Winter Wonderland

We just returned from our big trip up to Oregon to see my family. It was such a pleasant treat to get to play in the snow and spend some real quality time with my people.

My brother, his wife and three kids joined in the holiday festivities which just enriched the experience even more. His girls were so darling, I wanted to wrap them up in craft paper and send them back to Los Angeles for keeps. Beth, the younger one, was an absolute doll and a superb nanny for our rambunctious little Camille. While Trinity charmed me with her comedic antics and flattery. Just tell me I am a "fashion mama" and I am yours forever.

Camille loooooved her first taste of snow...literally. We got to get out and do a little sledding in the teeny baby sled my parents bought. I guess I had forgotten how much fun it is to play in the snow and getting to introduce Cam to the traditional snow activities was a blast. She made fast friends with our snow man and took every opportunity to just lay down and feel the stillness.

I can honestly say, I have no snarky commentary for this entry. We had the most lovely time. I have great hope that the new year is going to bring some drastic and positive changes for our little family. I can't wait to read the next page of this book.

Retroactive Blogging: November

Life really does just whizz by when you aren't paying attention. Next thing you know, two months have gone by and you're late with the rent...well metaphorically speaking of course. What kind of mother do you think I am?

Last month was a busy one but we did manage to get in a trip to the arboretum and botanical gardens in Acradia. One of the only two things worth traveling to Arcadia to visit. The other is Din Tai Fung Dumpling House. Yum!

There is something beautifully safe and predictable about this kind of nature. It is the only kind that doesn't get Carley all tied up in knots about psycho killers hiding in the woods or rogue bull elk with a thirst for Chilean blood so I will take what I can get.

The best thing about days like this is watching Camille take everything in and wondering exactly how that little brain is processing the new info. Life should be filled with more days like this and less wading through useless details.

Dishpan Hands

There are a few things that I wish people had told me about having a kid. One of the biggest ones is that at 10 months your dish use will increase slightly...everyday...until it reaches a mighty creshendo at 13 months. We are going through so many bottles, cups, plates and bowls now, that we are either doing dishes all day or it takes an hour to get through a day's worth.

Why does this vex me so, you ask? Well we are stuck in the 1940's over here at 1316 Lucile Ave. and have no dishwasher. My hands ache half way through a dish cleaning frenzy and not being a habitual lotion user, this is tragic! I never understood the dish glove thing. They seemed to go the way of the pantyhose but now I am buying into that movement and I am going to get some pronto to save these mits from looking like my 96 year old great grandmother's.

In the end, it is all for this little bug so it is worth it but I can't wait until she can start doing them!

Pumpkin Time

It is my favorite time of the year...FALL! Actually I guess I just like the change and I love the holidays so I see fall as the gateway to over eating and hanging out with the people I love.

We had the chance to take Camille to a real city-fied petting zoo and pumpkin patch last weekend. It was complete with...wait for it...fake animals and asphalt. Just how we like it!

We had a great time anyway although Cam was terrified of the real animal portion of our adventure.

Of course I took the opportunity to dress her in my idea of fall fashion nirvana and everyone thought she was a boy. I must admit she does look a little like a mini James Dean.

Hot In The City

Sometimes the heat makes you do strange things.

We are loving having Uncle Hay Hay staying with us but the flip side is that he is seeing the Poblete-Walker family in all our "unique" glory.

It is not helping our case that it is 100+ degress these days!

Is She Biting or Kissing?

Camille is going through a stage. At least I hope it is a stage. She bites our faces. Not a real chomp, chomp but some very slobbery face teeth contact. I can't help but laugh every time she does it which only encourages her more.

This week we are lucky enough to have Uncle Hay Hay staying with us who captured the latest bitefest.

First Birthday Extravaganza

I know it is silly to throw a big crazy birthday party for your baby's first birthday but I couldn't resist. I mean I don't have many birthdays before she is calling the shots so Mama did it up!

Princess dress from Uncle Ed is the unexpected cherry on the top!

Josef Originals birthday girl figurine. I have wanted these all my lift so now I get to give them to Camille who will probably think they are lame...hah!

Probably the sweetest picture in the bunch. I am such a lucky lady!