snug as a bug

we made it to the east coast and are settling in, even bundled up and went for a long, much-needed walk with my mom and win this morning.  the flight was painless [jet blue re-routed us on a direct flight!!] but thea was up from 1-4am last night.  damn jet lag.  

here she is napping peacefully yesterday:

thanks for the photo lizzie!

oh come all ye faithful

we are getting ready to hit the hay after a wonderful christmas day. i have to say, the days leading up to christmas were more than a bit chaotic and didn't even feel like the holidays to me. i was a little down about it on christmas eve but today totally made up for it...just a nice, cozy, relaxing day at home with zack and thea...exactly what we all needed.

we kept the presents to a minimum as [1] we don't need anything and [2] don't have the space for one more thing around here and [3] are very aware that for future christmases thea will require much more than wrapping paper or an empty box to be satisfied! that being said, zack gave me a really awesome new laptop and i got him this cool water carbonator [thanks for the idea sue and kevin!], both of which we've already put to good use.

thea got a few things including an elmo doll. we've watched sesame street a handful of times and she is definitely drawn to elmo while watching but he is ubiquitous - on her toothpaste, her earth's best snacks and her diapers, to name a few - so she's pretty much in love with him and says his name 500 times a day.

note: thea's faux hawk is in full effect in this video and check out her new t-shirt [a present from her dada, chargers fan that he is].



for my family: here is our attempt at a christmas morning top-of-the-stairs photo, self portrait style. not quite the same without you all!



merry christmas everyone! we wish you much love and happiness this holiday season. we head to the east coast tomorrow night and are looking forward to everything but the g.d. cold weather. we're trying to prepare:

head, shoulders, knees and toes

thea became obsessed with her belly button a little over a month ago and now she loves learning the names of all her various body parts. here's a short video reviewing some of her favorites:

nana and thea

my two favorite sagittarians mucking it up in a pumpkin patch!





happy birthday mom! we LOVE you!!!

photos taken october 21, 2009.

11/29/2009

here are some photos from thea's actual birthday. we had a really nice day filled with hanging out together and buying our christmas tree. plus, thea got to open cards and presents from our families which she loved. thanks to everyone for all the lovely and generous gifts!



becky, charlie and max: the balloons were a big hit!









great minds think alike: carol and my parents sent the same card which was adorable. thea enjoyed opening it the second time as much as the first time :)





opening a present from ggma and ggpa:



psyched about the leggings from aunt katie!



at the christmas tree farm:





woo hoo! i'm one!!

party time!

thea and her buddies: audrey, genevieve and olivia









when zack went to purchase thea's birthday cake the cashier said, "first birthday huh? it's really a celebration of the fact that you and your wife didn't kill each other." a little part of me agrees with that statement :)



the GIANT piñata! thank you laura!!



happy birthday little monkey. we love you!!