Sarah's 2nd Christmas

We had so much fun! The wrapping paper was definitely flying this year!! Our little angel was SO SPOILED!! I can't believe how many presents she received! She didn't know what to play with first! Having Grandma and Pop-Pop here made it such a special time, I'm so glad they were able to join in our celebration!

Happy Holidays!

Sarah and Santa Claus

Kindercare was kind enough to provide a Santa for their kids last Friday. We thought it was a great idea since we had yet to find the time to bring Sarah to the mall to meet him. We didn't think she'd like him especially with the hatred she showed toward Winnie the Pooh and Tigger at Disneyland the week before, BUT we had to try!

Sarah HEARD Santa's "Ho Ho Ho!" as she was walking down the hall from her classroom with Grandma and me before she even saw him. She then proceeded to CLIMB UP Grandma! The pictures show the rest...




We'll just give it another shot next year!

Sarah and Her Pink Oakland Shirt

Miss Sarah had a little accident during a diaper change at the Oakland airport on Sunday and naturally we figured we wouldn't need to pack an extra outfit in the diaper bag. I mean seriously, it's only an hour flight, right? Yeah...this is what happens when you DON'T have that extra outfit...

Didn't bother her a bit though! Of course it kept sliding off her shoulder toga-style but at least she had her boots on to keep her feet warm! Just what we always wanted...a souvenir pink Oakland t-shirt!

Christmas at Disneyland!

Yesterday we took Miss Sarah to check out the parade and the beautiful Christmas decorations at Disneyland. While it was a long day and the park was super-crowded we had a nice time and loved looking at everything! Enjoy the pics!

We had a LOVELY Thanksgiving holiday together! Typical Southern California warm weather allowed us to keep the doors and windows open to help cool off the kitchen where all of the goodies were cooking away! Chris even made his family stuffing recipe - it was delicious! Unfortunately, extended family could not join us but the 5 of us (including Riley and Murphy) had a nice, relaxing day!

We have so much to be thankful for! Healthy and happy friends and family...good jobs that we like and our biggest blessing of all, Sarah. She brings so much joy and happiness to our life!!

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sarah Loves her Hot Dogs!

And she likes to eat them like a "big girl" in the bun with ketchup!!

Things get a bit messy...but it's all washable!

Silly Sarah got Stuck!

Chris and I were decorating the tree and Sarah was playing with a ball in a little wooden bucket in the same room we were in. She was laughing and everything was fine...then all of a sudden, she started whining...when we turned around we saw this:

So naturally, I had to find the camera to take a picture before I took her out! By the time I found the camera she was really ticked!

Guess she won't do this again!!

Sarah and Her Nose

I know...a funny title for the blog but we're so excited!!

Sarah has learned to blow her nose! It doesn't seem like it should be THAT exciting but since Sarah seems to have a lot of runny noses lately, this means a lot to us! Plus, it means we won't have to use the nose sucker anymore! Although...we have the battery powered one and she actually kinda likes it! It tickles!!

Yay Sarah!!

Sarah and her Camo

Chris decided to give a Santa visit a trial run by taking her to the free Santa pictures at Bass Pro shops. So, naturally we had to dress her in her camo dress and black Mary Jane's! She looked so cute!! Too bad the line was too long and they didn't get to see Santa...We'll have to give it another shot next weekend!

Sarah and Yo Gabba Gabba Live

A couple weeks ago Chris to Sarah to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live in LA. Sarah LOVES this show! She dances with the kids when they dance...she LOVES Biz's Beats and does her own raspberry blowing version and says Bye Bye each time he's done...and she loves to "Get the Wiggles Out"! Well, she didn't love the live show like she loves the one on TV but she had a good enough time!

Sarah and the Camera

Sarah has discovered our camera and she LOVES to take pictures! It took a while for her to figure out how to press the button hard enough but once she did...well...there's no stopping her! We've decided it might be time to get her a camera of her very own!

Here's a sampling of her work...as you can see she likes to take pictures of Murphy and Riley!

Fun Times with Sarah

As I posted awhile ago, Sarah figured out how to get the safety latch off of the Star Wars cabinet. Well, last night she got the safety latch off, opened the door and pulled out all of the DVD's. Not normally a big problem...more of a mess. Well, that was not enough...nope...she stacked them up so she could CLIMB up on top of them to get to the top door of the cabinet and open that up and get inside to see all of the collectibles she's (apparently) been DYING to see! She had a big smile on her face the whole time...she was so proud of herself!!

