I am so behind with the blog. These first pictures are all very old. Here, Ivy is sharing Grammy's Starbucks at Target. We got a lot of dirty looks, but decaf coffee with lots of milk is much better than the Gatorade we've seen other kids drinking.
Though Ivy usually goes to the park with Jenna in the morning, I took her one afternoon so that Josh could finish his work. I hadn't realized that she was able to climb up the stairs and slide down the slide all by herself. She's such a gigantically big girl these days!
Ivy's 15-month check was a great success. We tried a new doctor, Dr. Svenson, and I really liked her. Ivy is just below 50% in height and just above 50% in weight. I'd been a little worried she was too plump and cuddly (especially since someone at Kindermusik said she was fat), but she's perfect! She had a tough time with the immunizations, though. She ran a fever for a few days (and was teething), but she bounced right back.
Claire and Ivy went to the park together. The little red wagon Ivy got for her birthday has come in handy. Not only do Ivy and Claire look a bit alike, they also dress alike. Here they are in matching pink polka-dot Carter's.
I
will say that Halloween was more fun than it's ever been. It's
definitely a kid's holiday. I thought her pile of leaves costume was
very cute and very clever, but it almost didn't work. When I put her
into it on Wednesday for Halloween story time (I stayed home from work
to go with her), she threw the biggest fit ever in the history of big
Ivy fits. I figured that was money, time, and mommy love I'd never get
back. 
But
by Friday, she was ready to wear it (I let her play with it) and on
Saturday morning, after trick-or-treating, she toddled out to put the
shoes on to go to the park.
Jenna and I took Ivy to a TAMU Mom and Tot Halloween party.
She wore the tutu for awhile, but took it off in order to play. Clearly, she was the prettiest baby with the best costume there.
We went down the big slide together, but she went down a little one 
alone. I was so busy taking her picture that I forgot to catch her. She was fine.Mommy, I'm looking for other wood sprites!
Mommy, if I can catch a duck, may I keep her?
When Ivy wouldn't wear her costume, Jenna got her this clown nose.
Ivy and Jenna made Halloween cookies together.
Jenna brought the cookies and frosting (which Josh ate straight 
from
the package), and I let Ivy use the pumpkin plate Grammy got for her.
The shirt is pretty much done, but otherwise cookies were a great idea.
Claire, Scott, and Hillary came for dinner (with Hillary's dad, Mark), and we had a delicious beef burgundy, and then such fun tromping through the neighborhood. They filled the wagon with candy (which we gave to the hordes of kids at our door. It was great.
Claire, I'll wear my Halloween cat shirt if you'll wear yours!
Scott helps Ivy pose for the camera.
It's Halloween Night's Dream under this tree. Claire is a fluffy chick.
Compare this little pumpkin with the pumpkin from a year ago!
I've been shopping for Ivy on eBay. Hanna Andersson is pretty cheap there, and still just as cute.
Ivy loves The Crippler!
On Victory Night, Scott and Claire came for pizza and early returns. I'm so excited that Obama is our president -- I feel hopeful for tiny Ivy's future (and I bet there will be more than one woman president in her lifetime, if not mine!).
We went to Canada! It was so great to be back, and it really seems like we could slip back into our lives there so easily.
It
was great to see our friends, and it was so nice for Mary and Jamie and
Jackie and Tiffany to take us in. Leo is so busy; he runs through the
house all day, and makes so many fun games.He showed Ivy his train set (we got him a car for it), and we got lots of ideas for gifts for her.
Sophie is of course the sweetest and smartest baby girl we've ever met. We can't help but see Ivy when we look at her (and I hope we get those curls).
The babies played together, though no-one was especially good at sharing.
We
had dinner together (ordered in Rajdoot!), and had left-overs from the
previous night's cocktail party to start. As you can see, Ivy enjoyed
the spread.
Is this where Leo keeps his toys? (Erin made the cardigan for Ivy last year -- it was perfect.)
Mary
made pizza for Ivy and the other kids. It was really good for me to see
her, and Jackie. I miss my friends. Mary is very pregnant. She's tiny,
but I think she'll have a big boy!
Ivy played nicely at the airport. We think she looks like a little alien with her double ponytails.
Jenna continues to be a gem. We had a very rainy week, so she took her to
the Bounce on Friday. Ivy had been there earlier for a birthday party.
I'm not sure if she liked the cake, the bouncing, or the other kids the
best.We got Ivy a booster seat so she could feel more like a big girl. She sits in it about 20% of the time, and Claire uses it when she comes to eat dinner with Ivy.
Ivy continues to be an avid reader. She likes books with pictures the best, and is good at pointing at her favorite things. I'm amazed at how much she knows. Oh, and she's talking. She can say turtle, shirt, scissors, uh-oh, beans, bath, book, fish, and doosh.
