Christmas Morning

Let's go see if Santa came...

He did!!!! Lily asked for a bike, and she got her very own little pink and purple bike, just her size. She was SO excited!

Then she opened her gift from Mom & Dad next...as she opened part of the gift she exclaimed "oh no! Santa brought me pull-ups????" But no, it was just the food to go with her new little kitchen. Her favorite thing is to play Mommy right now. She loves to make us breakfast (donuts and fruit salad...in one bowl) or bake us pizza & fries in her little oven for lunch.

Here are a few pics of her 1st ride on Christmas morning. It was "OK". The poor child was pretty tired out by this point after being up sick the night before, but she wanted to try anyway. She road all the way up our neighbor Dennis' driveway to say Hi (? Maybe because he looks like Santa!?)

Bye Bye Crib, Hello Big Girl Bed

Lily's 1st Christmas present this year was from Gigi, Papa Joe & Papa Tom. Daddy Joe & Papa Joe set up her new big girl bed a few days before Christmas. I admit to a little tug in my heart when we took apart the crib (guess my baby's really growing up). She loves her bed though, and has slept very well in it so far (BIG fingers crossed to keep that going) even though she has been sick.

Every year we get new pajamas to open Christmas Eve & wear on Christmas. Lily got to open hers a day early. Actually, she got to pick them out at the store. She had a choice between princess, dora, snowmen, etc., etc., but what did she choose??? Bright yellow Spongebob Squarepants Santa pajamas! OOOKAAY.

Christmas Eve this year was mellow. Picture me, Joe & Lily on the couch watching Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. Yep, I said Lily SITTING on the couch, yes for the entire movie. Why you ask? Because she was burning up with fever and alternately coughing/vomitting. No, we didn't get to Aunt Cherie's Christmas Eve dinner. We were sad, but also knew it would be hard to be at that party without my Grandma Mary this year. She was always the star of the show. Other than not getting much sleep that night, or the next one, it was a nice evening together.

Twas the night before Christmas...

And no, none of these pics were taken the night before Christmas, but blogger is REALLY annoying sometimes, so here are the pics I was going to add after my little poem. First, our Christmas card photo shoot and then Lily helping Dad with the Christmas tree.

Now really:

Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the house,
a flu bug was rumbling,

and there were peeps much louder than a mouse.

We missed our Christmas eve party but we're saving our strength,

for a full Christmas day of immeasurable length.

The stockings were hung on the entertainment center with cheer,

hoping that Santa would find his way here.

Lily and Dad are all tucked in Lily's new big girl bed,

in hopes that we'll all get sleep sometime this year.

Milo & Cosmo are curled up in their bed/chair,

and Mom is sitting on the computer, new Christmas pajamas she wears.

A little pink bike sits in front of the tree,

how did Santa slip that one by me?
I really hope nothing happens that causes a "clatter",
or makes me spring from my bed to see what's the matter.

Because I asked Santa for just one holiday wish,

a full night of sleep and a nice christmas kiss.

OK, that's 2 things, but if I'm lucky my Santa Joe will give me both :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

Hi, Santa.

Now that Lily speaks English fluently (i.e., so that we can fully understand her) it just feels wierd to speak for her on this blog. So, for this post at least, I'm going to share a little story from the point of view of her loving mama, and as Calliou would say: that's me!

Lily met Santa today for the 1st time! It was AWESOME!

But first...ever since the day after Thanksgiving, we had talked about taking her to meet him at the mall, but to be honest, after envisioning waiting hours in line, with our VERY active toddler, knowing that the big red man would make her cry, just didn't sound like a fun way to spend an afternoon. We don't get a lot of afternoons together lately; I would much rather stay home! SO, Cosmo had a vet appointment today (Lily: WHY mommy? Me: Because we go to the doctor once a year to make sure we're healthy. Lily: WHY??? Me: Because...we DO?... In my head: Exactly when WAS the last time Joe or I went to the doctor for a check-up???)

