Seasons Greetings!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Whew. Who knew Christmas was so busy? We went to Grandma and Pop's in Philly, and then onto see Grandpa and Barbara in New Jersey, and then home again, and then to Nani Ga's in South Hadley.

Mama got a new camera for Christmas. So she captured these highlights from our trip:

Me and Grandpa playing piano:

Snuggling with Pop:

Hugging Cecilia, who I met for the first time in Philly:

Steamrolling Colin, with Mae looking on:
And proudly sitting in my new wooden cart. This cart is the bomb. I can stack all of my toys in it, sit in it, ride in it, use it for a bed for my new dragon. (Look at Grandma's playful Christmas tree...)

And now Mama and I are resting because we are both sick. We sound like two horses, which, by the way, say "neigh". I can tell you what sheeps, horses, ducks, and cows say, too. A new trick that pleases the elders. Oh, and I can tell you what mama says, too; "Not now!" I like to say that just as I approach the forbidden goods.

My favorite new word? Cookie. I say it with a huge smile, and it sounds like "ccckkkie".

I am my mother's daughter, after all.

I am ONE.

And I tasted chocolate. And loved it.

I discovered that I do not like birthday hats at all.

I played with toys with my cousins present. (Notice I did not say that I played with my cousins. I still prefer toys over little people. Except maybe for Jayden, who I like to hug and steamroll when he is most helpless.)

Mama and Daddy gave me a little party with my cousins, and we exchanged books. Grandpa John came all the way from New Jersey to visit with me on my birthday. I was shy at first, but kissing him by the time he left.

And now, I'm one. What do one-year-olds do anyways? I guess I'll just have to find out.

Oh, I did learn a new trick. I wave bye-bye to signal to mama that I am ready for whatever we are doing to end. She likes it.

My First Birthday

A present from Mama and Daddy. Enjoy :). (PS - there is an abbreviated version on mama's blog: www.consciousmamas.blogspot.com with a short bit about my birth...)

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Pop, too!

A Month of Pics in Sixty Seconds

Folks, I'm back! Its been nearly a month since nary a photo of me, so pardon my brevity. I have much to catch you up on. Here is the sixty second run down of my life in a month:

True to form, Mama dressed me as "Amazing Amelia" for Halloween, and here I share my walker with my buddy, Matilda the Pirate.

I then hover above Auntie Bridgie, charming her with my good looks. (See her expression? Cake.)

Mama says I'm never too young to start campaigning. Mama and Obama were easy rhymes, so we went for that. For extra effect, though, I wore a mohawk for Barack. Its the subtle details.

And then I did a photo shoot for Grandpa John in my best dress, and became agitated. I mean, why can't I have three bananas in one morning??

Next, I discovered the coolest eating experience. Apples! I'll be darned. Its like an edible toy. (I can be very serious when playing with my toys.)

And now that I'm just a few days shy of 1 year old, Mama and I eat lunch together. We eat hummus sandwiches, share water, and dance to "Blueberry Pie".

Oh, and I forgot to share that Mama and Daddy went all the way to some place called Amsterdam, and all they brought me was this silly hat (and scarf.)

Mama just had to have it. Didn't know why. And then Aunt Bridgie said, "she looks like Amelia Earhart." And then it all made sense.

See ya.

Mama's Birthday

Today is Mama's birthday. In honor of her, I did something that awed Daddy. Daddy was playing with me, and I looked up, uttered, "mama" and then attempted a pirouette (on my knees). Mama does pirouettes because they make me giggle. A lot. That story made Mama very happy indeed.

A Week: In Review

Of all the times for the camera to break... Photos are coming soon, Mama assures me. She borrowed Auntie Bridgie's camera, and needs to figure something out. I don't get it, but I'll have faith.

In the meantime, here is my week (or so) in review...

