Quick Update

Julia had her 9 month well-check today!  She weighs 19 lbs (54th %ile), is 27 1/2 inches tall (49th %ile), and has a head circumference in the 80th %ile.  Overall she's on-track developmentally and continues to be our fantastic little sleeper--approximately 11-13 hours/night plus daily naps that occur like clockwork.  (WHAT?!?!)  I only mention this because I'm so proud of her...  It's not my intention to become overly boisterous on her sleeping habits because we both know that when #2 happens to come around we may not be as lucky to have as much of an easy-going baby!!!  :)

We've been visiting family on the road the past two weekends and are planning to take off later this afternoon to visit Grandma and Grandpa Hauan and Great-Grandma Marcella in Sioux Falls for an extended weekend as well.  Needless to say, we've become efficient packers.

Here are just a few picture updates from the past week:

We have started to attend a fantastic story time at a local toy store just two blocks away from our house.  Recently, Julia was joined by her friend Kai (and Kai's mommy, Emily) during story time.  Kai was so sweet with Julia the entire time!  Isn't this picture just the cutest thing?!?!  Kai's going to be one SUPER big sister come March! ;)


Sweet Kai and Julia listening to Ms. Kristen

Thanks for the great P.J.'s, cousin Yaya!

We were able to spend some time with Great-Grandma Zelle and other family members last weekend from my mom's side of the family.  Here's a couple pictures from last weekend:

"U-N-I FIGHT, U-N-I FIGHT!"
(Thanks for the jeans too, Yaya!)

Julia with her second cousins Makayla (nearly 2) and Hunter (10)

This video isn't necessarily silly or outrageously funny... it's just a quick glimpse at an after-lunch moment.

Video taken January 20, 2011

MLK Weekend

This past weekend we traveled to Hubbard to spend the three-day weekend with my Mom and Dad.  As usual, Julia was subjected to lots of hugs, kisses, and verbal praises.  We all had a great time... here are some picture and video updates from last weekend.

"I...

... love Grandma Sue's...

APPLESAUCE!!!"  (She may not look particularly happy in this picture...
you'll just have to take my word that she was oh-so-very excited
and happy eating her first bites of Grandma's homemade applesauce!)

Great-Aunt Jane and Julia reading

"I love Dr. Seuss!"

Julia also got to participate in a dance party with her Dad and Grandpa Gene:

Video taken January 17, 2011

Video taken January 17, 2011

Playful Zoey

Zoey has been so playful lately!  It's the most playful she's been in nearly a year since when she went blind last March.  Her activity level is so out-of-the-ordinary lately, I felt it warranted its own blog post.

Video taken January 10, 2011

She recently claimed one of Julia's pink puppy toys (that barks) as her own.  First, she attacks it viciously:



Video taken January 12, 2011

She quickly becomes bored and decides to lick it instead:

Video taken January 12, 2011

Video taken January 13, 2011

You may ask yourself, "THIS is playful?!?!" 

The answer is YES.  It is very playful for Zoey these days.

8 Months Old



The Past Week

Here are some updates from the past week:

As always, she LOVES laughing at her Daddy.

Video taken January 2, 2011

Dad is SO MUCH FUN!

Our friends, the Alberts family, invited us over for their 3rd Annual New Year's Eve party.  They even purchased a dozen live lobsters from Maine for the event!  Between the yummy food, playing their new Kinect, and the great company we all had oh-so-much fun!

New Year's Eve

The New Year's Eve entree

Today (January 4th), Julia and I explored our local nature reserve, Quarry Hill.  She seemed to really enjoy watching the fish, bees, and turtles.  I'm sure we'll be back there several more times this winter -- it's such a great place for kids!

Touching a moose pelt

Exploring in the Nature Room

A lot of our day is spent playing... and Zoey is typically right in the middle of everything we're doing with Julia (when she's not sleeping, that is).

Video taken January 3, 2011

And to top it all off... spinach and carrots:



Video taken January 3, 2011