I'll Take a Little Mischief with my Nap

Liv was napping (or so I thought) when I heard paper ripping. Not an unusual noise, but unusual when heard coming from a toddler's bedroom. So I peeked in and found her riffling through her Auntie Gena's things. (Liv is temporarily housed in her old room). She was opening letters and pretending to read them, and ripping those she couldn't open. In the first pic you can see her determination. In the second she seems to wince with anticipation of a scolding.

It's a Tu-Tu Day

I thought it would be fun if Liv put on her tu-tu that matches bitty baby's. It was fun for a bit, Liv loved her skirt and the pink-ness of it all. But then she started getting in a bad mood. I think it was one part tight tu-tu and two parts crabiness over her straight hair.

Beauty School Drop Out

Last night we (me) wanted to play beauty school. I blew Liv's hair dry and straightened it. Here are the best pics I could get, she was quite wiggly after sitting still for so long.

Watch Out Charlie Trotter

Olivia has spent the day trying her hand in the kitchen, playing with some of the toys Santa brought.

Well, We Tried

Aimee and I thought it would be so cute to get professional pics of our two little ladies together. Esme and Olivia thought otherwise. We were only able to get a few pictures of them before the two decided on a double cousin melt-down.

Tee Hee...They Have No Idea

Here's Liv, giggling to herself as she plots her mischief for the Holidays. She figured an agenda of no sleep, dog pinching, throwing food on the floor and scratching Grammies and Aunties should round it out quite nicely.

It's a Love/Hate Relationship

Liv seems to love Santa but put her too close and not so much. But how lucky were we to have a personal visit from the jolly red man himself at Nana and Papa's house on Christmas day! In the bottom photo Liv poses with her Auntie Gena and cousins Francesca, Grace, Frank and Veronica.

Waiting up For Santa

Olivia must have been so excited for Santa that she just couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve. After logging in a total of about 3 hours of sleep (including a snack of a waffle at 4:00 am) we got up for good. Liv was so tired at breakfast, but did perk up for gifts.

Manly Men Doing Manly Things

It has been a long-standing tradition at my Parent's house for my Dad to hand out "man gifts" on Christmas Eve. Here's the group enjoying this year's treat, Grandma Urs got a kick out of it!

Warning: Nudity!

Ah, there's nothing like my pre-bath ritual of standing nude before a lit Christmas tree. It really brings out the spirit of the season.

Lucky Liv

When we bring Liv to see the progress on our house and our next door neighbors are home, they usually give her a cookie. Here she is with said cookie stuffed entirely into her little mouth.

Liv's Night Out

We had a nice Family dinner at Medinah. Olivia was in rare form. Pulling Grammie's hair (natch), running wild, banging silverware on plates...here are some pics from our evening.

Again with the Purse

I wasn't kidding when I said Liv loves to be adult. Give her a lip gloss, she'll ask for her purse. Give her the purse, she'll ask for keys. It's always on to the next big thing with Liv. Here she is with her Nana's purse, getting ready to hit the mall.

The Perfect Mimic

Thanks to Auntie Gena for these pics, taken when they hung out yesterday. Liv loves all things grown-up. Cell phones, purses and keys, makeup and computers. What a teen in training!

Purple Sequins and Fairy Dust

Olivia has these fantastic fancy shoes that she just loves (thanks Tal & Fam). I pulled them out and after an enthusiastic "ooooh" Liv went straitaway to get her fairy dress. I was surprised and delighted at Liv's display of both baby genius and budding fashion star.

An Abrupt End

Unfortunately, the fashion show ended early after the dress proved too scratchy and the shoes too small.

That's Right Boys...

She's single and ready to mingle. Well not just yet. Wait about 20 years.

There's that Santa Guy Again...

Steve and I ran an errand to the bank today with Liv - and low and behold, who happened to be there but Santa! What luck! Or at least Steve and I thought so. Liv was less than thrilled. Plus, how could we expect her to believe this kid who had a few too many on Western Ave last night was Santa?

It's Coming Along...

Here is a recent pic of our house progress. You can see where our old house ended - where the ceiling dips down. We hope to be back in by February. Steve's parents have been gracious enough to host us in the interim - their house may never be the same after Liv is done with it!

More Than She Bargained For

Olivia and I had a little girl's night and went to an indoor jungle gym. Liv was a bit on edge in the balls, and was so sad when she was hit head-on twice by two older boys. But things started looking up once Hannah Montana came on the radio and she joined the other girlies dancing.

La Baby Bonita

Here's a pic of Liv gettin' her groove on to Madonna. This particular move is called the "hubba hubba."

Desitin, The Sequel

Well, apparently Liv's back at the Desitin. Sore bottom? Or perhaps she thought it was frosting.

Something's Not Quite Right...

Liv investigates this so-called "Santa Claus." She then looks at us in disappointment as she realizes he's a fake.

Drama Mama

Pic #1 - quietly seething behind her shades, Liv does not want to run errands.

Pic #2 - she learns we're on our way to see Santa. Different story!

Sweetness!

So tonight we had the pleasure of babysitting Esme. While it doesn't seem like it in this pic, Esme missed her Mom and Dad and got a wee bit upset, shedding her first tear! What a track record for me as a babysitter. But the night quickly redeemed itself as she calmed down and was all smiles again. We even got a wink!

1 going on 3

What do you guys think of my pigtails? I love them - I feel like a whole new me. My favorite thing to do is get into my hair accessories, and pull out rubberbands and stick them in my hair. Then my Mom re-does it, so that it actually looks ok.

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Speaking of vintage (see previous post) this is a pic of Olivia a year ago. It's hard to believe how fast they grow up, until you experience it for yourself!

Baby Goes Vintage

Compare these pictures of Olivia and Esme, each from their own baptism. They were both able to wear my Mom's Christening gown, which was made from my Grandmother's wedding dress. This piece of fabric has seen many happy times, with more to come. Esme was just Christened last weekend, I am so honored to be her Godmother!

Note that Olivia is about a week and a half older than Esme in these pictures - interesting...

Ooh La La

Olivia loves make-up (what girl doesn't). Here is a close-up of her fancy lips, with lipgloss courtesy of her Nana. Peachy!

Caught Red (or white) Handed

Liv has a bit of a diaper rash - so she took matters into her own hands and put some desitin on. Only she put it on her pants instead. And in her mouth. Notice she can't bear to look at me. Embarrassed by her faux pas.