January 19, 2010
We celebrated Tennyson’s birthday in Iuka, MS with family on Saturday. In all, I think she had 30 family members and friends to attend.
Tennyson also came down with a stomach virus around 2 am that morning. She still made it to her party that afternoon but did not have much of an appetite for her cupcake. Kris got sick Sunday night, and they are both still recovering today. Tennyson is really lethargic and just not doing too much today. At least she has her appetite somewhat back. She lived off of crackers for two days. Hopefully, tomorrow everyone will have some energy.
So, that is Tennyson’s birthday. Poor thing. Anyways, given her birthday is in January, I’m sure there is a great likelihood of her being sick on her birthday again in the future.
Although she was sick on Saturday, she did have a good time. Here are a few pictures from the event. Thanks to Kris’ sister, Kimberly Roberts, for taking all of the great photos. I love them and will forever cherish.
Tennyson was mainly just interested in the Goldfish crackers.
Tennyson's grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
January 18, 2010
These two months seem as if they were one. Tennyson experienced her first Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Here is a peek into this time:
“Tennyson, you are playing with ornaments that I have placed in a bowl just for you. You are gazing at and touching all of the presents.”
It was a daily ritual to throw all of the ornaments out of the bowl and watch them bounce.
One day, when I was in the kitchen, I noticed she had gotten quiet. You know how that goes. When they are quiet, they are into something. When I went into the living room, Tennyson had gotten into a bag and pulled all the tissue paper out.
January 17, 2010
Tennyson started pulling up on furniture.
Our little Dragon Fly.
Look at those teeth.
Tennyson pulling Calvin our cat. Such a good sport.
By this month, Tennyson was dancing to music, laughing more, and beginning to initiate games with us. Tennyson started to pretend to feed the animals only to jerk the food away and put it into her own mouth. She laughed so much at herself.
During this month, Tennyson’s big milestone was that she started eating more table foods. Her and I could eat together since she could pick up her own food. She is so funny doing this because she picks up each individual piece using her pincer grasp rather than putting fist fulls of food in her mouth.
January 15, 2010
This was a busy month. Tennyson’s bottom two teeth emerged. Her top two central teeth came in a week later. Tennyson decided to crawl while at a baby shower on her 8-month birthday. She became a lot more content playing for longer periods of time independently. She also became very busy.
Tennyson started waving at the end of her 7th month.
Tennyson always gets tickled over our animals.
She started Parents-Day-Out on Thursdays.
You can tell that Tennyson got busy this month.
She learned how to clap her hands and drink from her sippy cup.
January 13, 2010
This month, Tennyson started sitting up really well where I did not have to worry about her falling over. She started taking baths like a big girl. Bath time became so much fun during this month. She said her first words according to our journal which were “Calvin” and “Duck”. She has yet to have said them again. Everything is “bu” as she points to an object.
She loved her stuffed animals this month.
January 13, 2010
During this month, Tennyson started going to Erin Jones’ house on Thursdays and Fridays. I cannot imagine juggling two babies.
Ready to go to Ms. Erin's house. Diaper bag-check, bunny-check. Ok, let's go.
Tennyson already poking around on Elizabeth.
Such cute little girls.
From these pictures, Tennyson has lost a lot of her hair from when she was a newborn.
Tennyson started babbling this month using consonants. Her first true babble was “da-da-da”. She was sitting in her exersaucer while I was cooking, and with a snap of a finger, began to babble. “It seemed that you talked for 15 minutes. I think it was the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”
January 12, 2010
[I meant to publish this yesterday. Sometimes I save it, and then forget to publish it. So, the 5th month is below the 4th month.]
During this month, we went to Avon, North Carolina for our friend’s, David Nelson’s, wedding. This was the first time Tennyson flew on an airplane. Tennyson ended up doing very well.
This is also the month that Tennyson consistently began to sleep all night. What a relief. I remember it being pretty new before the trip, but she did not stray too much which I was impressed. I remember getting on central time zone again with her fairly easily.
Here is a poem that Kris wrote to her. It is so sweet.
In a small world
Everything is big.
Every new weight lifted
is heavy and large.
Every new color
seems so bold.
And when naivety is gone
you’ll then be old.
Your senses don’t betray you– they are just new and ours are old.
Laughter comes easy
without complexity.
“Tennyson, I thought of the first line while on a walk. With all of the beauty, you still sucked your thumb and couldn’t see past the stroller. While at home, in your bumbo seat, the dogs waddled over to your side to say hello. That’s when your eyes filled with wonder and joy–in our small bathroom.”–dad
Here are a few pictures from this month.
I couldn’t find any of our beach pictures on my computer for some reason. I’ll have to ask Kris to add some of those beautiful photos.
January 12, 2010
During this month, Tennyson had a cognitive boost. It seemed as if she was laughing more and beginning to initiate communication. From reading in our journal, Kris wrote “during supper, Brigitte and I realized you were making this choking noise just to make us look at you in your exersaucer. When we did, you would give us a hearty smile.”
This is also the month that we really began eating solid foods. Tennyson took right to it. The first time, she grabbed the spoon and put it in her mouth. She also started sitting up for a few seconds.
Here are a few pictures from this month.
First time to eat solid foods.
Playing with her daddy's nose.
Her first time to swing.
January 10, 2010
Reading Tennyson’s journal,this is the month that Tennyson began to sleep better at night and her feeding times and nap times became more scheduled. This is when the good times began. I started to feel like myself.
We were also excited about more motor achievements such as holding her head up and batting at objects. Tennyson was more awake and ready to learn starting this month.
I experienced Mother’s Day during this month for the first time. I know I appreciated my mother so much more. Tennyson and Kris got me a bird feeder (such a mom gift, don’t you think?) and a personalized home address stamp. I loved my first gifts from Tennyson and Kris.
We also had Baby Day at church on Mother’s Day and promised to bring Tennyson up in a Godly household. In turn the congregation promised to help. It was such a lovely, special ceremony.
Here are a few pictures from this month.
Kris reading poetry to Tennyson, and she cooing back.
Our first visit with the Easter Bunny.
First time for Tennyson to grab an object and manipulate it around.
January 9, 2010
Reading over our journaling, Kris and I were very excited about all of the coos, smiles, and first laugh during this month.
[paraphrased] “You heard my voice when I came in. You stopped eating and had this grin on your face. It was pure joy. The way your mom puts it is that you were flirting with me.” Dad.
Tennyson took her first vacation during this month. 
We went to Gatlinberg for the weekend with some friends. While there, we hiked the Chimney Top trails. I do not recommend it being 9-weeks post partum. However, it was a lot of fun to hang out with friends. Tennyson loved it. “You were awake for part of the hike. You love the outdoors along with us. I feel like you are close to God when amongst his creation.”–mom
Here are a few pictures from her second month.
Starting to stop swaddling. She liked her hands and arms free and still does. She hates it when we try to put anything over her arms or hands.
