Annabel's Chrismas request

We read a book about Santa tonight, and I asked her what present she wanted for Christmas. Here was her answer:

A big, big, big big polka dot because I'm a big, big girl.

A happy machine.

And two frogs: one for me, and one for Lila.

gym class

bath time

First, a confession. Lila does not get nearly as many baths as Annabel had at this age. Part of it is being the second child (sorry sweetie), and part of it is that Lila is just not a fan. She's always becomes a slippery fusspot. The other night Annabel asked for Lila to come in the bath with her, and we thought a quick, screaming dunk in the tub would clean the spit-up away (Lila is still a profilic spit-upper). We plopped her in and Annabel was thrilled - she went right over next to her and held her hand and talked to her the whole time. Lila didn't make a peep, even when Annabel danced with her and washed her face.

Here's a couple little videos:

Overall, the novelty of having a baby sister hasn't worn off. Yesterday Annabel came downstairs and saw Lila in the bouncer and exclaimed, "That's my baby sister!". If she cries, she gets her a pacifier. She gets her toys, and now that Lila is reaching for things, Annabel loves putting things in her hands to play with. Whenever Lila grasps objects, Annabel says "I taught her that!". Annabel also tried to feed her some chicken the other day. I got it out of her mouth in time, but we found some chunks later in her onesie. Oops. 

I love watching them grow up together :) 

first haircut

About a month ago, Annabel had her first haircut. Because this is how she typically looked:

I expected a wave of tearful nostalgia when the day arrived, but I kept it together pretty well. Mostly I was feeling proud of how still she was being for the hairdresser and relieved that this wouldn't be a kicking and screaming-filled afternoon. The lady cut her hair within three minutes, and I think the end result made her look like she should be on a box of oatmeal from the 1930's. In a good way. 

And she still has those curls! For posterity's sake, here is a video of the first cut:

miscommunication

Me (to Gabe): I've been thinking a lot about scuba diving today.
Annabel: Scooby-doo?!

Me (to Annabel, very first thing in the morning): Sit on the potty, and mommy will sit on her potty and we can play pat-a-cake.
Annabel: We're gonna have cake?!!

gymnastics, part II - gold medal

It was gold medal week at gymnastics, in which a bunch of toddlers had their name called, stood up on a mat got a weird necklace and then all the adults clapped. I'm sure it was all over their heads, but still it was super cute:

gymnastics!

Annabel has been going to gymnastics on Saturday morning for about six months now. And she's petite, strong and fearless, so she's a natural gymnast. She loves going there. It's great to see how she's gotten into a routine and how well she does following the directions: 'all  my friends on the blue squishy mat', 'move like a cat!', 'put your hand on your head for a stamp'.

Here she is jumping on the trampoline:

And I love this video. Here she is falling off the parallel bars and undaunted keeps on trying ..

This past week she walked all the way across the balance beam by herself. So proud of our little girl! I'd like to have her try out ballet as well because I want pictures of her in a leotard and tutu it will help her develop coordination and focus, but I have a feeling she'll be taking gymnastics for a while.