Brian, Beth, Kate, Megan, and Luke Davies: December 2008

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Kate's 1st Christmas

Kate was adorable for her first Christmas. She was pretty good at opening her own presents and got very excited with adorable oohs and ahhs. Santa did bring her a Mickey's Clubhouse which she loved. She barely put Minnie or Mickey down all night. We would also say that Kate officially became a walker on Christmas day. We watched her stand on her own and take nine consecutive and cautious steps. Below is some video of the day and some of her steps. She is so cute now as our little toddler!

CLICK HERE for Video of Kate Opening Her Clubhouse!

CLICK HERE for Video of Kate Walking!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

We are having a wonderful holiday with my family from Chicago in for a visit. One of the highlights is Kate's first Christmas present, a ride-on train from Grandpa and Nana. Kate is so cute and thinks she is such a hot shot. It is the best Christmas present ever!

CLICK HERE for Video of Kate Riding on the Train!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Kate's 11 Month Pictures

We are having such a fun lead up to Christmas in the Davies house. On Friday we hosted a party at our house for the St. Peter Boards and Staff. Despite a good snowstorm we still had a good turnout and a fun night. Kate loved the party and made an appearance in her elf outfit. I am also having fun dressing Kate in all of her Christmas apparel. Kate is a happy an active 11 Month Old, taking a few steps, on the verge of full blown walking, and developing a little bit of an independent streak. She has a great laugh, and loves whenever she can be a big girl (which she is certainly becoming.) We hope you enjoy all of her 11 Month Pictures!

CLICK HERE for Kate's 11 Month Pictures!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Santa's Little Helper

We are fast at work tying up all of our Christmas loose ends. Luckily, Brian and I have our own little helper straight from the North Pole!

Tonight we are getting quite the beautiful snowfall, and it is the perfect landscape for the gift collection of the Macomb Charitable Foundation. Just like the snow outside, it was a magical night. The Foundation had 185 families up for adoption, and it was awesome to see the generosity of people. Even in tough times, no one did the minimum. There were bikes, vacuums, clothes, food. I can't even begin to paint the picture. Not to be cliche, but as I preoccupy myself with decorations, Christmas Cards, and house cleaning, tonight certainly put the season in perspective.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

It has actually looked like Christmas for a while now at the Davies house. Yes we put up our tree the weekend before Thanksgiving. Cutting down our Christmas tree is maybe my favorite day of the year. We cut it down, decorate the entire house, eat pizza, drink wine, and watch Christmas Vacation while enjoying the night. We typically do this the weekend after Thanksgiving, but because I was going to be in Chicago as part of Operation Katie and Ben's wedding (a very successful trip by the way), and decorating a week later was totally out of the question, the obvious choice was to pick the weekend before. Plus we had Gammie and Pop Pop's help and company for my favorite day. Kate was not quite sure about the Christmas tree at first. She stayed away from it for about a week, but now tentatively examines it from time to time.

We've had our first few snows as of late and Kate has been introduced to its joys and that of having to bundle up. If the Santa post didn't remind you of the movie The Christmas Story maybe the above picture will.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Kate Update

While in Chicago last week Kate certainly expanded her food repertoire. Nana made her some spaghetti which she obviously loved, whole grain waffles, cranberries, and acquired some great kid appropriate treats. It was so helpful for me in getting ideas of great and healthy foods that Kate actually enjoys. She is way over that baby food stuff.

Kate has developed a little vocabulary over the past few weeks. She says Hi, Da-Da (Brian), Ma-Ma (Me), Be-Be (Herself, other kids, or pictures of babies), and Te-Te (Aunt K.K.). We adore these first words.

It is amazing how much she is able to understand in a hearing vocabulary. If you ask where people are like, Where's Nana? She looks directly at the correct person. She is also nodding her head yes and no appropriately to questions like, Are you Hungry? Her ability to communicate is coming along, as is her walking. She has taken a few steps between people or furniture, but I'm not sure I would quite categorize these as firsts steps yet. When we can get some good video we will be sure to post.

Monday, December 8, 2008

My Mini-Me

Kate has been too cute wanting to do EVERYTHING her Daddy or I do! She just wants to be a big girl, and is so proud of herself when she is helping. Most of the time it is adorable.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Community Tree Lighting

Yesterday Brian, Kate, and I went to the Macomb Township community tree lighting. It was adorable with kids singing Christmas carols, a beautiful tree in the landscape, and Santa arriving via fire truck. Inside our Rec Center there was hot chocolate, crafts (one of which St. Peter sponsored), and of course a chance to meet Santa. Kate loved the entire evening, but was not sure about that Santa. It is such fun to have all these new things to experience with our little girl.

Kate's letter reads: Dear Santa, I would like a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for Christmas. I have been a good girl and will try to be even better at night. Thank you for bringing gifts and I will be sure to leave you some cookies. Love, Kate

Everything is better with Daddy!