The many faces of Liesel

Liesel's {1st} Homecoming

On Friday night we went up to Stillwater for the walkaround.  It is OSU homecoming tradition to walk around and look at all the fraternity and sorority house decs.  I was in a sorority so I participated in this while I was in school.  When you think about it now it seems like such a waste of time but what would we do without the walkaround every year?  It is so fun!  Tarren graciously even wore a shirt that had some orange stripes on it.  He is not Cowboy fan, mind you, but he did try.  He opted not to wear his Chiefs hat because he did not want anyone to think he was a Nebraska fan.  That would have been a real tragedy.  I forgot my camera so I had to take pictures with my cell phone.  I apologize for that.  I didn't take any pics of the house decs but I did take a picture in front of my sorority house with my little future A Dee Pi.  Isn't she cute?  She looks really interested too.  She did have a good time though.  The walkaround is good for lots of people and dog watching.

Here's one of the family too

{11} Months

11 Months

Liesel, you turned 11 months last week.  As usual I am way behind.
-You finally decided you would let us feed you baby food this last month.  You are eating a lot of other finger foods now but occasionally I still feed you some baby food.  You were only 4 or 5 months behind all the other babies your age!
-You love your protein.  You will eat any piece of meat or cheese we set in front of you.
-You LOVE drinking water out of your sippy cup.  You would walk around with that cup all day if you could.
-You are standing by yourself and taking a few steps.  Some days you walk more than others.  Sometimes you will walk with me holding your hand but usually drop to the ground to crawl.  You still crawl for the most part because that is much faster for you.
-You are talking a lot more the past two weeks or so.  You don't say anything we can understand but still you have a lot to say.  Sometimes you just crawl around talking about stuff.  It's pretty cute.
-You do say Ma Ma and Da Da and you know what those mean.  You can say Bye Bye and that is still about it.  Sometimes you try to say Amen after a prayer.
-You love to play hide and seek with us.  You either hide behind furniture and pop up or cover yourself up with your blankie.
-You do love your blankie.  I wondered if you would ever become attached to something since you didn't take a pacifier.  It is a blanket that your Aunt Randi gave you and you can't go to sleep without it. 
-You are very social and love other people and babies.  Sometimes you love them a little too much when you try to steal the other babies' pacifiers, cups or Cheerios.

We love you baby girl and try to cherish each magic moment we have with you as you change before our very eyes.  Your Mommy

{4th} Anniversary

Tarren and I had our 4th anniversary yesterday and the day came and went without much ado.  We did exchange cards.  Don't worry.  We are going to dinner tonight though.  Thanks to Liesel's Aunt Meggie and Uncle Tyler.  Tarren and I are excited about our date.

We can't believe how fast these 4 years have flown by; especially the last due to our sweet baby girl.  It has been a great year!  I have an amazing, God-loving, faithful husband.  He is such a good leader for our family and a terrific daddy.  I couldn't have picked anyone better.  Good thing God was in charge of that anyway.  I guess He knew what kind of spouse I needed. ;)

{10} Months

10 months

Liesel, you turned 10 months old last week.
-You have been crawling up a storm.  Everyone comments on how fast you are and I definitely know it.  It seems lately you are not happy unless you can get into something you aren't supposed to.
-This also means I am chasing you around and telling you no all the time.  Then you keep your hand on the object you are not supposed to be touching and look me in the eyes and smile a little and just keep on touching it even if I slap your hand and tell you no repeatedly.  What am I going to do with you?
-You are beginning to take a few steps on your own.  The most I have seen is 3 but you are getting braver and braver.  We think this Christmas is going to be so fun with you walking!
-You have been really grouchy lately and not sleeping well (except last night you slept through from 8pm to 730am without waking us up).  I hope this phase will pass soon.  I want my happy baby back.  Maybe it is because you are working on walking.
-I gave up trying to give you baby food.  You just would not let me feed you with a spoon.  I decided it is because you want to feed yourself.  So now I just give you pieces that you can pick up yourself.  You have been doing okay with this but still frustrate me a little because you don't eat that much.  I guess you will eat when you are ready.  You still nurse quite a bit so that must be filling enough.  (You do eat Cheerios like they are going out of style though.  Usually you will eat these any time; even when you have refused everything else.)
-You have 7 teeth now and like to show us by biting us.  You are very sneaky about it too.
-You began pointing at things and touching things with just your pointer finger.  You will stand at the window in the living room and talk and point at things outside.  I think it is so cute!

-And no matter what, even when you had a cranky day, your Daddy and I still lay in bed at night and gush about how cute and precious you are.  You are such a blessing to us and we are SO in love with you!

Collage

{8 & 9} months (a little late, as usual)

8 Months

9 months

I know, I didn't even post anything when Liesel turned 8 months and now I am over a week late for the 9 month post.  At least I was thinking about it.

Liesel since you were 7 months old you have changed quite a bit, my girl.
-As of two days ago you now have 5 teeth.  Two on top and three on bottom. 
-At your 9 month doctor appointment you weighed 22lbs 6oz and you are 29 1/4" long.
-You just just went through a little growth spurt where I can tell your thinking about things changed.  You are really beginning to make noticeable observations that I see you filing away in your brain for later.  It is amazing to watch you learn and know that you just know how to do it.  I have nothing to do with it.  You are amazing!
-You are crawling a lot and pulling up.  In the past couple of weeks you have been letting go and standing by yourself.  You are pretty proud of this and let your daddy and I know with screams and shrieks of delight.
-Speaking of shrieking, it seems you get louder every day.  You have definitely found your voice and demonstrate your abilities often.  Your Wednesday night Bible class teacher says you are all girl.  I will have to agree.
-You love Bible class at church and going to the nursery.  You like to follow around the bigger kids (Grant Cliburn) and try to do whatever they do.  
-You say "da da" and I think you are starting to grasp who you are talking about when you say it.  You can say "ma ma ma ma ma" but will not say it when we ask only when you are mad.
-You love your daddy and get so excited when he comes home from work.  You can't wait for him to pick you up and rescue you from all day with mommy play with you.
-You love to greet people that you see especially children.  I think you are inviting them to play with you.  You started doing this after we went to Tennessee in July and you spent so much time with your cousin Zaine.  You love to play with Zaine.
-Just in the past few weeks will you actually sit in my lap and let me read you a story.  I love that!
-You are sleeping pretty well, sometimes waking once during the night.  I usually nurse you back to sleep.  I secretly love this time with you (as long as you only do it once a night).  It is so peaceful and you aren't fighting me.  You just lay sleepily in my arms and I drink you in, my beautiful girl.  Sigh.
-I think you might walk soon and I'm not ready for it.

I love you!
Your Mommy