Feeling Better

The twinkle in my eyes is back!

In the words of Robert Earl Keen - It feels so good feeling good again! Yes, I feel much better today and almost made the whole day without any fever. That means I am well on my way to a full recovery - not quite in time to go partying tonight to celebrate New Year's Eve. Instead, we are spending a quiet evening at home together, listening to the faint sound of fireworks in the distance. We will not make it until midnight, so I am glad there are some people celebrating a bit early.

It's been a wonderful year! I have learned so much, and I look forward to all the new experiences 2009 holds. Happy New Year, everyone!

Still Sick

Taking my own temperature

Hi, everyone. I spent most of the day feeling lousy again. Mommy took me to the doctor this morning, so hopefully I'll feel better again soon. My fever was almost 104 again tonight, which causes Mommy to worry. On the bright side, I have gotten my binky at times other than bedtime only. I love my binky...almost as much as ELMO!

Mysterious Post Christmas Illness

December 27, 2007 - so sick!

December 28, 2008 - so sick!

I don't have much to say because I am sick. Apparently, I get sick after Christmas every year. I know I have only been around for two Christmases, but a pattern is already establishing itself.

23 Months

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

As I reflect on this past month, I can't help but focus on how the Christmas season has been enhanced by seeing things through your eyes. You don't quite understand what it all means yet, but you were excited about every light, Christmas tree, and Santa that you saw. Your excitement about things big or small, common or new...is a constant reminder to me about appreciation and really seeing the world around me. That is one of the precious gifts you give me.

We spent a lot of time visiting family and friends, and you were your usual friendly self, giving out lots of hugs and kisses. Your facial expressions are ever-increasing and make us laugh every day. We think you might have some thespian in you since you can show different emotions on demand.

What do you like this month? You like to undress your dolls. As hard as you try, you can't quite get their clothes back on them, so they are all naked all the time. Your favorite book is Fancy Nancy. You love watching television -Sesame Street, Curious George, The Backyardigans. We limit your viewing, but you are not always happy about that and try to turn on the television yourself with the remote. You quickly find more interesting (and better) ways to entertain yourself. You still like me bunches and don't want me to ever leave you. If I so much as put on my shoes, you attach yourself to my leg. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you are going with me. If not, you cry, cry, cry...It's heart-wrenching for me to watch you peeled to the window while I pull out in my car. You continue to try new foods, although macaroni and cheese is still your favorite. You aren't a big dare-devil, opting for help with tasks such as climbing off of the bed or jumping.

This month has also held some challenges. Apparently, it's difficult to be almost two. It's difficult for you because you want what you want when you want. You can't always communicate what that is or the answer is a firm no, both of which frustrate you. It's difficult for me because I am trying to find a balance between allowing you your growing independence and enforcing necessary boundaries. I know we have many months ahead to figure it all out!

I love you, even when you're onery,

Mommy

Cream Gravy Christmas

I love Elmo!

I really love Elmo!

I really, really love Elmo!

A tradition held by Mommy and Daddy is having a cream gravy Christmas. The first year they were married, Mommy asked Daddy what he would like for Christmas dinner, and he said he would like chicken fried steak. They got up that morning and made a big breakfast with eggs, bacon, and biscuits with gravy and then had the chicken fried steak later in the day. It was such a hit that it became a tradition. Although I had a waffle this year, I know I will appreciate it in the future. Aunt Cindy and Uncle Chris came over (Uncle Chris hears chicken fried steak, and he comes running!) to spend the afternoon with us. We also made a quick trip to visit Tripp and his family.

It was a great day all around. I opened my presents as soon as I woke up. I received many wonderful presents, but my favorite is a talking Elmo (and I mean REALLY talking...he tells stories with animation, asks you to pick him up if he falls over, etc...). Thank you to my family and friends for making this day special!

Festive Family Fun

Uncle Larry let me wear his hat!

Being Silly

Uncle Jeff wasn't interested in putting together my doll highchair,

but the boys' train set really got his attention.

Thank you, Uncle Randy, for putting together my doll highchair.

Dzo

We just made what we like to call our "Christmas Swing" to see our family for the holidays. We first went to Bryan to spend time with Mommy's family. My Uncle Randy just bought a house in the country, so there was a big yard and lots to do. The most significant part of the trip was meeting Dzo (pronounced Joe by us Americans). He is from Latvia, and Uncle Randy and Aunt Amanda are trying to adopt him. I may have another cousin soon! After Bryan, we went to Houston to see Daddy's family. When we got home, my brothers and sisters came over with their families. The holidays is about spending time with loved ones, and I am so lucky to have so many!

Christmas Eve

Cookies and Milk for Santa

Here's the plate I made for Santa's cookies.

Christmas is exhausting.

Although I don't quite yet understand what all the hub-bub is about, I am participating in all the Christmas traditions. Tonight, we placed cookies on a plate and left a glass of milk for Santa. Since I was still excited about all the activity over the past few days, I didn't take a nap...not for one minute. I was so tired by early evening that I fell asleep on Mommy's shoulder, which she enjoyed.

We Love to Read

Daddy loves to read and hopes that I, too, will love it. Here's a photo of us reading together. Of course, he is reading something like The New Yorker and I am reading the Toys-R-Us ad, but I have to start somewhere, right?

Gingerbread House(s)

Ooops!

Serious Concentration

Beautiful!

