Day 317

Today was a good day, we managed to get out for a walk in a new area, and visited a new park! :) That was this afternoon, and after Penelope and Daddy's morning walk to Vista Park! Our girl is becoming a real pro park kid. :) At our afternoon park visit, we watched her climb a ladder up to a unique kind of slide and go down all on her own... She's such a big girl! She loves playing, and that's thanks to her Daddy who takes her so much and really lets her play, unlike Mama who can be overly cautious!! :/

Here are some park adventure pics! Night. 

Day 316

(Yesterday's missed post)

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and we were actually at a mall!!!! I can barely believe it myself, but it was only so we could take a family photo at JC Penny. :) We still felt the "holiday" spirit-- the traffic and parking at the Westminster mall was outta control! Thomas, Penelope, Luciana & I took a photo, just us, then Grandaddy, Gayle, Holly & Lily joined us for another photo. Penelope did pretty well! She was dressed up cute, smiled in most pics, and behaved herself pretty well. :) We headed home straight after for naps. 

Penelope is doing great-- she's learning so much every day, talking more (can say Mama, Papa, baby, and mimics tons!). We are having such fun watching her grow up. :)

Here's a few pics of me & P before bed... Goodnight.

Day 315

Well, Penelope had her first yummy Thanksgiving, meaning she was able to eat turkey!! She loves turkey, this kid, let me tell ya! :) Today we visited family at Mana's, and hung around home the rest of the day. We are still enjoying having Papa home from work, he will go back soon though, and I don't know what Penelope will do! They've fallen into their own routine, and I know she'll miss him/it. We're happy he was home with us at all, no complaints here!! 

This morning they did their regular: wake up, get dressed, breakfast snack for the road, walk to the park, play, pick up a donut for Mommy, and then come home. That's where Luciana and Mama get out of bed and we all eat a real breakfast together. Penelope is developing so many new skills at the park: running, balance, maneuvering stairs, and climbing. I'm so pleased seeing her grow up even day to day! She played outside Mana's today with her cousin Lily, Aunt Holly & Cocoa the dog, and when we got home she said "Cocoa"-- that's how fast it happens! :) 

We are thankful for such a sweet little girl (not a baby anymore!!), that she's happy and healthy, and so smart. We are thankful for her, and we show her every day. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! Night!

Day 314

Penelope had a fun day today, she began by waking Mama up at 5:45 am. When this happens, I simply get up, grab her sippy cup and heat up some milk and let her drink it while I change her diaper. After a few minutes of cuddling her in my arms, I put her back in her crib and make sure she's snuggled under her blankets... This buys us all at least another hour of sleep! :) So, this morning was one of those early ones, and then around 7:30 we all woke up. Penelope had a swim lesson scheduled for 10:20 am, so we all got her fed, dressed, packed & ready to go to the lesson with Daddy. He said she  did well and had a good time. Later, we all hung out at home together, and P had good naps and went to bed without much fuss. We have a good little girl, thankfully! :)

Here's a pic of our sweet little mermaid waiting for her class to begin. Goodnight.

Day 313

Our baby girl Penelope can now roam the back yard freely-- we had a fence installed around the pool and jacuzzi!! :) After much consideration, research and appointments with three different fence companies, we made a decision and it is in the ground now! :) We felt we had to take as much precaution as we could with the two precious lives we have to guard and care for. Swim lessons was the first (ongoing, P has a class tomorrow), and the fence is just extra. We are so relieved and feel good about it.

Isn't it pretty? Anyway, we like it. Penelope seemed happy to run around the yard, not having Mama or Daddy breathing down her neck. :)

Today Penelope had a good day. She walked around in her cloth diaper, and looked like she had a ginormous behind: very funny! Mama and Daddy had to change her more than the disposable, but we are keeping up. 

That's it for today. Here's a couple pics of P walking around the front while Papa watered the grass. Goodnight. 

Day 312

Penelope and her Daddy went to the park this morning while Mama & Luciana slept some more. They always have fun there (see pics!) We had to all get ready and go see Dr. Lau sort of early (10:30); P needed to get the second part of her flu shot & Luciana had her two week well. check. Penelope did very well with her shot-- the nurse and Daddy had to hd her down, but she only cried for a short moment! She got a prize afterwards, and a looooooong nap when we got home. Our big girl slept 2 1/2 hours! Later, another visit to the park/playground, only this time, we all went! It's awesome seeing P play and having such a great time....she's so fearless, like her Daddy, she's all over the place, and if she falls she's up again in a second like it never happened.

