Finley's First Christmas

Well, Finley's first Christmas has come and gone - although we still have a couple to go! For 3 full days, Finley celebrated with family, first at Great Grandma B.'s, then with mom's family in Waseca, then at Grandma Julie's, and she never once took a good nap. She slept horribly all weekend long and now, she has yet to wake up at 10 am. Home sweet home, I guess. She definitely didn't want to miss any of the action, though. She got lots of fun stuff: bath toys, clothes, a toy guitar, books, blocks, a drum, frog slippers, crayons and a drawing pad, among much, much more! I'm sure when she wakes up, she'll have lots of fun playing with everything.

10 months

Finley is really growing up fast! She is getting another tooth on the top, so now she has 6. She's walking full force now and initiates games like peek-a-boo. Her favorite song is "Animal Fair" - it always makes her giggle and tap whatever she happens to be next to. Her favorite book right now seems to be Sandra Boynton's "Snuggle Puppy"- although she really likes all of Boynton's books. She says "Da da" when Cam comes into the room and she reaches for or points at him when she sees him. She says "Ma ma Moooommmm", but not really when she sees me. She always gets excited when she hears the door open or close and points at either Dale or Dad when they come up to the top of the stairs. Dale is pretty sure she says "Dale" when she sees him. They are pretty fond of one another. She is easily entertained by simple things like straws, empty plastic babyfood containers, bottle liners, and empty pop or water bottles. She still doesn't sleep through the night. Mom and Dad have really gotten better at ignoring her by now, although last night she had a little party in her room at about 2am. She's getting more hair, but everyone who sees her still thinks she's a boy - even when she is decked head to toe in pink. She's really looking forward to her first Christmas!

I'm Number One!

Finley's new obsession is pointing, as is demonstrated in the picture here. Before snapping this picture, Finley was crouching in the corner and I'm sure you can all guess what we found in her pants after her "alone time". It's the first time I've noticed her needing "privacy". You can also see in the picture her brand new Chuck Taylor's. They are quite possibly the cutest things ever and Finley has been playing with them since we took them out of the box. I guess she's a girl after her shoe-loving mother's heart. Also, the reason behind Finley's latest crankiness was discovered this morning when feeding her her breakfast applesauce - a new tooth on the bottom. It's a relief to find out it's not that ear infection I thought it might be...at least I hope not!

Finley: Future American Idol!

Here's Finners getting ready to go to Sadie's birthday party. Not only does she look hot to trot, but she also made me cry on the way home from school today because she did the cutest, most precious thing ever - she sang with me! She has long been singing with Grandma Julie, but usually when they are hanging out in the living room and Julie is looking right at her. Today, I was listening to one of my new faves, Ingrid Michaelson, who I used to play in Finley's crib back when she wouldn't fall asleep by herself. I was singing along at the top of my lungs, of course, and I heard this sweet little sound coming from the back seat. I turned down the music and Finners was singing along from the back. I kept singing without the music, and so did Finners. I kept going with tears running down my cheeks because I didn't want her to stop. She is so precious.

I also love the picture from Sadie's birthday party. She hung in there with the "big kids", climbing every single stair - numerous times, walking from Grandma to Grandpa to mom to dad, eating ice cream with Grandpa, playing with Sadie's new vanity, and helping Sadie with her presents. I swear I have a picture of myself and my big cousins that looks just like that.

And, I also have to make record of the fact that Finley took her first trip to the art museum on Saturday. Grandma and Grandpa Bernhardt and Grandma Julie accompanied Finley, mom, dad, Auntie Megan and Cousin Sadie to the Macy's Christmas display and then to the Walker to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Of course, Finley was "talking" the whole time, while everyone else silently stood in awe and wonder of the gorgeous paintings. What fun we had. It might have been the "best day we ever had" (wink, wink).

Happy Birthday, Grandma Julie! We love you!

An Old Pro

She did it! She is walking full force now. I went to pick her up from daycare today and she was in the corner playing house like she always is so I started packing her bag. I heard the ladies getting all excited so I looked up and Finners was standing in the middle of the room looking at me all smiley. She kept coming at me and walked all the way across the room. She did it numerous times at home tonight, too. It's so funny how she goes from not doing something at all to doing it like she's done it forever! She's growing up so fast :(

Ta Da!

Here's Finley's latest trick - no hands! She's an old pro at standing by herself now. Last night, Mommy and Finners stayed with Auntie Megan, Phil and Sadie so we didn't have to drive home in the snowstorm. She showed off for them all by taking several steps. I've seen her take 5 all by herself now. She's becoming quite the little explorer, too - getting into the recycling, pulling on cords, pushing her little car all over the house, and, of course, she loved the Christmas tree and presents at Auntie Megan's.