Merry CHristmas - Trying out the Gifts

The fairy clocks for Helen and Ruth Trying on her new outfit - with shoes

Rolly Polly

Merry Christmas at the Vandegrifts

We got Bud, Helen, and Ruth a book about Scarlet's first 5 months. I created it on Shutterfly.com and we love it! I know Scarlet will love it when she gets older.

Freida (Bud's sister) and Gary were there with us.

Bud and the Christmas tree.

I made clocks for both Helen and Ruth (and my mom). I woodburned them and used colorpencils for color. They enjoyed them.

Ahh presents.

Merry Christmas Continued

From Jim and Stef - Tsent us gifts via Helen - so we were very greatful to get them Christmas morning. Scarlet got a teddy bear with her cousins' picture on the sweatshirt. She loved it! We got books - one for Len and the importance of daddies for little girls and one for me and the 5 love languages for children.

She loves her bear!

These are all her gifts. The spoiling has begun!

Happy Hanukkah!

This was Scarlet's first night of Hanukkah. She had her own Hanukkah menorah (in the background, and her dreidle.

She was able to open her first gift.

She loved it! It was an O-Bal (and she still loves it because she can play with it and hold onto it).

Proud Grandpa

Scarlet's First Snow (in BIg Bear)

My mom and dad took Scarlet up to Big Bear this weekend. We caught up with them on Sunday, after Sea World. Here Scarlet is in her first pile of snow:
The whole family near the "Christmas tree."

A snow angel:

Grandma, Mom, and Scarlet:

Scarlet was so worn out after the snow, she fell asleep the minute I laid her down to take her snowsuit off. So, I let her sleep instead. Mom then sprinkled Sees Candies wrappers all over - cute picture!

Len took me to Sea World - Thanks Honey!

Len took me to Sea World San Diego for Hanukkah this weekend. It was a lot of fun! I just love marine life - it puts a perpetual smile on my face.


Dolphin Stadium from up above (in the Sky Tower): Mr. Big Fish:

Ahhh! Sea Turtles!

Beluga Whale:

Black and White Dolphins (we forgot their official names)

Sea Turtle swimming around:




Seals being fed by the public:

Happy Hanukkah from Great Grandma Jones

My grandma got Scarlet this dress for Hanukkah. Thanks Grandma. We love it - and she will wear it for her Baby Naming this Friday, Dec. 26 at TBI. Almost 6 months old, and finally being named.. hahha

At School

Here is her school's staff. Yes, both of her teachers are in the picture!

On Santa's lap.

I Can Do It, Mommy!

They say babies grow up fast, but I had no idea it would be this fast. It seems like just this week she has learned two things - how to hold onto things for a while and she turns her head to sounds other than Mom or Dad's voice.

The first video I think is really cute because she is really trying to figure out how to do it on her own.

The second one, after Mommy's help, she figures it out.

Our Holiday Decorations

I saw Stef's blog had pictures of their holiday decorations. I thought it was nice to see - so here's ours. I put these up one afternoon last week (after Scarlet's teacher gave me an ornament with her hands traced) and surprised Len.
Our tree is also fake. We got it last year - and most of the decorations are left over decorations from our wedding - mostly from the chuppah (wedding canopy).

Playing Dreidle

Her first rattle - that she loves to hold tightly - is a dreidle!

Ready for the Holidays

After I got up all of the holiday decorations Scarlet and I did a photo shoot.

This one is at a weird angle, but I like it.
Ah! The lights!

And more lights!

We're ready!

And she has really taken to the dreidle!

The Mess Has Begun!

When her doctor told me she was ready for solids, I was shocked. She is only 5 months old (and a preemie!) and weighs 12 lbs, 6 oz! But, she's a preemie specialist and says Scarlet is ready to learn. Boy, is that the understatement of the year!

This is her after her first feeding in the high chair - she was so worn out, she actually konked over in between bites - without any warning! Her dad and I were talking, and looked back at her, and this is what we saw. (Notice how her feet aren't even remotely close to the "foot rest" HA!)
She can hold the spoon, but we have to do all of the feeding.

We were using the pacifier to teach her that she needs to swallow. I don't know if it really worked.

Here's Daddy.

The Christmas Show

We went to the Christmas Show at Candleight Pavilion. It was a really great show - lots of fun and dancing. But, it was alot more fun watching Scarlet really enjoy it.

Here we are with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

During the show, all the children were invited up, so here is her stage debut.

Here, she was following the tap dacing transformer doll. It was quite a sight to see!