The weekend in review...

What a great weekend! Friday night was date night. The neighbors babysat and Todd and I went to the Watermark in Ventura - very swanky. We then met up with my cousin and his wife for drinks at the bar upstairs. BJ's friend was in the band. LeaAnn Rimes was in the house and we were told she is a regular and sometimes takes the mic - but no such luck for us.

Saturday I did pick ups for the Wine festival silent auction. Todd and Veda rode along. Sat night our new friends Jason and Laura came by for a visit. We met them at the pool last weekend. Laura is from England and Jason from Canada. I could listen to them talk all day long - love the accents! We had so much fun.

We got up early today and went grocery shopping and I got my weekend latte. If you haven't had a McDonalds latte - do it - they are great! I also went horseback riding with Laura who is a very experienced rider. Me not so much. I did get my horse into a gallop but I think I looked like a spastic freak riding one of those electric bulls at the bar. By the end of the ride I had a hand of it and Laura even invited me to go with her again - I must have passed the test!

This afternoon we will shop for a dress for the event next weekend. I have book club tonight. We hold the meeting at a local coffee shop that usually has live entertainment. Tonight is open mic night and some of the girls like to hear themselves sing so I'm pretty sure we won't talk about books!

Baby

I bought Veda her first doll this weekend. She is fascinated with it. Loves to poke it's eyes out. We give "Baby" hugs and kisses and Veda tries to copy but it looks more like she's trying to bite her head off.

Deal or No Deal - Deal!

I love Saturday mornings. Lattes. garage sales, and the farmers market (in that order). I LOVE a great deal and I love the hunt. Last week we picked up this gem for $20 in excellent condition. It retails for $200 online. I've been giving Veda rides around the house.

Red Carpet Here We Come

We are going to the Young Hollywood Awards the weekend after next. Sebastian is the main sponsor. What do I wear?! This is the one thing that's keeping me from being ultra excited about a night of star gazing. We get to go to the after party too so it's not like we go, sit down, get up and go. We mingle. I need a party dress. Nothing too fancy. This is the Young Hollywood Awards so the dresses are usually short and tendy (oh and tight - ughhh). Ms. Mayhem http://www.dailymayhem.com/ usually has an eye out for this type of thing....???? Any advice?

Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins

So I think I've finally got Veda watching TV. Yes, I WANT her to watch TV. I need a part-time babysitter and until my real one starts I will promote her discovery of HD and widescreen. The only problem is that she isn't into her Einstein videos - she must be too smart - she looks bored! The only movie we have that seems to keep her interest is ELF. She claps when they are reciting the code of the elves. I get it - I do it - I could watch it a million times. So Will Farrell will babysit - for now.

Veda's First B.L.T.

As a follow up to Veda's Quarter "Pea" with Cheese, today she had her first B.L.T. She thinks they are delicious.

Uh oh!

I'm sure this will be Veda's next new word. I find I'm using it more and more often. This is where I found the little monkey this morning. She actually got down herself - without incident. Yesterday we weren't so lucky. I witnessed the fall but didn't see what she hit her head on. She was laughing moments after it happened but it looks even worse in person.

Too Green? Too Blue? Too Blah?

I'm experimenting with a new look. I'm sure I'll get voted down and have to change it and I might change my own mind so be patient as I try to overcome my indecision.

Hi!

It's official, by my judgement anyway. Veda's first word is Hi. She started waving last week and has a consistant and familiar sound that always accompanies the wave. It sounds like "Hi" I just wasn't giving her the credit. When leaving the living room to head for the kitchen she will crawl a few feet - turn around and wave - crawl a bit more - turn around and wave. She has also mastered the clap but only when someone starts a round of patty cake.

Memorial Day weekend 2009 with Kel and Chris

Happy Birthday Uncle Chris - Thanks for the sugar!

