Pigtails

I just found some photos that I forgot to post a few weeks ago. This was the first time Georgia wore pigtails. We were going to my dad's office party. I tried to make her look very Christmas-y with the red sweater and sparkling wizard-of-ozish shoes.

Where are the Christmas photos?

Dear Readers,

I have no Christmas photos of Georgia because I forgot to bring my camera to Christmas. Isn't that terrible? We were struck with another cold over that week and unfortunately it took all my energy to wrap gifts and make it to the festivities. Gift wrapping is definitely a chore. I think the aunties might have some good pictures they snapped. If so, would they mind e-mailing me a few or linking me to their snapfish account?

Until then, I hope you enjoy these funny photos. Georgia placed herself in this basket and then got stuck. Once she got out she thought it was actually fun and decided to sit in it again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

On my birthday, Monday morning, we awoke to an icy wonderland outside our window. The crepe myrtles gleamed in the sun with their crystaline crown. My rose bushes, whose leaves had not yet fallen, were little green soldiers frozen in time. And all of our precious Sycamores, whose scrawny new branches have proven to be so strong against the Oklahoma wind, also succumbed to the storm. They were bowing down to the street pressed by the weight of their icy leaves. Throughout the day Gigi and I heard the sound of cracking branches and crashing limbs. All of these old trees around here took a real beating. It was humbling to be reminded again of nature's force. I like to think of it as her way of trimming the branches, but oh how she does it!

I wish I had taken pictures, but my camera was accidently left in Yukon last Saturday. However, I do have some pics I snapped of Gigi running around the Christmas tree. Just thought these might be enjoyable to put on the blog. They are, at least, pertinent to the season!

Thanksgiving

There is a lot to be thankful for this year! Topping my list are:

Sleep, macaroni & cheese, a working heater, sunshine, the internet, visits to and from the grandparents, phone calls from sisters, furry friends, health, promotions, curtains & chandeliers, baby kisses, zoo trips and of course my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter.

As the round of holiday cheer begins, I want to wish all my readers a happy and fabulous Christmas season!! May you spend it with those you love and may the joyful reason for this season fill your hearts.

love, JoDee

Photos

Autumn and Abuelas

The weather has been changing here in Oklahoma. It is that beautifully golden time of year when the air is crisp and the ripe foliage colors the landscape. I love this time of year! It is so nice to sit by a window with a warm cup of tea and just observe nature in her glory.

Here at the house we have been taking it easy and enjoying our days. The abuelitas are having a good time cooking and talking and playing with Georgia albiet they have a time trying to stay warm. The house gets a little cold at night but we put the heater on 73-74 degrees to keep them toasty.

Since the weather today was particularly nice, we ventured to the zoo. Tenchita wore my furry coat from Paris to keep her legs warm. She looked very stylish! :) Gigi loved seeing the animals, especially the bears. What fun we had!

Vivan las Abuelitas!

Abuelita Orie and Abuelita Tenchi arrived last Wednesday evening. We are so glad to have them here! Georgia is learning all sorts of fun games and expressions like: quien es la chica mas bonita(or something like this) and she points to herself and says "yo". Well, she doesn't really say "yo" but she does point to herself and laugh. It is nice to have the company here in the house. The abuelitas are helping me keep everything together and today they are preparing a Guatemalan dinner for us. How nice to not have to cook! :)

Last Friday we took them on a tour of Rodolfo's work. Then on the weekend we went to a wedding. Above are some pictures of our recent adventures. Abuelito Ofo we wish you were here too!

Magic Rain Boots

In a quiet corner near our basement door sit a pair of Pucci-inspired rain boots. They are a little worn, a little muddy and serve me well when I need to go to the dungeon (our basement). These unassuming boots have recently taken on a new role; they eat credit cards. It is true. Rodolfo, who tends to loose things, had a terrible time finding his Discover card. He looked in all the usual places but the card just couldn't be found. After what seemed an endless search we gave up. That evening, on my normal laundry round, I slipped my bare-feet into those trusty boots. And what to my surprise did I discover but a shiny, crisp credit card. Who knows how it arrived there? Those boots must be magic and come alive when we least expect it. Since then the boots have taken to eating other household items, especially blocks, keys and little toy farm animals. I wonder what those hungry boots will eat next? :)

Boomer Sooner

Gigi has officially attended her first OU football game. It was sweaty, hot, humid and dog-on gross but she seemed to enjoy it and didn't cry once. When the band would play Georgia would hold her hands in the air, when the crowd would roar and stand to watch the play, Gigi would stand along with them, when people would clap for good plays, so did she, and when nothing imparticularly exciting was going on she would flirt with the guy behind us. I think I have a social butterfly on my hands.