When we got home from the park, we had a delivery from our cloth diaper service: diaper covers, liners and wipes for both girls, wipes liquid, and diaper pail. We have been excited to try them, and were given such a generous gift of 6 months of the service, so we finally had the chance. Well, we put one on P and laughed for a few minutes-- it looked HUGE on her!! Seemed to work great, though. We'll see... :)

The first set of park pics are from this morning-- the second are from this afternoon. Goodnight. :)

Day 311

Well, I have to say-- each day out Penelope grows a little more, learns something new, and makes us more proud. Today she showed that she outgrew some jeans that fit her last week, and then all day long she mimicked us and said SO many words, like: Baby, mama, papa, yeah, and she'll try to copy us in anything we say. 

This morning, Daddy took Penelope to the park and she played on everything, the slide, see saw, swings, and walks across a bridge all on her own! She is really growing up and becoming a real sweet kid, and so smart. :) 

Later, we all went on a walk to Fairview Park-- the girls rode in our new double stroller. Another fun discovery: Penelope loves Thanksgiving food! We had leftovers today, and P devoured her turkey and mashed potatoes. We know now this girl loves turkey! 

That's it for us today... We love watching our oldest grow so much every day. It's amazing to us how fast it is happening! I am also loving seeing Penelope and her Daddy become so close while Mama takes care of Luciana. It melts my heart! :') She's definitely become a Daddy's girl. Here are today's pics. Goodnight.

Day 310

We had a nice day today-- busy, but nice. Since we weren't planning in having Thanksgiving at our house this year (and no leftovers), we decided to make an early dinner so we could pick at Mr. Turkey all week! Penelope just toddled around while we made a feast. :) Turns out she loves turkey! I wasn't surprised, she usually devours the turkey cold cuts I give her for lunch. She also had mashed potatoes, carrots and milk. No apple pie for P, not yet.....

Penelope loved showing Mana & Grandaddy how well she runs and says "yyyyy-eaaaahhhhh!!!!" She had a good day today. 

Since I have no pics from today, I'll make sure I have extra tomorrow. Too bad, too, we had a nice bird we didn't photograph.... It sure was yummy!!!

Night. 

Day 309

Well, today was a good day. Penelope, Daddy, Luciana and met up with our neighbor friends and took an early morning walk to Fairview Park. Later, our double stroller was delivered, and we tried it out around our neighborhood, and it's awesome! Penelope sits in front, and Luciana on back, so that P can't manhandle her baby sister. :) They both seemed to like it. 

Penelope is getting one of her molars in currently, and she's handling it pretty well. She's also figuring out how to walk up and down small stairs. Our girl is so smart!! 

Here are a few pics from today. Goodnight.

Day 308

Short entry today... Mama can barely keep her eyes open.   

Today we:

 

1. Woke up early 

2. Saw Daddy come home from work :)

3. Had great morning naps.

4. All piled in the van & went to Santa Ana to pick up Luciana's birth certificate.

5. Ate Chipotle for lunch (P loved my chicken burrito!)

6. Had a great afternoon nap.

7. Saw Daddy off to class.

8. Played with Mama until bedtime.

Love it when my baby girl has a good day, and today was good. ;) So, I have no pics of P from today, so I'm sharing one from Halloween... She was too darn cute!!!!

Goodnight.

Day 307

Well, Penelope had a good day today, but the one thing missing from it was her Daddy. She's become very close to her Daddy recently, since he's been home on leave for Luciana. They spend lots of time together, and this morning (when they usually take their walk or have an outing) she seemed to be looking for him. :( Thankfully he's home tomorrow, so Frick and Frack can be peas in a pod again! ;)

Today Penelope was a good girl, but since she didn't nap well this afternoon I had to put her to bed early (6:45pm). I noticed her lower, right side molar has broken through!! :) 

That's really it for today.... Here are a couple silly pics of P & I from today.  Goodnight!

Day 306

Penelope had a fun day today. First, she and her Daddy woke up early and went to the beach for a long pier to pier walk. After her morning nap, our friends John, Cindy and their 2 1/2 year old daughter Catalina came over with lunch for us. :) The girls played together and had lots of fun! 

That was her day... Goodnight! 

Day 305

Today Penelope had fun, and as us when Daddy's home (and he's been home lots for Luciana) their fun begins early in the morning. Today I wrote them a short grocery list and they walked (with a stroller, of course) to Trader Joe's. Daddy stopped off at Vista Park so P could play a bit, too. What a fun Daddy. :)

Late afternoon, after her second nap, Daddy took P outside to walk around, and then to visit with our neighbors. She loves being outside and walking around. :) Our big girl!! Oh, side note: baby girl is growing sooooo fast-- she's literally too big for many of her clothes & shoes, and is often flooding. ;)

Here's a pic of Penelope taking a nap. we had put her down at 9, ad at 10:20 she was still asleep! Daddy went in to see if she was alright & that's what he saw. our sweet sweet girl. :) Goodnight!

