Decorating with Chains

Gary and Arlo went out yesterday and brought home a sweet little tree for us, which we decorated mostly with homemade ornaments since Gary's were lost in his move and I only have three, having never had a tree of my own before.

I gave smacky part of a paper chain to play with and of course it went straight into her mouth. Isn't she festive in her new hat?

Hello, Friend

Several weeks ago, my mom and I took smacky on a thrift shopping extravaganza. We visited Value Village in Milwaukie, Red White and Blue in Gladstone, and somewhere else that slips my mind.

At that point, Smacky was just starting to be interested in toys and her hands were getting strong and wily enough to hold small items. I found several bags of good toys (mostly Sassy and Lamaze), one of which contained this strange alien-like bug with tiny, scrunchy wings and an accoutrement attached to each of his (her?) legs. Most of these toys have a hook or clip on the top, allowing them to be attached to her swing, bouncy seat, carseat, etc and they've provided her with HOURS of entertainment.

The only drawback is when we think she's having fun but she's actually getting bored. Then the toys get the brunt of her frustration as she yells and hollers at them. It's funny until we realize that she's starting to get upset.

Le Pain, Madame?

Aurora always gets to hold the bread at the grocery store.

Lucky baby!

Not Too Cold for Tongues

Gary and Smacky did a lot of walking around outside yesterday. They went to Milwaukie's Ledding Library and visited the pond and nutria, and they walked to World of Sausages for bacon.

Little smacky was chilly (see weepy eyes) but still in good spirits. She's been sticking her tongue out a lot lately, and sometimes will even do it as a reaction to your tongue.

Very cute!

Growth, Finally

Aurora has a new office- a highchair given to us from David York's son Joseph. (Thank you, David!)

The graphic on the chair looks like a little hat, doesn't it?

Now she can see OVER the table instead of rooting around at our feet like a common swine. Way to move up in the world, baby!

Smile, Baby

I don't remember it, but apparently having sharp teeth move through your gums hurts like a mother.

Smacky has been having a hard time of it lately as a lone upper tooth fights its way through her tender, virgin gums. We have plenty of things she can chew on, homeopathic gum gel (which is much tastier than orajel, I tell you what), icy bottles and delicious cherry flavored children's tylenol (most of which she spits out).

Thanksgiving was her worst night yet. She awoke from a nap to find herself surrounded by strangers with mom nowhere in sight, mouth hurting, and groggy to boot. After everyone left for the night her pain increased and she spent several minutes screaming in Gary's lap before we thought to give her the tylenol.

This morning she was a little fussy but by the time I left for work, she was all smiles. Gary captured this photo in which she shows her team pride for one of those college football teams. (I forget which is which.)

Onesies and Diapers and Bibs, Oh My!

Babies sure generate a lot of laundry, don't they?