4/17/2011

Well we have continued to have some great Spring weather around here and I am loving it.  I am trying my  best to get out and enjoy it.  Unfortunately, I have come down with something (more on that later) - so it depends on how I am feeling.  Let me start back with the activities of this last week.  Actually, they were a lot of the same.  I enjoyed some nice walks at school, and did a lot of playing.  Wednesday, dad and I went up to watch mom's volleyball game.  Boring....  But, I did have fun listening to the voices echo in the dome and play some ball with dad.  I am told that I am definitely a volleyball star in the making.  One thing I started to notice that day though was that my nose was getting a bit runny.  Yeah, apparently some 'rugrat' as dad calls them, passed me their bug.

Friday morning I had a 'fun' surprise for dad when he came down to wake me up.  I puked everywhere.  Yep, my clothes and bed were covered and I had dried squash chunks on my face.  I really don't remember doing it, so I have no idea when it happened - but I felt better so I went back to sleep without making a peep.  I forgot until dad came down and found the mess.  Bonus though...I got a morning bath!  Sweet!  I went ahead and went to school, because I was feeling totally fine.  I started getting a bit warm at school later in the afternoon and that was the start to my weekend.  Yep, I've had a fever all weekend.   So that means I didn't get to do any of the fun things that I was hoping.   For instance, I didn't get to go to my first Royals game or even go to church!  Boo.  Dad says that there are like 100 games left so I will have plenty of opportunities to see the Royals in action.  I really don't feel all that horrible, but with the fever I get a bit sleepy and of course I have the occasional upchuck moments, or better yet  blowouts.  Thinking of those, I did complete a trifecta this weekend.  That's right, I first had a major blowout that got all over dad, then while he was changing me - I peed all over him (hehehe).  Then a little earlier while we were playing, I puked all over him...and again tonight just a bit ago!  Yeah, it was good.  Actually mom couldn't stop laughing...it was all over his eyes and inside of his ear.  Dad said it didn't smell very good, duh.  I just figured if I am feeling lousy, I'll spread the joy.  And if I have to keep going through clothing changes so should dad, right?!   Really though, I don't feel nearly as bad as I did back in February, I think when I puke it is from all the drainage from this darn congestion, because it is mainly mucus.  I have mom's gag reflexes, so I hear.  Anyway, I still managed to have some fun this weekend.  See below!  Lots of pictures..and some videos!

Hopefully I can sleep this bug off and get back into the swing of things soon.  Amelia OUT!

I have started some finger foods.  I'm great at picking
them up, but am still working on the fun of actually eating
them

Dad & I having a moment

On a walk with the family.  I think Marley has found her new preferred way of transportation!

Dad & I swinging

Maybe this is where I get the tongue from!

mom had her wedding dress out...so I was checking it out to see if I will want to wear it in...say, 25+ years!

oops....my bad.  I'll spare you of the other pic for now.

A little video of saying my new favorite word...

4/11/2011

I'm 7 months!  Did I tell you that I like to stick my tongue out all of the time now?!

Having fun with Marley

Wow, it's been an entire week since my last post.  Time sure flies when you are having fun...and I have had some good fun.  To start it off...last Wednesday was my 7 month birthday.  Yay!!!!  So not only did I get to do some posing with my signs (& Marley of course), but I got to go in a little late to school.  Why?  Well apparently even though it was MY 'birthday', mom got to have the day off of work and go to a Royals game.  That totally doesn't seem fair...I say how rude.  Oh well, I guess she paid for it by the bright red arms that I see on her.  Dad says that I get to go to my first game soon, hopefully the Royals will still have a winning season by the time i get to go.  That may require going sooner rather than later!  Ok, so back to me being 7 months now.  We haven't done any of the major stats lately, but I'm pretty sure i am growing.  I must be putting on some pounds because I keep hearing mom grunt every time she picks me up in the car seat.  This week I started saying 'da-da' regularly, that seems to make daddy quite happy.  Mom tries to get me to say ma-ma, and doesn't seem all that thrilled when I always reply back da-da.  I also really feel like I have found my voice, so enjoy screaming/squealing.  All happy squeals of course.  I have been told I need to learn the appropriate times to be doing this, and learning 'inside voice'.  For example, I get a lot of 'shhhhhhh's' at school when I do it when all my friends are napping.  But I am having so much fun....  ugh.  Let's see what else.  I still hate tummy time, I roll over right away and then all is ok.  When will they all learn to stop putting me down that way.  My teachers keep trying to put me on my knees...but I just decide to lay flat and roll over.  I really don't see the appeal in this crawling thing.  I'm quite content where I am. 

