3/31/2011

HELLO!  (Proof of my 2 teeth!)

Today is opening day of the Royals, dad tells me that he is going to make that our annual father/daughter trip together.  But where did I go today?  Not to a game....but school.  I have been told that I will get to go to many games this summer.  As no one else will want to go, the tickets should be easy to come by.  Sounds good, I guess.  Plus the weather will be nicer.  Seriously, I'm ready for some warmer weather so I can get outside already! And I'm ready for a new sport season.  Apparently I need to learn a bit more when it comes to basketball.  The Final four isn't done yet...but I am.  Dad says that is what I get for picking KU in the pool.  I didn't finish dead least - but 39 out of 41 isn't too great.  Oh well, maybe next year.

Smiling with Steph!

BYOB.  Mom's bottle looks fun!

Updates since last blog.  I had a feeling Saturday was going to be a fun day, so I woke up bright and early at 5:45.  Mom and dad didn't seem as enthused.  They think since I never want to wake up on the weekdays when they come down for me (a little after 6) that I will sleep in on the weekend.  But no way....I know I get to spend all day with them...I want to savor every minute...so I wake up bright and early!  It's not like I'm not napping a couple hours later anyway!  I was right...Saturday was a great day.  First Stephanie came over to visit me for a while.  I showed her some of my toys...and let her hold me.  I know, I know...you are all jealous!  Then her and mom went to have lunch and talk wedding stuff, I hung out with dad and took a nap.  Not long after, we got in the car to go over to the Nass's new house!  It is in this forest with lots of roller coaster type hills.  I am thinking I will go there during future winter's for some sweet sledding.  Their house was really cool...I could see mom and dad just yearning for a bigger house.  One day....  So not only were we there to see the new pad, but they made some yummy food for everyone (but me) to eat, but it is ok...it was BYOB, so I gladly obliged.  I also got to see a bunch of my friends.  Maddie was sick, but Avery, Mason, & Evan were all there.  They still don't seem all that interested in me, perhaps it is because I cannot run around with them...but hopefully one day I will be allowed in the circle.  Evan's mommy is having a baby boy soon so I won't be the youngest for long! 

The hosts (Jeremy & Kellie) in their nice house!

Me & Mom, Evan, Avery & her mom Katrina, & Mason

That's right...my butt is monogrammed.  How cool!
Thanks to the Davis' in DC.  :)

Sunday I got to see my friend Ava at church and then had fun spending the day with the family.  This week at school/home has been good.  I have a new thing... Shaking my head "no" is old hat and is out, sticking my tongue out at everything is now my fun.  I also still enjoy a lot of the other fun things.  The exersaucer is awesome as always.  I love playing with my blocks taking them out of the bucket, putting them in, clanking them together, and of course biting them.  I even have started playing with a cool toy that Tanja gave me that has all these cool buttons, lights, and sounds...and I get to practice standing/balancing.  I did it for a whole minute (maybe more!) by myself with daddy last night when mom played volleyball.  And then showed everyone at school today my skills.  I know, I know...I'm getting so big! Speaking of big.  I think I must be growing a bit, because I have been famished lately.  I have been eating a lot at school and then I come home and eat a half a jar of good stuff (man, I love my orange veggies - apparently I don't get to eat them all the time, b/c mom is afraid I might turn orange) - plus bananas for dessert & milk to wash it all down.  I love it all!!  The only downfall lately is that people keep making me do tummy time.  I am getting so sick of this....I thought I made it clear I don't like it by screaming and making my school friends join in my frustration.  However, apparently that doesn't work so I have now learned to play sleep.  Sometimes I actually have fallen asleep, but other times I have found that it gets my teachers to pick me up.  haha.... this big head isn't all for looks!  All right, time to sleep my way into April!  Amelia OUT!

Playing with my blocks & Marley

Standing like a big girl!

