The new face of determination

It's been a busy week around our house. Roan has gotten her crawling into high gear. She can easily make it across the room and back. And she's started this funny cute thing where she sticks her tongue out as she's concentrating on something.

Lately she's turned her attention more acutely toward pulling up. Whether in her crib, on furniture or using the nearest grownup as a prop, she seems to think it's even more fun than getting around on hands and knees.

The autumn weather is upon us here in Denver. The leaves on the trees are turning all kinds of gorgeous colors and starting to fall. We've even had some sweater weather in the last week! And up in the mountains they've already gotten snow. We are looking forward to winter.

Work is keeping us both really busy. And so is Roan. She is into everything these days. Don't know why I can't seem to remember that if I don't want her in it, I've got to put it out of her reach. One of these days I'll learn. She has been a lot of fun and very happy lately. But she's also been more of a challenge as well. She is without a doubt a sweet little girl, but there are times now where I see this little mischevious spark in her eyes and can tell the wheels are turning.

Sometimes it seems like she cries just to see how quick she can get a reaction out of us. And the other day she bit me twice - and the second time was intentional. She is throwing objects on a regular basis. If I can't keep a toy clipped to her in the stroller, it's going overboard. She won't stay put at all, not even in the tub. She crawls all around in the bath grabbing one toy and then another. And she gets grumpy when (for safety's sake) I won't let her hold onto the edge of the tub to pull up. She has been feisty lately! Good thing she's cute, I tell ya.

In all fairness I gotta give my little lady some much-deserved props. She has been sleeping through the night for the past week and a half. We started this routine while visiting in Houston 2 weeks ago, but when we first got home she was back to waking up several times a night. Now I put her down faithfully every night at 8 pm and she sleeps straight thru till 7 or 8 in the morning! It is heavenly. And she's been napping shorter but with much less grumbling. A good night's sleep makes all the difference in the world.

BTW, I've posted a few new pics on Flickr for your viewing pleasure. Remember, you have to login to see them.