Baby's First Christmas

Merry Christmas!

A talking Cookie Monster...


A "Piggy Bank" from Gramma Armstrong full of money
(i.e. Lucy's college fund).

Cousin, Layla (1 year old).

Cousin, Jerad (2 years old).

Cousin, Ellianna (3 years old).

Look mommys...
Santa brought me "The Wheels on the Bus."

The "Key" to Grandpa's heart...
My first John Deere shirt.

My first American Girl, Bitty Baby...

Momma was obsessive about putting a bow on this box...
I think it was Auntie's fault!

A new dress to celebrate my 1st Christmas...

Grandad Beran sent me a "yummy"
stuffed bear...

Christmas Eve with Auntie Vera, Cousins
Ellianna & Jerad, and grandpa.

I don't understand how they walk...
I want to walk!!!

Christmas Eve morning with Liz & Josh.
I was showing off my motor skills.

Christmas Eve Day... we visited Santa's workshop.
I'm still uncertain...

My first Christmas tree.

Momma & I sitting like royalty at Santa's Villiage.

Mommy & I visiting Santa's workshop.

More Chicago Photos...

Sleeping beauty...

Look, I'm crawling...


Flowers for Auntie...
She's on the phone with grandma in Massachusetts...


We read "The Wheels on the Bus" at LEAST twice daily...

The LARGEST Whole Foods Mama has EVER seen...

I LOVE KiKi, the kitty!

The reindeer were resting at the
Christmas tree stand near Auntie's house...

Sightseeing while Lucy is asleep...
The B'Hai Temple.

Lucy tests out her "portable" highchair...

Getting ready for Christmass... and Santa...

We ALL had a GREAT time!
Thank you Auntie, Joe & Kathryn!

Lucy Travels to Chicago

Chicago Skyline from Northwestern University-

a few blocks from my aunt's house.

We left our house around 4am on Tuesday December 15th and headed to Bradley Airport and landed at Midway in Chicago just before 8am. Mixing business trips with family time is a possibility now that I am unemployed. While Rachel put in long hours at work, I spent the days in Evanston, Il. with my Aunt Tammy, Uncle Joe, and Kathryn. It was the first time Lucy had the opportunity to meet Auntie, Joe, and Aunt Kat. Overall, the trip was great, despite a few unexpected bumps along the way. Not to mention the "Blizzard of 2009" that landed on the east coast the day before & the day we were scheduled to fly back home- Sunday December 20th, 2009. Fortunately, SouthWest prevailed and we arrived back at Bradley a measley half hour later than originally scheduled.

Lucy & Kathryn spend time together.

Lucy crawled for the first time
on December 18th, 2009

Auntie & Joe introduced Lucy to her
FAVORITE new book, "The Wheels on the Bus."

Christmas Eve Day....

Today, Lucy cut her first tooth. The second one is moments away, too... Both bottom central teeth- the right one came in first & now we're awaiting the break through of the second!
Merry 1st Christmas to Lucy!

Sunday December 13, 2009

Lucy's first experience of Santa & Mrs. Claus...
The jury is still out as to whether she liked them or not!

Getting ready for Daycare on Monday following her party... it was a "rough" morning for all!

Lucy & grandma at the holiday party
prior to Lucy's adoption celebration.

William, Lucy's "boyfriend."

Ava, "babysitting" for Lucy prior to the adoption celebration!

Olives, Feta, & Cuke Skewers...
Thanks to the Foodnetwork!

Roasted root veggies, fennel slaw,
& garlic green beans.

Dinner is ALMOST served...

A giant cupcake for Lucy...


Mama & Lucy...

Adoption Celebration

Snow + rain + ice + 22 adults + 8 children (ages 2- 6) + Lucy = One HECK of an adoption celebration! We pulled off a fabulous gathering at our house last evening for our fabulous Ms. Lucy.