Well, she’s almost there… Rainah’s first real steps were on Halloween and since then she’s been getting better every day. Sometimes she makes it all the way across a room, usually with her arms flailing above her head. She is always so proud of herself, too. Last night I watched her crawl up about 5 steps - the girl is wearing me out, but it’s so cute and amazing to me! Yesterday she was 11 months- I cannot believe that we will be celebrating her first year in just a month… I try not to think about it because I get teary-eyed every time I do. Right now she’s on the floor with the phone up to her ear!
Right now we’re also dealing with the whole seperation anxiety/mamma’s girl thing. All summer I got called out of chuch EVERY week. Now when I leave her at the nursery for MOPS, she goes into hysterics. They’re great at working with her and are willing to keep her as long as I want, but I know her screaming must get old over 2 hours. Yesterday one of the women asked her if she wanted to go see Mommy and she immediately stopped crying… smart girl! It’s very frustrating for me, and makes me not want to leave her (because I feel bad for whoever has to deal with her)- which probably makes the situation worse. But we’ll keep trying, and hopefully someday she’ll let me out of her site (I’ve been told may times that I was the exact same way)
Here are a few photos from yesterday:

Thanksgiving 2007

And so the Christmas season has begun. Yesterday was another fun filled Thanksgiving Day - and Rainah’s first. Don had a comedy show in Mt. Pleasant Wednesday night, so Rainah and I headed to Mom and Dad’s Wednesday morning. Mom had the house in all it’s Christmas glory complete with the Christmas carols playing when we walked in. We spent the night and everyone came over in the morning; even Justin flew in for the festivities. It was a wonderful meal as usual and the the yearly tradition of receiving a Christmas ornament at our place continued. Don got a laptop computer, Rainah got a “First Christmas” ornament personalized with her name, and I got a “Mom’s Favorite” (as did Jill and Jessica). Desserts were amazing as well. Jill, Dave, Justin, and Jess played Catan and Tina came over to hang out as well. Don shared some of his dessert with Rainah and then left to come back to Grand Rapids. Rainah and I spent the night and came back this morning.
Then this afternoon Kris, Will, Isabelle, and Stephen came over with their leftovers and we had dinner with them. We didn’t brave the crowds of shoppers today, but might try tomorrow. It was a great holiday and we’re excited for the Christmas season and watching Rainah enjoy her first. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is walking by then; she has been taking more and more steps almost every day (except the last few days she has been kind of hesitant for some reason). She continues to be a busy girl

Hello World!

A first!!
My first blog…been putting it off for a long time, but gotta do it. Everyone’s doing it. But really, I’ve been kicking myself because I have been so bad about recording things since Rainah was born. I try, but by the end of the day I am so exhausted, I tell myself I’ll write it down tomorrow… and then it’s weeks later and I can’t remember the date that she did this or that. So since I’m on the computer so much anyway, hopefully this will help me get more down! So, stay tuned……