Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Daddy installed a mirror in Stephie's playroom which allows her to see and play with that funny baby in the glass. Boy, that baby is tasty too!

Stephie in a basket

Where's Stephie???
There she is!
Stephie had a great time playing with Mommy, Mommy's friends Anne and Debbie, and their kids Robert, Abby, and Chloe this afternoon.
Later, we met up with Daddy at Sweet Tomatoes where Stephie rode the baby chair in giggle-filled spinning circles all the way through the line.

On her way to walking...

Mommy's friend Stacey lent Stephie this push toy walker which is her new favorite thing. Stephie will NOT sit still!Also, there is a LOT of drool lately as Stephie's fifth tooth approaches.

Play dates galore!

Stephie had a busy day today! First she met up with her new buddy R.J. for a play date......then she went over to Samuel's house for lunch.Happy girl!

Glen Ellyn Library

There sure are a lot of fun toys to play with at the Glen Ellyn library! Stephie particularly enjoyed the train table. It is a great place to explore on these cold winter days.

Stephie meets Samuel

Today Stephie met a new friend Samuel who lives just down the street! They enjoyed playing together, and Stephie particularly liked exploring Samuel's toys (anything novel is a big hit as of late) and telling him how in just a few months, he'll outgrow his Bumbo too.Also, Stephie is getting even more adventurous with her eating. Tonight for dinner she had peas, corn, half an avocado, pita bread, and a salmon and tilapia casserole (which she loved). We hope this excellent appetite for new things lasts!

This healthy stuff just doesn't cut it, Mommy!

We were so excited to feed Stephie her first piece of rainbow trout for dinner tonight! She devoured the fish as well as a pile of broccoli, corn, and bread.
Stephie took matters into her own hands, however, after dinner when she crawled over to her diaper bag and opened up her container of cheesy puffs. She dug right in, and she and Brie shared a nice after-dinner-snack before we discovered the two little sneaksters chowing down together. Busted!

Happy 30th Birthday, Aunt Sarah!

We headed to Milwaukee today to celebrate Aunt Sarah's 30th birthday with the family. Stephie had a great time hanging out with Connor and meeting her new third cousin, Ana. Ana is a hefty 10 pounds for being only 5 weeks old, but she is no match for the bulk of Stephie and Connor, who are now equal in size (!) at 22 pounds each!

Recipe for one Baby Stephanie

Mix 1/3 cup of rosy cheeks......one cup of cruising around coffee tables......and one cup of big toothy smiles. Yum!

Good friends, old and new

Stephie wrapped up her week with Grandma Julie by filling up her social calendar. First came a visit with Grandma's friends Auntie Sherry and Michael...
...then lunch with her friend Dawn...
...and finally a visit with Aunt Marian. Whew!

Sipping from a straw

Stephie has learned to drink water (with assistance) from a straw when we're out at restaurants which comes in handy when we forget her sippy cup! Today she joined Grandma Julie and Mary for lunch and ate an entire grilled cheese sandwich.
So proud!

Bowling and pizza party!

While Mommy and Daddy were at work today, Stephie had an all-day party with Grandpa John and Grandma Julie. Bowling and pizza in the same day?!? Lucky Stephie!

How cute are these girls?!?

Stephie had dinner tonight with Chloe, Abby, and "Molly the Dolly." With all three girls on the move, it was a crazy but really fun evening.

How much is that baby in the mirror?

Stephie's whole face lit up with delight when she discovered the adorable baby in the mirror today. She spent a lot of time touching the other baby and, yes, trying to eat her too.
Grandpa Don and Grandma Michele brought Stephie back an elephant from their recent trip to Thailand! It matches her awesome elephant p.j.'s.

10 months old!

Stephie is 10 months old today! We are definitely past the point where the monthly picture is an easy undertaking. Stephie would rather rip Brie's fur out and eat the paper than have a peaceful picture taken. Oh well, we tried.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Allen!

Tonight we celebrated Grandpa Allen's birthday one day early. Stephie didn't get to try any of the Baked Alaska that Mommy made for dessert, but she did add three days onto her life (something Grandpa Allen told Mommy and Aunt Stephanie when they were little girls) by trying three other new foods: butternut squash and pear soup, chickpea and spinach curry, and Indian naan. Stephie is a great eater; she loved them all!