So after many months, Traci is finally going to get some consistent time to herself. She's been taking care of Alyssa 24/7. It all started when Alyssa wouldn't take the bottle which led to an attachment issue with Alyssa. She was okay around other kids, but when it came to adults, she would cry. So we decided to have our housekeeper (Nancy) babysit Alyssa on Thursdays. Since this is Nancy's normal day to come, she will watch Alyssa in the morning and then take care of the house in the afternoon. This will give Traci some much needed rest and at the same time, would expose Alyssa to other adults for a longer period of time. Nancy also babysits Alyssa's cousin Adrian who is one month older.
NEW THINGS:
Walking update: she's taken as many as six steps on her own.
She's also learning to wave hi/bye and clap her hands.
She also sticks her fingers in her ears.( we don't know why...maybe they itch?)
Nancy is great with the kids...we're very lucky!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
FREEDOM!!! (for Traci)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Happy 1st Birthday, Chase!!
This past Saturday Chase turned the big O-N-E and we went to his birthday celebration. Jody and Vinh did a great job on Chase's 1st birthday bash. They had a gated area for the babies to play in that Alyssa just loved. There was tons yummy food and lots of friends and family. It was such a fun party.
It's hard for me to believe that a year has already gone by and Chase no longer an infant. I remember visiting him in the hospital when he was born... seems like it was just yesterday. Now he's eating regular food, dancing around, and almost walking on his own. It's amazing how much he's grown and developed in a year. Alyssa is so lucky to have him as a second cousin and playmate.
Chase...3 1/2 months
The birthday boy!
Alyssa was more excited about the presents than Chase
Happy 1st birthday, Chaser! You're such a big boy!
The Gate...
This weekend, we decided to open up a new area of the house for her to explore. Up until now, we would only allow her to hang out in a certain area of the house. Now, she's able to roam freely in a designated "baby proof zone" (kind of). So to make the area secure, we decided on this lovely gate...
She really likes holding on to it and as you can see, she likes to reach for the cats. She loves to bang things against the gate....kind of like the inmates in a prison....all she needs is the metal cup.
Two more teeth popped through as well this past week....that brings the total to four...well actually 3 1/2...I can't quite see the fourth but I can see the bulge on the gum so I'm counting it.
(No photo of these...I don't plan on taking a picture of all of them...see old photo of the first two)
She and Smores get along really well...Smores is always by her side
Grandma gave this dress to Alyssa in Maui...she's finally grown into it.
Bed Head after her nap
More Bed Head
After she hit her head...as you can see again, I made no attempt to help...bad daddy..but I got the shot!
"Nice, Nice Alyssa" This is what we say to her when she pets the cats and she actually understands..(we think)
Tryin' to bust out
Sweaty after a hard workout at the gym
Tryin' to push the gate down...must get out!
She was drinking out of the sippy cup standing up...she's crazy...so is our hair
That's more like it(referring to her hair)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Random Pics...and first steps...
Alyssa had a great week...she's been in a really good mood and she actually has taken up to three steps on her own. We're really excited for her but know that our workload is about to increase once she becomes more mobile.
Mommy and Alyssa...they posed for a quick pic before Traci went out to dinner with some friends.
Exploring new areas of the house
Alyssa can be pretty daring....good thing Traci was looking...as you can see, I didn't make a move to help...I got the shot though....
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Long Beach Lobsterfest
Jody and Vinh told us they were going to the annual Lobsterfest in Long Beach and since Daniel can't pass up eating lobster, we decided to join them. We wanted to beat the crowd so we got there when it first opened. It was perfect...no problem getting a good parking spot, a shaded table to eat at and the food lines were fairly short. The kiddos had a nice time playing together as always and the Daddys got to eat yummy lobster. Jody & I don't eat lobster, so luckily there were many other food choices available. We all had such a fun lobster day...thanks Jody & Vinh!
These are the steamers that the lobsters were cooked in
Had to use a crane to get the lobsters out
Tired after a long lobster day
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Pinkberry
Of course we didn't make it through the day without PB. Traci loves this stuff and it is addicting....so we headed to the local PB in Belmont Shores.....as you can see, Alyssa loves it too...yogurt mustache...
Lazy Saturday at the house...
Saturday, Traci ran some errands and so Alyssa and I spent some time together. I initially dressed her up in a long dress but then she couldn't crawl. So I put on a second outfit. It's weird, she has a closet full of clothes but at the same time, she has nothing to wear. Everything was either too big or too small. After these pics, we gave her a haircut...1 inch off the front. We also had our first BBQ for her at the house along with the spray pool. She didn't eat any of the turkey hot dogs or the turkey chili. (Traci doesn't eat beef) We didn't put up any of those pics because she was swimming in her diaper (and not those lil'swimmer type either) Of course, it absorbed about 2 pounds of water. (now we know what a REALLY wet diaper looks/feels like).
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Kidspace Children's Museum
On Sunday, we were all invited to a birthday party @ Kidspace in Pasadena. There were a bunch of kids there along with Alyssa's cousins. We all had a great time hanging out and playing games. Kidspace has an area for the little ones(Alyssa and Adrian) and a much larger area for the big kids. We stuck to the small area(similar to Gymboree). We even got to shop in Old Town afterwards.
The entrance to Kidspace
Auntie Kris and Alyssa...staring contest....
No Hands!
Getting ready for "no hands"
