The Starving Artist

Marianna wanted nothing to do with breakfast this morning because she wanted to "write" at her new desk. We have spent all morning getting it set up with all her crayons, paper, and stamps. So far we even played here with the playdough and ended up having breakfast on it, too! Thanks, Thea Demi, Uncle Bill, Paul, Diana, and Con for my new desk! I love it!!

Oh No...ELMO!

Marianna got the "Best of Elmo" dvd for christmas and loves it...except for this one clip. The first time we watched it together, everything was fine...then i hear "OH NO! ELMO!!!" Then went into hysterics. I had to rewind it to see what was wrong. It is a demonstration of heavy and light and at the end and Telly dumps some bricks on Elmo. It scares Marianna to death...and she isn't afraid of much! You will notice her closing her eyes right before..but the trainwreck is too bad to look away from...

Everytime she watches this video, it is the same reponse and she goes running...I just had to capture it. I hope it doesn't make me a bad mom...

Various Videos

These are just really short videos...and this is after her doing it already about 20 times! Also, it has gotten IMPOSSIBLE to video her because she is so anxious to watch herself back in the camera...who did she get THAT from??

Play Dough

We have been having a low key weekend...I wanted to put some pictures up of Marianna having fun with Playdough...a great way to kill a half hour around here!


We are all about stacking...blocks, cans, containers...

Snack Break...

Making "Noodles"...(we have this on video too...so funny how much strength she was using to do this...she was shaking!)

Marianna's Big Girl Room

Ever since Marianna started climbing out of her crib, we put the wheels in motion to get her new room ready. After adding the dashes of pink...I think we are almost ready!

We were so lucky to have inherited such beautiful furniture from DJ's great aunt. All we had to get was the bed. Marianna is one lucky girl! She spends a lot of time in here already reading books on the bed and loves playing at the vanity.

Bubble Bath

Marianna came down with a bad cold on Saturday and in order to clear out the sinuses..we though a bath would help. To make it special, we used our tub and the bubble bath Santa brought for Marianna. You can not believe what our tub is capable of in terms of bubble making. Marianna had the time of her life. We were afraid she would get lost by herself so I had to jump in :)

This morning, all she could talk about is "mama and nanna and the bubbles"...

Marianna the Swinger

Grandpa came over to visit last week and Marianna showed him what she has been learning at Gymnastics....swinging!

Marianna's favorite activity at Gymnastics is the bar that she can swing on. She is really strong and can get her legs up parallel to the ground. She does a great job! Our "bar" at home is the treadmill and she is always asking to hang from it and swing.

After everything, Marianna cheers herself on with a big "YEAH!"

The doll house that Santa brought is a big hit as Marianna is getting more and more into pretend play. She can spend a lot of time here...thankfully!


Marianna and Daddy in the playroom...

Covertible Crib

Since Marianna has become quite the escape artist, we were forced tonight to take steps towards crib independance so she doesn't kill herself. Thank God the crib we bought for Marianna is a convertible crib because I don't think she is ready yet for a "big girl bed". (However this is what we are calling her new sleeping arrangement). Step one, remove the front of the crib and put up barrier....check. Step two, pray that she stays in the bed tonight! She seemed to respect the boundries...fingers crossed for a good night tonight!

Putting Elmo and Mr. Frog to bed...

Night-Night...sleep tight!

Hello Kitty

So we just got back from Dave & Busters where I got to cash in points that I "earned" in California. DJ was the big winner because of all the golf balls we purchased with my winnings...However, Marianna did end up with this beautiful Hello Kitty backpack and flower magnets that light up for the fridge :)

Marianna had a fun weekend because her cousin Maria came and spent the night last night. There was a lot of laughter and one worn out little monster (Marianna) after Maria left.


Tickle Monster!!

Waving goodbye to her cousin...


Marianna's new favorite spot to surprise me lately is that little window above the sink. If she is in the playroom and hears me in the kichen...I am soon greeted by this smiley face with a big "HI!"

Oh...the jumping on the trampoline NEVER stops!!

New Years Eve

This night was too crazy and too chaotic to get many pictures of the kids...can you tell how much fun they had playing together??

Happy New Years to all of our friends and family!!

I can't tell you how many times we put the balls back in the pool...only to have them all out 10 minutes later!

Balls EVERYWHERE!!

The kids table...