A First Christmas

She must have known something was up because last night little monster stayed up way past her bedtime. By seven-thirty this morning Saint Nick had paid a visit and our little tree corner was overflowing with packages--one for every ten of Fiona's. We did our fair share of snatching away paper & bows but Fiona really spent most of Christmas morning inspecting new toys. Some of the better secured to packaging caused panic as we raced with scissors and fingers to pull them free while nearby she shrieked and bounced with anticipation. Why do they need five plastic twist ties, a role of tape, and dual layered box to protect Cookie Monster? Santa grammy brought her a new Radio Flyer push tricycle for Daddy to assemble; she has jammies till she's two, new dresses, & shirts, hats & mittens, a super sized teddy bear mat to snuggle from Grandma Pat, elephant friends, books, and silky, soft spring wear from grandpa and nana Gordon, the coolest personalized baby and travel photo journals from the Laurie family, a jumbo play cube from auntie Carolyn, blocks, donut rings, things that play music and light up for her endless amusement...and the most fun present of all, a new cousin due in July :)

We hope everyone had as much fun and is enjoying their holidays as much as Fiona. She's all smiles. Merry Christmas!

Perks of being the only child

Someday there'll be a brother or sister, but for now it's all about Fiona and she likes it that way...

That's for me, right? Checking out the stash early Christmas morning.

Dear Santa, No Elmo, I'd like Tupperware. Love, Fiona

This little activity means I can cook dinner, unload the dishwasher, eat a bowl of cereal, all while she sits transfixed by lids and bowls..

That bottle lid she has there, she actually ripped into two pieces tonight. I assumed it was fairly kid proof--I mean it's a flexible plastic lid with cap I've had for years. Not Fiona bite proof...

Brunch

Trying to make mommy nervous, could Fiona stretch the lap belt any further? We joined Russ & Michelle and their kids Cambria & Cole for brunch. Cambria is captivated by "baby dolls," especially ones that babble, drink bottles, and wet real diapers. (How novel it once was huh?) Fiona digs the interaction for awhile, then she realizes she's sharing attention and personal space and fights to reclaim both.

We're growing more experimental with foods. Jim especially loves Fiona's expressions at new tastes & textures--you've seen him instigate pet expression over the years, right? Same thing. On this morning he snuck in vanilla ice cream. I missed the first frozen little mouthful. There was some startle but like any kid, and Gordon offspring, she welcomed more spoons. That's ice cream dribbling down her chin and Jim's shirt.

My new, spikey purple ball

Whenever it's cold and foggy in Sacramento, it's crisp and blue in San Francisco. Last week Fiona and I met up with my friends Rachel & Ben in Berkeley, where Rachel and I strolled the posh little shops on 4th street and Fiona picked out a few early Christmas presents. Fabulous photo Rachel, thank you!

Off we go a' wasseling...

Fiona and I went out Christmas tree shopping last week. Of course I don't think she's warm enough unless she has on a few more layers of fleece than I do.

Prepping to brave the chilly night air, I carelessly sealed her very important right fingers in the mitten sleeve. That made for a sour Fiona. Two little feet and one hand snuggled tight, five little fingers peaking out for sucking...And off we went to the very merry, Home Depot tree lot.

Simply "Fona"

Nicknames have way of taking on a life of their own. I went for the obvious, "Fi," but to be honest it never exactly resonated with me and I usually just called her "little bunny rabbit, "little banshee," or "little monster," as appropriate. Then a few months ago Jim started saying, "Hi Fona!" ...To which I responded, "Stop calling her that; Her name is Fi-ona. You're going to confuse her! " His logic was that she'd never be able to enunciate Fi-ona from the get-go and would likely say, "My name is Fona." Try as I may but I couldn't get the picture of a precocious little toddler declaring herself as "FONA" out of my head so before long I started calling her Fona too. Like the finger sucking and diapers I'm hoping it melts away with/before preschool and long before anyone starts calling her "Fone" or "Foney..." For the time being that's why we walk by the high chair, the playpen, the big blue eyes staring up from the floor, bellowing, "HI FONA!" *

Where's Fona?...

*Feel free to reinforce her real name.

