Happy Half Birthday Malia!!

Well since Malia has a Christmas birthday, I decided to celebrate her half birthday with friends. We had a blast at Build a Bear. It was really cute because they had each kid put a heart in Malia's kitty. They also had a bear that all the kids (well the parents) signed for Malia. It is a great memory of her first birthday celebration as a family.

Then we came back for hot dogs and Elmo cupcakes. Malia loves Elmo now (Backyardigans is taking a back burner to Sesame Street). She had fun opening the presents and seeing the new toys, books, and art stuff. After nap she took everything out of the boxes and had to try each item out.

Sunday we tried to go to Wall-E with her cousin Garrett but after such a busy Saturday it only worked for an hour. If she had more popcorn she might have lasted longer. We went home for a quick nap and then off to the splash pad to have fun in the water with some of the girls. Finally dinner out at Wagners Drive In. What a weekend!

Today marks 3 months together for me and Malia. I can't believe how well she is adjusting to being here. It is like she has always been part of the family and she is really starting to talk up a storm. She is into a shy mode and gets really quiet at first when with new people or at new places. I think she is just processing so much new stuff but she takes it all in stride. She is a fantastic little girl (even when she is whining). I love being her mom and I look forward to the years and years ahead.

Happy Birthday Grandma and Uncle Jeff

We got to celebrate Grandma and Uncle Jeff's birthday this past weekend by going to the MN Zoo to see the new grizzly bears. Malia liked the bears and would put her hands and say "roar" when we said bear. She also loved seeing the otters swimming around. Then it was to Garrett's house (well Amy and Jeff's) for nuggets and cake. Garrett and Malia had a blast chasing each other around. We headed home for a nap and off to Once Upon a Child in search of some cheap daycare clothes. I was looking around and Malia spotted a ride on toy just like what they have at daycare and she was so excited. It was pretty cheap so I got it and she rode on it for an hour straight when we got home. Sunday we had some fun at the outlet mall with Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma. Malia is obsessed with Elmo right now and they had a ride with Elmo there that she went on. She giggled the whole time it was going. This weekend is Malia's half birthday party at Build a Bear. Since I missed her first two birthdays and her third is on Christmas Day, I wanted to do something special for her half birthday. However, this should be interesting with 10 kids making bears.

I hope everyone has a great week. It has been emotional lately with two co-workers losing their children in car accidents. It puts life in perspective and I am trying to enjoy every moment I can with Malia. Give you kid a hug and kiss tonight and every night!!!

Finally, I would like to say congratulations to Cristina H. on winning "Master of Dance" on TLC. Cris is a college friend of my sister and I am so excited to see her win last night! Great job!

Busy, busy...

We have been so busy this month. First we had my god daughters (and cousin) graduation party. Malia had a blast putting on lei's and playing basketball. Last weekend we had Malia's baptism with her cousin, Aislinn. She did really well considering this was after church service. She also kept her white dress clean during church and even at the party afterwards. She was in good spirits even after I had to fix her dislocated elbow (again...). Thanks to all of the relatives for coming.

This weekend we enjoyed the nice weather and spent time with Grandma and Grandpa. Today we went to my god daughters dance recital. She is a graduating senior and it was kind of sad to see her last recital. We all joked that Malia will have to start dance now so we can continue the tradition. Malia loved the dance recital and even sat for the whole first half. She bobbed and nodded to the music and waved goodbye to the dancers at the end of each dance.

Here are some pictures (mostly from the baptism).

Getting ready in the morning

Blessing with the oil

Now the water

With her god mothers
Group photo

The two girls
Getting tired of photos

The whole family