Go Wolves

We went to the Timberwovles game tonight with friends Bryan and Ashly, Uncle Brian, and Cousin Jack. Watching in a suite is definitely the way to go with kids! Reese had a blast watching the game, eating ice cream, shaking hands with some of the players at half time, and playing chase with Jack - and Ashly!

We're really excited about the Timberwolves this year. Although they lost the game, it was very fun to watch all the way to the buzzer. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but we might finally have a Minnesota team to cheer for!

MOA

We ran errands today, including some returns at the Mall of America. Reese enjoyed her first ride at Nickelodeon Universe - the ride she chose was the tried and true carousel.

To be honest, I wanted to go to the Mall of America today with the hopes that all that walking would put me into labor. I'm so ready to have this baby! My body is so sore! I have been thanking Reese lately for arriving 3.5 weeks early and allowing me to miss out on the last few weeks of pregnancy. I even went as far as to say that I forgave her for not sleeping through the night for an entire year. Ok, I might be overly dramatic, but I'm ready to be done! Come on baby!

Post-Holiday Exhaustion

Reese appears to be exhausted after all her Christmas cooking and baking. I agree -- time to put down the spatula and take a nap!

Christmas Day Fun

Christmas Day was spent with the Cipra family. We hosted this year so I could be close to the hospital, just in case. Allow me to clarify, we provided the house and Grandma Cipra did all the cooking and entertaining. We had a fun day complete with an obscene number of presents and a visit from Santa! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Fun

We spent Christmas Eve with the Haags. This year we went to Troy and Tammy's house so I could be close to the hospital -- just in case. It was a great day full of dinosaurs, princesses, cookies, and fun.

Santa Hat Cake Pops

Reese and I woke up and made Santa Hat cake pops this morning. It took a lot longer than I expected and made us late to the Christmas Eve party. But, they turned out super cute, so it was worth it.

Baby Shower

Thanks to my co-workers for throwing me a baby shower today. I LOVE all the gifts and many references to "cupcake" (the nickname Reese has already given the baby). You guys are the best!

No Clothes

You might have noticed I haven't been doing quite as many blog posts recently. It's actually not because I've been busy -- it's because Reese takes off her clothes and runs around the house all the time. She makes it tough to capture a "decent" picture! What is it with toddlers and no clothes?

B&N Meltdown

Reese loves going to Barnes and Noble bookstore. She has a routine where she finds certain stuffed animals, lines them up, and reads them a story. It was very cute... until I told her we had to leave. She had a complete meltdown. I had to pick her up, throw her over my shoulder, and waddle out of the store while pushing the stroller. Ugh! Guess I'm luckly that Reese has never had a meltdown like that before in a store. It was quite the scene.

Neighborhood Party

We enjoyed a Christmas party with the neighborhood girls today. Thanks for hosting, Heather. Reese loved her gifts and told me, "Heather even let me take these toys home!"

Dinner with Friends

With all the hubbub of Christmas and baby prepration, it was nice to have dinner out with friends. Thanks for a fun time Bill, Jo, Mackenzie and Allie!

Encore

Upon the conclusion of the kitty/dinosaur song, Reese gave us an encore with a piece she called "Shake Your Butt".

Entertainer

Reese decided to entertain at the Target cafe this afternoon. She stood on her chair and proudly sang a song she composed herself about kitties and dinosaurs. She sang many verses that attracted many smiles and laughs.

Insomnia

Reese has had a tough time falling asleep lately. Last night we finally turned off the light at midnight and Reese told me "Mommy, I love you, but I just can't sleep." Then immediately climbed out of bed, turned on her light, and played her drum. What's wrong with this child -- she never needs any sleep!?!?

Big Sister Class

Reese attended big sister class tonight at the hospital. She met 4 friends who are all going to be big brothers and sisters soon. They read stories, met a new baby who was just born today!, learned how to hold a baby, sing to her, change a diaper (kind-of), and wrap her in a blanket. The sweetest part of the evening was when the kids held their dolls and sang them lullabies - it was so precious I almost cried! Now she's all ready for our baby to arrive!

Disney on Ice

Reese, Grandma Cipra, and I attended Disney on Ice "Treasure Cove" this evening. Unfortunately I forgot my camera in the car, so could not capture all the great acts. Trust me that the skating and costumes were great and centered around many Disney stories -- Snow White, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog, and Tangled. Reese was glued to her seat and entertained throughout the show. Her favorite part was the crocodile from Peter Pan!

