It's official

Hannah is a Toddler.

She started walking last Friday and has taken to it with enthusiasm.

word

Hannah is developing her vocabulary. Here's a short list of the words that she uses:

No
Mama
Dada
Sandy (her Day Care Provider)
Leila (her best friend at Day Care)
Ball
Baaybee
Car
Kitty
Puppy
Nana (as in Banana)
Water
Key
Light
Uh-oh (it's actually pretty adorable when she says this)
wow

Post party

We've been on a blog hiatus for some time. Since Hannah turned one, we've been focusing on developing her independence. As part of this, we've encouraged her to make her own blog posts. This has not worked, so I have picked up the reins....and right where I left off.

Here are some choice photos from her three birthday parties. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend these events. Your gifts were generous and you help make the event exciting and memorable.

Un-wrapping presents is fun

Hannah discovers a new blanket, one of her favorites.

First taste of Cake

Word of the Day: Baby

Today Hannah loves the word "Baby"
One of the girls in day care has a new little sister, so everyone over there is a little baby crazy these days.

Party-Ready

Hannah is one year old today!

Good clean fun

Hannah is learning fast and seems more like a toddler every day. In the last month she's started creeping along the furniture and crawling on all-fours. Palindrome has realized she likes having her own way and is starting to throw mini-tantrums. She went through a week of screaming just for fun, then there was the "no" week. She calls the cats "Git-tee" and tries to imitate other words. Hannah looks more and more like Daddy, especially when she gets a big smile.

onwards and upwards

Hannah is now building on her pulling-up skills by climbing the stairs.

She also learned a new word, which she took home from day care. She now says "No" in all sorts of situations. Who could say no to this cute kid?

Stand up and be counted!

Hannah started to creep along the edges of the furniture on Saturday.
How long before she walks?

More cousins!

Colton


Emma (left) and Sebastian (right)


Welcome to Colton Quentin Thell and to twins Emma Leanne and Sebastian Joseph Bertsch!

Colton was born at 8:25am, November 20th to Emily Trudeau and Justin Thell. He weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 20 1/2 inches long

Bethany and Steven Bertsch received their twins the day after Christmas.
Emma was born at 12:12pm, December 26th, and weighed 5lbs 1oz.
Sebastian was born at 12:13pm, December 26th, and weighed 5lbs 4oz.

2008 has seen a bumper crop of babies!
Ivy Jane Tierney, born June 6
Nesiah Kiri Nelson, born July 25th
Aria Grace Walburn, born August 13th
Sula Marie Hines, born September 12th

Pickles & Bananas

Hannah loves pickles. Who knew? Not us... until yesterday. We wanted to see her make that funny sour face. About a minute later we could barely pry the pickle remains from her kung-fu grip.

In other headline news... I've tried to get Hannah to eat bananas for a couple of months. Mashed, mixed, or chunks of different sizes (to feed herself) didn't seem to be her thing. I tried again today - same reaction. Later on Dan gave it a try. It worked - she loved it! Here's his ingenious technique: peel banana, take a bite, then present it to the baby. He's like the Fonz for babies.