You are so curious and observant that you notice the littlest things and investigate them thoroughly. Whenever we go to Breckenridge we use penguin sheets. Every time you’re on the bed you grab at them like you’re trying to pick them up, you try this over and over. And this weekend we were staying in your cousin Alex’s room. She has dots painted on a couple of the walls, and every night before bed you’d crawl over and inspect them, trying to pick them off the wall. I love your curiosity.

Inspecting the dots

Those silly dots make you laugh

Today we had a family picture session. You and your three cousins did pretty well, keeping your composure far longer than I would have thought possible. I think we got some great pictures and I’m excited to see the proofs. It will be nice to have these professional photos to capture us all at this point in time.

We visited the Museum of Flight today, and it’s a great museum. It’s unfortunate I’ve never been to it until today. We spent a large amount of time in the toddler area, where you looked at displays, sat in a helicopter, crawled around, and observed all of the little kids at play. This evening we ate at Red Robin and you further indulged in your love of fries; thank goodness they have unlimited fries!

So much fun at the Museum of Flight

Fun with Aunt Gretchen

Emma the astronaut

I am infinitely thankful for you, for our little family that you helped define. For your perfection, your sweetness, your smiles and giggles, your energy and curiosity, your health, and your unwavering love.

I’m thankful for your father, his constant support, his great cooking, his humor, his brown eyes that he gave to you.

I’m thankful for your two sets of grandparents who are wonderful examples of love and commitment – in love decades after their relationships began – and who love you boundlessly. I’m thankful for the abundance of uncles and aunts and cousins that you’re blessed to have, who create an extended web of love and support. And I’m thankful for the multitude of friends surrounding us, at locations near and far, friends who offer support and encouragement, laughs and love.

I’m thankful for the continued health of friends and family.

And I’m so grateful to have a job that I enjoy, a home filled with everything we could need and more in a city that is ideal.

In short, I’m thankful for this life I’ve been given.

Gobble Gobble

Shortly after we arrived at your aunt and uncle’s house this evening we sat you down in the middle of their living room and you were immediately surrounded by your three cousins. They were talking excitedly and proudly tossing toy after toy your way; they’d gathered a whole bin of age-appropriate toys for you and they were anxious to show them all to you. The noise level kept escalating in proportion to their excitement, and the new toys being doled out seemed infinite. I sat and watched your reaction to all of this activity, and you were calm, composed, and curious. You just sat and watched and took in all of the chaos. Never once did you seem overwhelmed or shy, scared or unhappy. I am so proud of your ability to handle new situations so well, and to assess them with an open and curious mind. This is a part of your temperament that I hope you never loose; it will serve you well throughout life.

See, calm amid the chaos.

Taking it all in

Watching Grandpa open birthday presents with your cousins

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!

Fun in the sun in Napa

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.

Enjoying BV winery

Fun with your uncles

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!

Who needs toys when there are tables around?

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.

Everyone with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background

Serious pose in front of the bridge

Checking out the bridge with dad