And just 'cause she's so darn cute...here's a pic of her from dinner time last night...she love sher broccoli!

Sarah's New Game

On Sunday, Sarah and I were driving around the shopping center, going from Target to Babies R Us...a fairly typical weekend morning for us.

The weather was BEAUTIFUL so we had the windows down and the radio up listening to some good music when all of a sudden something catches my eye in the side-view mirror and I hear a click - click - click. I stop and look and Sarah has thrown her Binky OUT the window! And now she's LAUGHING!! Well...needless to say after I saw it rolling around the parking lot I decided NOT to go pick it up and give it back to her. She'd lost it for good.

Fast forward 3 days and I'm driving the little miss home from daycare. She'd somehow smuggled another bink into the car and was (happily?) sucking away in the backseat. We came to a red light and after I came to a stop, I hear a click-click-click and I see her hand sticking out the window. I didn't see anything on the ground but there was quite a bit of traffic. The light turned green so I started driving along and the next thing I hear is Sarah SCREAMING "mine!" (over and over and over). Guess she HAD dropped it out the window!

So, decision has been made...no more binkies in the car...although, now I'm afraid she'll throw something else out! I've been keeping an eye on the stuff we've got back there...I have visions of her blanket hanging out the back window while she's laughing away...

Sarah After Eating a Popscicle!

Downtown Disney Trip

We all went to Downtown Disney on Sunday to meet up with an old friend of mine. A friend who I have seen in YEARS and I've known since high school. He and his family had been at Disney all week having a great time and were leaving that afternoon for home. I'm so glad we got to see them! AND...Jeff got to finally meet Sarah!!

And as usual...Sarah had a great time! She loves Disney!

Sarah and Her Blankie

Sarah LOVES her blankie that Grandma Gray made for her! It's so soft! She falls asleep at night rubbing it on her cheek! So cute! She also tries to bring it everywhere...dragging it behind her as she walks around the house!

Halloween 2009!

Halloween weekend started with a Halloween party at school on Friday night. Sarah got all dressed up in her costume and went with Grandma and Daddy to the party (mommy had to work).

Then Saturday night, Sarah got all dressed up in her Princess Leia costume to go trick or treating for the very first time! We knew she wouldn't wear the "wig" that came with the costume so we improvised...but I think you get the idea!

We went to about 6 houses or so and she got more courageous at each house! Except for the scary one that had spiderwebs and lots of scary noises!

Sarah and Her Diaper

Grandma is here visiting this week to help out Chris and me (we've got a super-busy week) and to take Sarah Trick-or-Treating on Saturday! Yay!!

Well, last night Sarah needed a diaper change. Now Chris and I have learned (the hard way) that the diaper changing process needs to happen at super-sonic speed or Sarah will get bored and jump up and leave...and RUN...NAKED...very fast, around the house giggling as she is being chased by one or both of us. Grandma, had not yet learned this lesson so she was taking her time changing the diaper. Well, Sarah had had enough waiting and got up to run around. Instead of chasing her, Grandma said she would put the diaper on Riley and Murphy. Sarah, not phased at all came over to Grandma, pointed at Riley and Murphy's bottoms, showing Grandma exactly where the diaper goes! Then she took off laughing!

I think Grandma learned her lesson!

Aunt Sher-Bear Comes to Visit!

Aunt Sher-Bear came to visit this weekend! Yay!

On Friday, Sarah, Sheri and I went to Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch in West Hollywood. It was hot but fun! Sarah even got a little heart painted on her cheek! Afterwards we went to Sprinkles to pickup some cupcakes - we LOVE their red velvet - YUM!! After we got the cupcakes, we went to have an early dinner at the Saddle Ranch in West Hollywood (on Sunset). They had a mechanical bull that people kept riding but it scared Sarah! We had to keep taking her outside onto the patio each time someone rode it!

On Saturday, Sarah went to Disneyland with her Aunt Sher-Bear who was visiting from Reno! Antie Sher-Bear and I took Sarah on It's a Small World - which SHE LOVED!! (note: the last time we went on it, she hated it) She danced and clapped and sang the whole ride...made our day! She sort of liked the parade...I think the music was just a little too loud for her although she was clapping through it all! Maybe next time she'll enjoy it a little more!

