She's a Maniac ...

It's only 7:20 on Oct. 31, and I already have that post-Halloween if-I-have-another-sweet-in-my-lifetime-it-will-be-too-soon feeling. Ugh.

And speaking of sweet, our sweet little flashdancer had a great (and busy!) Halloween. She's been on a nap strike for a few days, so I worried she wouldn't have the energy to make it. I shouldn't have worried. Our little party animal did just fine.

I'm cheating: This picture is actually from a Halloween party Sunday.

We had playgroup at our place today and made a real Halloween party of it! We even attempted to corral the kids into a group shot. This is as close as we got, although I'm impressed it even turned out that well. It was a little like herding cats.


Then we "napped" (Libby cried for 50 minutes and slept for 10 -- about her usual M.O. these last few days) and followed that with a visit to Daddy's work. We came home to find Halloween cards from both grandmas (what perfect timing!), and Libby ended the day with her favorite activity: playing with Daddy and making him put on her new fave, a headband.

Smiley

Libby has the most wonderful laugh and smile, and we can get to see and hear them these days more than ever before. It's wonderful!

Grandma Betsey sent us a wonderful care package chock full of stuff for BBPD, Libby, and Mommy (sorry about your luck, Daddy). In it was a seat cover for BBPD. Daddy decided to put it on and pretend he was a baby. Libby found it so hilarious, she had to emulate her beloved Daddy.


Grandma also sent a pair of snow boots that Libby loved. She clomp-clomp-clomped all around the house with them.

Libby's First Birthday

One year of life with our little monkey. I can't believe it!

We had a truly special first birthday celebration thanks to our family and friends. My parents stayed to take Libby out to breakfast (and I forgot the camera, of course) and then they left for Ohio. Libby has missed G&G; it was like living in Carnegie Hall for a while there was so much applause ringing out constantly. Libby ate up their attention and misses it sorely now.

Daddy took Libby's birthday off, and we spent it running errands and getting ready for our party. Of course, the Maryland contigent also called to wish our girl a good day. Libby was so excited to talk on the phone with Grandma! (She loves the phone these days.)

Then we had a big group of friends here for a pasta-and-cupcake-filled celebration. As Libby sat on my lap and crumbled her birthday cupcake and listened to "Happy Birthday," I looked out on the smiling faces of our friends and was humbled by the wonderful Chicago family we have built here. I'm so glad they could celebrate with us!

World's best "Happy Birthday" singers gather for a meal.


Yum.

I like the feel of this but don't you dare try to make me eat any!

Libby's thinking, "Umm, I'm tired and getting a cold and they keep trying to force cake down my throat. Just put me down so I can play with the kids!"

Sophie and Evie read a book whilst standing on their ears.

Rachel and Sophie play whilst standing on their ears. (Our guests are very talented!)

Welcome Home!

My parents and Libby and I headed out to Elmhurst today to officially welcome home Joanna and her son Alejandro. I can now say that I am madly in love with Ale and once again head over heels for my beloved Jo, who's been fostering down in Guatemala since March.

Congratulations to the whole family on being reunited. I go to bed tonight a happy woman.

On the eve of Libby's first birthday, I sat and watched her learn to climb the stairs for 10 minutes. She climbed/fell down one side, walked a big circle around the deck, and then climbed/fell up the other side. I could see the wheels churning in her head and she did it over and over again. I managed to capture a little video near the end with our digital camera. If I did this right, it's below. If not, it's also in the videos to the left.

The Face

Libby makes this face sometimes, and it just puts me in stitches. Seriously, I sometimes laugh myself into an asthma attack. Of course, my lack of control just makes her do the face more and more until we're both in a pure giggle fit.

I can't quite capture it on film, but it involves her scrunching up her nose and drawing deep breaths in through her nostrils. I know, I know -- it doesn't sound that funny. You'll just have to trust me that it's hilarious.

Temporary Buckeye

Libby's 1 in three more days. My baby's almost 1! Zoinks!

We just got back from a weeklong visit to Ohio to celebrate Diana's birthday, Ian's birthday (18!), and Libby's birthday.

Libby acquired several new experiences in our visits to small town (Grandma and Grandpa) and suburbia (Aunts Kim and Kandi). She loved playing in the grass and dirt out in front of the houses and thought sidewalk chalk was positively delicious.

Alas, Martin accidentally took the camera back with him to Chicago, so we don't have any photos in Westerville. Oh, well. We have lots of good memories. Thanks for being such good hosts (and babysitters), Ohio aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins!

A beautiful sun-dappled almost-autumn day with leaves to crunch ...

... and rocks to taste. (See how the pebble shines in the sunlight? Yeah, that's spit.)

She doesn't look a day over 11.75 months.