3/25/2010

with Marlen (brother #1)

with Dale (brother #2)

Another quiet Friday night in our house, so I figured I would send out an update.  Or at least a few pictures of me.  Not a lot to report here.  Wait a second... last weekend was fun.  Saturday around lunch time we had a bunch of people show up at our door.  Some I knew, some I didn't.  You see, my friend Marlen was coming down looking at a potential business venture and he brought his posse with him.  His posse contained his wife Emilie and 5 of his brothers/bro-in-laws.  I guess that is only a 1/3 of his family...  Yes, that's right.....  Dad told me he has 14 brothers & sisters!  I think having a brother or sister one day could be fun...but 14?  I am sure they have some stories.  Mom told me not to worry, there was no way that is ever happening.  Anyway, since they were all in town during lunch we figured a trip to get some Oklahoma Joe's carry out was in order.  I think it was a hit!  The whole crowd left to go check out the golf course, but I stayed back home with mom & Mindy.  We were planning a girls shopping trip on the plaza, but mother nature decided to be cold and rainy so we hung around at home and got caught up on girl talk.  I hadn't seen Mindy since Thanksgiving so there was lots to talk about.  Sunday the weather was MUCH better, we met Mindy & Dale on the plaza for some Breakfast at the Classic Cup before they headed back to Lincoln.  The rest of the day I spent hanging with the family.  The weather was beautiful.  We went on a nice long family walk.  Dad says we can go to the park next time it is nice out.  I'm excited!

at the Cup with Mindy

Sarah & Tyler are the only Jayhawk
friends I'm allowed

This week has been pretty status quo.  I have been having a lot of fun with my blocks lately and really enjoy doing some dance moves when the right song comes on.  We have had to watch a lot of basketball lately.  Speaking of my friend Sarah stopped by to give us some $ for the pool.  I am not sitting too pretty, but don't count me out quite yet.  As you can see she is quite the KU fan.  They go to every game! AMELIA OUT!

3/18/2011

Talking with Grandma Janice

Sonja and I wore matching outfits!

Me with Sonja and her kids (Achsah, Bo, & Xena)

I feel like the month of March has been jam packed...or you might say "mad".  Especially since I last blogged.  To pick up from last time, last Thursday was picture day at school.  Really I didn't think much of it, I mean I am posing for pictures at home on a daily basis, I just got to wear nicer clothes than usual.  We haven't seen the final output, but I am feeling pretty confident that I got a good shot.  The rest of the day went pretty normal, but once i got home I could tell something was up.  Dad kept going in and out of the house carrying stuff.  I know what that means.... Road trip.  We all piled into the car off to Nebraska I heard.  I hung out for a while but, per usual, fell asleep by the time we hit the airport and then next thing I knew we were at Grandma Janice's!  I haven't seen her since Christmas, so that coupled with the fact it was hours past my bedtime, i was a bit uneasy at first...but I quickly remembered her and how much fun we have.  Plus she had presents galore for me.  I have some cool Malaysian outfits to grow into now along with my dress from my Germany family.  I'm quite global.  Anyway, we talked for a bit before I went to bed for real for the night.

Friday was a jam packed day.  I will warn you now, that there will be lots of pictures on this post.  I played in the AM with grandma and then my godmother Sonja showed up!  That's right...I blew my chances of seeing her a month ago because I was sick, but she gave me another shot.  Not only did I get to see her again, but she brought her mom, and her 3 kids to also play with me!  I think the kids didn't think I was all that much fun, but they sure loved playing with Marley & Sadie.  I understand...one day I will be more mobile and I'm sure we will have fun together.  Apparently I won't get to see her again real soon, so we got lots of hugs in.  Dad says we can make a trip down to Houston sometime...but not when it is TOO hot.  After the gang left, we went to a restaurant for lunch...AND to see my Steffen family.  They were in town just because they knew I was going to be there.  Ok, maybe they were there for some basketball too...but we all know the priorities!  Anyway, we took over Granite City.  I got to see ALL my aunts and uncles, a majority of my cousins, and of course grandma and grandpa.  I just worked my way around the tables, I counted being held by 14 people.  Mom & Dad seemed too busy with stuffing their faces that they forgot to take many pictures.  They say it is because I didn't sit still long enough to pose with everyone, but I think they just forgot their jobs!  Anyway, I answered a lot of their questions (always with the same 'no' response of course)...and got caught up on their lives.  Once we were done with lunch and my mid-afternoon snack, we went over to the Noecker's.  I got to see Tanja and all the kids.  This time at least one of them was interested in me...Tess held me and gave me lots of kisses.  She was pretty cool.  They were nice to give me some really cool toys and some clothes that they no longer needed, that I am sure I will get a lot of use out of.  I sure am a lucky girl!  We only stayed for a while, because mom and i had to take dad downtown so he could have a night out with his buddies.  That is OK, I had fun spending the evening with Grandma Janice and mom.  Geez...that was only day 1.

lunching with just some of my Steffen clan.  Talking to Jack

yeah, I got close to my 1st drink of Fat
Tire...but Tanja foiled my plan.  Like my
do-rag?  Part of a super cute outfit she gave me

