A Tooth, Finally!

The delays in Kavella's crown and chompers has taken a positive turn--she has a tooth!! Although still completely bald, she is surging ahead in the oral department, what with a single tooth breaking through! She loves to "tongue" it, if you will, which is manifested by the fact that she walks around all day with her tongue sticking out! With her tooth comes the apparent ability to mock her mother's speaking--she does this fake talk where she moves her mouth like shes conversing, but she fails to make any coherent words. She usually does this when I'm on the phone.

Other things she's doing (yes, I can talk all about my kid because it's my blog that serves as a journal, too)--waving and clapping! I may have mentioned that before, but I just want to make sure I document her skills! When her Dad leaves in the morning, she waves "bye bye" to him!
Oh! The other day during her bath, she discovered her baby nipples! Subsequent to that discovery was the earnest attempt to remove them! She spent her entire bath "plucking" at her nips. I couldn't stop laughing!

On a totally unrelated note, let's talk about Thanksgiving this year. First, Colleen and Chris were supposed to come down to join us, but Chris lost his job and just started a new one yesterday, so they couldn't make it. Bean and I were going to forge the uncharted territory of turkey, stuffing, crancrap, beans and fixings making, but that didn't pan out.....Next, we were invited to join Dan and LesLey at their home, which would have been grand because LesLey knows how to cook tasty food, but their family came down with the swine flu this week....Last, we were just going to have Uncle Josh over for a rogue T-day dinner (steaks instead of turkey bc it's better), but he's heading up to Utah.....So, here we are all alone. Checking the weather, we discovered that it's going to be almost 80 that day! We decided to spend a relaxing day at the beach and eat at Duke's on the pier. It should be a great Thanksgiving!

Check out the babe when her favorite show (The Backyardigans) comes on...although, "The Wiggles" is vying for the "favorite" spot....

Walkin 'n Singin 'n Clappin

Kavella Bella is walking! Although I couldn't figure out how to download the best video to demonstrate her new talent, I did manage to post a couple of videos at the end! It is so fun to watch her practice her balance and coordination. During church today, she was walking ALL OVER the cultural hall with her friends! She seems to love being with her friends and loves keeping up with them even more!

Along with walking, Kavella is learning how to sing! Even though she only has one note, it is a pretty note! When Kavella hears ANY music/rhythm of any sort--on a commercial, on the radio, at D-land, hummed, clapped, clucked, rapped, etc.--she starts dancing, moving and singing along! Perhaps she'll be like her Grandma Roberts and play the piano or her Poppy Morrison and play....well, any instrument you can name...or like her Auntie Deina and sing! That will be my next video--her dancing!

Bathing is always an enjoyable time! Especially when you get wrapped in a nice, big, cozy towel like the one my talented friend Autie made!

Dustin had to work yesterday (Saturday), so Kavella and I met him at the Irvine Spectrum for dinner! She was just staring at the ferris wheel! After this picture, I literally took a bite out of her cheek. It was tasty delicious.

Riding the "Teacups!" Clockwise from bottom left: Kavella's eyes, Kelly, Chante, Eden and Merrick.

Check out my pretty, white shoes that Granny gave me!

We got to meet Steve, Katie and their kids (Kylie and Teagan) at D-land for dinner! My Monte Cristo was ridiculously tasty! A fried, hammy sandwich of goodness to dip in berry sauce. I've been craving it since. We were happy to spend time with the Johnsons--they're a terrific family and we're thankful to have them as friends!

Kavella has a little crush on Merrick. When he is around, I notice she laughs more, shows off her talents more and quite literally hangs all over him! Ha, ha! He is so sweet to her--his funny faces make her smile!

Eden is Kavella's best girlfriend! Isn't Eden a cutie pie!? She's a little "Gap baby"--picture perfect!

Walking all by herself!

Here are a couple videos...we'll work on getting better ones:

Halloweenish Stuff

Kavella and I were up in Park City for Halloween, so she got to spend it with her Uncle Chris and Aunt Colleenie Bean! In case you can't tell, Colleen is dressed as a Texas Longhorn and Chris is an Oklahoma Sooner who is murdering her. Kavella thinks it's hilarious! We let her gnaw on Chris' machete all evening....is that morbid....or genius?

Chris. That's all I can say. Wait, I can also say that this is the most amount of his eyes I've ever seen.

I love my little strawberry! She didn't actually go trick-or-treating, but she did eat at a tasty, cheap Mexican restaurant with her aunts and uncles!

Thanks Auntie Deina for hooking Kbaby up with the outfit!

Doesn't she look delectable? Those of you with kids, what were they this year?

Last one, I swear....it's just....well, you know what I'm saying!

