Boxing Day in Belmont

Hailey and Alyssa played so well together.

Watching Santa come to the house.

Christmas Day in Lucan

Santa was very good to the McCulloch family this year. We had a blast with Alyssa. She mainly wanted to eat the wrapping paper and bang on all the boxes. It's amazing how quickly your perspective and priorities at Christmas time changes. What was once centered around us, now became centered around Alyssa. All the driving around and crazy days was so worth it to see Alyssa play with a new toy and smile at each box she could bang on. We were amazed at how well she did being in so many different places and out of her usual routine. She still slept through the night, had her naps, and ate what she needed to. On top of all that she is getting over a dooser of a cold and still managed to have lots of room for smiles and laughs. While yes, we had some brief moments of bittersweetness, they were overcome with joy by one cuddle by Alyssa. 2009 was such a roller coaster of a year, but we look towards what our future holds. Can't wait until next Christmas.

"I'd like to play with that toy, please Mom"

What would Christmas be without a room full of shredded wrapping paper.

Mom sent us on a scavenger hunt to find clues that would eventually lead us to our final gift of a cottage rental for a week next August. So excited!

She loves looking at the Christmas lights on the tree.

Her new Christmas pj's

Christmas Eve in Arkona

Visit to Toronto

Thank you to the Hardings in Oakville for a fantastic weekend. Alyssa was so great in a new home and still, yes still, slept through the night. Thanks for the great food, great wine and great company!

9 Months Old!

On Sunday, Alyssa was 9 months old. It's hard to believe time has flown by so fast. So much has happened in the last nine months that makes it feel a lifetime ago it was her and Mya's early arrival. Alyssa now weighs 18lbs 5oz and is 70.5cm long (0r 27.7 inches). She is holding strong in the 50th percentile for other full-term babies born in March. As you can see from the pictures she sits really well on her own. That took about two weeks to master. And within the last week or so, she has learned to grab our shirts or fingers to pull herself up. She is becoming more of a suck and knows where Craig and I are if someone else is holding her. She doesn't make strange by crying, she will just stare you down. Eventually, when she knows everything is ok, she will give you a great big smile. Even if she's completely exhausted and starving, she will usually always have a smile (especially for Daddy). She truly is a happy, happy baby and a blessing to be around. She has her two bottom teeth and has had them for quite some time. I think she's got more coming in as she keeps chewing on her fingers and pulling at her gums. She has discovered her tongue, which is the funniest thing. She will roll it around on her gums and teeth. She babbles, usually ya-ya and sometimes throws the odd consonant in there. She loves watching the dogs, especially when they play outside. She still sleeps 12 hours each night. Lately her schedule has been so thrown off by visits to family and friends but still manages to get her sleep. Eating is no issue for her! She LOVES food! I have yet to find anything she will flat out eat! We tried broccoli the other day and while she did NOT like it, the girl still ate it! She loves Cheerios also...mainly loves to bang on the container!

That's all for now. It's been quite the month. Can't wait to see what she's like Christmas morning!

8 months old today!

Friday the 13th, and Alyssa is 8 months old today. She has her two bottom teeth and is able to sit by herself with little help from us. She loves Darcy and loves to smile. Truly the happiest baby I know. Each day she is a different baby and her personality is coming through.

Mr. Brown can moo, can you? No, I think I'll just chew!

She likes turning pages.

Darcy is MY dog! :)

So adorable!

Halloween 2009

Darcy caught her first bunny wabbit! Be vewwy vewwy quiet!

At 98 and 87, they still know how to have a good time!