Brynley's First Christmas

Santa filled our tree with gifts...

And Brynley's stocking too...

Daddy helped B empty the goodies out of her stocking

Santa knows that Brynley loves books!

And she was fascinated by these new bath toys

This was the look on her face almost the whole day...she was so in awe (and overwhelmed) by everything going on around her! I only captured a few smiles on camera on Christmas Day.

As soon as she heard this toy playing music, my girl started dancing!

It didn't take her long to figure this one out...

"Hey...where did the ball go?"

Brynley and Aunt Tina

She adores this rocking toy from Grandma & Grandpa. It plays music too...Brynley loves anything with music!

I'm almost embarrassed about my reaction to this gift. I pretty much squealed like a 5 year old girl who has just received her first bicycle. Seriously. I think the last time I reacted that way was when Rob proposed!

Crawling around

Brynley is crawling, although still not up on her hands and knees. She crawls on her hands and drags her legs behind her (Army crawl!). She can also get from a crawling position to a sitting up position.

A Christmas memory

One of the funniest parts of Christmas...Bryn screaming and squealing at a Target gift card.

Snow Day

Brynley standing in the snow.

The last photo was at 9am today. A lot more snow has fallen since then!

Camera

Why parents should always have their cameras within arm's reach:

1) Eventually babies stay put when you put them in a standing position

2) And become really proud that they are doing so
3) Kids & puppies playing together

4) To capture new traditions - Brynley putting the star on the Christmas tree
5) And only knocking down one ornament in the process

6) For snapping a photo in that cute winter hat before she yanks it off

7) And drinking from a sippy cup for the first time

8) Funny hairdos

9) And naked moments

10) First wrapped gift

December already?!?!

Ok...I have no idea where November went! I can't believe I only posted three times in November...what a slacker! That being said, it was a busy month. Uncle Dougie came to visit us, we went to visit Granddaddy Hinkley, and we spent the Thanksgiving holiday at Grandma & Grandpa deMariano's house.

Yesterday, Rob & I took Brynley to pick out a Christmas tree. Rob also braved the elements and our rickety ladder to put up Christmas lights outside. I know that B probably has no clue what is going on, but she is still very curious about it all.

I am always happy to hear that people (you!) are reading this blog to keep up with Brynley. The other amazing thing about blogging is that it enables me to document the milestones (big & small!) of my daughter's life. I hope that someday she will enjoy reading these posts.

Some random thoughts (a.k.a. the moments I want to remember forever):

* I believe that she says "Mama", "Dada" and "Hi"
* She is starting to wave hello by holding her hand out with her fingers facing her and opening & closing her hand, essentially waving towards herself!
* She is still army crawling everywhere. I am beginning to wonder if she will ever crawl on her hands and knees or if she'll just go from belly slithering to walking overnight!

* She still makes this ridiculously adorable fish face.
* The two bottom teeth broke through in mid-November. A third one on top is trying to break through any day now.
* She puts those teeth to good use...she loves eating & trying new things. If other people in the room are eating, she is always very interested in what they have. She will crane her little neck up to try to catch a glimpse.
* She has perfected feeding herself finger foods by pinching the food between her thumb and index finger and proceeding to shove her entire fist into her mouth.

(Notice the two small teeth in the photo above??)

Thanksgiving Day

* Brynley will stand holding onto the couch or ottoman if we place her there

* She can turn herself around when she is in a sitting up position. She does this often so that she can keep an eye on where other people or animals are. (And to see what they are eating!)

* She usually sleeps from 8:30pm until 6 or 7am

* She still rubs her eyes like crazy when she is tired

* She thinks the sound of someone sneezing is hysterical!

* She grunts and growls!

* Like any kid, when she is quiet she is either sleeping or up to no good

* By "up to no good", I mean eating a leaf she found on the floor, chewing paper, or licking glittered Christmas balls (just ask her Daddy!)

* She gets very angry when you take any of the aforementioned items away from her.

A video of Brynley dancing (and also saying "Hi" if you listen carefully!):

Did I mention...

...that Brynley now has not one, but TWO bottom teeth. The came in one right after the other.

Also, she dances. Maybe I should post a video soon.