First Haircut

"Before" pics

For some reason this was a big one for Matt and I. I almost cancelled the appointment for her first haircut several times. I was debating with myself for a week about whether or not she needed it, but decided to go ahead with it. Margo at Hair's Lair in 26 Doors (where Personally Yours used to be years ago) was awesome. Sadie loved the toys and cookies. We loved that she was quick and good with Sadie, plus she gave us the hair from the first cut for her baby book with a little certificate. All in all, it was a good experience, just hard to believe that Sadie is big enough to need a haircut.

Sadie looks at her book while Margo goes to work on the fuzzy newborn hair that won't seem to cooperate. Below are the "after" shots.

Cousins

Stacy, Greg, Katelyn, Mason and Gracie drove in from Missouri yesterday and were able to come over with Nana before Sadie went to bed last night. She was in her usual tired, happy, run around mode right before bed. She warmed up so quickly to her cousins, it was amazing. She went right over and gave Gracie a hug while she was sitting on the ground. Then, she gave Mason, Katelyn and Stacy a hug with a little coaxing...but not Greg. 4 out of 5 ain't bad.

She has also started saying "What's this?" and "What's that?" Super cute.

Finally, Gramps is delayed in London because someone broke in and stole his passport. Hopefully the embassy will be helpful and he'll be able to make it after all. We'll see.

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas week full of fun and family. Dana came down from NYC and Granny came from Fort Worth on the train (make that bus.) Sadie was showered with gifts and attention, being the only grandbaby at the Tingley house. She never fails to entertain. Check out the Christmas slideshow to the left. Here are some highlights from the last few days:
- staying in at the Tingley house and getting warm by the fire
- warm yummy soups that Bebe made
- keeping Sadie up a little later at night to enjoy the festivities
- Sadie sleeping in a little later than usual
- decorating our Gingerbread house at home in our PJs
- Sadie having candy for breakfast while decorating above mentioned house
- Sadie in her gorgeous silk dress for Christmas Eve service while we all wore jeans
- getting to church for a 5 o'clock service that really started at 5:30, which allowed us a few minutes to play in the sunshine on the Capitol grounds with Bebe, Papa, Granny, and Dana
- Sadie in her sheep ears for the service playing the part by saying, "Baa" as she walked up front to join the manger scene
- Sadie dancing to the carols during the service and calling for "Bebe" while up at the alter
- seeing all of our friends from church with their little ones
- our Christmas Eve tamale dinner with all the fixin's
- continuing the tradition we started last year of reading "The Night Before Christmas" right before we put Sadie to bed
- leaving cookies for Santa on the mantle
- asking Sadie when she woke up if she thought Santa had come and she signed, "Eat cookies!"
- the look on her face when she saw the bounty waiting for her under the tree
- Sadie's PJs on Christmas morning made her look like a candy cane
- seeing Sadie so excited about new toys that she wanted to play with them right then instead of opening the next gift
- having our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of "pigs" (i.e. pigs in the blanket) at our house with the help of Bebe, since we still don't have a kitchen sink/countertops
- sharing this special time with 3 of Sadie's grandparents (Bebe, Papa, and Nana), her great-grandmother (Granny) and her Aunt Dana.
- heading over to Bebe and Papa's house for round 2 of gifts and a big holiday meal with more family, who we don't see often enough
- Matt doing the "Daddy thing" for the assembly-required gifts
- Spooner recipe Pecan pie
- anticipating the arrival of Gramps, Aunt Stacy, Uncle Greg, Katelyn, Mason and and Gracie

We wish all of our family and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 2008 has been one to remember. Love, Kara, Matt and Sadie

The Santa Circuit

So, we tried our best to get a Santa picture today and visited 3, yes, 3 Santas today. We went to Kerby Lane for breakfast this morning and the Doll Shop next door had a Santa, so we decided to stop by on our way to the mall. Not the most authentic Santa, but we thought we would start slowly with me standing next to Santa holding Sadie.

Next, we went to Barton Creek Mall and Santa went on a lunch break as soon as we arrived. We watched the train go around the track a couple of times and then headed to Lakeline Mall (or South Dallas, as Matt likes to call it.) We waited in line for close to an hour watching other kids sit on Santa's lap and talking about "our friend, Santa" and she still screamed her head off when the time came for the pic.