All the Right Moves

Would it make me a bad mommy if I said I didn't know the exact moment Fiona made her momentous first crawl across the room? I'm trying to remember when and how she really got moving but I can't. Between early October to Thanksgiving she went from sitting, to rocking on all fours, to a shimmy, to peeling out and heading toward every electrical outlet she spots. It's a blur. Once she got the hang of it there was no learning curve; She's crawling like she's been doing it for the past eight months. At Gymboree she bolted up the padded incline to the shock of the instructor and classmates, all to proudly capture a worn, white wiffle ball.

Jim realized the crib had to be lowered- immediately -when he found her hanging out like this one day.

She's honing fine motor skills like picking up wee bits between fingers and studying textures--One usually expects to see that by a year so I guess she's a super star brain surgeon in the making.

With such pleasant fall weather we load her into the BOB for runs. So, here I go again, it must mean she's going to be an elite runner because she happily finger sucks while taking in every bit of trail scenery. Sunday she grabbed a front row seat at the 10 mile mark watching marathoners run through Old Fair Oaks Village (Some day daddy & I will be one of them again!).

Babbles have transformed into distinguishable "ma-ma-ma-ma..." or "da-da-da-da."

It was bittersweet when she cried specifically for me at the doctor's office Friday as the medical assistant and I held her tight to administer a little albuterol via face mask for her icky respiratory bug :( too soon, we get to mark off cold #2 in her baby album...

Vegan baby

Jim and I worried about what meat would do to Fiona's already stinky diapers and blissfully regular "habits," so it was with hesitation we introduced her to turkey. After all it was Thanksgiving and what American baby shouldn't take part in the traditional, colonial deep fried bird? We cheated since frying takes place in a vat of peanut oil--a no-no for babies under a year due to potential allergic reaction- and opted for the safer Gerber all-in-one feast--meat, peas, potatoes, carrots, and squash pureed into one neat 4oz jar. I thought it sounded too good to be true...too good to, well, be good, and I was right. Rejected. Fiona's pretty open to new flavors. She may react with dramatic pucker or classic wet dog but it's not often she out maneuvers mommy's heat seeking, heaping spoon unless she really dislikes something. Cranberries produced a pucker, a shake, but she came back for more; mashed potatoes, a little odd, a little slow but apparently worth trying a few bites. Turkey puree dinner was a definitive "no." We give thanks her diapers remain vegan.

We kicked off her premier holiday season with visits from great grandpa Al followed by nana Joan & grandpa Bill. I got my first taste of managing monster baby, working, house guests, and meal preparation. Oh, and our house is for sale so at any minute an agent can call to say they're coming over to show. "Are you cleaned up?" they ask. That's why I've been an absentee blogger lately. I've been cleaning cobwebs I guess never noticed and pretending our mirrors are smudge proof.

Here's our little devil, rolling through Nevada City on Sunday afternoon.

Typically town is decked out in holiday cheer, but as of the weekend only parking meters were festive.

It's the Great Pumpkin Fiona...He really came!

I gave her a knife and told her to go wild but this is what seven month olds do with large squash. I'm kidding, no carving tools.

Shocking, she just wanted to bite it and investigate that belly button?

You'll notice I fell behind on blogging. We were busy around here with baby showers to attend (there's a run on baby boys), random fall parties, and a visit from Jim's mom. First Halloween--my 32nd Halloween which immediately became first again, as did all other holidays, when Fiona arrived--was uneventful at home. I actually went into work where it is a big, HUGE deal complete with pro basketball players, local celebrities, and an awesome amount of celebration for the hospitalized kiddos. After surviving the chaos dressed as, at last minute, a green M&M (green scrubs with M painted on tee-shirt) I returned home to find our candy bowl was still nearly full from low treater turn-out and my little pumpkin, literally, was sound asleep in her crib. She stayed snug indoors, showing off her crawling ability, happy scream vocals, and utter cuteness for visiting grandma. Next year she'll walk the streets getting candy for mommy.

Bewitched

It's a little known fact that when I was young I could turn myself invisible. Yep, by putting one hand over my mouth, one to my ear, holding my breath and counting to eleven little Kelley could disappear for minutes, to even hours. I'm certain it worked--my brother told me it did. Success was a matter following instructions to a T and concentrating super hard. Then, poof, I'd be gone...free to sneak as many Chips Ahoy as I wished, stay up past bed time, escape punishment, eavesdrop...the perks were endless. Also, I learned people could then easily ignore me...hmmm?? Fiona's exhibiting early signs she too has the gift...

