When You Wish Upon a Star...

Mommy and Daddy surprised me with magic!

I inherited Mommy's thrill gene.

Boy is he tall!

He thinks I'm his honey pot!

The ears make me official.

Leaving On a Jet Plane...

The captain looks like Poppie so I felt very safe on my first plane ride to meet Mommy in Orlando for a few days of vacation. Daddy was my travel companion and I held his hand so he wouldn't be afraid.  I was expecting a hot breakfast but I just got some tough biscotti.  What happened to air travel?  Did I miss all the perks?

 

In My Easter Bonnet

On my way to church to celebrate Jesus.  Then I went to my grandparents' houses to celebrate the Easter Bunny.  I know Jesus is more important but that bunny brings some great presents.

My Heart Belongs to Daddy

Although I crush on JPK III, my Daddy is my special Valentine!

Glam Squad

I got my first hair cut today. I hear bangs are all the rage!

The Patient

Look at me in my hospital gown.  Today was my eye surgery to unclog my tear duct.  I was so brave.  The doctors were impressed because I accepted the anesthesia mask without problem and woke up from the surgery with only a few minutes of crying.  I was running around two hours later!  Mommy was hoping for a nice long nap day...not so.

Move Over Rachel and Giada!

I'm already in talks with the Food Network about my own show.  I'm so glad that Santa brought me this very cool kitchen and chef's outfit. 

 

Fashionista



Do I know how to work a hat and muff or what?  This outfit gets lots of "oohs" and "aahs" at church or other dressy events.

S.M.S - Save Me (from) Santa

\ I prefer to hear the reindeer on the roof and find a plate of cookie crumbs on Christmas morning.  I don't want to have to sit on Santa's lap -- that's why I wrote him a letter!  I want my Daddy...

 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

This is the one we are taking home!  No Charlie Brown tree for us.

Nice or Naughty?

I'm usually very nice, but I've been known to be naughty in recent months.  I blame on all of that "terrible twos" talk, but I hope Santa isn't watching too closely.  The good part - my letter raises money for one of my Dad's favorite charities -- Make A Wish.  

I've Got You Babe



We're bringing the whole Sonny & Cher concept to Gen Z. 

The Big 2!

We had a dinner party to celebrate my second birthday with all my grandparents.  And while the dinner was yummy, I was excited for the cake.  At first, I was a little upset because Mommy lit Elmo's head.  I quickly realized it wasn't the real Elmo and Mommy wasn't some crazy pyromaniac.  I got many great gifts -- clothes, toys, big girl bed linens (for the soon-to-arrive big girl bed) and pearls (for my future bling necklace).

Meeeoooowww!

I walked around for weeks saying "meow" but Mommy said we aren't getting a cat because we're a dog family.  So instead, I'm a kitty for Halloween.  And luckily, Hurricane Sandy blew out in time for me to show off my cute kitty-cat look at my grandparents' houses!

The Great Pumpkin - Year Two

A year later and I'm sitting in the same pumpkin patch.  It might not be The Great Pumpkin, but one of these is The Pretty Darn Good Pumpkin that's going home to my house.

Caw Caw

Purple is my favorite color. Ravens are my favorite birds.  At least during football season.  "Caw, caw". 

End of Summer

This was my last day on the beach for the 2012 season.  If only Sports Illustrated did a kids' version of the famous annual magazine issue, I think I'd be vying for the cover with this shot.  

"Green Acres is the place to be...

Farm living is the life for me!"  We went to the fair and I practiced all of my animal sounds. 

Sunday, funday!

I'm working on my obstacle course skills for when I start my training at "The Farm".  For those of you who aren't hooked on spy thrillers like my Mommy, The Farm is not-so-covert lingo for the CIA's training facility.  I plan to be the youngest recruit...Jason Bourne will have nothing on me!

She Rocks!