We all really miss Aunt Sher-Bear and can't wait to see her again!

And just because she's so cute...here's a pic we took last night! We got these water bottle adapters that let her drink from water bottles (like a BIG GIRL!) without spilling water all over. They work great!

Sarah and Her Hoodie

She was so cute with the hood up, I HAD to take a picture!! Normally, she'd rip it right off, instead she wore it up for quite awhile! What you DON'T see is that she is not wearing pants OR a diaper...just the shirt, socks and her Nike's!

Sarah and the Computer

I think we're going to have to get her one of her very own soon!

So Much for Safety!

Sarah figured out how to get these off the hutch and the Star Wars cabinet:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3747465

Sarah has figured out how to slide these off the cabinet knobs:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2969588

Sarah can slide UNDER this gate:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2909941

See post: http://sarahelizabethgray.blogspot.com/2009/08/so-much-for-gate.html

Sarah figured out how to pull these out:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3502244

Sarah figured out how to slide this away from the Tivo so she can play with the buttons:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3027514

I think we need to move to a bubble!! This kid is going to drive me crazy!!

She's so beautiful!

Rest In Peace My Friend...

I have been struggling with how to post this...I have been in such shock since it happened...

Yesterday, I found out that I lost a friend. A new friend...a wonderful, funny woman I met through The Nest, chatted with on Facebook and finally met when she attended a get-together at my house just a few weeks ago. I really felt like I had known her forever! We talked a lot about her pregnancy...I answered questions she had about aches and pains and what to expect. I calmed some fears...and we laughed about stupid things like Farm Town (on Facebook). I kept teasing her because she was "nesting" so much the last week or so...I KNEW Gabrielle would be coming soon!

I went out of town Friday morning to a conference for the weekend in Las Vegas. Even with poor cell reception and no Wi-Fi, I continually checked to see if there was any news about Jewelyn and Gabby. On Saturday, Jewelyn posted the following on Facebook:

Even with bouts of nausea for 18 weeks, I can honestly say I have enjoyed being pregnant these past 9 months, but I am also glad this journey is about to end, and start a new chapter in my life. I am 40 weeks pregnant... 0 day to go.

Gabby was finally coming!! Yay!! I kept checking online for updates and finally that evening I saw that our good friend Amy was waiting for Jewelyn to text her that she was ready...ready for Amy to go and take pictures of the birth! I had some trouble sleeping that night (now I know why)...I kept checking online for any news - but there wasn't any. I went to my morning conference and before the closing session started, I signed on to Facebook and read a post asking for prayers for Jewelyn. All of a sudden I couldn't breathe...I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. I was shaking so hard...I had trouble getting online to find another message that would give me more information. When I finally did...the news wasn't good. Jewelyn gave birth to her daughter via emergency c-section the night before and ended up suffering an amniotic fluid embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). She was brain dead. During my flight home, I received the message that she had been removed her from life-support.

My dear, wonderful, funny, sweet friend was gone. My friend who wanted this baby so badly - she had suffered a miscarriage before finally getting pregnant with Gabby. My friend who never got to hold her baby after giving birth to her.

Gabrielle was immediately taken to UCLA Medical Center for observation. She is doing great and is expected to be released from the NICU later this week. She is a miracle and a blessing!

My group of friends have set up a fund for Phillip (Jewelyn's husband) and Gabby through PayPal and are arranging to have a tax-free fund created. As I get that information I will post it on here. Any contribution will help...

Please pray for Jewelyn, Phillip and Gabrielle...Please thank God everyday for the family you have and hug and kiss them whenever you can...As I learned yesterday, life can be taken away in an instant.

I miss you, my friend...

Photo taken by our friend Amy just 2 weeks ago...

Pics of Sarah!

Sarah eating her new favorite food...ketchup. Yup! She loves it! Sometimes she'll dip her other fave in it...a biscuit! Yummmm!

Sarah and her friend Madyson "riding the train" at school! The kids LOVE to do this!

Sarah in her party dress at Rhys' 2nd birthday party! She was dying to get a hold of that tee ball set! And finally did...much to Rhys' dismay. She grabbed a hold of it with both arms and legs and pulled it down to the grown and wouldn't let go!

