Farewell to Newborn & Infant Daycare

P with Annie looking out her picture window for the last time...

Today was our last day with our first daycare provider. We have been so lucky to have Anne & Ed be such a big part of P's life. They have loved her, nurtured her, and helped her grow and become the confident and sweet person that she is.

This day seemed to creep upon us fast. I was having a pretty stressful day at work and seemed close to tears for lots of reasons, so I tried not to think about the good-byes later when I picked her up. Even when I was writing on the card, I started getting choked up.

The next place we are going is actually through Anne's daughter. I know that we are going to a wonderful place with only six toddlers (which is rare for a licensed daycare), and I am very confident that we'll be happy there. It's just that it's a new stage, and it's another milestone meaning that our baby is already growing up too fast. So, I am going to make a very conscious effort to slow down and enjoy every moment with P.



P with her peeps, Lily and Bode.



The girls clamoring for Ed's attention.

Crib party!

Peek-a-boo Mommy. I'm over here!

Belated Birthday Wishes

It's like the birthday that never stops! How lucky Miss P is to have so many people love her. My parents visited the weekend before and brought her birthday presents, not just from them, but from my sis and her family. Then, this past weekend our neighbor across the street brought her some goodies, too. We are thankful for the books, clothes, and all the cute little girl things that we will get to experience.

Ooh, Grandpa, this is as big as me!

Oba-chan, help me please.

See, like this.

Grandpa is a barrel of laughs!

Antoinette always comes bearing gifts! She's so fun!

Look at me read.

P's really into this book!

Mommy Goes Bananas!

It apparently is still the "sick" season for these little ones. Miss P has been hanging onto a cold with lots of oozey and thick snot, a cough, and lots of congestion. We stayed home from work and "school" last Wednesday. It was also the day that Daddy left for a 4-day field trip to Death Valley. P was very, very whiny and crying a lot on Wednesday (so unlike her and very trying for my patience)! It was going to be long 4 days...

We were able to keep ourselves amused though and each day was better as she was feeling better and more like herself. Phew! My mom often wonders what we're up to when it's just us two at home by ourselves. Here's a small sample of a typical day at home...

Walking to the park for some fresh air is always a plus.

Playing with Mommy's socks buys us some time.

Climbing on the pack n' play is fun!

Falling off of it--not so much!

Banging the sippy cup provides minutes of entertainment.

Taking it to the floor--bonus minutes!

♥Miss P Turns 1♥

It was a humble party of three--P, Daddy, and me! Her daddy said that when he took her to daycare this morning, she just "knew" that it was her birthday. She was struttin' her stuff, screaming, and acting really different. As we affectionately call it, she was hamming it up!

Even when I picked her up this afternoon, she was in rare form. One of the other parents, Cody, jokingly said that she was drunk! Since she's the oldest in daycare, all the other babies will be hitting her up to score some milk since she's "of drinking age" now.

When we got home, we had a birthday celebration for our special girl!

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea! You have enriched our lives, made our life complete, and given us so much love and joy. We wish you many, many more birthdays to celebrate.

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To...

Lovin' every minute of it!

But she didn't! We had a pre-celebration with RT's family this past weekend in conjunction with his niece, Jordan's birthday (March 12). Miss P reveled in the attention and was not shy with anyone. What a hambone. As all of us gathered round to sing Happy Birthday, she just watched us all and you could tell she was DELIGHTED!

Of course she wasn't interested in her presents so much. She was more interested in walking around Mak and Poppa's house--especially going up and down the step from the living room to the kitchen!

Mmm mmm!



P's cousins--the other birthday girl!



Cousin "G" keeping me busy!

Friends Janet and Maya...even Minnie joined the fun!

Yummy cupcake tree!

Hanging out with Uncle Steve.

Oh Mommy! You say the funniest things!

Oh Daddy, you're too late. Cupcake all gone!



Mommy & Me Time

Now that I am back to going to work only 3 days a week, I am loving it! Work has slowed down considerably with all my big projects done. Yippee! So stress levels are also down. I am so excited to be able to spend more time with P and hang out with other moms, and hopefully meet new friends.

P is at a really fun stage, and we have lots of fun hanging out together--giggling, dancing, and just being goofy.

Plus, among the three of us, we've been up and down with sickness since New Year's Eve. Hopefully, cutting back on daycare a couple days will give our immune system some rest!

Stay tuned for more adventures for Miss P and me...

These Shoes Are Made For Walking

The day has come when we had to purchase shoes for their actual purpose and not just for show. We have actually not bought Miss P a pair until now. We were given at least 5-6 pairs of shoes from our baby showers. I have read a lot about how shoes are not necessary for babies who aren't walking yet, and especially if they are learning to walk. They need to see what their feet are doing. So, loving shoes like most women, it was hard to refrain from shoe shopping for baby girl!

Now that she's an "expert" at walking, we are letting her walk around in public places besides around home and daycare. So, last weekend, we took her to the park with her brand new, deliciously pink, little birdie shoes!

She had a ball! She stopped to check out what the other kids were doing, but most of all I think she just wanted to walk! walk! walk! Don't let the photos fool you, it was very cold and breezy that afternoon even though the sun was out. Her eyes were watering, it was so cold!

Here's looking at you!