You are two today.

One of my dad's (many) pet peeves is the inappropriate overuse of the word AWESOME.

I have to be honest and say that when you really think about the definition, then think about how many times today you've used the word to describe a sandwich - well - I have to sort of agree with him;)

However, tonight I'm going to go ahead and say that being Lua's mama is AWESOME.  It's hard not to be filled with awe when thinking about the past two years and the enormous, terrifying and beautiful responsibility that Andrew and I have been given.  

What an honor it is to be in your world, my sweet little Lu.  

You are hilarious, kind, smart and strong.  You love to dance and sing and RUN!  You are so interested in cars and motorcycles and dinosaurs and blocks and BUZZ LIGHTYEAR right now that I can't believe I ever wished for a boy.  You'd rather eat fruit than French fries.  You love your dada so so so much and he is so in love with you:) You two are loud and funny and I am so lucky to laugh every day at your antics!

Most of all, Lua D, you make being a mama so easy.  I love spending my days with you.  You are awesome.  Awesome!  You are so loved:)

                       

blizzard.

 

Happy Weekend, everyone!

We're spending lots of time snuggling in (and jumping on) the bed this weekend. 

nine months already!

how about that?!  she's been out just as long as she was in :)

happy nine months to lua "del-ants-in-her-pants-y" cao!

HEY!

We're in Nebraska!  Lu and I have been here since Sunday and will be joined by Andrew tomorrow.  Being home makes me so happy.  And Lu has been soaking up all the rays of love from the Nebraska sun, her "big brother" Apollo and, of course, her nana and (grandpa - we can't decide on what the Beetle should call my dad).  Here are just a few shots of our time so far...many more to come!

ei8ht months.

*Loads of exciting things happening in the Cao house.  Well, exciting...and scary.  Stay tuned!

snapshots.

mommy appreciation day!

A few weeks ago, Andrew surprised me with a trip to a shopping outlet and a night away from NYC.  What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man ;)

We shopped all day (well, I got a bit tired of shopping after about 2 hours), ordered in from Applebees (I know) and took Lua swimming at the hotel.  

It was so nice to get away from the city for even a night and do something as a family.  There's something so fun about staying in a hotel.  The continental breakfast, free shampoo...

Lua must have liked it too, because she slept better than she has in a looong time :)

extreme baby yoga.

have you seen this clip?  be forewarned - it's just a tad extreme.

I'm really not sure how I feel about it.  I've read so many books and studied so many contradictory methods that I'm about ready to throw in the towel and go with my gut.  I just finished the book "Bringing Up Bebe" and I'm more confused about the French and child-rearing than ever.  I should say, though, that I am a total glutton for anything about babies, birth, breastfeeding, labor, etc., so I totally do it to myself :)


So first, a video:  My version of extreme baby yoga :)

And then, for all my mamas out there:  What should I read next? And baby books that are must reads? Podcasts? Videos?

Thanks!

7 months.

Beetle is:

sitting up on her own

CRAWLING EVERYWHERE!

pulling herself up on mommy, daddy and anything else that will support her

cruising

reading lots of touchy-feely books ;)

waving (see this post)

sleeping much better (though she is still waking up a few times)

talking in this oh-so-cute, but kind of disturbing 80yr. old smoker's voice

working on another tooth (not sure which one, but she's back to drooling and chewing on everything!)

antagonizing Tank (she wants to play with him so badly!)

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Lu continues to be such a happy happy baby.  Even if she's had one, half hour nap all day she has yet to have a melt down (knock on something now, please).  

Also, it must be because of her daddy's antics from such an early age, but she is FEARLESS and STRONG.  Just today, she pulled herself up in her crib (on the side) and was watching me sort laundry.  She decided she wanted to move to the bottom of the crib to get a better look.  I watched her make the decision to just LET GO, fall and catch herself on the bottom side.  She's bumped her head more times than I'd like to admit, but she seems to be getting the hang of it - falling, that is ;0)

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PS - you can't really see them in the first photo, but check out the shorts that I scored for Lu on our recent surprise trip (more on that to come)! Not too pink, but still girly :)

spring baby.

Even though it's only 50 degrees outside, I couldn't resist the temptation to try some summer clothes on Lua yesterday.  I was hoping one of the dresses I bought would be big enough to fit her through the summer (it is!) and was also nerd-ily excited to try on the first thing I purchased when I found out I was having a girl...a swimsuit.  I know, it was a weird buy, but as I was dumbfounded-ly searching the racks at our nearest children's consignment store, saying to myself, "no way you're having a girl. no WAY"...a swimsuit seemed like a reasonable purchase.

I have to say, it was a good buy.  I couldn't get over how cute she looked in her suit - my little bathing beauty!  I'm thinking of signing her up for swim classes...does any mom out there have thoughts on swim class for babes?  I don't want to drop $400 for nothing....Also, any good recommendations out there for swimsuits for mommy?  Preferably one that covers bellybutton stretch marks :(  

snapshots.

 

 Some photos from our week :)

Lots'o'swingin' :)

We've discovered the key to a good night's sleep for Beetle:  OUTDOOR ACTIVITY! 

I'm so happy.

 

 

 

 

cousins. part two.

 eloise is here! eloise is here!  

i seriously could watch these two hang out for hours.  this was the first time lua had ever seen another baby and it was so cool to see her interact with eloise.  it is also so nice to spend time with other parents.  not many friends of ours right now are up at 7am and go to bed by 9, so it was nice to share tips, tricks and just swap baby stories :)  i hope these two have the chance to do a little growing up together someday...at least closer than 1500 miles apart.

 i was able to snap some pictures today and just had to share.  i love them.  enjoy!

are they beautiful ladies or what?!