Sarah and Madyson walking to their classroom together! They're so good! They hold hands the whole way there!!

Sarah's Day at the Beach

We met up with some friends at the beach on Sunday at Camp Pendleton! It was so much fun! Sarah wasn't as fond of the water this time as she was when we were at Pismo Beach but she LOVED playing in (and eating) the sand! There was a surfing competition going on and she had so much fun watching them out in the water!

More Jumping Sarah

She's just so darn cute! I can't help but most more video of her!

Sarah Loves to Read!

So Much for the Gate...

She also walked all the way down the stairs this morning...just up and did it. Had 1 hand on the wall and did it very slowly (good girl!). When she got down to the bottom she yelled out in excitement and gave her self a round of applause!!

Jump! Jump!

Sarah is learning how to jump!! She LOVES it and does it everywhere she can!! She even yells, "Jump! Jump!" when she does it!!

Another thing that "entertains" her now is playing with the buttons on our car key fobs. Yeah, yesterday morning she had the dogs going crazy because, even though we were in the house, it was still beeping the car alarm...over and over and over...If anyone was out there, I'm sure they thought the car was possessed!

Such a Busy Girl!

Wow! The last few weeks have been SO BUSY!! Including a trip to Reno to celebrate Pop-Pop's birthday...a friend's 1st birthday party, a bad throat infection and a visit from Grandma!

Here are some pictures of the Reno trip! What a good time we had!!

When Sarah is Quiet...

New Words

Murry = Murphy
Ry-ee = Riley
Ousi = Outside
Bat = Bath
I yuv you = I love you - this one melts my heart each time I hear it!

She actually repeats pretty much everything she hears but these are the ones that we hear most often lately.

And believe it or not, she's never said the word "No"! Probably because she hears it all the time...

Finally A Member of Club 20!

Actually...Club 21!! We took Sarah to Urgent Care on Sunday evening for a high fever (that she'd had all weekend) and the doctor guessed her to be at 21 pounds...we laughed because she's basically been "kissing" the 20 pound mark for several months now! We weighed her on our way out and she was actually 21 pounds!!! Wooohooooo! Way to Go Sarah!!

Yes, she's still rear-facing in her carseat. We've decided after doing some reading and seeing some (disturbing) videos that this is the best thing for now. We're shooting to keep her that way until she's 2...we'll see how it goes!

BTW...she has an ear infection so she's on antibiotics for 10 days. After being on them for 1 day she's already "back to normal".

Sarah Loves On the Border!

We couldn't believe how much she LOVED the food at OTB! Especially the chips and salsa and her ice cream sundae!

Camping Fun - July 4th Weekend!

Sarah Loves to Help With Laundry!

Sarah Loves Pizza!

We took Sarah to California Pizza Kitchen in Palm Desert for lunch on Saturday. Chris and I ordered a pear gorgonzola salad to split then he ordered the cheeseburger pizza, I ordered the white pizza and we ordered Sarah her own little Hawaiian pizza. We got the salad early and she seemed hungry so we gave her some of the cheese...she LOVED it! Couldn't get enough! Then her pizza came and she was picking at it but seemed WAY more interested in her daddy's pizza so Chris gave her some. She loved it! She was even picking the onions off and eating them on their own! I can't believe she's such a good eater...too bad we can't get her over 20 pounds!!

Miss Sarah - Not Feeling Well

We got a call from daycare on Thursday that Sarah wasn't "herself" and had a temp of 101! Chris took her to the doctor and he said she had a virus so we were told to keep her cool, give her motrin/tylenol for the fever and keep up her fluid intake.

She spent a lot of time sleeping on Friday. Luckily Chris was able to stay home with her all day.



Saturday her fever finally broke and she started to feel better, yay!! We could tell she was feeling better by the "lovely" mess she made in the family room!



She's back at school today! She really missed her teachers and friends!!

New Things Sarah Has Learned

Miss Sarah has figured out how to pull the outlet protector thingies OUT of the outlets!! Yes...it's a fun new game for her to play. Luckily, so far, no fingers or other objects have been put back into the outlets...

She's also just now tall enough to start opening doors...quite the nice surprise when mommy or daddy is going to the bathroom. She thinks it's hysterical!!

Guess we'll be heading to the "safety" department at Babies 'r Us this weekend!!

