Meeting Jake

Teagan was eager to meet the newborn Jake Schock (see post: A Day Filled with Friends) in early January and to give him advice about training in his new parents. For example, knowing that her Mom's arms would likely be busy holding Jake, Teagan invited Joanne along because it never hurts to have another spare set of arms around.

You can read more about her visit with Jake on his parents' blog: Jake and Teagan, as well as see where I shamelessly stole the above photograph.

Just Hanging Out

Taking 'Baby Einstein' a bit too far...

Range of Emotion

Teagan was very excited about her new chair; yet when it came to the experience of eating solids she felt a whole range of emotions:

Cautious & Hysterical

Doubtful & Impatient

Skeptical & Intrigued

Smug & Thoughtful

Mischievous & Not Amused

Bashful & Worried

In the end, Teagan decided to go with 'hungry'.

Happy 1st Birthday Alexandra & Cecilie!

Teagan so wanted to wish her cousins Alexandra and Cecilie a happy first birthday, "Why can't we just drive to their house in Norway on the way home from church?"

Realizing that Norway was a bit further than what she had thought, Teagan didn't see how this poster was going to get her there any faster. But her parents promised that she could play with the poster if she posed nicely with it first.

"Ok, here's the nice picture. Now let me at that poster."

"Oh yeah, baby - you are all mine."

Point of View

Life from Teagan's perspective.

Life from our perspective.

Happy New Year!

As Teagan and her Dad snuggled together on New Years morning, she asked him, "What is so special about this day?" Her Dad first explained the changeover from one calendar year to the next. Then he described how some people like to stay up until midnight and watch the clock change.

This concept was completely lost on Teagan, "What's the big deal? Mom and I are frequently up at that time. Should I be counting, or something?"

Auto-refill Rx

Last night, I shook the final pill from the medicine bottle vaguely remembering that I signed up for the 'auto-refill' option last time I filled my prescription. Having little faith that the program would work on the first try, I wasn't disappointed that my phone didn't magically ring as I consumed the pill. "No problem," I thought, "I'll call the pharmacy in the morning."

Unfortunately the next morning's call revealed that my pharmacy had closed, permanently, but my "prescription has been transfered to another local pharmacy" that had purchased them. The new pharmacy is eager to have me as a customer, but not eager enough to retain the 'auto-fill' portion of my prescription.

"We can set you up on our 'auto-fill' program today if you would like," said the voice on the phone.
"Sure, why not," I replied. "Can you back date it a few days so I have some time to pick it up?"
"No, our program doesn't work that way."

At this point I'm thinking that I could use another prescription, but at least they could fill my existing one the same day. On the way home from work I used the pharmacy's convenient drive through thinking it would spare me from the aisles of Geritol and false eyelashes.

"Sir, your new insurance only allows you to fill 30 days at a time rather than the 90 days you had previously."

Well, at least I know they're more likely to be open in 30 days...

Dinner with the Rowlands

Despite the busy season, Teagan was happy to find some time between Christmas and New Years in which she could hang out with her buddy Linnea.

Teagan peacefully watched James play with his train while being lulled by the Moms' conversation; she sighed with contentment, "It doesn't get any better than this..."

Soon Teagan found herself in the arms of John being entertained by his facial expressions, "Who cares about my 'happy place,' get this man another cup of coffee!"

A Trip of Many Firsts

Teagan's trip to Duluth was filled with many firsts, including her first time in Duluth.

First time in a highchair.

First time she had the armchair and remote all to herself.

("All those channels and still nothing to watch.")

First trip to the yarn store and to Wisconsin.

(She was a little embarrassed that she got caught drooling, "but we're talking cashmere, people.")

First trip to the bookstore.

("... but far from my last one.")

Christmas Sleigh Ride

Teagan was conflicted: she was so looking forward to seeing her Grandparents in Duluth for Christmas, but some weather forecasters were expecting over 2 feet of snow, "That's taller than I am, and even taller than other folks my age!"

As the Bassett family reached their destination, Teagan awoke and it wasn't long before she and her kitty blanket found themselves in the arms of Grandma and Grandpa Nyman.

Then her Christmas stocking packed with treasures met her eyes and she knew she had made the right decision to brave the weather. She later remarked, "It would have been an easier decision if I had all these facts upfront."

Grandma Nyman asked what it was like when the car slid into the ditch. "We did? I guess I slept through the whole thing."

"... and then, Grandpa, this car came out of nowhere and we swerved this way and that way narrowly missing it. Then there were these big monsters... Um, Grandpa, what's a ditch?"