Keira's Baptism

We baptized Keira on Sunday, November 21st in Chicago at St. Scholastica, where Brooke was also baptized.  It was a wonderful event and good to see family so everyone could meet Keira (if they hadn't already) and see how Brooke was growing.  Here she is receiving the baptismal water, with no crying!

Our little family: Brooke, Scott, Keira and Jennifer

 The godparents: Tim and Kelly, with Keira.  We thank them for agreeing to be an important part of her life.

The grandparents took turns keeping Brooke quiet and entertained.  Here she is in Grandma's arms.

The party afterwards was nice, and also served as an opportunity for everyone to meet the latest Steeves baby, no not Keira, but Conall!  He was born 3 weeks earlier.  Happy Dad Brad introducing him to folks, and Mom Heather spending quiet time with Conall.

Mimi and Keira.

Smiling Grandpas.

Our New Baby!

Meet our new baby, the smiling and giggling Keira!

It's been a glorious week of a brand new Keira.  Last Friday (Nov. 5th) she became a new kid -- tons of smiles, laughing and general happiness.  Someone told me that one day the colic would just disappear overnight.  It pretty much has (still have bits of crying here and there, but I think it is typical baby crying) and life is so much better!

We REALLY like this new little girl we have!  Here she is working on sitting by herself.  After about 5 seconds she topples to the side.  Hopefully by next week we'll be a little more sturdy.

Keira's First Meal

Keira's first meal of "solids" (aka watery rice cereal) went about as expected: lots of confused looks and spitting out of the food.  At first, she was quite happy to be sitting in the high chair, looking around the kitchen.

"Hmm, what is Mom mixing up over there?"

Trying her first spoonful, and not looking too excited about it.

Brooke served as the cheering committee!  (she is a cheerleader you know (see Halloween posting))

The peculiar looks continue...

Update: after a week of rice cereal, we've given up and moved onto oatmeal cereal, as I don't think I ever got one spoonful of rice cereal into her.  Lots of spitting it back out, or at Mom (by inadvertently blowing raspberries).

Keira is 6 Months Old!

Keira is now 6 months old -- wow, have these months flown by! 

Our well check appointment went well, here's the update:

Weight:  14lbs 10oz (25th percentile)

Height:  25 1/2 inches (40th percentile)

Head:  42cm (37th percentile)

We looked back at Brooke's measurements at the same time, and errily similar!  Brooke was 14lbs 9oz and 25 1/2 inches!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween festivities continued on Saturday, with party at the local park district.  While it was a bit chilly, we had fun on the hayride, "painting" a pumpkin, decorating a cookie, playing on the playground, and Brooke even tried the moonwalk bouncing house thing...though she crawled in the "door" and immediately froze up, so Mom had to coax her to the side then out.  Guess it was a little scary, especially with big boys jumping around.  She also could not be convinced to go into the "haunted tunnel." 

However, the highlight was the "train ride". She had lots of fun, though the pictures don't show many smiles.

On Sunday, Brooke started the day sporting her Happy Halloween shirt.

Keira wore her Halloween onesie.

Later, picture time on the porch by the pumpkins!  Brooke was an Iowa cheerleader...Fight Fight Fight for Iowa...

Then trick-or-treating! As kids started coming to the door Brooke couldn't wait to head out!  Mom had to hurry to put Keira to bed before going out with her.  Brooke REALLY enjoyed the trick-or-treating, and by watching other kids she learned to run from house to house.  After each house she'd say "No going home, next house".  We went down our street and another street, and by the time we got home she was saying her feet hurt.  But she sure was excited about the candy...which is odd since we don't give her candy.

Happy Halloween!  Note to Mom, next year, get warmer costumes!

Welcome Cousin Conall!

We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of cousin Conall -- Uncle Brad and Aunt Heather's baby.  He arrived on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 11:37am.  He was a week late.  Seems to be a common trait of the Steeves boys babies!  (Brooke, Keira and Conall all 1 week late!)

We can't wait to meet him, as evidenced by the dancing!

Treesdale Halloween Party

Let the Halloween Week festivities begin!  Brooke dressed up in her costume (an Iowa cheerleader) for a trip up to our neighborhood Halloween party.  She made a couple crafts and decorated a cookie (which I think Dad ate later that night).

Keira came along too, but resigned herself to hanging out in the car seat carrier.

In the end, there were smiles of a successful outing!

Annual Families Trip -- Diamond Lake, Michigan

We took our 5th annual trip with our good friends -- returning to Diamond Lake, Michigan (went there Aug 2008).  It was logistically the best option as it didn't involve flying and provided lots of activities to keep the kids busy.  Here is a shot of the lively crew, all dressed in their Halloween gear.  From left to right: Molly & Hailey, Sam & Charlie, Keira & Brooke.

The first day, we discovered swans on the lake.

 

Then, despite poor weather, we went apple picking (a very determined Scott was not going to leave MI without apples!).  While it was pretty windy and cold, we all had a great time and came home with TONS of apples (2 pies are in the freezer already).  (pictures: Molly & Sam in strollers, with Charlie checking up on them; Heather & Hailey, Scott helping Brooke pick apples, Jen pulling wagon of apples, Erin & Charlie by pumpkins)

The next day we went to a pumpkin farm which had a big corn maze.  The kids had to get their "tickets" stamped at each of 9 spots throughout the maze. 

 We went on a hay ride -- a "private" hay ride as we were the only people at this corn maze/pumpkin patch!

Later that night we roasted hot dogs over the fire in the backyard.

Keira loves being outside.

So did Molly and Sam.

The next day's activities included baking cookies while lots of football watch ensued.

And to top off the fun weekend, leaf pile jumping, thanks to the hard raking work of Erin!

Overall, another great trip with wonderful friends!  Already looking forward to next year when the babies will perhaps be mobile.

Keira Playing Peek-A-Boo

We've learned we must be very careful leaving blankets, shirts, pants, etc. near Miss Keira.  She has a love for pulling them over her face and then squirming around happily.  Perhaps she's playing peek-a-boo with her imaginary friends?

I truly fear she'll suffocate herself one day!

And yes, she is wearing Christmas pajamas (those are reindeer on her footsies)...this week has involved a few more than normal pj changings in the night.