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