Walkin' & Talkin'

After spending a weekend at the wide, open Football Fields of Pebble Chase Drive aka Gammy and Gampy's house, Niva is officially a walker! Check out a practice session:

We actually had our first walk around the block sans stroller today. Niva loves her newfound mode of transportation and for now, so do I!

And now for her newest party trick...

Zoom Zoom!

Niva's first ride around the neighborhood in her new set of wheels...

Faster, Ma!

That's right, no seatbelt!

Niva and The Didgeridoo

No, Niva did not have an encounter with a baby kangaroo (ask Dada about that mix-up I made a few years ago). She got a lesson from Daddy on how to blow on this Australian musical instrument...she was scared at first but quickly became very fascinated!

What IS this??

Okay, I got this!

Big horn for little kid!

I'm glad these chubby cheeks are good for something!

Teacher's Pet

It's been over a year but I finally visited my old stomping grounds today with my Lil Pardner in tow...Del Valle Middle School! So weird to walk the halls again. Everything looks just how I left it except now I have a mini-me tagging along. And all my old colleagues gave me the fine compliment that she looks just like me. Wow, I'll take it, thanks!

Niva had fun practicing her mobility skillz atop the desks.

One Little Monkey Jumpin' On the Bed

How do we spend our days?

Ahhh! The Baby Life!

And Now With Some Expression...

I was told that yesterday's video was a bit of a reach so we did another take:

I think we're ready for school plays!

Lil Bookworm

As Niva's nap schedule is slowly disintegrating from two naps to one, I have found something that has become the new quiet activity-- Reading Time! When it's about her naptime and she cries when I put her in the crib,  I toss in a couple of picture books. Then, I spy on her on the video monitor--she turns those pages back and forth and studies the pages intently for over an hour...sometimes 2 hours! I hope she is this studious forever!

Meet my friend, Book!

In other news, I am teaching Niva how to make a surprised face....here is what she has learned:

XOXOXOXOXOXO

After waiting for 13 months, it finally happened...my sweet baby can finally give us kisses! We ask Niva to give us a kiss and she leans in and place her lips on ours. It's the most precious things ever and I feel so warm inside! I could give Niva hugs and kisses all day, ahhhhh!

Gotta toothache yet?

Because I'm too sweeeeeet!

Okay, back away, Ma. You're smothering me.

Hipster Neevz

This morning, we enjoyed a delicious brunch with Gammy, Gampy, and T-Fu...at an old Austin favorite, Kerbey Lane Cafe! Niva tried to fit in with her hipster look:

I forgot my skinny jeans.

Who am I kidding? I'm not too cool for school!

For the first time, we ordered an entire plate off the kids' menu. They must be feeding some hungry kids at Kerbey Lane! Niva's plate was covered with a mountain of scrambled eggs, 4 pieces of toast, and a big bowl of fruit. Lot of food for little kid!

Yummy breakfast, time to wash it all down!

Shortly after breakfast, No Nap Niva showed the family her new spot-- My Gym. Here, Niva expresses sheer joy on the trampoline...

Don't mind my hair!

Can't catch me!

I sure wish I had taken that nap....siiiigh.

My Gym

After a year of taking advantage of all the free and demo classes that Austin has had to offer the munchkins, I have finally found a place worth signing up for...My Gym! Not my gym, the place I rarely go to anymore, but My Gym, an awesome kids' fitness center. We went to a demo class (of course) on Saturday morning and I have never seen Niva have more fun for a whole entire hour. I could barely keep up with her as she scurried from one piece of equipment to the next. I had to sign her up for classes on the spot! They have an Active Free Play room too-- play date, anyone?

Try to keep up, Ma!

Is this Disney World?

I love this place!