Other news... Georgia has really taken to grabbing whatever is on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. She stealthily grabs the item when I'm doing something else then walks around the kitchen and dining room with it talking. Here are some pictures of me catching her with a bottle of Dr. Pepper.

One of her favorite new words is "tickle". She says this word in long repeated sentences. So it goes like this "tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle... etc." She particularly likes to say it when Wally is around or when she is carrying one of her toys. Where could she have possibly learned this word??? :)

Backyard Fun

Here are some pictures I snapped August 25, 2007 while chasing Georgia around the backyard. She loves to go out and run around. She follows Wally's lead and chases him back and forth, stopping every now and then to pick up leaves or acorns. I like the sky in the background. I caught it on accident.

Blossoming Beauty

Dear Georgia,

Here you are in your 9 month professional photographs. Do you like your rose hat? I think it is simply divine, darling. You were very happy at this photo shoot although we had a hard time keeping that big-old hat on you. Still, we got some pretty great shots. You were especially happy sitting in that bath tub. The flowers on the floor distracted you and you forgot all about the hat. Kisses sweet one.

love, Mommy

More Birthday Photos

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!

Dearest Georgia,

You are one year old today! Happy Birthday to you! The day you were born was an extraordinarily beautiful moment in my life. It seemed as if time stood still and joy was poured out for 3 straight days. So many well-wishers and family came by with flowers and gifts and love. But nothing could compare to the most miraculous part of it all-- the beautiful bundle of love sleeping in my arms--You! You were so tiny and precious all curled up in your baby ball. I had no idea what I was doing. When I think about that time the emotions and excitement rush back to me. During those beginning few days I felt a mixture of pride, wonder and fear. It was a grandiose emotion, the type I feel when I look at a sunset in September, those beautiful golden ones where I try to take it all in but don't have room in my lungs to absorb it all. You were just beautiful and I was amazed that I was your mother.

For the record, your were born at 11:38 A.M. weighing 7 lbs 11 oz and were 21 inches long. Now you are well over 20 lbs. and are not very sleepy anymore. :) You can walk independently, you babble constantly and you love to be silly. Dancing is catching on, you love to eat cheerios and animal crackers, and you get ridiculously excited when you see other babies. We celebrated your birthday this past Saturday with a huge birthday bash. Here are some pictures to help you remember the fun. We love you baby girl!! Kisses and love-- Mommy.

Mi querida pitufa! Increible pensar que hace un anno estabamos ansiosos por conocer a la beba que con tanta alegria estabamos esperando. Fue en este dia que a la 0+ horas que tu mama me desperto diciendo que probablemente teniamos que ir al hospital. En mi suenno recuerdo no haberle creido, pero tu mami insistio y nos fuimos al hospital. Con nerviosismo y anticipacion (porque nunca habiamos tenido un bebe antes) nos dirigimos al hospital. Cuando llegamos al hospital nos dirigieron a una de las habitaciones, recuerdo que tu mami pidio si nos podian hubicar en una de las habitaciones recien remodeladas (mas lujosas) pero no tuvimos tanta suerte. Con ansias esperamos el veredicto del medico, pensamos que nos iban a regresar a la casa por falsa alarma, pero en la espera, tu mami pidio a Dios que no fuera asi. Justamente cuando ella termino de decir su oracion, la fuente se rompio y quien hiba a decir que unas horas mas tarde estariamos precenciando tu llegada a este mundo. Gigi, has cambiando nuestras vidas, desde el momento en que naciste hasta este primer anno de vida. Al principio fue dificil adaptarnos a tu precencia y todos los cuidados que un bebe requiere, pero en el transcurso de los meses has llenado nuestros corazones de alegria y nuestras vidas con una nueva perspectiva. Tus risas, gestos, las gracias cuando comes, la alegria extrema cuando ves a otro bebe, los gritos de felicidad cuando Wally te persigue por la casa, en las mananas cuando te cambio el pannal antes de ir a trabajar, en fin cada cosa que logro compartir contigo es algo invaluable. Algun dia, cuando leas esto, diras, que sentimental es mi papa, pero tu cumples un primer anno solo una vez en la vida, y que alegria para mi haber podido compartirlo contigo!

Con mucho carino de tu papa.