Just another CarleSpawn weblog

There was fun with ribbons, bows, and wrapping paper.

There was a toy that made noise from Diane, one of Ezri’s library friends. She kept going back to this package after she learned it sang when you pushed on it. It is now on the fridge and provides entertainment while a grown up gets her morning coffee. COOL! It’s a toy that makes noise that will help me get breakfast.  I think it might be educational too.  After playing with it, we did notice she was making a lot of “d” babbling noises.  Coincidence?

She also got a drum from her grandparents that she loves. Once we learn how to post a video clip we’re doing that to show her real appreciation of the drum.
Ezri had Christmas pancakes with us and joined in the family pancake brunch tradition. Merry first Christmas, Ezri.  I know it was one of the best holidays for Eric and I.

Ezri was out in the snow for maybe 5 minutes.
She face planted trying to crawl and it was over.
I let her touch snow mitten free and she had to see what it tasted like.
I threw a snowball toward (not at) her.

Here she is wondering what snow tastes like.

Ezri is one lucky baby.

You really could have just sent the boxes. A box filled with crumpled newspaper brings an amazing amount of joy to Ezri. The mail brings us holiday parcels these days. Ezri enjoys it when boxes come and I let her push them around the floor.

If they are big she can climb on top of them and then inside them. She can reach around and pull her toys with her into the big boxes. If they are small she can put things into them and pull things out. She can lift and shake them over her head. Boxes both big and small are the best.

While I am sure whatever present Laura put in this box will be great when we open it on Christmas, the box was a heckuva good time this afternoon.

Ezri has been really enjoying photos lately, so I pulled out some photo albums and we flip through them and point at the people in the pictures.

She’s also been enjoying her Babybug magazines and will sit through the short rhymes and stories. Her ability to point and turn pages has really upped the fun at our storytimes around the house. She used to be more interested in chewing Babybug, and while that still holds appeal, she is more captured by reading together than ever before.  Babybug has fingerplays we can do together which I appreciate.

Also, she did her first drawing today. Clearly she is an artiste. This work was done on a magnetic doodle toy, but soon she’ll be working in oils and pastels – or possibly we will start with crayons. I signed her initials at the bottom for her.

Today Ezri and I decorated our tree with felt, wooden and plastic ornaments. There will be nothing breakable this year. Eric did build a tall wooden stand so the tree is raised three feet off the floor. He also bolted the tree to the stand, so it cannot be pulled over. How’s that for baby-proofing the holidays?

Ezri really likes the cow jumping over the moon ornament. She enjoyed pulling out the ornaments with me and pointed at the lights.

We also went to the DG Library staff holiday luncheon today. As with many a library staff, there are some fine cooks and bakers there. Yum & Fun.

Yes, Ezri, that present is for you from your Great Aunt Janine.

Ezri has been smiling with a wrinkled nose in the last couple of days. This smile is a little like that, though not as nose-wrinkled as some. Eric says the look reminds him of a face his sister sometimes makes in photos.

While we forgot our camera, luckily, Grandma Liz took photos.

The big box contained a radio flyer walking cart. As soon as it is assembled Ezri will be able to push it around in style.

She also really loves the thrift store xylophone. It is missing a note, but Ezri makes great noise with it.

Ribbon makes a great toy.

Ezri played a great game with Rachel (who is hard to see in this photo). Rachel would laugh and then Ezri would laugh. Rachel would clap and then Ezri would clap. Tongue out for Rachel. Tongue out for Ezri. All the while, they were clearly delighting each other.

Ezri, that dreidel is not in your mouth. I think you’re slipping.

Ezri celebrated her first Hanukkah with a party at the JCC in DeKalb. The evening was filled with latkes, friends, songs and fun. Ezri loved every minute. She especially loved her Grandma Liz’s homemade applesauce and playing with Rachel who is a year older. Ezri is fascinated by toddlers. She enjoyed listening to Koleynu sing some holiday favorites and tasted her first latke. While it was near her bedtime, she still had energy afterwards to show off her brand new stair climbing skills for Harvey and Liz.

Here she is playing with some big cushiony dreidels handcrafted by Liz.

The photo below shows how Ezri feels generally about posing with monkey-monkey lately. She is too busy moving to slow down for posed photos.

But, she does still love the monkey – especially his chewable button eyes. Don’t worry they are well attached and we don’t leave her unsupervised with monkey-monkey.