Top...er...9 List

NINE things I'll remember about 2009 (a strange mix and in no particular order)...

1) Gracie's hair turned curly (something I never saw coming).

2) For big people, it was the year of Twitter, Facebook, Lady Gaga, and vampires. For little people, it was the year of Up in 3D, Hannah Montana, and the Jonas Brothers.

3) I read all the Twilight books. And liked them.

4) My violin studio ballooned from 12 to 24 students. In a recession!

5) We said goodbye to Great-Grandpa.

6) Jonah's baby voice disappeared, and he outgrew his 3T's, straight into 5T's.

7) Michael Jackson passed away. There was so much media coverage, Jonah figured out how to moon walk (sort of) without my knowledge.

8) We started cloth diapering.

9) I stood in line (with Jonah and Gracie) to vote in the presidential election. Michael stayed home from work to follow the election results, and we watched together as Barrack Obama was elected America's first black president.

Please let this work...

Gracie's crib tent arrived today. She's zipped in and seems to be okay with it, so far. Please let this work!!!

Christmas Memories

Things to remember about December and Christmas 2009...

Daddy was home with us all month, since he was recovering from his 2nd shoulder surgery. We loved having him home! Every morning, straight out of bed, Gracie would run to snuggle with him.

Jonah started singing improvised songs to Gracie, although some of the words don't quite make sense. "Gracieeee you're my fortress! You're my sweeeeet baby GIIIIRRRRRLLLL".

For Christmas, Jonah got a Big Wheel, a Nerf gun, loads of trucks and super heroes, and an Erector set among other things.

Gracie began climbing out of her crib at 17 months old. She's sleeping in her PeaPod until the special crib tent arrives.

The bottom half of our tree has been undecorated a couple dozen times. Gracie looks straight at Mama, says, "NO NO!", then pulls the ornament off anyway. Excellent.

The words Gracie has gotten the most mileage out of this month are:
UH. OOOH.
Oh NOOO!
and GUK! (stuck)

For Christmas, Gracie got a tea set, lots of adorable clothes, an Elmo shape sorter, and a Leapfrog activity table among other things.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas too, and praying your New Year is blessed!

Just Waitin'

Not much going on around here. We're just waiting on Christmas :)

Truthfully, this is my busiest time of year. (Lots of gigs!) But these pictures reflect how Jonah and Gracie have been lately. They really seem to enjoy each other right now. (Don't know how long that's going to last, so I'm soaking it up!)

Precious Overload!

Enjoy the Show!

Jonah's Christmas program was tonight. His class was last. There was standing room only. And a LOT of tired screaming toddlers. It ended up being worth the wait ;) Sorry for the shaking camera! There were a lot of heads to film over!

I know the videos are long, and probably only my family will watch them, but Jonah is in a class full of HAMS, and the dancing in this next one is classic. Especially Jonah's friend, K.C. (He's the one in the white sweater vest, busting a move during the instrumental bridge. I guess the laughing hurt his feelings!)

And, of course, Mary, Did You Know...

December

These are two of my favorite photos from the last couple of weeks.

Michael captured a great one of Jonah on their guy "trip" to the White Tank Mountains. And I snapped the one of Gracie snuggling her Trader Joe's balloon in the car.

Christmas Carols...according to Jonah

Jonah: Mama, sing dat song 'bout cattle alarms.
Me: What song, Jonah?
Jonah: Dat song! 'Bout cattle alarms. *sighing* You know! Duh cattle alarming, duh poor baby wakes?

Girl Talk

Gracie's talking a little more every day. She got off to a slow start compared to Jonah, but now she's committed! This video's for Marmee...

I added this one just because she was being such a goofball...

Little Preview

I was going through the motions of our bedtime routine the other night, singing a couple of songs to Jonah before saying goodnight. I can't remember how we got around to it, but Jonah started singing, "Mary, Did You Know". When I got over my initial surprise that he knew the words to that song, I started singing along. I eventually realized we were probably rehearsing for his school's Christmas Program.

As we sang, "oh, Mary did you know", he began instructing me (in a perfect imitation of Ms. Tiffany), "this is the big part, Mama! Sing out! MOOOORE, Mama!". I couldn't stop laughing as he prompted me, hands raised high above his head, using what are probably the exact facial expressions Ms. Tiffany uses.

Later he promised me, "that song will make your parents cry".