Happy New Year!

I can't believe this wonderful year is coming to an end, and you are growing up so fast!! It's been so amazing. I look at our photos and videos all day long and I have a hard time coming to grips with how much you've changed our lives.

Last night your dad and I were talking about our best memories of you from when you were a baby. I said I loved swaddling you and sitting with you in your room and having your face cradled in my neck. I knew I should put you in your crib when you were asleep, but I just couldn't let go of you. You were so little and so precious. Dad's favorite memory was Master Sunday waking up at 5am or whatever early wake up time you once had, letting me sleep in, and feeding you on the sofa and then having you fall asleep on his chest for 2 hours.


We both agreed that the best was getting you up from bed when you were wearing your little bitty sleep gown. There was something about it that made you look so innocent, beautiful and angelic, and we would always stop to marvel at you when you wore one. I remember taking this picture so vividly...we couldn't believe you fell asleep while we were changing your diaper.


Happy new year. We love you.

Walking Maddie

I just noticed there is a function where I can upload videos...so I thought I would give it a try! Last week you had such a blast walking Maddie, and luckily we caught it on tape.

Just Like Your Mama

Although we've never been able to figure out if you look like Dad or me (I'm leaning toward Dad), I have seen some personality traits that definitely resemble either of us. The other day I caught you doing something very Mama-Like. You were playing with your Little People Airplane and you've started making the people walk into the plane (pretend play, here we come!) but something else you like to do is take each of the three little ladies and put them in the center of a flower on your playroom rug. That would normally seem like no big deal I guess...but to me it screams "OCD" tendencies...needing everything to be neat, tidy, and in its place. Just like your mama likes it!! (Sorry Finley!). It's very cute because you'll spend a good five minutes doing this because often when you finish putting one in the center of one flower you lean or walk over to the next one and you accidentally knock over he first one. So you start again at the beginning and get them to stand again, each in the center circle. Once you are done you typically survey the work and smile proudly at your fine handiwork.

The good news is you take after your dad in one of the best way possible...you sleep like a rock!!! :)

Mmnah, Mmnah, Mmnah, Mmnah...

No, that's not another Hebrew song, that's the sounds you make when you feed your dolls food. Here you are being ever so nurturing and feeding your doll (named Happy) bananas. You tend to like giving her cheesy crackers too, which I wish you didn't since her face is starting to turn orange!

You recently received a boatload of new dolls, which include a mini Harry Elephante, a frog, a bear, a dog, and Happy. So far Happy is the only one that has a name. Your mother's creative naming juices are not flowing because of lack of sleep. You are teething (it seems you asked Santa for 6 new teeth this Christmas!) and it's wrecking havoc on your sleep and nap routine (and mine!), as well as your appetite and all around demeanor. You are in the midst of getting your first 4 molars and two more teeth on the bottom (that go next to your two existing bottom ones). So you are doubling your existing tooth count pretty fast! I think it'll take a few weeks for these to come all the way through, so it may be a while until those baby dolls get names other than "Doggie", "Froggie" etc.


Oh, I found out what people do on the night of Christmas by the way. They eat junk food. Perhaps that is our new tradition (no, no, not yours...your dad and me!). Daddy did a late night run to pick up ice cream and chips! Shame Christmas only happens once a year! :)

Merry Chrismakah!!

Happy Holidays! We had a lovely morning, Dad fixed breakfast while we played and although you were fairly tired from your late night last night we managed to open all your presents! Your favorite was a bath toy and you insisted we take it to the bath and play with it, pronto! So you stripped down and spent a good 20 minutes pouring water in and out of cups and shapes. The funny thing is I completely forgot I bought that toy until the moment you opened it!!

You also got your first set of golf clubs (you enjoyed the bouncy balls most, the clubs turned out to be batons for you!) and a baby doll, and another favorite was your wooden elephant pull toy. You liked it so much that you didn't want him to walk alone so you took him for a spin with your little caravan of animals. You also bought a sheep for Christmas. Yes, through Oxfam you did. We hope to instill the spirit of giving, not just receiving at holiday time. And we know how much you love sheep, so thought it appropriate that you give one to those who need it most.

It was a lovely morning and now you are napping. I'm not sure what people do on the night of Christmas...is there some kind of rule or tradition? I'll have to go ask Daddy.

Who's my Rockstar?

