The Final Page

This blog began as a way for BA and me to keep track of my pregnancy milestones and keep our families informed about the birth of their grandchild.  It grew into a detailed account of the two plus years that changed our lives forever as we welcomed little Leah into our family, and it has been a wonderful way to document our transition into parenthood.  This blog has come to an end, but our family adventures will go on. 

Thank you for reading. 

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  The Peanut went as a strawberry this year :)  Her preschool class had a costume parade (loaded the kids into buggies and pushed them around the school into other classrooms so the "big kids" could see them) and then a class party.  Here are some pictures from Leah's Halloween festivities.  

Peanut in all her strawberry glory ...

Other costumes in the 1-year-old classroom included a peanut, two lions, Tigger, a hamburger, a dragon, two cowgirls, and various superheros.  As you would expect, it was adorable.

But this is how our day started ...

"I hate Tuesdays"

But things started to improve once we arrived at preschool and loaded up the buggies for the parade.

"Wheeeeeee, this is fun!"

And then the party started ...  (the kid in the background looks ready to get his groove on)

The kids chatted it up before the food was brought out ...

Leah: "I just heard that they are going to start limiting our goldfish intake at snack time to one handful?!?!"
Leah's Dragon Friend: "I'm stunned!"

Leah has acquired a new "activity" at her preschool mealtimes, where after she finishes her snack, she'll graze around the table trying to partake in her friends' leftovers.  For some reason, my 25th-percentile-for-weight child has the biggest appetite in her class.

Here she is having her first course (her snack) ...

Now, soliciting leftovers from her classmates ...

And .......  success. 

Happy Halloween!

All's well when Dad's here.

Footloose and Fancy Free

This past weekend, we found something that doesn't exist in California: an empty soccer field.  (Although LA has plenty of empty basketball courts - a rare find in the south).*

So we let Leah run wild.  She had the best time, and spent most of this time running away from us.  Since there weren't many people around, we didn't feel the need to chase after her, and she had a blast.  (She also slept incredibly well that night...I think we'll be finding empty soccer fields a lot more often).

As a product of preschool, she also is a bit of a social butterfly.  She has no problem walking straight up to any kid on the playground. It's fun to watch the Peanut hold her own out there.

Leah is walking really well these days.  So for those of you who haven't seen Leah in a little while, enjoy these clips.

*Editor's Correction:  L.A. does not have plenty of empty basketball courts.  They are filled with skateboarders. 

Go Ahead, Give Me Your Best Shot

BA's Corner: Where's Daddy?

AA, Nana, and I were sitting at the table tonight while I fed Leah her dinner.  Halfway through....

BA: "Leah, where's Mommy?"

Leah looks at AA and points to her.

BA: "Good job.  Now, where's Nana?"

Leah looks at Nana and smiles.

AA: "Good job."

Nana: "Where's Daddy?"

Leah shakes her head "no."

One Small Step for Peanut, One Giant Leap into Toddlerland

Leah took her first official steps on Labor Day - September 3rd, 1 week before her 14-month birthday.  She'd taken a step here and there for about a week when we tricked her into it, but on this day she began stringing them together. 

Yesterday was the first day we could get her to walk between something other than 2 people.  (The book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" seemed to do the trick...she loves sliding the little windows).  Tonight, she surprised us by suddenly walking halfway across the room to AA.  She's getting better and more confident each day.  But we tend to wear her out "practicing" - she certainly lets us know when we've hit the limit.

We're proud of our little Peanut!

Quesadilla Night