My tunnel of fun

Do you remember when Mommy and Daddy first had me tryout my little gym mat? Well, 7 months later, I use the mat as a little tunnel for me to crawl through. I love to crawl and play in the tunnel. Mommy and Daddy often build a tower out of my blocks on one end of the tunnel. If I see them building a tower, I quickly crawl through my secret tunnel and knock it down! I smile and laugh while knocking down the tower too! Mommy and Daddy are having fun with me crawling, but they realize that my crawling has led to an increase in my curiosity.

Congratulations Daddy!

Daddy's basketball team competed in the Boyd Baker tournament this past week. His team played five games in six days. I went to all of his games to cheer him on. I really liked it when Daddy's principal, Patsy, held me and let me fall asleep in her arms for a quick nap during the games. Daddy's team came in second in the tournament. I stayed up late last night to watch Daddy's team play in the championship game. Mommy and I are really proud of Daddy and we're looking forward to a great basketball season! Go Panthers!

Christmas Carols anyone?

When you watch this video clip, you will get to hear my version of a popular Christmas song that I play without any sheet music. You might need to use your imagination a little. Whenever I pass by the piano at Nana and Poppy's house, I lean forward to let the person holding me know that I want to play some music. Tonight, Mommy sat me down on the piano bench so I could play some music. Mommy is impressed that I put both hands on the piano to play. See if you can guess the tune I am playing:)

My First Thanksgiving

I had a fun filled Thanksgiving. It started with the Todd family coming to visit in the morning. They live in Texas and were here to visit family. It was fun meeting them for the first time and meeting their newest addition, Alyssa, who is 4 months younger than me. Alyssa is almost as tall as me already! Now that I can crawl, it was fun to try and "chase" Callie and Jackson who are 6 and 3 1/2. My Ninos came over in the afternoon. I had fun showing off my crawling skills. My Ninos made some unique turkeys out of Oreo cookies. I didn't get to eat them, but Mommy and Nana say that I will make them as a treat when I am in preschool. I had Mommy include a picture on the blog so you can see the unique Oreo turkeys. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Nana and Poppy's house. I tasted mashed potatoes for the first time. I really wasn't in the mood to eat, but I didn't make a face at the little bit that I did try. I took a nice nap on Daddy after dinner. It must be the smell of Poppy's good cookin' that put me to sleep.

Fred, Alyssa, Daddy and Me

The Todd's and Me

Alyssa and Me

My Ninos and Me

Oreo Turkeys:)

And off I go....

Watch out, I crawled more than two steps for the first time today! Mommy was playing with me before we went to Daddy's game this afternoon and all of a sudden I crawled from where we were to a box that holds my penguin bowling toys. Mommy pulled me back and said, "Caitlin, do it again," and I did! Mommy immediately grabbed the camera in hopes of capturing this on video. I then decided to crawl towards the end table that has some of my books and I was so happy when I made it to the table and could grab a book for Mommy to read to me. The video clip is short, but you'll get to see that I can move much better before falling forward. After Daddy's win tonight, I showed off my crawling skills some more! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me, but they know that pretty soon I'll be making them chase me everywhere!

An Early Thanksgiving

My busy weekend continued with an early Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Kenny and Aunt Stacie's because they will be out of town on Thursday! Mommy and Daddy said the food was delicious. I of course had fun being held by everyone and playing with my Aunt and Uncle. Mommy caught a cute photo of me yawning and said that eating turkey makes you tired, or in my case, watching everyone else eat turkey. I hope Uncle Kenny has fun racing and I hope Aunt Stacie has fun in Phoenix.

Turkey makes you tired!

Uncle Kenny and Me:)

Happy Anniversary Nana and Poppy!

Happy 36th Anniversary Nana and Poppy! Hope you have a great day. I helped Nana and Poppy celebrate at the UA tailgate today. I tried hard to try the cake, but Mommy says not yet.

Oh Christmas Tree.....

I went to my first Christmas Tree Party tonight. This is an annual party that Mommy's family has had since before she was born. Mommy and Daddy say that usually the tree isn't decorated before Thanksgiving, but this year was an exception since my Uncle Kenny is going out of town. The party started when we went to my Nina Nina Dia's to help decorate her candy themed tree and eat a yummy dinner. Afterwards, everyone came to our house to help us decorate our trees and eat dessert. Daddy has a sports themed tree, Mommy has a Pooh themed tree, and I have my very own first Christmas tree! After the trees were decorated, everyone participated in a gag gift exchange. There were definitely a lot of laughs with the gag gifts. Mommy likes this party because now our house is completed decorated for the holidays. Mommy says that the outdoor lights won't be lit though until the day after Thanksgiving. I helped hang a few ornaments on the tree and even took a little nap during the party, but didn't actually go to bed until close to midnight. I was a trooper. I then slept until 8am the next day and took all my naps on schedule! Mommy and Daddy are proud of how I handle all of the excitement.

Helping hang the ornament on Nina Nina Dia's tree

Had to see if this peppermint ornament tasted good first.

I might be tired, but I am not going to admit it! This was taken at 11pm.

Strings!

I am fascinated with strings. Whether it is the strings on a sweatshirt or shoelaces, I am sure to gravitate towards them. I love to untie shoelaces and then look up at the person and smile because I did it. Tonight I was having fun with my Nina Karen's new shoelaces and couldn't resist playing with them. Mommy and Daddy love the simple strings in life that amuse me:).

