Playtime

Mer's activity mat has been getting lots of use lately (as well as the occasional spit-up) and she's working on her smiles.

Snug as a Bug

Houston has been pretty chilly the past few days, but Merritt stays cozy in the hat and blanket that her Nonna made just for her.

Happy New Year!

Merritt's first New Year's Eve and Eric's birthday was a celebration with friends at our house.

Mer assists with the beginning of dinner preparations

The china and crystal made a rare appearance for the special occasion

Todd shows off two of the live lobsters we steamed for our "surf 'n turf" menu

Cookin' with Katie and Kevin

The group modeling our lobster bibs

Merritt meets more family

Merritt met more grandparents, Uncle David and Aunts Meredith and Elizabeth in from San Antonio.

Grandfather shows off his patented burping technique

The two Mers

First Christmas!

Sleeping in heavenly peace...

And a few minutes later, ignoring Santa's "you better not cry" rule

Hanging out with Aunt Jamie and Cousin Abby

Jess loving Abby and Kayla's new tether ball set-- she played all day

Eric and Howard rocking out to Guitar Hero (actually Abby's gift)

First Bath!

We attempted a real bath since Mer's umbilical cord came off and she wanted to be squeaky-clean for Christmas-- didn't go over so well...

Merritt meets Grumpy and Nonna

This past weekend, Merritt met her Grumpy and Nonna (aka grandparents) from Arizona-- they hit it off immediately!

Nonna loving on her two best girls

Nonna snuggling while Grumpy takes care of business, as usual

Dad shows off his famous impenatrable swaddle

Making herself at home

Merritt had another doctor's appointment this week and she's doing so well-- all of her pigging out has resulted in a big weight gain. We're getting a little more adventurous with our outings and in addition to the doctor, we also made a trip to Babies R Us and out to lunch-- Mer was on her best behavior.

Snuggling with her grandma, who was kind enough stay with us for the weekend and provide back-up

Lounging on her changing table. She has since lost her umbilical cord and Dad thinks she's MUCH cuter now (if that's possible)

Jess thinks this toy is hers

First walk in the 'hood!