Christmas highlights

Some Christmas Highlights
- Ania spending time with Polina and Christopher.
- 12 inches of snow in Syracuse
- Sledding and a snowman
- Christmas Eve with in-laws and Christmas Day with cousins

Las Vegas

I'm catching up on posts...back in Novemeber, Tom and I went to Las Vegas to celebrate both our birthdays and to just get away for a couple of days (since we've sort of been busy since July).

It was such a great weekend getaway!  We left Ania with my parents and thanks to technology face-timed with her.

We arrived early morning on Friday and instead of going straight to the hotel, we drove to Red Rock Canyon first to go for a hike.  It was definitely cold and after a plane ride, the fresh air was nice.  Friday night, we went to dinner at Prime Steakhouse in the Belliago and after did a little gambling and some drinks.  The party animals we were, called it a night at about 11:30pm.

Saturday, we had a 1.5 hour couples massage.  It was fabulous and I transformed Tom into a spa junkie.  We even went back to use the facilities spa, sauna, and steam room before our show and dinner.  Dinner was at Nobu, great sushi and friendly staff.  I want to go back when we're not in a rush to catch a show.  We saw Zumanity, a Cirque de Soliel show.  It's riskay, but it was good.  This was our first Cirque show. 

Here's a few photos from our hike.  The other photos will be added later.

By George, I think she's got it!!

After 14 days of screaming crying during bedtime, Ania has finally come to grips and is putting herself to bed! I couldn't be more proud of her.

The first few days she was screaming crying for about 30 mins before falling asleep and right before traveling it was 20. We were about to revert and start rocking her again in NYC, which we did the first night in a new place then we were back to putting her in the pack n play or crib and she would cry for about 10 mins. It got to the point it was so loud that she was almost losing her voice the next day. Then, just the other night it took her 5 mins of crying before putting her to bed and just last night, she didn't fight us putting her in her crib, cried for about 2 mins and went to bed. Today, for her morning nap, I put her down and she talked to herself a bit an went to bed. Talk about lifesaver.

She's such a good girl and patience is a life lesson when you become a parent. Tom and I stuck together, alternated bedtime (bc I want her to be used to either of us) and she's been doing awesome. I worried when I go out of town for two weeks... Hopefully when I come back shell let me put her to bed. Crossing fingers...

Day 6

We're starting to train Ania to fall asleep on her own...and it's day six. It's definitely not easy but so far it's taken about an average of 26 mins for her to fall asleep. I'll take it! Before, we would rock her to sleep and I definitely loved it but not when I had to walk around with her for over an hour before laying her down in her crib. So well see how it goes.

Toms on business and hell be back on Wednesday...then we're off to NYC to spend the holidays, no christmas, with my family and his. Cannot wait!!!

Here's a few photos: one with baying and laking during family dinner, Tom reading to Ania, and a goofy photo of us. One more of baby shoes, I had some as a baby because my mom got them as a gift and I found the company so I ordered the same ones for Ania. Unfortunately her feet have grown and don't fit the shoes anymore. Bugger!

And another. One with her and the reindeer. We went to this event called winter wonderland in our area on Thursday. She sat with Santa and I took her photo. She has a christmas party at school tomorrow plus a photo with Santa.

Blessed

Everyday I count my blessings. I am so blessed that Ania came into our lives and how she was such a surprise to us and having a healthy pregnancy and delivery of her.

My coworker was out of the office for a couple days an to find out that she had suffered a miscarriage. I also find out another woman has been out of the office and she's pregnant but has suffered 6 miscarriages before then. I pray for these ladies that want to be mothers again that they're able to share in the joy. Both have babies already but I pray that the expansion of there families happens for them...

Christmas Shimmy

Anias version of the Christmas shimmy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7zhPveZ-BY

Sick

When I lived in NYC, I never got sick. I move back and I feel like I'm sick every other month. That's not cool. When we first moved to Houston both me and Tom got sick and now I'm home sick and toms been playing mommy and daddy to Ania since Thursday. He's such a great daddy and Ania loves h too much. I still need to write about our time in Vegas...

Phases

Ania goes through phases where all she wants is me then the next all she wants is Tom. She's going through teething and I have no idea which teeth but she's not in the best of moods. And she wants nothing to do with me. All she wants is Tom. When I try to put her to bed she screams so loud and then when she goes to Tom she lays her head down and knocks out.

She may have a case of the daddy's girl.

Kool with a "k"

I was wondering what kool with a k looked like and I found it. See below

Birthday parties

Today was Anias first classmate birthday party. It was very fun! In short, they had a puppeteer, face painters, all homemade food, potatoes with caviar and champagne. It was a party for both parents and kids, can't complain about that ;)

On a side note, I did a little change

Reviews

Reviews can make or break a place. At first I was going crazy, but Im not the one crazy. Word by mouth helps parents with kids. I'm posting my review today.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-childhood-center-houston

Sticker Fun

2 glasses of wine. TV watching.  Home alone. 

