Over My Head

I took Veda to the Christmas Fiesta in downtown Camarillo Friday night. She LOVED the ginerbread house display. In fact, she keeps calling every house on our street with lights the gingerbread houses. So Sunday we tackled the $9.99 target house. The box said easy to assemble... pretty much all you have to do is decorate. Well let me tell you this project is not suitable for 2 year olds OR 34 year olds. In my defence the roof came broken. I told Veda the house was hit by an earthquake. She didn't care, she just wanted to play with the pretty candy.

Spaz

It's hard to give Adele a bath without getting wet.

Where are your reindeer Santa?

Veda was very excited to see Santa but very disappointed that Rudolph didn't make it to the party. She kept asking everyone (the elves, Santa, and anyone else who would listen) where the sleigh and the reindeer were hiding. Lucky for her Rudolph is airing on CBS right now so she is getting her fill. Adele was just along for the ride... she was pretty excited about Santa's buttons and his spongy beard.

Dec 1

It's finally here. Veda has been asking if she can play with the "Baby Jesus Farm" (aka Advent Calendar) since we hung it several weeks ago. This is Kel and Chris' Xmas present for the girls (sent early so we could enjoy it this year). I have such fond memories of tracking the days of December when I was little, in anticipation of the big event. This is the perfect scene of the manger so we can help Veda and Adele understand the story of Baby Jesus... on his "farm";) and the significance of the holiday.

Christmas Cheer

I was dragging the inflatable mattress up the stairs and it happens to be stored in a large red bag. Veda asks "Mom, are you Santa Claus?"

It's Offficial!

Veda's going to be a star. Watch her eat the macaroni right out of her nose this Sunday (Dec 5) on ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos! If you live close come watch it with us at our house Sunday night!

A day at the Phoenix Zoo

While everyone else was fighting Black Friday traffic, we opted for the PHX zoo.  Lots of fun stuff for Veda to enjoy...we started with the "nakes" in the cages and then moved on to the giraffes and ostriches (which served as great photo opportunities).  Veda and dad got to ride a camel and then we stopped by the monkeys with the pink butts.  Veda got an up close and personal encounter as one of the monkey really liked her.  He just stood by the window as she "petted" his nose.  We ended at the petting zoo, where Veda got to poke every goat in the eye.  She was seeing if they were really sleeping.  All in all, a good 4 hour experience.

Dancing Christmas caroles in the kitchen...

to burn off a few extra Thanksgiving dinner calories.

Hanging Christmas lights with DiDi and Papi



Lots of activities leading up to the big Thanksgiving dinner.  Served as a good distraction for Grandpa Gary (and Veda had fun too).  To note, Veda does not have a black (or red) eye....she decided to color her face with permanent markets (thanks Aunt Kelly for the non-washable markers).

Happy Birthday Bull

Dad - Thanks for being such an amazing Grandpa. We can't wait to see you in December. It seems like forever since we saw you last. Enjoy your turkey dinner. Love you - Kathy, Todd, Veda and Adele!

Sisters Being Silly

Getting into Trouble!

We had a scary moment today when we both left the room. We didn't even realize Adele was missing. Todd went upstairs to get something and found her sitting at the top of the stairs. We've been blocking the stairs with her exersaucer and other barricades but I guess we need to break out the steel doors. Today she stood by herself for 15 seconds. She just turned 8 months last Tuesday! She just refuses to sit still... and low!

Twirling

Veda didn't want her picture taken in her "princess" skirt until I asked her to twirl and then she was all about the performance;)

On the Eve of her 8 Month Mark...

... Adele has sprouted her first tooth AND learned how to scale the stairs! Now that I understand why she's so grumpy I don't feel so bad about waking up 4 times last night to a screaming kid. She is keeping me on my toes. As I write this she is spazing out in the bathtub and I'm trying to keep the laptop from getting soaked. If this kid isn't an athlete it will be a waste of freakishly amazing coordination and agility.

$4 Find

We went to the mother of all sales this weekend. The annual Thousand Oaks kids' swap meet. In addition to finding lots of goodies for baby Owen;) we picked up this little number.

Where's Waldo?

Adele is ALL over the place. I have a hard time keeping track of her and our place is pretty small. Usually she can be found crowding Veda's space. Today that got her a big whack on the head when she tried to impose on the refrigerator activity... and of course the more mobile Adele gets the more Veda ends up in "time out" I'm sorry to say.

Remember Daddy?

This is what Veda said this time Todd was on the road when looking at pictures with Didie. She missed him lots and couldn't wait for him to get back from Paris with the "presy" he promised. The picture doesn't quite capture her excitement about her elephant calendar. Mom got a new leather jacket straight from the fashion capital of the world. I think Dad should go on work trips more often;)

Waiting for Fame

The first week of October I received a call from America's Funniest Home Videos. They called to let me know that Veda's Macaroni Video would be airing on an upcoming episode however they didn't say when. So we are watching every Sunday! I noticed tonight that her video is on their website under the babies section dated 10.6.10. I wish we could see how many views it's gotten!

Head, Shoulders, Knees and TOES TOES TOES!

I know I've mentioned Veda's odd affection for feet. Well it's gotten out of hand. Jen texted me to let me know Veda is playing with her toes at daycare. Toes are Veda's "wooby", "binky", or "neigh neigh". Other kids have blankets or stuffed animals to comfort them but when she gets sleepy or cuddly she goes for the toes. One hand on the toes and the other with her thumb in her mouth. Not sure how we are going to break this bizarre habit?!

Dell Update

This is Dell at her first day at daycare... of course she's been to the babysitter but never to daycare with the older kids. She started last week and by the looks of it she had lots of fun. She also had her 8 month appointment this week. Weighed in at exactly 17 lbs (50%) and measured 27 inches (50%) with her head at only 25%. She is all over the place these days. She has been crawling for almost a month and is pulling herself up and walking along the coffee table. She even attempts to stand without support although that doesn't last very long. She will most likely be an early walker.

She isn't sleeping through the night yet... usually wakes one or two times. She isn't up very long though so my only complaint is that my wake up call has come at 5am every day this week thanks to daylight savings time;)

She doesn't like being held unless you are bouncing her or carrying her in the bjorn. She loves her big sister and anything she is playing with... she giggles every time Veda talks to her.

Thank you Didie

We can not thank you enough for coming to take care of us and saving Mom from losing her mind;) We miss you already and look forward to seeing you in a few short weeks!

Castles and Robots

Veda and Didie have been busy bees. They are building with legos, playing with playdough and working on potty training;) Didie is making her a chart for her Toy Story stickers she gets every time she pees on the potty - thanks Didie!

Grandma Didie is Coming To Town...

 Off to a bad start;)

 Garage Sales - whoot whoot.

Farmer's market fun.

 Adele trying to play with the big kids during happy hour. We invited the neighborhood over for drinks and play time;)

" I help - I push you Didie" Diane is trying to retrieve a toy Veda dropped behind the couch;)

Veda is gearing up for Christmas - whenever I say someone is coming to visit... she sings "they are coming to town" to the tune of Santa Claus is coming to town.

Heat Wave

We've had an oddly warm week. Warm enough for spa services at daycare this morning...

A few belated Halloween pics...

 Trick or Treating at Dad's office.

 It was sooooooo hot in Woodland Hills, don't know how kids here wear costumes...

 Treating with the cousins...

Teaguen and our pumkins.

We Voted!

However, I would like to complain about the polling place not being double jogger stroller accessible. I also want to take back my vote on one of the measures... Todd should have made his case last night BEFORE the election. Somehow I don't think I was the swing vote on whether or not to legalize marijuana.