A pat on the back

One of my favorite things is when our babies start patting us on the back when we carry them around. Something they have learned from us rubbing and patting their back. I think it is a true sign of love when they do it. Something so sweet and simple.
Sweet SAL can also smack her lips. She has been dong it for about a month. She would just look at Paige and start doing it. Now when she nurses she stops and does it a few times and looks at me and waits for me to do it back. You can see how happy she is to know that she has control over something.

Happy Chinese New Year!

In trying to create special traditions in our family I stole this idea from a friend (thanks Angela!). The meal is nothing special, but getting out decorations and eating at the table is special. The kids like it and it is a reason to celebrate something in January.

We have had parties when we invite a bunch of couples in our neighborhood over for Chinese New Year dinner. We just have them bring their favorite dish (take-out or home made) and we eat dinner. But last year we didn't do it because of a sweet new baby and this year we have basement jet lag. Maybe next year.

a trip to the mall

Paige convinced me to take her and some friends to the mall. Our first stop was the popcorn place to get a dr pepper and carmel popcorn to help me through the next few hours.:) The girls were happy to look around for the first few stores. But when I wanted to start looking they got a little bored. So I handed them my camera. This is one of MANY pictures they took. Emily did a good job at being "camera girl".

the pits

It is the pits to be sick the days after your 1st bday. But better than the day of.

Look who's 1

We started off the mornign with pan-"cakes". As you can see she is very happy about that.:)

Then we hung around for a while while I made her cake. When Jake came home we went to get balloons.

When everyone was home we opened presents. Jake and Emily made her a few things with the melty beads. She loved the cars. Though I think one in each hand is not such a good idea when you can only crawl. I only give her one car at a time now.

She seemed to like her doll and stroller. It may be a while before she really knows what to do with it.

We decided to try the new Pizza Factory in Syracuse for dinner. They have the best breadsticks!
Home for cake and ice cream. I tried a new recipe for frosting and put the cake in the fridge. The frosting was very hard when we got it out. Sarah had more fun playing the cake like a drum than eating it. After a few bites she was done eating, but still kept playing the drum. I am not sure if the frosting was soft if she would have liked it as much.

She Sucks!

Of course it is Dr Pepper she is sucking (aren't I a good mom?). We were at Cafe Rio (where else would we be?) for a friends bday and Sarah figured it out. No wonder she won't drink whole milk. Maybe if I added a little Dr Pepper......

Often do the spirits of great events stride on before the events, and in to-day already walks to-morrow. -Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Sarah's birthday celebration began on her birthday eve. I wanted to take her to Build-a-Bear and let her pick out a bear for her birthday. Knowing that would be torture for Brad and Rian we went with out them and had a great time! We picked out 2 animals and held them up to Sarah. She would pick the one she wanted. We did this a few times. She ALWAYS picked the same bear. She would pull it into her face and kiss and love it.

We added a birthday song to the bear. Sarah loves to dance to the song. And of course, we all added a heart before the bear was stuffed and sewn up.

Jake kept himself busy by taking some pictures....

As you can tell she loves her bear. We named her Silly Sal.