One day, as I was driving to Disneyland, I noticed one of those huge air-filled bouncy things. Curious, my friend Mel and I drove to it and found a little pumpkin patch with a bunch of those blow-up bouncy/slide things. It was kinda small. Let's just say, it was in the mall parking lot--stupid Californians--so, it wasn't the best patch we could've visited, but it turned out to be quite enjoyable! Plus, there were only a couple other families there, so we got to do basically whatever we wanted! Above, thinking it was going to be chilly, I dressed Kavella in long sleeves, stockings and her Uggs. It was 83 degrees. Stupid, Mom, stupid! She's just a sugary doll!

Mel, scarecrow, me.

What with all the ghost comparisons of her skin, we decided to make it official. "White and delightsome."

Isn't Corban the cutest cowboy you've ever seen!? He invited her to take a little ride in his wagon--she acted like a lady and made sure he dropped her off before midnight!

I mean, how stinking edible are they? It makes me want to buy a wagon. My sister, Jenn, has the best wagon ever--it's got these HUGE wheels on it, plus a canopy! I used to tote Dalin all over the place in that. Then, I'd make him pull me. He was two, but he was strong!

This is going to surprise you, but I truly love being a mom! Kavella started clapping and waving recently, and almost instantaneously, I became one of those annoying parents who is like, "Bye! Wave bye-bye!" And then, in the interim between waving and leaving, I basically make it so uncomfortable for whomever we're leaving that they end up falling victim to our silly game and waving. Ah, I love being a first-time parent!

Look how happy and sweet they are!

I was actually running past this checkered-flag finish line. Not really.

These were the Halloween cupcakes I made for all of our neighbors, sans Tip and Terry. If any of you know Tip and Terry, you'd understand why they were'nt afforded any. Matt and Mel know what I'm talking about. So does Eloise and my Mom. The rest of you can just imagine a super eccentric brother-sister duo that is obsessive, particular, entitled and selfish. Now, that wasn't in the Halloween spirit, was it? Well, at least their quiet....quiet like little mice. Mice nibbling on bread crumbs. Happy Halloween!

"Cutie Patootie"

As the mother of Kavella, I'm allowed to be obsessed with her. I know, I know, first time parents are quite annoying with their "my kid this and my kid that," but I feel like I need to be a part of that behavior due to the fact that my daughter really IS beautiful, sweet, delicious, scrumptious and a "cutie patootie" (thanks for the reminder of that one Seren!)! Oh, you see what I did there? Yeah, yet another post all about my munchkin! I mean, look how delectable she is in that picture (above)--it's like she knew I was taking her picture! I love you, Kavella baby! XOXOXO

Eating at our favorite rib place (Newport Rib. Co.) with Granny and Poppy!!

Taking a little snooze on the beach. It was a little foggy, but it was still pretty warm! I think the waves help her relax. I love when she falls asleep, which allows me the opportunity to read a bit (33 minutes to be exact)! I'm reading two books right now (well, for the last three months, actually!)--A Tale of Two Cities and Lost at Sea. One is a paperback and the other is on my ipod touch! Can you believe what we can do with technology these days? I mean, I have 200+ books in that little device and there is still TONS of room for music, games, tools and social network applications! Amazing! What is your favorite app? Answer in the comment section!

See, even though it was foggy, the sun still hurt my eyes! I love this man! Dust got to paddle around for a while...he's such a good surfer!

Sandy, ruffle bum!

Baby boobies! Ka-vella! Pull your dress up! Wait, that doesn't right....

I had to rearrange my entire living room since she's been cruising. This is the new stand that our VCR and DVD's go on....let's see how long it takes her to pull it all down!

Who knows what that face is....oh, yeah, we were in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and she couldn't tell that the camera was facing her! Surprise!

Yes, yes, don't even point out my ginormus man-hand...it looks extra large for some reason. I can't help it, dangit! Just focus on tootie pants deliciousness!

Her fascination with the sand keeps her entertained for several minutes....trust me, that's a long time in her book!

Daddy took us on a date to the Olive Garden! What with her Spanish-style poncho, we should've gone to El Ranchito, huh? Even though people say how cheap the food at O.G. is, I just love their breadsticks dipped in Alfredo sauce! Oh, and their salad is tasty, too! So there, I like the Olive Garden! Is that such a crime, you snobs?

So, returning from Disneyland one evening, Melody and I turned around to catch Corban and Kavella holding hands! Lovely! Hmmm, if this is what she's sneaking around doing at 9 months, what exactly can I expect at 16 years? JK. I don't need to hear any "karma" comments.....

"A Bug's Life"

Melody and I spending some time with "Flik" and the millions of other bugs in the world! Mel is such a sweet friend! I'm so grateful she lives down the street and we can spend time being moms together!

Look at those pools of blue! Thanks, Auntie Darci, for the cute dress!