Santa Claus!

A while ago we took Lorelai to see Santa for the very first time!  When he talked to her, she just stared at him in awe with her mouth hanging open.  I don't think she knew what to make of him. 

Santa was on break when we got there so we decided to keep his seat warm for him.  Lorelai looked so small in Santa's giant chair!

Kiddie Park!!

A few days ago we went to Kiddie Park here in San Antonio.  It first opened in 1925 and they have kept their old style wooden rides up and running.  You have to be 1yr old to ride the rides.  I was a little nervous leaving her to ride by herself.  I was worried she'd try to climb out, or would cry when I left her, etc.  There were emergency stops all around the rides and I made the ride attendants aware that she had never ridden by herself, so I strapped her in and off she went.  SHE DID SO WELL!!  She absolutely loved it.  We will definitely be going back. 

She is getting excited by the bright colors, sounds, and ready to ride some rides!

There are only two rides in the park that parents can go on and the carousel is one of them.  I thought it'd be a good place to start to see how she'd handle the rides.  She absolutely loved the carousel.  She kept rocking back and forth trying to make her horse go.  She laughed the whole time.  It was such a joy to see. 

That smile can't get any bigger!

Lorelai loved to wave at the people as we passed.

This is the second ride we went  on...the helicopters.  Again, it was another ride that I could ride with her.  The helicopters went around in a circle and went up and down.  She liked this one too, but I think she got a little wary of the height.

The very first ride she went on by herself.  I thought she would cry, or try  to climb out.  She loved it and didn't care that I walked away from the ride.  She was so excited, it was just like, "Ok, Mom.  I got this."

Flying her plane!


This video below is of her flying her plane. She wasn't scared a bit and she had a great time!

Riding the boats.  She clapped her hands everytime she went around like, "yay!  I'm doing it!"

ready to ride a train.  She likes to push the buttons

Motorcycle riding!



Happy Birthday Lorelai!

Can you believe it?  Lorelai is one year old today.  This year has just flown by.  She is so big, I can't believe how much she has grown.  Lorelai is such a happy baby.  She loves to laugh, play, and be around her family.  She is the sweetest baby I know...  This is the anniversary of the happiest day of my life.  I love you, Lorelai!  I hope you have a very happy birthday. 

celebrating in her birthday tutu!

Party time!

It's time to party!  We had several friends come over, including Lorelai's best friend, Madelaine! The theme of the party was Sesame Street with an emphasis on Cookie Monster.  Lorelai had so much fun...and she was spoiled with way too many gifts.  We had a nice BBQ, cake and ice cream, and then opened presents.  It was a fun time.

Excited for her first birthday cake.  Good job decorating, Mom!

Ready to blow out the candle!

Lorelai getting her first taste of chocolate!

She seems to be enjoying it!

Daddy, would you like some?  She's so good at sharing.

 

Big enough bite, Lorelai?



Playing with her cookie monster balloon

loves the balloons

Playing in her ball pit.  It's hard to fit in the tunnel with that big tutu!

ready to open presents

The tricycle was a big hit!

Here are a few videos.  The first is a video of Lorelai enjoying her birthday cake.  I was expecting her to smash it and make a big mess, but she was surprisingly gentle.  I guess she wanted to eat as much as possible and not waste any!

This next video is Lorelai enjoying the tricycle she got from Grandma.  That is one happy baby!

Preparing for the big birthday party...

Lorelai's party is right around the corner.  Time to get ready.  Lorelai's birthday theme is Sesame Street with a focus on Cookie Monster.  She loved Cookie Monster when we saw him at Sea World.  Here are some pictures of us getting ready, the cake, and the decorations...

I wanted to do her cake all by myself but I had a lot of guidance from my mom

This is the final product.  I can't believe I did it all by myself!!! I am so proud of it!!  Next year maybe I can make a successful cake without the watchful eye of my mom.  Thanks Mom, for all your help!

Lorelai's birthday banner

Her decorated highchair...ready for some cake smashing!

Add a giant cookie monster balloon...perfect

Here's just some of the food out and ready to go...  all the Sesame Street characters in the background

Lorelai is all dressed in her Cookie Monster tutu.  It's not the best picture but this was right after a nap and she wasn't the most cooperative baby.  She had a white onesie with her name on it and Cookie Monster's face and then a matching pink and blue tutu.  So cute!

She loves the cookie balloons

Ball Pit!!!

Lorelai is had her first birthday a little early this year due to scheduling conflicts.  Joe and I got her a few presents, but our big gift to her is this tent/ball pit with tunnel!  She absolutely loves it.  The great thing about it is that it folds up to about the size of a purse so you can pack it away very easily and quickly.  Lorelai loves to run and hide in there. 



The pit is filled with 200 colored balls!  I'm sure I'll be finding them scattered around my house for a long, long time.

Daddy likes to play in the tent too...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We are finally done with decorating for the holidays.  We ordered an artificial tree this year and while it did cost us a pretty penny...we think it's gorgeous and will hopefully pay for itself in about ten years! hahaha :).  Lorelai loves to look at the lights and the ornaments.  Even though I usually like the Christmas tree in the livingroom where I can see it often, Joe and I realized that it would spell trouble with that being the baby's main play area.  So the tree is in the diningroom in front of our big front window.  Yes, I know that we don't have a topper yet for the tree...I haven't found one that I've liked yet!

Loves the glass bulbs of course

Our stockings are hung on the bannister.  We don't have a mantle or chimney this year.  Notice the three pet stockings below ours.