Little Sweet Pea

School School That's the Word That Rhymes With Cool!

Daddy doing the drop off this morning.

Here we go...

P's BFF Bode on his first day looking sharp and ready to go!

Miss P started her first day at her new daycare! She is the youngest of 6 toddlers, with the next oldest being 18 months and the oldest tot at 3 years.

As soon as she walked in, she recognized Donna, gave her a big smile, and walked over to all the toys and play things. She soon forgot about us! Then, two toddlers came in, brother and sister James and Kate--she gravitated towards them in an instant. She was so engrossed with her new surroundings and the new kids that she didn't even care if we were there or not! So her Daddy and I were able to slip out, no problem!

I didn't worry about her throughout the day. I figured Donna would call me if anything came up. Plus, since I know Donna through Anne (previous daycare provider and Donna's mom), I was very comfortable with her being there.

That's not to say that RT and I weren't concerned. We were. We were anxious and a little worried with all these "big kids" and how she would handle all the new surroundings. Not to worry, though!

When I arrived to pick P up, she was sitting so nicely and quietly on Donna's lap eating her little O's. Donna said she did great! She went down easily for her naps, got along great with the other kids, and overall is a happy baby. That's what I like to hear! Our little Sweet Pea is growing up!

When we arrived home, P was so wired. It was crazy! We have never seen her so crazed like this. She was so active that she was walking super fast, tripping, and falling on her face. Things were getting too dangerous, and both RT and I had to get her out. It was too early to go to bed, so we went for a nice walk to her friend, Bode's house.

Bode also started a new daycare today, so it was nice to chat with Bode's folks to compare how our little babies did during their first day of "school". It seems like they are such "big kids" now since we have to pack their lunch and bring more things compared to the infant daycare.

Birthdays and More Birthdays

Out of all our baby friends, P is the oldest. We didn't have a birthday party for her here with her friends, and even if we did, the days we would've chosen both turned out to be really wet and rainy ones (we were going to do it at Del Mar Park by our house). It's just as well, because now the dominos have fallen...meaning that the one-year old birthday parties are a-coming! Looks like we'll be partying it up for a while now!

The Hill twins' birthday party--P and Albert (or is it Oscar?)

Cute little pea (his brother was a carrot!)

Cutie pie, Princess Lilyana, on her birthday throne!

Everyone wants a piece of the cupcake!

I still have a blast even though it's not my birthday party!

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!