Atalie is just learning how to eat with a spoon. I forgot what a long and messy process this can be. Apparently the first time I was into torture because I gave her a spoon to eat rice. Rice?!?! I think only one single grain made it into her mouth. Maybe. It wasn't for lack of trying, though.

So the second time I decided to give her yogurt. I know half of it ended up in her lap, on her bib, and smeared on her face, but she was so proud of herself.

Atalie is 1!!!

Atalie turned one last week and we had a little celebration for her at the house. She's 23.5 pounds now! She's now walking all over the place. She always has a bruise on her face from falling...mostly in her crib. She's not afraid to fall or take some chances. When she was learning to walk she would just let go and free fall. If she was my first I probably would have freaked. She officially has 4 teeth that all came in this month. She's a big eater and pretty adventurous in her eating. She's eaten (and liked) salmon, tilapia, lasagna, southwest beef stew, tomato basil soup, and more. She pretty much will eat whatever we are having for dinner. She loves kid food, too, like macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, and squeals in excitement when she sees a hot dog. Her favorite person in the world is her Bean right now. She prefers her over me!

We had a great time...the kids played, we ate subs and cupcakes, and then Atalie got to open presents. Actually, I think I opened them. She had no idea what to do. :)

This was her first (and maybe only) bite of the cupcake. She was not a fan. Most of it ended up in her ear and on her hands.

The kiddos played in Charis's room.

Later she opened up the gift from the family. She'd figured out what to do. That is, if "what to do" is pull off some paper and try to eat it. Close enough.

Almost on the move...

Just a few update shots of Attie-bean (notice the tongue is out in most pictures). She's 8.5 months and attempting to crawl. There's a lot of knee-rocking going on, and a few face-plants forward. She loves her sister to pieces and can't get enough of her! Still no teeth, though I think she's working on some.

There's a few outbursts of tears when I leave the room, but she's done within 10 seconds. I guess she doesn't miss me that much. :)

She also lights up when her daddy walks in the room. Definitely a daddy's girl. She'll stare him down until he notices her and will screech in attempt to get his attention. Feeding her with him around is a no-go...all she wants to do is gaze lovingly at him and perform just to see him smile at her.

She likes to be read to, but mostly in hopes of tasting the book. Atalie loves being outside--the windier, the better.

She's finding her voice, which can be heard if the room is mostly quiet. Otherwise she's busily taking everything in, waiting her turn to be heard.

Babies, bugs, and baths!

Bathtime has gotten to be a lot of fun around here. Atalie happily chewing her washcloth and Charis lining bugs around the rim of the tub.

And of course, a serenade or two from my girls.

Her lyrics: Zip-ee-doo-da, Zip-ee-aye. My goodness, wonder day. Penny sunshine in my way. Zip-ee.....Everybody ready go swimming!"

$1 Poonkin head

I'm such a sucker for those dollar bins at Target. I needed one thing...and it wasn't the felt pumpkin toboggan I came out with. I know! "Everyone needs one of those!," you say. You should have seen all those glistening goodies staring at me as I loaded the girls up in the double cart (which, by the way, cart-maker-guys...good thinking!). Cute little buckets, Princess stickers and paraphernalia, candy corn socks, $1 boxes of M&M's...I resisted so much. But alas...

For the record, $1 for a box of M&M's is not a deal. But I do like M&M's.

I went in for shoes for Charis. I came out with a pumkin toboggan, Cinderella sheets, and yes, shoes.

Candy corn socks just weren't in the cards. I did put those in the cart, but when I got to the register there wasn't a barcode. Intervention. (And I was not getting out of line and digging through a pile of unorganized socks to find one with a barcode while 2 hungry girls get antsy. Not worth it.)

Look at all the cuteness $1 can get. Before: Cute little baby. After: Cute little baby in a cheaply made felt pumpkin hat. Totally worth the dollar. She couldn't have been happier as I squished that almost too small hat down on her head for a photo op. Charis tried so hard to get the "poonkin head" on. If only they'd had one in Charis's size too...oooh...and some candy corn socks for her, too....and they did have this $1 pumpkin t-shirt...

Delightfully squishy...

...that's how I describe my little Attie-bean.

She is one sweet little baby. Cheeks you could just eat up, staring you down until you smile at her, and toothless and chewing on everything in sight. Newest accomplishments: working her core, plank-style...skipping rolling over (she's done it a few times and she's not so interested) and trying to go straight to crawling...hands out, sleepwalking style, until she grabs something to put in her mouth...and the lovely "happy scream."

She turned 8 months old this week!

Happy 1st day of Fall!!

Happy Fall everyone!! Things have been a little hectic around here, so here's a brief update:

*Atalie is busy, busy, busy! Her EEG was 100% normal. No episodes at all! She is on the move...or at least attempting. Atalie loves her walker and makes it her mission to grab everything in sight. Here she is in plank position. Rolling...not so interested. But yesterday and today she's been on all fours, rocking. So I'm guessing rolling is not on the agenda...straight to crawling. She's full of surprises!

*Charis started her membershing at My Gym yesterday (thanks Keex!!) and LOVES it. It's a perfect outlet for her. She gets to meet some new kids her age and burn some energy. We're still debating about potty training. Not quite sure if she's ready (or if I'm ready...I get a very chaotic Wal-mart scenario in my head).

*We've been busy with Fall crafts and activities around the house. She's painting a Fall tree in this picture.

*Brian is busy at CBN and the FD. He's prepping for DPO school that's coming soon. Days are full of work, nights are full of studying.

*I've been busy with the girls (of course) and also working on classwork for the Child Health and Nutrition class I'm taking. Interesting, but time consuming.

*And Major? Well, he finds ways to entertain himself. Yes... there is a 112 pound doberman, fast asleep, in this picture.