Week 78

Dear Jorie,

Another busy week! I have a feeling all our weeks are going to be busy ones for the rest of the year.

This past week, you moved up to the bigger kids room at day care. You've been coming home tired but happy most days. There have been a few bumps, like this morning when I dropped you off and you had a meltdown, but for the most part the transition has gone smoothly.

Saturday we headed out to the Garden Center with Nannie and Grandpa for their indoor winter carnival, and also to buy our Christmas Trees. You had a great time at the indoor carnival, even though most of the stuff was for kids a little older than you.

Our first stop at the Carnival was the Petting Zoo. They had chickens, bunnies, a mule, a pony and your favorite this time, Llamas! Unlike the last time we were at a petting zoo, you were actually interested in the animals this time! you had a great time petting the Llamas in particular, who were very friendly. You also spent a bit of time watching the chickens zooming around in their pen. I couldn't help wondering if you were remembering the "Busy Chickens" book we read to you sometimes. We spent quite a bit of time trying to get the pony interested enough to stay put for you to pet him, but you really just wanted to go back to the Llamas.

After the Petting Zoo, I took you on the Carousel. You were not a huge fan at first, as soon as the carousel started moving you started signing "all done." Once you spotted your dad and Nannie and Grandpa on the side you perked up though. It was really cute, you'd look for them, smile when you saw them, and then get unhappy when you couldn't see them any more. You seemed to be having a good time for a while, but I think the ride went on a little too long for you, and you started signing "all done" a little while before the ride was over.

The highlight of the Carnival, however was the "light show." There was a "room" made out of black tarps, and inside was an entire light show of LED Christmas lights set to music. You absolutely loved it! You were dancing to the music on your Dad's lap and laughing hysterically. We unfortunately didn't get any pictures of that.

We also got a Christmas tree for us, and Nannie and Grandpa picked one out as well. This may be the only year we're able to have a Christmas tree in our living room, since the puppy is on 'cage rest' for his leg.

Sunday we went to a "Brunch with Santa" put on by the company I work at. You had a great time watching a (bad) magic show, and being cute for everyone at our table while we ate. One of my coworkers kids even shared his super cool "Toddler laptop" with you for a bit. Then Santa showed up! My boss had everyone sing some christmas carols, and then it was time to line up to sit on Santa's lap.

You were fine right up until the moment I put you on his lap. Then the tears came. You locked your arms around my neck and buried your face in my shoulder. I tried kneeling down next to Santa, but you were having none of it! Not even the nicely wrapped present he handed you would sway you, so I thanked him and brought you back to your Dad, who you launched yourself at as soon as you saw him.

You calmed down after a few minutes and we sat back down at the table to open your gift. It was a very nice little people car, with two little people in it! You've been playing with it non stop since you opened it, which is only slightly annoying as it sings. I can now sing along with it whenever you push the driver and make it sing, it's worth it though, since it makes you so happy.

This tuesday at Family dinner, we used your booster seat for the second time. You seem to be much happier being able to sit at the table with us while we eat, although you usually have to go to bed not too long after we sit down to eat. It's hard to believe you're big enough already to sit in a booster seat. It doesn't seem that long ago we had to prop you up with towels when we put you in the highchair.

We got some more snow last night, and hopefully it will stick around. Nannie and Grandpa got you some gloves and some more snow pants, so I'm hoping to take you out into the snow again this weekend, and see if we can't have a better time than the last trek out into the snow!

I love you baby girl!