Kendal’s new friend Nathan Asher Bitman was born December 15, 2008 – 7 lbs 10 oz. Today, we joined the Bitman family in welcoming him to the world at his Briss. Congrats to the Bitman family!
I’m not sure how it happened, but I some how turned 30 today. As a tradition for the past 15-20 years, I go out to a Japanese steakhouse for my birthday dinner. Unfortunately Jen was not feeling well, so Kendal and I went to meet my parents for dinner while Jen stayed home to rest. Kendal very much enjoyed the “show” as their were plenty of things for her to watch. She was great as always, and this was the first time I had taken her out to a restaurant without Jen. I was very sorry Jen did not come with us, but I had a great time with Kendal.
We went over to Mimi and Papa Jack’s for a birthday dinner with Mimi, Papa Jack, Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Bryan. Mimi and Papa Jack made a great dinner and Lindsay even picked up an ice cream cake (my favorite). Kendal got to try her first taste of ice cream, which she immediately wanted more of. Thanks everyone for the presents and a great dinner.
Jane and Eva Wasyliw hosted the First Annual Magnolia Moms’ Cookie Exchange on Dec 15. Yum Yum! I even baked my first batch of solo Christmas Sprinkle Cookies for the exchange! Yummy – some of the moms made the best cookies!
Jane, of course, out did herself. In addition to the cookie display, there were other holiday treats, the house was perfect and she made a cookbook of all of the cookie receipts! It was so lovely!
Look out big our babes are getting!!!
Part way through her afternoon nap Thursday, Kendal woke up fussing. Sometimes she wakes up half way through a nap and if I leave her she will go back to sleep, but she sounded funny, so I went to check in on her. There she was sitting up in bed flapping her arms to be picked up! She did it – she mastered sitting up all by herself. I foresee naps becoming a little more tricky now that she can sit up when she wants to!
Now she does it every time she is done with her nap. It is so cute to go in and see her sitting up and smiling, waiting to be picked up!
I have been looking forward to Kendal’s first trip to Disney since before she was born. Today was the day! With a crystal blue sky and a cool breeze, we packed up and headed out to the Magic Kingdom. We had the BEST day. Kendal was wide-eyed taking in the sites and such a trooper. Even with only a 30 min nap in the car and a 30 min nap in my arms, she ended the day still smiling and laughing!
After taking the boat over to the Magic Kingdom, we arrived on Main Street USA. Disney was magically dressed for Christmas, and our first stop was to get a “First Time at Disney” button. Button in hand, we ran into Snow White, who was kind enough to pause for a photo. After poking around in the Emporium, we had our photo taken in front of the castle and found Kendal her first pair of Ears (which she wore all day!).
We quickly wandered through Tomorrowland and had lunch at the cafeteria between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. After lunch, we walked through Mickey’s Toontown Fair, while in Toontown we ran into our old neighbor Carolyn with her daughters Liz & Ava. Then we went by the Winnie the Pooh ride to pick up Fast Passes.
Then it was time to wait in line for Kendal’s first ride -- Dumbo! It was getting close to lunch time, but snacks were enough to get Kendal through the 45 minute wait. She was so excited on the ride -- it was so amazing to watch.
After feeding Kendal, we hopped in line for Its a Small World. Since it was nap time, I rocked her to sleep in my arms while waiting in line. Unfortunately, Kendal slept through almost all of the ride, but she did wake up in the last room. Once her eyes popped open she looked all around, just before the ride ended.
On the way back to use our Fast Passes, we stopped for a frozen banana. Yum, my favorite! Kendal may have slept through Its a Small World, but she didn’t miss a second of the Pooh ride. Looking all around her, she was captivated by everything.
Passing through Liberty Square and Frontierland, we caught a glimpse of the 3 o’clock parade on our way to Adventureland. It was time for Pirates of the Caribbean. Yo-ho, yo-ho I held Kendal for this ride, and because I am used to holding a squirmer, I was amazed that she sat perfectly still during the ride looking all around her. When we went down the “big” hill in the dark, I could feel her whole body tense up, but she didn’t make a peep.
My favorite treat in Adventureland is, of course, Dole Pineapple soft serve, so we couldn’t pass it up. I even let Kendal try a couple of tastes of her first “ice cream.” As always, she made a face. But after her initial bite she seemed to also be a fan. I spotted my friend Rafiki, and we took Kendal to meet her first “fur” character. Kendal seemed intrigued and couldn’t take her eyes off of him -- not even to look at the camera.
After pausing to look at some ducks we found ourself back on Main Street USA. While waiting to get Kendal’s Ears embroidered with her name, we bought her a baby Minnie Mouse with a Baby’s First Christmas bib. As soon as I gave her Minnie, a smile lite up her face and she grabbed Minnie and stuck Minnie’s ear in her mouth -- a baby’s sign of love.
And then we spotted him, across the circle, it was Santa! Yes, Kendal got to meet Santa for the first time at Disney. Like she was with Rafiki, Kendal couldn’t take her eyes off Santa, she was all smiles. After collecting her Ears, we hopped on the Monorail and headed back to the car. It was the perfect end to our wonderful day!
Kendal’s first trip to Disney was all I could have hoped for and more -- I can’t wait to take her back for her second trip!
Check out our Disney snow globe
Lori came over to make hair bows with me. She and Morgan arrived right as Kendal was waking up from her nap. They were so cute playing together. When I take Kendal to playgroup, she sits there quietly observing everything. When Morgan came to play she came to life talking and grabbing – it was really cute. Morgan wasnt too sure of the dogs, but they sure liked her. After Kendal got up from her nap, Morgan took a nap. Then they played for a bit, and Kendal went back down for a nap. Ahhh big day for the babies…
Every year, Magnolia Plantation has a Christmas Parade. This year, I was excited to take Kendal to be in the parade. Unfortunately, it was the same weekend Bobby was in Seattle for the Patriot’s game, so he had to miss it. But I met up with a bunch of the Moms from the neighborhood and we walked down Shadowmoss with our strollers (in the cold!) and looked at lights. The parade was led by a firetruck, families in golf carts followed, then families on bikes, followed by walkers and the Marines brought up the rear in a big truck. The parade ended at the club house where everyone gathered for hot coco. It was such fun, but I really wished Bobby could have been there with us. Next year…
Kendal’s friends in the photos: Kolt; Sophie; Eva; the Donalds Luke, Juliane, Christopher; and Stella.
