WALKING in a Winter Wonderland!

Lots has happened over the past two months -- I hope I can remember all of it to share with you. Soon after Halloween Daddy, Papi and I went up to visit Nana and Papa. We had a great time as always. I sported some cool reindeer antlers while we were shopping -- but I was so focused on Papi's IPhone that I barely noticed I was wearing them. On the way back to New York City, I tried on some 3-D glasses when we stopped to eat. I think I look pretty stylish. My monkey, Jorge, has become a necessary part of nap time for the past several months. He's really nice and keeps me company in my crib all the time. Unfortunately, he can get a little stinky too. After being Febrezed a few times, he finally got a bath when we were back at Nana and Papa's for Christmas -- he's much happier now - thanks, Nana!
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Aunt Dona and Tio Dave hosted a holiday dinner at their house. I was really happy to see everyone and was showing off by taking some small steps across the room. Everyone was really impressed. Here's a pic of me and Daddy that day.

Then we headed out to Montauk for Thanksgiving. It was nice to have a handful of days with Daddy and Papi without the distractions of our every day life. Papi made a great Thanksgiving meal - and Daddy helped some too and made a great dessert. Uncle Monroe came the day after and spent the weekend with us. I had a nice time playing with him and checking out his music. We went shopping one day -- my hair was looking a little crazy that day. Of course, Jorge was there too.

After we got back from Montauk, the holiday season was well underway and I made lots of social plans with Daddy and Papi. To get ready, we got our Christmas tree the following weekend and got it all set up. Some of our friends stopped by to help and I was feeling very confident about walking so I showed off a little bit again - more than the last time that I saw them. I was walking from person to person without holding on. Papi and Daddy kept helping me practice and by the end of the following week, I was really walking. Here's a video of me walking from Papi to the other side of the room. You can see that I was pretty proud of myself!

After that we had a holiday dinner with friends at our house and did a gift exchange. Aunt Dona wasn't able to make it so I had to help Tio Dave open his gift.

Later that week we celebrated Hanukkah with Sofia, Cri and Pete. It was a good dinner, thanks to Cri and we exchanged gifts too. Sofia was a good helper and helped me open my new slide!

The next night, Sue and Aunt Cara came over for another special dinner! Then a few days after that we went to a cookie party at Aunt Cara's! I was allowed to have a few cookies - I'm hooked!

It was a really busy week, but I found some time to play with my new crayons too. I've also been dancing more and more. I have some cool new moves and I like to start wiggling and waving my arms whenever I hear a new beat.

I also had a check up at the doctor's office that week. Everything looks great and I did pretty well after I had to get a few more shots. I'm 32 inches tall now and I weigh 25lbs and 3oz. Some of my molars have come in too and I've got a mouth full of teeth!

After all of that partying, we hopped in the car and headed up to Nana and Papa's for Christmas. On the way, we stopped to eat and I had my first french fries!! They were really yummy but I've been told that they are only for road trips! We got to Nana and Papa's on Christmas Eve and after going to church (I missed most of the service, Daddy and Papi had to take turns hanging out with me outside of the sanctuary), Nana read "The Night Before Christmas" to me to help me get ready for bed. It's the same book that she used to read to Daddy, so it was a nice tradition. Then, I woke up and Santa had come!! I had no idea that you got to open presents on Christmas morning! I got some cool blocks from my friend Alexander and lots of other great things from my family, friends, and of course Santa. (Thank you, everyone!!) It was exhausting! I was totally ready for a nap once we were done opening gifts.

Later that day we went to visit my Great Grandpa Smith! This was the first time I got to see him and it was a special treat. I had fun trying to tickle him and walking down the hall. He showed me a really cool toy he has too.

While we were at Nana and Papa's we went out to eat and I got to try a lime! It was really weird and made me make some silly faces -- but I loved it and have had some more since then.

I also got to experience Nana's legendary cookies - and they lived up to their reputation. I got to have at least one every day!

Papa read me a bedtime story on our last night there and I got to play with Nana's laundry basket too. I remain fascinated with Daddy and Papa's IPhones and wish that I could play with them ALL the time. In general, phones and remotes are the best toys I have ever seen.

After we got back from Nana and Papa's, I still got to spend lots of time with Daddy and Papi. It was a great week. Cri and Sofia came over for New Year's Eve and I was SO surprised and excited to see them after missing them for a week. Mimi Carol sent over some horns for us to blow. When other people blew them they made a loud noise, so I used my voice to make those noises when I blew into them too. It was really fun.

I've been learning to help out with chores around the house too. I have my own vaccuum now and I try to vaccuum a little bit each day. I've also started picking up crumbs and pieces of lint off the floor and bringing them to Papi and Daddy so they don't have to vaccuum as much. I've been chatting away and am imitating more and more of what other people say. I've even said "Whatudoin?" and "Howudoin?" a few days, which always takes Daddy, Papi and Cri by surprise. I'll send you another update soon!