Happy February and All That Jazz

For being a short month, February has been jam-packed with fun and excitement for our family so far. First, let me just share the amazingness that is my physical development. In the 10 months since my glorious birth, I have gained 11 pounds and grown 9 inches in length. All that formula must be doing some good. I have also cut four more teeth in the past month -- all on the top. Phew, was that ever hard work!

My diet is expanding to include quite the repertoire of foods these days. In addition to a vast array of pureed fruits, veggies, and cereals, I can now eat dry Cheerios, Baby Mum Mums (rice crackers), and yogurt. I also tried a pureed chicken and veggie combo meal this week, but I promptly spit it out all over Mom and my high chair. It turns out I don't care for obliterated meat, so I think I'll remain a vegan for awhile longer.

Back to February. It started with Grandma Jan coming to stay with me near Valentine's Day. We had a great time together. One of the days she was here was uncharacteristically warm and dry for this time of year, so we went on a really long walk around the neighborhood. To commemorate my first Valentine's Day, Grandma Jan sent our family a bonafide Miss Grace Lemon Cake. It's not just a clever nickname -- there truly is a Miss Grace who makes a divine cake of the lemon variety. It was a very special surprise!

Then, a few days after Valentine's Day, Mama Ashley and Daddy Mike came to visit me. It was an awesome weekend! We went to the zoo one of the days, and I got to see ALL the animals this time (last time, many of the animals were already in bed when we were there). MA and DM got me the cutest, snuggliest stuffed baby elephant (named "Monkey") while we were there, and I still carry it around with me everywhere to remind me of our wonderful time together.

This coming weekend, Grandma Elaine and Grandpa Al are coming all the way from Fargo, ND to visit us for an entire week! I'm taking the week off of "school" to be with them and everything. I can't wait to show them all the cool tricks I've learned since last May. I'm pretty sure I'll blow them away with all my sweet skills.

I'm still hermit crabbing all over the place and cruising any chance I get. I have a toy walker that I like to push up and down the hallway, and I'm even getting pretty good at maneuvering it around corners and furniture.

My favorite words these days are "Dada" "Da-Deeeee" "Geeee" (soft g sound), and "Babababa." I seem to know what each of those words mean, too. BTW: "Geeee" and "Keeee" is kitty, and "Baba" is anything I happen to want at the moment (i.e., bottle, binky, toy, etc.).

I have tons of new pics to share, but it's getting late and my scribe wants to hit the hay. We'll be back soon...