Sunny Monday

The last few weeks, Monday has been a dreary day for us. But today, the sunshine and warmer weather gave our spirits a boost, and we ventured outside for some fresh air and outdoor fun. Our driveway was perfect for Franny to speed around on her new tricycle. She is still mastering her pedal skills, but she is ecstatic just to push and pull it up and down the driveway, and to have me push her. As with everything with Franny, speed is a good thing--the faster the better! After about an hour with the tricycle, I managed to distract her long enough to put it away, so we could go on a short walk around the block. I hope the weather continues, because the sun and fresh air was exactly what both of us needed!

Got vitamin C?

This week, Franny's favorite foods have been oranges ("oransh") and strawberries ("berries!"); both have been consumed in mass quantities. Tuesday, between her lunch and snacks, Franny had 2 1/2 oranges. Today, for lunch, she consumed nearly an entire pint of strawberries. The oranges, though, are the most amusing. She will sometimes just suck out all the juice, leaving a plateful of dry, withered pulp and rinds; other times she will devour the whole thing--peel and all. Regardless, they are one of her favorite things to eat--and say. And, right now, also one of my favorite phrases to hear. "Oransh, please"--who can resist that? Too cute--I love it!

New suit

It seems just a little funny to be swimsuit shopping when it's freezing outside, but Franny really needed a new one, since both of hers were getting a bit on the tight side. Fortunately, stores are beginning to carry them again, and we found this great ladybug suit for her. Not only does she love that it's red and that there's ladybugs on it, but she really loves that she can point to her tummy and say "belly-belly", which is Franny for "belly button".

A two waffle day

I don't know if it's the snow, an active morning, or just a growth spurt, but this morning, Franny insisted on two waffles--of course, smathered in a thick layer of cream cheese--for her morning snack. Not even at nine months, when her appetite really peaked, did Franny ever go through two complete waffles! We'll see what lunch brings...

Stuck!

Over the course of the day, Franny gets very intent on either putting on or taking off clothes. And, her fascination isn't limited to her own--in fact, I think she prefers our clothes, because they are bigger and have easier openings to get arms and legs into. Sometimes, though, her ambition can get the best of her. Today, she managed to get her head stuck after she wiggled it through the arm hole of her daddy's shirt. Poor girl!

And, of course, it's all the more frustrating and embarassing when your mommy, who is supposed to save you, prolongs your pain in order to snap a few unnecessary--but very amusing-- photos!

Girl in the hood

Look at her now

Looking at my calendar, I realize that it was just two months ago that while eating out, Franny dumped a big bowl of broccoli, among other things, all over our table. Dumping was big with Franny, and I really questioned not only if we could ever eat out again, but if we had given her too much freedom in her processes of learning how to eat, and, as a result, if teaching her proper table manners would forever be an uphill battle. But, much to my surprise, with just a few persistent corrections, Franny has outgrown her old bad habits and does a great job. She now even drinks out of a cup by herself, is quite adept with a spoon and fork, and wipes her mouth with a napkin. Amazing.

It is no less than fascinating to watch Franny develop from day to day, because there are changes every day. I love being home with her to witness her wonderment and discovery and to see her grow with each passing moment. With Franny, life is never dull or monotonous. She, like all toddlers, unquestionably has her moments, but not a day passes that I don't experience joy and am overwhelmed by the love enabled by this little person. I am in complete awe of her and I absolutely love being a mom!

Spreading the love

In general, Franny has never been one to cuddle or give a lot of hugs or kisses. With the exception of when she wakes up in the morning and after her nap, she is perpetually focused on being on the go, go, go; all that lovey-dovey stuff has to wait until the next morning! So, I've learned to take it when I can. But recently, Franny has begun to show her love for people and her doll and animals by giving them hugs. At the end of playgroup this week, she gave one of the other little girls a hug before we left--it was just too sweet! So now, I try to get few bonus hugs throughout the day--and, sometimes I am successful--but I sometimes I still get the look of "Now?! You've got to be kidding! We already did that today!" But when I am lucky enough to get a hug, I must say, nothing beats it.

The latest on hummus

Franny's new word today: hummus. As you can see, she takes great delight in saying it (not to mention eating it)!

Yummus for hummus

For some reason, the menus restaurants provide for kids are no less than pathetic--mostly fried foods, rarely a vegetable in sight, and zero nutritional value, in general. It never ceases to amaze me; I realize that eating out should be a treat, but at least for now, we steer clear of the fries and try to find some sort of healthy option. Most often, when we go out to eat, we have found some of the best choices for Franny to be off the adult happy hour menus. Portland Brewing has great chicken tacos and any hummus plate is great, especially when it includes tomatoes, olives, pickled onions, cucumbers, and feta cheese, like the one at most McMenamins. And Franny loves anything that allows her to dip. So, to date, the hummus option has been the favorite for her. And when a decent option isn't available, most restaurants have also been open to providing us with different sides, like veggies or beans and rice. I realize that someday she will probably want the hamburger and fries, but for now, this seems to be working just fine.

