2 years old!
I turned 2 years old today! I got lots of phone calls (my favorite thing in the whole world) with birthday wishes, which made me smile big every time. Mom and Dad kept the day pretty low key since we leave for our big vacation to Colorado early tomorrow morning, but I did get to see my favorite waitress Irene at the pancake restaurant, watched football with Dada and Momma, and had my new favorite dinner, chicken noodle soup. Then candles on a chocolate cupcake!! Mom got all weepy putting me to bed tonight, I guess she can't believe how fast I am growing up. She said it seemed like just yesterday that Dad bought New Year's Eve dinner from the vending machines at Evanston Hospital the night after I arrived -- and now I'm running around, talking a blue streak and completely in charge of this place! Just wait for what year 3 brings, Mom and Dad!
Vacation days with Dad
Dad's been home for a week on vacation and we are having so much fun together. And we have another week to go!
Wonderland Express at Botanic Gardens
We went to the Botanic Gardens to see the lights and the trains they put together for the holidays. It was beatiful. I was captivated by the trains and the displays of all the Chicago landmarks; I wanted to get in the scenes and the trains so badly! All my grandparents came, too. That was a little confusing at first, but then I just soaked up all the attention (and love). We will have to go to the Botanic Gardens more next year.
Here's more pictures.
Christmas 2007
Santa came!!
I got a wonderful play kitchen that I love. Now I can cook at the same time as Mom and Dad! I gave Mom and Dad a really special present for Christmas -- I slept until 8 am!! Mom said she couldn't have asked for anything else. We opened presents and had some breakfast (lox, bagels and cream cheese of course) and then headed up to Nana and Pappa G's. Liz, Jimmy and George arrived after my nap, and we had more presents and then an incredible feast that Pappa G made for us. It was a fantastic day. I had so much fun and I know Mom and Dad did, too.
Here are some pics of the festivities.
Christmas Eve
Nikki and Leela and I ran around so much that it was nearly impossible to get any photos of us, althought Leela was willing to sit for a princess portrait. Rocky and Momma made dinner and Mom even made a buche de Noel for dessert (I heard it was delicious; we kids didn't get any). I fell asleep at their house and don't know what time Mom and Dad loaded me into the car to go home! And I didn't hear any of the it's-almost-midnight-you-really-expect-me-to-assemble-the-kitchen-after-all-that-wine discussion Dad and Mom had when we got home.
Fire Chief
I am Fire Chief Carter!
Summer Fall roundup
Dad downloaded
the photos from his iPhone. These are from this summer and fall, and Dad got some really good ones, if I say so myself.
New bike!
Mr. Serious
Mom, you can jump up and down, act like a monkey and yell, "Cheese!" all you want. I'm not going to smile if I don't feel like it. And I don't feel like it.
Best buddies
Hi everyone! Danny and I were happy to mug for the camera last week, and then we got right back to our trains...our latest obssession.
Lazy Sunday
The forecast today was cold with freezing rain, so I took a pass on going outside and instead stayed in my 'jamas all day! I goofed off with mom and dad and did some work on my new easel, which was my early bday present from Grammy and Pop Pop. I love it!
Hannukah at Grammy and Pop Pop's
We celebrated Hannukah at Grammy and Pop Pop's last night. I had so much fun seeing everyone and especially playing with Sammie and Alex! We all got wonderful presents, and I didn't know what to play with there were so many new and fun things. I got to stay up late, and instead of falling asleep on the way home I talked the whole time and told Mom and Dad what a great night it was.
Here's a few more pics.
First night of Hannukah
Happy "Ha-kula" everyone!
Heavy reading
There is so much to read in the Sunday paper, it practically takes me all day to get through it!
Christmas tree decorating
It was Dad's idea to go get the tree while we were lazing around relaxing over Turkey Day weekend, and what a good idea it was. I love the tree and say good morning to it every day when we come downstairs. I have to touch my favorite ornaments and it's so hard to not pull them down! Mom waters it in the morning and I like to lay on the floor and watch, to make sure she doesn't spill.
Turkey Day
It snowed just a bit on Thanksgiving morning and I had to go outside
immediately while still in my PJs...later on we got dressed up to go to Thanksgiving dinner at cousin Toby's house in Mokena and I let Mom take one crabby picture of me!
We spent Christmas eve with the Pope Madhava's and had a wonderful time! 
We exchanged Christmas presents with Dilma last night -- and she got me a new bike!! It only took three grown-ups to put it together. I had to ride it around the kitchen right away, and I can't wait to take it to the park in the spring. Thank you Dilma!