Day 304

Today was fun! Daddy came back home from work, and Penelope was so excited to see him. :) We finally ordered a new double stroller (thank you, Papa Ocean!) and are super excited to be able to have the girls ride together, and to have the convenience of just one of us pushing. We also have been talking about getting P her own little table & chairs, and putting her "baby" toys away. So, Daddy went to Ikea and got it! Yay, it's soo cute, and small enough that she can really sit at it and look at her books, puzzles and maybe even eat, one day. Also, he saw this cute little rattan chair, and grabbed that. What a sweet Daddy...... :)

Later, we had a visit from our friends Andrew & Bianca, and P had a blast playing with them, and showing off her new words and other big girl stuff. This evening, we took a walk to Fairview Park for a picnic we saw advertised-- it ended up being an event to save the park from being developed. Daddy took Penelope on the train (across the street from the park), and she had lots of fun. We also ran into some more friends at the train-- John, Cindy & their 2 1/2 year old daughter, Catalina, who P liked a lot. :)

What a nice Sunday at home with the family, we love days like this! Here's some pics from today..... Night! ;)

Day 303

Penelope had herself a really fun day today. First of all, she got all us girls up when she was ready (Daddy had to work), which was around 6:30. We basically ate breakfast and got ready until it was time for P to go to Mana's house for a few hours. Yep, I began packing bags, setting out clothes, packing P's lunch, and then getting us all dressed & fed, around 8am... We left the house at 10:30, approximately. Unbelievable! But, that's just how it is now. 

I hear that Penelope ha a great time at Mana's house. They took two walks, and went to play at a park. :) I was a little concerned with leaving her while she was so upset, but Mana said she was fine after 5 minutes of crying. I hope she's learning that Mama always comes back, and is secure with that. 

Later, dinner and playing was just fine. I think it may be a little more difficult once Luciana isn't sleeping so much, but it sure does help when I'm cooking dinner, and things like that. 

That's all for today. But here are two pics of P at Mana's. Goodnght!

Day 302

Penelope and Daddy woke up early early (6ish) and went to Vista Park for their daily outing. Apparently, P is big enough to play in the playground mostly on her own now.. I'm glad she goes with her Daddy, because I probably wouldn't let her do half the stuff she does with him!! Mama's very protective of her girl, that's all. When they returned (with donuts for Mama :)) we all had breakfast and then morning nap time!! 

We hung around the house today-- and it was just what all of us wanted & needed. Penelope is slowly adjusting to her new baby, trying to touch her and just acknowledges her more now. So so cute to see them looking at one another...  Best friends to be! We thought she might be acting out a bit yesterday, she was screaming a lot and not listening, but tidy she was very, very good and seems to be getting used to the new way at home. :)

That's all for tonight. Here's a couple pics of P at the park with Papa. Goodnight!!

Day 301

Today Penelope and Mama were up early; we decided to play for a bit before I have P her breakfast. A while later, she and Daddy went on a walk. We then all went to the doctor so Luciana could do a quick weight check.... Big old rush because we didn't start getting ready soon enough. Who knew you needed hours to prepare for a half hour trip? Certainly feels like it! P behaved well until she was hungry, then she just screamed. 

We are all still adjusting to life with a newborn, and none more than sweet little Penelope. She doesn't get what's happening, so we cut her slack. 

That's all for today, goodnight!

Day 300

Wow! 300 days of Penelope! So special, every day we spend with our girl... :)

So today was just like the last few to begin: Penelope wakes up around 7:30ish and Daddy gets her bundled up and they go on an outing so we can either sleep or nurse, or have quiet time. Today, Daddy took P down to Home Depot-- via stroller! That's got be 3.5 or 4 miles both ways, wowee! They seem to have fun on their morning outings, so we all win. When they returned, we all ate breakfast, played a bit, then it's time for P's nap. We stuck around the house all day, as its still too early for us to bring Luciana out, especially in flu season, even of it does feel like summer out there! 

Later, Daddy made us chili for dinner: YUM. Cornbread, too! We are so very lucky to have a Daddy that cooks! After we all took Luciana on her first outside walk, Mama bathed Penelope. Since Luciana was fast asleep, Penelope had some good Mommy/Daddy playtime before bed. I think she's beginning to acknowledge Luciana more, and today she even approached her on her own and patted her a bit... Gently. :) I just melted when I saw the photo of that... :)

That's P's story today, folks! Here are a few pics. Night!