Day 2 (Saturday)...after some quiet time in the AM, I was surprised by a visit from my cousin Dalton.  It was the first time I met him, so we had lots of introductions to do.  I found him quite entertaining and comfortable, it was nice.  For lunch mom wanted her favorite mexican (surprise) so we took a trip to TacoInn and stopped to see the Rothe's.  Again new people I hadn't met yet...and more kids!  Apparently 3 is the magic #.  I befriended Lucy as she is my age...actually I am a couple months older than her...so I finally  found someone I am bigger than!  Well, weight wise we are about the same...but as you can see my head is way bigger.  (I'll take it).  We had a good time over there, the boys stopped for a while to play with me.  We did find out that Oliver has the same kindergarten teacher that mom (and Sonja) had...that lady must be OLD!  A little later in the day, I got to see the rest of his family; Uncle Mike, Aunt Jody, & Lane.  I guess Miranda was busy so she didn't get to come...that's too bad, as i heard she is pretty cool too.  I have so many cousins...it is awesome!  I think that was the extent of seeing people on Saturday, I got to spend the rest of the night reading and playing with Grandma Janice.  Mom went to see her friend Sarah that had TWO babies in her tummy.  Whoa.  I guess they are now out, I bet Sarah is pretty tired.  Speaking of tired...I think I was overly tired that night...or maybe had a gas bubble from the bottle, or maybe was just missing my bed, but I just couldn't get to sleep that night.  Eventually I did...and woke up to play more Sunday AM.  Then mom & dad took me to Ruby Tuesday's to meet Grandpa McLain for lunch.  I had a good time just watching all the servers going back and forth...I think they liked me too.  Of course I showed Grandpa my pretty smile (and new teeth!).  He looked lots better than the last couple times I saw him.  I am glad his heart is better.  We left in the afternoon for the drive back home.  Needless to say I was exhausted.  I did wake up mid-trip (much to the dismay and fear of dad) but I was content just hanging out looking at my books for 30 min's and then went back to sleep.  I have spent most of this week just catching up on sleep.  I think I slept half the day a way at school on Monday and I keep going to bed earlier and earlier this week...but still can't get myself to wake up in the AM's like before.  I don't know if it is the time change, or if I am beginning to get a little bit of mom's dislike of the mornings.

Tess liked holding me

talking to Uncle Mike & Aunt Jody

Me & Dalton

Lucy and I hanging out

Me & Lane

lunch with grandpa McLain

The rest of this week has been pretty low key.  I am rolling over pretty regularly now, so now that dad has seen it multiple times you would think they would stop putting me on my tummy.  But no...oh well.  The weather has got nicer so we even went on a family walk again yesterday, with promises of more to come.  I love just sitting in my stroller checking things out.  I also have been keeping busy tracking my teams.  What teams you ask?  Well I have entered my first March Madness bracket.  That's right...how much will it hurt if a 6 month old wins the pool?!  How did I pick you ask?  Well dad would ask me if I thought a team would win and I would let him know.  Of course, I wasn't real positive...so dad had to improvise a bit with my picks so I had some people win.  In the end, I have pledged my allegiance to KU...much to dad's dismay.  But I was born here....and Nebraska doesn't play BB (right?).   Speaking of that, I am a little upset that the below contraband was leaked but mom got a hold of a video that one of my teachers filmed on her phone.  I got a stern talking to after this one.....  and with my pool pick....I know, I'm asking for it!

I just thought I look cute in this dress!

Amelia OUT!

3/9/2011

Well a very exciting thing happened in the Steffen household recently, I celebrated my 1/2 birthday. Unfortunately, it wasn't that eventful because Dad says we only get to celebrate "real" birthdays. Whatever. Sunday I woke up a bit early, I think I just knew it was a big day. Mom dressed me in a new, super cute, outfit and we took our monthly pictures. I know that I now outweigh Marley, but with all of her hair I still think she looks bigger. One day... Anyway, after pictures and breakfast we went to church. It had been a while since I've gone. To that point, can I tell you how happy I am that it is March? February really was a tough month for our house with sicknesses. Of course mom and I both still have coughs...and Marley had to go to the doctor this week for an infection....hmmm...ok, maybe March isn't all that great either. Hopefully things start getting better soon. I digress...church was good I saw Violet at daycare and then saw Ava after the service, so of course that was fun. Did I mention that I now have another Ava in my school? I will refer to her as Ava 2 if ever required. I am not sure if I have room to be BFF's with 2 Ava's, so I may just keep her as an 'acquaintance'. Sorry, easily side tracked today. Afer church it was back to home where I got to skype with both of my grandma's. That really wore me out...so I slept pretty good!

