"We go zoo!"

We went to the zoo on Tuesday. Each time it's actually more fun because the kiddos get a little more excited. Sundee captured some cool images that she shared. These are a few of my favorites. Thank you for sharing, Sundee.

Hazel

I've decided Danijela's eyes are hazel. They aren't blue anymore. They aren't dark brown like her Mommie. Sometimes they look light grey. Most of the time they look like this (click image to enlarge). Her eye color is definitely closer to her Tata's every day. She'll need this information in 14 years when she gets her driver's license. I'm planning ahead.

Park

Danijela very much loves the park (pawk). She & Tata go every single day the weather is nice. Trust me. I find sand all over the place for days after their park excursions. Last week we spent a couple hours at the neighborhood park with Melanie, Kiley, Sundee & Mr. Reece. The weather has been beautiful & it is a must to be outside.

Besides being uncomfortably pregnant I really enjoy playing with her & watching her enjoy herself. I just can't move quite as gingerly as I once could. All six of us went to the zoo today. I decided not to take the camera simply because there was so much other stuff to manage. It was good fun but I'm totally exhausted. Danijela was asleep minutes before 7pm and I'll be close behind.

My First Pizza

No. It's not Danijela's first pizza. It's my first homemade pizza! Thanks to Mel for showing me how to make the dough. It was surprisingly easy to make and yummy to eat. I'm guessing I wasn't the only one that thought highly of the pizza as there is not a crumb left.

Moon Cookie Moment

I had a moon cookie moment today. A moment that reminds me the sweetness of life comes from the most simple things. Tata & Danijela returned from Austin late today. She sat on my lap tonight as I read before going "night night." We finished & I just wasn't ready to let her go. I asked if I could hold her a while longer. She agreed & turned to face me. Within seconds her little body went limp. I held her close & listened to her gentle breathing. It was an incredibly peaceful & beautiful moment. Thank you, Danijela.

Happy Birthday to Two!

The Lineup

No testosterone in this house. It was all girl on Thursday. Ellis is definitely the most laid back of the bunch. They all played really well together & we just had a nice afternoon. As the kiddos get older it actually becomes easier to have a semblance of an adult conversation. I do want to emphasize "semblance." Aubrey has a plastic spoon in her mouth in the last image. Neither Tracy nor I know from where it came. Oh well.

"I show Grammy."

Early last week Danijela helped pick her clothes for the day. She immediately said "I show Grammy!" However, Grammy lives in Austin. Obviously she couldn't show Grammy so I told her I'd take a picture. This is the result. What a sweetie.

Srecan Rodjendan, Danijela.

The celebration continued at Deda & Baba's last Saturday. To Danijela's delight there was MORE CAKE! Baba made one of her famous & fabulous tortes. We sang "Happy Birthday" (Srecan Rodjendan) & giggled plenty. It was a sweet time with her grandparents. Danijela was fast asleep minutes after getting in the car. We all had a big day.

Polka Dots

Birthday Girls

Danijela & Kiley celebrated their 2nd birthday this past Saturday. They were born nine days apart in 2005. We love you very much. I don't know that you will remember your party, but I promise you had fun! It was all about polka dots & cupcakes.

Flirtation Device

Yes, Danijela is the flirtation device. She has a crush on her doctor & various other men in her life. Seriously, she is a completely different child during her appointments. She's quiet as a church mouse & cooperative. Then she'll giggle like a teenager in love. The above image is from yesterday. The one below is from one year ago today. Amazing.

Growing Up

Our little girl is growing up. Danijela graduated to the "big" scale & was measured against the wall. Not so sure we're ready for all this big girl stuff. Although I wouldn't mind if she started using the potty. Anyway, the stat sheet they give us has vanished from the diaper bag. I do know this much:

Height 85%
Weight 85% (30 lbs)
Head Circumference 95%

Mommie's Helper

Happy Birthday, Danijela!

Friday, February 9th.

Will glitter candle wax harm a child if ingested? Danijela helped Mommie make a birthday "cake" for breakfast. I was in a wee bit of a hurry for her doctor's appointment so prematurely stuck two candles in the (hot) cake. I sang "Happy Birthday" & she blew out the candles. Eventually when I pulled the candles out their bottom halves were missing! Seriously. I saved the remnants, but haven't taken a picture yet. Think I removed most of the blue tinted cake before she ingested it.

She received some really cool blocks that she opened that morning. All day long people wished her "Happy Birthday" & it clearly made her feel extra special. The exception might have been the immunization shot to the leg. Sorry, sweet girl.

