It's For Real Now

We have an official, 14 month old walker. Yay! At home, she is walking most of the time, but outside of the home, she's a little more timid. Her first steps were about a month ago, so it has been a long time coming for us! She is a pretty careful walker and doesn't often fall, which is pretty in step with how she started off crawling, as well. My little perfectionist!

This next photo is just a silly one. She has learned to say "cheese," (or her version of cheese) and this is the smile she gives us with it. Not her at her cutest, I'd say, but I love that face just the same. She's beautiful to me whatever she is doing! It does showcase several of her 10 teeth.

A Swing, a Cone, and a Tunnel

We headed over to Lafayette Park for a quick swing recently, then tried to go to Ted Drewes, but it was a little crowded. We drove-through McDonalds instead. Winnie was very insistent on sharing my cone with me, and I caved. She is getting a little demanding, and her one word, "mama," means not just me, but "I want." (Actually, she uses it or a variation of it for about everything) A little annoying sometimes! Here is a video that makes me roll my eyes, but hopefully will make you laugh. The next photo is of Winnie enjoying the tunnel she received for her birthday from Jenny, Ryan, Finn, Raff, and Remi. She loves it, so I keep it folded up under our couch and only pull it out a couple times a week, so the newness doesn't wear off so quickly.

Dogwood Canyon

On Saturday, we headed down to Branson, then to Dogwood Canyon, for my cousin Adrienne's wedding. It was such a BEAUTIFUL day and wedding. We loved it there! Winnie was so good during the ceremony, thankfully. She was happy to spend the day with her cousin Grace...they had the most fun by the stream (during the reception), throwing rocks into the water. They were dazzled by Uncle Matt's talent for skipping rocks, as well. Adrienne looked beautiful, so there was no taking any attention away from her, but Winnie was a hit amongst the guests. Congratulations, Adrienne and Chad!

Big Shoes To Fill

Winnie is really into her feet lately. She tries to do everything with them...turning on toys, lights, pressing buttons on her toys, putting them on Puddy, etc. She figured out how to get Daddy's shoes on, but wasn't able to get anywhere with them!

A Little Nostalgic

My hormones and the fact that I'm getting so close to Baby Boy's arrival has me a little nostalgic lately. I look at Winnie and can't believe how fast the past year went! I'm so curious what this little boy will look and be like, because W surprises us every day. Here are a few of my favorite photos from her first day with us. Oh, and I guess I'll have to change the blog up a bit to make it more baby brother friendly. I'll add that to my to-do list:)

Swim Date

Winnie's main squeeze, Al, came over to the Murphy's to swim today. We were glad to share the afternoon with him and Beau and Aaron. Al and Winnie were both just the cutest little water babies...not even minding the cold water! Here they are trying to make an escape. This is one of those pictures I am going to treasure and save, because I am SURE they are getting married some day:)

New Toy

I wanted Winnie to have a fun push toy...but no ordinary plastic stuff for her! In honor of my LOVE for grocery shopping, we bought W a shopping cart. It is from Land of Nod ( by Melissa & Doug) and is metal, complete with a little fold-down seat. Too cute! It goes perfectly with her purse and little Whole Foods shopping bag. She loves it, and only gets frustrated when she's trying to push it onto the living room or her bedroom rug (they are nice Crate & Barrel rugs that are thick and hard to roll on to). We have to hide it in the guest bathroom to keep her from just pushing and pushing it all day long.