Can't I Just Win the Lottery?

So, the countdown until I go back to work has begun. Its not in weeks anymore, but days. I didn't ever think that staying home would be something that I would love as much as I do. I told one of the school board members that if I win the lottery before now and Feb. 4th, that I wouldn't be returning to work this school year. But you actually have to BUY lottery tickets to win, right?


Anyway, here are some great pictures of Holly from the last month. She has grown so much and is doing something new and different almost every day it seems! Ten months old, can you believe it?! What a big girl she is.
Here is Holly hanging out in the kitchen. It was just a couple of weeks ago that she couldn't even reach the third drawer! She was so proud of herself here. Of course, the smile came when the camera wasn't actually on.
Since I broke the "no milk products before 1 year old" at Grandma & Grandpa's house when I gave her some coffee ice cream, I figured that macaroni and cheese wouldn't kill her. She loved it, of course! Is she Mama's girl, or what? She also had yogurt this afternoon and loved it almost as much as she loved the coffee ice cream!

As some of you know, I had to put Peanut to sleep shortly before leaving for Taiwan. Salem was very lonely while I was there, and again at Christmas when we were at my parents for two weeks. I knew he would have a difficult time when I went back to work. So, last week Holly & I went to the neighbor's and picked out a new kitten. Her name is Marie (she was pre-named and who wants to screw with coming up with a new name?) and she loves Holly! She lets Holly pull her ears and whiskers, yank on her tail and skin, and basically do whatever she wants. Make no mistake, Marie is Holly's kitty! She gives me a little nibble if I don't pet her enough or up to her standards. Salem is much happier having someone to boss around, too!

Here's the happy little girl showing off her two bottom teeth. One is pretty visible, but the other just came in, so its a little less noticeable. It is there, though.

I always wonder what's going on in her brain when she's looking at something so intently or trying to figure out how something works.

One last shot of Holly cruising around the family room. She's standing on her own quite a bit and for pretty long perioods of time. She's also walking all over while hanging on to the furniture, and crawling all over the house, even when Mama's not in eyesight.

She's such a joy and so fun to be with! I will be sad to go back to work because I just KNOW she will decide to walk on her own within the first week I'm there and I will miss it! That's ok in the long run, though; she's with me forever!!