Entertainer

I've been very entertaining to my parents in the last week. Mommy did a video of some of my animal sounds and singing. I cooperated some because she tricked me and I didn't know I was being taped. Sneaky mommy! Obviously you need to have your sound on to enjoy my voice.

We were able to go on a walk in the snow this week because it was snowing but not so nasty cold. I love to take charge of The Buddy.Mommy had to coax me out of the garage, but once out of the garage I had a good old time.Once we got back from the walk I thought that The Buddy looked kind of hungry and I was kind of hungry too so we got a snack. That's when Mommy decided it was time to go inside.Would you rather have crackers or cereal?I received a really cool new toy this week. Mommy did a gift exchange with her online friends and I got a pink tutu, a "Big Sisters Rock" shirt, and Nina the Ballerina (pictured below). I can play with Nina for a very long time. She's magnetized and so fun to dress up.I can even sit at the regular dining table and work on my designs while Mommy folds laundry.What else... One night this week I ate at the table without my booster chair and I did a great job. One afternoon I climbed onto the big bed and laid on my sleep sack so Mommy could put me in it easier. I lost my baby doll for my dollhouse and I've been walking around saying "Where'd baby go? I don't know." ever since. Mommy told me she ordered a replacement for me. This morning I broke two of my pretty ducks in my room and Daddy fixed them with super glue. I also found a small bottle of baby shampoo and quickly put it into the dryer when the vent was getting cleaned. Daddy had to take the dryer apart to get it out again. I helped him and held the flashlight. I'm in a major Mommy phase right now. She has to be the one to carry me to bed and put me in my crib or I throw a fit. However, I ask Daddy for last minute hugs and kisses once she puts me down. I need to read 5 or 6 books while snuggling before I go to sleep now. I used to just want to snuggle in the bed and wrestle, but those days are over. I've started making up my own songs. I change the words to well known songs on purpose, just like Grandpa and Mommy (and unfortunately with the same tunelessness). Daddy and Mommy laugh and laugh at all the funny things I do these days.

TWO!

Today was my 2nd birthday! I went over and played at Matthew's house this morning to celebrate. I'd been asking for him ever since we got home. Here I am with my favorite toddler.He gave me a present. It's a super cool car. Mommy got it out of the box after my nap and it chased me. I was scared at first, but I warmed up to it quickly. Thanks for the great present!I didn't want to leave his house so I threw a bit of a fit. I was just acting my age.I threw another fit when we got home because I wanted to color and Mommy wanted me to eat my lunch.I got to color after my long nap. She can now trust me with the entire box of crayons and I can even sit at the dining room table without mishap (so far). Mommy complimented my coloring when she saw that I colored on the same two pages for about 15 minutes. I used to just flip and scribble. I kept her company while she folded laundry and it was very peaceful.This is my impression of a turtle. Check out those neck stretching skills!We went out to eat at Boston's. Daddy played the role of Anya and gave me bunny ears.Once we got home, I got to open a few presents.I got a penguin pillow.I also got a car garage and a magnadoodle. The magnadoodle was a huge hit.I had to get the hang of it at first.Before long I mastered the magnadoodle. Daddy was impressed.To top it all off, I got to have my very own cupcake. Yum!I had a fantastic 2nd birthday.Here's one last silly picture of me to tide you over until the next blog entry. Who knows where this facial expression came from.

Birthday Party and Christmas Parts I and II

I hope your computers can handle the massive amount of pictures in this post! I've had an exciting past week with celebrating Christmas three times and having my birthday party. My party was on Wednesday afternoon. It was supposed to be later in the day, but ice and snow were predicted so we wanted to beat the storm. I woke up from my nap early to party and I was full of energy. The theme was Yo Gabba Gabba! Mommy knows what I like.I kept Nana on her toes while we stayed at her house. She gets nervous when I'm on these stairs so I tease her. So far I haven't even come close to falling or slipping.Since the stairs didn't get much of a reaction I moved on to standing on folding chairs. That even got Mommy excited. Check out my cute belly!My party was chaotic and fun. I got lots of nice presents and got to see most of my favorite people.Hailey tried to sneak a thank you kiss.Milo was successful (as usual) in getting some love from me.Here are some of my gorgeous party guests. I love my aunties. Macy took some pictures of me too as you can see.My youngest guest was Leif. He was interested in my toys so maybe I'll have to get him something fun for his 2nd birthday in June.Milo is sooo funny. This is going to show up again someday and he may regret it.Everyone sang to me before we blew out my candles. If you would have heard the singing, then you would have made this face too.See my Yo Gabba Gabba! cake? It says "Happy 2nd Birthday Mina." I got the most special piece.Here I am with all the cousins. From left to right: Charlotte (in Mommy's belly), Macy, Milo, me, Anya, Hailey, and Leif. We sat at the fun table.It's hard to tell, but I ate my ice cream first, then my fruit, then my frosting, then my veggies, and finally ate some cake. Thanks to all that came to my party and thanks for the wonderful gifts!We celebrated Christmas as a little family on Tuesday morning. Santa came a few days early and filled my stocking.Can you believe I got to eat fruit snacks in the morning?I gave my friend Elmo a bow.Daddy had to surgerize Elmo so that he would work. I waited patiently.We celebrated Christmas again on Christmas morning. I played with my daddy's train set while I waited for present time.Daddy helped me unwrap presents. I made sounds like a moped while I opened, much to everyone's amusement.Santa showed up while we were opening gifts. He hung out with us in the living room and everyone talked to him so I didn't scream. However, I certainly didn't sit in his lap.I gave him five when he was leaving.I loved playing with my new doll play house.Nana and Papa enjoyed having me stay with them for a few days. We were snowed in so they got me all to themselves.Papa is always up for some coloring.Daddy entertained us all with some stellar piano playing. Can you tell he has a smile on his face?It's because he was playing "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer." Nana wasn't too thrilled by that one, but everyone else thought it was funny. Those years of piano lessons were worthwhile!I had no problem keeping busy at Nana and Papa's house. I played with all the toys and when that got old, I explored the bathroom drawers. I could have stayed much longer and been completely happy.
We did another Christmas celebration on Saturday with Mommy's side of the family. I'll post Part III if Grandma or Grandpa send Mommy some pictures in the next couple of days, HINT, HINT. Mommy didn't take any pictures herself because she was tired and forgot.