Day 349 - Rocking Chair Gymnastics

"Sitting on a rocking chair is so for the Gerrys Dad. Standing on one on the other hand, now that is living."

Paige can climb into her rocking chair all by herself now. Unfortunately a large portion of the "by herself" means that she tries to stand on the seat and rock. This kid is going to give me a heart attack before I'm 30. I swear.

Day 348 - Goodbye Dear Sun, We'll Miss You.

"What's with the darkness?"

It turns out that the world hasn't stopped turning, and the seasons are plugging along full force. We only had a few minutes of daylight left to get some outdoor shots of Paige tonight. (ok, so 20 of those minutes were lost when I had to have the neighbor jump my car, before I went to pick Paige up from daycare since it the battery was dead...turns out the trunk was open, and the light drained the battery. I blame Paige. She likes to play with my keys.) It is hard to believe that it is going to be November shortly. Paige's second November to be exact.

Day 347 - One Small Step, For A Baby.

"Here I go! Nothing can stop me now."

Yup, first steps. (Well technically these were Step Vol. 2, No. 2-3, but who's counting?)

Day 346 - Pumpkin Delivery

"Hmm, Pumpkin tastes kinda good. We should have it for dinner Dad."

So it was first pumpkin carving time. The pumpkin was delivered all the way from Detroit Lakes. Paige really liked touching the top and the pumpkin itself, but the innards, not so much. She would put her hand in the pumpkin after I scraped it out, but wanted nothing to do it beforehand. Although it is obscured by the pumpkin, (sly move mom...sly move) Paige is sporting her new Brett Favre Vikings Jersey, courtesy of Anti-Ted Thompson Grandpa Roger. (I'm still ethically torn when I cheer for Mr. Favre. I guess it is just a really good way to get us Minnesota Vikings fans all riled up, just to have our hopes and dreams dashed on the rocks of reality again.)

Day 345 - Como Zoo Boo!

"It's time to try, Defying gravity. I think I'll try, Defying gravity. And you can't pull me down!"

We went to the Como Zoo Boo! today. For anyone in the Twin Cities, I highly recommend it. They have all sorts of volunteers who dress up, and stage different areas with costumes and themes. It isn't a scary haunted house sort of thing, so it is perfectly ok for little kids. They handed out all sorts of treats, like crackers, coloring books, crayons, fruit snacks etc. Paige really enjoyed watching all of the people and the other children in costumes. If I was a better photographer, I would have noticed that there is a J directly behind the P she is standing by. A quick swap of the letters, and viola, PJ. oh well. perhaps next year.

Day 344 - Side-Hawk?

"You might not believe me, but I did have a really cute hair do at daycare today."

I don't know what exactly you would call it, but they put Paige's hair into a pony tail that stuck straight up on the top of her head at daycare today. It was rather cute. Once the binder fell out thought, it got even better!

Day 343 - A Burgeoning Fashionista

"Are you sure this new coat goes with my dress? I'm not so certain about that."

Can an 11 month old have already developed a sense of style? I fear that Paige already has. Generally she despises wearing shoes, yet, these cute little black (Mary Janes?) she loves, and has no problem wearing. Normally she complians to no end about putting on a coat, but this purple coat with big buttons, that for some reason seems to suggest a little Jackie O (well, suggests to this clueless as to fashion guy), she loves. I can't explain it. Perhaps she will be nothing like her father and actually have a sense of style. I also think she looks like her cousin Morgan in this picture as well. (Who it just so happens is the person from whom she received this coat as a hand-me-down.)

Day 342 - A Big Hug!

"I Love you THIS Much Momma."

She loves you too Paige.

Day 341 - Birthday Card for Grandpa

"Happy Birthday Grandpa Will! Thanks for coming to visit."

My dad was in the cities for a meeting, and was able to stop by for a couple hours to visit. It was also his birthday today, so it worked out perfectly. Paige decided she would rather play with his birthday card (and eat it) than let him have it, but he was a good sport, as can be expected.

Day 340 - Baby Stablization

"I don't want to let go, it is too scary."

Paige is getting to the point where she is starting to stand momentarily without holding onto anything. Only for brief moments, but I expect that it will be picking up shortly. Hopefully I can capture a picture of her standing by herself soon.

Day 339 - Wetmore Pond

"I'm getting sleepy Momma. Have we hiked enough yet?"

One last quick hike after we met our friends for breakfast. We headed out to the Wetmore Pond area, which is my favorite place to go in Marquette. I am not sure why I like it so much, but I sure do. Paige was pretty pooped by this point though. She fell asleep in the hiking back pack, and pretty much slept 3/4 of the way back to Minnesota. (we made a short stop at Valerie's Dad's cabin near Tomahawk, Wisconsin to give Kaija and Paige a break for a couple hours).

Day 338 - Mount Marquette

"That was some hard work, sitting in my stroller while we ran all the way up here."

We went on a run down a dirt road that we had never been on before. Then we decided to go along the path that said "Extremely Steep Grades Ahead." I'm glad we didn't give up. We were about to turn around when we realized there was an overlook ahead. It is hands down the best view of the city we've ever seen. Better than Sugar Loaf or Hogback.

Day 337 - Black Rocks

"Yeah, this is a good idea Mom. Let's practice walking on the sharp craggy rocks."

What visit to Marquette and Presque Isle would be complete with out a walk out onto Black Rocks? It was hard to tell whether Paige or Kaija had more fun. (Although we did have to try and keep Paige from eating the rocks.)

Day 336 - Picture Window

"What is that out there, I think I can get a little closer."