8 Months Old

I am 8 months old today. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of their little baby girl. I am a very healthy and active 8 month old. I have four teeth that you can't miss and I have three teeth that have poked their way through my gums, but you have to get close to see them. Mommy and Daddy are happy that my cranky teething nights are not happening as frequently. I love to play with blocks, books, and musical toys. I also love dropping my toys and seeing if someone will pick them up for me. I am very close to crawling, but I am trying to stand more than practice crawling. Mommy and Daddy think I might walk before I crawl. I enjoy bouncing in my bouncers. Lately as I bounce I like to say, "ba ba ba." This might be because Mommy likes to tell me that Tigger likes to bounce, bounce, bounce. I am a very happy baby too! Mommy and Daddy receive many compliments from strangers on what a happy baby I am. I rarely fuss, except for when I am hungry. When it comes to eating, I am a little picky. I will try anything Mommy gives me, but I definitely have my favorites. I really like oatmeal, prunes, peas, and carrots! I have started to give "5" if someone sticks out their hand. Sometimes I say "fa fa fa" while giving"5". I also have been trying to wave goodbye. I don't always look at the person I am saying goodbye to, but I have the motion down pat. Mommy and Daddy look forward to what's in store for this month.

This is how Mommy found me this morning when I woke up!

This is how I looked tonight before bath time.

An early present

Tonight Mommy, Daddy, and I received an early Christmas present. We were told to open it and I was a big help. I thought it was fun to rip and pull the paper. The present was bigger than me. I can't wait for Daddy to put up our new snow globe outside with the Snowman family. Nana and Poppy gave it to us now so we could have it as a decoration. Mommy says the Snowman family looks like the Hurley family:). I think I am going to like the holidays!

I am Caitlin, hear me roar!

Just recently I have had a blast making loud screams! Often it may seem to sound like I am fussing but then it turns into a scream followed by me laughing. Mommy and Daddy think it is cute. Mommy likes to try and imitate me which leads to me screaming more. I really like when Mommy and I make the sounds at the same time. I also make this noise if someone acts like they are going to play tag with me and they say, "I'm going to get you." I have been babbling a lot too, but Mommy can't seem to catch me on video yet. Enjoy the short clip of my playful "roar"!

Gardening with my Grandpas

My Grandpas always make sure that we have beautiful, healthy flowers in our yard. While my Grandpas planted new flowers, fixed the border of the flower bed, and cut our grass, I helped them while sitting in my wagon. I love the wagon because I can see everything that is happening all around me. Some of the flowers growing were given to me when I was born. Mommy is impressed that they are still alive and doing so well! When my Grandpas took a break from working, they ate cookies and I ate cheerios. I had a lot of fun being silly with my Grandpas during their breaks. Grandpas, you are the best!

Post-op appointment

I went to see the surgeon today to see how my ear is healing. The doctor told Mommy and Daddy that they have a beautiful daughter and that my ear is healing well. Mommy asked the doctor if she could pierce my ears now, but the doctor told her to wait for 6 months so that the piercing doesn't interfer with my scarring. Mommy was a little disappointed but knows she has to follow the doctor's orders. The doctor said that I could have a little bit of swelling in the next few months, but no other side effects. The surgery or healing has seemed to bother me at all! Mommy and Daddy are so happy with the results! You can compare the picture below with how my ear looked before surgery.

It's hammer time!

One of the prizes I came home with today was a blow up hammer that squeaks! I loved playing with it when we got home from the birthday party. I tried hammering anything with it, including Daddy:). Mommy got a little of my excitement on camera to share with you! Sometimes I amaze Mommy and Daddy with what amuses me!

Happy Birthday Analise!

Happy 6th birthday Analise! We had a blast today at your birthday party. I had fun playing games with Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Paul to win tickets. Uncle Paul taught me how to play skee ball. Mommy and Daddy played a version of Deal or No Deal and won tickets. I liked wearing a birthday hat, chewing on the yummy pizza crust, and playing the games. I even took a little nap, thanks to Mommy and Daddy's friend, Veronica. I hope Analise had a great day! Playing Skee Ball with Uncle Paul (notice the tickets in my left hand)

Riding the clown car (notice the tickets in my left hand and my pocket)

MMM....Pizza crust


Look at all the tickets we won!

The birthday girl, Analise, and me

Thanks for letting me sleep on you Veronica

My First Movie

I went to my first movie today with Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Paul. We went to see Madagascar2. Mommy and Daddy were wondering how I would behave during the movie, but they had nothing to worry about. I watched the first hour of the movie, took a little nap, and was awake to see the end. There were kids in the theater who were making more noise then me. I just made "ooh" and "aah" sounds at the animals on the screen. I really would get excited when the animals on the screen were moving around. Mommy and Daddy think they are going to like taking me to all the kid movies.

Sitting like a big girl in the movie seats

My First Movie

Election Night

I decided to stay up late like many other Americans to watch the historic election results. No matter what Mommy and Daddy tried, I refused to go to bed. I had fun playing Rocky in my bath robe. After my bath, I couldn't stop rolling around and laughing at everything in my sight and reach! Mommy and Daddy loved my energy, but they wish it would come out during the day and not at bedtime. Oh well, at least this means I'll sleep in a little longer.

My impersonation of "Rocky" before bathtime

This is the result when I press the button on the camera to take a picture

Laughing and rolling around with Daddy

Look how I can wrinkle my whole face when I laugh

O....So Fun!

I was introduced to Cheerio's for the second time today. Mommy had her camera this time and caught me in action. It was fun trying to grab the "O"s. I would study them once I got them in my hand before trying to put them in my mouth. I think these "O"s are going to be put on the list of things I like to eat! Enjoy the short video clip!