Lost Videos

Here are some videos from last September that never made it to the blog:




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"Hey deer! Hey deer! Hello deer! Hey deer! Look over here! OVER HERE!
Hey, I'm waving here! Look at me! I SEE YOU! Hey! OVER HERE!!"

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River enjoying a little "Me Time" with a few good books by the fireplace.
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Brace yourself for River's Supersonic Crawl- By!
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Summer Lamentation

Every winter I ask myself "Why am I still living in Kentucky?". I love Kentucky but I find myself disliking winter more and more every year. True this year hasn't been so bad so far and I usually don't start feeling the winter blahs until after the holidays but this year they have set in early. Sunday (yesterday) was a welcome relief from the chilly weather. It got up to 60 degrees here! Woo Hoo! Niiiice. If we could just have 2 days per month (preferably a weekend) of 60 degree temps it would make winter so much more bearable.
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And what did we do during this mini heatwave? We stayed inside and watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". I know, I know. . don't say it.
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Below are some photos I took of Jo and River last August when we were smart enough to take advantage of warm weather.
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Look at the size of those flippers!! River actually has tiny little feet but this photo makes them look huge.

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I love the "washed out" sepia tone effect. It looks like this photo was taken so long ago.

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I was down on one knee and aiming the camera upward. She's not actually as high as it looks. Please don't call child services.


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See. . she's fine. Giant feet and all.

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She pinched her nose as if she was about to dive into the ocean.

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Weeeeeeeeee. .

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Ahhhhh, Summer. I miss it.

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Photos and video from another visit to the same park: Here and here.

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Year 1

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It's hard to believe that River has already been with us for a year. I know I can speak for Jo when I say that this has been the best year of our lives. I wanted to say something beautiful and eloquent but there just are no words that can do justice in describing how wonderful having this little one around has been. No words at all. At the risk of sounding cliche' I will stop there.
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Yesterday, we were blessed with a beautiful, warm Autumn day. Indian Summer arrived in time for River's birthday party. Family and Friends gathered, much to River's delighted confusion, to wish her well and partake of cupcakes, punch and other goodies.

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A very sincere "Thank You" to everyone who stopped by, sent a card or made a phone call. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.

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Here are a few photos from River's party:
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Good Morning Birthday Girl!



Yummy Birthday Cupcakes


. Time for "Wrapping Paper Insanity"!

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Taking a break with Daddy.
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I think Jo had a much fun as River. (I know I did.)

. It was quite a haul.
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The center of attention.

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Friends and family to the right. .


. . and left.
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Chef Toni (and her adorable daughter, Audrey) - friend and baker of yummy cupcakes.
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"I love you, Mommy."

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At Last!

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Here's to a great year! Cheers!

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P.S.

I'd like to thank everyone who has been stopping by this blog to check in on River from time to time. A year ago, I intended to only do this for the first year but I see no reason to stop now. There is just too much to look forward to.

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The Adventure continues..

Almost 1

"Tomorrow I will be this many!"

Happy Halloween!

River's first Halloween proved to be a hit. As it turns out, she is a big fan of Nerds and caramel popcorn (without the hulls, of course). Here are a few pictures of our little pumpkin:

Twins?

She wasn't too pleased with the hood at first.

River-O-Lantern

Pumpkin To Go: On her way to a Halloween party

Happy Birthday Granny

Happy Birthday Memaw!

Wool Fest '08

The Kentucky Wool Festival has been a Fall tradition for Jo and I ever since we began dating. In the past 14 years we have only missed it once and that was last year when Jo was thisclose to giving birth. It's a fun, old-timey, wholesome way to spend an afternoon.
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Guilty confession; we usually go for the food. As soon as you park the car the aroma of wood smoke and seasonal and regional treats hang heavy in the crisp Autumn air. Country Ham, roasted corn, freshly baked pies and candy, etc.. Makes me hungry just thinking about it. The sounds too, are unique. The clank of the blacksmith's hammer and the "chug, chug, chug" of the sorghum mill. I tried to take in everything as if it were the first time. I tried to imagine it from the perspective of an 11 month old.
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Then, of course, there are all the farm animals. Here are a few photos:

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"Mmmmm, carmel dipped apples!"

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"Memaw bought me this cute blue bonnet!"
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"Hello Mrs. Sheep!"
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"Chickens and turkeys are kinda stinky."
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"Hello Billy!"
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Bashful and tired. Ready to head home.

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The Last Day of the First Summer

As the days grow shorter and the nights become cooler, River's first summer draws to a close. It's doubtful that she will remember much of it but I know that for us, it has been unforgettable. She has reminded us that once upon a time the summer seemed to stretch out unending as if it would last forever. Now, with age and experience, we are all too aware that the summertime is fleeting and before you know it, like a bright Saturday morning, it is gone.
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For River it will be the same but we will do our best to fill those summer days with bicycle rides, swimming and cookouts. Popsicles and play dough on rainy days. Camping in the backyard and star gazing on clear nights. And laughs. Lots and lots of laughs. Aside from making us two of the proudest parents in the world, River has given Jo and I the privilege of experiencing all the joys of summer again. . for the first time.

