Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sledding in Tahoe for Daddy's Birthday

Driving up to Tahoe on a snowy Sunday morning 

First family trip to the snow

Baby Alina's first snow day - she tried to taste the snowflakes


A snowy winter wonderland

Daddy and Elise playing in the snow

All bundled up

Grandma's snow angel

Forget snowballs; Elise throws heaps of snow haha

Exploring the hill

Happy Elise enjoying the snow

After what has been the warmest and driest winter we've seen in years, we were thrilled to hear that snow had finally arrived in Tahoe last weekend. We took advantage of the snowy weather and decided to celebrate daddy's birthday weekend with a family sledding trip. Elise had been begging us to take her since Christmas, so she could test out her very first sled (a surprise gift from Santa). The last time we took Elise to Tahoe was when she was around 11-months-old. It was during May and there was no snow. We jumped at the opportunity to take the girls last weekend, as it would be the first snow experience for both of them. Elise was ear-to-ear smiles the entire day. Grandpa and grandma also joined in on the fun.

We had to drive all the way up past Kyburz before we even saw any snow. Thankfully, once we got there, we were greeted by plenty of snow; in fact, when we first arrived it was snowing like crazy and very cold. The cold did little to slow us down (especially the warm-blooded twosome of daddy and Elise; those two double as fully-functional heaters) and after about a half hour the snow stopped and the temperature rose.

Elise has been a little daredevil since she was a baby, so she absolutely loved sledding; so much so that she insisted we let her go down the hill by herself (which we didn't). Daddy found a way to semi trick her into thinking she was going by herself, but instead he held the rope and ran with her down the hill. Once she caught on, she kept yelling, "let go of the rope, I want to go by MYSELF", I swear she could have caused an avalanche she was so loud. People were laughing and amused by our two-year-old daredevil. I kept waiting for Elise to get cold, tired, hungry, etc, but she didn't; she wanted to keep sledding and playing. She really is a little trooper. It was a great experience, and one I hope we get to do more than once every year. Eventually, we want to teach the girls how to snowboard, so they can join us on the slopes.


Sledding in Tahoe

Elise (the mini daredevil) sledding on her own

Peering out down the hill

Keeping warm :)

Little snow bunny having fun

Beautiful snow covered trees

Got snow?  Silly cutie after a fun snow day

Friday, January 20, 2012

The Beginning of an Era

Baby's first pigtails!!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Baby Alina's First Two Teeth

Showing off her two new baby teeth


Looking sweet, but don't be fooled by the little teething terror ;)


Baby Alina has cut her first tooth two teeth! They are the two bottom front incisors and she looks super cute sporting her two new teethers. She had been extra fussy and irritable over the past two weeks, and I knew straight away she was teething. Sure enough, her teeth cut through on the 12th, right when she turned five-months-old. Elise was 4-1/2-months-old when she got her first tooth. I was hoping Alina would hold out a bit longer, but alas she was close behind her big sister. One thing I've noticed since her teeth cut through, is that she no longer sucks her thumb! :( I really should be grateful that it didn't turn into a long term habit, however, I'm actually a little sad about this because I thought her thumbsucking was pretty much the cutest thing ever. Baby is growing up!



Baby cutie pie, who is coincidentally wearing
the same outfit Elise wore for her first teeth photos :)



Smiling for daddy and thankful her teeth are through!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Goodbye 2011...Happy New Year 2012!

January 2011: 1 1/2-year-old Elise with daddy


February 2011
 
March 2011

April 2011

May 2011: Elise and Alina (6-months along)

June 2011: Elise at 2-years-old

July 2011: Our family of four; Alina due in just over a month


2011 is now behind us, and we will always look back on the year as one of the most special times of our lives. In 2011, we became a family of four; mom and dad gained a beautiful little baby daughter, and Elise gained a sweet little sister, whom she loves to pieces. This new family dynamic has kept us busier than ever because we have one more little one to love and care for. Alina owns the rights to the 2011 birth year :) so I focused primarily on her in the monthly photo recaps from August onward. Isn't she just adorable? I have been cuddling her continuously since August, and doing everything possible to cherish each moment of her newborn stage. Alina turns five-months-old on the 12th of January, and I already feel like she's growing up too fast. Each time, I kiss her perfectly chubby cheeks, wisp her fluffy baby locks from her eyes, cuddle her close to calm her from crying, or elicit those darling baby giggles and smiles, I'm reminded that years from now I will look back on these very moments as some of the best memories of our lives.

2012 is sure to be another monumental year. Alina will be reaching all the incredibly special first year milestones; crawling, standing, walking and talking. I'm eager to see Alina's little personality emerge. Right now, she is the most mellow and easy baby. She rarely ever cries or squirms, she just loves relaxing in mommy or daddy's arms.  I wonder what all her likes and dislikes will be? Will she follow in big sister's footsteps or be entirely different in her interests? Either way, there is no doubt that the two of them will be best of friends for life. I can already see it; the way they laugh and smile at each other is the absolute visual definition of joy. They will always be by each other's side; sisters and best friends. I am so grateful for each and every moment of 2011. Our family has grown and the love we have for each other is immeasurable. Goodbye 2011 and Happy New Year 2012!


August 2011: Alina at 1-day-old

1-week-old



 September 2011: 1-month-old



 First real smiles at six-weeks-old!


October 2011: 2-months-old

2-month-old cutie on her first Halloween
  
November 2011: 3-months-old

Sweet little baby

Big smiles at 3-months-old!



December 2011: 4-months-old



Practicing standing; she loves it



Our beautiful 4-month-old doll; the best gift of 2011