Learning new things with Auntie Melody

St. Patrick's Day was gloriously warm and sunny here in the mile-high city. Auntie Melody treated Hope to her first trampoline experience!
The Doodle-Bug loved it!
The shirt says "Mommy's Little Girl."
"Bwoing! Down I go!"
Hope is starting to learn how to go up and down the stairs. She does it like the big people - one foot per step. Don't worry, we won't let her do it by herself for a long time yet!

Auntie Christy's French Toast

Munching away at the kitchen table for a late breakfast on Saturday. Christy made French Toast yesterday and there was a whole bunch left. Here Hope is chewing on a piece of the cold toast.
"Hi-a Mommy!"
Gettin' ready for a bite.
"Yum, yum!"
Smile!

We are in sunny Denver

We are with the Langemann's now. Josh is working, working, working, and I'm just fitting in around the house, losing Scrabble games, and trying to find helpful things to do as the task of making bridesmaid dresses gets underway! Yesterday was gorgeous outside, and today's supposed to be even warmer, so Hope and I are catching up on our Vitamin D, along with Auntie Melody whenever it works out for her!

Yesterday, Hope stood up on her own for the very first time! I was sitting on the floor of the dining room working on a knitting project while visiting with Mom (Lorrie) who was tracing patterns on the dining room table. Hope was playing near my lap with the ball of yarn and crawling in and out of my lap as she desired. Then, all of a sudden, I felt her gracefully pull herself up out of my lap, and before you knew it she was standing on her own two feet! She stood for a few seconds, we all cheered, and then she gleefully fell into the safety of Momma's lap. She hasn't repeated this feat, but it's a sign of things to come!

No new pictures to post yet, but check back later in the week for some! :o)

A weekend at the farm!

We were blessed to be able to spend this past weekend at the farm before flying to Denver. It was oh-so-good to see my family and fellowship with the dear believers in the south! I didn't get too many pictures at the farm, but here's a few!

Hope remembered Uncle Ave and warmed up to him right away.
He walked and walked and walked with her... he's a good height for it!
This was as close as Hope let Granny get to her, but at least it's progress. They played with these toys together for a good little bit on Sunday evening. Here Mum (Granny) is showing Hope how you blow. Mum had been blowing over the hole at the bottom of the post, and it was making a jolly sound.
Hope imitates the sound. :o)
Mum started blowing hard enough to blow Hope's hair back out of her face. Hope loved it!

At home with Hope, Vol II

Hope had a cold last week, and was breathing through her mouth all the time which generated a lot of drool - hence the reason for the bibs.This particular day she had soaked through everything by mid-morning, some from the top, some from the bottom, and since her "real clothes" were needing laundered, so I resorted to putting her in a sleeper. :o) Actually, this sleeper was the first baby gift Mom Langemann gave us when they knew that we were expecting. Right then I soooo wanted to have a girl so she could wear this darling sleeper!
"What number did you want me to look up, Momma?"
Miss grin.
Staring off somewhere or nowhere...thinking about something or nothing...
The morning sunlight in our kitchen is great for taking pictures, and morning is a great time to capture Hope before her hair gets messed up and before she gets food on her clothes.
Note the flapping arms - one of Hope's means of expressing delight!
Just another grin.
And another one. :o)

Fun in the sewing room

The past couple weeks I've enjoyed doing some sewing projects. Thankfully, Hope is quite content to play on the floor by my feet. I looked down the other day and found that she had maneuvered herself into a very unique play spot indeed - under a chair.These bath toys from my Mum travel all over our house, as Hope loves them! She likes to stack them up, then take it apart and do it all again.
Quite happy to have her picture taken!
Trying to stick her head out to where I was.
Decides it's fine to sit.
"Share!!!"
Now, this is Hope's other most favourite toy - from Josh's Mom. I noticed she had a shape and a peg and was trying to get them to go together...So, I showed her how to do it.
After attempting it without success, she decides she wants me to do it.Instead of giving in I encouraged her to keep at it and guided her hand in the right direction.
She got it!
Notice how she found all the square pieces! Earlier she had all the circle ones, then she had just the yellow pieces...and she just contentedly plays like this while Momma does her work.
Of course, we do take time to share the toys and play together. The fruit of the womb truly is a reward! Children are such a blessing. :o)

Just like Momma

Last Saturday Josh had to work all day, so here Hope is helping me with my work - washing the kitchen floor. I started her out in her walker with the rag, but that didn't last long.

She wanted to be right where I was, doing right what I was doing. The rag soon lost it's charm though, as she discovered Momma wouldn't let her chew on it. :o)
After enjoying a sunny walk outside with Daddy along, Hope and I share a smoothie. (don't worry, Josh was having one too!) Life is so much more adventurous when one knows how to use a straw!