the meanness of moms.

I may or may not have taken this picture of Lorelei standing in her crib for the first time, knowing that she was about to start wailing her head off because she was sliding down the bars and couldn't figure out how to get out of this position.

9 months old.

Today, I am nine months old!

At the doctor's office today, we found out that I weigh 20.5 pounds, am just over 28 inches tall, and my head is a little more than 17 inches around.

I am such a good crawler now -- Mom and Dad have to chase me around. I love to explore the house and wish they would let me into the bathroom, especially when Dad is shaving because the razor makes such a nice sound. I love finding spring doorstops and making them make that funny noise or hitting the door into them.

I love feet. Not just my own -- yours! I love Mom's red shiny shoes, the button on her slippers, and the toenail polish I find on her toes when her socks are off. If you let me, I will stick my fingers in between your toes and tickle you.

I like to turn the pages of my books when Mom and Dad read to me -- sometimes even before they are ready!

My favorite toys are a pig puppet I got from my friend Beth and my Leapfrog playhouse, even though I don't really understand it. I am also getting very good at taking things out of boxes and containers -- but it's up to you to put them back! Peekaboo is pretty funny, but I mostly like it when you disappear below my high chair tray (I kick and kick my feet). I sometimes try to cover my own head up, too.

It's fun to pull myself up to see what's on the coffee table, especially if there's a coffee cup or book up there. I can only pull to my knees right now on my own, but with a little help I can get to my feet. I also like to stand and push the buttons on my activity table. Getting down is hard, though I'm starting to figure it out!

We went to Mom's minister's house for a political fundraiser. I thought that was pretty boring, so Dad showed me how to climb up their stairs -- and that was very fun! I can do it all on my own. Mom lets me practice it at home sometimes too.

I still love to eat and like to pick out the fruit from my meals and eat that first, especially if it is blueberries or grape halves. But I don't like peaches -- yuck! I am trying very hard to learn to drink from my sippy cup but it is just too fun to bite it instead.

Things that are funny to me: tongues. Show me yours and I will giggle! I also laugh when I hear the song "Once I Caught a Fish Alive." Mom and Dad sing it to me when they clean me up after dinner -- it keeps me happy for a few seconds until I remember I hate having my hands and face wiped!

I'm getting my first tooth. No big deal.

Most babies have stranger anxiety by now: not me! I love new faces. Dr. Jafri said I seemed very curious and interactive -- he liked that I looked him right in the eye when he came in the room today.

I squeal and fuss and whine, but I'm still not sure about this whole babbling thing yet. When I have something to say, I'll let you know!

playdate with Jason's first.

Lorelei has been such a busy little bee lately -- so much so that she hasn't been sleeping very much. She'll be 9 months old on Friday, so expect a very newsy post soon!

Yesterday, we had a playdate with the baby whose diaper was the first Jason ever changed! Her name is Eleanor, and she is the daughter of a woman he works with at NIU and who is also in the moms group I get together with -- and she also happened to be the "demo" baby at his Bootcamp for Dads class a week or two before Lorelei was born. Eleanor is five months older than Lorelei and was very cute toddling around our house (she just learned to walk last week!). The two girls had fun together -- and so did the moms.

be my valentine!

We've had a busy few days here at the Hanna house: friends over for dinner, going to a museum opening (and Lorelei making her newspaper debut as a result!), and a playdate with two friends you've met before (hoping it'll become a regular thing!). Not a lot of time for photo taking. But here are a few shots from this morning in honor of Valentine's Day. Next time she wakes up, Lorelei and I are going out for coffee to celebrate all things romance (she already bought her dad a box of truffles from the DeKalb Confectionary).

Happy Valentine's Day! 

 I'm a little skeptical about the validity of this holiday.

 Really? You're going to try to get me to believe that playing with a pig puppet is as good as the chocolate you're eating?

Even my feet are holiday-ready!

Okay, I'll sit still for one more picture... 

 Seriously. Stop already.

Hope you're having a wonderful Valentine's Day!

the happiest baby in the world.

raspberries taste like...

Lorelei tried a raspberry for the first time today. You can decide for yourself what she thought.

in and out.

IN.
Hanging around the kitchen and helping mom to cook:

OUT.
Impressing the party guests at the Two Brothers Roundhouse celebrating (great) Uncle Chris's 60th:

(yes, that is a purse made of actual moss -- soon-to-be-aunt Meredith is awesome)