Last month in the single digits!

This past month has been jam-packed with lots of holiday festivities, from the 3rd annual Cookie & Ornament Exchange to my work holiday party, our 1st annual 'Deck the Halls' party at our home to taking Mia to visit Santa!  We also had dinner dates (Daddy brought me to meet Mommy after work in City Place), did lots of Christmas shopping (thank goodness our baby is a trooper and loves the mall) and took Mia for her first trip to the bowling alley where I think she beat me, which is not difficult to do ;)  All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas season full of love, laughter, cheer and lots of memories with wonderful people. 

The best lil sis a girl could ask for....love you Apes!

The cookies were abundant, sangria was flowing, ornaments were stolen and fun was had by all!  This year's party was a huge success!

By the tree with my babe at The Sailfish Club for our 6th holiday party with my company (well my sis had to fill in for him last year, but 6 years, that's insane to me!).

Some of the people that made the party a fabulous time, as always....this year's surprise, karaoke!!
P-Diddy and the Financiers made their debut (and probably the last time we'll sing in front of our co-workers!)

Back to the reason for this blog....Miss Mia has been pretty busy this month too with lots of new activities, foods, etc....here's a rundown of some of the highlights in the life of a 9 month old!

~ Weighed in at 20 lbs (75th percentile) and measured 29 inches (95th percentile) at her well visit (12/17)

~ Tried and LOVED baby yogurt and a few finger foods - yogurt melts and puffs

~ Can get from her tummy to a sitting position and stays there....is not a fan of being on her hands and knees at this point or in any hurry to start moving!

~ Is able to pull herself half-way up to standing, but still needs some assistance to get all the way up!

~ Has really started to begin 'playing' with toys (i.e. she loves to take everything out of whatever it is in, like her blocks out of the bin!) and can play independently for longer periods of time

~ Moved to the big tub for good....tear!  I loved being able to bathe her upstairs right off her nursery, but since that bathroom only has a shower, we now have to give her a tubby downstairs in the master bath.

~ Talks up a storm and loves to have screaming matches with Mommy!!

~ Can wave at herself (hasn't mastered the hand motion facing away from her yet, but we'll get there!)

~ Gives open mouth, slobbery kisses (sometimes on command!)
~ Takes two solid naps (one at 9 am and then another around 1:30 pm) and sleeps great at night (8 pm till about 7 am)
~ Certainly not a highlight, but Mia got sick for the first time with a really high fever (105 at the peak, which had both of us freaked out), but thankfully it only lasted the weekend and she was back to herself in no time 

~ Loves going to My Gym with Mommy (and sometimes Aunt April)...the swing is her favorite!

Some My Gym pictures, courtesy of Aunt April...oh and so is the super cute leotard that she is wearing!  Obviously someone was a superstar gymnast and is a coach! ;)

What, you guys are going to leave me to stand in here by myself?

Songs with my Aunt are the best!

Mommy making me go down this scary slide!

Taking a little break....being cute is hard work!

 Peek-a-boo!

  Swinging away...I promise, she really does love the swing despite the semi-scared look on her face in this picture!

Some other pics from the past month....

 In her holiday sweater!

Watching the 'snowfall' in City Place!

2010, The Year That Was....Memorable, Magical, and Everything In Between

So hubby surprised me with an early Christmas gift today....and it is by far the best gift (next to Mia) that I have ever received from him! The countless hours that he put into this gift and the thought behind it was more than I could have ever asked for....it was one of those gifts that moves a person on so many different levels and was the ultimate display of love. I couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful husband and this is just a testament to how much he loves us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart babe, you have already made this the best Christmas ever! I LOVE YOU!

Hope you enjoy the video as much as I did (I have already watched it six times today and pretty much cried each time!). Not only do the photos capture the highlights of the past year, but the songs were so perfectly selected and coincide with the moments as if they were made for that time in our lives.

Here is the link to my Picasa album where you can view the video - http://picasaweb.google.com/104840953107392787513/2010video?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6y_ImNypHFUQ#.  I was having major issues posting the video to the blog, but if you can't access it for some reason and would like to view it, let me know and I'll e-mail the album to you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from Our Little Angel!

Starlight Snowflakes Christmas Card

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Santa's Helper....

What could be better than holiday bloomers, crotched hats, a big Christmas teddy bear and blanket, a beautifully decorated tree, and one happy baby girl?!  Enjoy some shots from our Christmas card photo shoot!! 

"Merry Christmas"

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Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year!!

Thankful For So Much....

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of these "first" holidays with Mia...having a child makes you appreciate life so much and realize how much this little person depends on you for everything.  I am glad that we can provide everything she needs....for that I am thankful. 

We started our day off with the annual Run 4 the Pies 4 Miler in Tequesta...my second time running this race and Mia's first time cheering mommy on!  Knowing my lil pumpkin was waiting for me at the finish line made me pick up my pace a little and thankfully I did bring home a pie (I think they give them away to the first 900 finishers), so those calories that I burned off were put right back on (and then some!).

