Leah update--sorry to keep everyone waiting!

At 15 months, Leah is a busy busy girl! She is into everything, especially things she knows are a "no no." She even says "no" as she's grabbing them...hmmm, wonder what that means for our future?! She's talking like crazy now. Her new words include: banana, apple, up/down, bow, Leah, dirty (diapers), and love you. She had a fun Christmas visiting with friends and family and ripping open tons of presents.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Leah donned two different Halloween costumes this year because I just couldn't decide between the two! She had so much fun walking around the block last night and checking out all the trick-or-treaters.

Fall Fun

We've had a great time celebrating the fall season. We visited the apple orchard and took a fall trip to Michigan to enjoy the changing leaves.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!

Well, 12 cupcakes later, Leah is one year old. She is busy, busy, busy! We want her to walk SO badly, but she's still too tentative to take those first few steps by herself. She is learning some new words: dance, see ya, and button. She blows kisses now, which is pretty cute and melts Mama's heart as I leave her each day! She is also slowly revealing her personality to us. When she's not in the mood for veggies, she pushes them off. When she's about to do something she KNOWS to be a "no no," she glances over her shoulder, and then proceeds to do it anyway. She stops smiling as soon as she sees a camera and she wants to do, or eat, or play with, whatever we are. Her first birthday party was a BLAST. We are so grateful to all of our family and friends who joined us. She is one lucky lady!

11 months!

At 11 months, Leah is babbling like crazy and she seems to recognize, but can't quite spit out, words like book, car, bird, and clap. Her new favorite thing is climbing the steps and she would head straight up with no spotter if we'd let her. She LOVES to laugh and any game that involves her being the comedian is a big hit. It's hard to believe that our little baby will be one in less than a month...she has gotten so big, so fast!

Won't be long now!

Leah pushes her cart around the house by herself. We're just waiting for those first brave steps.

Bike Riding

We finally got Leah set up to cruise Batavia in style. She really enjoys sitting on Daddy's bike and riding around with us. She could, however, do without the helmet : )

Happy 10 Month Birthday!

Leah celebrated her 10 month birthday in Arizona. Thank you to Auntie Lauren for baking cupcakes. At 10 months, Leah is BUSY! She crawls all over the place in her own unique way, which involves keeping her right knee off the ground, pushing with her right foot, and dragging her left leg. It looks funny, but it works for her! She loves to empty...trash cans, drawers, cabinets, nothing is off limits : ) Little Miss Hotshot is also pulling herself up now and she still enjoys being walked, so we're pretty sure she'll be two-legged soon.

Fun in Arizona!

Leah took her first vacation last week. Our visit to Aunt Tibbie's house in Chandler was wonderful. Leah loved swimming in the pool with Nana and Auntie Lauren too.

First time at the zoo

We took Leah to Cosley Zoo in Wheaton yesterday. She loved looking at the chickens, horses, cows, and other farm animals. Matt and I had so much fun watching her.

Swimmin at Centennial Beach

Leah loved it, despite the frigid water. We had a great time with Nana, Papa, and Uncle Seth!

Foolin Around

Being off of work is great. Leah and I have been playing all week!

First 4th of July

Leah wasn't a huge fan of the parade, but loved the free toys, and almost stayed up for the fireworks. All in all, a good first 4th!

9 months old!

Thanks to Aunt Tib and Uncle Merlin for sending the cupcake photo! At 9 months, Leah has some new tricks: mimicking facial expressions, imitating sounds, feeding herself, and her current favorite: "walking" with her hands held.