Welcome To The Jungle

Has it really been a month since my last post? A lot has been happening in our lives but the camera seems to be absent at all the wrong moments. The weather has been so schizophrenic lately so we decided to hit the zoo again one unseasonably warm January Sunday.

Camille finally gets it and recognizes the animals. Having just learned to identify and say "monkey", the chimps and orangs were her favorite followed closely by the elephants bathing in the new Elephants of Asia exhibit.

Now I know the zoo is a touchy subject for people and even I get a little weirded out by the petting zoo section where the tired old donkeys hang their heads in despair at the sight of a new wave of grabby kids coming at them while the poor goats seem to be meditating themselves to a higher plane. I was a kid myself many years ago and I can attest to the undeniable call of the wild. I am happy that Camille can have the chance to see that real monkeys aren't purple and elephants don't really fly.

Poor Little Rich Girl

As I have mentioned before, Camille is the best dolly I have ever had. It is becoming increasingly more fun to dress her up now that shoes are a necessity rather than optional accessories that fall off all the time and now that she is running around and the clothes actually hang!

I am having the best time breaking out all of the adorable duds she received for Christmas from her generous benefactors and adoring fans, of which she has many. I may just be the taller, lezzier version of Rachel Zoe and become Bravo's next mess of a stylist but for kids instead...watch out world, here I come.

Below are some shots of Cam in her "Poor Little Rich Girl" outfit inspired by one of my favorite Shirley Temple movies. Jacket, hat, shirt and dress from Tia Bobbie via GAP, leggings from Lita Cela via Old Navy and of course the obligatory Chuck Taylors. She does not stop screaming, talking or singing from dawn to dusk so that should explain the slack jawed look on her face in all of the pics.

I have trouble getting a lot of cute standing poses of her since she is rarely standing in one place for long. So until she can grasp the concept that she is Mama's little mannequin, I will have to be satisfied with the less glamorous crouching and kneeling shots. Below are some snaps from the "Andro" series featuring grey skinny jeans from Tia Bobbie via GAP (sagging just like Obbi), oxford cloth shirt from our perennial fave Old Navy and a monster sweatshirt via GAP. The hip dad at the coffee place down the street cautiously opted to call her "kid" when talking to his daughter since we topped this outfit off with a black and white polka dot beanie...smart choice dude.

As you can see we are trying to teach her the value of saving money so when she becomes a famous child star, she will not blow all of her dough on fast cars and expensive boots...well maybe just a few pairs of expensive boots would be okay.

Twenty Ten Retrospective

So I am noticing that all of my favorite bloggers have done a review this week but since everything with a baby can be considered a highlight, I am just going to share some of my favorite snaps from the past year!

Happy, happy new year!

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.