Just Because

Coming at me like a spider monkey!

Now that she can crawl, the shoe basket is the first place she goes.

9 Months Old!

Dear Kenley,

Today you are 9 freaking months old! I swear you turned like 6 months old 2 weeks ago, I must have blinked.

Showing off your chompers! You have 6 teeth! 2 on bottom and 4 on top.

It's been an exciting month. You had your first Christmas...several times. You had Christmas in Kentucky, Christmas in Oregon with Grandpa and Aunt Rachel, and Christmas with Mom and Dad. As was expected, you really liked the paper and the boxes, although you think all your toys are pretty cool now.

Having Christmas at Grandpa's house

It was exciting at Nanny and Poppy's house in Kentucky. I love this picture because it makes you look like an infant, not a little kid.

You've been threatening to crawl for nearly a month and half, and last night, you finally crawled! Your Papa and I were so excited! You're a pretty funny kid that way. You seem like you just decide OK I'll crawl now...like you've been holding out because you wanted to do it on your own time. I don't know where you get that stubborn streak!

You started swim lessons a week ago. You seem to really love the water. You get that from me :) We learned that they didn't plan on having you go under water, because apparently they don't like to upset the babies. So, I chatted with the instructor and had her teach me the "proper" way to get you underwater. I dunked you like 4 times. You could not have cared less! That's my little fish!

You've become quite the little chatterbox this month. You say babababa, mamama, dadada, nanana. I swear you said banana the other day. Probably just a ba and a nana smooshed together, but I thought it was funny. And of course it's because you are a genius baby!

I feel like you are going to musically inclined, like your Papa (though I did have a brief affair with a clarinet in the 5th grade!). You got a drum and a xylophone for Christmas and you love them. But the funniest is when I catch you drumming on the table like your Dad. Tonight when we were out for sushi, you were drumming on the table with chopsticks!


You've finally started to eat! For a while there, I thought you'd drink only milk for the rest of your life! You really love squash and pears. You're not so fond of carrots. You are coming around to green things! You had chicken for first time tonight. You seemed to like it, even though it was pureed beyond recognition!

Right after you were born, I was scared that I would be bad at being a stay at home Mom. I was afraid I would be lonely and bored and not teach you enough. I could not have been more wrong. There's never a dull moment with you kiddo...and I LOVE IT! Oh, and I love you too!!!!

Love,
Momma

Kenley's First Christmas

Kenley (and Phil and me) spent Christmas in Kentucky with my side of the family. We had a great time and Kenley seemed to really enjoy her first Christmas and spending time with her Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and K9 relatives.

Kenley hanging out with cousin Jessica. I think Jessica is her new best friend! Kenley adored her!

Kenley and Uncle Jake. She's got his eyes!

Hanging out with Nanny (Great Grandmother)

This is what happens when K crawls...she only crawls backwards so far

Tuckered out after opening all of her gifts

Laughing at Nanny

Eating her Where the Wild Things Are CD

*SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER*

I don't usually post here (for lots of reasons, but primarily because Amber is much better at it). Anyways...

Twenty-nine years ago, something wonderful happened to me and I hadn't even born yet. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

And special thanks to Amber's mom and dad for making her!

Love Phil

*here is where a beautiful picture of Amber should go, but I'm not good enough at this whole blogging thing, so everyone will have to think about their favourite memory of Amber and picture her just as you remember her then*

8 Months Old!

Dear Sweet Kenley,

Today you are 8 months old! I say it every month, but time has just gone by so fast. I was just looking at pictures of the day you were born. Could that really have been 8 months ago?

You have had an exciting last month. You went to Idaho twice in the last month, which put your plane tally up to 8 planes! We went for you to meet your Great Grandmother, Cynthia, who called you her sweet Signe (who was her daughter and your grandmother who passed away April 10). It was a sweet meeting. We then, unfortunately were back 2 weeks later because your Great Grandmother passed away. Although this was a sad occasion, you were able to meet some Aunts and Uncles you had not seen yet. And, in a couple of days, we go to visit the other side of the family for Christmas in Kentucky!

You are so close to crawling. You can get wherever you want to go, but it’s through rolling and scooting and spinning. I have a feeling you’ll crawl before Christmas though. You love to “talk.” You say babababa. Sometimes you just make the motions with your mouth, but no sound comes out. It’s so cute! But other than that, you are a pretty big chatterbox. It’s so cute.

You went on your first date this week. Grandpa took you to his Holiday party for George Fox University. You got all dressed up and stayed out late! Don’t expect this to become a habit, as your Papa says you’re not dating until you’re 33! I tend to agree.

I think you are finally starting to like food. For the longest time (like since you were 5 ½ months old) you were really not interested in food at all. In the past few weeks, I am pretty sure you’ve come around. We’ve had luck with apples, pears, squash, mangoes, prunes, and sweet potatoes. You’re not sure about peas, but I think another try may convince you!

You are my favorite, kid! I can't imagine doing anything other than what I'm doing now. Momma loves you Punky!

Love you,
Momma

O Tannenbaum!

We went to Sauvie Island on Saturday to get our Christmas tree. We left as soon as Kenley got up from her nap, but she still fell asleep on the way there. When we did get there and had to wake her up, she wasn't too happy.

But Papa can always make her smile!

Papa and Kenley beside our GIANT Christmas tree!

Kenley likes the ornaments!

Kenley can hardly wait for Christmas!!!

Our Little Turkey on Her First Thanksgiving

Mmmmm, whip cream!

About to have Thanksgiving dinner. I had some mashed potatoes and cranberry jello!

Reading my book. I am going to read the Kohl's ad when Auntie Rachel is done so I can tell Nana what I want!

Looking so serious

If you look closely, you can see my chompers!