Independent Playing

Alivia is becoming more and more independent when playing every day. Although, she is not very independent when it comes to eating. We are working really hard on using a sippy cup on her own and holding her own bottle...stubborn little girl when it comes to eating! She DOES eat her snacks on her own though. She LOVES picking up her puffs and yogurt melts off her tray and putting them in her mouth like a big girl. We have the pack n play in the living room now since she is crawling pretty fast. At first she didn't like being trapped inside but after we added a few more stand-up toys she likes it now!! There is also a cute picture of Alivia playing with Daisey. She is starting to take the dogs chewies and we keep telling her...."no, no...doggies toys!!" The picture is of her giving Daisey her chewey back! Soooo cute!!

Mommy...help me...I am trapped!

Walking down the fireplace....my new dangerous move!

My newbig girl toy!

Daisey waiting patiently for her chewey back!!

No!!!

Well Alivia has officially learned how to shake her head no. I don't know if she actually knows what she is doing because she just does it at random times but it is pretty funny. Daddy thinks it is funny to do it back to her so of course mommy is trying to reinforce shaking my head yes back at her so she eventually won't say no too with her shaking her head...he, he!! I am sure that is just around the corner though! Our little girl is "talking" more and more every day. She continues to say da, da, (a lot) ba ba, m...m... (trying to say ma, ma I like to say), na, na and screeches really loud other beginning sounds!! She is learning how to wave and sometimes she can wave bye, bye but not always. She is also giggling like crazy. She is crawling and pulling up all over the place and standing for a few seconds by herself. She walks her way down the side of the couch. It is too funny!! Maybe before long she will be walking?? I don't think I am quite ready for that yet!! We love you Alivia! :)

Faulkners Pumpkin Patch

Today we had a great time at the pumpkin patch. It was a little chilly outsisde but we bundled Alivia up in her coat and hat and thought we would try it. We are soo glad we did because Alivia LOVED it and was such a good girl. We can't wait to go back next year when she can ride some of their rides and run around. Alivia got to pick out her first pumpkin, pet some cool animals, slide down a slide and ride a cow. These were all firsts for Alivia. What a great family day we had! :)

Our Family!

Alivia and I picking out pumpkins!

My first time petting a pony!

My first time riding a "cow."

Getting ready to slide down the slide with Daddy.

I am sooo BIG in the tree house!

Mommy let me slide all by myself!

Smiling by the goat ramps!

Petting a llama!

Watching the llamas!

Watching the buffalo!



Feeding the lambs!

Soooo soooo tired!!

First Coat

Tonight we decided to go on a family walk with everyone...even the dogs!! We were excited to get out for a walk because it has been a while since we have gone on a family walk. We bundled up Alivia and put the dogs leashes on and opened the garage and finished getting everyone ready and it started pouring. We were so disappointed but I got some cute pics of Alivia in her first coat! Thanks Shannon B. for the adorable coat!! :)

Happy 8 Months Birthday!

Today is Alivia's 8 Month Birthday! WOW....time has flown by! We are so blessed with our sweet little girl. I am not sure how much she weighs right now but she is still in 3-6 months clothes although I am starting to buy 6-9 months clothes which are pretty big on her. She probably weighs around 15 lbs and I think her height is still around 26 inches. She is a petite little thing but very "on the go!" She now has 3 teeth and maybe some more coming so we are a teething machine!! Here are a few of the many things we LOVE about her. We love it when she....
1. Giggles hysterically when you tickle her on her thighs
2. Screams "da..da" in a high pitch voice
3. Crawls as fast as she can to the dog water bowl while stopping and looking back at you to see if you can catch her.
4. Laughs when you put her above your head
5. LOVES to read books- her favorite is "First 100 Words."
6. Cuddles with "Jack" her bunny at bed time
7. Plays peek a boo
8. Pats everything with her hands
9. Sleeps from 7:30-7:00 and wakes up as happy as can be!
10. Plays with blocks and knocks them over and over and over and over

Happy baby!

1 handed...I am soo ready to walk!!! YIKES!

My favorite book!

Peek a boo....pick me up mommy!

Mommy and I

Daddy and I

TEETHING!!!!

Alivia's bottom two teeth are in and her top teeth are now on the way too! Poor thing is very uncomfortable. We have used tylenol, orajel, teethers and tomorrow grandma Stewart is going to get us a vibrating teether and some teething tablets. I had a few friends today tell me to try wet warm or cold wash clothes too. Any other suggestions??? She has been a little crabby because of her teeth but I caught a really happy picture of her tonight helping me fold the laundry while daddy was at school. She LOVES pulling up on the lid of the dryer....so cute!!

HAPPY!!

Mmmmm....Mommy, these bananas are yummy on my teeth!

My teeth hurt soooo bad!!! Look at that face....ahhh!

Lake Trip

This past weekend Ben and I went to sunset beach at the lake of the ozarks and stayed at porto cima condos. We enjoyed a day of shopping at the outlet and a great day of fun at the winery. Alivia and the dogs got to stay with Grandpa and Grandma Richeson. She had a wonderful time with them. Thanks Richeson Family!!

All the guys!


All the girls!

Kristin and I

During our wine tasting!

Ben and I

The whole crew....notice Ben in the front....are any of you surprised??