Photo time

So...I just realized that we had several adorable pictures of Lea that were on the camera, but they hadn't be shared with the world yet. Shame on us! So here are a bunch of random photos:

This was supposed to be a photo of Lea's first time standing up by herself on the ottoman. Apparently Kate was a little late with the trigger finger.

Lea dressed eerily similar to Grammy Su...pink turtleneck and khakis

Laundry fun!

Photo of a rare Lea smile after a napless Saturday that turned into trip to Pella. It helped to have puffs along apparently.

Lea with Aunt Em & Aunt Summer

Lea with her shades and her nerdy onesie (curiosity of Grandma Kathy)

and Kate's shades...

Sickness and a Video

Quick update today. The family Sand has been fighting a nasty cold this weekend. Of course it's over my (Steve) three day weekend (parent teacher conferences). Lord knows Lea only gets the nasty stuff when I'm on break. Who says kids are dumb. We have been doing everything as a family this weekend. Sneezing, hacking, coughing, running our noses and other delightful things. The best part of the whole plague is the cough all of us have. It's like a three part choir of hacking. Same exact cough, three different sizes.

Lea has been fun this whole time as well. Running a fever off and on-which makes her boat loads of fun-snotty nose and decreased appetite. I've also discovered as her health decreased, her behaviors regressed as well. No standing on stuff. Less climbing mom and dad. Our attempt at conversion to full time sippy cup blew up when the cold hit as well. So close.

Here is a video of happier times at the Sand household. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7jK5l7nVsQ

Birthday Wonderfulness and New Skills

Here we are one year into our lifelong experiment called child rearing. Let's take a look at the grading sheet!

So far I'd rate us as a 7 out of 10. Stern but fair.

Perfect marks for cuteness, adorablility and cheeks.

We lose points because Lea is not holding down her own job, working complex equations, hunting, lock picking, para trooping, pickpocketing, brake dancing, and some other things I haven't taken the time to make up.

I was recalling the fear and something that resembled excitement, but was more like fear, again, we were staring down a year ago. In hindsight I have to admit it hasn't been too scary. Except for all the scary parts. (She is bound to replace us, I will not forget that) Thank God for nurses and the epidural.

Hear are some updates:

She is now able to easily stand up on furniture. She picked that one up quick.

Found out today that she can climb stairs. Great story. She was downstairs with Kate. I hear, "Lea? Leeeeaaaa?" I look down the steps and see my spawn smiling at me three steps up. One more thing to worry about. FANNNNNNNN-TASTIC.

She loves food.

She turned 1. Family was able to come over and watch her make noises and be cute. No screaming!

Here are some pictures from the birthday funness.

Lea attempting to win one of the party games. (Two Pyrex bowls were stuck together. Everyone was challenged, one reigned supreme. His name was Luke. He is now was a legend in our house. And he is Lea's uncle. And tall.)

Lea opening presents. Mostly toys that make loud noises. Amazingly, I've already become desensitized.

Fun picture of Lea and Uncle Chris. Sorry Joy. I could have not posted this picture. But I did anyway.