We went to Bubbie and Zaydie's for dinner with Uncle Bob & Auntie Falon tonight and you had such a great time! You especially enjoyed the silver and gold tree shaped napkin rings and loved taking one from Zaydie and walking it to the other room where Bubbie was in the kitchen, and ever so generously sharing them all with her!

We basically fed you munchies for 3 hours in order to keep you nice and relaxed and some unexpected things came up on your plate...like a buttery croissant and Mighty Bites for dinner! Mixed in was the occasional bean and chicken bite or yam. But the fruits before dinner and crackers filled you up pretty good! But you had a nice dinner and flirted with Bob and got your toes kicking in your gorgeous new boots. We were so surprised when carollers came knocking at our door and we got to enjoy two songs from them! What fun!!

You got an adorable Bighorn Sheep pillow from Zaydie, cause he knows how much you love animals, and you were so sweet when you lay your head down on it so that we could take your picture. Dinner ran pretty late and by 8:30pm you were ready to call it quits before even opening gifts so away we went and you went to sleep in the car pretty quickly.

Tomorrow morning you get to open gifts, I wonder if you'll get it? Will you understand what these new things are that that they were carefully selected for you? Dad says our new tradition will be blueberry buckwheat pancakes and eggs on Christmas morning so he's going to cook for us tomorrow morning while we play. I'm looking forward to it!

Take a Hike Baby!

Today was a wonderful morning of spending a beautiful family day outside! We joined up with your best bud Abby and her Mama and Dada Emily & Ryan and had a lovely afternoon hike out in the Cove. I carried you in the backpack for the first time. It sure was a workout! But you seemed very content in there (and even kept your hat on the entire time!).

When we got you out of the pack you decided it was time you got on your own two feet to do some walking. You had no interest in going back to the car but wanted to keep on moving! So away we went! For twenty whole minutes...you walked! Wow! It doesn't sound like much but we were amazed how far you went and never asked to go "UP!" You did befriend a rock (yes, I said rock) that you named "ACK!" and carried him the entire journey, all the way back to the car when I told you he had to stay on the trails. You also had your first lesson as a dog walker...and you LOVED walking Maddie and got a huge kick out of it! A very fun morning indeed.

Now Dad is off Christmas shopping (Can you believe? It's the Sunday before Christmas!!) and for the second day in a row you are struggling through your nap. On and off crying spurts for 2 hours yesterday, and about an hour today. You are muttering to yourself now in your crib (probably about your abandoned pet rock!) and hopefully you'll get some rest soon. But it's teething season I guess...and from what I can feel it seems like there are 4 new molars that might make an appearance for 2008.

I'm Perfect!

We went to your 18 month well visit a few days ago...and walked out with the results: You're Perfect! We certainly didn't need a doctor to tell us that, but it helps to hear it! After being very frightened only 5 months ago and in Loma Linda Hospital for some bizarre health issues (which seemed to have been a virus that went away), to seeing the little girl you are today, well, I just couldn't be more thrilled. It's hard for a mother to not get obsessed over health issues, and even though they are in the past, they always linger in my mind that whatever it was could potentially come back. But I see no reason to feel that way anymore. Whatever it was is gone for good and you are my little superstar.

You now weigh 25 lbs 14 oz and are 33.5 inches tall. That has you falling just around 70th percentile for weight and 90th for height! You sure are tall! Dr. Go was so happy to hear how your vocabulary has blossomed, and that you've learned your colors and some shapes too! You spent the time sitting in the exam room scribbling on the paper that covers the exam table. It's so wonderful to watch you draw and interested in colors and shapes!

It's amazing to think that 18 months have flown by and the little 5 pounder that you once were, with your head full of black hair, your crooked little nose and toes, is now a walking and talking, fun and spectacular toddler! I wonder what the next 18 months will hold!!

So when do kids stop falling so much??

We've had a few more bumps and bruises this week, including one sad little fall I somehow captured on camera (blame my slow shutter lag) and I hate to post it but....... it kind of makes me laugh (only because I know you weren't hurt at all!! Is this a terrible thing for a mother to do???!!). It did surprise you though...it was a header right in the grass at Emily's. You also fell off your rocking moose this week, also a teeny bit funny (because you didn't hurt yourself!) but you went over sideways with the thing still in between your knees! Oh it scared me, but you were fine (shocked, yes, but fine).