She settled down as soon as I picked her up (when the photographer said, "ok mom you can go get her.") But, I think we salvaged the day by heading to the Trail of Lights with Bebe and "Papa" (her name for Grandpa tonight). We walked a long way, but it was a beautiful, cool and breezy night. Sadie loved looking up at the tunnel of lights above as Daddy tilted the stroller back for her to see.

Choo-choo

Last weekend while we were staying with Bebe and Grandpa in order to attend all of our holiday parties (which just happened to all fall on the same weekend this year) we took advantage of a beautiful day to ride the Zilker train. Here is a little snippet of our ride. It was especially cool because the Trail of Lights was set up (though not on) and Sadie could pick out some of her favorite animals and characters. She danced to the music, of course, even though you could barely hear it over the train noise. We have plans to try to walk through the Trail at night this weekend while it is still warm.

Christmas Tree

Sadie showing the sap from the tree stumps on her hands. As she would say, "sticky."Inspecting the tree with Nana

Fine lookin' tree and family

We went to the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm again this year to cut down our tree. This little trip is becoming a family tradition, as much as two years counts as tradition. It makes it so much more fun to ride the tractor out to the grove of trees, hunt for the perfect tree and cut it down ourselves (well, ask Matt if it is more fun to cut it down.) This year Nana went with us and we stopped at Southside Market for some yummy BBQ. If you remember last year, this was Sadie's favorite meal of the season. She can't get enough of those beans. She liked it again this year, but expanded her repertoir to include a little brisket, sausage and potato salad.

We followed the tree hunt with a nap and a walk down Congress for the Sing-a-long at the Capitol. We didn't quite make it to the lighting of the tree downtown, but sang a few sleepy carols before heading down the street to dinner. We could have used a little more upbeat songs, like "Jingle Bells" but no luck. Sadie's favorite music of the night was the Invincible Czars playing on the sidewalk as we left the restaurant. They played jazzed up versions of the Nutcracker music and other holiday instrumental standards while wearing their marching band uniforms. Hilarious.

Arc of the Art

Tonight we went to the Arc of the Arts Gallery opening. Rare sponsored the event and it is for a great cause. The Arc benefits children and adults with disabilities and the gallery is one of the ways that it does. It provides a studio for young adults to come and learn a technique with a local artist and sell their art in the gallery. Sadie loved the art, especially the sparkly, intricate masks. She pointed out all the animals in the pieces, signing bird, elephant and cat. And she clapped and shouted "yay" as the audience applauded the organizers. Always the life of the party!

Coloring

Sadie is starting to experiment with crayons. I had to break them out to keep her from losing it while I attending to the fun business of being on the phone for many hours trying to get our cable/internet/phone stuff figured out. We have spent a lot of time at home this week because we have had people coming in and out to work on the house (sheet-rock, carpet cleaning, etc.) I think she is feeling a little neglected. Hopefully next week will be a little better and we can get out of the house more (although, we may have our new countertops installed at the end of next week.) One day at a time.

Chuy's Parade

We had a great time at the Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade. After a group of Santas rode by on motorcycles and the Blue Santa (which is the Charity benefitting from the toy drive at the parade), Sadie has a pretty good idea of what to be on the lookout for on Christmas Eve.

Happy Turkey Day

We had a great Thanksgiving at Bebe and Grandpa's House. Nana joined us, as well as, Uncle Terry, Jack and Frank. Sadie loved the turkey and green beans. She was the entertainment while we ate (as usual.) She sure doesn't mind the spotlight.

This is a video of the turkey we saw in Central Park a couple of weeks ago. Sadie has just woken up after taking a little nap in the stroller. She was so pooped after the excitement of the museum, that she finally passed out and we enjoyed some lunch and a walk in the park while she napped. We walked over the Petit Bateau, my favorite baby store to by little cute French onesies.

Hope those of you who couldn't be with us on Turkey Day had a relaxing and enjoyable time.

Two words

Matt just informed me that when he was putting Sadie to bed tonight, she put two words together. She said, "Night Dada." This stage is so cool because she says something new almost everyday!

At the Museum

One of the highlights of the NYC trip was watching Sadie get a kick out of all the exhibits of animals and dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History. You hear people talk about a child's sense of wonder and this was the perfect example.