We visited the original homestead of Daddy's grandmother's family - the Shrivers.  Yes, those Shrivers which are actually our Shrivers.  It was so neat to sit on a porch built way back in the late 1700s.  My cousin Sam taught me (and Mommy and Daddy) lots about family and Maryland history. I may be ready for my Ph.D. in history. 

Fun in the Sun

We celebrated America's birthday at the beach.  I LOVE the ocean and the pool.  I would stay in the water all day if I could...meaning if Mommy and Daddy could keep up with me.

Keeping the Beat

Mommy and Daddy took me to a concert in the park.  I got to listen to the band AND play on the swings.  A great way to spend a Friday evening.  Check out my video.

She's back...

I apologize but my secretary has been too busy to do my postings for me.  So, let me catch you up now!  I've been very busy running around the house (and just about everywhere I can).  I started talking -- A LOT.  Although I'm always chattering, some words are more obvious - car, happy, apple, pear, Daisy, baby, cup, and amen.  I've also mastered pointing to my body parts, at least the easy ones like belly and ears.  I'm also working on my animal sounds...I do a mean "bah" in response to what does a sheep say or a rousing chorus of Old MacDonald.  I'm enjoying lots of time on my backyard swing and going to weekly library group. I read lots of books to Mommy, Daddy, and all the grandparents.  But my favorite way to pass the summer days is playing at the pool. 

Here are a few pictures of may happenings...

   

 

The Bunny Has Risen

It's been a busy day so between church and the easter basket frenzy, I'm not quite sure who has risen and who had his ear's chewed off.  But I've narrowed it down to the Easter Bunny and Jesus...now it's 50 - 50.  It was fun to see family and show off my spectacular dress. 

Home Alone

Mommy is in Texas for a business trip and Daddy is going to visit her so party at my house.  Okay...I guess I need to wait about 15 or 16 years before I can post that one!  However, I am home, but not alone.  Grammie is spending the weekend with me so I'll be spoiled.  I like spoiled.

Birthday Girl

To celebrate Mommy's birthday, Daddy and I treated her to dinner at Tark's.  Tark's doesn't offer a kid's menu so I got to enjoy ahi tuna and crabcakes just like a big girl.  I like the adult menu -- Mommy and Daddy better watch out for my expensive tastes.

I'm back...

I've been very busy running around so much that February breezed on by before I was able to share any news with you.  I'm keeping Mommy and Daddy on their toes now that I'm uber mobile. 

I've expanded my technical guru-ness by adding Skype to my skill set.  I like to Skype with Mommy when she's working out of town.  She sings songs to me and we blow kisses to each other.  It's not as good as a real hug and kiss but it keeps us happy until we're together again.

There she goes...

Today was a huge day -- I just stood up and started walking without coasting along walls and furniture or tentatively scooting between things.  Grammie is the cinematographer.  Mommy is on Skype directing.  We have a long way before we make it to the Oscars...but maybe People's Choice.

The newest cleaning lady

Am I getting paid for this?

Easy Rider

Check out my new bike.  Santa brought it for me and Mother Nature has been cooperating in January so I can ride outside. It has all kinds of cool features like a sun shade and tall handle on the back so the grown-ups can push me until I master peddling and steering.

Santa's little helper

I woke up to find all kinds of fun stuff in my stocking and under the tree.  But the best part was definitely the tissue and wrapping paper -- so much to tear up.  Do you like my elf outfit?  Grammie just can't help her crafy self, so I get festive holiday garb to show off.

Helping Santa stay trim

Mommy and Daddy told me that Santa likes cookies when he visits.  If every kid is giving him cookies, Santa must suffer from all kinds of health problems.  I think Mommy and Daddy should just let me eat these cookies to save Santa's life.

Baby steps

When Mommy and Daddy least expected it, I walked a few steps all by myself today.  Luckily other family members were present to confirm my solo excursion because Mommy thought she imagined it.  But I'm still more comfortable holding on to something so don't expect me to be running marathons anytime soon.