So Joe, Lily, Cosmo & I piled into the car (Oh, pink baby was strapped in her seatbelt in the backseat as well) to drop Cosmo off at the vet. As Joe was signing Cosmo in, Lily got this really funny grin on her face. Then her mouth opened VERY wide and she said "Hi, Santa." I didn't think much of what she said because anyone that knows 2-year-olds knows that they have a lot of conversations with, well, anyone or anything. But, I soon caught a glance of a big red suit and a white beard. Santa was across the room setting up for the big "Bring your pet to sit on Santa's lap photo op" (huh?)

Lily began to flirt with Santa in the only way she knows how: by giving him her silliest grin with a finger hooked in each side of her mouth and her tongue stuck out. So, we really lucked out because Santa had just arrived and the animal parents hadn't even started lining up. As we exited the store, we went to say a close-up hello. Lily wanted to take her sweatshirt off to show Santa her reindeer t-shirt (she stuck such a proud chest out to Santa :) Lily was showing off by not answering Santa's questions, avoiding his gaze, and twirling around in circles for him. He finally asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said "a bike!" Then he said "OK. I think I can fit one of those on the sleigh." She beamed.

Now THAT is Christmas.

I wrote this to remind myself how sweet this season can be...it's not about the cold rain, the long hours of work, the gifts, the food, the lines at the mall or the traffic outside. It's about the joy on my little girl's face. Merry Christmas my tweetie pie. Mama loves you more than you know.

Exactly how old is Lily?

Evidence that Lily is going to be an AWESOME mommy someday: pushing stroller with one hand while holding baby in carseat (with one hand & over her shoulder, no less), beautifully accessorized with cool hat and necklace, cell phone in stroller for easy access, backpack with mommy essentials on her back, and a BIG smile still on her face. Wow! Where did she learn that juggling routine???

Trick-or-Treat, Smell My Feet :)

I had so much FUN trick-or-treating with my friends from the block. We were all princesses! I loved going house to house and getting free candy. What could be more fun??? Contrary to my normal behavior, I was not shy at all! I ran up to each door, knocked on the door and said "TRICK-OR-TREAT!!!"

Somehow, Nana got my hair up in a ponytail (actually, it involved the promise of some M&Ms).


























Nana & I right before trick-or-treating. Check out Dad's masterpiece of a pumpkin beside us! Oh! Mom didn't take a picture of MY pumpkin!! I'll have to have Mom post that pic later because it was very beautiful.

Happy Halloween everyone!!!

It was a VERY Happy Halloween!!!

We've been a little bit busy this October, so we didn't get a chance to get to the pumpkin patch until Halloween day. But it was worth the wait! We picked out 2 pumpkins: a little one for me and a big one to carve for Halloween night.






















We also climbed to the top of a hay bail tower, and I played in this hay bail house. I started the day with my princess costume on, but it got a bit hot with all the running around, so I stripped down to this.
















We met (and I kissed!) some VERY cute baby goats and their mamas. I even talked to them in their own language-- maaaaaaaa.


















We also got some exercise running through the corn maze. It was cool to see where corn comes from, and to play hide-and-seek with Mom & Dad.

Fall is in the air!

The first raking of the season. Mom raked and I knocked over her piles...teamwork!

Apparently, my Daddy is quite the photographer! I've been spending lots of time with Daddy lately; I LOVE my Daddy. He takes really good care of me. We have lots of fun too.

This is the "Los Feliz Way Marching Band!" We walked up and down the street playing some very special songs. We went "touring" too and signed autographs. I love playing with the friends on my street.

Summer Vacation 2009- Part 1

Part 1: Visiting the Williams family in sizzling Bakersfield!

Our first stop was visiting my Mom's friend, Tami, her Husband Craig, and my favorite: their 2 kids Emma & Cole. Mom & Tami had fun talking "shop" (Dietitian stuff). Mom loves to have another smarty pants to discuss that boring stuff with. We spent lots of time hanging out in their pool. We even went to a fun spray park to cool off on one of the days. I LOVED that! I think Mom & Dad were surprised at how crazy I ran around and how wet I got. Cole & Emma taught me lots of cool stuff like how to play doctor, make and serve playdough food, and take care of babies. I miss them. I cried when we left. I hope to see them soon...there are plans for a Yosemite trip next Summer!

