what a difference a year makes

This afternoon we're busy packing up our little fam to ring in 2008 at our friends' house. I'm awestruck at the many blessings 2007 brought to us and how much things have changed, and while I'm a bit sad that it has gone so fast, I'm excited for all that lies ahead in 2008. It's incredible to think that this time last year Sara was tiny and curled up inside my belly as we had a quiet new year's eve at home eating and watching movies while other friends went out to a bar in Toronto (not the most pregnancy-friendly plans!) Quite honestly I'm really not a new year's person so that was perfect for me, but this year it will be special to celebrate with Sara. I'll probably head up to bed shortly after midnight though, because she'll be awake and chattering away by 7:30am!

Instead of resolutions, I'm working on a short list of things I want to accomplish in the remaining few months of my maternity leave - but it's not done yet. Sara, however, organized just like mom, has her first resolutions on the chalkboard in our kitchen:

1. Learn how to crawl (forwards - backwards is almost down)
2. Give lots of hugs
3. Say "Da-da"

Happy New Year!

merry

This Christmas was quite possibly my favourite holiday so far. We spent two days filled with family, love, laughter, food, a special present and many happy memories. After weeks of stocking practice (learning to pull things out of containers), Sara had lots of fun opening her stocking with Daddy after breakfast, wearing her Christmas jammies from Grandma and Grandpa. This little pink fish bath toy is one of her new favourite things.
... and then more fun ripping wrapping paper!
She loves her new car from Santa.
And Christmas dinner for 10 was a great success (phew!), with many thanks to everyone pitching in and helping. Honestly, I don't know how our mothers did it mostly alone! Sara was in great spirits all day and sat happily in her highchair at the head of the table. She even had her own bowl of turkey and mashed potatoes for dinner. She even popped a Christmas tooth!

What it's all about...
I'm now ready for a long winter's nap until the new year.... so until then, I hope that your holiday has been as merry as ours!

Sara's first boyfriend

Just a short photo post as I'm knee deep in cleaning, organizing, wrapping etc... oh yes, and eating. This is Sara's first boyfriend, an early Christmas gift from baby K. She's pretty enamoured with Ernie. Sara has started copying my actions sometimes, and when I showed her how to hug him and give him a kiss, she eagerly did her version!

She also learned how to wave this weekend, it's very cute! She's very close to crawling, and saying ma-ma all the time.... so sweet.

stepping out

I took Sara to a 'holiday snugglebugs' program run by the town, and enjoyed some holiday baby crafts and chatting with other moms. It turns out that two of them went to my high school. I was afraid the program would be a little too hearts and flowers crafty for my taste, but it was fun - and next week there will be food!!

We made this clay footprint for her daddy, and a photo tree ornament/card. We took turns making the ornaments, a few at a time while the rest of us socialized and kept an eye on the little ones. When my turn came, I was nervous to leave Sara with everyone and go across the room, but one of the other mommies was also in a program we did during the fall so I felt more comfortable with her nearby. So I left Sara with the other babies and moms and started my project... looking up every few seconds, half expecting her to burst into tears wanting me to come back. But.... nope, not my baby. She was fine. She played happily with the others and chattered louder than any of them. She even grinned at a little boy who got upset over a wet diaper and cried right in her face. Every once and a while she turned and looked at me, and a mom commented "it's like she's checking on YOU!" I laughed wistfully, and had to agree. My baby was doing just fine on her own, and while I was so proud of how much she enjoyed our afternoon, it was yet another sign that she is growing up... just a little too fast!

o christmas tree

We got our Christmas tree this past Saturday, Sara's 8 month birthday, and she's quite fascinated by this new green addition to the house with all its shiny lights and ornaments. I like the effect of turning off the flash on my camera...
It took her a while to actually reach out and touch anything, but today she did. She zoned in on one of the fabric ornaments that I sewed and hung at the bottom. She plucked it off and popped it into her mouth in one fell swoop, and gave it her sign of approval.

This week Sara has figured out how to push her bum right up in the air and rock back and forth (picture downward dog yoga pose, looking much easier than it actually is), so I think crawling is on the horizon! She is also babbling 'ma ma ma maa' constantly over the past few days. I'm not sure if she realizes what she's saying.... but it makes me almost burst with smiles. Does it count as "mama" yet?

We've been listening to a 'Sara's 1st Christmas' mix that I made, and she likes dancing to it with me. A true family CD, it has everything from U2 to the Muppets to Josh Groban (whose version of Silent Night, by the way, can bring on tears if you're at all sappy like me.) Have I mentioned how excited I am for Christmas this year...