New Year's Eve

This year, Ish...
learned to sit up, crawl, walk, run, climb, sleep through the night.
started taking baths in the big boy tub.
grew into his convertible car seat.
cut a lot of teeth and learned to talk.
learned how to brush his teeth and share his Goldfish (sometimes).
started eating solids.
discovered the fun of playing on his own.
developed a crush on Channel 11's Sukanya.
started giving kisses and high-fives.
finally grew some hair!

Next year, I hope Ish...
drops his paci habit.
stops fighting his naps.
stops fighting diaper changes.
takes to coloring.
gains some weight (at least get out of the 5th percentile!).

This year...
Matthew lost his job.
we re-financed our house.
we welcomed 2 new nieces.
I failed to lose the baby weight.
we baby-proofed.
we survived sleep training.

Next year I hope...
Matthew lands a full time job.
we can take one vacation with Ish and one without.
we can get a fence for our yard so Ish can play safely.
I can lose weight and get healthy.
my family remains healthy and happy.

Goodbye 2009!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2009: The Year In Pictures

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

That went fast, didn't it??!!

Better Than A $300 Maclaran Stroller

It costs $4 to rent this buggy for the day at the Danbury Mall. I would have paid much more!

Ish had a blast "driving" through the mall and not once did he insist on being carried through the crowded aisles. Plus it had storage in the back for our shopping bags. It was a post-Christmas miracle!

And PS - I got my Maclaren at a tag sale for $25 - but those things are expensive!!

This is why we tip our garbage men

Christmas aftermath.

And we still have toys that are in their boxes yet to be opened!

Christmas Cute

Christmas Eve was at my house this year. I love playing host!

After many failed attempts to get a cute straight-on shot of my shirt, mommy finally made daddy grab me for this picture. I made sure to give her my best "duh" face.

I had a blast in the playroom with my cousins that night. Although I had to give many of them the side-eye when they dared to touch toys without my permission.

Christmas morning was a bit of a blur. No sooner was I given my morning sippie cup of milk, I was whisked downstairs to the tree I'm not allowed to touch.

Apparently, to spite what mommy says, I have been very good this year!

This was one of my favorite gifts - from my cousins Joe and Diane.

I got the hang of this "unwrapping" pretty quickly.

WOW - this is a BIG gift!

Cool - new appliances for my kitchen!!

I showed daddy what I got in my stocking. Crayons and a Wubbzy CD - does it get any better!

Here I am showing daddy how to color. Silly daddy was trying to stay in the lines.

Oh, hey mom, I was so NOT going to put this crayon in my mouth!

This is the COOLEST gift - a pirate ship!

This box was pretty neat too!

Nana and Grandad sent me this cool car garage. I love to say car!

After gifts at home, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house where I was given even more gifts (a reward for being so awesome this year!)

These gifts weren't mine, but I'm so nosy.

Talkity Talk Wubbzy! Enough said.

Cousin Maryann stopped by too. She's so cute! We will have fun playing together one day.

She got a lot of gifts too. Most were bigger than her!

And last, but not least, here's Uncle Dickey.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

Random (Pre-Christmas) Cuteness

Me and Ish hung out this week while Matt worked. Here's some random cuteness for you.

Pushing his walker.
Eating breakfast.

Playing with his Leap Frog tree.

Chilling with Elmo.

More cuteness to come!

Christmas Vacation

My plans:

1. Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at least 47 times
2. Finish wrapping gifts for Ish
3. Eat a lot (after all January 1st I start my diet - might as well enjoy myself now!)
4. Hang out and entertain young Ish while Matt is at work
5. Attempt to clean (I say attempt because Ish usually likes to walk behind me and undo my work)

I'm going to start with #1 right now!

CAUGHT!

What? I thought you said I could have this Christmas decoration? Didn't you??

Oh, I'm just, um, checking out the childproof locks on these cabinets - all looks good!

This decoration just came out and attacked me - I was merely defending myself!

What, you don't believe me mom??? But I love you!!! And you're so skinny and pretty!!

Santa: Take 2

I took young Ish to my company holiday party earlier in the week. Santa was there.

Apparently Ish is still not a fan.

He wasn't even crazy about being held near Santa.

However, he had no problem showing Santa his water bottle.

I don't get it!

Wish List Wednesday - My Christmas List

Am I too old to write to Santa? Maybe, but who cares!

Dear Santa -

I have been good this year. Really, I have. Ask anyone. Even Ish will have to admit that I should definitely be on your nice list this year. So because I have been so nice this year, I would like the following this Christmas:

A new master bathroom please. The one I have now is slowly falling apart (I kid you not - to take a shower I need to turn on the cold water with a screwdriver). Nothing fancy - a new shower, new fixtures, maybe you could get the elves to throw on a new paint color. This tile pattern looks nice:

Also, we need a fence to keep young Ish from randomly running around the neighborhood - he's very fast and I am quite slow. As we have a big yard, this is a big job - but I have no doubt you and your helpers could get it done! This is a cute style:

That's all for this year (see how nice I am, limiting my list this year to give you a break!). Next year we'll talk about a stone patio and possibly a master bedroom upgrade (I plan on being even NICER next year!).

Love,

Ish's Mom