Quarter Pea and Cheese

Tonight, Chris & Todd got to feed Veda...They invented a new sandwich, straight from LA...it's the Quarter "Pea" and Cheese (two "whole grain" Cheerios, a Pea, and a very small slice of cheddar cheese)...Here's a pic of Chris feeding one to Veda....she had a couple and agrees that they are DELICIOUS!!! Watch out McDonald's.

Growing like weeds

I think about blogging everyday - I promise I do. I just get sidetracked. Must be the munchkin! Here's something I meant to blog about while I was in Iowa. Get this - in Iowa - you don't have to BUY asparagas. It grows in the ditch! Seriously. Mushrooms too. I know all of Todd's family will think I'm crazy for writing about this - but it's a big deal - I love asparagas and it's expensive!

A Laabs Tradition

I've never seen anyone eat as much popcorn as the Laabs clan. Tonight I was initiated. Gary is out of town so I borrowed his bowl. Big mistake - big big mistake. Ughhh stomach pump please

Pooped

Veda after a day at the salon. It would have been fun to snap a photo of Mom having Diane do her hair color while Mom wrestled Veda with a bottle. We had our hands full.

Pictures from the Lake

We are STILL here! Todd is back home in LA and Veda and I are just hangin' out with Grandma Didie. We shopped all day yesterday and then went to the neighbors for dinner and fun by the firepit. Veda went for her first golf cart ride and met her new friend Dylan. He had just eaten a brownie and had frosting all over his face. Veda crawled up to him - swiped some of the leftover frosting off his face and stuck her finger in her mouth. At least she didn't try to lick it off although Dylan did give her a kiss on the lips - good thing Todd wasn't around. I'm sure she'll be tooling around in Grandma and Grandpa Laabs' golf cart before she's tall enough to see over the sterring wheel - that's how they do it at the lake;)

Another Day Another Trick

Join the Club!

Yes we are in Iowa - again. Spent the weekend with Todd's parents and now I'm headed out to Ohio for meetings. Veda will stay with my parents. She has been a PILL all weekend. I just knew something wasn't right. Well we made a Dr. apt here in IC today and yep - it's an ear infection. Her first. She's on antibiotics so hope to get it all cleared up before our flight back to Cali next week. She hasn't been all screams and tears. Here's a pic of her taking a moment to call Aunt Darlene (yes she actually called her and put it on speaker phone too - pretty funny). Also another pic of her having way too much fun at the Dr's office.

Clear Lake!

Travelling is much more fun when Dad is along. The airline wanted to upgrade Todd to first class but I wouldn't let them. We needed the double team on the 3.5 hour flight. Veda did well and was a crowd favorite as usual. She had fun exploring Grandpa and Grandma Laabs' house.

Leaving the scene of the crime

I wish I wish I wish I could afford a full-time nanny. Wouldn't it be great to just have Veda at home all day and not be responsible for baby duty! My neighbor who is also Veda's babysitter has been watching her all week and it's so nice to know she's close by if I just want to peek in and say hello.

Recovery

Back from the hospital and laying in bed. I've got Todd "running stairs" and miss veda just has him running in circles. I can tell he's exhasuted but unfortunately I'm just not going to be much help. They put a stent in between my Kidney and Bladder and I wish I could say I can't feel it but yes - yes I can. Ouch. I get it removed on Thursday.

Todd has been enjoying his daddy duty and doing a fine job at it I might add. He had her all dressed up in a little denim dress when they came to get me today;) very cute.

Here's a pic of V from the archives. I'm not usually very anal about germs but I knew she would be sucking on the handles of the cart so I spent ten minutes scrubbing this thing down with disinfectant before I let her ride in it. Who knew how much fun it would be. I might have to swipe one from the parking lot to keep at home!

Hats make me laugh;)

So my surgery was moved to Monday for those of you wondering. I'll report back afterwards. Veda got this super cute hat today from Jill. She "whipped" it together last weekend while visiting Iowa from Idaho. Amazing. Really I wish I was so talented! I took a class once and ended up with a very lopsided scarf. It would have been a lot cheaper to buy one.