Don't think we forgot about you, cats!

So, the other day for the first time in what is probably a year, I took a picture of Birdie and Sammy asleep together on the bed. There was a time before Satchel was born when we had many a photo of the cats sweetly curled up together. Somehow our attentions have been focused elsewhere. So, here's one for the cats!

Satchel at the County Fair

So, here in the city, we had a "county fair" of sorts at the Garfield Park Conservatory. One of the attractions was a farm animal petting area which Satchel loved. At one point she got sandwiched between two sheep that were quite a bit taller than her and it didn't even phase her at all.

Look at that happy girl. Lately we've been struck by how she no longer looks like a baby, but looks like a little girl.

Checking out the bunny.

Trying her best to boss the goat and sheep. She tries this with the dogs and the chickens at home and it never works.

Fall Days at the Park

Cooler weather has meant that it's more pleasant to go out for long walks and spend time at the park. Satchel begins to get excited and "talk" emphatically as soon as the park comes into view and she is never ready to leave when it's time to go home.

First we always hit the swings.

Swings are followed by a lot of chasing after Satchel to ensure that she doesn't walk off the edge of the jungle gym. Notice how tired Matt looks.

She really never stops moving, this one.

Duck Robe

The title says it all. Here's Satchel in a duck robe that my co-worker Megan got for her. Being a little on the small side (can't imagine where she gets that), she just now grew into it.

Bike Rides and Car Rides

Satchel has done a couple of bike rides for the first time in a bike trailer. The first ride we did was Bike the Boulevards tour with Nanette and Jessi from Wicker Park Grace. It was hot and Satchel didn't like her helmet and was pretty unhappy for much of the ride.

Here we are looking all fresh before starting the tour. It was just 16 miles, but in stop and go traffic and 90 degree heat pulling a trailer, it felt like a long ride.

Our second ride was in the Cuyahoga Valley while visiting my parents in Ohio. It was beautiful and much cooler and Satchel did much better on the ride. She even fell asleep at the end.

Every time we go to Ohio, I'm always struck by the beauty of the rolling farm land. These are some photos taken out the car window.

Making our trip to Ohio, we spent a lot of time in the car - not Satchel's favorite activity. Generally Satchel is a really pleasant easy going kid and we're often told how lucky we to have such a chill little girl. However, put Satchel in the car and she becomes a different beast completely. Here are some photos to prove that she can be pretty unpleasant if she wants to be. After this particular trip home, she had us so at wits end that we offered to let my parents keep her so that we wouldn't have to endure the trip back. In the end, we changed our minds, of course.

(Imagine if you will lots of screaming to go with these photos)

Videos of Satchel Walking

Shortly after her 1st birthday, Satchel started walking. Here is the footage to prove it.

This is an early video of Satchel walking.

This is a video of Satchel and her Snoopy Sniffer (the same one that I had as a kid).

Satchel is Walking!

That's right, about 1 month ago, Satchel started walking and continued to get better and better at it over the past few weeks. It has happened so fast. Now she never stops moving. She is literally walking at all times if she isn't eating or sleeping. Courtesy of Ashley, here are some photos of a trip we took with Ashley and Mark to the Botanic Garden.

Satchel making her usual scrunchy face for the camera on the way to the Gardens.

Ashley, Satchel, and I in the aquatic garden.

In the English garden.

Mark, Satchel, and I.

For some reason Satchel felt the need to stick out her tongue in these photos.

And here, they are. Satchel walking with Uncle Mark.