Happy Birthday, Tali!

Tali with some of her favorite stuffed animals.

Dear Tali,

Happy Birthday! You turned two today and you've become such a great little girl. It's been amazing to watch you grow this past year. You went from taking your first steps to running around the house and saying your first words to speaking complete sentences. There isn't a shy bone in your body and you are a very active child. In nursery school, your teachers say you are always up for anything and very adventurous on the playground. You are now full of personality and have distinct likes and dislikes.

At this age, your two big loves are food and animals. Luckily, you are still a very good eater. While you don't always want what I offer you, you are still willing to try new foods and eat everything from chili and red beans & rice to beets and broccoli. Your love for animals is a big part of your life. You've never met a dog you didn't like (thanks Jackson!) and will happily pet any animal you come across - in a house or on a farm. Speaking of Jackson, you love him dearly and have become very attached to him. If anyone takes him on a walk without you, you cry his name until he returns. You also enjoy petting him, playing with him, walking him and feeding him.

Some other things you enjoy at this age are:
Books (you know all your books by name and have most of them memorized)
Sesame Street
Stickers (your favorite place to put them is on the back of the sofa)
Stuffed Animals
Gymnastics with Mommy (mainly somersaults and headstands)
Bubbles
Coloring (with markers or chalk)
Sleep

I still remember the screaming baby from two years ago. It's incredible that you've turned into such a fun and happy toddler. You are very creative in your play and make me laugh constantly. Plus, you are very, very cute. Yes, you throw your share of tantrums these days, but the good times we share more than make up for it.

Happy birthday to my favorite two-year-old! I love you and hope you had a wonderful day today.

Love,
Mommy

P.S. Thanks for the three-hour nap! Sorry we had to wake you.

Birthday

Tali's was born on Christmas Eve. Yes, there will be many disadvantages to her actual birth date, but this year there's a huge advantage - she gets to celebrate three times! This past Wednesday, we had a little party for her and Eloise (whose birthday is a week before Tali's) with their friends in the complex. On Thursday, we celebrated her birthday at preschool. And next Friday, her actual birthday, we'll go out to dinner with all of her grandparents. Below is a clip from her birthday celebration at school. H and I brought in some mini-cupcakes for the class. Tali had a great time and, of course, was the last one to leave the table as she was still eating!

Papa's 90th Birthday

One of the few good pictures with Tali.

My favorite picture.

Tali eating the bread brought for the ducks.

Tali asking for some of Aunt Ilana's drink.



The goose that crashed the picture.

This past weekend we celebrated Papa's 90th birthday. Tali had a great time at the family events.

On Saturday, we had brunch at Commander's Palace, one of the best restaurants in New Orleans. Tali tried many new foods and enjoyed them all. She had garlic bread for the first time and couldn't get enough! Tali ate pancakes, which she liked once I added syrup, and she sampled my bread pudding - yum! But her favorite food was ice cream. Although she had never seen or eaten it before, she knew it was something good from the moment they put the bowl on the table. Tali was playing on the floor when the bowl was set down and she immediately ran over to her spot to sign for help and that she wanted to eat (yes, she's smart enough to make baby sentences at 16 months - as long as they involve food). Then she went to the corner to try and climb in her high chair! We put her in, strapped on the bib and Tali was in heaven. She loved the vanilla ice cream with strawberries.

Between courses at Commander's a group of musicians came in to the room to perform. Tali enjoyed the music and particularly loved the double bass. The first time they played, I walked her over to the bass and placed her hand on it to feel the vibration. The next two times they came into the room, she walked over to the bass herself. She had such a great time at Commander's and was very well behaved for the entire three hours.

On Sunday, Papa's actual birthday, we went to the park for family pictures. Tali wasn't so cooperative for the pictures as there were many more interesting things to see and do. About halfway through she told me she was hungry and thirsty. Since I was unprepared (bad Mom!), she had some ice from Aunt Ilana's iced coffee drink and some bread that Aunt Sue had brought to feed the ducks. Tali chased the ducks, walked up and down the steps, pet the dogs, played in the grass and dirt, and tried to take a swim in the water. She had a blast!

First Birthday Party

This past Sunday was Tali's first birthday party. Her theme was "Winter ONEderland" (H's idea) so we decorated with snowflake balloons and a winter-themed cake. Party favors for the kiddies were personalized snow globes (a place for the kid to insert his/her own picture) and a winter-themed book. The day before the party, we experienced the first big snowstorm of the season. So there was snow on the ground for Tali's winter-themed party. How perfect! The only downside was that a few people couldn't make it at the last minute. Tali's music teacher came to entertain the kids and Tali herself had a great time. She was happy the entire party - it was like she knew it was her birthday. Here are a few pictures:

Arriving at the party.