 Unfortunately since our families are both in Ohio, we didn't get to celebrate the holiday with them, but we are lucky to have my sister and her boyfriend, as well as terrific friends that are like family, down here.  So the five of us traveled up to Port St Lucie for a delicious meal, wonderful company, and great memories.  Again, for that I am thankful.

The ladies ~ Mommy, Mia and Aunt April

My baby girl is getting so big!

What are you doing to me silly lady?!

Love all her facial expressions :)

Mia got to taste turkey for the first time and I don't think she knew what to think about it.  She of course loved the mashed and sweet potatoes!  Her expression is priceless...she definitely doesn't hide her emotions! "What are you feeding me Ma-Ma!?"

"Playing" the piano with Daddy....I have a feeling our little girl is going to be musically talented just like her Dad.  At least let's hope she sticks with it unlike her Mom (I quit both the organ and flute, Yes, I was a band nerd!). 

 The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we went on our first family camping trip along with some great friends of ours, The Cangianos and The Millers.  We drove about an hour and a half north to Sebastian Inlet State Park and although the weather was a little dreary and overcast, we still managed to have a great time grilling, playing cornhole, taking turns playing with Mia, and hanging out around the campfire while the boys put on a concert and we all sang along. 

Mia slept AWESOME (which I was very concerned about since I knew we were going to be outside in a tent and it would probably be fairly loud, OK, very loud!).  I actually had to wake her up from her naps...must have been that salt air (you could see the inlet from our campsite)!  Here is my little sleeping beauty cuddling with her puppy in the pack n' play!

Daddy relaxing and enjoying a beer after setting up the tents and getting all our crap organized (and boy was there a lot of crap for a trip that lasted less than 24 hours, but when you are bringing an 8 month old and a dog, you have to be prepared for anything!).  Oh, and not to mention, our men like to eat and drink....a lot!

Tripp had a blast and was so worn out from all the activity of the day and evening....he loved curling up near the campfire and just being with all the adults.  My sweet little boy :)

Hubby and B jamming out on their guitars....we heard everything from Yellow to Keep On Rocking Me Baby to Yellow and then Yellow again...needless to say, I will be happy to not hear the song Yellow again for a long time!

Tripp also enjoyed toasting marshmellows....this is yummy Mom!!

And hanging out with the ladies....

The whole gang (including a very tired and passed out baby girl!).



Hope ya'll had a blessed Thanksgiving spent with family and friends....we are THANKFUL for each and every one of you!

So In Love....With My 8 Month Old!!

Those wide blue eyes, chubby cheeks, the drool, chunky thighs, her almost bald little head (she continues to get a little more peach fuzz each month!), and the sweet, laid back (for the most part) disposition....all these things and more make me run upstairs every morning to get her out of her crib and rush home from work Monday thru Friday to pick her up and squeeze her to pieces and play as much as we can before bedtime.....

Sweet baby girl, I love you more and more each day, which I didn't know could be possible, but believe me, it is!  Happy 8 Month Birthday....I can hardly believe that we are nearing the end of 2010 and that before I know it, you'll be a big girl turning 1.  Sigh, but I will refrain from the waterworks, at least until January!

Look at those chunky thighs!!!  Love 'em!!

 And those chubby cheeks...delish!!

Someone loves to stand up and hold on to anything and everything....furniture, the side of her crib, her music table, etc.  She can get half-way up, but needs a little help getting all that chubbiness to stand all the way!  She is also getting onto her hands and knees from the sitting position and rocking, as well as doing a little army crawling/rolling combo, but that's about the extent of her mobility at this point!

Yep, I'm getting pretty good at this standing thing....with a little more practice I'll be able to do it all on my own!

LOVES her music table and will bang on it endlessly....the keys, the shapes and all the other little gadgets, and turns the page of the 'book' herself.  Sometimes I get excited because it's playing a new song that I haven't heard for what seems like hours on end and then I realize it's set to Spanish mode and have to laugh to myself!

Still can't get enough of Tripp, who is always right next to her side....

Playtime in her nursery before tubby time is our favorite....

Playing with her 'friend' in the mirror....we're about to transition to the big tub for good as she is 1) getting too big for her infant tub and 2) she makes a complete mess and covers the counter, mirror, floor and me with water! 

Other exciting happenings this month were trying out both a Gymboree (10/15) and My Gym (11/6) class with Mommy!  We decided on My Gym since it offered a lot more activities and they change the classroom up each week, plus the instructors were great and went the extra step to include Mia, who was the youngest in the class.  I think it will be great for her to be around all of the 'older' kids (she loves to watch what they are doing), plus I'm excited that I get to take her every Saturday!

Gotta end with a pic of our little family all bundled up enjoying the Feast of Little Italy in Abacoa!