Speaking of disappearing, uncle Mike & auntie Marlo escaped to New Zealand for a bit. Although it's not as exciting as Fiona, Mike's blogging on their trip. If you've wanted a taste of kiwi lifestyle... http://www.mikeandmarlo.blogspot.com/

Familiar?

Sometimes Fiona reminds me of other things...

Uhhh, Drivers Wanted?

Fiona and I spotted this clever Target shopper today...

Fall days with Fi

(Written Sunday night ) Jim went to bed early so he can, as he put it, "get up yesterday for a butt crack o'dawn flight" to Santa Barbara (a rough day of golf...) . So, I enter happy blog land, as I always do, when the house is quiet and I can pour over masses of super cute Fiona pictures. I've nearly become professional, carrying a digital camera- sometimes two- in my bag as I never know when the next fresh expression or toothy grin will strike.

Fiona engages everyone with an instant smile and coordinating dimples. Her abrupt little bursts of laughter make for a whole cycle of us laughing at her and her laughing back at us laughing. Jim's become a pro at monster faces, peek-a-boo, and hide-seek--which at this point merely means turning one's head away from her then suddenly turning back. Yep, you're face has "disappeared" and suddenly "reappeared" and that's enough to bring about thralls of hearty chuckles.

Yesterday she made her way across the King sized bed--something about the comforter and her pants helped her along. I'm not sure if I can count this as first crawling since she was slow and sort of army shimmying too. The floor brings frustration, rolling onto side, therapeutic finger sucking, and tears to convince (ie, manipulate) me to just pick her up and bring her to whatever she wants, mainly, to me. Day by day, she's getting there and the outlet covers and door latches are on stand-by.

As always Fi's still a fashionista. While Harper's & Vogue are predicting metallic and leopard , Fiona's forecasting lime green and zebra...

Beginning of a happy fan-hood...

So close...again

Friday Fiona exhausted herself with crawling attempts. Jim and I had to step in to call five minute time outs as she was so determined to keep at it through tears and bouts of hysterical finger sucking. This was the first day I've seen her transfer from sitting upright into to crawl mode. Uh oh.... Still fresh and happy here. Another first, she's wearing her first pair of real blue jeans.

So I posted this before but was hurried because The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader tryouts show was starting and I didn't check spelling or make sure I had the image I wanted.

New thing...

We start every car trip with Fiona in her car seat, shade retracted above her head. About five to ten minutes en route, just behind my shoulder I hear little fingers methodically folding the fabric & plastic, inch by inch, until the entire canopy is scrunched down in front of her. Caught in the act...

Snarkley Bunny

No cute pics today, poor little Fi is recovering from her first cold. It started Thursday as fussiness I attributed to another tooth. She didn't sleep all that well then Friday we journeyed cross town in the rain for a co-worker's baby shower. The party, at another co-workers house, was mayhem with other babies, toddlers, presents, people coming & going and after two hours Fiona was spent. Friday night our exhausted little girl just couldn't get comfy- Jim's turn as I was working Saturday- and by morning she had a wee fever and snarkley nose. She perked up for Grammy during the day then before bedtime nurse mommy suctioned all the yuk from her little nose for an easier night. This is a quite scene by the way, with Jim holding her head steady as I attempt to plunge the thrashing target. It doesn't take long for babies to recognize evil things like bulb suctions or thermometers--even the baby experts struggle here. We kept Tylenol going, got up a few times to settle her at night, and by Sunday night/Monday morning she was approaching normal fussy again. No fever and she sounds clear but at moments still has the classic baby, crusty nose. We got back to our typical day routine today and she happily greeted her crib at a quarter to eight this evening. Check that one off our list of firsts.

Stinky Feet

Jim once asked me, "When do baby feet stop smelling fresh and start to smell, like, well, feet?" That's info I didn't pick up in nursing school so I told him it's along the lines of, "How many licks does it take to get to the inside of a Tootsie Pop?...We'll have to see." One morning, just after her six month birthday, I was extracting Fiona from her cozy, footed fleece jammies when I thought, "Gee Fi, your feet are little stinky." So, there ya go, the answer is at about six months. Alas the freshness of our soft, little newbie is fading.

Fi's personality is flourishing. She was a bit grumpy today, dealing with those two last teeth popping up on the bottom, but I captured some fun time on the living room chair after a good nap and full tummy.