Oh! She's also up to 13 teeth now!! We can't believe it! In the span of just a couple of months she's gone from 4-13!!! Way to go, Sarah!!!

Sarah and Her Pigtails!

Her hair is finally long enough where I can now get it up into little pigtails!! Of course she hates sitting still for the amount of time it takes me to do it...but, I can't resist, she just looks so cute!!!

Sarah Loves Her Dora!

Pop-Pop bought his Princess Sarah a new doll yesterday!

She was so excited she gave her a big hug!

Sarah's 15 Month Checkup

Sarah had her 15 month checkup today - she's getting so big!

She's at 19lbs 8oz (5th percentile). Up from 18lbs 14oz at her 1 year appointment.
She's grown to 31.5 inches (80th percentile). Up from 29.5 inches at her 1 year appointment.

While Chris and I have been concerned about her weight, the doctor is not. He said that she is healthy, happy and active. He also predicts she'll be about 5 feet 5 inches and 110 pounds when she's done growing! Can't ask for anything better than that!!

She also had 2 shots (yuck!) and her 2 stitches removed! The poor thing had a rough day!!!

Barring anymore illness or accidents (HA!) her next appointment is in December for her 21 month checkup!

Way to go, Sarah!!!

Sarah's Boo Boo

Sarah had a little accident at daycare yesterday. She was trying to squeeze between a table and a couch and tripped...as she was falling she nicked her ear on the table causing it to split! I was called to the school to pick her up and take her to Urgent Care. Turns out...she needed 2 stitches!!!

My poor baby!!

Fun at Amelia's Birthday Weekend!

Memorial Day Fun!

Yummmm...Pasta!!

She's Mommy's Little Rocker Girl!

(She's staring at the pancakes Eric was eating for breakfast...she was a little hungry!)

I'm Hungry!

Sarah has decided that the most effective way to let mommy and daddy know she's hungry is NOT by screaming, crying or pulling us to the kitchen...instead...she brings her high chair TO US...where ever we are. Yes, that's right! She's so clever! She rolls her high chair around the kitchen table (which required quite a bit of maneuvering, I might add) and into the family room and stops right in front of us.

OK...we get the hint!

Teeth Update...

Found the 4th molar the other night! Up to 12 teeth!! Way to go Sarah!!

Too bad she used these brand new teeth on a friend at daycare who wouldn't give her a doll...

Holy Teeth, Batman!

We found 1 more molar and another bottom tooth last night!! That puts Miss Sarah up to 11! Way to go baby girl!!!

More 1 Year Pics!

Sarah was lucky enough to have TWO fabulous photographers taking her 1 year pictures!



Photography by Amy at Elmwood Court Photography

Some 1 Year Pics!

Here are some of Sarah's 1 Year pictures!



Photography by Valerie Ackerman Photography

More Teeth!

We found 3 more teeth this weekend!! 1 at the bottom...finally popped through yesterday morning (explains why there was so little sleep Saturday night) and Grandma noticed her 2 bottom MOLARS! Definitely explains the crankiness and all of the drool!!! Way to go, baby girl!

Disneyland!!

Sarah had her 2nd trip to Disneyland this past weekend! We went with Auntie Bubbs, Uncle Brian and Amelia and had SO MUCH FUN!! Our little daredevil went on tons of rides and LOVED them all (except Mr Toad's Wild Ride, but we think it's because she was just tired).

Sarah's Movin' On Up...

to the Toddler Room at Daycare! She's been going over a little bit everyday this week and is doing well. She had a hard time being dropped off by her teacher but once she was in the classroom, she loved it! She should...she knows EVERYONE in there!! She and Megan are the last of her "group" to move over. So...tomorrow is her first full day there...We'll stop by the Infant Room for hugs from Miss Jill and then I'll take her right over to the Toddler Room. I know it's a good thing...she'll be playing with kids her own age (and older) and she'll learn so much!! But...it's hard to see my little love bug grow up...

Here's a pic of her with her favorite teacher, Miss Jill taken just this morning...

More Ireland Pictures

Sarah's Trip to Ireland

Happy Easter!!

Sarah Feeding Herself Dinner

Needless to say, the little princess needed a bath after this meal...spaghetti, peach yogurt, blueberries and Babybel cheese...YUMMMMM!

Sarah's Fun New Spot to Hang Out