Spring is definitely here, we have pretty tulips outside and I hear the birds chirping every morning.  Saturday it was so nice out that we invited the Ludlow's over for a picnic.  Turned out that it was nice...but actually a bit too hot to really picnic, so they picked up some OK Joe's and we did an inside picnic on the floor.  Maddie and I hung out and watched them eat.   I haven't seen Maddie for a couple months so we had to get reacquainted, I showed her some of my toys.  She showed me her tricks of rolling around to places, it looks kind of fun...but I'm not sold quite yet.  At one point I got a bit tired and  put my head on Maddie...or so mom thought so she decided to take a picture.  As you can see below (and by the red mark i had later) it actually was not that fun at all!  In fact, dad was quite sure that it looked like Maddie was showing her strength by pushing me into the blocks while 3 adults stared and watched (or in mom's case...took pictures).  Hmmm.... now I'm going to the plead the 5th on what happened.  My memory fails me already!  I'm good now, so no worries.  Anyway, it started getting close to bed time so Maddie had to leave...but I'm sure glad she came over and hopefully I'll get to see her again sometime soon!

Don't we look cute?  Why does my head always look so big compared to everyone?

The "incident"

This was the best shot of Harper and her hair that I had!

Yesterday we went to church and afterward came home to eat and nap.  I then went with mom to a party.  She shopped and saw some friends she use to work with, and I did my best to look cute.  I also got to meet a new friend, Harper.  Harper is about 3 months older than me...but she seemed super cool.  And boy oh boy do I have some hair envy.  She has more hair than dad!  Of course we did some playing, and when she got close enough - I immediately went for that soft, curly stuff.  It was even better than Marley's to get a handful of.  She didn't seem to mind...but mom stopped me before I could get myself a handful to put on my head.  Ugh...still no hair for me I guess.  I will figure out a more tricky way next time!  Enjoy a few more pictures from the week below.  AND even a video of me 'talking' with a glimpse of my rolling skills.  Amelia OUT!

Always enjoy eating the foot!

4/4/2011

Sitting ON the bar flirting with the bartenders!

Boy oh boy did I have a fun filled weekend with new experiences.  Not so new for mom and dad, but new to me.  Friday night we went up the street to St. Agnes for the local fish fry, how do I put this nicely?  I sure am glad that I didn't have to eat it.  When the sign says fish fry you would think that your going to get fish.  You would be wrong, we had to pay $8.50 each and were given spaghetti.  Dad had it with red sauce and shrimp from a can, he couldn't even eat it....and you know my dad he eats anything.  My picky eating mother was not happy with her alfredo sauce which dad said was the worst thing he had eaten in a long time.  Needless to say we got to go to Houlihan's for some good food.  Dad said we will just write that off as a charity. 

Saturday was the day that we tried to do everything while it was nice outside.  In the morning I hung out with dad while mom went and got a massage and did a little shopping.  We had a nice laid back morning.  I slept in until 7 am then dad gave me another nap at 9 am.  After that I had some oatmeal cereal, which I absolutely love.  He couldn't get it in my mouth fast enough.  I have tried a few more foods too...my food page is growing fast! 

After mom came home all relaxed we went to the park.  This was my first trip to the park so I started out with a nap on the way and a stroller ride around the park.  It was a beautiful day so a nap with the sun shining down on me was great.  I went on the swing for the very first time and enjoyed it.  I went down the slippery slide with mom and dad.  Dad didn't like the slide because it gave him static electricity, so he let mom take me down while he shocked Marley.  He thought that was pretty funny.  Dad gave me a ride on a swing before we went home.  After an afternoon snack we went to Kansas Sampler so I could get my new Royals cap, 3-1 baby, enjoying the winning season while I can.  Mom found a serve yourself ice cream store, so we shared a bowl.  It was really good and I think we will be going back there very soon.  We then went to Hy-Vee where dad let me ride in the Bjorn so that I could see everything around me, and boy did people love looking at me.  That night we sat out on the deck for dinner, dad grilled out and we just enjoyed the weather.  I had such a busy day that I slept in until 7:30 the next morning.  We went to church were I ran into Ava and Violet, we caught up for awhile.  They were up to about the same things that I am doing.  You know eating, sleeping, sitting, pooping, and looking cute.  Speaking of pooping...it has been quite hard lately.  Perhaps this oatmeal that I love so much, isn't quite as great as I thought.   Too much info?  So sorry....  Anyway, all in all I had a good weekend with the family.  I suspect this will be a fairly normal week, I'll keep you posted!  Amelia Out!

my new cap!

Don't I look pretty?!

Seeing my friends at church!  I think Violet was checking out my pretty dress....and I was in awe of her hair - of course!

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!