9 month check-up

We went to the doc for Gretchen's 9 month check-up. She weights 21lbs 4oz and is 29 1/4 inches. Those stats make her the size of an average 1 year old. Doc also told us she has four teeth coming in on the top and two on the bottom. We have seen the bottom ones but the top ones we had not noticed yet.

Gretchen so far is a very social person. She will let anyone hold her and she loves interacting with new people and exploring new things. She loves other babies and tried to kiss them when she sees them. She attempted this with several of her cousins over Christmas. She still sleeps like a champ at night (last night she slept just under 13 hours!). Napping is still a struggle, she only takes 2 one hour naps throughout the day. I am hoping the naps will lengthen as she becomes more physically active.

Gretchen is not crawling. Instead she has decided rolling is her method of travel. She rolls quite fast and can get into anything. We think she might skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking. She does an excellent job with waving, clapping and giving high five. The doc said she seems to be ahead of the curve in terms of using her hands and interacting with people. We already knew that though, the grocery store as become an experience. She waves at everyone and they always stop and play with her. In fact an older woman asked Nathan if she could buy Gretchen the other day. He told her she was not for sale.

Christmas (part2)

Uncle Matthew and Gretchen

Sara and the two little ones.

I thought this was a nice shot of Sara and Shawn.

I love this shot of Sara and Gretchen.

Matthew and Ali on "Christmas morning"

Lauren and Gretchen enjoying dinner together.

Aunt Kay and Gretchen and the Schaeffer gift exchange.

Everyone is looking at the camera!

Gretchen and her Godparents.

Sara and the girls opening presents.

A cute close up of Great Grandpa and Gretchen.

Well we tried to get all five great grandchildren to smile...my picture did not capture that. If anyone has a copy where all the kids look nice please email me.

This is my favorite picture of Anna and Gretchen to date.

Anna loved her dress up set we got her for Christmas.

I like how Aunt Ali and Gretchen are looking at one another in this shot.

The three amigos

Our little family

Merry Christmas (part1)

Gretchen got tons of presents, including some from Santa. Her early favorites seem to be her weeble wobble penguin, stacking cups, and a toy cellphone. I did not buy her a toy cellphone, Aunt Tiffy did.

Gretchen is mesmerized by the camera timer's blinking light and will not smile when we use it.

Gretchen loves other babies and likes to give them kisses. Here she is trying to plant one on her cousin Amayah.

This is my favorite picture to date of Arianna and Gretchen.

9 Month professional photo

Happy Baby

I love this smile.

Jingle All the Way

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Gretchen meets Santa

I was very excited for Gretchen to meet Santa. Although I know most kids cry and are scared, I thought my child would be the smiley exception. Well she did not cry but we could not get a smile either. I think if we had a little more time for Gretchen to look at him up close before he held her she would have been more comfortable. Maybe next year I will try to take her early before the lines form to meet Santa.

Here is her new little sideways look when she is being mischievous.

Her hair looks so red in this photo, mine looks like I need to blow dry it.

Here is our smiley girl.

Braces....are you kidding me....sadly no

Ahhh, I need braces! On January 20^th I will be outfitted with some metal and that is not even the worst of it. I have a baby tooth right up front that needs to be pulled and the adult tooth that is stuck in my gums sideways needs to be pulled down. I will have oral surgery to pull the baby tooth and to access the adult tooth, but then it is an 8-9 month process to pull the tooth down. So I will have a very ghetto looking hole right up front complete with a gold chain. The chain is so the orthodontist can pull the tooth down into position. I am so not looking forward to this for so many, many, many reasons. The biggest reason by far is that I do not want to look like a hillbilly. Man this sucks!

Santa Baby

Here is the official Santa Baby Photo for our Christmas Card.

This picture I love but it is unfocused. If anyone is really good with a Cannon Power Shot and wants to give me a few lessons, I would be grateful.

Here is her mischievous grin.

Who me?

I love her in this shot but, I thought the photo was a little dark.

Snow Baby

In typical Gretchen fashion, she loved the new experience of playing in the snow. She was also fascinated by the snowplow that came by a few times. I thought either of these pictures would make a great Christmas Card. You know me though, it is already in the mail. I think the one we sent is pretty cute too. Once I know people have gotten their cards I will post the outtakes.

Here is Gretchen hanging her Baby's First Christmas Ornament. It is a silver Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.