Birthday Extravaganza #1

Here's our first installment of footage from Mercy's big birthday bash. More to come.

Looking good there Mercy!

I Think I'll Walk Now

As you may know Mercy has been taking 3-5 steps at a time but no more than this.  Yesterday she decided that she could walk across the room with or without our help.  I guess she wants to beat the one year mark.

Chris

Disc Golf Practice

Mercy has joined me in my putting practice in our front yard as you can see below. She can hit a putt anywhere from 0-2 inches away which is not bad considering she is just learning to walk on her own. Of course by the time she is old enough to compete our cars will all be hovercrafts and the discs will have some sort of anti-matter propulsion system and there will be courses on Mars. But I digress...

Chris

Outside Fun

End of an Era

This weekend Chris switched Mercy's carseat so it faces forward.  Her birthday is still 2 weeks away, but it's close enough and we just couldn't resist letting her see where she was going.  She didn't really seem to mind her year of backwards-facing passengering, though.  There was a giant mirror on the seat so I could see what she was up to, which was mainly looking at books or sleeping.  Anyway, it seems like a lot more space in the car now and I like being able to tickle her toes at stoplights.  

There are other signs around here that she's getting bigger.  Most of the baby equipment has been stored or returned to the generous lenders.  There's no more baby food in the house.  She continues to make progress with walking.  Her communication skills are admirable.  She has mastered the sippy cup.  On the less positive side, this weekend our good and adventuresome eater suddenly became picky.  She began shaking her head and refusing foods she previously liked.  Huh?  Also, we have seen her first MAJOR temper tantrums.  Yikes!  I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but take our word for it.

So, there are mixed feelings.  Our baby isn't a baby anymore, but I'm happy for her accomplishments and look forward to what the next year might bring.  (SS)

Hugs

Tonight as Mercy and I were playing prior to bedtime, she was feeling very amorous towards all her toys.  She started off by hugging one of her stuffed animals which made me think what a good-hearted child she must be. But she blew me away because for the next five minutes she hugged every animal and doll I handed to her.  And the best of course is asking for a hug and getting one yourself. I am also impressed with her ability to adapt in her communication.  One of her signs for wanting food is to point to her mouth or cheek.  She used this sign to me after looking and pointing at some books on the shelf out of her reach as if to say can I have some of that too.  Not bad for the end of her first year.  I mentioned to Sara today that being blessed with a child is enough to blow you away but to be blessed with a child like Mercy is beyond what I could have expected. Did I mention she is already practicing disc golf putting with me? Can you say future Women's Disc Golf World Champion?

Chris

Peek A Boo

She thinks I can't see her through the gate I guess.  You might be able to catch a glimpse of her upper teeth here.  She looks so different to me with all those teeth!  (Toddlerish and not so babyish...sniff)