daddy playing on Photoshop

Here I am at the beach on Labor Day....

nani's new trick

i thought babies were supposed to try to take their shoes OFF, not try to put them ON. this week, nani tried to put mommy's shoes on; i didn't think we'd see that until she was much older. now, she tries to get her own shoes on all by herself.

i LOVE this baby!

by the way, yesterday, AGAIN, a stranger told us that we should have aiyana "in pictures". she said, "she should be one of those babies on the cover of the baby magazines. you should send them her picture!" tempting.... but, really, isn't she just so beautiful? i think this picture is my new favorite.

sunday school snacks

aiyana munched on her snack with the big kids on sunday! she sat in her plastic chair and crunched her teddy bear puffs.
when she needed a change of scenery, she turned herself around in her chair, just like she did at the beach.

love my new crayons!

birthday girl! 11 months!

gus gus likes to play, too.

papa walker shared his bluegrass music with aiyana.
she loved papa's tape player.

mmmmm..... now, that's some good eatin'!

sweet dreamin' in the big bed...
mamma made a "nest" out of pillows so nani could enjoy her sleep in papa's bed.
papa peeked in the room and asked who made a bathtub out of his pillows. it was pretty funny.

Nani

growth report and noisy teeth

19 lbs, 14.5 oz

today,at her 10 month, 3 week, and 6 day check-up, we learned that aiyana does not have an ear infection, just an aversion to lying in her crib. it's also probably a teething issue since she's grinding her teeth and sucking on her new two top toofers.

aiyana's daddy said, "what is she eating?"
"nothing," i said. "that's just her teeth."

we actually made the appointment to have her skin checked out. she has had a few dry spots that are probably mild excema. we're keeping an eye on it and lots and lots of cream.

tonight aiyana was in a kissy mood. after her bath, she kept "eating" mommy's face. there was a lot of licking involved. and probably some snot, too, since she has a nasty cold. mmmmm...love that baby love.

and we're off!

let the crawling begin! (well, sort of)

today, aiyana began a new scooting movement...i liken it to an inchworm or a snake. she pulls one knee up and flops forward on her tummy all while pulling herself with her arms. she's going to have some strong arms!

we're introducing the sign for BLOCKS since these seem to be the most persuasive in getting her to crawl (or scoot, or slither. whatever.)

end of the vacay

hi daddy. do you see me swimming?

jenna has the high school musical moves! this show may have been the highlight of the weekend!

morning snuggles

i can't resist that neck! she usually has it craned just so while she sleeps.


another day another swim

who can resist a cute chair?

nani loved this pink chair! she kept turning herself around and around...
she was so proud of her funny game!

sleepy eyes.
too much to do. no time for sleep.

wardrobe change

a girl can never have too many swimsuits!

bikini baby

i'm trying to smile but it's just so bright!

we headed straight for the pier! our favorite shady beach spot!

waves wore her out

DUH! DUH!
aiyana LOVES ducks and talks about them every chance she gets! she reads duck books, requests the duckie in the tub, and even called winnie the pooh a "DUH". quite impressive i thought. it was a poor representation of the yellow bear and could easily have been mistaken for a "DUH".

beautiful end to a beautiful day

love that sink bath!

on our first night in myrtle beach, aiyana relaxed with a quick tubby and then straight to bed

raleigh road trip

mmmmm.... but mama! ice cream is mostly just milk....

at least i'll always have my toes to munch on

our friends, jenna and sophie -- these BFFs hadn't seen each other for more than a year!

jenna ate lunch with BFF, hailey at hailey's school cafeteria. both girls started kindergarten this year. WOW!