This 9 mo sweater set is still a little roomy. I think Fi looks like quite the dainty little girl in it though. I was shopping for our friend Courtney's soon-to-arrive baby boy today and felt in different world over in the boy department with all the camo, navy, and khaki. Before we knew what we were having I never would have guessed how pastel & frilly I could be. I was so excited to put Fiona in her first pair of tights the other day. I did find some awfully cute, brown cargo pants for baby Graham though :)

Beautiful day in the neighborhood

It's a glorious northern cal fall day--one of those things that keeps us living right where we are. Enjoying the sunshine and blue sky, here's Fiona, sitting up tall and smiling for daddy from the Magnolia tree in our front yard.

Since Zoe licks so much Fi doesn't spend much time hanging out with the dog but when I let her she loves to watch, touch, grab, or bite anything furry. Coordinating the two of them to sit for a picture requires some patient orchestration. As I hone my skill I may try to add in the cat...

Go Longhorns! Wooo!

This is Fiona's latest comfort measure...Two fingers down, two up..."Hook'um Longhorns!," the University of he Texas at Austin game gesture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_. We've pondered if this means she won't be a UC Aggie. Or we're wrong and it's the symbol for devil, which at times Fiona may indeed be expressing (as does President Bush...? http://www.infowars.com/articles/nwo/bush_inauguration_illuminati_hand_sign.htm. )
Either way a successful placement into her crib for nap or bedtime means as a I dash out of the room I catch a glance of these two fingers slipping into her mouth followed soft little sucking noises.

New buy...

We finally got the rocker/glider everyone said we should have, and for only $20 at the used baby store. Fiona does like a good rock but focused on her feet this time. It's not ultra plush but it suits her room and fits nicely in the corner like I wanted. Maybe some day I'll cave and get the big glider ottoman.

Fiona, version 2.0

Couple of things to be happy about this week.... First, the new TV season has started and once again I induldge in my guilty pleasure...Dancing with the Stars followed by the Bachelor--- two hours of "train-wreck" televsion I, l-o-v-e, love (then I spend another two hours talking about on Tuesday.) I figure I am a Desparate Housewife, I know first hand Grey's Anatomy is not true, and too much murder/crime mystery TV, while one's husband travels all the time is bad, so go Jenny Garth & 25 catty females fghting over a guy they don't know... As for Fiona, she continues her journey toward perfection. Well, to us. Jim returned from India sans parasites, new disease, or a dot, on Saturday and found Fiona even happier and more fun than ever. She's been sitting up steady and playing in her room, playpen, or on the floor quite a bit so I get little breaks to run into the bathroom, brush my hair, eat...normal things I used to struggle with while she screamed. I like this occupied but not crawling everywhere phase. She "talks" constantly... in the grocery store, in her car seat, just sitting at home. High pitched squeals and shrieks non-stop. Jim refers to her as Fiona, version 2.0--witty software humor. Even though I work two days a week, leaving her lately has been harder. Check out her new stats from MD appt today. She's lean but healthy, really tall, and had two more shots that made her sleep all afternoon :)

Playing the Field

When opportunity knocks Fiona enjoys sharpening her dating skills. We need to work on biting and sharing drool, but she's making the most of her dimples and listening skills. Here she's working it... "Your two year old molars are awesome. I dig your pull-ups. Tell me more about yourself Tristen" Shortly after this scene Tristen emerged proudly from the bathroom and announced he had made his first poopy in the potty. Clearly trying to impress Fiona. And come on, what girl wouldn't be tickled pink?

Later, she blindsided Tristen by hooking up with Luke. Five weeks younger but a tall, strapping young man, Fiona got a little touchy-feely.

Push me mama...

Not to worry germ-a-phobes, I wiped off the swing before I put my little chew bunny into it. So, this was the second time Fiona's been in a real swing. The first park visit was last weekend after a walk around the Folsom Zoo (I love this place- it's all rescue animals and well done). As she won't tolerate a stroller, Fi was a little cranky after me carrying her around from lions, to foxes, to bears, to the "only in Folsom" ferral cat and hybrid dog-wolf exhibits, so swinging wasn't so thrilling. Today, like Saturday, she started off tired and a bit nervous. We took a lawn break and after some chicken watching and observing how the big kids swing, we tried again. Bingo. This go round, the hat came off, legs kicked, and if I took a rest or snapped too many photos, fervent little glances said, "well, push me mama....again....again...."