For a while now you’ve been able to move up and down the couches or crib while standing and holding on. While we in San Francisco you grabbed onto the stroller and pushed it forward while walking behind it. It had just the right amount of weight that it provided the exact resistance you needed to be able to walk along as it moved. This was the first time you’ve moved forward, in walking motion, holding onto something other than us.

You have a little toy walker that was given to us and has been living in your closet for many months. I pulled it out a couple of months ago and stashed it under the tables in your room, and you discovered it about a month ago. And you love it. On the front there are all sorts of things for you to play with, some of which light up, or talk, or play music. To date you mostly sit on the ground and play with the different toys on it, though in the last couple of weeks you’ve started scooting around by pushing it along from a kneeling position. But my favorite move of yours is your dance. The first couple of times that I’ve seen you dance I just thought your legs were a bit shaky from standing for so long while holding on to the walker. But as the occurrence kept coinciding with the country music coming from the walker, and no other time, I realized you were engaging in your first little dance. It is the cutest thing ever. I haven’t been able to get you to do it to any other music.

The weather was beautiful this morning and we had a couple of lazy hours just hanging out. It was warm enough to be outside, so we played football with Kyle, sat around and chatted, and watched you crawl everywhere. It was an enjoyable, relaxing morning before we all headed in our separate directions. Everyone else is heading back to Tahoe, and we made our way back to the City for our flight out tonight. On the way we stopped at the North Face Outlet in Berkeley and got you a down jacket and pants. You are now all set for winter!

Today we went to a few wineries around Napa, and then spent a little time eating and walking around the town of St. Helena. This is such a cute town and I hope we’re able to come back and spend some more time here. It’s so fun being with the entire family and watching them interact with you. Everyone loves you so much and is anxious to hold and play with you. Nobody can seem to get enough time with you! Even eating out, which is sometimes a little challenging because you get bored easily, was a fun occasion because of the multitude of people at the ready to hold you, feed you, or walk around with you if you got antsy. It’s so fun being surrounded by family.

When we travel we have to be a little creative with ways to keep you entertained. Without the abundance of toys that we have at home, keeping you safe and happy is sometimes a challenge in hotel rooms. But your nana always has great ideas to keep you busy. Today she turned a little table upside down, put you in there and slid you all over the room. You loved it!

Your dad arrived last night and I didn’t have to work today so we all spent the morning walking around the city. We ate breakfast and enjoyed some Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista (marking your second visit there in as many days, lucky girl!) and just explored the area around Fisherman’s Wharf. We even stumbled upon a Christmas tree, the first one you’ve seen.

Then we left the city and headed towards Napa, crossing the Golden Gate and stopping on the other side for some pictures.

Today nana and papa had lots of fun exploring the city with you. You went for a ride on a cable car, joined them for drinks (you merely observed) at the historic Buena Vista, watched sourdough bread being made, and even sampled gelato! In memory of your first visit to San Francisco, your nana and papa bought you a necklace today. They got it from a store where they picked out an oyster, harvested the pearl, and had it set in a necklace. They got a white pearl, which means ‘innocence’, and they saved the oyster shells for you. It is such a neat way for you to always remember your first trip to this city.

For me this has been my best work trip yet. I get to be in a fun city doing work, and get to come back to the hotel in the evenings and have you there! It’s the best of both worlds. Nana and papa enjoyed it as well, asking when the next work trip will be. I’d love to make this a tradition!

Your grandparents accompanied us to San Francisco today. I have to go speak at a conference and thought it’d be fun to bring them and you along for the adventure. They’ll keep an eye on you while I work, and then your dad’s going to join us tomorrow night. The flight went pretty smoothly; despite your rapidly increasing activity level, the three of us were able to keep you occupied and content. You love to stand up and pull down on the seatback pocket, constantly investigating what it contains. We also spent some time in the back of the plane, where I let you crawl around a bit.

Upon our arrival at the hotel we ran out to grab a quick lunch before I had to head to the conference. We ate outside and you were so happy watching all of the traffic and people going by in this busy city. You also had your first taste of clam chowder – you seemed to be a fan.

You’ve been clapping for months now, mostly mimicking us when we do it. But lately, whenever you do something I want to praise you for, I say ‘good job’ or ‘good girl’. You look at me, pause for a couple seconds, then break into smile and clap. It must be that I’ve done this gesture many times while saying these phrases, though I don’t remember doing so. Either way, you’ve picked up on it and adopted it as one of your signature moves, and it’s adorable.

Since the doctor encouraged us to start introducing you to foods at a much more rapid pace than we had been previously, we’ve been having fun letting you try new things. Over the weekend we introduced you to black beans and mashed potatoes. Today we put a pile of shredded cheese on your tray and watched as you picked up pieces and enjoyed your first tastes. You did great at getting the pieces in your mouth. The dogs showed up about the same time that we opened the bag of cheese, and they assumed spots right next to your highchair. Moguly especially was very interested in this new feeding attempt of yours. After only a few minutes, you held your hand out over the edge of your tray and he licked your hand. You laughed, grabbed some more cheese, stuck your hand out, and he licked again. You found some entertainment, and he found a new best friend.

Today it snowed a great deal, creating a winter wonderland that I’ll always correlate with Breckenridge no matter what time of year it is. We stayed inside for most of the day, watching the Broncos’ game and just relaxing.

In the evening we also went for a swim. Even though it was freezing outside, and even though I found the pool too cold for me – I quickly retreated to the hot tub – you happily played in the pool with your dad and papa for about twenty minutes. You’re still loving the water.