Santa's Coming!!

Last night I took Piper to see Santa at Nana's retirement home. It was really nice. I was pretty sure Piper was going to lose it, but she did really well. Although she wasn't thrilled with him, she didn't cry either. What a trooper!

I can't believe how fast she is growing up. Piper crawls EVERYWHERE now, and pulls herself up on furniture. She started cruising a little last night too. Such a big girl!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love,
Tracy, Vaughn and Piper

Peek a Boo

We put up the Christmas tree yesterday. Piper was more interested in what was going on in the living room than eating her lunch.

Our Beautiful Flower

So it wasn't the best first Halloween for Piper. Poor thing had a cold and an ear infection. But, she made the best of it. Here she is with Cousin Connor.

Scaredy Cat

Below is a picture of Piper in one of her Halloween outfits. It was difficult to keep the headband on, but I managed to snap the picture. Although you can't see, her socks have scary cats on them that light up. SO CUTE!

Standing Tall

The other night we "propped" Piper against the couch. She is not quite pulling herself up, but she is trying. She LOVED standing tall while holding on to the couch. It was obvious she was very proud of herself!

Happy Birthday Joshua!

On Saturday, we went to my cousin Jenn's house for her son Joshua's birthday party. We had such a good time, and so did Piper. Jenn and Mike have two children, Joshua, who just turned two and Sophia who is 10 months. Below are a few pictures from the party.

Piper is enjoying her first pickle!

Sharing a secret with cousin Josh.

"Did you say what I think you said??"

Sophia and Piper inspecting the grass for bugs.

Sophia, so so cute!!

Piper was so tired from her exciting day at Joshua's birthday party, that she zonked right out. Josh couldn't let her go to sleep without a good night kiss. (Don't you just love the curls???)

Old MacDonald Had a Farm....

We went to pick out a pumpkin yesterday and stopped by the petting zoo. We knew Piper would love this as she is so into animals. The pigs really seemed to like her a lot!! (Click on the picture to make it bigger.)

Piper's Six Month Pictures

Good Morning,

We picked up Piper's six month pictures last night. We are VERY happy with them. We found a photographer who works out of her house, and she is fantastic! I just love her style. I think the middle picture below is my favorite overall, but I love the third one with the antique look.

Rubber Ducky, You're the One....

Now that Piper is sitting up, using the infant bath seat is very difficult. She would constantly try to sit up in it and risk flipping it over. So, I pulled out the duck! I received this as a gift from one of my showers. Piper LOVES it as you can see from the pictures below.

Showing the ducky some love!

The View from here is FANTASTIC!

Hi Everyone, Piper is sitting up!! Well, pretty much. She can sit on her own for nearly 10 minutes before she gets tired and falls over! We practice every day and she loves to sit up like a big girl! When I sit her on the floor, she gets so exicted, waving her hands around and sqweeling with glee!


Piper is finally growing some hair. We tried to make a mohawk in the tub last night!

No More Bumbo Seat!!

Good Morning,

Ever since Piper starting eating cereal and baby food, we have been feeding her in the Bumbo seat. (In case you don't know, this is a seat that helps babies that are unable to, sit up.) Well, yesterday I put her in the high chair and she did so good! It's amazing how fast she is growing!! It's bitter-sweet. I am so proud of her every day accomplishments, however, it means she is growing up fast!

Ann and Piper

Below is a picture of Ann and Piper. She made it through her second day!! Piper really seems to enjoy being with Ms. Ann and the kids. I can't even begin to tell you how relieved I am that we were able to find good daycare so quickly!

