Christmas Fun

Noodle had a fantastic 2nd Christmas. She was excited and interested in being part of the celebration, but overall I know she did not understand that it all was to end with gifts for her. 

We spent Christmas Eve celebrating with family. 

Then at home, we put cookies and milk for Santa (or Bacall-our doggy ate them.) Noodle was not clear on who the cookies were for or how he was going to get them, but ultimately she left them there and talked about them right until she fell asleep.  

 Santa liked the cookies and in keeping with tradition her left her three gifts. 

 In the morning, when Daddy picked her up from her room the first thing she asked for was Santa. Then she came down excitedly, but also overwhelmed by all the attention. She was speechless at the sight of the missing cookies and milk and wasn't sure if she was really supposed to open the gifts. 

We helped her open the first set of gifts and she was thrilled with Santa's choices.  

Making breakfast in her new kitchen

With the Toy Story spaceship

She was absolutely in love with all her new Toy Story characters

 She very quickly understood the concept of opening gifts, but after she had about six gifts, she took a break and was not interested in opening any more gifts for a while. She just wanted to play with her new toys.

Trying on Mommy's new sweater 

It wasn't until late in the afternoon that she finished opening all her gifts, which included a box filled with Little Golden Books, about 300 of them.

Toy Story 2 was one of the Little Golden Books included in the box

All her gifts were a total hit. She took time throughout the day to play with each and every new toy and to read a few of her new books. She had so much fun that the next morning her first thought as she came downstairs was to ask for Santa. Needless to say she was a bit disappointed to learn she had to wait a whole year for another Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Playdate Fun

Have you ever wonder what a group of toddlers do when they are allowed into a forbidden room during a playdate?

Sugar and Spice

Noodle is going to be a great big sister!

 We feel fortunate to get to enjoy a bit more sugar and spice and everything nice, 

since that's what little girls are made of!

Happy Holidays

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to share,
a baby’s on the way!

Ho Ho Ho, Santa #1, Santa #2...Santa #8

It has been a very busy December for us. Mommy and Little Noodle have been non stop attending all the Christmas activities and events that we could fit into our schedule. So many, that we are officially worn out!
Little Noodle visited EIGHT Santas, some of which she kind of liked, others she was uninterested in and others she simply disliked completely.

She would sit close to Santa only in Mommy was in the picture too

When we began visiting Santa she was apprehensive; nevertheless, she warmed to the idea slowly, but nicely.
One of her favorite Santas was the one that combined her love for animals with the holidays. The Chick-Fil-A Cow Santa was playful and funny. She gave him high fives and followed him around the restaurant.

With the Chick-Fil-A Cow Santa 

The Phipps Santa is possibly the most coveted Santa in Atlanta. You need to make an appointment months in advance and you have to pay just to get close to him. This Santa is elegant, but a bit stiff. He didn't make eye contact and was scripted, even rehearsed. The whole thing felt too staged and rushed and, well, stock-up. The photos speaks for itself on her reaction with him.

With the Phipps Santa

The Phipps Santa was a turning point for Noodle because she went from being happy around Santa to not wanting anything to do with any Santa. She didn't want to talk about Santa or see him in photos or videos, almost as if she had been traumatized.
Our schedule still called for another meeting with Santa, the Ritz Santa. I had met this Santa before Noodle was born and I had liked him, so I was hopeful that he could reconvert her back into loving Santa. HE DID!
 This Santa was so kind, friendly and sweet. When he first came out, she went to the other side of the room. Then he started to sing (a Capella nonetheless) and her eyes became interested and curiosity drew her to him. When he spoke she became powerless, the soft tone and eye contact got her and she started answering his questions and even smiled at him. She adored him, talked to him and told him what she wanted for Christmas. She even blew him a kiss at the end and told him she loved him.It was a hit!

