Dr. Seuss Day & Other Randomness...

Ayla having breakfast...

She loves to feed me Cheerios & Puffs!

Visiting my classroom on Dr. Seuss Day

Squealing with glee during the story...

Hanging with the first graders...

Giving "100% attentive listening"...

Getting to the good part of the story...

Yay for Dr Seuss!!!!!!

Ayla had lunch with Grammy & new friends Makayla & Ryan the other day...

Makayla & Ryan's mommy, Lee, also joined the fun!

A Very Happy Valentine's Day

Ross & I have never really celebrated Valentine's Day per se. But when Ross accidentally told me he loved me on V-Day 2005 we began calling it "Love Proclamation Day" and we've celebrated ever since. Now we have our own little Valentine to celebrate with! Here's how we spent the day :)

Ross always manages to find my favorite flowers (Stargazer Lillies)!

Our funny Valentine!

After a lovely lunch, we decided to be around some decent folks & get all full of culture 'n stuff... The Crocker Art Museum was having a showing of Buddahs. We didn't know how Ayla would do, but knowing she just LOVES being out & about with people we gave it a try...

She did AMAZING! She was full of giggles & smiles & made a lot of friends at the museum. Of course the ball & teething biscuit did wonders for her ability to hang as well ;)

That night we gave Ayla her very own balloon... she saw them at my classroom party & hasn't been the same since!

Happy Love Proclamation Day <3

Chow Time

mmmm....

Waving "Hhhhhaaa" to the camera!

"Look lady, I don't take pictures of you while you eat!"

This eating stuff is HILARIOUS!

"I love chow time... well, sometimes... just don't try to shove a spoon in my mouth & nobody gets hurt!"

Big Girl Bath Time & Other Big 9 Month Old Stuff

I couldn't resist posting a picture of Ayla taking her first "Big Girl" bath in the tub... she has out grown her baby bath & has finally graduated to the big tub. She was a little upset in this picture because Mommy isn't allowed to participate in bath time unless she is the one giving the bath... otherwise it's just too upsetting but the "criggles" stop as soon as I leave... according to Ross, she was trying to crawl in the tub too... her new favorite thing is to be on her tummy and/ or up on her hands & knees.

Ayla's also pretty good at taking steps & walking if we hold her hands. She can wave "hi" & says the "hhhhh" sound when she does it, she gives high fives, kisses, & claps her hands when you say "Yay" (or sing Patty Cake & If Your Happy & You Know It)... & I swear she just about said "ball" while playing this morning! She now has her 2 bottom teeth poking out & they are SHARP!!! I think she's working on an upper tooth now.
She laughs constantly & is figuring out that she can make us laugh too. Her goofy little personality is really starting to shine :)

Is she really 9 months old already?????
WOW! Her birthday invites will be going out soon enough!

Back to School...

For those of you who may not know, Ross has been busy studying for the GMAT & getting his application materials together to return to school next Fall to receive his MBA. This will be a 2- 3 year commitment of going to school at night 2 nights a week while still managing his (over) full time job & being an amazing husband & father.

While there are no specific prerequisites for applying to the business schools of his choice, he has decided to take the plunge & enroll in an accelerated double course this semester in Micro & Macro Economics. This will help give him some useful background knowledge as well as reacquaint him with the world of academia.

Tonight was his first night of school! Ayla & I are so proud of everything our amazing man does for us on a daily basis & this is just another example of his selflessness & dedication to our family... WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now please to enjoy some pictures of the "Dork" on his way out the door... WHAT? Just read his jacket!

A Visit with Grandma & Papa

Grandma & Papa G came out for a visit over the MLK weekend. We had a nice time hanging out & takin' 'er easy.

Ayla & Papa spending some time in Sutter Creek...

Ayla & grandma G posing pretty for the camera...

We took a little tour of the Folsom Zoo...

Ayla was thrilled that we were back taking her picture through the animal cutouts...

Do NOT feed the bears! They are ferocious!

Ayla ended the weekend by watching the inauguration today...

The future was watching the future...

During the parade Ayla saw all of the people waving their hands so she waved right back!

We had a great visit & miss Grandma & Papa G already! We love you guys!

Extra!!! Extra!!!

We've got big news in these here parts... Ayla has her first tooth poking out! There are no pictures, of course... she barely lets us get a finger in to feel it... but it's there just the same!

Now she's ready for spare ribs & corn on the cob!

Way to go Baby Girl!