New Day Care

Nancy went back to school this week, so I had to find new Thursday/Friday daycare. I was a nervous wreck! I contacted 4-C (Community Coordinated Child Care) and for a small donation they supplied a list of licensed and unlicensed child care centers.
So, I got the list and started dialing. By the second phone call, I found our match!! Her name is Ann and she is WONDERFUL! She runs a licensed in home day care center about two miles from our house. After speaking for a few minutes, we decided to meet. It works out because the only other baby-baby she takes care of, doesn't come on the same days as Piper. When I arrived at her house, I was greeted by her older daughter and husband. Both were very nice. The house was very clean, and there were plenty of kids toys around. After I shed a tear, (Yes, I know, I am a baby, but I was very nervous about leaving Piper with someone she didn't know) we sat down and talked. Ann told me about how she runs her business, and a little bit about the daily schedule. She takes care of a few toddlers and has a couple of kids before and after school. She has had all of the kids since they were babies, so that should tell you something.
So, Piper started at her house yesterday. Vaughn went with me to drop her off. It felt like it was the first day I was leaving her. I BAWLED!! Not because I don't trust Ann, but because I was worried about Piper being scared in a place that isn't familiar with a family she only met once.
Boy was I wrong to worry! Piper ate, slept and played like a champ!! As a matter of fact, when I arrived to pick her up, Ann's husband Junior (who works full time out of the home but is also licensed, how great is that???) was holding her. I got Piper's attention and she just looked at me like "oh, your here. Whatever") She was neither here nor there about my arrival. She seemed to really enjoy herself. I am sure she loved watching the other kids, and Ann said that they even made up a Piper song.
It's so hard to leave her every day, but I am very lucky to have found great people to watch my daughter. That goes for Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sheri and Cousin Connor, and Ms. Ann and Junior. (And their daughters, Chelsea and Jlynn because I know they are a great help!!) I took a picture of Piper and Ann yesterday, but have not downloaded it off my camera yet. I will try to post it tonight after Piper goes to bed or sometime this weekend.

Relaxing with a Good Book

Our little book worm. Here is a picture of Piper relaxing with a good book!

Oh Pooh!!

Kristin and Dan came out for a visit a couple of weekends go and we decided to go to Vickie's for lunch. While we were there, Piper needed to be changed. I made my sister go with me to change her as the bathroom there is SO SO dirty! I asked Kristin to hold Piper while I got the changing table ready....Pad down, wipes out, etc.
As you can see below, Kristin was a great help. Yes, it is what you think it is on her shirt!! Let's just say she took a little bit of Piper with her that day!!

Our Little Fishy

Today (Sunday) we went to Dan and Deb's house for a relaxing day by the pool and to BBQ. We borrowed some water floaters from cousin Lily for the occasion. After the initial shock of the chilly water, Piper LOVED it. She would kick herself around the pool! I think we have a little water baby on our hands!!

Hula Girl

On Saturday we went to Vickie's House for a pool party. (My sister's mom) On a recent trip to Hawaii, Vickie picked up a baby size lei and grass hula skirt for Piper. Of Course we had to put them on IMMEDIATELY! She was so darn cute!! I have to say that Piper is VERY tolerant of me playing dress-up with her.

Such a Big Girl

Last night we spoon fed Piper for the first time. Well, TRIED to spoon feed her. She didn't quite get it. Most of the cereal ended up on her, rather than in her mouth. I am sure she will get the hang of it soon.

Piper's First Boat Ride

Hi Everyone,

This weekend we went out on Aunt Linda and Uncle Moon's pontoon boat. Piper was stylin' in her very stylish life jacket...Which she HATED!! (I can see why she hates it. It looks so uncomfortable. Even though it looks too big, it is the correct size and fits her perfectly.) However, once the boat got moving, it lulled her to sleep.

Dot Dot Dot

Hi,

Here are a couple of pictures I took of Piper at 6:00 AM this morning!! At least one of us is all smiles in the morning! She is holding "Dot" a blanket that Deb got for her before she was born. I put the blanket away, and came across it the other day. She LOVES it! Now she has "Boo" which was a gift from Betsy and "Dot" from Deb.
Piper is doing some new things this week. First, if she is sitting on your lap facing you, hold on to her hands and she will pull herself up into a standing position. Such a strong girl!! 2nd, she has started blowing rasperries in response to it being done to her. It's the funniest thing. Except she is REALLY messy about it. She blows spit bubbles all over her face. Hours and hours of fun, I tell ya!

4th of July

Hi Everyone, We spent the 4th of July at Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sheri's house. Piper got to see her first fire works display! (What she could see before dark as bed time came quickly) She really liked the volcano fire works with all the colors. Cousin Connor did a good job making sure she was entertained. Below is a picture of her in a "Born in 2008" fire works shirt, and then she "got her grove on" in a hula skirt. We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July!

Love,
Tracy, Vaughn and Piper

Piper is 3 Months!!

