Chloe's Rockin' New Years Eve

UPDATE: This was supposed to post on New Year's Even while we were up north. Sadly, it didn't, but we wanted to share it anyway.



Chloe here. Just wanted to wish you a Rockin' New Year's Eve! Hope you're dancing as much as I am in this video (although you must admit, my mad skills are superior to anyone's.) I am having fun up north with the Simek side of the family. Here's to 2010!

Christmas Preview

Chloe here. Tomorrow we go to Merrill to have Christmas with the Simek side of the family. While my mommy doesn't have time to edit and do a big Christmas post, she didn't want to leave without posting one picture of me in my Christmas dress. Stay tuned for the big Christmas post in 2010!

Go Badgers!

As you can see, Chloe clearly knows that the Badgers are #1. Here's hoping for a win in tonight's bowl game!

::How do you like the GameDay Bibs? UW alumni... you know what I'm talkin about. Does she look like a frat boy? Sorry, we couldn't find a dirty white baseball hat.::

Christmas Magic

What could be more magical than watching your little girl begin to walk at Christmas?

Pleased as Punch

Pleased as punch she was that she got this ornament to STAY on the tree. So was her mommy. Just can't get enough.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Chloe here. Just wanted to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas if I don't see you today or tomorrow. We here at the Simeks are laying low - Daddy's got a nasty stomach virus and was up all night, so he's resting now. Mommy's holding down the fort, and we're just having a quiet day. Pray that everyone is healthy tomorrow so we can celebrate with our family!

For now I leave you with some special pictures from my 1 year photo shoot. We've been saving them for the holiday season, and there's no time like the present! Ha ha. Get it? Present? Anyway, Merry Christmas, everyone.

SUPPOSED to be Napping...

About 2 hours ago, when Chloe was SUPPOSED to be napping, this is what we were hearing. Want to see what she was up to? Come on in and investigate yourself.



Nothing too exciting. Just a happy little elf, speaking her secret language, wanted to play with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Happy Week of Christmas!

PS - Don't you worry that the little elf didn't get her rest... Santa and the elf are all tucked into the big North Pole bed right now, napping together while Mrs. Claus holds the fort down.

Mac N Cheese

Chloe here. Seriously, who DOESN'T like Mac N Cheese. I just happened to like it a lot. Ok, really, really a lot. If you know me at all, I NEVER get excited about food. Mostly, I would just take it or leave it. Except when it comes to my one true love. Mac N Cheese.

Happy Birthday Nana!

Chloe here. Just wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday, Nana Donna. I love you so much and am excited to see you for the holidays. Hope it's ok I had some cupcake in your honor. Can you tell?

13 Months

Chloe Jo is 1 year and 1 month today. To celebrate her becoming a big girl, we have introduced a new format for her monthly pictures, as you can see. Gone are the days of the innocent white onesie and white blanket, with a stationary baby laying on the ground. Now she sits on our sassy red futon with her custom designed monthly signs, declaring her grown-up-ness. Ok, maybe not, but it sure feels like it sometimes (see above picture).

This past month, she took her first steps on her own. If you missed the video, you can see it (or see it again) here. She is also mimicking more words that we say and we're sure she said "book" very clearly today. Her favorite animal noises to make are the monkey and elephant, and we are working on doggie and snake at the moment. She has gotten her first 1 year molar and has good days and bad days with food. Her most recent favorite are potato and cheese pierogies. Yum :) She is off of formula and is doing fine with whole milk. We've cut down from 6 bottles a day to 3, and are trying to phase them out completely in the next few months. Her hair is getting longer, and I've included a profile shot to prove it. I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, but to sum it up, she is an outrageously curious, somewhat sassy, totally happy, little ball of fun and mischief.

We love you Chlo-Monster! Happy 13 Month Birthday, little girl!

My New Favorite Toy

Chloe here. Mary and Matt gave me this great toy for my birthday and I'm finally getting the hang of it. As you can see, I am delighted to put these balls down the ramp over and over and over and over. You get the idea. There is also a froggie that travels down the tube in the center. Way cool. Thanks for the great present, guys!

Happy St. Nick's

Chloe here. Today was "Make the House Christmas-y Day" at our house. It's also St. Nicks! My Daddy brought up all of Mommy's bins and we decorated the house ALL day The only thing we didn't do yet is get a tree. I think we're going to try and do that tomorrow.

They found a Santa hat that I got last Christmas. This year it actually fit. Don't I look bee-u-tiful? (I was taking an important call at the time of this picture.)

Time to take the hat off. What... that's not ok?


Hat back on. Grinning and bearing it.


Yay! We're all done! What!?!? We have to take my 13 month photos next weekend? Good grief.


After dinner, the doorbell rang. St. Nick left a box of fun things on the doorstep! I got a new sippy cup for keeping my milk cold. I also got a sock monkey ornament to remember my birthday party by. St. Nick knows just what I need, hey?


Cool! Look what's in here!


Ah. Paper. Delish.

My favorite thing from St. Nick was a book called "That's Not My Snowman." I really get how you're supposed to touch all the textured parts. I also like to kiss the snowman.

Hope St. Nick brought you some good holiday treats!

Happy 27th, Auntie Megan!

Just wanted to wish my Auntie Megan a very Happy 27th Birthday! I know it's a bit late in the day, but she's a night owl, you know. Hope you had a great day. Love you!

First Steps

Mark it on the calendar. Chloe took her first steps on her own today. Proud does not even describe the feeling. Way to go, Chlo Jo!

Thanksgiving 2009

Here's a family shot from yesterday's Thanksgiving celebration at the Shemanske's. Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday with loved ones!

Happy Thanksgiving

On this, Thanksgiving Day, we would like to say thank you to all of our friends and family who have loved and supported us through Chloe's first year. While, we don't have new Thanksgiving pictures yet, here is one from last Thanksgiving. My goodness, time goes by fast. Love to you all, near and far!

Chloe's Birthday Party

Chloe here. I'm up north with my Daddy and the rest of the extended Simek family while Mommy is at home. My Daddy got an 8 point buck yesterday! (Whatever that means.) Here are some pictures (and two videos) from my birthday party a few weeks back. It was a blast.

Here I am with my Mommy and Daddy before the party started. There was a photo op in front of some monkeys swinging on a tree.


Flashing my double ones...


The cake is presented to me.


And everyone sings...


Do I have something on my face?


Delicious.


Here's how old I am. I never tire of these pictures, do you?


Feeding Mommy.


Feeding Mary.


Here's another one of those.


Hi everyone. Thanks for watching me eat cake naked.


Mommy made the cake.


And Daddy cleaned it off of me.


Sink baths are the best. An opportunity to change outfits!


Oooh a card!


Meeting Thumper. He's big.


I'm definitely starting to get "partied out" by this point.


But then I found some ribbon.


And some paper.


And my Daddy.


And my Christopher. And everything was all right again.


Here I am checking out all my presents through the door. Thanks everyone!

Portrait Innovations - 1 Year Photos

Just an assortment from her 1 year pictures at Portrait Innovations. Check your mailbox... if you're lucky, your copy will be arriving soon!