First Christmas

Lainy's first Christmas was great! She got lots and lots and lots of things from "Santa." She opened up her stocking and a few presents then was done with the opening thing on Thursday morning. We had lunch at Granny Pyles's house, visited Granny Vest then ate again that evening with the McDonalds.


We got up on Friday morning and headed to WV for another Christmas. She or should I say "we" slept most of the way. We then had fun with family on Friday night eating and opening up more presents. Lainy played with the kids and stayed up like a Champ socializing. That night/early that morning we woke up to a 100.5 fever and a coughing baby. After wet washcloths, medicine and steaming from the shower, we finally got her fever down and got her back to sleep. Lainy then got up on Saturday and opened more presents.













She is a very lucky little girl to have such great family and friends! She and mommy are spending the week together and daddy will be back from out of town tomorrow!

Friends, Laundry and Horses

Lainy had a big weekend. On Friday she had her holiday party at Kim's house. When I went to pick her up, she was exhausted. Kim said they had all been "partying" since 11:30 am and refused to nap. Kim's husband dressed up as Santa and Lainy wanted no part and was screaming and crying. She did better at the mall a couple weeks ago and just wanted to pull his beard and get down but no crying. On Saturday morning we went to our annual gift exchange breakfast with my best friends from high school. Always fun! We filled up on yummy food - thanks Kel! We then went to another holiday get together and she stayed out until 10:00. We also think that she is finally getting the teething crankiness - she was up that night crying and screaming. So far the teething tablets have been great, hope they continue to work for us. Then Lainy decided to help with the laundry - such a big help she was! She ended the weekend like a true Giles Co. cowgirl, camo and all - yee haw!

Christmas Pictures

Lainy and her buddies had their pictures made last weekend for Christmas. A friend of a Tonja's took them for us - they turned out great! Thanks Mark! Lainy had a great time and put on a show, as usual.

Cutie Patootie

O Christmas Tree

First flu shot went fine, she didn't even cry this time and we even did a little shopping aftewards. Then we came home and watched the Hokies play. GO HOKIES! After the game, we decided to go pick out a Christmas Tree. We worked fast as it was pretty cool but knew what we were looking for so it didn't take us long. We decorated the tree today after we gave it the night to dry from the snow. Lainy isn't so sure of it right now, she backs off when you try to put her near it but will try to grab an ornament or two before she turns away!!

Lab Rat

Lainy went to the CAP Lab at Virginia Tech today to participate in a research project for the Psychology Department. A graduate student was doing a thesis on 10 month olds and memory/emotional regulation. We got a letter asking to participate. So we decided, why not. She did great. She put on a cap to measure her brain waves when looking at toys and playing games. They said, is she always this easy going? She didn't even flinch when they brought out the scary masks to test emotions. She reached for it and said, hi. Tomorrow is second part of flu shot day, oh no! They should test her emotions for that!

10 months

Another month has flown by and here we are again, closer and closer to that one year birthday. Lainy had a good Thanksgiving, eating lots of good food and spending time with family. She is doing great - cruising along furniture and getting a bruise or two here and there. She continues to be a chatter box but still no teeth. We check everyday but nothing yet.

Update

Wanted to give everyone a quick update about Lainy. She is talking and talking. So far we have made out ma-ma, da-da, bye-bye, baby, kitty, dog, we think deer and bear when she looks at her stuffed animals and now the new one.....NO. That started this weekend, so you know what we have been saying a lot since she is into everything. In a matter of three minutes on Saturday she pulled out my earring and when i was looking for the back, spilled a Dr. Pepper all over herself and the rug. She is an active one and we are on our toes. She loves macaroni and cheese and bananas. She will eat a whole one if she is really hungry. She thinks that Blues Clues is the funniest thing she has ever seen and will laugh and jump when she hears the song, "I like to move it, move it" from Madagascar. She and I had the best time yesterday just playing and hanging out in our pajamas. We are excited to celebrate her first Thanksgiving and our first Thanksgiving eating with only one hand. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Princess Lainy

Sleepover and Shot

Lainy had her first overnight visit without us on Thursday night. I went to the game and then had an early meeting on Friday, so we decided to let Lainy stay with Mamaw and Papaw Vest. She did great but we didn't sleep so well and couldn't quit calling to check on her. She also had her 9 month WCC on Friday and is doing good. She got her flu shot and barely even made a peep this time. I guess after getting three shots at once, one is no big deal. She is finally, cross your fingers, doing better after her stomach virus thing. It kept coming back, so we are hoping it's over along with changing clothes and washing sheets.

Nine Months Old

Again I ask, where does the time go? Nine months old today!

Christmas Come Early

I found a Leap Frog table at Once Upon a Child for Lainy this weekend, very cheap and thought, I'll just give it to her now instead of waiting until Christmas. She probably won't notice it much anyway. Wrong!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Hooves....

Lainy and I spent the day together since I was off today. We slept in and then headed out to visit some friends and family for some pre-trick or treating. Lainy had fun going to the elementary school to visit Mamaw and sitting with Rae during lunch. She kept looking at all the kids in their costumes. We went to White Gate to visit Granny Vest and unfortunately Lainy had an exorcist moment when she "pea-souped" her vegetable lunch all over the carpet. Then on the way home she did it again on herself and the carseat. I had tried the Next Step Enfamil formula that morning, guess it didn't go over so well. We went home for a bath and a long nap. Then we all three headed out for some moooooooo trick or treating and visiting.

Getting Faster

A House Divided

Poor Lainy won't know what to do, she'll probably go to UVA and then we'll both be sorry.