Ho Ho, Oh No!

Mommy and Daddy are teaching me to not talk to strangers and don't let strangers touch me, and then they dump me in the lap of one of the strangest people in town.  What's up with that?  No wonder, I'm screeching.


I think I'll like Santa much better when he comes to my house on Christmas Eve.  I'll leave cookies and milk for him.  I think Daisy will let me give some of her treats to the reindeer.


Only two more weeks until Christmas...I'm definitely on the nice list.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We trekked to the country to find just the right evergreen to become our Christmas tree. After lots of "what about this one," Mommy and Daddy settled on a tree that looked not too big in the field but takes up a whole corner of our living room. Oh well, more for Daisy and me to play with.

Gobble, gobble

This little pilgrim is thankful for my wonderful family and friends.

Last Thanksgiving, I was fresh out of Mommy's tummy so I was stuck with breast milk. But this year, I got to enjoy all the good stuff -- turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, pie, etc. I REALLY love pumpkin pie.

Daddy and I enjoyed the Thankgiving parade and watching high school football. Those poor Dons -- maybe next year.

Chatter

I've been babbling for months and "bye" and "da" have been my most reoccuring sounds. Mommy and Daddy were reluctant to call these THE FIRST WORDS. But now, I say "bye bye" in response to others and I look at Daddy and say "da" so it's official. Mommy thought my first word would be "ole" because she ate so much mexican food when she was pregnant. Ha.

Party - The Sequal

Let them eat cake! Or in this case, cupcakes. It was wonderful to celebrate my first birthday with my family. Thanks everyone!

I Say It's My Birthday

I turned 1 today! My grandparents joined Mommy, Daddy, and me for dinner and cake. Since I'm a big girl who has been feeding herself for ages, I had no problem digging into a slice of carrot cake. It was very tasty!

I got lots of nice presents, too -- shoes, pearls, money for shopping [or savings per Mommy]. What more can a girl ask for!?!

A Triple Date

My favorite guy, JP, and I joined our parents for a date night at St. Leo's ravioli supper. The volunteers made about 15,000 ravioli and 600 pounds of meatballs. That's a lot of italian food! We finished off our meal with home-made cannoli. Mommy plans to be a ravioli maker volunteer for the next dinner, but I think Daddy and I will just be eaters.

Trick or Treat

Dozens of kids came to our house to get candy out of a basket while Mommy and Daddy drank wine and chatted with the parents. Mommy says this is called Halloween but it looks more like happy hour to me. I'm not sure why I have to dress like a lady bug for happy hour but damn I look good!

The Great Pumpkin

So, is this the great pumpkin? Probably not, but I had lots of fun at the farm -- animals, bales of hay, and lots of pumpkins.

Hosting my first play date

I had three guy friends over to play with my toys and bang on stuff. The banging is always the best. Their parents came so Mommy and Daddy got a play date, too. Win-win.

Into the woods

We trekked west to the Appalachian Mountains to enjoy a family camping trip. Mommy and Daddy were very quick to set-up our camp...surprisingly quick in fact. I was a bit concerned that the tent would come crashing down during the night, but our base camp withstood wind and rain. Yep, Mother Nature did not shine on us after the first day.

I enjoyed my first camping trip. I can't wait to try it again...perhaps on a warmer weekend.

Know Your Stats

Mommy and I joined a group of Mommy's co-workers to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. I walked in honor of my Pop who is a prostate cancer survivor...along with uncles and friends. Prostate cancer strikes 1 in 6 men. Men 40+ -- Know Your Stats! www.knowyourstats.org

So long summer...

We spent a long weekend soaking up the sun at the beach. I walked (with help) to the shoreline at every chance and loved having the waves wash across my legs and watching my feet sink in the sand like magic. We also visited the amusement park where I rode the merry-go-round and teacup ride. Bring on Disney World!