I have feet?!

Hannah Gray discovered her feet quite some time ago, but it's like she forgets they're there until she gets a bath or she's being changed and she see her feet out of socks or footies. But she's quite fascinated by them. She had a little photo shoot last night on her changing table and Daddy managed to get some really good ones. There are a couple I'd love to get blown up...

entertainment!

So I've been having a hard time lately trying to figure out when to feed Gray in the midst of getting dinner ready so we can eat quickly once Ethan gets home (any suggestions welcomed). We have Hannah Gray at least sit in her high chair and play/eat/chew on something while we eat so we have "family style" dinners. But she seems to be ready to eat her dinner sooner now and then doesn't want to get back in her high chair while we eat. So that's till a work in progress. However, I ddi  manage to find a way to keep her entertained while I cook... she loves my measuring spoons!!! So I put her on the floor, she watches me do my thing and chews and bangs those spoons together. She LOVES it! Here are some cute pictures of these spoons that are just about the size of her. 

polite baby

dancing baby!

Actually, I have two videos of her doing the same thing. But in the first video there's music in the background so I think it's funny to think of her "dancing". In the second video, she's just playing and having fun minus the music and I like to think of the idea of having a polite baby that is saying 'yes' rather than 'no' first... wishful thinking, eh? It's cute none the less and here are the videos...

A new tooth and a new president

What a big week or so this has been for little Miss Gray. She finally broke the surface with a new tooth last Monday and I noticed Sunday the second lower tooth right behind it! The first one is beginning to really make it's appearance, but this second one seems to be coming a long a bit faster. She won't really move her tongue out of the way so you can actually see it, but you can definitely feel it!!

And today, we get a new president. Many mixed feelings about that. To be honest, I don't agree with many of his policies at all, but can't help but get caught up in the feeling of "change". Sometimes I hope that there are real promises there, and there are even bigger parts of me that hopes he lets some things just be and not do what he's promised to do. I can't help but look at Hannah Gray and think about how perfectly she was made and how her body knows just what to do at just the right moments and that she's been like that since conception. I worry for the unborn, and I worry about the women in difficult situations that are faced with extremely difficult decisions. But I hope they can see the promise in their child, even if it's with a different family. I hope our country sees value in life, particularly those that are just beginning. The consequences go far further than most people would like to admit. It's thoughts like these that make we really wonder where we'll be in 4 years. Could we be a more "successful" nation if our idea of life is devalued? And as a small business owner, I'm sure you can guess that there are many other reasons I'm a bit skeptical as well. But, through it all, God is in control. He is the one who appoints kings and rulers. So it's in Him I trust, not change.

silly baby

This video is actually from about two months ago (before we moved) and Hannah Gray was playing with Aunt Annie. She laughed non-stop for at least 10 minutes, but this is just a short clip.

just because it's cute

Here's a video of Hannah Gray practicing her raspberries. She was being goofy and playing around with her tongue mimicking me and just being silly. Here's a clip 

First foods!

Actually, this is from a few days ago but I'm just getting around to putting these pictures up. Hannah Gray had her first taste of solid foods on Friday! We gave her winter squash and she definitely wasn't sure what to think about it. Once she realized it wasn't cereal, we caught the first glimpse of her strong willed nature. She pursed her lips together and clentched that jaw and refused to open up for another bite. But by today, she actually ate about half a jar of squash so she's getting used to it. She also tried water from her sippy cup for the first time too. This has been a big week!

Here it comesssssss!

FINALLY, the 1st tooth is beginning to make its appearance! I honestly believe this little girl started to teeth at around 4 months old. Lots and lots of drool, chewing, change of sleeping habits, you name it and she had the symptoms! Well, this morning she was acting somewhat oddly and was extremely aggressive about getting stuff in her mouth. I stuck my finger in there, and there was something rough and sharp!!! Whoo Hoo!!! She hasn't been cranky or anything, but desperately chewing on anything she can. She even reached for Tanner today... I gave her a piece of celery (great advice from my friend Kelly) and she LOVED it. So here are those pictures as well.

7 months old yesterday!

Hannah Gray's 7 month birthday was yesterday, but I managed to get some pictures today. It's getting more and more difficult as she becomes more and more wiggly! These were the best shots I got

I'm trying to crawl!

This afternoon, Hannah Gray was sitting in her room playing and tried to reach for something just outside of her range. She tipped forward (which I'm beginning to think is intentional b/c she doesn't cry or seem surprised) and was on her tummy. She seemed to be quite content playing with things right in front of her. Then she started to kick her legs, arch her back and she brought her knees up underneath her. It caught me off guard and she did it again, so I ran to go get the camera. She did it one more time before she had had enough. Here's a little glimpse of it. 

More Christmas Pictures

Yes, we have even more pictures- it was her first Christmas, we needed a lot, right?

happy birthday!

New Year's Day is my dad's and my oldest niece, Haleigh's, birthday. My flight left around 1, so we had to leave for the airport midmorning. But to celebrate at least a litle bit, we met my brother and his family for brunch with my parents. Here is Hannah Gray with her Aunt Sarah and her cousins then with her Mimi and Grandpa at the airport. We had a great visit home and are looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Good times with Great Friends

Between Christmas and New Year's, Hannah Gray and I joined our friends Jim and Kelly Tinsley with their boys, Matthew and Cooper to see the Festival of Lights at the zoo. It was really mild so the zoo was packed, but we got to see lots of lights, several animals and even ride the merry-go-round. 

We also got to see my college roommate and long time friend Allison and her husband Nate for breakfast. It was great to see them and we hope to see them again soon. They live in Pittsburgh so hopefully we'll meet somewhere in the middle for some good hiking this spring. 

My roommate from my time at the Focus on Family Institue in Colorado just got married a few weeks ago and her new husband is from Columbus. We had the privilege of meeting Josh and Andrea in Columbus while they were in town. It had been almost 2 years since I last saw Andrea, so it was such a blessing to be able to spend time with her and to meet Josh. 

New Years

This year the girls from Miami gathered at my friends, Steph and her husband Greg's, home in Columbus. It was a great time to catch up, meet babies and fiances! Families were in from as far as Colorado, Maryland and Virginia. Here are some great pics from the evening.