Dec. 3-Putting up the Christmas Tree

We put up the Christmas tree on Friday. We got an artificial tree and bought the ornaments at the dollar store so the whole thing cost less than $30--very economical. The first thing I do when I get home is put on pajama bottoms and the first thing Julian does is take off his shirt--he doesn't wear his undershirt because it's warm in California, just comfortable. Anyway, it was super fun to decorate the tree and we put up candy canes, which is something I always wanted on the tree when I was growing up.

First Solids!

Ok, I know that Annika doesn't need solid food until she is six months old, but I did let Mom feed her bananas and oatmeal while we were in Walla Walla. Here is a video of her first time eating oatmeal.

Late Thanksgiving Dinner in Waitsburg

Our family on Dad's side had Thanksgiving on Saturday. So we were able to have two Thanksgiving dinners and Annika got to meet more relatives.

Thanksgiving!

Aunt Bev hosted Thanksgiving dinner and it was delicious. Everyone was there, even Grandma Kari. Annika got a lot of cuddle time with the family!

Annika and Uncle Tom:



Annika and Aunt Kate:



Four generations:



Grandma Teri and Annika:



Aunt Bev and Annika:



I didn't get a good picture of Aunt Sarah or Emily with the baby, but here are some extra photos from the dinner:

Grandpa Fred

Grandpa Fred was here for Annika's birth, but he had to leave the day after she was born, so he didn't get a lot of bonding time with her. However, he made up for it during out trip!

Meeting Uncle Tom

We had our trip to Walla Walla and Annika got to meet her Uncle Tom for the first time. From the moment she saw him at the airport, she could not take her eyes off of him.

November 20-Another Storytime Picture

Tomorrow Annika and I will be making our big trip to Washington for Thanksgiving! While I have been getting ready (doing laundry, thinking about packing, etc.), Julian and Annika have been reading books in bed. I never would have thought that a three month old baby could be interested in reading, but she is so attentive and quiet and seems to really respond to the pictures.

November 18-Story Time

While Julian and I got ready to go to Baby Yoga, we put Annika in the Boppy pillow with a book. She loves to read!

November 13-Yummy!

We let Annika gum an apple and she seemed to love it!

Chilly Days!

We're finally getting some fall weather and it's cold in the morning! I've been putting Annika's tummy time blanket in front of the electric fire place so she doesn't get too cold.

November 8-Birthday Brunch for Konami

November 7th is Konami's birthday, but she has homework due on Saturdays (yuck), so we celebrated with her on Sunday. We all went to Cafe Rouge for brunch and then browsed the shops on 4th Street. The food was delicious (Julian makes up the brunch menu) and Julian sent us salad, a cheese plate, and oysters. The dishes we ordered were: poached eggs with salmon and hollandaise sauce on toast, pancakes with caramelized persimmons and goat milk butter, scrambled eggs with mushrooms, and a hamburger. Our desserts were super yummy too--a pumpkin pot de creme and a ginger snap and goat cheese ice cream sandwich (goat cheese ice cream!). Sorry, no photos of us at the table.

The day was beautiful and it was nice to do some window shopping. Here is a photo of Annika on a dog rocking horse:



I wish I had centered these photos better, but I like them anyway. Here are some photos of Kellie and Konami with Annika:





I also wish I had a photo of all five of us together, but here is one that Kellie took of Annika, me, Konami, and Andrea:



And one of Kellie, me, Annika, and Konami:

November 8-Parking Rage

Ok, I don't want to get all negative on this blog since it is for Annika, but this guy took up two parking spaces. I pulled in behind him while he was parking and asked him to move forward. He told me there wasn't enough room. Normally I wouldn't care, but there is hardly any parking on my street and this spot was right in front of my apartment. Annika weighs almost 15 pounds now and she was asleep in her car seat. I didn't want to have to haul her half a block and really just wanted to park in front of my apartment in the spot that was available. So here are some photos of the parking space. And also, there are always two cars parked in that spot, that's why there are two grease spots!





Then I noticed that he went into the house where there is a mini van parked. This van has been taking up two spots for the last year and has never moved--there are leaves piled up around the tires. And the tabs are expired! It's super frustrating when it's street sweeping day and I have to find a spot to park and that van is taking up two spots and the van isn't even used. I've been planning to report it to the police for a long time, especially since the tabs are expired. But I always wimped out. Then yesterday when I saw the guy walk into that house, I channeled my inner-Konami and called the police. It felt so good!

November 7-Matching Hats

I made Julian and Annika matching red beanies and on Saturday night we went grocery shopping (yes, that is how we spend Saturday nights). They wore their hats and Annika was in the kangaroo-style sling on Julian. So many people commented on how cute they looked! I kept wanting to say "I made the hats!", but I held back. Right now I'm working on a set of matching hats for me and Annika.

I'm putting up two pictures of them. I like Annika and Julian's expressions in the grainy photo more, but you can see the hats better in the photo with a flash.

Busy Day

Today was a busy day! First, Annika and I met up with Kellie and Konami for knitting at Wescafe. Here is Kellie with Annika. Doesn't Kellie look super stylish in her scarf?



After knitting, Annika and I took the bus to the Day of the Dead celebration in Fruitvale. Annika seemed to enjoy riding the bus!



I didn't take any pictures of the amazing altars at the festival because I wasn't sure if it was respectful to do it. I wish I had, though, because they were very impressive. I did get a picture of one of the performances and one of Annika watching the dancers.





Annika didn't take any naps all day and now she is sleeping in her swing. Sweet dreams!

Happy Halloween!

Annika dressed up as a flower for Halloween and she was super adorable!



With her dad:



Kellie and Jason hosted a party in their new apartment. The whole apartment was cleverly decorated. Here are the bats:






The bloody candles:




Scary bathroom mirror:




And the snacks!





Kellie is a devil and Jason is a chick magnet:



Konami is a witch:



And I'm just hungry!