Life is Good...

The bigger I get, the more I am exploring this great big wonderful world.

I enjoy crawling in and out of all sorts of things.

For a while I would crawl into a tight space and get stuck. Mom would watch as I struggled to figure it out, but she allowed me to do it on my own and eventually I learned.

Thanks to her "hands-off" approach to learning I am challenging myself and succeeding!

This freedom she gives me has allowed me to travel throughout the house, and my new found love for discovery led me to a deck of cards in a basket under the living room table. Who knew that they could be so fun???

It didn't take me long to find out how to open the box. I asked mom to play 52 card pickup with me but she declined and left me to pick up the mess.

Grandma Schafer came to visit me for the weekend, and I decided to show off some more of my new moves. Aunt Hayley will appreciate this one...

After the weekend was over, I became cranky and unruly. Mom didn't know what to do with me; I was swatting at my ears, and being fussier than ever. After a day went by and nothing changed she took me to the doctor to see if I had another ear infection. The doctor examined me and informed Mom that my only problem was that I was teething again. I have 5 more teeth trying to poke thorough, and when they do I will have a total of 9 teeth! He explained to Mom that I was swatting at my ears because I had learned after my last ear infection that it got me attention...

Mom wasn't too happy when she found out that I had been playing her. The good thing about going to the doctor was that they weighed me and told Mom that I topped the scales at a whopping 17lbs 2oz. Can you believe that I finally hit the big 1-7!!!

When we got home mom helped me ease the pain of teething by giving me these great biscuits. She hates the scent, and loathes the mess they make, but endures it on my behalf. Mom wanted to get a picture of my mouth for everyone to see but I was determined NOT to let anyone open my mouth!

Our week went by like a whirlwind, and before we knew it the weekend was here again. Mom, Dad, and I drove down to San Diego to celebrate Liz Mahan's birthday. Can you believe that I got to take my first ride in a limo! Talk about being a high roller- Inside there were TV's, video games, food, and drinks; it was awesome. The best part was looking out the window and seeing the world fly by. I tried to wave at all the other people on the road, but think they must have been intimidated by me because I didn't get any responses.

Here is a picture of all of us at one of the wineries.

While Daddy and his friends enjoyed the wine, Mom and I enjoyed the food.

We made stops at different wineries throughout the day, but my favorite one was our last stop. There was a big grass area where people sat and enjoyed the day.

After playing with Dad I decided to roam around on my own.

My desire to climb, along with my need to get a hold of Mom's empty energy drink can, led me to venture into the basket below my stroller.

As you can see, I am very adventurous!

After our trip to the wineries, the limo dropped us off and we went to dinner. I "hammed-it-up" with Jason and Liz and everyone loved my high fives!


Since we were at a Mexican restaurant Mom and Dad let me sample the cuisine. I got to eat beans, tortillas, chips, and my personal favorite, guacamole.

Dad decided to let me try a bite of lime. I dove right in, but immediately regretted it. It tasted icky and I don't know what possessed Dad to give it to me, or better yet, what would make him think that I would ever LIKE it.

I spent the next 20 minutes licking my lips to get rid of the taste:

After we ate dinner we drove down to San Diego to see Grandma Schafer and Great Grandma Jensen. I hadn't seen her in a long time, and it was great to be able to show her all the things I am able to do now.

Can you believe that there are four generations of women in those pictures????

Later that night we drove out to Pa's house in Jamul where I feel fast asleep. The day tuckered me out, and I slept like a baby (he he he)

The next morning Pa was up to his usual tricks. I don't know why he thinks it is funny hanging me upside down, but she was sure laughing.

As you can see when I finally got upright I was a little discombobulated!

After my participation in the morning circus I took a nap. When I woke up Great Grandma Jean was at the house. The last few times I saw her we didn't really get along, so in an attempt to buy my affection she brought me cookies and a new chair. Her ploy worked, and we got along just fine!

Grandma Jean and I played for a while, and after she left Dad and Mom took me for my first swim in the big person's pool.

We had a great time swimming and afterwards I was so wiped out from all the excitement that I had to take a 2 hour nap.


For the second time that day when I woke up the house was full of guests. Great Grandma Jean was back with Connie, Randy, and Brandon, and Chris and his Dad came over for the BBQ!

We all hung out on the back patio, eating, drinking, and hanging out. As you can see I mingle with the big people now!

After Great Grandma Jean bought my affection earlier in the day, I spent a lot of time with her and boy are we good buddies now!

There was all sorts of food at the party, and I got to try it all! I was ecstatic!

As I was finishing my dinner Aunt Connie brought out some funny glasses for me to try on.

I think they make me look smart. Brains and Beauty, what a package!!!

Mom thinks I look like the female version of Harry Potter.

After dinner and a bath we had to pack the car and head home. Before we left I showed Pa that I had mastered climbing up and down his stairs.




I sure love spending time with my friends and family, and am looking forward to this coming summer when I get to see my Aunt Hayley, my Uncle Shawn, and lots of other people who love me.