Tom is on a business trip and I'm just galavanting.  Anyway, I took these photos a few days ago and Ania had some sticker fun.  She got these for her birthday and she enjoyed them

and a stolen photo from the Houston Zoo website.  One more fun photo, a couple weeks ago we went to Liliana's 2nd birthday party = Ania's first time at the jungle gym

I'm not at the club

Ania is a pretty good sleeper but last night was another one of those nights. She didn't sleep until 2am. I blame it on the teeth. She goes through spurts when she's teething when this happens. Thankfully Tom helped out and took one for the team since he's leaving for a business trip today. So I technically wasnt up all night as if I were in a club.

It is frustrating because I dont know which teeth are coming in because she won't show them to me. Right now Ania has 4 at the top coming in and 3 at the bottom. Her teeth are spread apart at the top. It's a little comical but I'm preparing if shell need braces for those toofers. Lol. I have to brush them after I give her night bottle but once she's on whole milk full time I'll think about weening her off the bottle.

She's starting to cruise a bit, just waiting for those steps. Sometimes I feel like she's so close!!

On to more randomness, we have started to go out to eat on Fridays. Just to celebrate the end of a work week. First, it was sushi she loved and last week we tried happy hour specials. It was great!! We went to city center, my first time there and it's a whole different world. I enjoyed it and we're going to try another restaurant. Their happy hour menu is 3.95 for some really good choices! Can't wait. And Ania enjoys the people watching.

Here's Ania reading with her laking and baying

Wednesday

Just a few random comments about Ania boo. She's learning how to walk. If we hold her hands, she takes steps. Today I held only one hand and she took a few steps. She's really trying. She'll take one step then fall.

Buying shoes for Ania is tough. She has very narrow and petite feet (as my mom says). Shoes 6-9 months are still big for her. I've bought her 12-18 months just so she'll grow into them. Maybe she won't have my giant feet but its too close to call.

The daycare put two ponytails today. Ania looked pretty cute but it still doesn't help her straight hair cause. I love it.

Here we are exploring the front yard. We try and take short strolls after work

Re-elected

So, I was hopeful that Governor Romney was going to win but unfortunately Obama won. Everyone has their reasons on voting and my reason was for the economy and I felt like the running mate is more qualified. I spent a lot of time learning to form my opinion but fact is I need to plan for my future for my family.

I never knew what a venture capitalist is. I do now. I invest and save my money but knowing that there's clauses in Obamacare that taxes 25% on capital gains, including on the sell of your home and investments, I'm probably going to rethink that strategy. That's me. I never was political until I I got "older" I guess. Just some of my opinions.

I remember watching coverage after one of the debates and an undecided voter said "the decision is either to vote for the businessman or the people person". The people person won. I know we'll be fine but what's unsettling is the way the news coverage reports news or lack thereof.

What's interesting is I asked my friend who she's voting for and she told me Obama. She's a working girl. I also asked her why because it made me curious. Her response, mainly due to women's rights and pro choice. I respect that but it definitely made me see the difference on why I vote for someone vs the latter. Interesting.

Always up for learning challenges. So for my Ania, I want her to learn as much as you can, see and understand both sides, respect opinions and don't go with the crowd 'just because'. I get so wrapped in these things sometimes to a fault. I need time away from news...but we're moving forward.

And today, the day after daddy's bday and at 12 months and 1 week, the incumbent President of the United States was re-elected

Some news: hurricane sandy wiped out north east states including NY. You Tita pols lost power and all your aunts and uncles. But everyone is ok.

We love you very much!

Half way there

I'm starting to think that maybe her daycare is trying to tell me something. Fix your kids hair. I picked her up yesterday with this hairstyle. Half spiky, half in ponytail.

A day at the zoo

Now that Tom is finished studying, we have more time to explore the city and go on day trips.  This first weekend, we decided to go to the zoo.  It was great fun and we fed giraffe's!!!

African Masks

'Walking' around

 With the Rhinos

Feeding the Giraffes



Hairstyle Friday

Here's another hairstyle Ania had when I picked her up. Her teachers managed to slick her hair AND put it in a rubber band

Halloween fun!

Ania started walking when we hold her hands

Ania is One!

I can't believe today Ania is one. Well technically I would still be in labor waiting to go to the hospital, so shell be one at 4:39pm today but hey who's counting :)

The funny thing is the first 3 months was a trying time of minimal sleep and still figuring out how to be a parent. Now I wish she was still the baby I can carry in my arms and still trying to figure out how to be a baby.

We had Anias birthday party on Sunday with family and friends. It was a good time!!

30

Goodbye 20s, hello 30s. Definitely have unforgettable moments in my 20s but I can't want to see what memories will be created in my 30s.

I went to dinner last night with my family to celebrate. It's always nice to have dinner and drinks. Love them