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!

Tiny Dancer

I couldn't resist posting some pictures of Ayla in her new leg warmers! I've had "She's a maniac..." from Flashdance in my head all morning!

Here are some more pics of her practicing her crawling & standing moves... enjoy!

Ayla's First Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year with our sweet baby girl! She was so excited! For only being 8 months old, she sure shocked us with how into it all she was. She seemed to sense our excitement & got right into the spirit with us!

On Christmas Eve we went up to Grammy & Grandpa's for dinner...

Ayla wrote her note to Santa (with the help of Mommy) and left it out on the deck for the elves to get on Christmas Eve...

That's her signature under her name :)

They took the note to the North Pole & left a little stuffed Santa for Ayla. She, of course, had to immediately kiss it, which is what she does when she makes a new friend :)

We opened up family gifts...

and lit the menorah for the 4th night of Hanukkah...

Christmas morning we woke bright & early & saw that Santa had come!!!

Ayla got into her pretties...

Look at me trying to crawl!

She opened up LOTS of books- her favorite!
There were also some pretty cool blocks, stackers, music CD's and other cool toys...

There was also a BIG HUGE present that Santa left...

She was pretty excited about that box!

And I guess what was IN the box was pretty special too!

We hope everyone's holiday was filled with as much love & laughter as ours was!
Merry Christmas!

Ayla's First Hanukkah

We had such a lovely evening celebrating Ayla's 1st Hanukkah!

Grammy made Ayla a double sided ornament- the other side says (you guessed it!) Ayla's First Christmas...

Ross lit the menorah while Ayla looked on...

Family chessiness :)

Ayla enjoyed opeing up gifts from her Grandma & Grandpa G...

She absolutely LOVES her new musical stage... in fact, when running errands today, the little microphone HAD to come with us because I could not pry it from her little hands :)

She also got a beautiful sundress to enjoy next summer...

Ayla's Grandma G also made this needle point which we are going to frame & put in her bedroom. If I'm not mistaken, Mama G made this years ago in the hopes that she would some day have a granddaughter to give it too :)

Ross loved his new shirt (from Mama & Papa G) but due to its Mojito theme I think he has been inspired to drink more ;) ...

and new Napoleon Dynomite game (from Hanukkah Harry)...

I received a gorgeous bracelet from Mama & Papa G as well...

Ayla & Ross also have 8 little gifts from Grammy & Mr. Wilford to open each night of Hanukkah! And Uncle Brent & Auntie V also sent 8 gifts for Ayla for each night. Can you say S-P-O-I-L-E-D??? We are definitely feeling all the love!

We finished off our perfect evening with brisket & latkes made by none other than Ross! They were delicious! To top it all off, Ross got to witness his Giants earn home field advantage as they head into the playoffs! As if the night couldn't have gotten any better!

We hope everyone had a very Happy Hanukkah too! I'm sure there will be a million more pictures to follow so stay tuned!