Christmas

A ridiculously fun Christmas for us this year. I'm assuming they will all seem spectacular when you aren't 10 months pregnant (aka 2012).

Opening presents was joyous. I loved seeing the girls playing with their new things. So many wonderful memories made.

My favorite was in the afternoon, while upstairs packing for our trip. Hearing music blaring downstairs, I hurried to see what was going on. I find Doug dancing in the kitchen- with the girls to 'Brave'.

12 Months of Joy

October - 10 Months Old

We continued our fun family vacation in Charleston this month and enjoyed time with friends, spending time on the beach and exploring our favorite city again.  We were lucky enough to stay the week in the condo complex where we lived for a year when Jordan was a baby.  Our neighbors were kind to let us stay right next door.  There was something so comforting about spending time there again where we had first become a family.  I loved being able to tell Jordan about where we had lived and introducing Hailey to lovely Charleston.

Hailey was a bit sick while we were in Charleston, which made for a tired mom and dad, but we pushed through and enjoyed all of our days.

October also brought fun fall activities like Jordan's first field trip to the pumpkin patch, our traditional winery trip to Hermann with the Stephens sans-kiddos, Halloween parties, trip to Columbia for Homecoming, and finally the Eckerbergs moving back to Missouri!  Crazy, fun month.

Hailey was cruising more and more this month, thinking about taking steps when she was trying to go from one spot to the other.  She is so vocal and smiley, still a great eater and typically sleeping through the night, with one possible wake up in the early hours.  She is generally enthralled with anything that her sister likes.  While she can be a little shy (seeing new people, she'll lay her head on my shoulder) she really goes to any familar person - mom, dad, grandparents and aunts and uncles.  She also began walking - using a cart, very proud of herself all the time.

We are enjoying some fun seeing Jordan and Hailey's relationship with their cousins develop - Taylor tends to stick with Hailey and Madison and Jordan play together so well.  What a blessing it has been to have this time together with our children.

Some of our favorites from Charleston.  Our favorite - Sullivan's Island.

 First field trip - Pumpkin patch

 Soccer finale 

Hailey's costume - take 1 

 Hailey costume take 2 - kitty cat

 and 3 - pumpkin

 With our mother's helper, Laurel

 Fun in Hermann

 Pumpkin patch fun

 Walking with the cart

 Homecoming

 Fun at the zoo with cousins

 Fun outside - fall days

Month 9 - September

Such a fun month with these girls - including the beginning of our first week long vacation as a family of four.  We also traveled to St. Louis to celebrate Doug's brother's wedding.  Jordan was a fantastic flower girl and a good time was had by all.

Hailey is continues her fun development this month - including beginning to "cruise" on furniture at the end of this month.  She got really great at pulling up this month and learned how to transition back to the floor softly.  I absolutely adore the way she likes to bring something up with her when she stands, a toy, a wipe, anything really.  It's just so funny.

She continues to have such a love for her sister and dog - wanted to be with and grab both of them (usually by the hair).  She is crawling soooo fast this month and probably due to all this activity, is taking two good naps per day and sleeping fairly well at night.  She will eat anything and everything - which is such a pleasant surprise and so much fun.

Jordan had some big milestones this month, too.  Sleeping in her new bed - a beautiful frame that we received from Uncle Gary and Aunt Angie.  Jordan loves her new 'Princess Bed'.  She also started PreSchool this month, two mornings a week, 9-12.  Our orientation day, she got really overwhelmed, but the teachers were so wonderful and made both of us feel comfortable.  On the first day, she sat down in the circle with her friends and never once looked back.

Jordan also started playing soccer this month.  Once again at the beginning of the first game, she was slightly unsure, but she adjusted and had such a fun time playing.  So happy to see her coming out of her shell and becoming more outgoing and confident.

Some of my favorites from this month:

Um, do you think Jordan's a little short? 

Caught in the act.... of playing with a puzzle

Momma's little eater

H with the Bride and Groom

So much love for Aunt Ashley - isn't this just precious?

 With both Uncles...

Family pic at the zoo

 She came to dance....

 First day of school!

 Still a little sleepy, she wakes up this happy.  

 At our waterslide playdate

 Soccer!

Big Bed!

 Hanging in the park with friends

 Playgroup fieldtrip

 Chiefs fans...

 Mizzou Fans....