Courtney's first Christmas! Since we weren't going to be home on "Christmas" to open presents, we wanted Courtney to open her first present from us at our house...so we started early! Here is her official first Christmas present ever!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas with grandma and grandpa McClain
Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Hicks
Our first family celebration was in Joplin last weekend. Courtney had such a good time exploring grandma and grandpa's house! Uncle Dave and aunt Bethany were there too.
Here is James practicing his Spanish alphabet on Courtney's new Christmas toy...and we caught him with it several other times throughout the weekend!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
9 months, Santa, Birthday Party
Courtney was 9 months old last Thursday! We took her to the doctor yesterday and she weighed 17 lbs 10 oz. She's still a shorty at 26 1/2 inches! We also went to see Santa last week. I fully expected her to cry like the other babies in front of us and that I would be able to tape it...which I did - but it only took 6 seconds - so I added the video, too.
Watch the full extent of our first visit with Santa - I guess it lasts longer when you can talk and actually tell Santa what you want. 

Yikes - a bear!
Watching the fishies in the giant aquarium.
My new favorite time with Courtney is reading her books. We have always read to her, but now she really snuggles into you, lays back, and listens.
This is Ashley's first birthday! Courtney helped her open a few presents and then got to play on her new toy while Ashley pushed!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
I'm thankful for Courtney!
Our Thanksgiving post is very late, but nevertheless we were very thankful to have Courtney this year! We went to Stewartsville for a few days and all she wanted to do was eat grandma's pilgrims and Indians ( at least she was festive - that's my girl)!
Showing the pilgrims some love.
Courtney's first Thanksgiving meal!
Great grandma with her newest grandbabies.
Showing the pilgrims some love.
Our family!
Courtney enjoying a Thanksgiving story.
My parents and brother came a few weeks ago for a Chiefs game and Courtney loved grandpa's hat!
A cute little church outfit.
We gave Courtney her first teething biscuit this week. It was hillarious because it kept her busy for about 20 minutes and she practically ate the whole thing. It was a huge mess. I found some in her armpit the next day after a bath. Gross.
Once Courtney started standing she really wanted to move. She has been cruising along our fireplace and will play a little game of trying to get around us if we sit up against it - sweet!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
First teeth, first plane ride and crawling - oh my!
What a big week it has been for Ms. Courtney! Last Monday she decided she wanted to start crawling - so she did. We lured her around the living room with a Wal-Mart sack. EARLY Friday morning she boarded her first plane and traveled to Michigan to see her uncle Dave get married and later that day we discovered she had a tooth poking through her gums! We didn't even see it coming! She did so wonderful on all 4 of our plane rides, traveling for hours in the car, sleeping in hotels, being a quiet little girl for the wedding and a flirty little girl for the reception. We couldn't ask for a better baby!
A VERY sleepy Courtney (notice it's still dark outside:(
We had long layovers, but luckily, this girl loves terminals.
"I knew I shouldn't have worn white to a wedding..."
Playing with dad at the wedding!
The 2nd picture in our camera WITHOUT Courtney.