With the Ritz Santa

Mommy wants to end on a high note, so we are done visiting Santa. This year we did the work meeting all the Santas, next year we'll know where to go when Noodle wants to see Santa.
As is, she likes Santa (again) and is looking forward to his visit on Christmas Eve (although I really don't think she understands what he represents and why she has to tell him time and time again that she wants a Spaceship). In the midtime we see the personalized video Santa sent her every day and every time he says her name or her photo appears on the video her smile brightens.

Milestone Day

We had a big, unexpected milestone today. We have been relaxed about pushing Little's potty training. We let her roam naked when in the house if she wants to and  if she announces she has to peepee we take her to the potty. She has had a few accidents, but not too many.  

Tonight she was roaming naked as the rest of us worked on the Christmas decorations. She was running around, playing with her toys and being her happy self. 

At one point, she disappeared for a few minutes. I called for her and she didn't come, so I figured she had gone into the bedroom to get a toy or got distracted somewhere. 

When she appears she says, "Big Mess Mommy", repeats it several times and leads me to the bedroom and then to the bathroom. I suspected she had peeped somewhere, but what I found was incredible. 

Our Little Noodle had gone a big number 2 in the potty, all by herself and had left no mess. This is a very big deal because we had not address the potty in regards to number 2 at all. She connected the dots all on her own and went for it. 

We are so proud of her! 

Needless to say, the celebration she received was pretty rewarding for her.

Play Time with Nico

Nico's mommy had to run some errands, so Little invited him over for some play time.

She was so excited to share her toys with him. They spent the entire morning playing around in complete peace and being very gooffy with each other.

Here they are counting:

Making faces and bursting into laughter

Not sure why they decided to do this, but they dragged two chairs into the middle of the kitchen and simply sat there. This turned into an impromptu lunch. 

Here they are singing:

They had more subdued play after lunch, I guess they were full.

Little Noodle and Nico always play together and they are very comfortable with each other. It was interesting to see how much Little understood; she was overly excited because she knew this was a special playdate since his mommy wasn't going to be here. It was as if she did not have to share him. 

Christmas Season is Upon Us

December has arrived and with it all the Christmas festivities. 

We began the month by attending a local tree lighting ceremony.

Little really enjoyed watching the children singing

 Santa and Mrs. Claus kicked-off to the holiday season with a grand entrance in a fire truck. 

Ale got in line very early ensuring for us a sitting session with Santa

In her first Christmas Little Noodle was not a big fan of Santa, so we have been talking a lot about him in the hopes she won't be too scared when she gets close. 

Today was her first chance for the season to get a one-on-one visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

She warmed up to him as soon as he offered her some candy 

But she would NOT sit anywhere near him

She did give him a high five and when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas she said "Rocket Ship"

She wanted to eat her candy

After our visit with Santa, we got to see the tree lighting.

It was a great kick-off to the Christmas season and Little Noodle did much better than I expected with Santa. 

Thanksgiving Vacation 2 - Vacationing with Angelina

We couldn't go on our vacation without our Little Angelina.

At first she did not want to wet the tutu, but once she figured out it was designed to be wet, she went on to enjoy herself in the water.   

Practicing her Angelina dance moves

 We went to El Morro and thought we had left Angelina in the hotel, but we were wrong.

As soon as she found anything that resembled a stage, she started dancing. 

 And when it was time to go for dinner she only had one request, to wear her Angelina Ballerina costume, so she did!

Thanksgiving Vacation 1

We escaped the cold airs of November for a warmer alternative and celebrated Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico.  

 Little was thrilled to get some time in the pool, she had missed getting into it and as soon as we arrived and she saw other children splashing in it, she asked if she could go in too. 

 She saw a child eating cotton candy and her eyes popped, she started asking: "What's that?" So we got her some...She fell in love.

 Ready for dinner. Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks

As our family relaxes and enjoys some of the great things nature has to offer on this Thanksgiving Day, we know we have countless things to be thankful for.

We give thanks every day for all the marvelous experiences, opportunities and gifts we have been given in this lifetime.

In the spirit of thankfulness and joy we hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Day and get to enjoy it the way you choose to. 

This year, we have chosen to exchange the traditional turkey for some lechón asado, asopao and frijoles negros.

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!