Even Happy the handyman couldn't fix the first gingerbread house we attempted. While Daddy was holding the roof in place, it collapsed under his incredible strength. Daddy felt horrible and said he would go buy us another gingerbread house kit...until he found out it was purchased at Costco (he reluctantly goes to Costco no more than twice a year, and he had already fulfilled his obligation for 2008). Anyway, Mommy got me another one (unlike Daddy, she uses any and every excuse to go to Costco!) and it worked like a charm. It's pretty, huh?

BaBa's Birthday

Birthday Kisses

The cake is ready!! The cake is ready!!

My BaBa is here for a visit and today is her 75th birthday! Mommy and I made her a cake, and I even got to help blow out the candles as practice for my upcoming birthday.

New Hat

Isn't my new hat cute???

Just Say No

Shake your head from left to right

Shake your head with all your might
Shake your head and let it go
I'm doing the dance called the NO NO NO
-Elmo

Mommy just got a book called How To Say No To Your Toddler. She really didn't need to spend money on the book. All she had to do was ask me how to say NO since I am an expert! Apparently, I have read the book How To Say No To Your Parents and have perfected the technique. I can make a simple two-letter, one-syllable word seem much longer just by tone in my voice and the expression on my face. Since I like saying it much more than being told it, I think I'll find a good hiding spot for that new book of Mommy's.

Mommy's Dream Realized

Mommy, I am sending you an SOS!

Here I am swimming to Miss Glenna

My swim mates

As you probably know, I have been taking swim lessons every week for over a year now. Mommy gets in the water with me and we do activities at the direction of my instructor. The spring session of swimming lessons starts in January. I'll finally sit on the side of the pool while I wait my turn, with Mommy high and dry watching me. We decided to do a "trial run" this past week to test my readiness for such a big step. While I did complain some and got up a couple of times, I was easily redirected to sit back on my red turtle. Miss Glenna said I did a great job!

Real Live Doll

Yesterday Tater Tot (aka Tate) came by for a visit. She is now two months old. After sizing her up and assessing her neck strength, I determined she would be perfect for my doll stroller. I was right - she fit like a glove!

The Hair's Lair

Checking out the toys

Just a little bit off the top, please

Getting styled

My new do

THE place to get a kid's hair cut in Austin is The Hair's Lair in the 26 Doors shopping center. Margo is the owner/hairdresser and has been cutting kids hair in her tiny shop for years. It's kinda iconic like The Dry Creek. I like to go early because there are great toys to play with. I, of course, gravitate to the dolls. I have dolls at home, but I don't have doll barber chairs and blow dryers like they do. I was well-behaved during my haircut and even had my hair "styled".

See You in 2009

Ben's trying to get me! Chase is a favorite game of ours!

With my friend Kayla

Looks like fun!

Yesterday I met up with my classmates at Whole Foods for an end-of-the-semester celebration. Since we follow the university's schedule, we are off now until the middle of January (47 days to be exact - one of the mommies has a countdown calendar). We ate lunch, played on the playground and watched the ice skaters...yes, ice skaters. Whole Foods creates a roof top rink every December. Only in Texas can you ice skate when it is 82 degrees. Since "cold" is one of the newest additions to my vocabulary, I had loads of fun carrying around a piece of ice, touching it to someone (everyone!) and saying, "COLD!"

We've Been Elfed!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Visit with Santa

Is that him????

I'm keeping an eye on you, Mr. Claus!

In my pretty dress

This makes my doll house look like a shack!

What do you mean I can't have the $699 doll house?

This morning, Mommy got me dressed in my Christmas finest for a visit with Santa at Barton Creek Mall. Daddy met us there and we got in line just in time to watch Santa arrive. I expected to see him on a sleigh with some reindeer, but he just strolled in from the direction of Macy's. I was excited to see him, but not too crazy about sitting on his lap. I was a trooper, though, mainly because I wanted the M&M's I was promised.

After that, Mommy and I walked around the mall before stopping at Pottery Barn Kids for some hands-on window shopping. They have the best kitchens, desks, doll accessories, doll houses, etc...I could have stayed there all day. They had so much good stuff that I wished I could have gone back to Santa to add to my wish list!

I Saw Mommy Sitting on Santa's Lap

Mommy and Santa

Last night, Mommy and Daddy went to the MVBA Christmas party and had a good time. While they were at the party, Connie took me to the tree lighting at the State Capital. I saw a glimpse of Santa. I guess he was on his way to the MVBA party because Mommy took a photo with him there to show me that he is not scary at all. When she asks me if I am going to sit on Santa's lap, I nod enthusiastically, but we'll see what really happens when we go see him. Last year I was also excited about it until I was plopped on his lap - that's when the tears started!

Improvisation

I love the ball pit at my tumbling class, so Mommy made one for me at home in the laundry basket!

Be Careful What You Say Around Me

Daddy recently took a photo of Mommy and me lounging on the sofa reading a book. When Mommy saw the photos, she commented that she looked like a beached whale. Now, when I see the Pacific Life commercials showing the whale jumping out of the water I say, "Mommy!"

Tripp's mommy may be a moose (see http://teamrileyfamily.blogspot.com/ on 9/22/08), but mine is a whale.

Silhouette

Today I had my silhouette done by the "silhouette man". Mommy says it's a requirement for a child to have this done. Here's the final product!