Teething Much?

Good-Bye...

... Gas Guzzling F-150....



2004



...Hello Economical Honda Civic!!



Zoe testing out the driver's seat!



Snow Day

So what do you do in Southern California when it averages 75 degrees in January?  Your school pays $3,000 to haul in snow for the kids to play in!  SNOW DAY!

Beach Day

We spent MLK Day at the beach.  Last year we spent MLK Day shoveling snow in RI-what a difference a  year (and 3000 miles) makes.  It is still weird to have almost 80 degree weather in January, but I must say I love it!  It was incredible to see the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other- and to be surrounded by my beautiful family. 



Zoe and Darryl taking a dip in the very cold Pacific Ocean!




The Martin Girls soaking up the sunshine.



Look carefully at their expressions- Zoe smiling and Maddie studying something...

And now Madelyn smiling  (and Zoe looking a bit annoyed!) because she got a hold of Zoe's hair.

She loved the feel of the sand on her hands and toes... and in her eyes and mouth. :)

Giggles

Nobody can make Madelyn laugh like her big sister!

Happy Half Birthday Zoe

Miss Zoe has changed so much in the past 6 months since we celebrated her 4th birthday.  It seems like she has really done a lot of growing up, and while part of me loves the fun of having someone to talk and laugh with, another part of me wants to push the pause button and keep her from getting any older.  Here's what our big girl is up to these days:

* loves dinosaurs- loves to play with them, loves to read about them, loves to color and draw them- loves them!
* goes to preschool 3 mornings a week and loves every day
* enjoys reading all sorts of books, and is reading a lot on her own
* eats a cheese stick and yogurt almost every day for lunch (unless I can convince her to have something else), and 2-3 bowls of cereal for breakfast
* easts all  fruits and veggies, including asparagus
* favorite shows- Animal Atlas, Magic School Bus,  Dinosaur Train
* likes to role play vet and doctor, play games, tell jokes, and be silly
* is getting pretty good at dribbling a soccer ball
* favorite color is purple
* is very curious and never stops talking and asking questions
* has a huge vocabulary

We love you Zoe!!

Happy 8 Months Madelyn!

She had a little help getting to this position, but she sure is excited about it!



Loving her toes




Side view to show very adorable chubby cheeks



Happy girl!

Things I want to remember about this month:

Madelyn....

* is MOBILE!  She is a pro at the Army crawl and can pull herself across the floor super fast to get to something she wants

* cut her third tooth (top right) but it's barely visible

* sits steadily, and can almost get herself from her tummy to a sitting position

* is very vocal- the gurgling sound is her newest fun noise

* has perfected the pincer grasp

* finally started eating baby foods- suddenly she can't get enough!

* loves Cheerios, puffs, small pieces of bananas, pears, and zucchini, and so far all the baby foods

* takes a bath like a big girl in the tub

* is showing the first signs of seperation anxiety

* is outgrowing most of her 9 month clothing

* has a lot of hair

* is easy-going

* opens and closes her fists like she's waving

* says MaMaMa and DaDaDa

* survives on very few naps

* likes to start her day early (as in before 6am)

Things that have suddenly become very challenging:

* getting a shower when Maddie is awake

* leaving the room where she is playing

* going out to a restaurant for a meal

* trying to read or eat something while holding Madelyn

* changing a diaper

* pulling clothes over her head and arms

Visitors

As I am writing this, Darryl is driving my Mom and Don to the airport and I am feeling sad. I love my family and I hate that I don't know when I will see them again. We had a great week together and it is always hard to say good-bye. Zoe and Madelyn absolutely adore their grandparents, and I am so thankful that they are an important part of all of our lives. Our week was filled with a belated Christmas celebration, hikes, games, a date night for Darryl and I (woohoo!), and, the highlight, DISNEYLAND! May these wonderful memories we have created help carry us through to the next time we are together. We love you guys!



 Malibu Creek State Park
 

Zoe and Grandma off on an adventure!



Skipping rocks

  

 





 



Zoe and PopPop taking a break.

Christmas in January!



Sea World

A few days after Christmas we returned to San Diego, this time to explore the Mission Bay area.  The first day it was pouring rain, so we went to a science museum that had a great spot called Kid's City.  Well, when it rains in San Diego, EVERYBODY goes to the museums.  It was so crowded we didn't last there too long.  The next day was Sea World- an incredible experience! We saw lots of cool animals, watched two fantastic shows, and played in the Sesame Street Bay of Play area.  We ended the day with Zoe picking out her souvenir- a stuffed dolphin to add to her growing collection of stuffed animals.   

Madelyn chillin' in the hotel room.



Loved the penguin exhibit- they were super active and fun to watch!



Daddy and Madelyn watching the beluga whales.



Blue Horizons Dolphin Show




Shamu




Zoe and I petting a sea star.




Family shot in Malibu on our way home.