Happy Birthday to Paige!

I'm still not quite sure where this last year went but it has sure been a joyous one! Paige celebrated her 1st birthday two weeks ago and each day keeps getting better and better. We spent the weekend in Sacramento because Kevin's brother was getting married so we had the special treat of having all of Kevin's side of the family celebrate Paige's special day with us. The wedding was on her birthday so we did a little party for her the day before. Everyone eagerly anticipated the classic cake eating but of course Paige always does things on her own time and in her own way. She didn't want anything to do with the cake unless Kevin or I fed it to her. :) As a result, Dad and Mom ended up messier than Paige as you can see below. Here are a few pictures of us with Paige at the temple on her birthday.


The next Monday my mom had a layover in San Jose on her way to see her mom so Paige and I met up with her for a quick lunch.
Paige continually amazes us. She soaks things up like a sponge and each day is full of surprises with all she has learned. And although we never seem to be able to capture it on film, she is such a happy little girl. We love to hear her laugh and she can put a smile on our faces like no one else can. I'm so grateful every day for our little miracle and look forward to all of our wonderful adventures in the year to come.

Christmas 2010

Better late than never.... :)Christmas Eve...best food EVER!
As one of the kids at church said...."It's Santa's helper!" Cutest helper if I do say so myself. :)
Bryce finally gets to move back in line
Checking out her loot from Santa
Paige and Mom sporting her adorable hat from Aunt Ash
The craziness of Christmas has set in
Daddy helping Paige
Ooooo...paper
The best gift ever! (Paige is thinking "Why wont this come off?")
Snow on my birthday...Paige didn't quite know what to do about it. :)

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.