Then the one that wasn't so funny was the split lip and bruised chin. You and Daddy were playing the "I'm going to get you!" game and it turns out he didn't get you at all! Down into the tile you went, chin first. I seriously wonder how long this phase will last and when will you stop falling so much so that I can rest easy (well, easier!). But you are such a curious little girl always running places and not looking to see what's in your way and I guess that's just the consequence we've got to live with!

Look at my Grapefruit!

You find the oddest things to attach yourself to, today you decided it would be the grapefruit. Emily picked it off her tree just for us and you loved smelling it all day. You woke up from your nap and it was the first thing on your mind. You signed that it was yellow and tried to tell me it's bumpy.

When we went to the grocery store later today you attached yourself to a bag of onions and managed to scream "Onion!!" all over up and down the aisles. It was the first time you learned the word and you caught on to it quite well. The correct pronunciation in Finley Speak would sound more like "Uhn-nyo!!"

I know I've been slacking and not writing as often as I'd like to...this holiday time is just so darn busy! I promise to get back up to speed. The fact is if I don't write these special things that you do down now, I'll forget it in a day (yes, Mommy brain continues well past pregnancy, so when you are older and I forget to pick you up at soccer practice I might try to blame you!). And I want you to be able to hear these memories later in life. I think that would be so awesome to share with you .... and use as blackmail when you are a teenager. Love you darling.

Saturday Strolling

How fun when your Dad doesn't work on Saturdays...we get to actually co-mingle at events with other families! I mean really, who holds events on Wednesdays or Thursdays, our usual 'weekends'?

So yesterday we went down to El Paseo and visited a Christmas affair. There was a Santa (who waved at you lots but you wouldn't even crack a smile back at him!), and Mrs. Claus,(who was actually dressed quite indecently!!) and some kids choir and ornament making and lots of doggies! (You know you are a mother when Dogs are now only referred to as 'Doggies' and same goes for 'Horsies.' In fact, if I even try to say the plural of Horse as Horses it sounds completely wrong. Oh well. :)

But the highlight of the day was wandering down El Paseo and visiting galleries and jewelry shops. You seemed to like being in both types of shops...so I think you are a lot like your Mummy! It was a lot of fun having Daddy with us on a Saturday and to show your appreciation of him you always take like super crazy 4-5 hour naps for him. It's ridiculous! You go down at about noon to five for him, but for me we are lucky with 3 hours! Perhaps I should take it as a compliment that you want to see me oh so badly. A mother's got to tell herself whatever it takes to make it through the day. ;-)

Ho Ho Ho... It's a Holiday Tree

There was much debate in the household over whether or not to have a 'holiday' tree for you. We can also call it a Christmakah tree, but any way you truly slice it, it's a Christmas tree. Well, the fact is it was important to Daddy which means I caved and bought a tree! I am so happy that I did. Not just because you have the right to grow up with our blended traditions and religions, but also because the look in your eyes, the wonder and amazement when you first caught sight of it is worth having a million Christmas trees in our home. Well...maybe that's pushing it! But it was incredible. You adore it and can spend all evening staring at the glittering lights and telling me the colors of the ornaments or pointing out the stars. You want to see it as soon as you wake up in the morning and after your nap, and once you see it you don't grow tired of it. I see no harm in something that brings you so much joy.

When you are a little older, then maybe Daddy and I will have the debate again ;-)

On the Eighth (and final!) night of Chanukah my parents gave to me...

A magical day helping others and night with Bubbie and Zaydie! Wow, was our day ever fun filled and full of magic! We started the day with the tree donation to Martha's Village and Kitchen. Emily organized a wonderful event for our Mommy's group to donate a tree, decorate it, and fill the bottom with presents for those in need. We were lucky enough to be part of the team that got to drop the tree off and decorate it. You LOVED the ornaments ('balls') and were a fine little helper with good color sense for where the ornaments were placed. I must say I did feel super warm and fuzzy today, especially when seeing two different people who use the facility play piano while we decorated the tree. It was so beautiful and I thought to myself, well there's something I realized today-don't prejudge people who are down on their luck and possibly homeless...they still appreciate the finer things in life like music and know it can bring enormous pleasure to any one's soul.