Summer Vacation 2009-Part 2

Part 2: Off to Santa Monica to meet Auntie Candie, hang out at the Santa Monica pier and in our swanky beachside hotel, cruise (stroller) 3rd street promenade, and then head down to the Long Beach aquarium.

This was my FIRST feel of the ocean on my feet!! It was exciting and I loved it! Maybe I will be a water baby like Mom.

We had a free day because the Noah's Ark exhibit we wanted to go to was closed for repairs :( so we explored Santa Monica. We must have walked 10 miles between exploring the pier and the 3rd street promenade. It was fun with lots of street musicians, restaurants and fancy shops. Mom & Dad even played table tennis at a wii promotion.

We were bad about taking pics, but I swear we spent some time with Auntie Candie and we met her sweetheart, Jenny. I thought she was pretty cool! We had a yummy french toast breakfast with them before we headed down to the aquarium.






















Here are a few pics of me exploring the aquarium. I really like running as fast as I could around the exhibits trying to lose my parents. We saw the sea lion show (see my friend below!) and one of the sea lion's name was Milo! That leg, on my right, is Aunty Candie's. See we took pictures with her!















I was just dying to cool off with these two cute little blonde boys in the spray park at the aquarium. It was a HOT day!! Hey- if they can take their shirts off, why not I??











"Family" picture that SOMEBODY was not willing to participate in. We're standing by the shark tank. I wasn't scared. I just wanted to make sure the baby sharks found their mommies.










Is that Milo?













Finishing off the afternoon sharing icecream with Dad. Oh the things Dad taught me on this trip! More about that later...












This is a little wierd but I'm tired so stay tuned for part 1 of this vacation post...the first leg of our trip visiting Tami & the fam in Bakersfield.

Summer vacation 2009- Part 3

Part 3: Off to Riverside to visit Setta & Kevin!



My first bowling experience! I had more fun people watching than bowling though. I was a little overwhelmed by how loud and full of people the bowling alley was. Pretty soon I was dancing around, playing drums on the candy machines, and having a blast...especially when Aunty Setta got me some reeces pieces out of one of the machines :) I'm a sucker for chocolate!

Here is a "group" picture. That's Kevin bowling, "crazy Nick" posing for the camera, Mom & I, and half of Setta's face. I guess Dad was taking the picture!

Our last excursion was a last minute, and probably one of the funnest times we had all week. We went to the Wild Animal Park near San Diego, which turned out to be just an hour from Setta & Kevin's house. So, all 5 of us set off in the Camry about lunchtime. It was a LONG, HOT day, but an experience of a lifetime! Here I am at the bubble-blowing exhibit (did me or Dad have more fun at that one?) and then looking a bit overheated. Luckily, this picture was quickly followed by a stripping down of clothing and a run through the spray water park (Mom & Dad, too!)

We also took a tram ride around the park (it's a very BIG park! We were there for 7 hours & still didn't see everything!) The tram ride gave us a closer look at the roaming animals. My favorite: the baby giraffes below. We also got within a few yards of the leopards below. They were babies too, only about 1 1/2 old, and triplets! Check out Setta & Kevin refusing to turn around for a photo op! We had so much fun hanging out with them though. I was sad to leave Setta when we left for home :(

New boo-boo phrase of the week

"Ewww, yucky!!! Boo-boo pick my nose!"

This is actually quite disturbing, if you've figured out what boo-boo is...

Summer vacation is here!!!

We're off on our annual Summer road trip tomorrow. This time to sunny Southern California. (Hey, times are tough in this economic climate!) So, wish my parents luck (and sleep). Here are a few recent pics to tide you over until we get back with many exciting stories to tell, I'm sure!