We've had lots of fun preparing for my first Christmas. We've gone on several shopping trips; listened to tons of Christmas music; taken pictures with Santa; picked out and decorated a Christmas tree; performed onstage with my fellow musician babies for the music program's Holiday Open House; checked out all the cool lights and decorations at the houses on Christmas Tree Lane in nearby El Segundo; and visited Santa's Village at Irvine Regional Park with my cousins. All this and I get to open presents too?! Can it be Jesus's birthday more than once a year?
Below is a pic of me with Santa:
This is the true Santa. His white hair was real and everything. He was at the second mall we checked. The first mall we went to had a fake Santa who wasn't very friendly. Apparently, there are a lot of impostures out there. Luckily, we didn't get duped by the phony.
Here is a link to a video of me performing at the Holiday Open House for my music class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5pIE3GBITw. It was so fun being danced around and having everyone cheer for me. At one point, my hat came down over my head. Mommy didn't realize it and just kept bouncing me all over the place. The audience had a hearty laugh, but I was a good sport about it. I'm a born entertainer.
Here is a picture of me with Daddy visiting Candy Cane Lane:
I loved looking at all the lights. All the houses on the street were totally decked out. Some even had fun themes like Santa's Theatre, country club, train station, and Babe Watch.
Below is a pic of me in Santa's Village at Irvine Regional Park with my cousins, Jackson and Oliver, and Cuzzle Lily:
While we were at Irvine Regional Park, we rode a really neat train, played at the park, fed some ducks and a peacock by the lake, and visited the zoo. The zoo had bears, snakes, mountain lions, goats, birds, and all sorts of cool animals.
All the pre-Christmas activities have been so great. I can only imagine how awesome it will be when Christmas actually gets here next week! I'm so excited!
Hi Everyone! I've got another new trick to share with you - I can walk with a push toy! It's so fun; I can go all over the house with it! I haven't totally mastered turning yet, so Mommy and Daddy are on call for road assistance when I hit something or get stuck. I'm getting better and better, though. The other day I went one-handed! Pretty soon I'm going to be able to push it aside completely and walk on my own.
It seems like just yesterday when I was floating and kicking in utero and listening to sounds of the womb with ne'er a light at the end of the tunnel. And now here I am - 10 months old, crawling and pulling up all over the place with the sky as the limit. Month 10 just zipped on by. Time flies when you're having lots of fun.
My Aunt Miss Natasha Turner (AMNT) came to visit me all the way from London last week. She got here last Wednesday and just left yesterday. We had lots of fun playing together. My favorite was when we took photo booth pictures on her computer and then went to a real photo booth at the mall. I also loved it when she brought my Godbrother, Dylan, over to visit. I am obsessed with grabbing his cute face!
Whether we're reading Roots, playing "You're fired!" on the blackberry, trading hugs and kisses, or taking loads of pics, it's always a special and good time with my AMNT. Thanks for coming out to visit me! I miss you already! Can't wait until we go visit you in March!
On Saturday, I went to my first wedding! Cuzzle Kristin and new Cuzzle Nate tied the knot in Valencia. The ceremony was outside at Grace Baptist Church Amphitheatre and the reception was at Bridgeport Clubhouse. All of the bridal party looked very nice, especially beautiful Cuzzle Kristin. I could hardly hold back my excitement during the ceremony. I wanted to cheer out loud, but Mommy kept trying to quiet me with the pacifier. Silly Mommy, I had to show her I can still make noise with the pacifier in my mouth. The reception was really fun too. I liked listening to the music, seeing lots of my family, and making new friends.
I hope I get invited to more weddings. I'm working on my walk so I can be a flower girl someday.
(Photos above include Cuzzles Kristin and Nate, Mommy, Daddy, Great Grandma and Grandpa Podroza, Great Aunt Patti, Grandma and Grandpa O'Neal, Aunt Jo, Uncle Colin and Great Uncle Marty.)
For my first Thanksgiving, I went with Daddy, Mommy, Pookie, and Bubba to Grandma and Grandpa O'Neal's house in Arroyo Grande. Aunt Jo and Uncle Colin were there to celebrate too. It was a sunny and pretty day. All the toothed people enjoyed a delicious-looking traditional Thanksgiving feast. However, I had to settle for a jar of apple, turkey, cranberry puree. If only I had teeth too...
Despite the lackluster meal, I had a very good time because I still got to enjoy what I'm most grateful for - my family! It was so fun playing with everyone and trying out all the cool, new toys Grandma O'Neal got for me. I was so happy I did a new trick - I stood up with no hands! It was only for a few moments because Mommy's excitement scared me. I'll have to try it again sometime when she's distracted.
I hope all the rest of my family and friends had a great Thanksgiving too. I am thankful to have so much love in my life. I am already looking forward to next year when I can grub a real feast with the toothed people.
Hey everyone! I'm nine months old, which means I've officially been out of the womb longer than I was in it! I had lots of fun in my ninth month. I am super fast at my funky crawl now (yup, still working my unique step-slide style); I can pull up with ease; I can clap (see clip at the end of this post); I can wave; I can point; I can do a sit spin by kicking my feet; and I can make fun sounds strumming my lips with my fingers while I sing. I think my next big step will literally be a big step. That's right, folks - I'm gonna walk soon. I bet within the next two months I can run circles around ya! I've been practicing holding Mommy's and Daddy's hands and I am needing them less and less for balance. One day, I'm just going to let go and march on my own!
I had my nine month check up just last week. Doc says I look great except I should gain some weight. I'm still only 15 pounds and 7 ounces which puts me in the 5th percentile. Now Mommy and Daddy are experimenting with new ways to stuff me every day. I don't like a lot of foods and strange textures make me barf, so I'm making it a challenge for them. I don't want to be labeled "easy."
In other news, Mommy and Daddy are so ecstatic that I am finally sleeping better! I didn't mind waking up a few times a night, but I guess they did. They ended up calling in a professional. It took the three of them to take me on. I put up a great fight, but I surrendered in the end. It's a lot of effort to fuss so much every night, so I'm actually not too mad that I lost this battle. There will be many other battles where I am sure I will reign victorious.
I'm Baby Talley and I'm the cutest baby in the world! Keep me fed and give me your undivided attention and I'll be your wide-eyed, smiley angel. However, deny me milk and you will suffer my wrath!
