We have lift off!

We are (finally) the proud parents of a walking daughter! Alivia started crawling at 7 months, so we thought she'd be walking by 9 months. No such luck. Crawling has been a very reliable mode of transportation and she has taken her sweet time transitioning to two feet.

Tripod on Command

Tripod in Action. Happy Sunday!

Alivia reads Olivia

The first thing people usually say after meeting Alivia is, "Oh my, she sure isn't shy, is she?" Nope, our little one is quite the entertainer. I'm not too surprised that I've been replaced during story time. At bedtime (and sometimes during the middle of the day) Alivia will rip the book we're reading out of my hands and read it to me instead.

Take for example, "Olivia's Opposites," a stocking stuffer she received from Santa. I don't know if she likes that there are only 1-2 words on a page, or that the illustrations are simplistic, but she is all about reading it....over, and over and over. The voice she uses is pretty funny too. It almost sounds like she's scolding you as she reads. Her eyebrow scrunch up and her lips contort into all different shapes. I'll try to get a video of this. Until then, here are pictures of "story time."

Quiet...Loud Loud...Quiet

Up...Down

Mommy, did you get that, or do I have to repeat it?

Perhaps we have a librarian on our hands like great Aunt Ruth?

Someone Was on Santa's Good List!

What a great Christmas! Exhausting, and full of obstacles, but definitely fun. We hosted Christmas Eve/morning at our house and then made the trek to River Falls Christmas day in a rain storm. Only in the Midwest would it rain during a supposed snow storm.

We made it through 3 Christmases with two shorter than desired naps. Alivia was such a trooper and made out like a robber. Being the first grandchild in the family has its perks. Our house now looks like more like Toys R' Us.

Alivia with her loot. It's a Downey tradition to take a photo of your presents artfully displayed on the couch. Alivia was all about reading the "Olivia's Opposites" book that she got in her stocking. I wasn't able to get her attention. Additional photos of that "story time" to come.

Santa's Little Helper

Alivia picked up the concept of opening presents fairly fast. Her only apprehension was when the paper ripped, she thought she might get in trouble. After a couple of presents under her belt without being scolded she got pretty confident (the contents usually were motivation as well).

It was so amusing watching her shred the paper that we let Alivia open our family presents as well.

Alivia is in the stage where it's fun to push things around the room (whether they're on wheels or not). Climbing in things (no matter what they are) is also a lot of fun right now. She's been all about playing with her Ball Popper (below). She hits the red button, balls shoot out, and she puts them back on the track-repeat.
Besides today the only day she's strayed from this routine is the the day she put her socks down the chute and clogged it. I looked over and her little eyes were looking down the chute to see why the balls weren't appearing.

Then there was today. Brian looks at me and asks, "What is she doing?" Well, Alivia pushed her Popper on it's back and was sitting on it.

Grammy? Grammy?! GRAMMY?!?! Where are you?

1 Day until you see this bright-eyed little girl!!!

Snow Bunny....or should I say Snow Bear?

Today I discovered that Alivia loves the snow. Not sure who she inherited this trait from because Brian and I are freeze babies. I wanted to get a "fake" photo of her sitting in her toddler sled today and it turned out she loves riding around the yard! She holds on to the sides of the sled and when I'm not moving fast enough she kicks her legs a little as if she's saying, "Mush, Mush, Mommy!"

Since I didn't think it would long to take a photo, we went outside right as Brian was done making lunch, so we weren't able to play too long. I'm thinking tomorrow will be filled with a few 10 minute trips around the house (in between football games of course).

Where's Evelyn?

It amazes me that Alivia can't talk yet, but she understands commands. The first one we taught her was "Where's Evelyn?" When you ask her she scans the room to find her baby doll, crawls over to it and lifts her in the air. We ask, "Can you hug Evelyn?" and boom, she hugs her. "Can you give Mommy/Daddy a hug?" Jackpot. I love every minute of this motherhood thing.


