Sunday, January 24, 2010

Higher and Higher

Yesterday I spent the whole day pulling Lucy off things she shouldn't be climbing on. Eric tells me he was a holy terror as a kid, remembers climbing on ceiling-high rafters over the living room of the house they lived in until he was five. I think like just about everything else, Lucy will take after Eric on this one too. She's got no fear of going up. Coming down? A bit of a different story, but that doesn't stop her.

We started off the morning with Lucy climbing into her own high chair for breakfast. No mistaking the hunger signs here. Feed me Seymour.

She climbed onto and off of her potty in the bathroom, plus onto the big potty and then even tried to get into the tub a couple of times.

Up one stool with easy access to the counter.

And the stool on the other side for good measure.

Onto her activity table to reach the light switches. Lights on, lights off.

From the arm of the couch into the window frame. With her feet on the sill she waves to the neighbors.

Up onto the computer desk (from a rolling office chair) to watch her favorite Wiggles video on youtube. Toot toot chugga chugga.

And like a trick rider onto the back of her bouncing zebra. This can only be accomplished with shoes on because her socks slide right off his plastic saddle. We know this because she tried.

And finally, for good measure after her bath, a trip onto the desk and then over the arm of the couch to land on Shorty.

Am I in trouble or what?

Monday, January 18, 2010

Christmas

At last, the 3rd and final installment in our Christmas extravaganza (though this is only because on our last family celebration with Mammy York & co. I forgot to bring my camera).

We spent Christmas day with my family in Waterville, and as anyone may imagine there was not a more excited grandmother around than Lucy's Grandma. We arrived to the usual buffet of Christmas-type food and gifts under the tree. We were fortunate to have Ryan and Grace with us after about 3pm, they were able to fly in from Minneapolis on Christmas Eve and spend time with both their families. As always mom put on a great day for us.

Grandma with Lucy, talking on the phone, probably about how cute Lucy is / how much she loves Lucy / something absolutely adorable Lucy just did / etc.


Opening gifts ....

gifts ....

gifts ....

and more gifts! It was fun because Lucy really got the hang of the opening thing this year and was excited about what she found inside. Lots of fun toys and books!

Lucy can tell you that Santa says "Oh Oh". We've added him to the list of noises.

After a long and exhausting day, after a long and exhausting week full of parties and presents everyone just needs a little rest.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Santa 2009

Christmas morning Lucy came downstairs to find a pile of presents on a new desk left by Santa. She was intrigued, participated in the opening of said gifts, and sat at her new desk. We didn't put up a tree this year, so the gifts were left under our wreath on the door. Though my friend from school Emilie told me firmly she didn't approve of us not having a tree, our space constraints really dictate a lot of what we do here in this mini-house. In our dream house? Sure, we have a huge tree to put all the gifts under.

I think having a pile of presents was a little overwhelming. Lucy did better with one at a time.

It was great fun to open these up because Santa had wrapped them so long ago nobody could remember what he had brought! A surprise for all!

It's pretty thrilling to get some new little people when you're little.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Christmas Eve 2009

Though it is already January 6th (17 months old today), we did celebrate Christmas as a family this year in grand style. I was looking more forward to this year than last year, mainly because Lucy is so much more aware of what's going on. Who am I kidding really? This girl doesn't miss a thing.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Big Eric's house, one last hurrah in the beautiful house, as my friend Crystal referred to it, with Tim, Sara, Jacob, Matt, and the family of Eric's new girlfriend Renae. We had a wonderful time exchanging gifts, eating, and laughing together.

Lucy was all decked out in one of her two Christmas dresses (extravagant, I know) and was just the most adorable little Christmas girl you'd ever want to see. The most wonderful part of this year was she didn't scream for 14 hours straight resulting in a trip to the emergency room for us at 3:00 in the morning. Can you believe it? I mean, she didn't exactly sleep through the night that night, but after last year anything's an improvement.

Big Eric and Renae got Lucy some wonderful tows including the Wonderpets barge that rolls and sings. All the little creatures kind of sit on posts on the top along with their sail but Lucy yanks them off and rolls the barge around solo. She loves it, probably because the song is rediculously annoying. I have new appreciation for my mother and the Pound Puppies Christmas tape Ryan and I listened to ad nasauem growing up.

The Wonderpets at one point cheer and clap as their barge rolls along. Lucy got a huge kick out of her audience that would cheer and clap along with her.

Aunt Sara looking wildly excited that she was able to pick up Lucy. Note that Lucy isn't looking, but this is also a huge improvement. Huge. And Aunt Sara loves babies.

Some family shots ...

Big Eric and Matt

Tim, Sara, & Jacob

Renae, Lily, & Annabelle (who I called Isabella all night then realized it after they left)

Us!

And ..... then we went home to get ready for Santa!