Weekend Part II & III - Twins and Baby Shower

The Soffins arrived with the Twins and brought their sleeping bags - Slumber Party Saturday Night! The rest of the crew arrived later in the day for the Baby Shower for Baby McGhee. Veda likes wrapping paper - we are already looking forward to Christmas.

Weekend Part I - Auntie Kel. Brooke, and LOTS of wine

Auntie Kel and Brooke were in town planning Brooke's wedding. They spent Friday night with us and helped make the yummies for Saturday's Baby Shower for the McGhees.

Quiz

What do all these items have in common?

Yes - Items found in Veda's mouth over 48 hours. These are the ones I caught and she didn't swallow. The quarter is particularly alarming. I found it in her mouth when she was in her crib - I have NO idea how it got there!

Growth Chart

I decided to let Veda take down the Christmas cards. They did cover the entire right side of the fridge. This is how far she's gotten - it's kind of like her growth chart! ha ha!

Young Hollywood Awards

So, it's official...just got the invite today...looks like it's shaping up as a big year for Twilight, so the whole cast is supposed to be there in full effect. Food by Nobu which is the fanciest of the Sushi restaurants in LA....

In-Out, Up-Down, Gone and Back Again

I've been reading in my parenting books that babies are learning about spatial relationshps at this stage. So we got Veda this tunnel thinking it would take a while for her to figure out that if she went through it she would still be in the same room. No fooling her. She went right through it to the other side and just looked at us like she wanted to know what the big deal was?!

The Dress

So I ended up with this little BCBG number. It is form fitting and has a deep back and tie at the same point as the beading. Hopefully the next pic you see of it will be with some fab celeb! I asked Todd what he is going to wear and he kind of rolled his eyes and said same thing I always wear - a shirt and pants from my closet. Manhood is so simple.

Dr's Report

Veda had her 9 month check up yesterday. She has thinned out a bit in proportion to her height. She is now 90% across the board for height (75cm), weight (22.1 lbs), and head size. Her blood test revealed she is a bit anemic so she will get an iron supplement and then back to the Dr. in 6 weeks for a follow-up test.

Veda tried on her Ropers yesterday. Still a little big in the feet and a little tight around her chunky cows. Should be perfect by the time she starts walking;)

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.

Stuck!

Veda crawled under this chair which happens to be pushed under the table. I was in the kitchen and heard her whining because she couldn't get out. I couldn't figure out how to get her out either! Or course I had to stop and take a picture;) It's hard to tell by the picture but she was wedged in there pretty good and I couldn't pull the chair out without hitting her. I had to flatten her like a pancake and slide her out on her tummy. She got caught behind the toilet the other day too and didn't know how to back out.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our two year. We have a lot to be grateful for! We spent the night in the ER last night. Damn kidney stones! Todd was a trooper on Daddy duty with a sick baby and a wife that couldn't even walk because of the pain;) This is what love and marriage is all about right?! As he was helping me tie my hospital gown I turned around and wished him a happy Anniversary - ha ha! I hope we get time to celebrate our special day before the week is out. I'm scheduled for surgery on Thursday to clean out my kidneys and if I'm feeling a-o-k Jennifer has agreed to watch Veda so we can have a special dinner together;) Hooray!

This stinks!

Bean has a cold. You know those kids you see with a stream of snot from their nose to their mouth? With dry snot smeared across their cheeks? Weezing and coughing and sneezing? This is my princess. It came out in full bloom yesterday. It was so bad by the time she went to sleep that we had to put her to sleep sitting up in her car seat next to the vaporizer. Mom slept on the floor.

We just put her to bed in her car seat again. I have the bed made up in her room and will sleep with her tonight. She just can't figure out that if she can't breathe through her nose - plugging up her mouth with her thumb will cause problems. We flew home today. I was worried about her ears and her cold but she managed.

My Blackbery busted on Sat so I know longer have my link to the world. I'm surprised how little it bothers me - right now. A new one is on the way but I suspect I may have lost my 300 some phone numbers as I can't find the back-up. Awesome. I need digits!

Tons of Fun in the IC