Not only does Alivia still love doing the "Tripod," but she can also do this command. Now only if she listened when we say, "No...." oh well.

Must Be Santa, Santa Claus!

Grandma Sprafka and I took Alivia to meet Santa in Hudson this past weekend. Alivia was all about the big guy-touching his bell bracelets, making eye contact. The best part was that there was a 1 year old in line behind us and when it was her turn, she sat on Santa's knee and bawled her eyes out. I know it might be a less than desirable experience next year, but I was a proud mommy.

Bling, Bling, Bling.

Nice beard big guy!

Well, I want a pony and...

In other Holiday news, Alivia hyperventilates every time we walk upstairs and see the Christmas tree. We're talking arms and legs flailing and screeching. Since she's not old enough to know about presents, Brian and I left a couple of her gifts under the tree unwrapped. Oops. There is one toy that she crawls under the tree for--her first Cabbage Patch doll. She crawls under the tree, picks up the box, brings it to the center of the room and talks to it.




This was my attempt at getting a nice picture of Alivia in front of her first Christmas tree. Oh well, Tripod Freddy strikes again. She might be doing hand stands by New Years.

The Gap: The Wrong Target Market

Alivia never pays much attention to the television. She's so consumed in her toys, her dog, or standing on her head that she never acknowledges it. That is, until The Gap came out with their Holiday 2009 commercials.

There are a few commercials in this series. Some with kids, most with adults doing different jingles/dances. One day this one came on and Alivia dropped everything she was doing and started bouncing on her knees, bobbing her head and humming along. Curious, I rewound the commercial and yet again she danced with the same enthusiasm. I now keep at least one recording of the commercial in our DVR lineup at all times in case she's in a bad mood.

As for the other commercials in the series-Alivia pays attention to them, but clearly doesn't find them dance worthy.

Downward Facing Dog...a.k.a Tripod Freddy

Alivia's first hidden talent has been exposed!

Her new favorite past time is standing on her head. Seriously, she does this more times that we can count each day. I checked for baby tumbling/yoga classes through ECFE. Baby yoga isn't offered until age 3. Sounds like she might be teaching the class by then.

Professional

Squish

Is Daddy home Yet?

When Porky gets in trouble, he gets shooed out of the basement and has to stay upstairs. Instead of keeping himself busy he'll sit on the other side of the door and wait to be let in. Alivia figured this out and often checks under the door to see if he's there.

Looking for Porky has turned into looking for anyone, especially Daddy. If we hear a noise upstairs and I point to the door, Alivia bolts to the ground in an army crawl and peers under the door. I thought this picture was cute when she and Porky scope the premises out when Daddy came home from work.

Alivia's Greatest Hits

I felt like the world's worst mom when this happened, however, I promise you Alivia didn't even cry. It's amazing how strong those little (in her case big) heads are! She sat up and tried to get right back on her scooter. You go girl!

About 3 months old...and a little gassy.

Discovering she can see out her crib....during naptime.

Breaking News!!!

I've been surprised how gradual most of Alivia's milestones have been. Holding her head, sitting up, crawling....

So I was astonished (and a little horrified) Friday evening when out of nowhere she stood up at the back of her riding moped/scooter and started WALKING!!!! This isn't the best video, as she now has it mastered, but you get the gist. I can't believe that in addition to having a 10 month old, she's starting to walk!




Sidenote: I just got around to figuring out how to upload our home videos, so there will be more to come.

9 Month Photo Shoot

It's so hard to believe my baby is almost one year old! She's crawling, babbling, and just this weekend starting walking with the aid of furniture. This was the hardest photo shoot yet since Alivia is mobile. Instead of sitting pretty and smiling at our funny faces, she crawled towards my friend Shawn and tried to take her camera.

Our little Diva. She loves to play with this boa at every photo shoot.

We all had colds, but managed to get this family photo.

I love this one.

