your crib. That’s right, despite the fact that your mother and I lowered the crib to the deepest setting you found a way to hold the top rail, wedge your short little legs against the slats, and up and over you went. Mom and I had just finished talking about how you were trying to climb everything including; the couch, your mother, the tv cabinet, and the bath tub and that was just since I got home from work. I was amazed watching you. I am so in love with you and every moment I only fall for you more than the last. This is why I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I went into your room to rock you to sleep after Mom failed on the first go round just in time to see you come over the railing. I still don’t know how you did it but instead of coming head first which could have been catastrophic, you held onto the rail with all your might, came over the rail (enter dad) and swung down until your grip broke and down you came on your little skinny butt and back. I ran to scoop you up cussing the whole while (you will learn that is what daddy does when he is upset or scared in this case). I was almost in tears but in truth you didn’t really even cry all that much. You were scared and had a hard time catching your breath a few moments but your mother quickly had you against her chest and I don’t think you knew the difference. Twenty minutes later now and you are asleep and I am not sure I will for a week. Between your mother and I we have 61 years of life under our belt and 4 college degrees, you are nine months old can’t even speak yet (although you communicate well) and already a step ahead. I have a feeling this is not going to be my first gray hair moment. Love you little monkey. See you tomorrow. Dad.

Haven's Cuteness

You are so beautiful, my baby. I love your smile...you wrinkle your nose and then blow out of it when you are happy to see someone. You love to pull off your socks and play with your toes. Alot of times while you are in your carseat, I'll look back and you have both feet in your hands and you are talking to them. I don't know what you are saying, but they must please you a great deal.

You are starting to play back with your daddy and me. When mommy is tickling you, you bit her cheek with those two sharp little teeth you've got. Yesterday your daddy chased you around on the floor on his hands and knees. You would crawl by him at warp speed making sure he saw you so he could chase you. You were screaming you had so much fun. I had a bit of trouble getting you to bed after that.

You also love to lick the bottom of my shoes. Especially the brown flats. I've tried numerous times to take them away, but you insist on treating them like lolly pops. I guess it's no worse than crawling around on the floor all day and sticking your fingers in your mouth afterwards. You're gonna have a great immune system.

I can't explain how much I love you, little girl. You are ornery and clingy and so cute right now.

Screamin'

You were really tired tonight. When you are tired you don't do so well in your chair while I'm feeding you. At first you are OK, but then you get bored and want out. So, you started screaming. I told you, "no," very sternly. You gave me a look and then started fussing. Then you screamed again when I didn't let you out. Daddy came in from the other room and told you no. You kept screaming and we kept telling you no. After about the fifth time, you beat us to the punch. You let out another scream and then started shaking your head no. I don't know how we're ever going to discipline you...when you are being naughty, you make us laugh. Your uncle David used to make your grandma laugh and he would get out of spankings. It used to make me so mad. But, now I think I understand.

Sweet Sweet Haven

This morning was the first morning that you actually cried when your daddy gave you to mommy. Usually I'm the preference over anyone, but today, you really wanted to play with daddy, and he had to get dressed for work. He gave you to me and you started bawling. I'm not sure I like being 2nd best, but I think you made his morning. Except when he had to leave. He kept delaying so he could hold you. I've never seen a man so in love with his baby girl. I think you are on the way to being a daddy's girl.

Let Me Entertain You

You were such a hambone last night, my Haven. Lately you've been shaking your head "no." Sometimes it is when we say no, but sometimes we're not sure why you're doing it. Well, last night you were supposed to be in bed, but you were a little keyed up so I took you into the bedroom to mellow out on the bed with daddy and me. You sat up on the bed and shook your head no so enthusiastically that you fell over. Daddy and I laughed so hard. We couldn't help it. You noticed that you had amused us and sat up on the bed again, laughed, and fell over. And you kept doing it. It was the first time you purposefully entertained us. And, boy, did you. You made our night. We have the cutest little girl in the whole world. How we love you!