Her Very Own!

Josh made a stool for Lauren, just like the one that Max has. Hopefully this will cut down the fights over the stool, though probably not. She was pretty excited about it, though.

Merry Christmas!

Max had a great time opening presents with Uncle Greg this Christmas. He also had a great time playing with him. Uncle Greg wishes he was younger so that he could keep up with Max. I think we all feel this way.

Just Because

I don't really have much to say about this one. I just thought she looked silly and couldn't resist.

You Can Dress Her Up But...

You can't keep her from climbing into the dishwasher.

A friend's 5 year old daughter picked this dress out for Lauren and I though it would be fun to put it on her. She seemed a bit baffled by the tulle. It didn't keep her from climbing everything in site, though. I think she thinks she was helping.

Lauren has mastered carrying things while walking, and she loves to go around hugging a stuffed animal while she walks. Her hair has gotten so long that we have taken to doing all sorts of things to it to keep it out of her eyes. I am sure she will hate us when she is a teenager. I think she looks like Cindy Lou Who, who is no more than two. The real one from the book. Not the weird looking one from the movie with Jim Carrey.

Explorer Max

Max put on his explorer hat, his explorer backpack, got his map and binoculors (got to love what a kid can do with a couple of empty toilet paper rolls) and went exploring today.

Snuggled In

The day after Thanksgiving was clear and cold. I wore Lauren in my psling and she snuggled in against the wind.

Little Drummer Boy

Max's favorite "movie" right now is what he calls "Music Robots." It is really called Animusic and is music with animated instruments making the music. Max loves it. Here he is drumming along to it.

Watching the Surf with Papa

We went to Pemaquid Light today. The surf was very high because of an offshore storm. It was a glorious, sunny day, though. Max and Papa enjoyed sitting on a rock, watching the waves hit the rocks. Max also loved seeing a lighthouse up close.

Making Thanksgiving Pies

Max helped make the thanksgiving pies again. Unlike last year, it did not involve any screaming, and his pie actually came out pretty well. He ate it for breakfast. (Last year he wanted to make the actual big pie. This year he was happy to make his own). He has gotten quite good with the rolling pin. We had a good time cooking.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sit-n-Spin. Fun in the 70's. Fun now.

It's Good to be King

Max likes to "read" to us. He also really likes the crown that I brought back from his cousin Sophie's birthday party. It is a bit big from him, so he folds his ears down to keep it on.

She Walks!

We were starting to think it wasn't going to happen, and then all of a sudden, Lauren started walking. She is so pleased with herself, and is walking all of the place. She still walks with her arms up in the air, but each day looks more confident and is really moving right along. She has learned that she can carry things, and spend yesterday picking up baskets and bags and walking around the house with them. It has been wonderful. We have not had to spend so much time removing her from tables, chairs, tops of couches, and whatever else she has climbed on because she has too busy practicing her new skill.

Now if we could just get her to keep a hair clip in, she could see where she was going at the same time.

Autumn in New England

It has been a gorgeous fall. The colors of the leaves were spectacular this year, thanks to a combination of perfect temperatures and enough rain. We have enjoyed going on walks in the woods, or even just walking around out yard by the creek. This is one of the things we came back for.

Oh yes, and this is also an excuse to show off my gorgeous silk ring sling.

Playing with Dough, Not Eating It.

Lauren is finally learning to play with things without eating them. We can actually give her playdough or clay and let her play without standing on top of her the entire time, ready to scoop it out of her mouth. She still is likely to put markers and crayons in her mouth, though. However, she does at least color on the paper a little bit in between coloring her face.

Kneading Bread

Max and I made bread together last week. It was a great activity for the two of us. He enjoyed measuring, mixing, kneading, and loved watching it rise. The bonus: yummy bread at the end of it. 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Josh enjoyed his birthday cake. Max enjoyed eating the frosting off the candles. 

A Cake for Daddy

Max apparently really liked Lauren's birthday cake because when Josh's birthday came around a few days later, he wanted to know where the cake was. So, out I went to get another one, with curly candles this time. Max loved the candles and carefully put each and every one on. Some where upside down, making burning them a bit difficult, but the joy he found in putting them on there more than made up for that. 

I Know What This Thing Does

Max was watching a movie and when he left the room, Lauren climbed up on the top of his stool and happily started watching as well. We tried moving the stool away from the table, and she just pushed it back over. There is very little in the house that she can't climb to. 

Still Growing

He is over 45 pounds of cute trouble, and he still loves that chair. I am not sure if it will surive him or not. Cisco keeps us on our toes, but he is a great pup. 

Didy Bear

Max received a special gift from a wonderful woman. It is a handmade bear and he is going to keep Max company when he goes to the hospital. Max was all smiles and hugs when he opened him. 

Birthday Cake Rocks!

Because Max's neutrophil count is so low, we had to cancel Lauren's birthday party. Luckily, we were able to find the perfect little birthday cake and a nice candle, and we had a celebration, just the four of us. Lauren loved the cake. Unlike Max, who seemed baffled by the sweet, sticky, messy thing placed in front of him when he was one, Lauren attacked it with gusto, digging right in to the frosting before picking up the cake. She enjoyed every bite, and we enjoyed watching her eat it.

This is how you do it, Lauren.

Max was happy to show Lauren how to open her birthday presents. He was also happy to show her how to play with them. He wasn't always as happy about letting her play with them. 

For Me?

She is one already. Where has the last year gone? 17 pounds now, healthy, happy, and a ton of fun. She keeps us running and while I can't say I enjoy every minute of it, we do love her personality. She is into everything, has a great sense of humor, and I can not believe she is one year old today. 

Yum!

After peeling the "perfect" banana for Max, I turned around to find Lauren sitting in Max's stool, happily eating it. She ate the entire banana all by herself, and enjoyed every bite. 

Sit and......

She hasn't exactly mastered the spin part, but she is working on it.

Lauren loves playing with toys that we used to think were way to big for her. She enjoys Max's cars, his little trike, his rocking chair, the sit and spin, and the smaller slide. Some of these things Max has outgrown, so it is really nice to see them being used by Lauren.

Not a Baby Anymore

I can't believe she is almost 1. She climbed up in this chair all by herself and was so pleased. She is a very independant little girl, quite determined, and busy busy busy all the time. She is tons of fun, but I have to admit I am exhausted. I wouldn't change her, though. Well, except for the not liking to sleep thing. 

Beep Beep!

One of her favorites Max toys is the car. She often climbs right over the top of the doors to get in.

More Ice Cream

I couldn't resist this shot. 

Ice Cream and Geese

Max loves chocolate ice cream. Every time we go to Kimball's he gets it. He also loves the animals there. This day, he was cold so he wore my shirt, which went to his ankles. It was a fun afternoon, especially because Uncle Greg had come to visit. 

All Geared Up.

He isn't sure what roller blading is, but he is ready for it (well, except for his helmet). Max's favorite thing to do right now is to play pretend, especially with props. You won't see any pictures of it, but I was all dressed up, too. 

Getting Bigger....

But not giving up the Pooh seat. Cisco sneaks into this seat whenever he has a chance. I am not sure what he is going to do when he outgrows it.