Merry Christmas

Christmas is a very special time of year. It's easy to get caught up in all the gifts, decorations and parties. This year, I was especially grateful for my family and everything God has blessed me with. On Christmas Day, Ryan and I celebrated Jesus' birthday with his family in Texas. We had a wonderful time with his mom, dad and brother. But a few days before Christmas, we had our own little Christmas - just me, Ryan and Kit. It was really low-key but very special. I think the less time you spend stressing about fixing big fancy meals, traveling all over the world to make sure you visit every last family member or buying that perfect gift, the more time you can spend with the ones you love. That's my philosophy anyway.

This box was under the tree for a couple of weeks before I got tired of having to pull Kit away. She would constantly crawl over to it and stand up on it. It's like she knew it was her present.

She actually opened presents!

Go Baby Go! It goes rarrrrr!

I got what I wanted. - "Raising Arizona"

Ryan opening one of his gifts.

Kit bathing in the world's biggest bathtub at Grandma Luanne's.

She really enjoyed pulling off the bows.

Another car/walker toy! This one is going to Aunt Nannon's!

Kit double fisting the wrapping paper!

She loved playing with her Uncle Justin.

One of Grandma Luanne's sweet neighbors, Charlotte, made this cute Kit-size apron with a very special poem. I love it.

Kit is 8 months old

Our little baby girl is now eight months old. This has been a huge month developmentally. Kit started crawling at 7.5 months and pulled up for the first time the day after she started crawling. She can now walk around the ottoman as she holds on. She also has one and a half teeth. Kit is a very laid-back baby. She's typically very happy and easy-going. I love making her smile and laugh which is not hard to do. The best part of my day is when I pick her up after work and she gets a huge smile on her face and crawls over to me. Life is good.

• Crawling everywhere...fast
• Pulling up...on everything (had to lower the crib)
  
• Two bottom teeth
• Still very happy and smiley
  
• Loves watching Baby Einstein
• Goes to bed between 8:30-9 p.m. - gets up around 6:30 but usually goes back to sleep around 7:30 a.m.
  
• Is now is her big-girl, rear-facing car seat
• Size 9 months clothes, most 6-12 months are getting too small
• Starting to cry when mommy and daddy drop her off at the babysitter
  
• Eats puffs and yogurt melts
  
• Loves fruit, hates green beans
• Gives kisses
• The most beautiful blue eyes

Now that Kit is mobile, it's really hard to get good pics. She's also dirtier. Go figure.

"Do you like my chomper and a half?" -Kit

Kit scaling the entertainment center.

Eating at Chili's. I guess I didn't get all the carrots off her face, but she's still beautiful.

She loves the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Learning Home and Music Table.

She pulls up on everything! And she's been doing this really funny smile lately.

My mom and grandma making Kit laugh.

Kit's First Shiner

Kit got her first (tiny) black eye this week. I got a text on Thursday from Kit's babysitter (Aunt Nannon) that she had her first shiner. I won't lie, my initial reaction was a little panicked. But after thinking about it ... she just started crawling and attempts to pulls up on everything. I realized, this was bound to happen and it definitely won't be the last. So, I just laughed it off. After all, you can barely even tell it's there. Aunt Nannon, don't feel bad. You gave me a great blog topic!

Can you see it? There is a small bruise under her right eye.

She was playing with this toy and I'm assuming an animal with a freakishly long neck attacked her. Not pointing fingers or anything.

Day Two

These are Kit's sad eyes. Aren't they beautiful.