A WARM WELCOME TO THE HIGH CHAIR

We had been putting off buying a high chair for Stella for about a year now. I knew it wasn't something we would need right away so I didn't buy one before her arrival. Lately, feeding her has become almost comical. She just takes off. It started to take forever to feed her. As a mom, I felt bad that I wasn't establishing a solid mealtime routine with her, but rather a snack in front of the TV routine. (Which is, of course, the one we have as her parents, but I would like to raise her to be more civilized.)

Well, it took me exactly one feeding to fall in love with the high chair. I finally get why it is such a must have for parents. Stella sits so nicely to eat her little meals. It is great! Yesterday she was able to have some strawberries and they went fast! In the process, she managed to make a mess all over her face, hands, and shirt. She really is starting to look like a big girl.

Since most of you do not have the privilege of sitting with Stella as she devours a strawberry, here is a step-by-step for your enjoyment.

The strawberry is captured and moved close to Stella's watering mouth:

Stella uses her full hand to push the unsuspecting berry further into her mouth and she chomps:

Stella closes her mouth, putting her finger over her lips so as not to let any of the deliciousness of the strawberry escape:

Stella smiles happily with her messy face as she remembers the joy she felt while eating one of nature's best treats.

Mission truly accomplished!

TOOTHBRUSH TALES

So I can't say that I have ever put much thought into brushing an infant's teeth. I mean, they aren't permanent, so what is the point anyway? Am I really worried that she will get a cavity? Well, Stella started getting food stuck in the middle of her bottom two teeth (mostly grahams and Gerber puffs) and since she smiles so much it was kind of embarrassing. What kind of mom lets her kid go around with food stuck in her teeth? My mom came over the other day with a baby toothbrush and toothpaste that she had bought. At first, Stella was not that interested in putting them in her mouth, until of course she tasted the sweetness of the yummy toddler-safe toothpaste. Now it is a favorite part of her bedtime routine. When I pick up the brush and put the toothpaste on, she does a wiggly dance. Then I tell her to open up and say "ah," and then we brush. She mostly tries to suck out the water and toothpaste from off of the brush. For the most part though, she is very cooperative and we get the job done.

After that I will put on her diaper and that is when she takes things into her own hands. She grabs the toothbrush and toothpaste, touches the toothbrush to the closed toothpaste container and puts the brush in her mouth. Oh, she is so big and independent! Of course, one night she was trying to brush her teeth with her hairbrush, so maybe she still needs a little help from Mom.

SLOW STEPS

For Christmas, Grandma Evans bought Stella a walker. She plays with it now and then, but tonight she seemed really interested in using the toy for its intended purpose. At first when I put her behind it, she had a hard time knowing what to do, and making the necessary steps to move forward was tricky. To our surprise, it didn't take her very long to get the hang of it (with Daddy in front to make sure she didn't move too fast). If she did fall she would cry, not because she was hurt, but because she wanted to be put back in walking position. It was all pretty cute.

OH NAPTIME! HOW I LOVE THEE!

A few weeks ago this lady at church asked me how I got anything done since I must be constantly distracted by my charming child. I told her the truth: "Well, not only is she adorable, but she naps twice a day too." Stella loves her naps. She only naps in her crib though, a sacrifice I am willing to make for an easy nap time. When she shows signs of being too sleepy to go on with life, I take her upstairs and give her a prized green blanket and she grabs it, sucks her thumb, and drifts off to a long nap.

Today I had to wake her up so I thought I would take some sleeping pictures of her since it might wake her up, and I usually let her wake up on her own. Well as soon as my camera made a tiny sound it woke her up and produced this picture:

Then she commenced to smile and giggle as she always does when her mommy comes to get her after a restful few hours.

Everyone always says that Stella is like her dad. But in one way she is like her mommy all the way...she understands the value of a good nap.

FALSE ADVERTISING

So they say...

CHECK IT

If you haven't taken a gander at my photo blog in a while, I invite you to do so. I've been busy. ;)

BEFORE A NAP

Stella loves her naps, no doubt about it. She is usually a pretty good baby, but when she needs her rest, she lets us know.

NO MORE PICTURES!!

11 MONTHS AGO

So sad, this is the very last month post for Miss Stella. She is almost a year, for real! Stella is crawling like a professional these days which makes photo shoots with Mom almost impossible. Stella is ever the performer and waves at almost everyone now. When we go to the grocery store it is her time to shine, waving and smiling at everyone we pass. Most people will wave back, but it doesn't phase her when she is ignored...she continues to wave and smile until she sees someone new.

Stella also performs for her parents and will do a trick after hearing a key word:

GIVE KISSES or KISS: Stella will smack her two lips together to make a kissing sound. The first time she did this was after I kissed her "good night" in her crib, and I heard a kiss back. CUTEST SOUND EVER!

BLOW: We are working on her blowing skills so she can blow out her birthday candle. She makes a blowing sound when asked.

SHAKE IT: When she hears this she wiggles her hips and belly and essentially SHAKES IT! It never gets old!

She is usually pretty proud of herself after the tricks and she claps and smiles. We even have a clapping session sometimes during book time after she turns a page. It is all about the clapping at our house. (Well, also the waving. We wave so much that Brent even waved at church once when we were asked to sustain someone.)

Oh Stella, what in the world would we do without you?!

AND SHE'S OFF!

OK, I WILL LOOK AT YOU FOR A SECOND...

TIMES UP!

LOVE ME ANYWAY?

GIGGLES GALORE

Over the weekend was the much anticipated Flight of the Conchords concert at Abravanel Hall. I was expecting it to be fun, but I was totally surprised by how hilarious the show actually was. I also was hoping to be able to finally settle my ongoing debate as to which member of the band deserved to move higher up on my crush list. However, it was a total bust in that regard since I just couldn't decide! They are BOTH too cute and too funny for words! Brent was in charge of getting our tickets and he got them right away, but we were still on the very last row (the show sold out super fast). But that didn't dampen our enjoyment. My only regret is that my mom should have come with me since she loves them. She insisted that she was too old for concerts--I should have insisted otherwise. Maybe sometimes daughter knows best.

Brent was kind enough to stay home and watch Stella for the night, and even though I could tell he was a little sad to have missed it he said: "I wouldn't have traded my night with Stella for any concert." Awwww...so sweet!

These pics are zoomed and super cropped for your enjoyment:

Well pleased:

We also took Bridal pics of Heidi while she was here. I am over the moon about them, and must insist that you take a sec to check them out HERE.

PANTRY LAND

Stella is finding new things to get into each and every day. Her new favorite spot is our pantry. She loves to open and close the tall doors over and over again. Also, the bottom shelf is full of fun stuff for babies to play with, like plastic plates and Ziploc bags. What a tremendous treat!

Today when she came over and started pulling out our printer paper and ruining it, I told her "No!" and took it away. Then she blurted out a pathetic whine. To which I told her: "Go ahead and complain. I don't care--I am bigger than you." Well, I may be bigger, but I am often finding that I am not always faster...I can't believe how fast she can get around, our little Miss Independent.