Easter-time

Ahhh!!  I am so frustrated with the new blogger settings I may never finish this post!  

We had a very happy Easter and hope you did too.  

I am very thankful to have family around who doesn't think dyeing eggs is just for kids (but am also very much looking forward to Fiona being involved in more than just name next year.)

(Thank you Martha Stewart and Allie!)

We also did some nice cookie decorating with Aunt Mara and Ellen Reedy but somehow missed the boat on pictures.  Oops.  In case there was any doubt, Fiona like them very much.

How'd the Easter Bunny do with Fi's first basket?  I think it went over pretty well.

Butterfly Charlie 2 was quite a hit...

Fiona loves giving all inanimate objects kisses...stuffed animals, things in her books, the baby on her yogurt, your hand if you make it talk.  Getting her to give you an actual kiss proves to be much more difficult.  Lucky Butterfly Charlie.

She seemed a bit intrigued with her first Peep...

But it was quickly discarded.

As was her baby...

For the big Easter basket winner....

Animal crackers!...mmmmm! 

And her sweet little lion and lamb.

The Browns has us over for an absolutely delicious Easter Dinner...with the Browns.  Fiona was in love with Jacob's dad.  The feeling was quite mutual.  You should have seen the look on his face when I told him he could get her up from her nap.  So sweet!  What is it about men that love babies that makes them so much more lovable?

Happy Easter!!!

My Little Anti-Snuggler

Fiona has never been much of a snuggler.  Even the first few months when she slept in our bed she preferred her own little spot.  No Mom, no Dad, just cozy bed.  Granted there were times when she'd fall asleep on you and you'd have to ninja away, but as a general rule, she's never been one for extended cuddles...especially as she's gotten older and more active.  There is too much to do, too much to see.  When she's really sleepy, and I try to rock her I'll get really excited as she nestles up on my chest and sings to herself.  But it's short-lived as she remembers there are books to read, coffee tables to cruise and ceiling fans to stare at.  So she pops up for a few minutes before she inevitably remembers she's tired and if I'm lucky will nestle back in...if I'm not lucky she'll just cry.  She has never fallen asleep this way.

I used to think maybe our going-to-bed routine was a little short.  Put pajamas and a new diaper on, read a book, turn on the fan, turn out the light, stand and rock for a minute or so and then lay in bed.  If she would let me rock her longer, I would, but the aforementioned pop-up tends to prevent it.  Little did I know Fiona would actually like to shorten our little routine herself.  Lately once the fan is on and the light is out, I stand by her crib to rock her, but she immediately tries to dive head-first out of my arms right into her crib. She'll stick her little bum in the air, switch out pacifiers (because the one she had just had in her mouth wasn't cutting it anymore?) and go right to sleep.

Now I know I shouldn't be complaining, and I'm not really, I just want to remember there was a time when I wish she'd snuggle more....just in case I ever run into the opposite problem...which I really wouldn't think was a problem at all.

Phoenix and Celebrating St. Patty's Day

So I've been a terrible slacker lately, and in order to get this post up so I can move on to quicker posts...definitely with less picture uploads and decisions because I think that is what gets me on these mega-picture posts...I will be short on words.

I've been looking forward to going to Phoenix for the Burches annual St. Patrick's Day party since last March when I was pregnant and knew I wouldn't be working this time so I wouldn't have to worry about flying standby and vacation and such.

Luckily we have some great family in Phoenix too, and were able to get Joe, Becca and Leah out for Joe's spring break.

We had such a great time hanging out with the Speiers and Boston Birds.

And of course the party didn't disappoint!

Pete and Emily...well I guess mostly Pete and Emily's dad...converted their carport into a real live Irish Pub...

Everyone had a great time enjoying some corn-hole and the beautiful weather.

But not everyone wanted their picture taken.

Leah proved that both babies and adults can enjoy the same toys.

And Emily had the idea for this fabulous photo wall that was the hit of the party.

* For more (and better) photos see Emily's blog.

And Fiona even got in her first trip to the zoo.

I was prepared for her to not notice any of the animals, but you should have seen her following these little monkeys around!

Leah was still enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

And Audrey just looks super sweet, and I couldn't resist posting these.

Thanks so much for everything Speiers and Burches!!! Can't wait for our next trip!!

9 months!

I know I'm a couple weeks behind, but these really were taken earlier. At her nine month visit we found out that Fiona hadn't gained an ounce since her six month visit. More likely she had gained a couple ounces and then lost them once she started crawling and climbing around like a maniac. She's definitely become more of a handful as she starts to become more toddler than baby, but I wouldn't want it any other way. It's so fun to watch her personality grow! And after following the doctor's recommendation to give her more table foods and fatty food "with lots of butter"...yes, actually quoting the doctor...I think she's porked out a bit. Yay for chubby babies!

Getting ready to move...

Nanny Came!

Fiona had such a wonderful time with her reading books, listening to nursery rhymes and learning new tricks. She can now wave bye-bye, officially says "Dada"* and makes this fabulous face...

...all the time. Seriously. It's hysterical.

And Jon and I even got to go out. :)

Thanks so much for visiting, Nanny!

* For the record, Fiona's first word was Dada. I wasn't sure she was actually saying it in reference to Jon because for weeks she would make the noise "Dadadadada" a LOT. Then when we were in Omaha we got on the webcam with Jon, and as soon as she saw him she got all excited and started kicking her feet and said (in her low growly voice), "Da-da." Too sweet. And I think she says Mama too, but it's only ever when she's whining. Not nearly as fun.

Enjoying a little snack...

I've been feeling a little bad lately that we don't have an age-appropriate high chair for Fiona. She really had no interest in eating "baby food," but now that she can pick things up and feed herself she can't get enough. This is my temporary solution:

Unfortunately, my anal ways prevent me from allowing anything but dry foods on the window-sill...which may soon cause a fruit/vegetable deficiency in her diet. Sweet potato puffs count, right?

Anyone have a brilliant idea to keep a baby from sliding out of this?