So much to say, so little time

Stephie is becoming quite the "talker," though to be honest, we're not quite sure what she's trying to say.
Stephie to baby at the playground: "Flaaaaaahhhhrrrrgig."
Stephie to the pretty flower: "Bwaaaaaaammmmmhhhh?"But the fountain at the mall today left her speechless. Wow, that water is crazy!

Rrrrarrr!

Stephie practiced her growling today (she learned so much from Sophie this past weekend!) with a trip to Willowbrook Zoo. It was cold but sunny, and she got to show off her new pointing skills...
...identify some obscure birds.....and of course squeeze in some big smiles.

ONE by Grandma Julie

I love to feel the things I eat,

Like vegetables or fruit or meat,

But mandarin oranges are the best

I love them more than all the rest.

So now don’t feed me with a spoon

I like my food to touch.

And when I’m done, don’t wipe my face.

I hate that very much.

I love my dog her name is Brie,

I try to grab her fur.

And when she’s resting in her bed

I try to go for her.

I try to drop my sippy cup

Right on my doggy’s head.

And then she tries to take my food

And has to go to bed.

My daddy lifts me off the ground,

And makes me fly around and round,

I grab his hair, we gallop-a-trot.

I zoom around and laugh a lot.

I talk and talk and talk all day

But no one knows a thing I say.

It’s EEE for Brie, I tell you so

And Nayh Nayh Nayh I say for no.

When we are at a party

And its time to go to bed,

I fly in for some kisses

Which I get upon my head.

My daddy runs around with me

My stroller goes so fast.

He teaches me a cartwheel

Which I think’s a real blast.

I have eight teeth and dimples

And I smile and smile all day.

I try the slide and bucket swings

When it is time to play.

Bozena takes me out with friends,

She takes me to the park

The library and music class.

We play from dawn to dark.

I fall a lot and hit my head.

It happens every day.

Then mommy scoops me in her arms

And rubs the pain away.

I used to use my walker

For zooming round and round

But now I balance on the edge,

My feet up off the ground.

I love to stand up all the time.

It never is a bore.

So take my hands and I will walk

And walk and walk some more.

I stand up next to furniture

The window or the wall.

And if I cannot reach across,

I plop right down and crawl.

I love the stairs I go up, up

You need to follow me.

I cannot come back down myself,

Don’t watch me and you’ll see!

My mommy sings me songs about

An ant who moved a plant.

And Grandma sings about the car

And Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

When I get crabby, I am tired.

I’m finished having fun.

I suck my thumb and stroke my hair

And then my day is done.

I still get up to eat sometimes

But sometimes I sleep through.

My mommy hopes I’ll learn that soon.

I’m on my way to two!

Flying is fun!

We flew home from Providence, RI today, but Stephie still had a great time at the airport and on the plane. First, we practiced walking up and down the airport terminal just for fun. Then, Daddy pointed out the baggage carts and planes driving around outside the big windows at the gate.
Finally, Stephie sat in row 5D on the plane, but look who was in row 4: a friend to play peek-a-boo with for hours at a time. He even tried to share his binkie!

Anyone up for a guided tour?

Well, perhaps we were a bit ambitious thinking that Stephie and Sophie could handle a 45-minute tour of the Vanderbilt mansion The Breakers. We made it through a few rooms before we abandoned the tour in favor of more horsey rides outside.

Later we found another park nearby...

Stephie liked climbing and sliding down the slides, over and over!

What a great weekend away! See Sophie's Space for even more great pictures.

Rrrrrrhode Island!

Sophie and Stephie had a great day today.  First they rode their matching horses...

Stephie took her first ever swim in the pool with Daddy, Sophie, and Andrea...

...then took a spin on the bucket swings with Sophie (yep, they have bucket swings in Rhode Island, too!)...

Look, Mommy and Stephie have matching sun hats!

We finished the day with dinner at Flo's Clam Shack. A variety of fried fish, anyone?

Time for a hose-down after all that fish!

It sure is fun having Sophie around to play with all day long! See Sophie's Space again for even more Rhode Island fun!

Bloggers Unite!

We made it to Newport, RI, where we're spending a few days with Stephie's friend Sophie and her parents, Andrea and Ian.  They enjoyed dining together at their old favorite hang out, Panera Bread (better known to them as St. Louis Bread Co.).

Later, they enjoyed a hearty pasta dinner together--following their snacks of applesauce & cheerios, and before their bedtime "snack" of pizza.  Great appetites, girls!

Sophie showed Stephie her latest cooking secrets...

and Stephie took them to heart, putting the finishing touches on the dish.  Check out some more pictures from the day on Sophie's blog, Sophie's Space.

Learning to share

"Thanks, R.J., I love Cheerio's!"Also, who needs to play with a train set if you can sit on one?

Mmmm...cake!

Today was a bad-picture-day for Stephie, so instead we're posting Mommy's favorite cake smash pictures from Stephie's first birthday party over the weekend. Daddy thinks that these pictures are gross beyond belief, but Mommy thinks they're pretty darn funny!
Before picture:In-progress:The aftermath:Also, Stephie's somewhat belated 12-month stats from her appointment last Friday:
Weight: 22 pounds 13 ounces (77%)
Height: 30 1/2 inches (89%)
Head: 98% (!!!)

Library girl

Based on how much time Stephie and friends spend at the library, the "R" block that Stephie is chewing on stands for early "Readers!"

This chair sure is funny!

Hahaha.
Hahaha!HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Face plant. Oops.

Birthday Girl

What a beautiful day for a party! Stephie's first birthday celebration was a huge hit. We all enjoyed the sunny warm weather today, even Stephie's favorite bunny.
We were quite fancy with our homemade party hats......and enjoyed some traditional Irish fare...as well as some non-traditional cake...Stephie had a surprise visitor: Aunt Stephanie all the way from D.C.!
Mary and Mike (plus baby-on-the-way) drove out from the city to visit...
...and Aunt Mindy flew in from St. Louis for the day!
Highlights of the day for Stephie included sharing toys with Connor (hey, his remote is really cool!)
...and receiving her very first lawn chair. It was a great day! Thanks everybody!

Grandpa, your hair is upside down!

Stephie is absolutely fascinated with Grandpa Roger's beard, so much so that despite our very best efforts, we couldn't get her to look away for a photo opportunity. Oh well, Grandma Michelle and Grandpa Roger look good!