a fun date

last night, grimes took susannah and I out on a date. we got some burgers and then went on a "tour of lights." there were an alarming number of tacky displays to gawk at. a extra fun part of the evening was that susannah learned a new word, wow. she also learned that she could vary the intensity of the wow. so, when the display was really spectacular she could say wooooooooooow. the other words she has accumulated over the last couple of months:

1. dada and mama (of course)
2: chuice (juice)
3. tee (tree)
4. ba (ball)
5. shoe
6. fish (grimes sees it as a good sign that fish made the top ten)
7. ut-oooooooo (sammy taught her this sound but forgot to teach her the meaning)
8. wow

Christmas Dress

I tried to get a shot of susannah facing forward in her christmas dress, but this was the best I could do. each morning when she comes downstairs we have a tree lighting. I cannot get enough of the awe and wonder this inspires day after day.

our beautiful tree

Grimes and I just finished decorating our Christmas tree. rather than hanging our stockings by the chimney with care and having visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads - I was drafting in my head an essay that I will most likely end up writing - it's titled "why families with toddlers don't get christmas trees". I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow when susannah wakes up to discover a "tee" in her house.

Back off Boys

Here is a rather gross picture of susannah eating spaghetti. we have a collection of such pictures that we plan to use to ward off potential boyfriends (until she is of an appropriate age, of course). she is really losing that baby look - I hate that!

Christmas Tree

Today we ventured into the country of southwest virginia with some dear friends in search of the perfect Christmas tree. It was a cold winter day (finally!) and susannah got to wear her snowsuit for the first time.

Riding the hay wagon out into hills.

looking for that perfect tree.

measuring in at 2 ft 6 inches.

Susannah loves wearing hats! mostly because she loves being outside and she communicates her desire to go outside by bringing me her hat and making a very cute attempt to put it on herself.

feeling like a big girl in her rocking chair.

A trip to the zoo

Susannah loves animals. About a month ago she start "barking" at all the dogs we would come across in our neighborhood. now, she is not so discriminating and "barks" at just about anything that moves but isn't human.



many tears are shed when it is time to leave.

this baby goat (or whatever it is) took a special liking to susannah.

posing with the legendary "Ruby" the tiger.

Fall Play Day

Fall is my favorite time of year and is just now reaching us in Roanoke. This past weekend we got together with some friends to play and enjoy the beautiful weather. Susannah got to "jump" in her first leaf pile. Here are some highlights . . .

Fall is my favorite time of year and is just know reaching us in Roanoke. This past weekend we got together with some friends to play and enjoy the beautiful weather. Susannah got to "jump" in her first leaf pile. Here are some highlights . . .

"Boo" or rather "Quack"

Susannah didn't take well to the news that she wasn't going trick-or-treating.

the great big world

susannah has started to take a great interest in the world beyond her backyard. the other day we were out hiking on a trail near our house when she started screaming as if in pain. we took her out of the backpack in an attempt to discern the problem. the moment her feet hit the ground she gave her little "oh" and started walking - I wish I had my camera - a tiny little person in a great big forest. needless to say we very slowly made our way home.

a big hug from friend sammy

when sammy came over yesterday he walked right over to susannah and gave her a big hug and something that looked like a kiss on the cheek - it was the cutest thing ever!

Life with Susannah

It is such a joy to spend each day with Susannah and watch her little (or big) personality emerge. She does everything with such exuberance - here are some of her favorite activities:


unfortunately eating isn't her favorite activity but it is during mealtimes that she is equipped to make the biggest mess - that she enjoys.

swinging.

dancing.

driving around in her car. she especially enjoys parking illegally. her daddy (who also has a long history of illegal parking) enjoys for once being the one to GIVE parking tickets.

Happy Birthday Susannah!

Susannah just celebrated her 1st birthday this past Saturday. She was a little under the weather so we had to cancel her "party" but her Auntie Michele came all the way from Gulf Shores to help her celebrate.

Here is Susannah right after she flung her birthday cake onto the floor - without even tasting it!

Susannah liked opening presents!

pretty new birthday dress - thanks Aunt Michele!

Day two - feeling a little better and ready to try some cake.

First Steps

Susannah took her first steps today! This picture was a reenactment : )

Eating continues to be a messy endeavor - note the spaghetti noodle on her face

Highlights from Maine

Susannah just had her first trip up to Maine to visit MiMi and Grampy. She wasn't a huge fan of boating (or at least the law requiring her to wear a life jacket) but there's plenty of time to change her mind about that. Here are some highlights.


Susannah loved playing with her cousin Abby!

And going for wagon rides with the big kids.

And watching the big kids make cookies with MiMi - yum!

Watching a movie with Abby.

And . . . she got to meet her Aunt Claire and Uncle Bill for the first time!

Happy Birthday Sammy!

Sammy just turned one. He had a birthday party today at one of our neighborhood parks.

Susannah clapped for Sammy the whole time he ate his birthday cake.

new foods

Susannah has become quite the picky eater. she prefers to just eat food off the floor (which there is a lot of these days). I'm tempted to just spread new foods all over the floor and watch her eagerly sample them - somehow that seems like a step in the wrong direction so I'll resist the urge.

Susannah learning how to slurp a noodle.

10 Months Old!

Well, our little baby is ten months old and won't be a baby much longer! She continues to woe us with her charm - it's a little scary how skilled she is at this.

Major developments - she cut her third tooth, is about to take those first steps and has just started saying "what's this" (though we don't think intentionally).

Bananna Banna

Banna is what we sometimes call Susannah - don't know how we started calling her this but it seems to fit. Here is a picture of our little Banna after she rubbed bananna in her hair during lunch. She seems to discover new things to do with food every day. sometimes we ALL end up needing a shower!

helping in the kitchen

Susannah loves to help out in the kitchen. She recently discovered that in order to completely empty the cabinents she has to actually climb inside. Needless to say clean-up takes a little longer than it used to.

Susannah Stew!

Roaring Run

This past weekend we went on a fabulous hike with some friends. Susannah had a great time and even tried a little rock climbing herself.

Visit from Ranger

Susannah's newest friend is a furry house guest named Ranger. Ranger is a service dog in training who is currently being trained by an inmate at a local prison. He will stay with us for a week as part of his socialization training. Susannah is having a grand time following him around

and vice versa. Grimes and I are glad that Susannah cannot yet articulate "daddy, can we get a puppy?"