1. Halloween - Matilda, Nola & Sam came over for a party with their mamas. Auntie Bridgie, Auntie Molly and Tracy were there, too.
2. Mama and Daddy left one day and Nani Ga came to take care of me. We went to the park, played with my cousins, and read lots of books. The rest is a secret between me and Nani Ga. Mama has been trying to get it out of me, but I won't budge. (I won't tell her why I stopped eating winter squash, a favorite of mine, while she was gone either.) Then, Auntie Molly and Tracy came to take care of me after Nani Ga left. They gave me lots of love, so I wasn't sad. I was happy to see Mama, though, and gave her a hug when she walked in the door. Unsolicited. Mama said it the best welcome home ever. Daddy is still missing. I look at his picture and say "DA!" It's my shout out to him.
3. Mama and I went to the zoo yesterday with our friends. Mama felt sad for the animals, and I liked the leaves and twigs better than anything.
4. I am currently playing with Auntie Bridgie while Mama works (or writes, you be the judge.)

So, there it is.

Happy Halloween!!!

Here's the scoop in our house today. There are all kinds of decorations around, including balloons! I love balloons! And Mama has bats in her hair. And there is an ugly orange color everywhere; the food is orange, the table is orange, orange things everywhere. Except for me. I am about to get dressed in my purple and yellow "Amazing Amelia" Super-hero costume. My power? Charm. All charm. I charm you to get whatever my little heart desires. It works with Daddy, at least.

Auntie Bridgie brought her camera, so I hope Mama can figure out how to post pictures soon. My friends, Matilda and Nola, and maybe Sam and Eila and Niebh, are coming over.

I don't know why today is different than yesterday or tomorrow, but I think I like it!! Happy Halloween to you and yours!

What now?

First, our camera broke at Papa's 99th birthday party, when the camera "stand" fell over, and everyone screamed. Really loud. So, I cried. Really loud. It scared me. So, no photos for a while.

And then Mama went away for 2 and a half days. She just up and left Daddy and I. She said she had her own adventure in store. I think she missed me a lot, because she hasn't stopped kissing, hugging, and smiling at me since she returned. So, no updates while she was gone.

And then Mama got sick. And now we are hanging around in the house, which is not nearly as fun as my usual adventures. So even my adventures got put on hold.

So, I guess I will just have to share an old photo that you haven't yet seen. Hmmm. Ok, how about this one?

This is me demonstrating an old standby move: the "stay down". It started when I would fall over and hit my head on the floor (ouch!). Mama would swoop me up and give me lots of kisses. So, it didn't take me very long to figure out the "stay down". I've mastered it. I have been known to stay down for five minutes, even reaching over for toys, while I await Mama's rescue. Pretty clever, uh??

The Photo Shoots Never End

Are all mamas as crazy with cameras as mine? And can someone please tell my mama to buy me a coat that fits? Thank you.

Six months

Cousin Sadie is six months older than me. Must be a lot of green beans and spinach eating in those six months. Think I'll catch up in size?? I may be tiny in stature, but am certainly not tiny in spirit!

Just Chillin'

The Price of Scavenging

Walk on

Again, side head tilt needed. A quick glimpse into my love of the walker.

Look Out!

Mama and I went to Look Out Farm on Saturday with Miss Aimee and Nola. We took a train to the petting zoo, and then to the apple orchards. Nola picked grapes from the sky, or so it seemed.
It looks like I am feeding the goat, but I am really trying to feed myself. I tried to kiss the goat, but the goat wanted my cookie, that's all.
Five seconds on the ground, and then Mama had to scoop me up. Or else, I'd scoop up rotted apples. Hey, they were interesting!
Hey, how did Nola get that straw?? I want some! Thanks for joining us, Miss Aimee!

Confessions of a 10 Month Old

Caught. On tape. Then saved by the phone.

Boogie

Turn your head sideways to see this one!

Reunited, and It Feels So Good...

This is how I feel about the stuffed "cat" and kangeroo that Mama was hiding in my bedroom. I found them! And I can hardly stand the excitement of seeing them again. Here I am waking up from a nap, and being reunited with "cat".

Forest Gump

I walk, and walk, and walk.... stopping only to collect leaves and trash.

Mama is hoping to upload some videos soon. Where to begin? I fascinate her with my walking, my "talking" (I answer any question with a "dat"), and my dancing (I've got serious belly movement going on).

Flowers for Me?

A nice man at the Farmer's Market took a liking to me, and gave me these flowers. I smiled real big. Mama is teaching me how to smell flowers. I wrinkle my nose and put it up to the flowers. And then I open my mouth...

