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.

We’re having so much fun participating in activities with you and taking you to new places. I’d seen an add for a Children’s Museum up here in Breckenridge and we took you today. It is such a perfect place for you. The museum is obviously designed for a wide range of ages, but many of the activities can be tailored for you – arts and crafts with some help, puppet show put on by me and your father for you, slide into the Bear Cave where your dad caught you and played with you – and there’s also a tot corner with games perfect for you. We were there for at least a couple of hours, and we all had so much fun watching you. You just played and played and played, never once getting fussy. This museum is free for children under 1 year and for seniors, so your nana and papa are excited to take you here this winter while your dad and I ski. So fun!

Yesterday Rachel watched both Isla and you at our house. Kristen, Isla’s mom, and I decided to take you to your first music class yesterday afternoon. So I drove you both there and you both fell asleep on the way. I was a little conflicted because I’d been so excited to take you to the class, but I also wanted you to sleep. Luckily, I didn’t have to make any decisions because you woke up right when we arrived.

We walked into the house and it was filled with kids and adults, musical instruments and singing, and the cheerful babble of children and babies. It was so fun to watch you take it all in; you were enthralled watching everyone. Right away someone handed us a drum and we banged on it together, but you were more interested in just watching everyone else. You seemed to really like the class and I’m excited to take you again.

We had your nine-month doctor appointment today, and we found at that you are teeny, tiny but healthy. You’re still long and very skinny, measuring now in just the third percentile for weight and 65th percentile for length. The doctor isn’t concerned, but it startled me how little you weighed and that you’d dropped a bit in the percentiles. She encouraged us to start introducing foods much more rapidly, and even to add butter or oil to some of your foods. We’re working diligently to get you fattened up, but as she pointed out, you are so active that you burn through all the calories we’re giving you.

It is amazing all that your nana does with you during the days, and how quickly you learn things. I can’t keep track of the times I’ve come home from work and she’ll have something new to show me that you have learned or that you two have done together. About a month ago she taught you how to drop the little, colored balls into the toy, which in turn makes it light up and make a sound. It seems like that’s a skill that would require pretty good dexterity, and I’m still surprised at how quickly you became proficient at this game.

Today I came home and she said that you love the new ball I bought you over the weekend. She excitedly directed me to come and watch your new trick. She sat on the floor, facing you, and rolled the ball to you. And you corralled it in your legs and into your awaiting arms, where you scooped it up. Then you would put it on the ground and roll it back to her. I’m still in awe at how quickly you learned to do this.

Today was Election Day, and I was so excited to watch the results roll in. At one point during the night I thought about the implications of this election on you, and I realized that by the next election you’ll be almost five years old. You’ll have a firm grasp on who the President is, and his role, and even what an election is. So amazing to think all that you and we will experience by the time the next presidential Election Day rolls around.

Tonight you went to bed around 7, but woke up at 9. We had a hard time getting you back down, and it was right at the height of the announcements of results for many key states. Maybe you, like us, just didn’t want to sleep until you knew who our country’s leader would be for the next four years.