Back Home... Happy New Year!

We're home! I'm happy to be back in my own time zone, in my own neighborhood, in my own house. Though I think I'll miss the many snowy walks around Denver, hanging out with my Van de Water/LaFontano relatives (who taught me fun things like flash-card-tummy-time), and all the overwhelming craziness.Thanks everyone for a fun trip!

My Cousins and Uncle in Denver

Aunt Julie came out to visit last month but I'm only just meeting my Uncle Chris and my cousins Courtie and Lily. Uncle Chris has a pretty comfy lap. We've been having fun in all this snow, taking walks and jumping in snowbanks (that's Lily in the foreground and Courtie buried up to her chin)
but mostly hunkering down inside, playing, and lounging on my cousin Courtie.

Snowstorm in Denver

Mom, Dad and I arrived in Denver yesterday afternoon in what is turning out to be a small window between holiday blizzards. You've probably heard about last week's 33" storm which shut down Denver International Airport for over two days and had ripple effects across the country (including our own Suzanna and Jack). Thankfully, our itinerary took us to Atlanta first, and THEN Denver. Enter storm #2 which started at lunchtime today and is expected to bring up to 20" more by Saturday. We took some fun pictures of walking around the neighborhood in the snow today but the storm seems to have shut down our ability to upload photos so you'll have to pretend that this white space:

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is what it looks like out the window right now. More to come...

Merry Christmas!!

It was an action-packed first Christmas, beginning with my first ever stocking (Dad forgot to travel with mine, but thankfully G'ma Debbie was prepared!), and continued through caroling, gingerbread-house decorating with the ever-fascinating Rosemary, and ended with me velcro-ed to the wall in my Christmas outfit

before a hearty roast beef Christmas dinner with the Stevens clan. Yes, the Jewish side of the family: a group reluctant to let mere religious details interfere with an opportunity for a holiday celebration. Notably it took my arrival to get the whole group together for the first family photo since... well, anyone can remember.

My Cousin Rosemary

I have been having lots of fun this week with my cousin Rosemary. While it has been nice to spend time with all of my relatives, Rosemary is the "funnest" so far. Although she's much bigger than me, I can tell she's a kid too, so I can relate to her better. She's spent hours rocking me, showing me cool toys, helping me decorate the Christmas tree, and even hanging my stocking since I conked out a little early on Christmas Eve.

3 Months Old!

I am three months old today - and I am learning lots of new things every day. Up until recently, I have mostly been interested in gazing into my mom and dad's eyes all the time, and have not paid too much attention to all these things around the house they keep trying to show me. But recently I discovered that I can grab these things and play with them! I especially like my tag toy because it is easy to hold and it is soft and cuddly.I am even learning to play...peek-a-boo!

Stevens Family Hanukkah

Tonight I learned all about the amazing story of Hanukkah from an expert - my Great Grandma Sue! I was already enjoying the holiday because I love to look at light, but now I know all about the victory of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil. It was pretty special to get to light the Menorah with my great grandma, grandparents, uncle, great uncle and cousins!

Great Grandpa Bernie

Today I got to meet my great grandfather, Grandpa Bernie. I got to hear some tales about the chicken feed business and then we shared some stories about how it is tough to grow older, and how sometimes it is pretty tough to be so young too!

Musical Genes

I love to listen to music, especially when someone is singing to me. My mom and dad sing to me a lot and I thought they were pretty good. But tonight, in my first big adventure here in Atlanta, I went to go hear my Grandpa Mike's singing group Just Voices - wow, they were amazing! I then got my very own concert right in the living room. I was kicking up my heels to the music! Don't worry, I won't tell my mom and dad that I have figured out they can't carry a tune - I'll still play along like I enjoy their singing. I hope though, that I have inherited some musical genes from Grandpa Mike!

Mom & Me to Atlanta

Looking appropriately forlorn about leaving Dad behind for a full WEEK, Mom and I flew to Atlanta today. It was a long flight but, I'm happy to report, a direct one and I slept the ENTIRE way. Next post will be my first mobile one, all the way from the 404.

Reading w/ Jack

Suzanna and Jack brought over my first Christmas present tonight (as the product of Jewnitarians, I get to celebrate both Hanukkah AND Christmas): a colorful book on Do's and Dont's by Todd Parr. Books are cool,but I can't stay focused for very long yet.

Happy Hanukkah!

I got temporarily distracted by Frannie's sparkly ring, but I like this concept of a light that never burns out.

Mom's Group Babies

Mom and I have been meeting every Wednesday for the past several weeks with 12 other new moms and their babies . Our photo shoot today was quite an adventure. Some babies were crying, some sleeping...and I was cuddling with my new friend Sander.

Ho (cough) Ho (COUGH!) Ho

Dad has been really sick for a full week now and now I'm worried Mom is getting it, so I'm keeping my eyes open for germs...

Have a good trip Maisy!

Maisy and her mom are leaving for the holidays tomorrow so last night we discussed our Christmas plans extensively. We can't wait to get back and compare notes. In news unrelated to the photograph...my mom had a hair appointment today, and when she showed up, some of the snooty ladies in the salon didn't look too happy to see me tagging along. However, mom popped me in the magic sling, pulled the smock over me, and two hours later, mom had a new cut and color, I had a great snooze and everyone in the shop said I was the best baby ever!