Beck's 9 Month Checkup

Height: 29", 75%
Weight: 21lbs 6oz, 55%
Head: 47 1/4cm, 95%


And look who's walking!!...




He took his first step Sunday morning and followed it up with 3 steps in the afternoon. Yikes...







Ellery's artwork from preschool...







My little fans of black beans...




Ellery at about 10 or 11 months...




The kids and I went to Palm Desert last weekend to see my mom. Highlights of the trip - cruising around in the golf cart and visiting The Living Desert...

2012. Off to a great start.

We have noticed a difference in Ellery's independence and self confidence lately. She can still be shy but opens up a lot more than she used to. I catch her waving to people in other cars, talking to the guy at the cash register and letting people into "her space" more than ever. I think we owe most of this new behavior to preschool. Last Thursday was the first day where there were no tears or any hesitation during drop off. And she asked to go back in as we walked to the car after school. She's got some pretty hilarious things coming out of her mouth and not so funny things going up her nose. She's discovered that little things like Cheerios, dried apples and shredded cheese fit nicely in those nostrils. I warned her that doing so might earn her a trip to the hospital and she hasn't put anything up there in a few days. This girl loves her brother. The other day we went to get Beck from his afternoon nap and she says "Beck awake? Oh, good morning sweetie! Hi sweet boy!" (while caressing his cheek) I didn't expect her to love him as much as she does and it brings me so much joy. I guess I better soak it up because it wont always be this way.

Beck loves his big sis as well and when he's not pulling her hair out (he's a terrible hair puller!) he seems to be enamored with all things Elle. I think I've already said how much this boy gets into, and it aint slowin' down! He is into EVERYthing! My sister says this is normal and Ellery was abnormal but geez. It's difficult to keep up with him AND get anything accomplished. I fold a shirt and stop to see what he's into. Run to take the trash out, run back to see what he's into and before I get to the door I hear Ellery shouting "Mooooommy! Beck in a plant!" I enter the front door to find him and the floor covered in soil, moss and leaves. I was vacuuming the other day while he and Elle were playing in the playroom and he managed to get the vacuum cord wrapped around his neck. What? You have all of these toys and you go for the vacuum cord? He's curious and quick. A dangerous combination. He'll be walking soon too, yikes. He's standing solo for brief moments and walking behind anything that he can move. He also finds it to be quite fun to put something under one or both hands and crawl. It was tupperware today. While he goes to anyone, he's definitely a mamas boy, which pleases me to no end. He even passed up the plant today while crawling towards me... true love. As exhausting and messy as this stage is, I wouldn't trade it for anything...







My grandparents, Ann and Wendell, came down for a couple of days. It was so nice to see them and for the great grandkids to spend some time with them...










The best part about overalls? The snack pocket...




Forgot to include these from December -- Cookie decorating party at Auntie Mars'!!...

























Gettin' Fancy Nancied by the girls...

Christmas 2011!

Got a lot of catching up to do but so little time.
Summary of our Christmas: Fabulous! Filled with friends, family and Lightening McQueen.








Good times with Papa Dance...







Sour, yet irresistible...







We spent a couple days in Coronado with Grandma Wanda...




And met Santa!!! We had been talking about meeting Santa for a while and when he came through the door Ellery turned her head and wouldn't even look at him. Actually having this character within arms reach was just too much for her to handle. My mom and I were laughing hysterically. She said I was the same way when I was Elle's age. Beck, on the other hand, goes to anyone, including Santa,




...Mrs. Clause and Santa's helper. Kathy and I took the kids to SeaWorld and had a blast...



















Our 4 inch tall snowman. We're in San Diego after all...
















Amy in town!!! We loved having you here. Come back soon and get your baby fix!...













Elle's preschool was going to close for Christmas break and the director recommended that we take some pics of her classroom and playground and show them to her periodically to hopefully avoid "starting over" when it opened back up. It was a great idea and drop-off this week went well. There are still a few tears but they stop the minute I walk out the door and she is always in the best mood when I pick her up. As we walked to the car today, she told me "Elry yove preschool"...







THAT IS MILK! I have tried everything to get this girl to drink milk. Cows milk, almond milk, soy milk, chocolate milk, rice milk, you name it. Then she starts preschool and she loves it. One of the perks of peer pressure!...




The peer pressure thing is also proving effective with use of the potty!...

























Cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer...




Beck's first tool belt...




Santa must have known how great these two have been because they scored big!...







Ellery's favorite gift...




And the one we thought would be her favorite, her very own Lightening McQueen car! She had the same reaction as she did with Santa. Once she saw what it was she turned her head - overwhelmed! Since then she has gotten more comfortable driving it and with a pillow tucked behind her she can reach the pedals. But you have to run along side her because this car is quick and she rarely steers. It's really quite funny. And exhausting. I had the video camera rolling, Zach had her hand so this is the only picture I have. I'll get my moms pictures and post at a later time...




*She got this car and Queen slippers from Santa, a Queen ornament and Pez dispenser from Auntie Mars, a Queen plush toy and tote from Mark and Katie and a Queen computer from Papa Dance. Am I forgetting something? Funny thing is, we don't even own this movie. We borrowed it from our neighbors just long enough for her to fall madly in love. Seriously, she even blushes when she sees Queen. KaChow!







Zach and I took the kids to SeaWorld on New Years Eve to play and watch the fireworks. We had a great time but the only bummer was the fog was so thick we saw Red Fog, oooooo Green Fog, ahhhhh and for the finale, Colorful Fog! Ellery didn't care, she just thought it was cool to see sharks in the dark...












Happy New Year!