Mommy loves to give me kisses....geesh woman!! ;)

Not One, Two, or Three, but FOUR

TEETH!!  All at once that is!  Steve had Mia in giggling fits this morning and when he turned her upside down, we happened to spot her top teeth popping through the gums!!  I had no idea that they were coming in since she rarely lets me squeeze those chubby cheeks to get my finger up there to check out her gums.  Even when I'm brushing her little teeth with the baby toothbrush, I can never get a good enough feel to see if anything new is going on in there, but sure enough it is!  Poor baby girl!  However, she is still in good spirits considering the pain she must be experiencing....I know I wouldn't be happy! :( 

'Tis the season to spread holiday cheer....

And what better way is there than Christmas cards from your loved ones?  I have always loved spending time selecting the perfect card, writing a personal note to the individual(s) who will receive it, sealing, stamping and dropping off a stack of cards at the post office.  This was all done knowing that when the other person received the envelope, it would bring a smile to their face (and mine!).  But even better than finding the perfect box of pre-made cards....creating your own with photos of your family making memories together! 

Last year I sent out photo cards (much to hubby's dismay at first) of us in the Keys while I was about half-way through my pregnancy with Mia.  Now that our sweet baby girl is here and we will be enjoying our first holiday season as a family of three, I can already imagine the fun I will have making this year's Christmas card.  The only problem is....deciding which design I like best from Shutterfly's (http://www.shutterfly.com)

endless options....oh, and deciding which of the hundreds of photos of my little girl dressed in her holiday best will be used for the card.  Oh, the possibilities.....

Some of my favorites this year include the Sweet and Retro, Elegant Lace Snowflakes, and Starlight Snowflakes.  Of course if I can't decide on just ONE picture, then I would have to go with something like Modern Merry Squares, Cinnamon Candy Lace or get crazy with the Family Wall Red.  Although I do have a lot to say at times (me, really!?) and could go with the Christmas Letter...like I said, endless possibilities!!  Thankfully it is easy to upload (http://www.shutterfly.com/upload-pictures) all your pictures and then go to town with trying out all the different options, sizes, etc.  I know regardless of the lay-out that I choose, our family and friends will love receiving a beautiful card with our baby girl smiling back....and really, who can resist those big blue eyes? 

Check out this link (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery) if you want to try one free 5x7 greeting or stationary card - a great chance to see it in person before sending it to all your loved ones!

Happy card making!! :)

Duck, Duck, Bumble Bee!

Mia enjoyed her first "major" holiday, Halloween, with lots of fun activities.....all the while dressed as a duck!  It wouldn't be a party if she wasn't with her partner in crime, Tripp, who loves wearing his bumble bee costume (no seriously, he goes crazy when I pull it out of the closet - he jumps around like a maniac until I put it on him!).   
 

The week started off with a trip to the "pumpkin patch" on Monday evening. Now I had the pleasure of growing up in the Midwest where we went to Whitehouse Farms to select great big pumpkins and were able to pick apples in the orchard, but unfortunately South Florida is a little different.....the front lawn of a church constitutes a patch, but we'll take what we can get! There is a trade-off for the year round fantastic weather and the true essence of fall is one of them. Since Mia knows nothing different, she went about picking out the perfect pumpkin, got measured next to the "How Tall This Fall" sign and enjoyed watching all the big kids run around!

Next up on the Halloween circuit was Mommy's book club, which of course was fall-themed. Since this was Mia's first time attending a meeting, she got to lead the discussion about this month's book, Elmo's Monster Mash :) The next night we were supposed to attend a Halloween party, but since I'm usually beat by the end of the work week, we decided to stay in and have a family dinner on the patio, where Mia enjoyed her first taste of real food, sweet potatoes, and loved them!

The Beautiful Babes Book Club....where lots of eating, drinking and chatting (not about the book) takes place!

The rest of the weekend was jam-packed with fun parties and get togethers with Mia's friends! We spent Saturday with Pebbles (Aunt April) and the Lemasneys at their neighborhood Halloween block party and Sunday we went trick-or-treating with a bunch of our friends in The Heights. Although Mia didn't bring home any loot this year, she did try to steal Zachary's sippy cup and thoroughly enjoyed the wagon ride around the neighborhood with all her little friends! Next year Mommy looks forward to you filling an orange pumpkin with lots of her favorite treats....that she will of course check thoroughly :)

The cutest little duckling around!

 With her boyfriend, Brogan as Frankenstein, and his big sister, Carrigan as a ladybug

 Family photo op - Wilma, Pebbles, and ducky (next year Mia will be Pebbles and Tripp will be Dino so we all go together!)

Enjoying the beautiful weather outside during the Halloween block party

Mia's 1st Halloween and pumpkin :)

This little ducky is learning to fly with a little help from Daddy!

Ready to go in the wagon....

Hmmmm...not a big fan of my sippy cup at home, but I think I might want this one!  I'll take it now that the lion isn't looking....

Staring intently at Zachary, the lion

Daddy and his co-worker with me and my new friend, Jude

Now that all the festivities are done, this pooped little cowgirl is ready to ride off into the sunset....