A Brand New Bag

So now when Winnie is upset, mixed in with her crying are these trilling sounds that we think are hilarious. They rarely come when she's happy, she saves them for when she really needs them most! Also making an appearance in this video are Winnie's two bottom teeth that we can never seem to capture in a photo. She's also currently cutting her top left tooth, so it's good times over here at nighttime, as you can imagine. She really did get one of her two front teeth for Christmas! (well, the resolution's not great post-transfer, but the teeth are there--I promise!)

Christmas Vacation

We went to Conway this past weekend to celebrate Christmas with the Dean family and had a great time. As usual, it was chaotic and wonderful...8 kids under the age of 8 will do that. We attempted on Saturday morning to take a group photo of all the grandkids as a gift for my mom. Here we have them all...Finn, Grace, Pierson, Rafferty, Winnie, Owen, Remi, and Clara. It was impossible to get one shot where all the kids were looking at the camera and smiling, but my favorites are the ones where someone is doing something ridiculous. That's reality! Winnie's favorite gift was her own cell phone that lights up and makes sounds. I want to know who this Tad is that keeps calling my daughter. Anyways, we are grateful for our family and had a good time eating and visiting and playing. We always love an Arkansas Christmas, especially when it's almost 70 degrees outside!

Winnie's Baptism

Winnie was baptized at church on the 14th...she did a great job during the ceremony. One of our pastors, Simon, did the baptism (which we were thrilled about, as he's a friend and in our house group). While John, one of the elders, carried her around the auditorium, she smiled and laughed at everyone. We followed the service with a party at our loft, which was a huge blast! We were way late to our own party, because I ordered the food from South County accidentally (argh!). But it was a great time celebrating Winifred with family and friends. The only picture I took of the entire day was of the cake that I was so proud of from Whole Foods. Typical.

Best Buds

Just a couple of videos to show what a good dog we have. He loves his little sister! Puddy takes a beating often, but is very gracious with Winnie. He's even figured out that if he's gentle and doesn't go full-strength, she'll play tug with him and one of his toys. They've come a long way since the big ball video. Our babies are so cute! I can't wait until they can really play!

It's Cold Outside

Winnie does not enjoy wearing hats--she always tugs them off immediately. However, she loves her new hat, and I have no idea why. I am happy, though, as I am always getting confronted by old ladies at the grocery store..."That baby needs a hat!" Actually, that makes me want to never put her in one. Mind your own business! Anyways, I digress. I am glad she has found the hat of her dreams...it's so cute! In the first photo, she's holding Kent and Marietta's Christmas card. She tugged that thing along with her most of the afternoon. I guess she likes the looks of them!

Santa Baby

Puddy and Winnie went to visit Santa, and I think the photos are too cute! We had them done at the dog groomers (Four Muddy Paws, one of my favorite places!) because our groomer is the photographer and said she'd do them together. A must for me, who considers herself to have two babies! And, we went to the mall and found that it is so overpriced there! Pardon Winnie's awkward legs in the photos...tights aren't always the best look for her, and Santa was more comfortable holding the dog than the baby.

this changes everything

Here is a crudely edited montage of Winnie breaking through today: she learned to crawl! We couldn't be more proud. Go Winnie Go!

Snacktime!

Winnie had her first "Big Girl Snack" this week (cut-up banana and sweet potato puffs). She was so proud of herself, as you can tell by the photo! Now that she's on a pretty consistent schedule, we have a little snack after her nap. I have unintentionally adapted her to the same schedule my babies had at the Jewish Community Center, (I miss that job!) and it is working really well. She's still a little gaggy when she eats chunky food, but we're getting there! She's looking forward to spending the evening with her friend Maggie from upstairs tonight while we have our annual Christmas party. She can hardly eat or sleep!

Just Some Soapy Fun...

Sink baths are Winnie's favorite thing. She usually takes one every night while I am cooking dinner. I don't know what I like best about this video...is it the hair, the head shaking, the sucking on the soapy tupperware, or the attempts at escape? I don't know, but I love it. Or maybe it's just that smiling baby!

Thanksgiving in Arkansas

Winnie and I flew to Arkansas this weekend and had such a great time with friends and family. We went to Russellville for antique mall shopping and lunch, saw Twilight, had a wedding to go to Saturday night, and Thanksgiving dinner Sunday night. While we were there, Winnie experimented with new foods...she munched on long carrots, celery stalks, banana, orange, and tried mashed potatoes. It was a busy, eventful weekend! The video below was shot the first night...Jenny's kids LOVE Winnie and just want to be touching her, kissing her, and playing with her constantly. It's so cute!

Here's a picture of Winifred with the little orange half. She was just sucking away!

This was taken Sunday night, while she was in COMPLETE bliss eating squash, sweet potato, and mashed potatoes.

Her and Finn laughing at Googie's funny noises in the car.