I know one day you will see your scrapbook full of good things you've done for others and will be proud to continue on that tradition on your own. In fact, last Christmas goats were given to a family in Africa in your name. And on your birthday a duffel bag was filled with goodies for children who are taken away from their homes because of dangerous living conditions and are put in foster homes. And for Daddy's birthday you gave him a gift to the International Make A Wish Foundation to help a specific group of children. Basically every special occasion we make one charitable gift in your name and when you are old enough you will be able to select what you want to give on your own. This Christmas I already have your donation set but don't want to write it here because it's a surprise to Daddy. :)

Then tonight we went to the Living Desert with your Bubbie and Zaydie to see Wild Lights. It was SO gorgeous and definitely felt like we were walking through a magical fairy land. You loved it and pointed at all the lights and the animal displays that were lit up, and the train! Oh what fun it was. It was COLD and you stayed bundled up and warm in many fleece layers and hats and mitts! You had a great time and walked holding Daddy's and my hand all the way back to the car. We both loved it. Another late night for you but you are handling it all like a trooper. I love you.

On the Seventh Night of Chanukah my Mummy gave to me...

My very own art gallery! You've been really into coloring these days (co-co or coo-coo, depending on how crazy you are feeling) and you've learned to sign Red, Yellow, White, Orange, Blue, Brown and Purple. You carefully pick your colors and then you like to have me help you draw things. I try to draw you something that is usually that color...so for example with the red crayon I drew you a heart. You love that heart and can almost say Heart and you sign Love when you see it. I also drew red lips and you call it "Ma" for mouth! In yellow I drew a duck, and in green I drew a tree. With the red I added apples in the tree and asked you what they were and you immediately answered "Apples!!" You smartypants!

You especially love taking the new Christmas and Chanuka we've received from the mantle and taking them to your little art station and coloring them. Your favorites so far have been Nana's card and Dave & Rob's.

So I took all our combined drawings and 'hung' them over the sofa on display and you looked mighty proud of all your fine art work! I sure hope you enjoy art and we can take classes together and spend afternoons at the museum! We always said if I opened a gallery you would end up being the gallery baby...so let's hope you like art! :)

Today we went to Emily's Beba's funeral. I guess you and Abby are very young to be at a funeral and witnessing such sadness. But the beauty is the two of you knew none the better and snacked your way through a touching and beautiful service. I am happy that you don't have to feel that sadness yet in your lives. I am sorry that Abby will not remember her Beba well, and I am sorry that you never had a chance to meet your Saba. He would be very proud of you I am sure.

On the Sixth Night of Chanukah Benjamin gave to me...

The chance to see the budding artist in me! Tonight we spent Chanukah with friends and lit the candles with them and we got to see the differences between little boys and little girls! You and Benjamin are only 2 months apart in age but your personalities are so different! You were a little nervous and reserved when we walked in and there was some definite clinging going on...but by the end of the night you and Benjamin were dancing like little crazy kids and kissing each other's bellybuttons and hugging each other. Oh gosh it is so cute. But Benjamin got a little frisky and you were not into the tongue kissing (thank goodness!!! let's keep it that way baby!!).

During the afternoon we went to the Kids Museum and you really seemed to enjoy yourself and come out of your shell a little bit more every week. You wanted to walk up and down the very long ramp a bunch (I think because you like to eat your food upstairs, but then you like to go downstairs and visit the pretend grocery store!). You walked around with a piece of plastic broccoli most of the afternoon. That was very cute. Oh, and we held hands again! Thank you!!

On the Fifth Night of Chanukah my Mummy Gave to me...

A trip to the Street Fair at COD! We had a very lazy morning today, since you slept in until 10:15am. Actually, you would have slept longer but I finally woke you so that we could start our day! We went to the Street Fair and let me tell you, it might have been my finest day of being a mum so far! I've been beaming all day!

We got to the Fair and silly me forgot my wallet...so I knew I couldn't shop but that we could have fun seeing the sights and sounds. You grazed as you always do, on cheesy crackers and Mighty Bites (called 'Mindy') and we strolled around. At lunch time I got you out of your stroller and we sat in the grass and you DEVOURED your lunch of lima beans ('bee'), chicken ('bok-bok') and crackers ('ca-ca'). You had a ton of fun trying to push your stroller in the grass and you loved trying to run toward to sidewalk and slowing down to let me 'get you.' We did a lot of "I'm gonna get you!" and you collapsing in my arms giggling. It was awesome!

But the best part of the day came next. We were about to leave and you didn't want to go in your stroller so I told you we could both walk but you need to hold my hand. You normally refuse to hold my hand, but today was different. With the wind blowing through your hair, Mambo the monkey draped around your neck, and giant trees behind you, you looked up at me, reached out your hand and together we walked for the equivalent of about 2 blocks. Every 10 seconds you would look up at me and smile this amazing smile, let out a little giggle and then keep on moving. It was a very slow two blocks, but I wish it could have taken even more time because it was the most wonderful feeling in the world; walking down the street holding my baby's hand.

