Marching Onward

March has been an awesome month FULL of firsts. Mattaya is a happy, growing girl. At her 6-month appointment, she was 27 inches tall (90th percentile) and 17 pounds (50-75th percentile). She continues to fill our hearts with joy.

First bite of squash--breakfast of champions.

All dressed up and ready for church. This cute dress came from Great-Aunt Denae.

(Interesting pose...seems she's going for the "I'm being sucked up by a vaccuum cleaner from behind" look.)

This girl LOVES to eat!

Gramma Pam's little angel

Mattaya does this close inspection of the sofa fibers...not sure what that's all about.

A clean diaper brings so much joy!

Mattaya's been getting to see a lot more of Great-Grandma Mabel since she's been joining us for our Sunday afternoon rendezvous at Grandma Julie's.

Here's our giggly girl in her outfit from Great-Grandma Mabel and Great-Aunt Net.

Sweetheart

Full of laughs!

Mattaya is learning to balance herself.

Cutie Pie

Mommy tells funny jokes! (Daddy begs to differ.)

Daddy tells funny jokes! (Mommy begs to differ.)

Mattaya likes to laugh. :)

We love that gummy grin!

This cute dress is from Gramma Julie.

(Don't mind Mattaya--we haven't taught her to sit like a lady yet.)

Our adorable, happy girl

First zwieback toast

We've had a few nice days here so Mattaya was able to have her first outdoor experience.

Mattaya's first time in the snow

Mattaya's first "snow angel"

(Looks more like a frog to me.)

Mattaya's first ponytail

First bite of green beans.

"I'm not sure I'm going to open up for that."

"I'm feeling a little queasy."

Methinks thou dost not prefer the green beans.

Everything's better in cereal.

Hangin' with Auntie Becca

We found a great deal on a slightly used Exersaucer, so now we have one at Gramma Julie's house. What fun! (Check out the chubby chinnery...AND the mass of hair!)

Hair experimentation.

Although wiggly, Mattaya is pretty tolerating.

Isn't this outfit SO CUTE?!

Thanks, Gramma Pam!

Great-Grandma Mabel feeds me my afternoon snack.

EVERYTHING goes in her mouth!

Mattaya always brushes her teeth after kissing the ball--you just never know where those toys have been.

Mattaya is very interested in where things are made and their washing instructions. She inspects all tags thoroughly.

Having fun!

First bite of peas

Not quite sure what to think.

Maybe it's better mixed in cereal...

Opening wide...

Hm, not too bad!

Mommy learned her lesson about clothes...so we started trying on some of our 12-month stuff. Here's the cute Nike oufit from Great-Aunt Marlys. Still a bit long, but none-too-roomy. ;)

Mattaya was born with a rat-tail. Daddy is SO proud of it and won't let Mommy trim it. When it's wet and pulled down straight, it reached her back.

(Mommy preferred not to include those particular pictures.)

"I just love to brush my hair..."

"Yikes! Not quite the look I was going for...."

An impromptu "generations" photo at Great-Grandpa Leander's house (Gramma Julie's side of the family).

Mattaya woke up Easter morning in her bunny pajamas at Grandpa and Grandma's.

(Mom and Dad had to be to church early for music practice--they really don't ditch her at every opportunity.)

Mattaya with her Easter basket from Mom and Dad.

In the afternoon, she got to open her Easter baskets from Mom & Dad and Grandpa & Grandma. The stuff inside was "okay", but Mattaya liked the cellophane best of all. (We couldn't even get her to LOOK at anything else!)

Mattaya's first Biter Biscuit

Messy but happy.

Mattaya does not seem to have inherited Mom's preference for cleanliness.

Mattaya is a ham with a subtle humor. She thinks she's pretty funny when she puts her pacifier in her mouth sideways or upside down. She's also recently discovered backwards scooting, and she particularly likes scooting under her crib.

Ready to blow...

(that's the hilarious part)

We've been encouraging Mattaya in her musical pursuits.

Time with Dad is a "hit".

(Ba-da-ba ching)

And the piano gets equal time.

(at LEAST)

A Fabulous February

Mattaya enjoyed a good belly-laugh as she celebrated Valentine's Day in the outfit Gramma Julie bought for her. Mattaya sends you all her love!

Mattaya's ready to hop in the tub.

(NOW who do you think she looks more like?--Don't answer that!)

She's discovered new fun in the tub...like playing with ducks and splashing with both feet AND hands.

Rub-a-dub-dub Mattaya's in the tub!

Mattaya graduated from the kitchen sink a few months ago, but she's quickly outgrowing this tub, too.

Sweet hair, Mattaya ;)

Time to dry off

And we finish with a belly-laugh!

We enjoyed a Sunday afternoon visit with Great-Grandpa.

"Who's got me?"

Face-to-face with Great-Grandpa Leander

Our phenom has not only learned to sit and stand and eat new foods...she is mastering the computer. She rises early in the morning asking to check her e-mail and practice her data-entry skills. What a wonder she is. ;)

(Like the bed-head?)

Pull!

Bend and reach and grab

What a happy baby!

Mattaya loves playing in her walker.

February has been a fun month of introducing new foods: orange vegetables and crackers. Mattaya hangs out in her walker in the kitchen while we get her dinner ready.

She anxiously observes the food prep.

Mattaya has learned to open wide...

...and Mommy continues to work on her aim.

Mattaya is a happy little eater. (That is, until the food runs out.)

Here come the carrots

First bite of sweet potatoes.

"Daddy, what ARE you putting in my mouth?!"

Mmmm--this cracker is yummy!

And She Grows And Grows

Mattaya has started hugging her teddy bears and other stuffed friends.

Toward the beginning of January, I decided it was time for Mommy to learn to feed me. She seemed not to find my mouth very well, but I'm confident she'll improve.

Eeeek! Mom, I'm naked!

Check out those big baby blues.

Is there anything more peaceful than a sleeping babe?

We're continually amazed at how loooong Mattaya is.

This is Heidi. She's a friend from church and our neighbor across the street. Heidi watches me three afternoons per week while Mom goes to work.

Mattaya is loving being folded in half. Whether she's being held or sitting, she bends WAY over.

Can I help you?

I just love to play. I enjoy my tummy time now.

If I kiss you, will you turn into a prince?

Mama's hair beats out any toy. Mattaya notices any opportunity to reach out and grab a handful.

Mattaya: Daddy, it's much too early to be up.

Daddy: That's what we told YOU 30 minutes ago when you decided to wake us.

Mmmm...I always thought these arches looked so tasty.

Okay, Mom, you've had your turn; now give ME the camera.

Mattaya is doing a great job sitting with some support. She has recently realized that she can reach out and grab things.

I'm beginning to enjoy my swing a bit more, especially since I discovered I can reach the toys. Notice the bubbles flowing down my chin. They are the product of blowing raspberries repeatedly--my new favorite sound.

I LOVE to stand.

(Thanks for the cute outfit, Gramma Pam!)