Kokochi

Dressed up for a Holiday Party

Alrightly...finally catching up about last weekend. T'was special as there was the grand Callaghan family Christmas party. I was actually really excited for this since I've never been to a gathering of the family all together. The family is huge...and I grew up with a small family so it's a neat thing to experience. Tes wore her adorable jacket and matching hat. Granny Marie gave this to her at my baby shower! But it's been too big forever...and now it fits. It is so cute! After we entered the hall where the party was, we spotted T's cousin Maria-Rose who was wearing a different jacket by the same designer. I love seeing them together, and made them pose. Of course Tes lost her hat during my photo attempts. The cousins do seem to connect as if they know they are related... p.s. Yay to Granny Marie who bought her adorable red shoes, and the jacket. She also figured out the perfect dress as I was too busy to dig through all Tesla's clothes.

more babble

Babble in car

Babble in crib

It's too fun not to post. What is she saying??

Soon we will know, and I've heard about that stage where they just don't shut up. But I'm so curious about her thoughts that I can't wait!

A moment to note

I'm behind in blogging. I have tons of pics and videos from the weekend. Some from the 60+ attendees at the Callaghan Scottish family Christmas gathering on Saturday where Tesla loved running around with her cousins who are toddlers too. She also took advantage of leaving Dav and me to explore on her own - which we let her since it was all family and as safe as safe can be. Then on Sunday, we had dinner at our friends' who just had their 2nd son. Their first, Kai, is a rambunctious 4 year old who played with Tesla - fed her apple sauce and rough-housed her with pillows - and we were quite pleased at how she held her ground although at times I think it was a bit much for her size. But I got sucked into lounging with Dav tonight. I thought I'd put off posting because I was enjoying hanging with my husband, just the 2 of us as Tesla snoozed. Then, I went to the bathroom. And I got my period. To put this into perspective, I have not had my period for 27 months. It was a very nice break from the monthly hassle. And I appreciated that break. But, I've had signs that it was coming. Plus, I only breast feed Tesla maybe 2 days a week only when I want her to go back to bed when it is 5am and she wakes up. She pretty much has stopped asking for it by herself. So I knew my period was around the corner. Nevertheless, seeing my period, was...uh...actually very emotional for me. I started crying and came out to Dav for comfort. I explained that although I see Tesla grow and her need for me has definitely changed from physical to emotional, for ME to have the definite signal from my body that it is done with giving Tesla sustenance, and is ready to be back to normal, was rather a shock. I had a mourning. It felt sad in a let-going way that my body was telling me, "Your baby is fine now. She will continue to need you, but has exited her first stage from you." I'm happy (I have been eager to completely get my body back), but touched also at how significant this feels. Thank you, body, for giving us Tesla! Hence this post.

going out!

This was Thursday night before I went out with a friend. I wanted to capture the moment; the, "huh, this is my life and before it would seem crazy but it's so normal now" moment. I had come home from work, fed Tesla, made dinner for Dav and me, gave Tesla a bath, folded some laundry, then went out. Dav had been up numerous times the night before dealing with Tesla, so I really wanted to help out Thursday night with dinner & bath. Otherwise, Dav would have taken care of all that. I really didn't mind, and actually wanted time with Tesla. But then to go out...just after doing so many household things...felt weird. Or, I just felt so 'mommy.'

An indoor fortress

Dav sent this to me at work so I could see "real time" what little Ms. T was doing on a rainy indoor day like today. Brightened my day!

Extra Action Marching Band

They are way beyond what most think a marching band does. Brings the crowd together like no other. These pics of their 3 main dancers are to entice you to check more pics and video on Kokochiino. If you ever have the chance to see them, do not miss them. Once there, you will know what I mean. It's the old kind of fun where the performers and crowd are there together to celebrate ALL out. Refreshing, to say the least.

At the park today...

Falling in sand

Walking

Various scenes of little Ms. T having fun at the park. I'm keenly aware of how quickly all her stages are zooming by so I document as best as I can.

Go girl!! You can do more and more each day. I just watch and marvel...

Down the slide

Videos on Kokochiino

I just uploaded several videos of Tesla babbling, hanging in Hawaii, climbing with daddy, and general park fun. Over on Kokochiino. よろしくね。

Tesla the climber

Climbing at the park

Tesla is getting coordinated quite quickly. Many times, we can just watch her running around a park, doing her own thing. Here, daddy helped her once...the next time she made it by herself...

Tesla in Hawaii

Hawaii - discovering sand!

It's all about stairs now.

Hawaii - with a pen

Hawaii - babble babble babble

Several videos from our recent Hawaii trip...she dominated our vacation in that it really was all about her. I treasured having a full week with nothing else to do than run after her. She made our vacation quite memorable...  : )