This week has been great thus far, been busy with a lot of the usual stuff; school, playing, eating, sleeping, and growing. Or at least teeth growing. My 2nd tooth has now broke through....exciting stuff.

Getting ready to eat some peas in my new super sweet high chair
that my friend Avery let me borrow.  She is so big she got a new one

Speaking of eating...I keep trying new foods, so I have decided that I am going to start a page with my rankings of foods I'm trying. So look for the new link on the right! Dad and I are hanging out tonight while mom went to go play some volleyball. They said they had hopes of me being a middle blocker for Nebraska one day...but that I still have a lot of growing to do if that is going to happen. I have 18 years to go, so plenty of time!

Sitting up good and posing in my tutu!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I officially rolled over on Saturday. I have tried to tell mom and dad that I CAN roll over if I want to, I just CHOOSE not to. Apparently, they didn't like that choice. Saturday mom made me do tummy time, so i thought I would surprise her and flip over. No biggie. She called for dad right away so he could see this big accomplishment, but too bad...."You snooze, you lose". I will wait till he least expects it to give him a peek of my abilities.

All right I'm exhausted... Amelia OUT!

3/3/2011

Anniversary night

Picking up where I left off....last weekend went too fast as usual.  After a relaxing day with mom & dad on Saturday, Sunday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised by a visit from Grandma & Grandpa Steffen again!  I guess they are done with their whirlwind tour of the Southeastern US.  I think they said they drove 6,000 miles.  Ok, I am making up the amount...but whatever, it was a lot.  Their pictures and stories were pretty cool.  Also pretty cool was the fact that I got to hang out with them by myself Sunday evening.  That's right...mom and dad snuck out to go to a nice dinner to celebrate their "anniversary".  I guess that deserves quotes because they were married on leap day.  Whatever, they celebrated 3 years together as husband and wife.  I think that I am a good dinner partner, but apparently they needed some alone time at J.Gilberts and I had alone time with Grandma & Grandpa...  Win-win, I guess!

Ava and I decided we should coordinate a Husker day
at school (which by the way worked, b/c they beat Mizzou)
We let Grace in the picture since she got the 'sport' memo!

Our guests left Monday AM, and it was back to normal weekdays: daycare, home, daycare, home, etc.  Until yesterday.  Dad picked me up a bit early from daycare to take me somewhere special....no, check that, to take me to the doctor.  Ugh, seriously?  I guess it was time for my 6 month check up.  Where does time go, huh?  We did the usual routine.  I was stripped down to my birthday suit and they did their measurements.  As always, I attempted to take in some air to get extra lbs like mom instructed, but I just don't think that works.  I weighed in at 13 lbs 6 oz. which is just below the 10th percentile.  I know, I know....all my friends hit that at 4 months at least, blah, blah.  But I did have some major things going against me: 1. I am not even officially 6 months yet.  2. Hello, I was sick and puking just 2 weeks ago  3. I went through a few days of low appetite during the whole teething thing...  Ok, enough on the weight front.  Height charted in at 25 inches, which knocks me down from 50 to 15 percentile in height.  Right when I was starting to get a complex, the doctor informed me that she pays no attention to height because it is so hard to be accurate.  She started going on about how she did this study where 8 different nurses came in to measure a baby and they all got different results.  Moral of the story - they need to hire some new nurses?  Who knows...but I won't be surprised if my next official height is 30 inches.  My head is still perfect.  Oh, I mean perfectly average.  In other news, I had to get all those darn shots again.  Not a fan.  But we also got the go ahead to start eating some more exciting stuff other than just cereal.  Tonight I tried sweet potatoes, I'm not sure my opinion quite yet.  Stay tuned on stories and pictures of new foods I'm trying!

I think I have mentioned before that my favorite thing to do now is answer everyone's questions.  Of course my answer is always no.  But for some reason people LOVE it.  The nurse was especially entertained yesterday when she was going through all the standard questions and I kept telling her 'no'.   Here is a video that gives a little taste....


Here is another video that mom & dad took after my late night snack.  I was SO tired.

Apparently it is a bit reminiscent of a video of Marley when she was my age.


Amelia OUT!