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Jo and River (with what looks like a colorful turtle on her head).

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Actually, she didn't mind the helmet at all.

. Thanks to Marti for the WeeRide - a great Father's Day present.

.. Of course, you can't go riding without a Harley Davidson riding bib. Thanks Cindy and Murray!

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Nothing better than nap time under a big shade tree even if it is in "baby jail".

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A pre-nap "nom nom" with her buddy, Tigger. Thanks Aunt Sheila and Aunt Kim.

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Soaking in her "Hillbilly Hot Tub". Blue water made possible with Crayola Color Dotz.
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She was a natural. At one point, she nearly fell asleep.

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She would, on occasion, make motor sounds with lips. How does she know?? (Can you spot the deer crossing the road in front of us at the end of the video?)
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Bring on Autumn!!
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. . And On The Eighth Day God Created The Bib.

I have a confession to make, I really didn't understand just how important bibs would be. Before River was born we received tons of bibs! I mean TONS of 'em. I was always happy to receive them. I mean. . it's a gift and who wouldn't be grateful but at some point I remember thinking, "We are never going to need all of these things."

Wow! I was soooo wrong.

Wrong on an EPIC scale.



I sometimes wonder if any of the food actually makes it IN my daughter. She seems to enjoy the entire food experience. The aroma (I have found corn up her nose), the texture (I find noodles under her armpits, green beans behind her ears. . ), and taste.

To whomever invented the bib; I salute you. To everyone who gave us bibs as shower gifts. . If it were up to me, there would be a special place in heaven for you. THANK YOU.





Darn you, Chef Boyardee and your saucy goodness!! Darn you to heck!! Why does my daughter love your ravioli so much?

They Used To Stay White.....

River turned 10 months old this past Tuesday.

10 Months.

Wow.

She is now the oldest infant in her class at school. All of the one year olds moved on. The next oldest in her class is a 5 month old. I look at the babies now in her class and I am just amazed that she was once their size.

She is really reaching her milestones at a faster pace now.

She can say "kitty cat" pronounced "chi-tat" and she points at Rob as soon as he comes home from work and yells "da da". I have had her point at things and say "ont that".

She has almost four teeth now. She likes to crunch cheesy poofs with them.

She loves bath time more than ever. It has become more play and less bath as the weeks have gone by. She is trying to pull herself up the sides of the tub.

She can get on her hands and knees now and can pretty much get to wherever she wants. She is pulling up on anything that will hold her weight and her feet have gone from a size 1 to almost a size 3 in two months.

She has bruises on her knees from skooching around on the hardwood floor. We can't keep her on her quilts.

A Mammaw Ann Quilt

I like Jack in the Box

She has been feeling so much better the last two weeks. But the previous three were pretty miserable for all of us. We were all sick. She missed a lot of school. It took a few days for her to get used to her school routine again and then suddenly it was Labor Day Weekend. You can tell that she wasn't feeling tip top in the pictures above. It was the first time that she had ever registered a fever.

The previous post shows her 9 month pictures, which were taken on August 2nd. Afterwards she was pretty hungry so we decided to stop at the local I-Hop for a late breakfast. She totally charmed the elderly couple behind her.

I Can Has Pancakes?

During the three weeks that she had been ill Rob and I would have to take a day off of work here or there to cover each other. Mom even came and stayed for a whole week so that we wouldn't miss work.

The first time that Rob stayed home with her for an entire day he discovered that River can be tricky. I came home from work and he told me that since she wasn't feeling well she wanted to be held and comforted constantly. She would get sleepy and he would decide to lay down with her until she fell asleep so that she wouldn't get upset. They would get cuddled up and her eyes would close. Rob would wait a little bit and then start to get up. She would awake immediately and start crying.

I told him that their was a way to tell if she was really asleep. She wouldn't hold on to her legs or feet if she was really sleeping. She would just get all splayed out.

She was playing possum. So he took a picture of her faking it.

I am looking at you through my eyelashes

Eating meals is becoming much more entertaining as well. She has been able to hold her own cup and feed herself finger foods for a while now but we are starting to add more Big Girl food to her diet. She loves to eat when we eat versus feeding her and then ourselves. Last night we had farfalle pasta with chicken and spinach and I just poured some on her plate. She ended up with a lot of the spinach on her face but ate quite well.

Her favorite meal is breakfast. I make sure we have at least one good breakfast every weekend.

I have no idea what you are talking about so here is a baby with a pancake on its head.

Her hair is filling out. We still can't tell is she will be a brunette or have curly hair or straight. It is long enough to put into a mohawk so nothing else matters, right?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!