Fun with Silverware!

Happy First Birthday Brooke!

Leah had lots of fun with Brooke and her cousins at her first birthday party. Leah jumped right in to playing with the big kids. It is so much fun to sit back and watch her interact.

Happy Birthday to Brooke!

LEAH TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!!

We are so proud of our big girl! Usually either Jeff or I pick her up from Tanya's but I left work a little early yesterday and we both did. She gave her usual round of hugs to both of us. Jeff put her down and told her to go get mommy and she did! She walked to me! I wish I could have captured the look of accomplishment on her face! (or the jaw dropped looked that both Jeff and I had)

She took a few steps again last night in the kitchen. I imagine it will be a few weeks before she is fully walking on her own but she is so close! Watch out world!

Writing this reminds me that she waited and said her 1st word when Jeff and I were both picking her up at the sitter too. She must know that mommy and daddy both want to be there for the milestones!

Happy Birthday Aunt Jewel and Aunt Jessie!

I remember it like it was yesterday (although I would need to think hard to tell you what I did yesterday). I was 7. It was cold outside. I went to dad's and we went out to dinner. I must have been coloring or something because the adults were talking, not to me, but to each other. Dad said something about someone asking how the babies were. This moment was the beginning of the end for being an only child at dad's house. Keep in mind that I was an only child of dad and mom's before the divorce. Mom remarried dad #2 that already had 2 little ones and they together had a little boy 3 short years before this news. I was going from an only child to the oldest with 5 younger brothers and sisters in what seemed like such a short time!

BUT...I would not trade that news for anything. I was blessed with the opportunity to be the big sister all over again with an 8 year age difference. I don't think I would be misleading you to say that we have never had one of those big fights that sisters have -- although I am sure much of that is attributed to the fact that we lived in separate homes. We have always been close. I still think of them as my "baby" sisters and will likely do so forever despite the fact that they are now resposible adults and world travelers.

Jewel and Jessie turned 21 on the 21st! We had dinner with them the night before because their birthday fell on a Monday.

Leah made herself right at home by pulling everything out of Grams' cabinets.

She played there until dinner was ready.

You will often see her with a toy in her mouth!

She had that mouse in her mouth for at least a 1/2 hour.

The birthday girls and grandmom!

Go COLTS!


I wanted Jessie's sweater. If only they lived closer so I could raid their closets and do some clothes swapping.

Gramps was in charge of the wrapping paper.

It kept him entertained and distracted from the tv.

Leah helped with the big present!

Patiently awaiting the ice cream cake

Leah wanted to give grandmom some hugs

A play date for Leah and Brooklyn

Brooke is the little girl of our friends Ryan and Kate. They were way overdue on a date night so Brooke came over to play with Leah. It took Brooke a few minutes to warm up to Leah's "come play with me" spirit but it didn't take long before they were playing together and having lots of fun. Leah loves other kids and enjoys sharing her toys (let's just hope that lasts!).

DINNER TIME!

I had to add this one in because the look on her face is priceless. You have to hold on tight with Leah or she flips upside down. No fear!
It was so cute to watch the girls play together.
Look mom, I am sharing!

They even played a little ball. They were tossing/handing it back and forth.

This was the only picture we were able to get where they were sitting still and actually looking at the camera at the same time.

Say Cheese!

Leah can be a ham sometimes (well, most of the time). Tanya took these pictures and sent them to me at work. Those are my favorite e-mails during the day!

Little Miss Independent

****Warning.....this post contains naked baby butt****

Bath time remains a favorite part of Leah's day.

1st she brushes her teeth....

Then we go to her room and get undressed. She knows what is next!


She gets very excited to get in the tub!
After her bath she gets lotion and PJ's. What a happy girl!

Enjoying the beautiful weather

We went to the park after dinner and enjoyed the 6p.m. almost Fall weather. I know I have said it before, but Leah really loves being outside. I think we may have a problem once it gets too cold to play outside every day. In the meantime, we are soaking it up!

Another fun day at the Garber's

Leah decided she wanted to go head 1st like the big boys!

For some reason she has decided she should carry everything in her teeth.....everything.

Who is a ROCK STAR? Leah!