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe Piper is three months already!! Time flies when you are having fun!! I don't have much to report this week, but I wanted to share a couple of SUPER CUTE pictures of Piper in her bikini and sunglasses!! She so cool!!

I'm Not Greedy...Just a few Million!

Well, I made it through my first FULL week back to work. And with NO crying!! OK, there were a couple of tears that escaped on Thursday morning, but I think that's pretty good! Why Thursday? This is the day that Piper went to Nancy's house for the first time. Should I have been worried??? NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT!!! The first day, Nancy's grandson Gus who is 12 was there. Boy did Piper like him!! So much so that she was asleep at 6:45 PM that night!! (Normal bedtime being 7:30) I know she napped during the day because when I stopped by for lunch, she was fast asleep. Besides that, Nancy told me she slept a few times during the day.
Things are going great with Aunt Sheri too!! Piper has cousin Connor over there who is 11, and I hear he is a BIG help!! They took Piper to her first movie last week. She did really well. (The local theatre has free movies in the summer, kind of a family thing. They were able to bring the stroller in so Piper could sleep)
We are very lucky to have some wonderful people to watch Piper while Vaughn and I work. It makes going back to work that much easier!! However, if we could just win the lotto, that would be better. We are just asking for a few of million, we're not greedy!! You know, pay off the house, the cars, set up a nice college and wedding fund for Piper, I don't think that is asking too much.
Anyway, I can't believe it....I am sitting her updating at 6:30 AM on a Saturday when I could be sleeping!! Yes, Piper is STILL sleeping!! She is usually up at 5:00AM, seven days a week!! She is slepping, and here I sit blogging!! What's wrong with me???
Today we go for her three month pictures!! I am so excited!! They will be posted in a couple of weeks. (It takes like 10 days to get the online pictures)
Well, maybe I will go lay down for a little bit while I can. Below is a picture of Piper taken a couple of weeks ago and my friend Rebecca's house just before we went for a walk.
We hope all is well with everyone!
Love,
Tracy

Piper Loves Boo

Hi Everyone,

Piper is growing so fast!! She has become infatuated with a little security blanket (with a bear head) that we named Boo. She likes to hug him and "kiss" his ears. We now bring Boo with us wherever we go. Below are a couple of pictures showing her love for her new friend!

2 1/2 Months Already!!

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe Piper is going to be 10 weeks old tomorrow!! Time has gone so fast!! I have to go back to work on June 2, and believe me, I have separation anxiety already. Just when she starts to get a personality, I have to leave her. At least she will be in good hands with Aunt Sheri 3 days a week. She will be with Nancy the other two days. I will be able to see her at lunch those two days, so it shouldn't be too bad.
We went to Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sheri's house yesterday for a Memorial Day BBQ. Below is a picture I took of her before we left.

Love,
Tracy

Flower Child - 8 Weeks

Hi Everyone,

Piper was 8 weeks old yesterday!! She is going to get her first round of vaccinations on Thursday. I hope I do OK. Funny, I am not worried about her, but I am worried about me. I hope I can hold it together while she gets her shots!
Piper is smiling all the time now. So much so, that I will see her staring off into space with a big smile on her face. I wonder what she sees that we can't?!? Today Piper has started responding to peek a boo and me blowing raspberries at her with a great big smile. She has also added a "ga" sound when she is really excited and smiling. Could it be the beginnings of a giggle?
She is getting such a personality. I can't believe I have to go back to work in 2 1/2 weeks!
Below is a picture I took last week. The headband is from Aunt Sheri. SO CUTE!

What a Happy Baby! - 7 Weeks old!

Hi Everyone,

Piper is smiling all the time now! I love it! She is such a happy baby! Here are some pictures. She is looking more and more like Vaughn every day!

Piper's One Month Pictures

Hi Everyone,

Below are a few of Piper's one month pictures. They turned out so good! The third one down is the one that the studio wants to use. I can't believe that she is 5 weeks old already! I know that is still so young, but when I think about how I have to go back to work in 5 weeks, it breaks my heart! I am going to miss her so much!

Our Little Diva!

These pictures were taken yesterday on our deck. It was such a nice day, and so bright and sunny, we thought it was best to have Piper wear her sunglasses. (Even though we kept her in the shade) She actually didn't mind wearing them. Too Cute!