Laura is 1 year + 9 months!

Height: ?

Weight: 21 lbs., 15 oz.

Likes: Babies (toy ones are nice, but especially the real deal), yogurt-covered raisins and chocolate treats, playing with her new kitchen, being "busy" - moving toys or objects around, "The Fresh Beat Band," Matt & "Teff" (Steph), "games" which means pulling her on the blanket, running in the basement, putting money in her shoe-bank, singing Christmas songs with mom, playing with Baby Jesus from her Nativity set, eating snacks

Dislikes: Listening when we say "Come here, Laura," eating meals, when someone takes "her" toy, daddy crawling into the box from her kitchen set/hiding/chasing her, not being allowed to roam around the house with her plugs (pacifiers)

Any new tricks? Mostly talking - it is a vocabulary explosion around here. Laura really tries hard to copy our words and use words for what she wants. She knows some letters and numbers - I, M, O, D, E, 2, 6, 8-9-10. She has learned to open up our pantry cupboard and take out snacks herself! Laura is also trying pretty hard to walk up and down the stairs rather than climbing them, but it makes her daddy nervous.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! We had a very busy few days of Christmas celebrations. This year was really fun because Laura had an understanding of Christmas and the preparations for it. We read the same four stories (2 about Santa, 2 about Jesus) over and OVER pretty much the whole month of December. She could tell you about "Ho Ho," trees, stars, angels, Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and much more!

We started off celebrating at Grandma Barb and Bapa's house with my family and the Whites. Laura had fun snacking on pretzels and opening gifts while everyone watched her. Understandably, I am fascinated with watching my own kid but am always amazed that other people are interested in just sitting watching her do things! She slept like a champ, and even though mom was awake and ready to go by 7:15, Laura didn't wake up til 8:30. Santa brought her a baby that sits in a bouncy chair - how exciting!

Later on Christmas Day, we went to spend time with Dad's family. Laura is always excited to see them and especially her cousins!! Grandma Nells had so many treats Laura wanted to eat, like M&M's and caramel puffcorn. She took a good nap and then we opened presents - her big gift was a kitchen which she adores playing with. A tea set and "tiny baby" from Auntie Lynn and Uncle Scott are also favorites right now.

We headed home at night to open a few gifts, just the three of us. Laura opened a wooden cookie baking set - yummy! It was nice to sit together just our little family and enjoy Christmas together.

The next morning, mom & Laura headed out early to join up with Grandma Barb, Bapa and Matt to drive to Wisconsin and visit relatives there. Laura was a great traveler - whew! She was friendly with most everyone, but relied a lot on her best buddy Matt. She doesn't like to be far from him and she would yell for him all the time, "Matt! Matt!" The trip back home went well too and Laura was glad to get back home and see her daddy, who had to stay behind to work.

It was fun to see and celebrate the holidays with as many people as we could!

Just a dusting? "NOOOO!"

The title is a Lauraism. She knows when Dad or Mom asks a silly question. When we ask one, Laura will respond with a silly, "Noooooo."


Oh man, it has been a long, long day of shoveling and snow blowing. Laura, other than the Halloween Blizzard of '91, this blizzard is the largest snowfall I have ever been a part of (at least that I can remember).

According to Channel 11 news, we have accumulated 21.5" of snow! 21.5 inches! Unfortunately, you did not partake in any outdoor fun. Instead, you held baby and piggy and looked out the entry window.

It's not officially winter (December 21st) and we have had 4 snow storms dropping over 8".



I must thank Papa George for giving me his snow blower four days before this storm. I wouldn't have survived without it. Great timing!

Oh Christmas Tree...

We have two Christmas trees, a big one and a small one. Here is a picture of Laura decorating her tiny (fake) tree.

When we play in the tv room, where the trees are, Laura will run to her tree and point at an ornament and say, "Ho-ho" for Santa, "Ainhel" Angel and "star" for star.

She likes to play with the ornaments on both trees but is slowly starting to grasp that it's for eyes only.


It is shopping season
Laura is doing her best Mom interpretation. Although, I can't explain why she is sans shirt.

Anyways, Laura will put on her purse and say "Bye!" I always make sure to place an order, "Laura, buy Dad some ____." She replies with a nod and says, "Yup!"

Still waiting for those Cheetos!

Happy Birthday to Mom!

Happy 31st to Mom. She has done a wonderful job with Laura and I couldn't ask for a better wife and mother for my Peanut!

Video: Jumping, singing and tricks, oh my!