Me and Tali - she's absolutely fascinated by her music teacher.

Sitting with her friend Samantha, staring at their music teacher.

Laughing under the parachute.

Her birthday cake!

Singing Happy Birthday to our daughter.

First bite.

Mmmm....this is GOOD!

No, Mommy! Don't wipe my face!

After the party - VERY dirty from all that crawling around!

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Tali!

Dear Tali,

Happy belated birthday! On Thursday, December 24, you turned one year old! I know I am a little late in posting this, but I've been very busy. You are now 17.5 pounds, 27" tall and have outgrown all of your 3-6 months clothes (except one pair of pants). This first year has definitely been an experience - nothing like I ever imagined.

Some things you can now do:

Voice your opinion - you can't talk, but you get your point across

Shake your head "no" (although I'm not 100% sure you really know what that means)

Stand on your own for about 10 seconds

Play with Jackson and laugh, and laugh, and laugh...

Show off - you love an audience and are such a little drama queen

Have a favorite color - I'm not sure why, but you love orange things

Wave bye-bye and understand what it means

Walk well with your wagon (see below)

Some things you still can't do:

Clap your hands

Grow teeth (yup, still toothless)

Walk on your own

Respond to your name (it happens sometimes, but not all the time)

Understand that I'm serious when I tell you "No"

Fall down and/or bump your head without screaming, no matter if you hurt yourself or not

Change your own diaper

First (And Second) Push Toys

Yesterday FedEx dropped off a big box - a birthday/Hanukkah gift from Aunt Sue and Uncle David. They bought her a classic push toy - a Radio Flyer wagon and H was so excited about it that he immediately put it together. When Tali woke up from her nap, she got to play with her new toy. Unfortunately, she didn't quite get the point of it. Instead of pushing it, she pulled up on the side and used it as a prop for standing. But she had fun.

Then H decided to put her behind the wagon to see if she would push it. Nope, not yet.

A little later Aunt Judy and Uncle Adam came over and brought a second push toy for her! This one is a Fisher Price shopping cart. After the cart was put together, Tali gave it a go. She still didn't get the whole pushing concept and preferred to simply play with toys inside. This morning I gave her the cart again and she continued to play with the toys (she already has a favorite - the carrot).

And, finally, she got behind the cart on her own and gave it a few pushes! She's not cruising around yet, but it was a step (pun intended) in the right direction. Hooray for Tali!

To Tali's aunts and uncles: Thanks for the great gifts!

Six Months Old Today!

Dear Tali,

Today you are six months old and it's amazing to see how far you've come. Many people have told me that your personality really begins to develop around six months and I cannot wait to see it! In the past six months you've about tripled your birth weight and have become a real baby, full of movement and expressions. There's a lot I've learned about you so far. Here are some of the highlights:

You love music. Music class is your favorite activity and I know that I can almost always get a smile and a laugh when I sing to you (off key, very off key) at home. 

You enjoy being outdoors. Nature is very soothing to you and you are very content on our morning and evening walks with Jackson. 

Speaking of Jackson, you think he's hysterical. There's always a big smile on your face when he comes over and you can't help but laugh when he plays fetch. You also enjoy pulling his hair and trying to eat him. We're working on that last one. It's just gross.

You are not shy. In fact, you love looking at strangers and have a smile for almost everyone. 

You cry. A lot. Yes, you cry less than you did in the beginning, but you still cry a lot. I'd like that to stop now. Please?

Tali, my life is very different now that you are here but I'm so glad you are. You are definitely a challenge but I'm up for it. It's amazing how much I've fallen in love with you. I can't wait to learn more.

Happy Five Month Birthday, Tali!

Tali turned five months old today. It's amazing how much she's grown (both in weight and development). She is now 11.7 pounds and has little rolls on her legs and chubby cheeks. Tali smiles at everyone, recognizes me and can now play by herself for short periods of time. She rolls over (both ways!), is interested in Jackson and loves the bath. Unfortunately, a few things haven't changed. She still cries a lot, poops through her diapers and wakes up throughout the night. But overall she's becoming more and more fun to be around. I have been told that their personality really comes through around six months and I can't wait to see what she's like.