Bluebonnets for Daileyanne

One of the things that every Texas family has to do (seriously.. I think it's in the bylaws) is risk life and limb by pulling over on a precarious highway shoulder to plop their babies into fields of the State Flower. For some reason Bluebonnets must thrive on car exhaust because the biggest and bluest fields always seen to be on tight medians between two highways! So this weekend we were romanced by the speckles of blue whizzing by our car window and pulled over to get our own pictures. :) Dailey thought they were beautiful (They really really are) and was too busy inspecting the soft petals to give me a smile- or even eye contact! We did find another patch later on that was much more convenient and Day was able to play for a bit. Tomorrow instead of brushing out Cherrios or Goldfish crackers from her carseat I'll smile as I scoop out bluebonnet petals. Love that Texas baby of mine!

Videos from our Pre Christmas Shopping trip

More Christmas!

Christmas 09

Here's just a few clips of Dailey's Christmas!

While everyone waited in anticipation at the bottom of the stairs Dailey zoomed past everyone to run to her Daddee who was Skyping from the laptop. It took ten minutes of chatting with him before we could tempt her into noticing the mountain of gifts under the tree. I love how much she loves him!

This hat was a huge hit. Unfortunately it will be shedding pink glitter into her scalp for the next 6 months. :)

The Haul. Having a kid in the house for Christmas is pretty awesome. I can see how it can get out of control some years though! There's nothing like the big grin of your baby on Christmas Morning. (Also...I'm really excited about all the Wood, Open Ended Play and Eco Friendly things and how much she is enjoying them. I was worried that the wrapping paper would win the "Top Present" title! :)

Pictures for Patrick

Patrick has been opening his Christmas presents as they arrive (I KNOW you have Mister!) and we wanted one more present he could open on Christmas Day. We asked a local friend to shoot a few pictures of the both of us (some how Momma always ends up on the backside of a camera) for him. Here's a little peek :)

Dear Daileyanne

Hey babycakes!
You are a few days into your 15th month right now and solidly into your toddlerdom. Right now you have added - Socks, Shoes, Coat, Hat, Cat, Sheep, Thank You, Sorry, Hurt, Banana, Cookie, Apple, Pear, Car, Plane, Water, Drink, Grandma, Sleep, Bath, Brush Teeth, Book- to your list of signs and use them in sentences. My favorite are "Momma Drink Milk Please" for nursing and "Mommy Bath" when Mimi asked where I was. Your favorite is "Please Baby Signing Please" when you want to watch a Signing DVD or "Mimi Eat Cookie Please" when you are suckering Mimi into giving you just one more Christmas Cookie. ;)
Your words are spilling out and I'm afraid I haven't been good about noting what they are. The last two days have added Cookie, Bubbles and Stop It. (Which I promise is only directed at the dogs and never at you!)

Few of my favorite moments this month...
The Elementary school Mimi volunteers at asked to sponsor Daddee and send him some care packages. When they arrived he was able to use his web camera to call the school during the kids lunch. They put him on the big screen and you were THRILLED to see your Daddee 10 feet tall! You kept yelling, waving and blowing kisses. Even ran over everyone nearby, pointed at him and pretty much said "That's MY DADDY". It was beyond touching, I can't wait till you have the live version back!
When anyone goes to the bathroom downstairs you request a square of toilet paper. We'll ask you to wipe the faces of the wooden sheep that live there (okay I'll admit its a distraction method) The two of us where upstairs, where there are no sheep, and you weren't quite sure what to do with your little TP square. When I suggested you wipe your face you gave me a disbelieving glance and pondered it for a moment. Then it totally dawned on you what you should be doing.... You lifted your leg, wiped and tossed it in the potty. Duh Mom!
"Shoes" is your favorite sign ,favorite word and favorite thing to put on. We were at a store last weekend and you removed 12 pairs from the rack and tried them ALL on over your own shoes. You were surprisingly agile in those size 10s!
We practise making funny faces and your "one finger cheek pull and tounge wiggle followed by a giggle and eyeroll" is by far the funniest thing I've seen this month.

I love you kiddo... I miss that tiny baby but MAN this kid you are turning into is fun! :D
Momma

A video for Patrick