Monkeying Around

Yesterday we went to the LA Zoo with some friends. I was a little apprehensive since Carlee won't stay in the stroller for long. I even tried buying one of those backpack leash things but Carlee freaked out when I tried putting the monkey backpack on her. So without a game plan for entertaining Carlee, we headed to the zoo and I figured I'd wing it.

By the time we entered the zoo and got to the first exhibit, Carlee was itching to get out. Since its hard to see the animals sitting from a stroller, I took Carlee out to see each animal. She was fascinated.

Here she is looking at the gorillas.

Here is a zebra or as we like to call him...Marty (like from Madagascar).

The new baby giraffe that was born this past week.

Carlee checking out the giraffes. They came really close to the fence.

After lunch we had a wardrobe change (since it was getting hotter), played on the zoo "jungle gym", and saw a few more animals. When Isabelle saw the rhino, she said "big dog"! It was too cute.

...and that was Carlee's first trip to the LA Zoo!

New Eggventure

The wonderful part about being a parent is witnessing your child do new things.I had the brillian idea of coloring Easter eggs with Carlee this year. She's starting to get into coloring and fingering painting so I figured she'd enjoy dying eggs. Plus how difficult can it be? We invited Isabelle and Xavier to join the fun. We laid down towels (you know..just in case there was a mess), got the eggs and dyes ready, then we went to town.

Carlee knew exactly what to do. She didn't want to waste anytime.

Isabelle getting ready to color eggs!

Xavier's done this before.

Next color!

In true Carlee fashion...into everything!!

Incredible Hulk hands!

Yes, we had the little egg dipper thingy's but Carlee preferred dipping the egg with her whole hand.

"See, mom. Look at my pretty eggs!" This was right before she threw one egg on the ground. Then once she saw that they could crack, she tried to squish every single egg from that point on.

THE AFTERMATH!

This was a learning experience for me as well. Next year we'll stick to water because vinegar = vibrant eggs but vinegar also = vibrant hands!

Mama's girl

We have been so busy lately that I haven't even had time to update in the baby book or write in my journal. (I keep a journal on my nightstand so I can write down the funny, cute and even obnoxious things Carlee does and that way I can look back and have all these memories of the "little things".) But Carlee is growing so fast and learning new stuff daily that I can't keep up. I had a post-it at work with all her latest "tricks" to remind me to include them in my journal entry that's usually a month's worth of those tricks and milestones.

Carlee is turning into a little girl. She's starting to repeat what we say. We can understand what she's trying to communicate. We ask her questions and she tells us "uh uh" or "uh huh". She likes picking her own blanket from the linen closet before bed. She loves dancing and shaking her booty. (Ballet class might be a success. That or I will have to enroll her in a hip hop class).

Everyday she amazes me. I know I've said that before and I'm sure I'll say it several more times. Here are some recent (and random) pictures of my little girl:

I love this smile. Its even cuter the messier she is!

This picture captures her personality perfectly. Crazy lil kid. Casey says she looks like a little punk rocker with her zebra print bathing suit.

This is Carlee and her cousins at the kiddie table. What happened to my little girl eating baby food in the high chair?

Time is moving way too fast. I guess I need to enjoy those nights after a long stressful and frustrating day at work when Carlee is whiny and fussy and only wants to cuddle with mommy.

Easter Bunny...Fail.

The Easter Bunny's in town! So we headed to the mall to get our picture taken. We went last year with Carlee's buddy, Isabelle and decided to make it a yearly tradition. (Although I've come to realize I may have to rethink next year's visit).

Here is last year's success:

This was before she knew any better!

This year we get to the mall, the girls look adorable in their Easter dresses, and there's no line at the Easter Bunny...perfect!

At the first sight of the big ass bunny, Carlee freaks out. I took her out of the stroller, held her and she calmed down. I then proceeded to put her on the bunny's lap and she got hysterical. To the point where she almost wasn't breathing...and she was only there maybe 10 seconds. I had enough! I felt so guilty for putting her through that. They had lollipops by the cashier so Carlee got a lollipop for me torturing her. Once she got the lollipop...Easter Bunny who???

Here is this year's Easter Bunny picture:

Not so successful.

I don't know why I even spend $26 on a crying picture with the Bunny when I can take my own pictures. All I need is a lollipop and some kind of Easter/ Spring backdrop!

Can you tell she enjoyed her lollipop? She's even saving some on her dress for later!

Lil' ballerina

The things we do to our kids! I signed Carlee and I up for "Mommy and Me Ballet." I'm so excited! I couldn't wait until she was old enough for dance or sports. Imagine my excitement when I saw a dance class that was offered through the city for 18-35 month olds!!! Although Carlee's not even 17 months, there's a class that starts in May and she'll be 18 months and 5 days when class starts. This should be very interesting. I called the dance studio to get more info and to find out what the moms would be doing since I haven't done any ballet since I was 4. Luckily I won't be forced to demonstrate a plier (the French word not the tool) or anything. The dance studio said the kids will learn to point their toes, flex their feet, stand on their tip toes, do something with their hands (forgot what she said), and even do little leaps. What? LEAPS!? My little toddler is going to do a leap! I don't know about that one, but we shall see. I just hope she's not that kid in class. You know...the one who is a disturbance and doesn't pay attention. Hopefully her and I will both have fun. And if nothing else, I got to dress her up in a cute little ballet outfit!

where a kid can be a kid

I finally found my point and shoot camera. It had been in Casey's truck since we went to Chuck E Cheese for Davess' birthday...just over a week ago. Davess turned 7 and what better way to spend it than at Chuck E Cheese! The place was a mad house with kids everywhere. Now I know why they serve beer. Carlee was a little overwhelmed but enjoyed the Chuck E Cheese show and all the kids.

The birthday boy with his friends.

Kids and pizza

The show that Carlee loved and contributed to my headache.

Being a mom...

... is waking up at 3am with your child who doesn't feel well and not caring about the lack of sleep. Carlee woke up at 3am with a slight fever this morning. She didn't want to go back to sleep. Instead we just snuggled in bed and watched cartoons for 3 hours before I had to go to work. While we laid there, I rubbed her back. When I stopped, she reached behind her and grabbed my hand and moved it back and forth so I'd start rubbing her back again. It was the cutest thing. Although I woke up at 3am, that was the best 3 hours spent in a long time!

Plus, how can I be mad at her!