Santa

Paige was never quite sure what to make of Santa but at least she's not screaming in the picture. :)

Paige walking

So about two months ago, Kevin and I had a debate about when Paige would start walking. She's been cruising for about 2 months now and Kevin thought for sure she would be walking by Thanksgiving. I thought that was a little premature and went with the more conservative answer of by Christmas. Well the night before we flew home Paige decided to take her first two steps. Then nothing for a week. On Thanksgiving evening, she bonked her head on the end table at my parent's house and started crying. She started looking around for me and I was in the middle of the room. So in her trying to get to me let go of the end table and walked straight toward me....a good 6 or 7 steps. The best part was she did the same exact thing about 5 minutes later. Anyways, we've been trying to get her on video ever since but she hasn't really wanted to walk on command. Last night we finally got some video and I put it together below for your viewing pleasure.

Paige: 8 months

How is it possible that Paige has been out of me longer than she was in me? I swear, before we know it she will 18. Where does the time go? This last month has been so much fun as Paige is really starting to interact with us more. Her favorite games are peek-a-boo and showing us how big she is. Her "flirt" is back in full force and cuter than ever (see picture below) and she's started giving hugs and kisses (all kisses must be given to mom first...I've trained her right!). She is crawling faster than ever and spends all day cruising the perimeter of the couches and entertainment center...which means walking will be just around the corner. We started feeding her solids this month so she's being exposed to the yucky but oh-so-good for you vegetables....green beans, peas, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, and her favorite (yes that's sarcastic)....avocado! She's talking up a storm with words like mama, gaga, lala, baba, and something like gla-gla (that's the closest I can come to figure out how to spell it). Last night she dropped her sippie cup and we said uh-oh and she started saying it with gusto. :) Still no luck with dada but we're hopeful. She's started her first signing so she now signs milk and more. And boy does she love to read. She's quite the "paige" turner (that's for Kevin and Scott :P). Still no sleeping through the night but at least she lets mom sleep in. And as for teeth, they're still hiding but she's got 6 on their way....4 on top and 2 on bottom....at least she's efficient. Oh and did I mention she's finally getting hair! She's such a joy and I couldn't picture a better life!

A crawling adventure with daddy

Why not play with the toys in the toy basket?

Baby with an attitude (and yes, she keeps them on...it wasn't just a photo op)

She loves to eat her whale

Looks like a baby cut out for Seattle weather!

Enjoying the ride

This is her "flirt" magnified

Intently watching "Baby signing time". The world could come to an end and she'd have no clue as long as she can sign with Alex and Leah. :) I sure hope her bear is picking up on it too. :P

Our little jack-o-lantern

Wearing the same costume her daddy wore 26 years ago....

Paige's Room - FINALLY

So we ordered Paige's furniture in June right before we moved. It said it would be shipped in 2 weeks. Finally in the middle of September it arrived. So Paige's room was finally transformed from the storage room to her room and she got to move out of the bathroom (I know kind of weird but she had to go somewhere). Here are some of the pictures of her room.

Paige: 6 months

6 months already past...it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital. She brings more and more joy to our lives everyday it seems though. She's playing with us a lot now. She sits up all by herself and does not like to lie down if she can help it. She's begun to fake cough to get attention and her squeals are as loud as ever. It's so much fun to see her personality develop.

Oh, and she's quite aware of the fact that she's the cutest thing ever. One of her favorite past times is to stand up on the pew at church and flirt with the ladies behind her. You should hear the whispers...."Oh, isn't she the cutest thing ever!" "Come on cutie, give us a smile" "She's like a china doll" "I just want to squeeze those cheeks". Paige soaks it all in and is probably thinking "I've got them right where I want them". She'll smile and tease the whole time....as long as mom is still holding her of course. :) One of these days she'll get over her stranger anxiety.

Here are some pictures of her from the last month.







Crawling is right around the corner....

This is Paige's "flirt"


I think she's trying to tell us she's through with being swaddled :P
Look at me....I'm a big girl now.

July trip to Bakersfield!

In July, Paige and I joined Mom and Dad and Bryce on their trip to So Cal to see my grandparents. All in all Paige did a great job even if she had just entered her stranger anxiety phase. We sure missed Kevin but enjoyed our time with family.

Paige and Grandpa Tanner at In-N-Out. Paige never quite knew what to make of him. :)
Swimming in Grandpa Richards' pool....classic.


She loved to chew the diving sticks. You'd think she'd give up trying to put the whole thing in her mouth....not my daughter...she's persistent!
Grandpa and Grandma Tanner with Paige
Paige was an early riser and we enjoyed our morning visits when it was just us and Grandpa Richards. She even let Grandpa hold her!
One of the few times Paige didn't need to see me to be content. I should have kept cousins around more often during the trip. :)
Any trip to Bakersfield wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Green Frog!

See, I told you....unfortunately she likes dogs. I'm confident we'll break that awful habit. :P
4 generations on the Richards side.
Paige and I with Grandpa and Grandma Richards. Can you believe they are 93 and 89!?!?!
Paige and I at Newport Beach. It was overcast but we thoroughly enjoyed the crashing waves.
Not the best picture in the world but this was the only way to get Paige's face in the pictures with the waves in the background. She was so fascinated by them.
Sleeping in the car....
...but not for long!
Paige and Bryce...so cute
Thanks again Mom and Dad for letting us tag along!