As 2009 draws to an end, I reflect on some of what I've learned this year

I said my first words:
Mama
Dada
Duck
Ball
Bear
Again
Water/agua
Hi
Yeah
Go
Up (as in pick me up)
That
Eyes/ojos
Bye


I learned sign language:
Milk
No
Dirty diaper
More
All done


I learned how to make animal sounds for:
Cow
Dog
Squirrel
Lion
Monkey
Dolphin


I crawled
I crawled faaaast
I stood
I cruised
I walked by holding only one of your hands
I walked like baby Frankenstein
I walked to take mommy's camera away from her
And I amassed a veritable wardrobe of shoes to aid in my walking


I learned games:
Peek-a-boo
Hide mommy's BlackBerry
Smell my feet
Throwing (daddy, go fetch)
Putting clips in your hair
"Where is it?"
High five
Change the laptop settings
Putting lids on items
Racing (I'm faaaast!)
Got your nose
Bye-bye


I discovered foods:
cherries
pears
apples
pluots
yogurt
Chasen's chili
tomatoes
tomato sauce
tomato soup
black beans
meatloaf
chicken (especially Boston Market)
chips (I like Pringles best)
filet mignon
cheese (my favorites are triple creme brie and freshly-grated cheddar)
Gerber stars
Pirate's Booty puffs
Cheerios
green beans
blackberries
raspberries
peas
pasta


In 2010, I'm going to eat exclusively solids and kick my 6-bottle-a-day habit, work on my walking (and running!), fiercely attack all electronics in my way, learn more words and even more tricks. I'm looking forward to it!!

Guess what's for dessert!

MY FOOT IN YOUR FACE!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!

Porterhouse Bistro knows its filet!

Mommy, daddy and I went to Porterhouse Bistro for dinner. Mommy was surprised that I liked their olive tappenade because it has anchovies in it. Strong flavors for a little baby! But I did - I had quite a bit of it. I'm always careful to get enough Omega 3s, you know. After my appetizer, I had some of mommy's filet with a side of daddy's mashed potatoes, then helped myself to a few bites of chocolate lava cake and the strawberry on top. Yum.

It's like I've always said, dos is better than one

A new Italian study found that 1 year olds who understand two languages recognized new word stuctures better and faster than their monolingual peers, making them more "flexible" language learners. Hooray for moi!

More Osh Kosh?!

Oh my gosh!

You know what's cool about winter in LA?

I still get to eat mangos, blackberries and tomatoes. In season, out of season - it just doesn't matter! And they're *delicious*. I like to have them with some cheese.

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a terrific new year.

Love,

Caroline

I got some of my Christmas presents early

Like this beautiful new coat. Of course, I'm not sure it's really necessary to bundle up like this just to go out for a few minutes to pick up pizza, but mommy insists. She's a little overprotective.

After a quick inspection, I was ready to go for a drive!

Mommy even taught me how to make car noises! Vrrrrrrrroooom!

I got a new car!

I was so excited that I couldn't leave daddy's side as he put it together for me. Besides, I wanted to oversee construction to make sure everything was to my liking. I'm a very particular little girl, you know.

Hurricane Caroline strikes again!

Victory is mine!

I've fallen and I can't get up!

A little help?

I walked!

Mommy and daddy were starting to wonder why I didn't really seem to want to walk. Until yesteday, I'd look at them as if to say "if you want me to go there so badly, you'll get off your duff and carry me there yourself." I am big on cuddling, so I'm always sitting on someone's lap or being held. That doesn't leave a lot of time for walking practice. But yesterday, mommy finally found my motivation. She, daddy and Scott were sitting in a triangle playing with me. Then mommy pulled out her camera. I decided I wanted it. I got up and walked over to her. That simple! They made me do it a bunch more times. I humored them. It was fun to see them get so excited over such a little thing.

There. Now I did it. If you would be so kind, please pick me up and cuddle with me. I like that.

When I want to buy some extra time in the morning, here's what I do

I walk up to him and lay in his lap as he's trying to put on his shoes. He can't very well leave with a sweetie in his lap! I win.

Happy birthday, Aunt Pook-Pook!

Grandma and I fed the squirrels

Those little piggies ate ALL of the treats!

New game!

I put something in a bag, then hold my hands up and shrug my shoulders to ask "where'd it go?" Grandma and I played this game. And we found the missing toy each time!

Here, let me change those settings for you

Oops -- I turned the volume way up and scared myself! But mommy and daddy thought it was pretty funny how I jumped at the sudden change in volume!

I'm so good at this computer stuff that I can program with my FEET

Piece of cake.

Oh, I see what the problem is with your code

Here, let me fix it for you.

Mommy said I have a really sweet smile

Especially when I tilt my head to the side and smile.

Jammies, check. Dress shoes, check.

Now I'm ready to go get the Sunday paper! Andiamo, daddy!

I can mimic with the best of 'em!

Here's me mimicing Scott's facial expression. Hee hee!

Here's a post for the Twilight fans (AKA Twi-lunatics or Twi-hards):

Mommy is a Twilunatic. She just loved, loved, loved the books! All four of them -- and even though she otherwise doesn't read fiction. She hasn't seen the movies, but she's sure they can't match the beautiful writing and the amazing story in the books. My godmother, Christina, feels the same way. She even bought me this onesie in support of mommy's obsession. Like Renesmee, nobody can resist me. I dare you to try. ;)

Blackberries!

They should be called YUMberries!

I recently discovered the little hiding area underneath my bassinet!

Squee!

Aunt Pook-Pook and Uncle Kasra got me a horsie!

I could hardly wait until daddy put it together! I just plopped myself down on the box to start playing with it. And when daddy was putting it together, I still couldn't stop pressing the horsie's chin to make it play music and make galloping noises! What great fun!

After 15 months I'm still only scarcely past this dude's knees?!

Whoa. I've got a lot of growing to do!

How on earth did Chasen's go out of business?!

I know the restaurant went out of business a few years ago, but I'm glad Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills still carries their chili. That is some good stuff!! You'd think that awesome chili alone would have kept them in business...

Don't fight it -- I WILL get to your computer

I will trample you. I won't be thwarted by a measley obstacle. Eyes on the prize, baby!

This is how I tell mommy it's time for her to go shoe shopping for me

That woman can take a hint! I think she's trying to get me to surpass Imelda Marcos!

Mommy thinks I should be a consultant to the CIA

...because I am a MASTER of sleep deprivation techniques!

Did somebody call for a doctor?

What seems to be the problem?

Meet my playmates

I have several trees outside my bedroom window. These little critters come to frolick and play outside. I feed them bread and nuts, and they click and dance for me. I think that's a fair trade!