If you're happy and you know it ...

Posting again so soon? I know, miraculous! I just needed a place to document Phoebe's new trick so that I remember it. Yesterday (May 31) Phoebe figured out how to clap her hands. Brett and I had been showing her for a very long time, but she didn't seem interested. Then, yesterday, out of nowhere, she started clapping. We were actually in the middle of a tour of a daycare center and not giving her a great deal of attention at that moment because we were talking to the lady at the center when Phoebe took to clapping. Most of the time that we were touring, Phoebe was getting lots of attention because Brett played with her with most of the toys in each room. We didn't get a picture of her clapping, but I did catch this one when she was sitting on the floor of the Freshman English office at Lake Central High School. We stopped there on the way to our tour so Brett could say hello. I am sure that clapping is not nearly as exciting to everyone else as it is to Brett and me, and I respect that about everyone else. :) What is an earth shattering, euphoric event for the parents is generally probably merely a cute moment (if that) for the other healthy, stable people who witness it and that's definitely for the best. In fact, there are some small accomplishments that are only exciting for the parents that outside observers are forced to hear about and/or watch repeatedly anyway; however, to whomever does so, thanks for humoring me and reading this crap anyway. And thanks for letting me be a bit boastful with all the pictures I post under the assumption that everyone thinks my daughter is as cute as I think she is. I can't help myself, but I realize, too, that I am quite biased. In reality, if I had to compare her, I couldn't say she is any smarter than the average baby, nor a faster developer, and there are probably lots of babies just as cute as she is (notice I did not say "cuter than" :)), but to me she is more fantastic and more beautiful than I ever thought any baby could be.

On your mark, etc.

Brett has been running for about a year now, and today he ran in his first race--the Ridge Run 5k in Beverly. In the crowd of people in the picture on the left, there are two men in yellow shirts--Brett is the one with sleeves and you can see part of his head and his right shoulder. He was wearing his number (2233) on his back, so you can't see it. His coworker and head track coach Brian ran the race, too. Brett did great! He finished in 23.12 (his goal was to come in under 23--so he almost made it) and he was 4th in his age group (89th overall). I also included a bunch of new Phoebe photos below since I didn't have any with the last update.

"Daddy, I'm not letting go." 

I can stand by myself (as long as I have something to hold onto!) 

strolling is so exhausting! 

First ride in a shopping cart. Yes, that is a cart seat cover! (we did mention the neuroses, right?)  

Grandpa and Phoebe sharing a moment 

"Let me help you." 

Who me?! Visiting and enjoying friends: Rimas, Rachael, Michael and Cheryl (not pictured). Thanks for the amazing dinner and great time, R&R

latest milestones

For those of you still keeping track, here are Phoebe's latest achievments. She likes to stand as often as possible. She will usually hold onto me unless there is something more appealing to grab onto nearby, and she can pull up to standing in her crib. She can't sit up on her own, however. Once I put her in a sitting position, she will grab onto the side of the crib and stand herself up. She doesn't crawl yet, but you can see her desire for mobility when she is trying to get something out of reach--she just can't stand being on her belly long enough to figure out the crawl! She is a non-stop nonsensical talker. She sounds like she is trying to speak a foreign language--which, I guess, she is. Still no teeth. She was a little over 15 lbs. at her last Dr. visit (still pretty small compared to other ten-month-old babies). She is definitely a Daddy's girl! She is perfectly happy to be with me most of the time, but when her daddy comes home at night and holds her, she does not readily come back to me. She usually cries the first time he gives her back, so he takes her back and we try again a few minutes later. She gets so excited to see him come through the door. It's fun to watch them together. Luckily, soon she'll get more time with him.

swing away

so fun to ride with Daddy!

So many firsts

Phoebe had her first zoo visit, her first Easter, and her first swing at the park in the past week. It has been quite eventful. Last week, we went to the zoo with Terra and Sydney, but I forgot my camera--luckily Aunt Terra took some pictures, but I don't have those yet; but on Good Friday, since Brett had the day off and it was so nice out, we went as a family. Brett thoroughly enjoyed teasing the goats with Phoebe and vice versa. And Phoebe loved it, too. Easter was nice--as busy day as most holidays are, but we enjoyed seeing everyone. Phoebe has discovered swings and she loves them! She is doing great in her ninth month.

bath time

So Phoebe is finally sitting up and I was so excited because I could put her in her duck tub. Tonight was her first bath, and I think you can tell by her expression how much she liked it. I guess this is something you have to ease into. Apparently switching to a bath isn't so easy for some kids. She likes her shower. So we'll work on a more gradual transition so that she can enjoy her bath. How upset she looks--we're torturing her. As soon as I set her in the tub, she got confused and she was ok for a few seconds, but then she just got angry.

Spring is finally here!

Phoebe had her first outside play time yesterday (March 30). She loved it. She sat up nearly the whole time on her own. She got to take off her socks and hat for a few minutes so she could get the full sensations of outside--she even stood on the grass for a couple seconds to see how she liked it under her feet. I was of course worried about the sun, but we didn't stay out too long. We captured some cute images, though; and Henry really enjoyed having us out there with him. He would run and play and then come back and check on us once in a while.

Oh! It's so bright. 

A new leaf--how fun! 

It's just so nice out here! 

Of course Henry didn't want to be left out! 

sitting by myself 

Mom, my hat's too small!