Happy Christmas!

Bobcat has a long "To Do" list to complete before hitching a ride on Santa's sleigh, but first she wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Liitle Red Shoes

This is known as her "Santa Robber" suit.

"Hey Daddy! Is this how you body surf? I think I can feel the stoke!!!"

Shiver and Shake

Josie continues to sample new food and so far gobbles up what ever she can. Besides asparagus, her menu has expanded to butternut squash, peas, and broccoli. Oh yeah, and applesauce. Mom is not sure if Josie likes applesauce, but indeed she does gobble it up. After each bite she makes the face below, performs a full-body shiver, and then opens her mouth for more.

What the deuce is that stuff?

Please, sir, can I have some more?

Josie's fascination for cups continues -- other people's cups, that is. When it comes to her cups, throwing them off the high chair is a favorite activity. She cannot be convinced to drink out of one. Seriously, someone should make unbreakable cups for babies that resemble coffee mugs and beer bottles.

In her short life, Bobcat has received many fantastic gifts that she uses and wears regularly. Nevertheless, the gift she uses most would have to be the plethora of burp cloths and bibs her Auntie Kate made for her.

Quite a stack knowing we do laundry every three days or less.

In her first months of life, one of Josie's favorite hobbies was upchucking as much as possible. Every piece of furniture was draped with one or more burp cloths for quick save situations. Nowadays her spewing has slacked off a bit, but add two feedings of solids into the mix and she is back to heavy usage with the burpies. If you are a practical sort and in need of a gift idea for a baby, burp cloths are the way to go.

A is for Asparagus

Josie tried asparagus, her first vegetable, today, and the verdict was YUM! Up till now Bobcat had added only rice and oatmeal cereals to her steady diet of milk. Since those have been going down pretty easily, Annie decided to liven things up.

After some trial and error with an immersion blender, food mill, regular blender, and a strainer, a pond scum-like liquid was created and thickened with cereal.

Josie seems to love eating from a spoon. She gobbles up whatever is in her bowl growling all the while. Much to the annoyance of her parents, Josie sticks her fingers in her mouth while being fed as if to enhance the gastronomical experience. This often leads to bits of food slathered about her brow. However, according to Grandpa Bob, "You know something's really good when it gets up in your eyebrows!"

Lip smackin' good!

After eating, Josie's highchair is transformed into a jungle. Here the Bobcat can stalk monkeys, frogs, and salamanders.

Hunting a parrot

Very Happy Half Birthday

On Thursday, December 3 Josie Hayden turned 6 months old.

She is still more or less defenseless and in need of help to do most anything. Who knew babies were so needy? Shouldn't she be driving by now?

She has developed a clear personality. She smiles constantly, and giggles occasionally. She is inordinately happy as long as she is the center of attention. She loves to shake things and tear up paper. Anything with a face (person or beast) is fascinating. She loves to hang on to anything she can grip really well. Hair, fur, and beards are special favorites. She loves cups of all sorts and loves to eat anything we will let her. She hates to have her nose wiped regardless of how snot-covered she is. She is over two feet long. She weighs almost 13 pounds, a lot for a bass, but not so much for a 6 month old human. In her first few weeks she grunted a lot. Now she growls like a true bobcat.

First run without the carseat

Swinging at Mission Beach

Mom, why didn't we try this sooner?

First Thanksgiving

Breaking from their usual pattern of eating Thanksgiving dinner in their pajamas and falling asleep by 6PM, Annie and JP decided to celebrate this year's Eating Season kick-off by traveling to Chicago to visit some dear friends. The trip encompassed many firsts for Josie: first Thanksgiving, first ride on a subway system, first big city, first aquarium visit, first Christmas tree sighting, and first cold (as in weather and profuse snottiness), etc.

Oh, and first plane ride with a child screaming the entire way. During the first half hour, JP and Annie eyed each other nervously wondering, "What if Bobcat does that?" By the end of the flight, they, along with the other baffled passengers, realized that the untameable two-year old was truly a deviation worthy of the Guinness Book of World Records.

Josie truly enjoyed our hosts. Luke, Meghan, and Christopher elicited smiles, giggles, and coos like bona fide baby buffs.

Beards: This season's #1 baby toy

For most of her life she ignored the predators that share her home, but Bobcat has recently become aware of her feline brethren. Now she tracks Duckie and Reno and grabs their fur if they come near. Only Duckie comes near; Reno, true to her nature, avoids contact. Luke and Meghan have two cats, Archie and Edith, who thoroughly delighted Josie. Archie was skittish, but Edith jumped right in and loved Bobcat's firm grip.

Edith gets the full spa treatment: deep tissue massage and facial

Chicago is a beautiful city, and we had excellent weather for our visit. We spent our last day roaming around and checking out buildings, bridges, sculptures, and holiday decorations.

Can you spot the Johnson family's reflection in the giant reflective bean?

Josie discovered the wonderful world of paper not long ago. Annie and JP couldn't be more proud of her new-found dexterity and love of cheap thrills. You should have seen her mangle the Sky Mall catalog on the flight home.

Taking a break at a cafe

Until next time, Chicago!

One tiny eye poking out...