Toddlers Trekking

In the middle of January, Daddy and Mommy geared us up to face the cold and took us on a couple fun walkabouts.

Here are some pics from our stroll downtown near the Truckee River:

 

Here are some pics from our hike up to a beautiful vista point overlooking Lake Tahoe:

It's pretty awesome being carried around to enjoy gorgeous scenery.  It's nice to keep Daddy and Mommy in good shape too.  We're looking forward to more fun hiking adventures once the weather warms up.

- Talley & Maverick

Ice Skating Princess

Early January, Mommy took me out for a MOMS Club play date to the seasonal ice rink downtown.  Mommy planned to switch off with her friends between skating on the ice with me and cheering from the sidelines with the babies too small to skate (like Maverick).  However, when Mommy puts on ice skates, she becomes a peril to all those around her.  Since she couldn't be trusted to keep me (or even herself) safe out there, I skated around with my friend, Amari's, mommy (who impressively used to ice skate competitively) and with one of the rink workers, Mitch.

 

I loved gliding around like the princesses at Disney on Ice!  I had so much fun, I wanted to go back again.  The next time, Daddy took me out.  He's a great skater from years of playing ice hockey.  He's so fast, he can pass everyone!  Daddy and I had the best time.  I didn't want to leave!

The ice rink is closed for the season now.  I will look forward to going again next year.  And maybe someday, someone will open up a year-round ice rink here in Reno.  Make it happen, Daddy and Mommy!

-Talley

December 2011 Pics

Please click on the link to see an album of our pics from December 2011:
December 2011 Pics of Talley & Maverick
- Talley & Maverick

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was awesome!  We celebrated the birth of our Savior in grand fashion!

What made it particularly grand is that we got to share it with family in Reno (O'Neals and Schindlers) as well as family from out of town, including AMNT, Grandpa T, Grandma Linda, and Andy Pop.

Although it was not Maverick's first Christmas, it was kind of like his first Christmas since he could barely keep his eyes open last year.  Traveling the birth canal really takes it out of ya.

Christmas Eve, some of the grown ups went to church.  Then we took some photos by our tree and went over to Grandma and Grandpa O's house for fun visiting, a nice dinner, and a little dancing with AMNT.

 

 

Christmas morning, we celebrated at our house with a Christmas Casserole Extravaganza Brunch and Present Opening Bonanza.

Mommy also tried to get Christmas Karaoke going.  After playing karaoke jockey and singing on her own for what seemed like an eon, she was finally able to coerce some of the ladies to sing "Santa Baby" with her.  That's one of my favorite songs.  I love to think about Santa as a baby.  I really like the song "The Baby is Cold Outside" too.  If it were up to me, I would bring that cold baby inside and give it a hug!

The rest of Christmas day, we relaxed and had fun with family and our bounty of new toys. 

It was a wonderful celebration made extra special by those we love.  Hope you all had a great Christmas 2011 too!

- Talley & Maverick

P.S.  To see a complete album of pics from Christmas 2011, please click in this link: Christmas Pics 2011

Christmas Photo Shoot 2011

For 2011 Christmas cards, we did a family photo shoot at Callahan Park. It was miserably cold (28 degrees!), but we rallied and got it done anyway.  Here are some of the best pics from the shoot:

The photos were taken by Mommy's talented friend, Ari.  To see more of Ari's work, you can check out her website: http://www.amenphotography.com/

Mav Checking In at One Year Old

I had my one-year check up at the pediatrician's office a couple weeks ago.  I weighed in at 20 pounds and four ounces and measured 28 3/4 inches long.  The doctor was happy with my development and said I'm lookin 'good!

At 12 Months, I'm learning so much!  My babbling sometimes mimicks real sentence sounds.  I still say "mama" and "dada."  I call mostly everything else "da," but with particular gusto when it's for a dog.  I'm starting to wean myself from breastfeeding.  I've found that drinking from a sippy cup is actually pretty convenient.  I've also discovered a love for the ladies, particularly Belizeans and women of the grandma variety.  I'm a big time flirt and when I find a lady I like I will shun my mommy for her.  (No offense, Mommy.  You know I love you.)
My gross motor skills are progressing too.  A few days before my first birthday, I took my first successive steps.  Since then, I've gradually increased the number of steps I can take before taking a rest on my bottom.  Here is a link to a video of me walking:

Video of Maverick Walking

There are lots of things I enjoy besides walking too.  Below is a list of my top 12 pass times at 12 Months.  

Mav's Top 12 at 12:

1) Being a wildebeast in the bath tub

2) Eating everything in sight

3) Throwing anything I can pick up, especially food.  Balls are fun too.

4) Pulling things off shelves – particularly the books in Talley’s room and food in the pantry

 5) Playing with the dog bowls

6) Flipping the diaper pail top back and forth, wafting a tantalizing dirty diaper aroma through the room

7) Climbing up and down Talley’s pink lounge chair (pictured above)

8) Dislodging the ipod from its speaker dock

9) Walking with my push toy

10) Tampering with the closet doors

11) Playing peek-a-boo (or a variation of the game I play during nursing that I like to call "peek-a-boob")

12) Drumming (or really just banging anything around to get a loud sound)

Being one is off to a fun start!  I'm looking forward to seeing what other exciting things are in store this year.

- Maverick