Nine months old!

Whoa! Time is flying by. Tess and her bear are nine months old today! That bear is so well behaved and so much easier to keep track of compared to Tess these days. As you can see, our monthly picure session took a different spin this time as Miss. Thing wanted to STAND. Yikes! She is getting so big and strong! We go for her nine month doctor appointment next week, so we'll have to report back regarding all of her stats.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tess has directed me to send Merry Christmas wishes to all of her friends! As soon as we woke up today, she said, "Mom, I need to send a Christmas shout-out to all my peeps!" Tess hopes that you all have a fantastic day. She has already had so much fun that a little bruise is developing on her forehead. Oh, the fun of Christmas morning!

Below is a sneek preview of her 9 month pictures that were taken yesterday.

Tess' first snow!

We got the year's first BIG snow storm this weekend (as did everyone else within 300 miles of us!). It was too windy to go out yesterday, but we ventured out today so Tess could familiarize herself with the snow. Grandpa and Grandma Tillman got her a neat little sled, and boy, did Tess enjoy it. She couldn't stop laughing! We'll have to wait until Dad is home so we can get a video (I can't do it myself until I grow a third arm - which would be SO handy!! **).

** Hint, hint - if you are still looking for something to get me for Christmas! The perfect gift for a new mom!

Santa = Scary

Tess met Santa today for the first time. As you can see, she was overjoyed. Before we got there, I was hoping for lots of smiles. Once we were up on his lap, my hopes changed to a prayer for no tears. How quickly things change! Tess reminded me that at least she looked pretty and that is truly all that matters at the end of the day.

Tess goes to Key West

To help celebrate Mom's birthday, Tess went on her first big vacation to Key West last weekend with Dad, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma Cushman and Uncle Michael. She did great on the plane and enjoyed soaking up some rays (if for only seconds at a time!). She had a blast swimming in the pool at the hotel and even dipped her toes in the ocean. And she even attended her very first pirate festival. Last but not least, she clapped for the first time while we were there.

Floating in the pool

Sunset at Mallory Square

Taking a ride in the electric car

At Pirates in Paradise with Uncle Mike the Pirate Tess and her new mates The "New" Tess Touching the ocean The Gang

Eight months old today!

Tess is eight months old today! She is crawling everywhere and wants to stand all the time. She says lots of "da-das" and some "ma-mas", although she clearly doesn't associate those words with us. She is such a happy girl!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Tess made the hike to Chicago to see Grandpa and Grandma Tillman and the extended Tillman family for her first Thanksgiving. Everyone enjoyed meeting her! While we were there, Tess discovered that she LOVES walking (while being led by a mom and dad that will soon have sore backs if this continues much longer)!! We'll have to post a video of this new trick soon.

Tess with Grandpa and Grandma

Tess and Dad

Tess and Mom

Tess and Uncle Mark

Happy Birthday, BFF!

Today is Kadie's 1st birthday! In case you've forgotten, Kadie is Tess' BFF. Her party was last weekend and it was the first birthday party that Tess has ever been invited to. That makes it the best party that Tess has ever been to! Tess can't wait to share lots more birthdays with Kadie.

Jeepers! Now she's standing!

Now that we've mastered the art of crawling (not really), we have decided we are ready for the next step. Strike that - Tess has decided that SHE is ready, but Mom and Dad aren't so sure. Yikes! What happened to our little baby?

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Today is Grandma's birthday! Tess helped to celebrate by going out to dinner with her (and the rest of the gang). Tess even got to hang out with Uncle Brendan. Tess hopes that Grandma had a nice day! (The picture of Tess and Grandma is when Tess visited Grandma at school last week.)

Happy Halloween!

Seven months old today!

People always ask, "So what's Tess doing now?" Well, to sum it up, she's starting to crawl (see video below), growing lots more hair, loving her swimming lessons, learning to eat better, laughing lots, still sleeping like a champ, talking more and more all the time and seeming like she's ready to bust out a tooth any day - but none so far!


And here is a little peek into why it's becoming increasingly difficult to conduct these monthly photo shoots!