We're Back

One new Mac and an undisclosed amount of moolah later, we're back on the air. Or in the air. Or just online. Whatever. We're back.

Thanksgiving, other than the disaster that killed the dear Mac (computer, that is, Auntie D), was wonderful. The weather was unseasonably warm, so Mer was free to wander the giant porch, play in the leaves, torture the cats and eat acorns to her heart's content. And she did.

Right before we left for Arkansas, the most wonderful present arrived. It was from Cousin Andrea, off in the blustery cold of New England. THANK YOU ANDREA! YOU'RE A GENIUS! She made this precious little stool for Meredith and it couldn't have been more perfect, as Meridy has recently become thrilled with sitting on small things that are juuuuust right for her little bum.



She spots the seat, turns around, backs up very slowly, extends the left arm to steady the seat, and slowly lowers herself. Have I mentioned that she is somewhat cautious? On the not-so-cautious side, she has also recently developed an affinity for picking up things that are really too large to be picked up by a 22 pound baby girl. These attempts are always accompanied by humorous grunting noises.



In what will appear to be a non sequitur, let me ask -- Have yall ever met Houser? Houser lives at my parents house, and he's a giant cat. People come from miles around to marvel at Houser's girth. The below picture does not do him justice. The cat is HUGE. Anyway, remember how I mentioned that Meredith has recently started attempting to pick up things that are much larger than she is? How I wish you all could have witnessed the scene when she tried to wrap her arms around Houser and lift him from the ground. That's the hardest I've laughed in a long time. I don't even know any full grown men that can pick up dear Houser. So anyway, that's the Thanksgiving news. Hugs and kisses to all....we're thankful for each of you.

Death of a Mac

On Thanksgiving our Mac was killed in a tragic freak accident. Posts will resume shortly. Please join us in mourning the Mac. She was a good Mac.

"Camping"

We took Meredith camping for the first time when she was about 8 weeks old...almost exactly a year ago. It was really cold and not an especially easy trip, but we had fun and it's always good to be out in the middle of a forest. Having said that, we can't really imagine taking the 13 month old Meridy camping.

This weekend we sat around our fire pit in the backyard and I commented that we had the best of camping right there. I mean, you REALLY go camping for the fire, right? Hiking is good and the stars are brighter and the peacefulness (assuming you have responsible camping neighbors) is great. But the best part, by far, is usually the time around the fire. And we've GOT that. So for now, time in the backyard around the fire pit is going to be termed "camping." When it's a bit warmer and Little Miss is a bit less wobbly, we'll get back to the real thing.

By the way, for any nervous Nellies out there...Meredith has an appropriate fear of the fire pit, as indicated by her location in this picture. She and Walt chased the kitten around the back stoop, which is about as far away from the fire pit as one can get and still be in the back yard. If you want to be nervous about something, consider the fact that she puts every stick and acorn she sees in her mouth. She always very sweetly spits out the acorn when prompted, but there's usually one in reserve, tucked in her cheek. Geez.

CMOM

Clever acronym, aye? It stands for Children's Museum of Memphis, and that's where we went this morning.

Meredith saw a tiny fraction of the museum, but was delighted with what she saw, wandering around making her trademark "HA! HA! HA!" proclamation. Luckily, there's a gated area for the smaller kids. Walt and Meredith were able to be their mellow selves there. As long as they avoided one kid, who I called Bruiser. How can a two year old already have that much angst? Yikers.


Walt's the more advanced athlete. But Mer CAN say "ball" now, so she's got that going for her.


Walt also made and served "lunch." DEEElicious.

Mama and Daddy

Sometimes you just need your Mama and Daddy. Nope, I'm not talking about Meredith. I'm talking about me. After several hellacious weeks at work, I was fried. Burnt to a crisp. Toast. Enough bad food metaphors, you get the idea.

But they came to town and suddenly my life was full of barbecued chicken and grilled veggies (credit to brother), Saturday morning donuts (credit to husband), fancy dinners out (credit to Mom's bday) and lots of good advice (credit to Dad). Work is still hellacious, but that precious gift of perspective has returned.

Oh, and did I mention the joys of a house full of baby watchers?



I love my mama and daddy.

13 Months!

This post is so late.

Anyway, Mer is apPROXimately 13 months old. It's been one of the most eventful months of her little life. The "sort of" walking of last month is now the "practically sprinting" of today. She's got some words -- ball, kitty, daddy, shoes (which is sometimes more like oosh) are the mainstays of the vocab. She also seems to be trying out some signs lately. She definitely made the cookie sign today -- surprise, surprise. It seems like she's just realizing that she can use her hands to communicate, and I think in the next couple weeks she'll start to put the right sign with the right need/want/item. Most of the words, like the signs, are associated more with an emotion than a specific thing. Daddy and Kitty are just happy words that might apply at any point during the day.

Mostly right now we're all just busy being thrilled that she's walking so well because SHE'S so thrilled. We're all freed from the purgatory that was "sort of" walking. That purgatory had some tantrums in it. She was just so frustrated. Now she just toddles about, moving things from room to room -- totally busy and totally content. Woo hoo! Now mommy's and daddy's backs will begin to heal from that 45 degree angle required to let her hold a finger most of the day while she gained the confidence to be FREE!

So happy 13 month birthday, Meridy. You are more fun everyday, you little walker you!

Mom's Sick

Hey folks. I've been really sick this weekend and haven't accomplished my blogging goals. I don't have any pictures, but I can tell you that Chris has been incredible. On Sunday he got up with Mer at 6 am and hung out with her until he got them both ready for church. Then they went and got Robert and went to church. Then they all went to Perkins for breakfast (where, apparently, Meredith ate enough eggs and pancakes for an army). Then they all went shopping for a couple hours, took Robert home, and came home. That's a lot for one adult, trust me. That night, Auntie Beth came over the watch Mer while Chris went to the soccer game. I'm on the mend, but in the meantime, here's some pics from Florida that you didn't see...Seemed appropriate for this, one of the first TRULY gloomy days of fall.


The world's first team drumming duo.


You want us to pose HOW in this really cute chair? Like this? No? Oh well, good try Aunt Gigi.