Can We Say DaDa?

As Penelope's seven month birthday arrives,we see her learning SO many new things. Her latest is babbling da-da and sitting by herself (most of the time!). But we OCCASIONALLY have the tipping back which we are then alerted by a little noise to "Please sit me back up!"
She loves her reading chair that Santa brought and I'm looking forward to watching her grow with it. I can't help but think that one day I'll walk in to see her sitting there by herself reading Fancy Nancy.
She's started solids and is doing AMAZING with them. I've chosen to make her baby food and I find such joy in it! We went to Central Market over the weekend and picked up fresh veggies and fruit. I'm very proud of how well she's doing and how accepting she is of all veggies and fruit. I'm so glad she's not like her daddy in THIS department! I hope this is a sign of what's to come in the future and her and I can share yummy veggie pizza and mushroom and onion omelets!
Here are a few new pics of our precious Penelope!

And A New Year Begins...

I can't believe it's 2010! Penelope's first Christmas was AMAZING to say the least. We spent time in Houston and Penelope got to visit with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Stu and Aunt Autumn. There were several memorable firsts made while we were there. Such as Penelope's first taste of a blueberry sucker that Grandma gave her which made her tongue blue. Her very own first beebee gun which may I add is PINK (Grandpa did good!). And her first taste of a pickle which she will undoubtedly be having more of.
She loved playing the piano with Grandpa and who knows, may end up like her Great Grandma and have a knack for playing it by ear.
The day before Christmas Eve we returned home to prepare for Christmas Eve festivities at Aunt Jackie's.
Penelope truly looked like an angel in her Christmas green dress with her darling red cardigan. And naturally she topped the outfit off with a stunning white bow. Penelope participated in the cousin gift exchange and received the most adorable longhorn tshirt tutu.
Brandon and I had fun in the Chinese gift exchange. Brandon put himself in charge of purchasing the gifts for the game and brought to the table a rice maker and a deep fryer. I knew even before we began playing that we'd be bringing home that deep fryer. Was I right? Or course.
I can't believe how quickly Christmas came and left. We're starting a whole new year with so many things to look forward to. Penelope's first word, her first birthday, crawling, walking, and so many more things that this year holds. I wish I could pocket every single minute so I could cherish them forever. God has blessed me more than words can even begin to describe...