Placenta Praevia

I have a tired placenta. The placenta typically forms in the top half of the womb. I learned on Wednesday mine has taken up residence in the lower half on the backside. If the placenta either partially or completely covers the cervix it blocks baby's exit & I won't be able to deliver vaginally. The likelihood is as my womb grows the placenta will "move" up. I was relieved today when I read only 0.5% to 1% of placentas remain low-lying. This is one time I definitely want to stay out of the top 1%. Please pray for us.

Almost Famous

I'm telling you (again) the weather was unbelievable earlier this week. Not wanting to waste a minute of sunshine Melanie & I took the girls to White Rock Lake Tuesday after our ritual workout. We fed the ducks & had an impromptu picnic.

We were minding our own sweet business when a nice man from Channel 11 asked to interview us about the weather. I, of course, panic and point straight to Melanie offering her interview services (Sorry, Mel). Well, as it turns out, all images and interview material ended up on the editing room floor.

Above the girls are sharing a banana off in the distance. Most of the time Danijela was chasing Kiley or Kiley was running around clinging to and eating "duck bread" -- the white bread versus the healthy stuff we try to feed them. Oh well.

Arboretum

The weather has been amazing the last two days. It is a must to get outside & let Danijela explore. Monday Melanie & I strolled the girls to the Arboretum. They have the coolest playhouses & it's make believe heaven to them & us.

Super Bowl Victory

My name is Danijela (aka Della). I'm almost 2. I'm not about to give up my duh-dah. Tata & Mommie say it's only for the car & bed. Whatever. If I holler long enough it's mine whenever I want it.

Lately I cry out "Tata's bed. Mommie, Tata's bed." at night. This is their cue to come get me (immediately). I slept with them lots when I was sick. Now, I can conjure up enough tears to weasel my way back. These are pictures from Monday morning. Needless to say I was totally victorious.

Super Bowl

I'm not a football enthusiast these days. It was fun getting together with friends & I'm always curious to see the commercials & half time show. I was definitely underwhelmed by both this year. Danijela & Kiley were the best entertainment. It naturally started with many renditions of "Ring Around the Rosies."

B L O C K S

Blocks are one of Danijela's favorite toys. Tata put her down for her nap today. I crept into our room after making a black bean salad for the Super Bowl party. This is what I found in our window sill. The cool part is I bought her a big set of nifty blocks for her upcoming 2nd birthday. I can share that because she doesn't read this blog yet!

God Made Corn

I could never adequately convey how incredible it is to live daily life with Danijela. Her Tata & I look at each other in amazement at the things she says & does. She is her own person with a truly funny sense of humor.

I wouldn't trade this special place in life for anything. I'm not being cheesy or overdramatic. It is simply the truth. Tonight we were having dinner & I told Danijela that God made the corn. She was quite satisifed with that answer and started telling us all the other things God made.

Rosies & Posies

Danijela was all over rosies & posies this morning. She sang it on the way to the health club, Target and all during lunch. Here she has requested her Tata to go a couple rounds after lunch. She also sang Jingle Bells somewhere in there. That was mostly odd because we didn't know she even knew that song. Love her.

Blackberry Jam

Danijela is eating an almond butter and blackberry jam sandwich in her own unique way. We made the jam in Oregon this past summer. We picked the wild berries on the coast and followed a low-sugar recipe. It might be frightening to know a low-sugar recipe includes 6 cups of sugar. But it did make many jars so it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. The best part is we know exactly what is in the jar!

21st Century Chick

You wonder what makes the girl tick. Here Danijela is pulling her "motorcycle" around the house while talking on the phone. She did interrupt her conversation to let me know I was in her way. Oh, and yes, she is wearing a swim diaper at her insistance.

Faces

Dog & Purse

Danijela & I prepared to go to the gym for a workout. Today she decided to gather up her squeaky toy dog and purple purse for the adventure. It was quite involved as she talked to her purse and dog for about 30 minutes prior to leaving. Whatever she said worked because they both behaved wonderfully (dog and purse that is). Actually, she was great too & we had lots of fun. She is a kick.

Tea

I'm trying to be a good girl & get more water in my pregnant body. Monday morning I made some ginger tea. I decided to drink right out of the Pyrex because that is just the way I am. So, I'm working away and go to take a sip. Everything is dandy until I realize my shirt is wet. Apparently I drank with the spout pointed towards me. Good thing the tea was cold by then.