Daycare performance

You had your first show! It was at your daycare, where you get a music lesson twice a week from a lady that comes over with an accordion.

At first you were very afraid of Santa, since he came into the house at the very beginning of the show, but then you loosened up a bit and started dancing and playing the instruments. It was pretty cute. You were one of the few kids who didn't constantly need one of her parents by her side, although at first you saw grandma and started crying so that she would come sit with you on the chair. There were a few Russian songs that I recognized, of course you didn't sing any of them, but you hummed, clapped and danced and since you love the drum you drummed as much as you could. Some of the time you would even stand all by yourself in the middle of the room. You received your first gift from Santa. It was an exciting evening!

Clapping to a song

Drumming away
Who is that scary guy dressed in a Santa Suit?
Quick! Get my present and run!

2 Years old - Happy Birthday little munchkin!

I have stopped thinking about time, there is really no point in dwelling on it. Yes, these 2 years have flown by and you are now a 2 year old! It makes me a little bit sad, but I am also so thankful because we've had so many fun memories and such great times in the last 2 years.

We took you to Disneyland for your 2nd Birthday!

The first few rides were a bit scary for you, especially Pinoccio, it was a bit dark and loud, you screamed a bunch of times and I felt really bad... we should have started out with something more mellow. Peter Pan ride was a bit better, although you still cried a little bit. Then we started making our way to "It's a small world" when I had the biggest surprise ever. As we made our way to the ride I saw familiar faces standing and kneeling all with t-shirts spelled out "Happy 30th Birthday Anna! We Love you!" I nearly fell over when I saw my family, Jeromey's family, cousin Sarah from Florida and lots of our friends all smiling and saying "happy birthday!" So since my birthday was only 5 days before yours I guess daddy decided he could just trick me into thinking we're just going for you, so I had no idea he was putting this huge surprise together. To say that I was overwhelmed, is probably an understatement, I couldn't even finish reading the t-shirts. There were people taking pictures of the group, wondering what in the world is going on?
In the evening everyone met up again at a restaurant where we celebrated! When a little cake was brought out for you, everyone sang happy birthday and you seemed to enjoy it and not get scared off by all the people and noise, you even blew out the candle all by yourself! We ended up going back to the park to enjoy a few more rides and then watch the Fantasmic show, you seemed to really be captivated by it all. What a fun day!

Your new accomplishments:
If you're in the mood, you are very chatty, and you started forming 3 word sentences like "I have poopoos" or "Daddy has it", or ... a bunch of others that I just don't understand. :) You are such a little person now, so playful and so adorable, with opinions and all!

You almost always let us know if your diaper is dirty, and you have asked to go on the potty a few times, but you've actually sat down on it without the diaper once. You have been picking out your clothes, and if there is something you don't want to wear you let us know, and you start taking it off, and basically throwing a fit, which is not fun. You've also started to hit, sometimes when we're in bed and you will just look at us and then you get that playful look in your eyes and you start smacking, that gets you in big trouble!

At your 2 year appointment here were your stats:
weight - 23.5 lbs - 10%
height - 34.5 inches - 75%
head circ. -18 inches - 8%

You're a skinny tall little munchkin!

Bed time has been ok. Some nights are better than others, you are still getting up and leaving your bed, we still have to hold the door, sometimes you get upset. Lately if I walk in to put you back in the bed, you start crying for daddy, you seem to not want to see me at all! You are definitely such a daddy's girl!

So far you've had 2 colds, it's never a good time when you're sick or have a fever. The first one seemed to be pretty mild, but after the 2nd one the cough is still lingering. I guess it's inevitable since most of the kids in the day care all got sick too. Hopefully the rest of the winter season will not be bad and filled with sicknesses.

Your first trip to Disneyland!

Everyone at Disneyland! Spelling out "Happy 30th Birthday Anna! We <3>

Blowing kisses to Mickey

Your first time seeing Mickey with our friends

Happy Birthday Sascha! We love you!

Thanksgiving in Fresno

Well first of all I have to say that you survived the 10 hour ride to Fresno which was supposed to be a 5 and half hour drive. What a little trooper you were. The DVD's helped of course as well as having my mom and either me or daddy in the back seat with you. Needless to say we will not be traveling by car through LA the day before thankgiving. The good news is that we got there safe and had a wonderful time in Fresno. I was amazed at all the colors of the trees, it was almost like New England in fall, so beautiful. We spend all the time hanging out with family, played tennis, basketball and had a delicious feast at Amy and Michaels new home. It was their first Thanksgiving there after they've completely rebuilt it. There were nearly 30 people there, 9 kids including Sascha. Edna and her family came from Connecticut so we got to see them as well. You played with all the kids, Katie always wanted to take care of you and show you around. You loved playing with all their toys. It was nice to have my parents there to help out as well, so we got to relax a little bit as well and they really enjoyed spending extra time with you!

On the last day we went on a hike on a lake about 20 mins outside the city and everyone did so well! It was a challenge to get 5 kids out the door for Amy and Michael but they did it, and most of them even walked half of the trail. You were in the backpack as usual, enjoying the view from above. On our way back, you fell asleep right in there, you must have gotten very tired or it was the fresh air, because you don't usually just fall asleep on the spot like that.

After the hike we all went to have an early dinner and afterwards it was time for us to drive back to San Diego, the drive back was so much better than the drive up, we hardly hit any traffic at all, and were home in no time.

At the long dinner table 9 kids and 14 adults

Fun times playing tennis with the boys

Our hike around the lake

You decided to fall asleep for the last part of the hike