18 month/holiday photos

Our talented friend Marnie Jorgensen took these amazing photos of Millie for her 18 month pictures. Thank you Marnie!

Lots of Obamas*

For Hannuka, Saba and Daddy put together Millie's new play kitchen. They were watched closely by her babies and Raggedy Andy.



We had our own little family Christmas before heading to Iowa on Tuesday. Millie was confused at first, but finally got the idea and enjoyed each present to its fullest.



The first night in Iowa was nice and quiet, and Millie got to chill out with cousin Anne.



Christmas Eve the rest of the gang showed up, and complete madness ensued.



Millie was very excited about all the deer outside. She also loved her fake ice cream cone. She just couldn't put it down. At least she didn't drip any on her fancy schmancy dress.







Christmas morning, some of the cousins enjoyed a rousing game of Elefun, where tiny "fy-flies" come shooting out of a plastic elephant's nose. Okeedokee.



Millie and cousin "Cake" (Kate) shared Kate's dolls and Millie's two new Mickeys.



And finally, a very tired Millie got some lovin' from Aunt Susan.



Now Mommy needs a hug, or a vacation, or a drink, or all of the above.

On to New Year's!

* When Tony told Millie that Santa carried presents in his sack, Millie excitedly said: "Omama?!" She thought he had said President. We hope she wasn't too disappointed when the President-Elect was no where to be found Christmas morning.

Twinkle Twinkle

Brrrr

I just noticed that it's been a while since I'd posted last. I just haven't had a chance to take any good photos recently. Here is one of Millie expressing her feelings toward her winter coat.



We had her 18 month appointment last week and she appears to be a healthy, normal kid. She is a bit small, but that's not a big surprise. She is 31 inches tall and weighs 21 lbs. We are working hard on her eating since she prefers her "baba" to any food. Hopefully as she has less milk and more real food, she'll start fitting into her 18 months outfits.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Keeping busy

This week I have been sick and haven't been up for much socializing, so poor Millie has been stuck home with me. We've tried to keep busy by dancing, playing in the new playroom, and of course, her new favorite activity, drawing.



Drawing is serious business



It's important to choose just the right shade of yellow



Art is tiring



Taking a moment to reflect on her work



And to clear her nose...



Hopefully we can get out of the house next week, before she moves on to the walls.

Last Orchard Trip

A couple of weekends ago we went to Afton Apples for some late fall apple picking and goat petting. We practically had the orchard to ourselves. Millie, of course, enjoyed the goats best, but she got a kick out of the hayrides as well. And she is always game for a fresh picked apple or two.

First stop: Goat Den





Can we stay just this much longer?



Next it's off to the playground.





Why is it always so windy at these orchards?

Boo

We had an active Halloween. First we had music class, and the kids got to wear their costumes or Halloween-ish clothing and “trick or treat” for animal crackers. Then we stopped at Coco’s house for a quick playdate and a great cup of coffee (for Mom, not Millie).

The rest of the afternoon plans went kaput thanks to another bad case of constipation (for Millie, not Mom). Two doses of laxative and an enema later, we were exhausted and opted for a long nap on the couch instead of getting more candy at Target. Which turned out to be fine because for some reason we had fewer kids trick-or-treating this year.

Millie did get to go out trick-or-treating with her friends from our block. Dad and Saba went along too. She didn’t know what all the hoopla was about, but she understood that the plastic pumpkin (pa-pee) was key. When she saw that her little friends had one, she turned on her heels, went back into the living room to grab hers, and out the door she marched.

Guess what Zach is doing. Yep, asking for another cracker.



Our little ballerina



Millie and Coco LOVE each other



Trick or treating with my posse

At the farm

Our friends Jorg and Angie throw an annual pumpkin carving party at their hobby farm in Wisconsin. The property is gorgeous, complete with pond, two horses, a barn full of hay, an orchard, and views that will make you weep. The photos do not do it justice, but believe me, it is perfection.

The sun-soaked living room, over looking the pond, horses, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see.



Our lovely hostess, Johanna (Coco)



Millie enjoying a climb on what I affectionately referred to as "the stairs of doom."



Soren let's mama carry him upstairs. Smart boy.



When I look at this picture, I hear angels singing.



Ooh, dada, we can see Russia from here!



And now, for a not so tender love story.

It started out innocently enough.



And then things went horribly, horribly wrong. For Soren.



Someone get this chick off me!




Finally, Soren makes a break for it.



I swear, she did not learn this type of behavior from me.

We cannot thank our hosts enough, a wonderful time was had by all. Although, we may be paying for Soren's therapy for years to come.

Stupid Baby Trick #47

It's a little dark...ok, really dark. Think of it as low-budget special effects.

A Perfect Fall Day

Today was a picture perfect day in Minnesota. We spent the morning with Kayt, Soren, Angie, and Johanna in Stillwater. We went to an orchard and then to Teddy Bear Park. The drive itself was worth it, the fall colors were amazing. The best part was getting the kids so tired out that Millie fell asleep in her stroller for the first time in months.





Millie and her beloved goats.


They are even cuter from the front, check out Kayt's amazing photos on Soren's blog.


In the afternoon, we had to get dolled up for Tracy's surprise birthday party at Buca.


Before you call Child Protection, she asked me to put those rollers in her hair.


It didn't matter anyway, because seconds later she did this and ruined all my hard work.


But of course she looked adorable at the party.


And at the end of the day she was so tired, this is how we had to change her diaper:


Great day.