My First School Picture

I look like such a big kid!

11 Month Old Tornado

My brother is in his last month of babyhood. Holy moly is he moving everywhere. And he bangs on everything and screams so loud! He also has a new word, "ow." I can't promise that wasn't my fault! So now Leo says, "mama," "mine," "more," and "ow." I'd like to see him to catch up to my 

vocabulary collection!

Daddy Daughter Date Night

My daddy and I had a date for Valentine's Day. I got to go dancing and bring home a chocolate rose!

Just Another Day

Just another day at our house! Leo makes a mess and I dress up the dog.

Iowa

We went to Carroll, IA to wish my great grandpa a Happy Birthday! And on the way home, we saw my cousin Corrine at her "compartment" at Iowa State!

"MORE!"

And we have another new word. My brother was in his high chair screaming for food - can you guess what the word was? And, are we surprised? I think not.

Cousins and Snow

Soph came to make some snow Angels while Leo and Clara played with toys. They have become quite the pair!

Some Chatting

My brother is really trying out his voice these days. Here is a preview!

Why some of the videos are sideways, who knows - sorry! My mom is pretty good with the technology, but these were just giving her a hard time.

It's About Time!

So, I had the snow pants, the sleigh, the dog and the little brother to torture. Snow, hooray!

Helping Leo eat before we head outside

 She's happy as a snow dog in, well, snow!

Dad had his work cut out for him, no wonder Uli refuses

to pull us!!

It's Official: "MINE"

What a happy week for us! Well, for Mommy, Daddy and Leo. For me? I'll let you be the judge of that. Leo said his first word! And what was it? He was playing with me and I took a toy from him and out comes "Myyyyynnnnnu". After a few more times, yup, he clearly said "Mine." I'm in big trouble.

Another fun fact? My Auntie Ellen had the same first word. Leo HAD to know that.

Little DJ

Good Start to the New Year

He keeps adding to his lists of tricks! Leo now says "mama" directed at Mommy. He tells us he's "so big", he waves "bye bye", claps "yay!", and has a few Baby Signs. You won't be surprised, the signs are all related to food!

What A Year

We spend a fun weekend at Grammy and Poppy's in Dubuque for the New Year. What a year we've had. While it's been one of the toughest for the Taylors, it's also one of our best. It's the year of Leo. He's amazed us and taught us so much beyond measure this year. With that, we look forward to 2012 and wish all of you the happiest of New Years!

In regular Leo fashion - he learns quickly. During this week, Leo starting standing, crawling well, cruising and is starting to get pretty gutsy with those first steps.  Check out the action shots.

He's pretty darn independent in his walker. 

Yes, this is a picture of my Poppy falling asleep and me playing with his iPad. 

Nice babysitting, Poppy!

We visited my sweet friend Julie and she let me sit in the princess chair in my "ensemble." Yes, again are you surprised? That's a word I use.

Leo watching intently while Grammy shows me the piano

Can you guess what he did? Yes, bang on the keys!

Three Christmases - Part Three

We had a great day at Grandpa and Grandma T's. We got to see my sweet cousin Annabelle. She loves me. And she and Leo are going to be causing trouble together soon! Well, they already are. Check out the video of the screaming contest. Yeah, I left the room for that one.

We all love her sweet cheeks!

Leo has an "old man shirt" like Daddy!

My horses. I already know all their names.

"Leo, what's that behind your ear" - yes, Annabelle's very advanced

Leo loves his Elmo rock star. Annabelle? Not so much.

Three Christmases - Part Two

Merry Christmas from Santa's Helpers!

Santa treated us well this year. I had fun really getting into the Santa thing and of course, telling Leo all about it. He seemed to be more interested in the wrapping paper, however.

Paints, paints, paints! I got my Christmas wish! And I also got a black eye from the ping-pong table at the Christmas Eve party. Oops.

Video of a budding artist

Three Christmases - Part One

Three Christmases? Yes, in our family that's how we roll. Part one - Christmas Eve with our gigantic awesome family. 

You can barely see us - that's me in back on my Dad's shoulder. Mom's head is somewhere in there. Where's Leo? Upstairs sleeping.

Grammy and Poppy's Grandkids

Mommy, Daddy and Leo - I'm downstairs with all the toys at this point, see you later!

Hmmmm.....I guess that's where I was. Don't worry, Soph and I are just stealing strawberries. But I bet you this photo will show up in 21 years. 

Pre-Christmas Fun

 We did so many fun things while my mom was on her winter break. 

It was my first time to Lights in Lincoln Park Zoo with Auntie Debbie and Uncle Pat. Ask me about Uncle Pat scaring a monkey and I will be sure to tell you the whole story. I told it to the Target cashier, she was quite impressed.

 Christmas cookie decorating with my BFF cousin, Sophie. Way too much sugar was had. See Sophie in action on Sophie's blog!  Don't worry, Auntie and Mommy don't always let us eat off the floor.

We DID get a little snow. Not enough. People, I got new snowpants and a sleigh! The lack of snow is "frustrating." Yes, imagine that, "frustrating" is my new favorite word. And my snow dog who is supposed to pull sleds? Hmmmm, she needs more work.