Be careful what I ask for

You began putting yourself to sleep at night, but after having your bottle, you'd let me rock you to sleep a bit while trying to burp you. Now after your bottle when I try to do the same, you push off me while looking at your crib. You just want to lie down with your giraffe with your head on the blanket and go to sleep. It's kind of sad. At least you still nap with me during the day if we're both tired.

You are a stair climbing machine! We have to keep a gate up now or you go up on your own. You have figured out how to come down the stairs too. Apparently dad was in the bathroom downstairs one day and forgot to put the gate up. He came out and heard you talking and realized you were at the top of the stairs. Fortunately you didn't fall back at all.

Today we went to Leo's after work to hang out with my friends. You ate food darn near the whole time we were there. When we got there Charlie, from daycare, and his mom Diana were there. Charlie saw you and said, "Baby Emma." I don't think you're ever going to be rid of that name there. Your buddy Isaac was at daycare today for the first time in a while and Shawnie said he rarely left your side. While we were at Leo's you waved to everyone and interacted with Steve and CJ. You also gave everyone hi-5's before leaving. You're becoming much more personable and it's really fun to see you interact with other people.

A few nights ago we Skyped (video-called) with Mama Duby. You kept touching her face on the screen and kept trying to look behind the screen to find where the lady was that you were talking to. You are so smart! I would imagine that's a developmental thing and other babies your age would do the same thing, but it was still impressive.

You now bark. You've been doing it for a few days but tonight Dixie was upstairs when she heard the garage door go up as dad got home. She started barking and then so did you. This I got on video. It's pretty funny. It also sounded like you said "dog" tonight.

The last big news: you took 3 steps unaided this past Monday, September 13! Of course I wasn't expecting it so we did not get it on video. You were stepping towards Dixie and took 3 small steps. It was so cool! We called dad immediately. He had just left for work.