I thought Sarah was so cute in her PJ top, white diaper and socks...

Oh, how she loves yogurt.

I'm having fun catching Sarah's first words on camera. Maybe I'll compile a little dictionary someday.

Kitty. This technically was Sarah's first word and she says it better than she does in this video. The brown kitty was a special homemade gift from a family friend - really, the daughter of my mom's good friend from way back. I suppose her girls might be like cousins to me, though I can't actually remember meeting them (there are many states between us). And if you want to get complicated, there is some blood relation up there in our family trees. This fleecey cat is so nice and soft - such a special gift. Thanks again, Jeni!

Apple. This is a fun one. Sarah will say apple over and over and over again. AH!-pul AH!-pul AH!-pul

She has learned pumpkin, too (and the sign sort of), since we see them all over, but what she says sounds more like "cracker" than pumpkin. She does also say "cracker" in the appropriate context.

Jesus. Sarah loves one of my old tapes (yes, a cassette! still trying to figure how to get it on CD/mp3 without paying for one), Wee Sing Bible Songs, which is full of all the classic, simple songs all children should learn in church (IMHO). She smiles and dances when I put it on. I think this has helped her learn "Jesus."
 
Feeling pretty savvy that I edited 2 videos together on this one...

Up and down. Ok, she doesn't say these in the video, but she can. It's so funny that after learning to stand and walk, sitting down on something is another skill to learn! Bonus "music" sign at the end.

I'm on a roll and excited about my new video downsizing ability. I've spent way too much time on the computer tonight, but I think it's been worth it...and I've been doing dishes while waiting on uploads, so it's not a complete loss.

Pictures first.

Earlier this week, Sarah was playing next door with the neighbor girls. Vivienne is a week older than Sarah. I'm not sure what she thought of her fancy car ride...

And then wagon ride.

Poor Eli is oldish and deaf and would probably let Sarah climb all over him. She just sneaks in a single pat and squeals with joy. "wuff wuff wuff!!!"

I'm not sure what this face is all about. That's a big mouth!

Here's Sarah sorting her mail.

 

And playing peek-a-boo...aka run and "hi!"

And dancing.

Shortly after my previous post I broke my camera - so sad. But we rejoice in an early Christmas gift so you will not have to experience a lapse in updates or Sarah pictures!

Then and now.

I remembered this picture from about a year ago. Sarah was 4 months old and I had just started putting her in the stroller without the infant seat. The colors were much more vibrant last year!

Today we took a family outing to a local orchard. It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky! We couldn't resist lunching on a few corn dogs and fried biscuits and apple butter. Oh. Yummm. Mmmm. And some animal crackers.

Sarah's new straw sipping skill was rewarded with the sweet taste of cider slushie! Big smiles on that one.

We waited for the pumpkin patch wagon to arrive. Sarah is just the cutest!!

Sarah liked the ride, but was a little nervous.

She enjoyed traipsing around. She only took one "pumpkin tumble" which involved somehow runnnig into a pumpkin and rolling off of it...

We brought home a few pumpkins and lots of apples. And memories.

I have been trying to post for a few days now...and have been suffering from technical difficulties...I must not let technology get the best of me (or steal too much of my time)!!

A week ago we had a picnic at the park. What a fun thing to do as a family! We brought sandwiches and ate on our blanket. Sarah ran around collecting acorns and we went for a walk on the trails. It was a beautiful day!

Sarah and her big Pooh bear.
 

Carrying mommy's purse...and the diaper bag.

Touching the sun spots on the floor.
 

Friday and Saturday we participated in our neighborhood garage sale. Friday was a lot of fun. It was a beautiful day and we had a steady stream of "visitors." Saturday was a bit of a disappointment since it was cold and raining most of the day...and   v  e  r  y   slow. But, among the 4 households represented by the stuff for sale, we made a nice profit and people took away some stuff we didn't want! Win-win.

I couldn't have pulled it off without my mom; she manned the garage most of the time because I was often coming or going from naps or meals with Sarah. Sarah loved being outside a lot more than normal and playing "with" (sometimes running from) the other children who came by. She did a really good job of occupying herself without making too much of a mess... but I don't even want to know how many animal crackers she ate off the garage floor.

I was able to sneak away to a few sales and got a couple deals myself. The cars are back in the garage, and there's a lot to put away or give away, but for now, I'm tired.