Merry Christmas!

We awoke nice and early this morning. Maren got to open her gifts from Santa. She is very happy with his choices and so thankful! Maren got a super duper telephone of her own and "Fred" the robot dog designed to entice her to crawl. While we haven't seen any crawling after Fred yet, she seems happy to grab his tail as he moves by to stop him from getting away! In true infant tradition, Maren was first enthralled with the boxes her toys came in. Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve

Maren got all dressed up to go to church tonight. She was happy to look so adorable, but kept telling me how impractical the coat was...

Presents Under the Tree

I just wanted to add one of Maren next to her first Christmas tree...she's the best present!

8 months old!

Maren wants everyone to know that she is now 8 months old! She loves to play on the floor, find the tags on toys and stuffed animals, play with boxes, and babble to everyone (Mommy's very proud). She also continues to love playing peek-a-boo and socializing with the "baby in the mirror." Maren weighs in at whopping 17 lbs 1 oz! She had a growth spurt recently and we can definately tell. No more 3-6 month clothes! Even our friends, the Vogels, noticed. Maren has been very good this year and can't wait for Santa to visit in a few days!

Snow Day #2

I'm again enjoying a day working from home with Maren! We got freezing rain, then sleet, then 5 inches of snow on top last night into this morning. The school kids will get an extra day of Christmas vacation this year (even though they will be making it up in the spring). Maren is having fun rolling and squirming across the floor. I can't believe how fast she can get from one place to another that way! Very efficient. Occasionally, Lee and I see her trying to get on her knees to crawl, but who knows if she will actually do it...seems like she gets around just fine! I took this picture and a minute later she was turned the complete opposite direction. Now, she has rolled back over to my feet!

Extreeeeeme Happiness

Maren wanted to show everyone her extremely happy, happy face today. She and I went Christmas shopping with intentions of finishing at least 3 gifts yesterday but only managed to complete one. Maren was very happy in her stroller chewing on her butterfly and watching people, but MAN Christmas traffic is so much harder to maneuver through with the tank stroller!

In this picture, I caught Maren playing peek-a-boo with the bear. So stinkin' cute! Well, we are off for round 2 of Christmas shopping today. Daddy is coming too, and we are hoping to avoid the mall, but I cringe at the thought of Best Buy....

Love,
Vicki

Snow Day

Winter is officially here! Ok, it has been for a little bit, but now the school districts are recognizing it with a snow day. See all the snow from the picture? Actually, I think there is a good layer of ice around, but we don't seem to be getting much snow. So Maren, Izzy and I are enjoying our day together and poor Daddy had to skate to work.

Vicki

Tree Hunting

Keeping with Klein tradition, we hunted a Christmas tree on Friday. Maren got to go too! The weather was great for the hunt. Maren enjoyed feeling the trees and thought some of them were a little prickly. Grandpa Klein even taught her to hug the trees to see if it would fit in the living room!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maren is spending the holiday at her Grandma and Grandpa Klein's this year! She's had a lot of fun playing with all the toys they have for her and is enjoying all the attention. While her Thanksgiving dinner was comprised of cereal and squash, she also got little bites of pumpkin pie and whipped cream! She thought these were pretty tasty.


Happy Thankgiving everyone! We are VERY thankful for our new addition this year!

7 Months!

I can't believe we've made it 7 months! This sweet bean amazes me every day. In the midst of a cold, she gave me many smiles today and even posed in the new hat I made her. She's still enjoying her exersaucer, rolling, and sitting. She's still squeaking and cooing, but of course I am waiting for some definate babbles. Even the pediatrician gives me a hard time when we go - asking if she is speaking in full sentences yet. But until then, I will take those sweet, soft squeaks she gives when you hold her and she is truely content!

"How's Izzy with the baby?"

Some people have asked how Izzy is doing with Maren. The picture says it all. She is never agressive toward Maren, but acts JUST like a jealous older (toddler-like) sister. Here's the catch - she is usually just jealous when LEE is holding Maren. The only time I notice it with ME is when I am laying on the floor to play with Maren. If, at ANY time, Lee's lap opens when he is holding Maren, Izzy is on it. In case anyone remembers, this is EXACTLY how I thought she would react to the baby. Poor thing. But Izzy gets her licks in on Maren at times which makes her feel better! And Maren gravitates toward Izzy. In fact, Izzy was the first recipient of Maren's belly laughs!

Vicki

Prematurity Awareness Month

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Click the link below to see the national ratings/grades for premature births and sign the petition for more funding to research prematurity.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/index.aspx?a=1&z=1&c=1&l=en

Some of you may have already done this because I sent out an email about it quite a while ago. Thanks to those of you who have, and those of you who will!

Happy weekend to all!
Vicki

Bath time with the Duck

The weather has changed recently and, even though Maren LOVES baths, she is chattering amoungst her sqeals of joy! My friend made this duck blanket for her. It's fluffy and big and warms Maren right up! Not to mention it's cute!

Vicki

Mmmmmm....Squash!

Thanks to Great Grandma and Grandpa's bountiful harvest this year, Maren's first bites of squash were fresh and homegrown! She seemed to like it a little better than the sweet potatoes she had for the few days before. We've been giving her carrots and she will sample some peas tomorrow, but Great Grandma and Grandpa's harvest will return to the menu soon with some applesauce! I've been making her food so far and freezing little cubes of it with ice cube trays. The "magic bullet" Lee's parents got us for Christmas a few years ago has come in handy! I'm hoping to get some pumpkin this weekend too...'tis the season!

Blog Grand Opening!

Honestly, I have been thinking about a blog for a LONG time now. Recently, more friends have decided to start one, so here I am jumping on the bandwagon! I'm hoping to post pictures of our little one and all her new tricks here, rather than sending out email updates. That takes forever! Welcome and enjoy!

Vicki