Alivia and Daddy

As always, her crooked little smile.

I think Alivia will be wearing a bow or headband of some sort for her one year photos. This no hair thing is getting a bit ridiculous!

Great Great Uncle Chuckles

Alivia finally met her Great Aunt Linda and Great Great Uncle Charles. Or, as he referred to himself, "Uncle Chuckles." It was an incredible experience to see the two interact because I feel like it wasn't that long ago that Uncle Charles was holding my younger brother Kyle.

I feel so blessed to have him in Alivia's life, especially since my grandfather didn't live long enough to meet her. He would be so proud of her and watching Charles "ooh" and "aah" over her is a great reminder of this.

As for Great Aunt Linda, Alivia is in for a real treat. I've already decided my daughter is going to be a girly girl and Linda will take full advantage of this I'm sure. I have a feeling once she's big enough, there will be a Barbie under the Christmas tree every year for Alivia, just as there was for me.

I look forward to celebrating the holidays with Linda, Charles and the rest of the Whites. I have a feeling it will remind me of the childhood holidays I spent with them. What a treat to relive such great memories! Yet another blessing attached to having a child.

6 Month Photo Shoot

Alivia had a blast playing outside with Shawn for her 6 month photo shoot. The 3 month photo shoot was a little rough with a crabby baby, but this time Alivia was such a ham.

One of my favorite photos from this shoot. Looking like such a big girl in her dress.

What a baby aviator in a tutu would look like.

Right after putting a pebble in her mouth, chewing and spitting it out.

This is just ridiculous. Looking like a 90 year old without teeth. Too Funny!

Classic "Squishy" face. There's always at least one per shoot.

Hmmmmm......

Catalog girl.

Krinkle nose

Crooked smile.

Yes, that is a real sucker. I cringed a little, but she loved it.

So sad her time with Shawn was over.

The 4th brings yet another milestone

There is an entry in Livy's baby book for "first time my toes played in the grass," and I thought the 4th of July would be a perfect time to accomplish this.  To my surprise, I set her on Grandma Sprafka's lawn and she stayed upright!  Be it a little wobbly, Livy was able to sit up for a minute or two (until Grandma came out to witness it and Livy got too excited).

She is now able to sit up and play with a toy while I run into the other room.  

The evening of the 4th, Mommy and Daddy went to watch fireworks with friends.  Livy stayed up late and watched the New York City fireworks on TV with Grandma and Grandpa Sprafka.

Proudly displaying Grandma Sprafka's flower arrangement.

Happy First Father's Day, Daddy!

Livy woke up early to do some driveway artwork to surprise Daddy on our way to church. Beforehand she made him breakfast in bed, complete with day old coffee (Neither of us knew how to operate Daddy's coffee maker).

Modeling her "I heart Daddy" Onesie.

With the man of the hour.

So big.

Helping Daddy open his card.

Reading Daddy the finger paint poem she wrote.

Proudly giving Daddy his gift certificate for golf lessons at Troy Burne! An impressive day of surprises from a 5 month old. We're pretty proud.

Splish, Splash....Squish takes a bath!

First bath in the big girl sink!  Livy appreciated this more than a bath in her baby tub because she can splash and wiggle around.  She also enjoyed playing with the water  nozzle.

Sitting up all by herself!  The sink is now definitely a family favorite for bathtime.

Fun and Flirty

We put Livy in her baby carrier facing out for the first time yesterday.  It's hilarious!  She kicks her arms and legs and grabs things that mommy is holding.  We went to a friend's daughter's graduation party and, of course, Livy flirted with EVERYONE there.  Strangers came up to ask how she kept her sunglasses on without any complaints.

I was bummed I never got a picture from the afternoon, but my friend shawn just sent me this one.  Yay!  Drool seeping out of the mouth and tongue sticking out, she's still the most beautiful baby in the world.  I'm still trying to figure out how she has those gorgeous BLUE eyes!