The cabin we stayed at (called "the rock cut cabin") had a big picture window that showed Lake Superior. The window extended almost all the way to the floor, so of course Paige could smash her face up against it. Don't worry, Mom cleaned the window pre and post Paige licking.

Day 335 - The Grandpa Shoulder Express

"Uncle Bryan, your new house looks pretty cool from way up here!"

On our way to Marquette, we stopped in Stevens Point to see Bryan's new house. Grandpa Roger and Grandma Denise had stopped in as well. Of course, Paige was the center of attention...again. (It is a nice house though.)

Day 334 - One More Time.

"I still see you Dad. You can't hide."

First shot with the new lens, the 18-105 vr. So far, no complaints. So, it was very cold, and snowy for quite a few days, which would explain why we have so many photographs of paige in her pink winter jacket. I promise there will be more variety soon.

Day 333 - Thread the Needle

"Come on Kaija, Let's hit the road!"

Paige is enjoying walking behind her hippo-block-chomper thing. She can really get cruising. She can now also slow down and stop herself, rather than just barreling full speed into things. I'd call that a big step forward.

Day 332 - No. 10 > No. 4?

"Can I have some crackers? This neon orange looks so appealing."

Sorry Paige, but no peanut butter until you are 1. Paige is sporting much more appropriate attire, a Fran Tarkenton t-shirt. Talk about a sweet hand-me-down, right? My Mom saved it all this time, and it fits Paige great.

Interesting tidbit for all of you intellectual property geeks out there, the shirt only has a "TM" mark next to the vikings name. Kind of shocking that the Vikings would not have registered their trademark by the late 1970s (78?).

Day 331 - Put Me In Coach, I'm Ready to Play

"Powder Puff? They look pretty serious to me."

Homecoming weekend in Forest Lake. We went to the powder Puff football game. Turns out my comment about snow from a few days ago....yeah, well we got snow, a lot of it. August lasted about two weeks. What a bummer.

Day 330 - So a monkey, a sea horse, a kitty and a baby walk into a crib...

"Done with the picture yet Dad? Good, cause I hate being under a blanket, even if they look "cute" in a photograph."

Paige has been sleeping a little more than usual lately, I think it is partially getting over her sickness, but perhaps part of it is her needing to sleep a little more. Time will tell I guess.

Day 329 - Ready for a Run.

"Geez, you would think it was snowing outside or something."

Got Paige all bundled up tonight to head out for a run. She was ready to go, complete with little white bunny gloves. Have I mentioned I really like my flash (the SB-400)? This picture would not have been possible without it. It may not be the most versatile speedlight in Nikon's line-up, but the results can be quite pleasing if you ask me.

Day 328 - Bedtime Peekaboo!

"So, if it is bed time, why get me all riled up with peekaboo?"

We had a fantastic visit with an old friend tonight. Valerie's college roommate Tera was in town from Denver for a wedding coming up this weekend. She and Paige took to each other quite quickly, and it was very nice catching up. Paige loves the peekaboo books, but I have to wonder why there would be a "bedtime" peekaboo book. Perhaps I play peekaboo wrong, but it is anything but calm and relaxing.

Day 327 - Another day in the life of a baby.

"Daddy, don't take my picture. I don't feel very good, and I think my eyes look a little puffy."

Paige has again come down with something. It is like she is making up for lost time. This time it is a low grade fever (about 100.4) that has lasted for two days now. She also has some goopy stuff in her eye, but her eye itself doesn't look red, just the eyelids. (I am sure you all wanted to know that).

I hope she feels better tomorrow. It sure sucks when your child is sick.

Day 326 - GO Pack, GO! GO Pack, GO! GO Pack, ooooohhhhhhh.....ouch.

"So Brett Favre used to play for the Packers? He has been a Jet and and Viking my whole life!"

Yeah, Valerie won the first round of Dress Paige for Packers v. Vikings game. Too bad her beloved Packers couldn't replicate the victory

Day 325 - Paige in the Box

"This was fun, but I'd like to get out now."

Some times you just need to put her some place where she will stay for a few seconds. Especially if you are trying to get a picture...

Day 324 - The leaves, they are a changin'

"Why are all the leaves falling off the tree Mom?"

Well, the fall is in full swing, and the leaves are starting to change and drop. Weather has been pretty chilly and rainy still. Thankfully we were able to get out and about a few times over the weekend. Although it is kind of a bummer that the leaves are starting to change and fall, it does make for a nice background.

Day 323 - The new and the old.

"Just hanging with my friends on a dreary afternoon."

It is so interesting how children will gravitate towards a particular toy, and then want it with them at all times. Paige has hundreds (literally) of toys that she has been given as gifts, hand-me downs, or we just couldn't live without. Yet time and time again she will grab her little baby. Also making an appearance in this photo is my toy from my childhood that was "the" toy for me. Teddy. She likes him ok, but I think I am pushing him on her more than anything. Maybe she'll like him? I hope so.

Day 322 - Hanging on the Stoop.

"Will this rain ever go away?"

Been a rainy couple days here in Minnesota. Hard to take Paige outside when it is cold a rainy. Kaija always has a hard time with it as well, since she doesn't really like getting her head wet. I think she might be the only dog on the planet that refuses to get her head wet. Most other dogs could care less.

Day 321 - Goodbye Baseball.

"This close I tell you, this close. We almost had it."

Well, the baseball season is coming to a close for the Brewers (and possibly the Twins). Time to pack up the sweatshirt for next year (too bad it won't fit her next year...) That is the thing about baseball though, there is always next year.