Christmas

Where do I begin. Christmas was different this year. We have never celebrated with our baby girl and we have never celebrated without our Moms. Making this year a little bitter sweet. However, God reminds us of our blessings daily. And Miriam does too!

This year we spent Christmas Eve at my dad's house and attended church in the early evening. Miriam did well sitting on my lap watching and she loved the music. We tried to get a few pictures of the girls all dressed up but it was a little difficult.

On Christmas morning, Lee came to my dad's after getting off work. We had breakfast and then opened gifts. Miriam's favorite was the wrapping paper and the cute card her daddy got her. After I fished all the paper out of her mouth, she reluctantly moved on to her real gifts. After presents it was off to nap time for baby and daddy. Unfortunately, because of all the morning excitement, MJ refused to take her morning nap (which made for a lively night).

In the afternoon Kyle, Lindsey and cousin Niah came over for a bit. It was really amusing watching Niah and MJ share the toys. They are growing so fast.

Then on Friday my aunts came up (from Santa Barbara) and over (from Louisiana) for a visit. On Saturday, The Aunts took us all to Build-A-Bear for a family bonding day. It was a lot of fun. With Miriam being to small to actually pick out and build her own, I had to step in for her. After showing a 10 month old various different bears, dogs, a monkey, a zebra she finally hinted to building a cute little bunny.


We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that this new year brings you all peace, love and joy. Happy New Year!

Guitar Hero

Miriam has decided that her new favorite toy is Daddy's guitar. It started by Lee just playing for her, at first she just stared at him. Slowly she began to crawl towards him while playing. Then we began to find her in whatever room the guitar was last just pounding out a few chords. And now she wont let him play without her strumming along. So now we just leave it out for her. She will be holding auditions for whoever might want to join her new rock band. :o)

Santa

And the introduction to Christmas continued today with a chance to meet Santa. Miriam was a very good sport, she didn't cry at all. (But she didn't smile either) Santa thought Miriam was so cute he even postponed his lunch break to take a photo with her. Thanks Santa!

O Christmas Tree

For the last five years Lee and I have had a tradition of going to Rowell Ranch the weekend after Thanksgiving, to get our Christmas tree. Today we took Miriam on her first Christmas tree adventure. I say it's an adventure because I have been known to cause my family to go insane and freeze, while I search the lot for the "perfect" tree. This year was no different. We bundled MJ up and walked her down the aisles of the big beautiful Nobles. She took it all in with wide eyes and a smile.

Our Little Santa Baby - ready for the adventure. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the lot, but it's worth it.

MJ laughing at Mommy shaking the branches.

Earlier this morning, Daddy taught MJ how to count down the days 'til Jesus Birthday!

We are looking forward to teaching Miriam Jade the true meaning of Christmas, throughout the years and sharing with her our little traditions. It's true what they say, when you look at something through a child's eyes - it's so much better. This year is going to be lots of fun!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a blessed day!

Crouching MJ Hidden Toy

So the other morning Lee and I were playing with Miriam in my dad's living room. Her ball rolled under his desk and all of a sudden she did this army crawl crouching thing that just cracked us up. We thought we should share.

Bottoms up!

Peek a boo, I see you!

And as a side note when she was about 5 months old she actually rolled under this very desk and got her head stuck. I had to lift the desk with my shoulders and creatively retract her from it.

Eating Out

Lee and I rarely eat at restaurants. We are the GET-IT-TO-GO types, especially now with Miriam. However this week we were craving nachos, which isn't a to go kind of a meal, so we headed to Chili's. We brought along MJ's booster seat and a snack and she did GREAT! We will have to do it again.
She looked so cute at the table.

She loves ice right now, so mommy shared.

Her first time in a restaurant was at Mimi's Cafe with Grammie back in March, she was only 7 weeks old.

Her second time was with the Pattison's in September (at Mimi's). She loved when Jess gave her water from a straw!

Book Worm

I have always wanted my child to be into reading. I think it is a great way for kids to learn and build their imagination. When Miriam was only a few days old I sent Lee out to Barnes & Noble to pick up a few books so we could start her on the right track. I also signed up to do a monthly book club by Scholastic. Her daddy reads to her anytime he is off and I read to her before her naps. (that is when she sits still long enough)

Well to my surprise I think it is working! This week I have caught MJ going into her room and playing with her books on a couple occasions.



This is her last month when she taught herself how to open the cabinet.

AND now this is what I get to clean up a couple of times a day. :o)

Her favorite right now is Pat the Bunny. We are in awe of how she will really pat the bunny, "play peek-a-boo with Paul" and touch "daddy's scratchy face." I have been teaching her to smell the flowers, but her version of sniffing is to put her face on the page- we'll keep working on that.

So if you have any suggestions on a good read for a 9 month old send them our way!

9 Months

Today little Miriam Jade turned 9 months old! I can't believe how fast time has flown by. All she wants to do these days is crawl, stand and climb on anything. Papa says she will be walking in no time. She is a wonderful baby and gives us so much joy.

The Hoodie

The other day it was raining while we were trying to house hunt. I was excited because I got to put MJ in her jacket for the first time. (Didn't you know - you only have a child to play dress up on a real "doll") Although I didn't get a picture that day, today I had another chance. When we ran to Target it was a bit chilly so I put Miriam in a sweat jacket...and she rocked the hoodie! She actually left it on in the car and when we got home. I took a picture for her daddy and now you all to see.

Am I the only mom who spends 15+ minutes picking out what their child should wear that day?

Finally caving...

RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN SENT BLOG PAGES FROM MY TWO SISTERS-IN-LAW AND I FIGURE IT IS TIME FOR THIS STILLMAN FAMILY TO JOIN THE FUN. SO FROM TIME TO TIME I WILL UPDATE OUR PAGE AND INCLUDE PICTURES OF MJ FOR ALL OF YOU TO SEE. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME AND THINK I MIGHT BE BEING HYPOCRITICAL DON’T WORRY I AM STILL ANTI- MYSPACE. :O) BUT THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THE MONTH OF OCTOBER HAS BEEN PRETTY CRAZY FOR US. WITHOUT GOING ON AND ON I WILL SHARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH: MIRIAM GOT HER FIRST SET OF TEETH, MASTERED CRAWLING, WENT TO A PUMPKIN PATCH, AND EXPERIENCED HALLOWEEN. Take a look.

Two little teeth... Don't forget to brush!

On the move

Our little pumpkin or our 'lil stinger?

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.