We got to the car (you recognized it!) and I strapped you in and you reached out for my hand and wanted to keep holding it. Oh my goodness honey it was the most precious moment I can recall since the day you were born. What a great way to celebrate the day you turn one and a half!

On the Fourth Night of Chanukah my parents gave to me...

My first sighting of a Christmas tree! So. it may not be in the true spirit of Chanukah to go out and see a Christmas tree lighting, but in this family we need to make up new traditions as we cross each holiday. Our 'Christmakah' traditions are starting to form and I am so happy we took you last night. You had a blast!! You really enjoyed seeing the pretty lights and the 'apples' in the tree (red balls). I must admit, lit Christmas trees are quite magical looking, even in the desert!

We bumped into friends and we decided to sit and watch the concert. It was so great, and you had such a nice time! We first saw the little kids doing a dance on stage and Dad said "That's going to be her in just a few years." Hard to believe in a few years we'll be going to your first dance recital! But it's so true...the time does fly! We also watched the guitarists play their solo songs and you LOVED that. You stood on the folding chair and applauded after each student was done and signed 'again' over and over! Then, we were about to leave but the High School students came out to dance and so we stayed a bit longer to watch them and at about 7:30pm we left to go home. That's usually the time you are in bed by! We had a great time and at home you had dinner and a bath, we lit the Chanukah candles, and you were definitely ready for bed. You went right in, gave us your goodnight giggles and a great night was had by all.

On the Third Night of Chanukah my Doggie Gave to me....

A blue car to take on a road trip baby! I took you to the play area at the mall today for the first time. It took you about 20 minutes to warm up to the idea and not be afraid of the other kids playing. You ended up LOVING playing in the blue 'Car-car'. You are car obsessed and when we drive anywhere you point out the windows saying 'car-car!!' over and over again! I remember about a month ago seeing your buddy Abby playing in a car at Chuck E Cheese and thinking "Finley's never going to be able to sit in a play car for 5 minutes and just move the steering wheel back and forth!" but sure enough, that's what you did today! You are either eerily like Abby or all little girls are as amazing as the two of you!

On the Second Night of Chanukah my Father Gave to me...

A beaded purse and bracelets to make me all girly! Yup, you are into 'dress up' now...at least your version of it. This includes finding all the links in the house and wearing them as bracelets. It's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning and from nap, you also wear them in your bath and all around town. We seem to lose a few here and there but your little wrists are always so colorful and well decorated.

You love it when I am folding the laundry and you spy a new shirt or hat that you insist on wearing. You love wearing a nice warm toque (it's the Canadian in you) in the house while hanging out. You also like trying to dress your dolls or have them wear some of your bracelets. You don't know how to do it other than sticking these things on top of them, but I give you that helping hand that you need.

You also love this little beaded purse Mimi gave to me. Every night after bath it is now a mandatory part of the routine. Walk around naked with some bracelets and a beaded purse. You are a real woman about town! We've just got to find you a suitable cocktail dress!

On the First Night of Chanukah my Mother Gave to me...

A bump on my forehead for all to see! Yup, if any of you are keeping score, it's furniture 4, Finley Zip. But aside from the bump a lovely First night of Chanukah was had by all.

Tonight we went to the Children Discovery Museum's Chanukah Party. You decided you needed some beauty rest so we got there a little late but we saw the Rabbi light a giant Chanukiah (read: menorah) made out of JELLY DONUTS! (read: soofganiot). (I am going between hebrew & english here...bear with me...Jewish Folk music and being surrounded by Rabbi's and Chabad brings it out of me!) Anyhow, we played at the museum a little, and you loved drawing with the chalk on the sidewalk! We may have a little budding artist since lately all you've got on the brain is CRAYONS! You tried your first latke at the party and you seemed to really like it. You kept taking more and more bites and then ten minutes later I noticed your cheeks looked pretty full...yup, there was all the latke. Right back at ya mum. Some other highlights were playing in a puddle and you looking like a future bowling all star when you played with the balls.