Snow day

Thursday, we headed to Mt. Hood for a fun adventure in the snow. Franny was immediately fascinated with the snow, but she was even more intrigued when she and her daddy hit the mini-slopes with the sled. From their first run, it was obvious that Franny had found a new love, as she was giggling all the way down and signing for more before they could even come to a complete stop! Her daddy obliged, of course, and they continued until the cold finally got the best of us and we stopped to seek out some warmth and hot cocoa to complete our mountain adventure. And what a fun adventure it was!!

Zoo Lights

Wednesday, we bundled up in our warmest winter gear and headed out to Zoo Lights. Thankfully, our trip couldn't have gone smoother. There was no parking hassles; just a short wait to ride the train; the weather was cold, but no rain; and no huge crowds to make things tedious and awkward--which was a relief, as I had friends encounter some or all of these problems in their trips prior to Christmas.

As for the lights, it was great fun and the displays were elaborate and beautiful. Franny definitely enjoyed the train ride and the lights, but she also just loved running around and being part of the scene. She seems to really thrive on the energy of large crowds and festivities, as we have witnessed during the many events we have taken her to. Even when she was just months old, rather than being intimidated by the noise and chaotic activity, her eyes light up and she is completely intrigued by her surroundings. This aspect of her personality makes it a joy to take her to differents events and expose her to different things, because she has so much fun. This year's Zoo Lights was one of those times.

The Zoo Train

One of our views from the train

Franny and her daddy

Running wild

Following the continuous trail of lights

Getting warm in the elephant house

Franny unbridled

As if there wasn't already enough to look forward to when visiting Grandma and Grandpa, theythey managed to find one more thing to completely thrill Franny during her visits! Although she was initially cautious, Franny now loves this rocking horse, which is equipped to match her enthusiasm and exuberance. Thank goodness it will be quite some time before she is able to brave a real horse on her own!

A little fun at the car wash

Christmas morning smiles

And one stands alone

When they get together, these adorable cousins are a happy bunch, to say the least! They have such tremendous fun running around and playing together, that I would give just about anything to catch their joy on film just once! But due to their constant flow of energy, to just get them all in one place at the same time and be ready to snap a few quick pics is really next to impossible. Not to say I don't try...

The three together, albeit briefly

Then there were two

One stands alone

Quintessential Franny

Bon appetit!

We have recently been able to enjoy going out to eat at some of our more favorite places again. For a short period, Franny's cooperation level, not to mention her table manners, had made going out to eat rather unpleasant. After one disasterous incident at the Old Spaghetti Factory, we decided it was necessary to address a few issues before we would subject the rest of the dining public to our presence again.

Chipotle became our safe spot, where we could work out our kinks and find a routine where we could all go out and have a good time. It was ideal because there is no waiter, which cuts our sitting time nearly in half; there is food that Franny likes--beans, rice, cheese, and salsa; and even if Franny were to become difficult, the atmosphere is such that I don't feel like we are really spoiling anyone's meal. It really worked out great, and there were even days where Franny we had to wait for Franny to finish eating before we could leave.

But we missed our old spots, and a few weeks ago, when we were feeling brave, we ventured back to Portland Brewing. Franny did great--sitting patiently in her highchair, eating, and remaining in great spirits throughout our entire meal, which ended up lasting for over an hour. It was such a welcome relief, and we have since returned to a number of our favorite places and had wonderful times, which is great because eating out has always been one of our primary sources of entertainment. I am sure we will encounter other challenges in our future, but for now, we are having a good time!

Franny enjoying her hummus at McMenamins Roadhouse

Franny charming our neighboring table at Portland Brewing

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Franny's new snowsuit finally arrived yesterday. It has a cozy fleece liner and a windproof shell--so, she is now, without a doubt, ready for some winter fun! Amazingly enough, she even seems to be interested in wearing it! Of course, she is also interested in taking it off. Regardless, it is here just in time to enjoy some outdoor Christmas festivities during our extremely chilly weather. She has some matching gloves, as well, but she wasn't too interested in modeling those.

The late sleepers

Something about Elmo

I am not sure what it is, but there is unquestionably something special about Elmo and the whole Sesame Street gang. Franny has never watched Sesame Street, yet when we are at any store, she is inevitably drawn the fuzzy guy. We were at Powell's yesterday, and when we reached the toy shelves, Franny immediately picked up Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird. Everything else was barely even a distraction. I think Jim Henson must have truly been a kid at heart.

A tree just for Franny

Grandma and Grandpa made this wonderful tree for Franny that she can decorate herself (and redecorate, and redecorate...). Franny's a lucky girl to have such thoughtful grandparents that are always finding new and special ways for her to have fun! And I think that smile says it all!