Party #4

As it turns out, three parties is Reese's maximum for the day -- ok, it's Mommy and Daddy's maximum too. We did not make it to our fourth and final party of the day which was a neighborhood Christmas lighting party. Sorry neighbors! Reese fell asleep on the drive home, and Mommy and Daddy want to hit the sack too.

Party #3 Christmas Dance

Party #3 was a Christmas dance at our church. Reese loved all the music, kids, and balloons. She was very peppy despite her busy day and no nap.

Party #3 Video

A cute (but blurry) video of Reese having fun at the Christmas dance.

Party #2 Aubrey's First Birthday

Our second party was cousin Aubrey's first birthday party. Aubrey seemed to really enjoy herself by stuffing herself with cake and opening presents.

We also celebrated cousin Peyton's 14th birthday. Happy birthday to you both!

Party #1 Meeting Santa

It was a day full of parties -- 4 to be exact.

We started the morning with party #1 at the Rockford fire station where Reese got to meet Santa for the first time. Reese is very shy around new people, so we really talked this up and prepared her. She was comfortable standing in line watching the other kids, confident as she ran up to Santa and told him "I want puppies and dinosaurs", then immediately turned around and ran back to me. It was cute! She wasn't quite as comfortable and confident when I told her that now she just needed to take her picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Overall, I would call her first visit with Santa a big success.

Happy Birthday Henry

We had fun at Henry's 3rd birthday party today. Reese really enjoyed eating the cake and playing with purple balloon Henry gave her, but had a little trouble giving Henry the dinosaur gift she picked out for him.

Dinosaurs

Reese's latest obsession is dinosaurs. She loves watching the Land Before Time movies and playing with her dinosaur toys. She likes all kinds of dinosaurs, and even says the T-Rex is "a little bit nice."

Carpets Cleaned

I am officially declaring Reese potty trained (for the second time). She has only had one accident in two weeks (execpt over night and during naps, but I'm not counting that). So, I decided to get the carpets cleaned before we have an infant in the house again.

Reese napped while ZeroRez cleaned, and was surprised when she came downstairs and said, "Look, there are triangles on the carpet!" and ran around the open space.

We now talk often about how she can't have an accident on Mommy's new clean carpet. So far, so good.

Play Date

We had a short play date at the mall with cousins Peyton, Brayden and Aubrey today. Reese liked showing Aubrey how to climb on the equipment and drive the car.

Grandma Haag

A cute picture I found of Reese and Grandma Haag on Thanksgiving. Reese just loves her grandma!

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a fun Thanksgiving weekend. Reese and I took a mini vacation to Austin, and spent 4 days at Grandma & Grandpa Cipra's house. Reese loved playing with all their toys! Daddy, Uncle Brian, Jack, Becky, and Lauren joined us for a feast on Thanksgiving day.

Then on Sunday, we celebrated with the Haags at the lake. Here's a cute picture of the adorable Haag grandchildren. What a bunch of sweeties!

Charlie Awards

I had a very busy day because General Mills was a presenting sponsor at the Charlie Awards. This was the first Charlie Awards to recognize exceptional contributions to the Twin Cities food and restaurant industry. My role was:
- At the pre-party, host a banana bread contest with culinary students
- At the award ceremony, present the award for Best Innovation to Reduce Food Waste in front of 700 people. As award presenter, I kept very good company with the likes of Andrew Zimmern, Mayor RT Rybak and Robyn Robinson
- At the post-party, promote the Betty Crocker Red Hot Holiday Trends campaign

It was a fun experience and a great event, but I'm glad it's over!

First Snow

It snowed for the first time this year, and Reese was very excited. She put on her new coat (I just love her coat because it reminds me of a bell) and boots, and went outside to make tracks and catch snowflakes. Cutie!

Reese and Belly

Some cute pictures of Reese loving up her little sister.

Poser

Just a cute picture of Reese posing. She looks like such a big girl!

Christmas Pictures

Thanks to our friend Erika for taking Reese's picture today. Here's a sample of a photo that did not make the Christmas card. I know, this picture is adorable -- just wait until you see the pictures that did make it onto the card! Thanks, Erika!

Girl Lovey

Reese decided this morning that her Lovey is a girl. We have always referred to it as "him" (not sure why we decided that), but today she made up her mind that Lovey is a girl. So, we put a pink ribbon in Lovey's ear and Reese squeeled with delight.

Jackie

Reese has been taking a Music Together class for over a year now. She goes with Grandma Cipra every Tuesday, and just loves her music teacher Jackie. Whenever she sees a musical instrument in a book, Reese comments that "Jackie would like that." Whenever we start a new class like swimming lessons or gym class, she asks if Jackie is going to be her teacher, then is a disappointed when Jackie does not walk in the door.