After the party we came home for dinner and then bath...where you received your first Chanukah gifty....a Jewish rubber ducky! You kinda liked him... then when bath was over you went to greet your bear Bella who was sitting in the dining room (she helps you eat your vegetables) and before I could catch you...BONK...that was your forehead into the corner of the wood dining table. Oh it crushed me, as they all do, hearing you cry and in pain like that. But we got you to take some medicine and ice to the head and you were back to normal quite quickly. Your head on the other hand, is the largest blue and purple goose egg to date. At least this one is to the side a little, where your hair covers it, as opposed to the others that all made their home smack dab in the middle of that pretty little punim of yours (read: face).

Then we lit the candles (you selected two orange candles- how did you know that is my favourite color), sang some songs and opened more gifts in your room. What did you get? What else...BOOKS. Your favorite. We knew that you were back to normal when you showed us what all the animals did and how the fish swim and how to sign orange.

Now you are in bed, sleeping away your bumpity bump while I write about it to get it out of my system. Chag Chanukah Sameach Chamuda Sheli. (Read: Happy Chanukah My Sweetheart). Thank goodness we have 8 nights to make up for the first. :)

Here are some photos that documented the day:

Look What I Did!!!

Oh you were mighty proud this morning! I was in another room and I heard you in your playroom knocking things around and a couple of "Oh-oh's" here and there as things dropped but I let you do your thing. Next thing you know you came to get me, grinning from ear to ear and pointing toward the playroom and trying to drag me there. I followed you and you took me straight to your moose. You decorated his antlers with your bracelets! All by yourself! You were so proud of your accomplishment. Thank you for sharing it with me. Who knows what you are going to come up with next!

Bathtime Fun

I remember the days of washing your teeny 5 pound body at the kitchen sink. You used to cry through your bath and we'd do it as fast as possible to get you all warm and dry again. My, how times have changed! Now your 20-something pound body loves the bath and it's a special treat because it's playtime with Daddy too. Every night Daddy gives you your bath and you two have your own special rituals. When he has to be out for an evening I have to ask him what the latest routine is!!

These days bath time includes singing the song "This is how we wash our face, arm, toes, back etc." You love that song and know all the body parts and can demonstrate washing them! Then you love to try and drink from the shower nozzle. It's so funny! And you try to get Maddie to drink! Maddie loves hanging out right next to you at the tub and you splash water everywhere and she laps it up!

After bath Daddy takes you to the changing area in the master closet where you love to run around naked (and sadly, pee all over the closet!). When the time is right that will be perfect potty training time!! Then you beg for the lotion. I don't know if you just want to play with the bottle, or if you want to rub it in, but you get slathered in it each night before your jammies. And who can forget Bah-Bah time when you play in the sheepskin rug.

Anyhow, you really love bath time with Daddy and I am so glad you two get that time to spend together. Squeaky clean fun!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Wow, last night was such a wild little night. It rained all day here in the desert, an uncommon sight for sure! I took you out in the back yard and we reached out under the covered deck and felt the rain dribble on our fingertips. I taught you the sign for rain and explained how it was water falling from the sky. You giggled at it but wanted to get back inside to watch Hi-5. Ah well, I tried.

But then, as we sat in the living room, the power went off for a few seconds and the TV went off. You turned around to look at me and said "Uh-oh." It was so cute. It came back on right away so all was fine. But then it went off again, for about 10 seconds, and luckily I was right by your side, because it was so pitch black I couldn't see a single thing in front of me and you could have really hurt yourself if you tried to walk! I scooped you up and when the lights came back on you had a very frightened look in your eyes! Of course this had to happen on the very occasional night that daddy went out for dinner with friends!

So I grabbed you, we collected flashlights and candles and sure enough, the power went off for an hour! I plopped you in your highchair with an apple and a flashlight as I ran around lighting candles in all the rooms! We then enjoyed a shadow puppet show since we had all these flashlights! Got to make the most of a bad situation, right? I locked us up in the playroom with Maddie, who was also pretty nervous, and we played with some toys but all you really wanted to do was run around the house with your pull toy! That was a definite no-no so I tried to get creative and make other fun things to do with the pull toy just sitting in the playroom.

Needless to say it was quite a challenge, and dinner consisted of cheerios and crackers, apple and avocado. Not your most nutritious one, but I just wanted to keep you happy and not freaked out! The lights finally came back on for bath time and we managed to finish the night like normal...and Daddy rushed home to see you before you got into bed.

Thanks for handling it like a pro. You are my brave little girl and I am so very proud of you.