A Picture(s) Says a Thousand Words

See previous post for description. Here are some action photos....I think I love this toy more than grilled cheese and watermelon, more than the part in the Good Night Moon where mama says "the quiet old lady whispering hhhuuuuusssshhhhhhhhhhhh", but not more than woof woof or lamma lamma. Still, that's a lot.

Stella Bella Girl

Hanging out with Mama on the steps of our favorite local toy store, Stella Bella. We're waiting for it to open. Mama caved today and bought me something special ~ a wooden alligator walker!! I cruise around on it so fast that my feet often don't keep up. So then I crawl really fast, because I haven't figured out how to stop yet. What makes this funny for Mama is how serious I am when I do this.

See, fall really is here. And check out my cool new fleece vest that mama bought second-hand. Way to go, Mama!

Pumpkins, butterflies, fairs, oh my!

Mama and I went to visit Nani Ga in western Mass this weekend. We went to two farmer's markets, the Deerfield Fair, and the Butterfly Museum! Then Nani Ga took care of me for a whole day while mama got her "teethers", as Daddy calls them, cleaned and visited with family.

I got to spend time with my energetic Nani Ga, and my Aunt Sara and cousins Caitlin and Max.

Sleepy but enjoying the pumpkins...

Here we are (above) at the Deerfield Fair. I fell asleep while the group walked around for awhile.

The highlight was definitely the butterflies!! Three landed on Nani Ga. I couldn't take my eyes off of them!!

Nani Ga's kitchen has mirrors on the closet, and I got to eat in front of them. Mama said its the most entertained I've ever been during meals. Usually, I try to climb out of my seat, over and over, no matter how tightly secured I am. I was very content here admiring my beautiful self as I ate my meals...

And Mama had fun dressing me up like Punky Brewster! She likes mismatched, fun, colorful clothing on me. Doesn't matter to me. I just like when people, especially Mama, smile at me!

Stay Tuned: Amelia in Autumn

Starring: Me
Co-starring: Mama, Daddy and Phoebe the Cat
Guest Appearances: "The Girls", aka Anne, Sarah, and Katie from across the street, Nani Ga (this weekend), stay tuned for the rest...
Set Design: Sometimes Mama, sometimes God (i.e. inside, outside)
Wardrobe: Grandma Lynn

A Wednesday Morning

My morning in pictures:
6:45 am: Nibble on tupperware while Mama prepares breakfast. Fake hand being caught in drawer. 7:15 am - Eat bananas, toast and cheese for breakfast. Try to escape high chair 10 - 20 times.
800 am - Read "Eco Babies Wear Green" with Mama. Point to all circular objects and make sound "tsss". 8:15 am - Strip down from dirty sleeper before milk and nap. Survey toys to decide which ones I will play with upon waking up.
915 am - Wake up from nap. Wait for Mama to pick up Lamba Lamba and Woof Woof (aka "the twins") from my floor. 10:00 am - Eat egg, yogurt, fruit and biscuit for brunch. Taunt Mama by putting large piece of biscuit in mouth and chomp teeth so she can not remove it.
11:00 am - Listen to "Latin Playground" music while Mama dresses me (outfit #3) for grocery store to buy ingredients for special dinner for Daddy (including a football shaped cake for no reason at all. Best reason of all, Mama says.) Climb stairs to top like Rocky, except reach for light fixture rather than pump fists when goal is reached.
12:00 pm - Climb up on box and reach for the lady on the box when mama asks, "where's mama?"

The end.

Warning: Do not feed the domesticated animals...

Unless it's fish, of course. Apparently cats like fish. More than babies. Though I do kinda like it.

And take note of my "Nascar" cap from Pop. Mama put it on me because she thought it made my outfit look like a 1920's swim suit with matching cap.

A riddle

Here's a riddle. What makes me coo with joy? Nearly jump out of my high chair at 5:30ish most nights? Looks just like me, only bigger and darker? You guessed it! My daddy. He sings me songs he made up like, "Amelia...Amelia Bedelia... Amelia Bedelia Boo... Ten fingers, Ten Toes, and a cute button nose (mama says we may need to change that line to an "elegant" nose.), Amelia Bedelia Boo." He is sweet and gentle, loving and kind, and funny. Mama says I'm blessed.