11 Months Old

11 Months Old already...w/ a 1st birthday right around the corner!

This month was a lot of fun for Mommy and Daddy because we had enough vacation days saved up to take off 2.5 weeks from work over the holidays. So we were able to have a lot of quality family time and have fun just focusing on enjoying each other. It was wonderful!

And Morgan was at such a perfect age to enjoy...she is really becoming interactive with the world around her. The most amazing new development this month is her beginning understanding of "how things work." Like with the cell phone at Christmas; she opened up the package and immediately knew to hold it to her ear and then do this 1/2 turn spin motion left and right, almost with her hand on her hip like she was a teenage girl already! Where did she pick that up from???! Morgan also knows that her comb or brush goes in her hair and the toothbrush goes in her mouth and is just starting to get the hang of the getting dressed routine (i.e. one arm then the other through her shirt).

Motor skill developments this month include huge progress towards walking including cruising along furniture and moving with the help of her lion toy. Morgan also started standing all on her own, for a few seconds, first when visiting Abigale and then a couple more times over Christmas.

And the teeth have been sprouting up & down! She got her "Christmas wish" of her two front teeth (both top and bottom) by the holidays. Those are proving to come in handy as she is doing great with finger foods, perfecting the pincher grasp and joining the big people by sitting in a real chair at the table (with just a little help from her booster seat).

Morgan also just seems a bit calmer too, not as busy, and taking time to take everything in. And you probably won't believe it, but one might say she is actually a cuddler for a few, brief, moments a day. :)

FL7 & 7.3

We had one final stop (on Friday) prior to heading back home...visiting Mommy's old high school cronies (the FL7 & Brace or also more recently known as The Octopussies...basically 8 girls that still keep in touch as best we can being spread literally all across the country and try to get together ~1x/year.)

There were 5 representatives in-town for the holidays this year along with the newest additions Morgan (FL7.1 @ 11 months), Fred (FL7.2 @ 10.5 months), and Noah (FL7.3 @ 9 months). Unfortunately, Fred and his Mom had to head home before Morgan arrived, but she had a great time playing with Noah and meeting the rest of the gang. Morgan was up to her usually antics and of course was sporting her new cell phone (she won't leave home without it).

It is absolutely amazing we are still able to keep in touch over all these years. And when we get together can enjoy each other's company as if no time has past. We love you guys! And are so excited about the new additions.

One quick final note: We arrived safe and sound in PA today! It was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed visiting with everyone. Hope to see you soon. :)

Early Birthday

Now that Christmas is over, Morgan's first birthday will be right around the corner...ACK!!! Scary!!!!! Unfortunately, Grandma & Grandpa Reineke live a little too far to make the trek to PA in another month, so we had a small early celebration for Morgan before we left for home.

This kid is a pro at unwrapping gifts at this point!

She received Yrtle the Turtle, Horton Hears a Who and some beautiful new outfits for Spring. We made sure to have Grandma & Grandpa sign Morgan's birthday plate too.

Morgan's 1st Christmas_Part 2

Festivities continued at Grandma & Grandpa's house on Christmas Day.

And Morgan was ready and rearing to go for Part 2. Which consisted of more attention, more presents, and a continued lack of schedule. Of course that's what the holiday's are for, right? Breaking the rules and doing it with family. :)

Morgan really got into the presents this day...after a few practice attempts over the past week. She loved ripping the wrapping paper and if it was a box, knew to look inside for more surprises.

Some of her favorite gifts from Santa and the family were a Curious George, an alligator that zooms, a talking pursue, and her very own cell phone.

The day passed quickly but it was a ton of fun watching Morgan enjoy everything and spending some time with the family. Before the day ended, Santa even paid a visit to make sure all his presents were received and enjoyed by all. What a baby's first Christmas it was.

Morgan's 1st Christmas_Part 1

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. Morgan's first Christmas was a lot of fun, but it went way too fast and Mommy and Daddy are still in denial that it is actually over. Morgan was thrilled by everything: all the people, the attention, unwrapping the presents, and of course the lack of any type of schedule.

The festivities began on Christmas Eve with the family gathering at Grandma & Grandpa Reineke's house for dinner. But first a few Christmas pictures of Morgan (taken by the big tree at the hotel).

And eating breakfast while watching the White Christmas snow fall over the pond.

Then we went over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house...

The gang was all there...Grandma and Grandpa Reineke, Great Grandma Ruth & Poppy, Grandma Princess, Tanta, Aunt Andrea and Uncle Tyler. It was really nice to celebrate Christmas with everyone.

And Mommy and Morgan were sure to seize the opportunity to take a 4 generations picture with Grandma and Great Grandma.

Poppy and Great Grandma Ruth

Finally we arrived in the Chicago area on Monday evening. We had fun along the way but we still thought we would never get there! That drive is definitely a long one.

On one of our first afternoons in the area we stopped by Great Grandma Ruth's and Poppy's house (Mommy's Grandma and Grandpa) so Morgan could meet them for the very first time. We had a nice visit and they were so happy to finally see her. It's hard to believe Poppy will be 90 next year and Grandma is over 80!