NYC trip

We had a fantastic weekend with Dana and Ian in NYC. I have added a slideshow of all of the great pics, since I couldn't pick just one. There are also some great stories, so I'll recount them over the next several days. Sadie said several new words over the weekend. Just after take-off from Austin to JFK, Sadie said "fly!" as she looked out the window. She also randomly said "bock bock" for the first time when asked what a chicken says. We enjoyed some stickers on the flight, as well, and she liked to say, "sticky." You all know how much she loves dogs and on the streets of the village, there were many (and she barked at every one of them as they passed.) She also enjoyed saying, "Woo woo" for every subway and large truck we saw. There was so much for her to see and she loved every minute (until she couldn't take it anymore and napped in the stroller.) What a trooper.

Let it snow!

Dana called last night to say that there might be snow flurries when we arrive in NYC tomorrow, so thanks to the Bohns for lending us Seville's snow suit, just in case. Her hair is getting so long and curly in front, but no one ever gets to see it because I have to put a bow in it to keep it out of her eyes. I'll post pics from the trip when we get back!

Ladies who Lunch

Bebe, Sadie and I attempted our first holiday event, a luncheon at the Caswell House. This picture is about the only moment that Sadie was still for the whole hour that we were there. We decided that it was too much to ask of a 1 1/2 year old to stay still at a table that was squished into a too small space, with 5 women she didn't know to eat marginal fish and bread pudding. Bebe and I took turns eating our lunch and taking Sadie to see the decorations. The fuzzy reindeer on the front porch were her favorite.

Check out her purse on her right arm...always a lady.

October Slideshow

There are lots of pics to look at in the new slideshow, but there were so many moments to capture last month!

Poor baby Sadie

She has been so cranky with these molars coming in (poor Bebe who kept her while I worked this afternoon). Apparently she only slept about 1/2 an hour (even after a dose of tylenol) and didn't want to eat anything. So then we have a sleepy, hungry baby in pain. Not a good combo. She ended up falling asleep before I got home from work and Matt got her up so that she would sleep tonight. She didn't even want beans for dinner, that's how unhappy she was. But, she finally ate a huge helping of mac and cheese, had her milk and went to bed around 7pm. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

The little observer

Sadie can be pretty outgoing in situations were she is comfortable, but I have noticed something in storytime and music class that is interesting (to me.) She usually sits in my lap and is very quiet while the songs are being sung and stories are being read. Then, sometimes days later, she will hear a song from a previous class and do all of the hand motions and dance around. I guess she is just taking it all in.

The dentist

Sadie had her first experience with the dentist today. We just went in for a "fun visit" (as they call it, when is the dentist ever fun?). They brushed her teeth and did an exam. She is cutting her lower molars, so she has been somewhat fussy lately. Although, fussy for Sadie is still pretty happy. Dr. Sherwood will see her back in 1 year. I know him from when I worked at Children's Hospital because he has a son with special needs. I really like him and Sadie even warmed up to him after he was done looking in her mouth.

Watch this first...

...for full costume effect!
It might be hard to guess, but she is a bubble bath with rubber ducky accessories.

Halloween

Our neighborhood had a block party on Halloween, so that worked out great for Sadie. She got to show off her costume and see her friends in theirs. This video is after she has shed some of her accessories and decides that she needs a little rest.

Boo!

Our neighborhood has a tradition of leaving little treats for your neighbors without them knowing it was you. You put a picture of a ghost that says, "Boo" on your front door so that you know who has been booed and who hasn't. This is the first year in the 7 that we have lived here that we have been booed. I guess Sadie has finally become our ticket into the inner workings. So, now every time we walk up to the front door and she see the ghost she says, "Boo!" with much enthusiasm.

Bumps and Lumps

Sadie had a pretty big fall this afternoon and is now sporting a pretty nice goose egg on her forehead. She is fine and didn't even really cry. Instead, she keeps hitting her head with the palm of her hand and saying, "Boom!"

The word of the day is...

..."button." As in belly button. She said it today while her Daddy was giving her a bath. Some other words I forgot to add to the list are "Wow" and "Hop" (when she sees a picture of a bunny). Other signs are: tree, open, sleep/bed, happy, water and hear.

The Pre-Halloween Costume

Sadie was invited to a costume party for Hannah and Macey Highsmith's birthday on Sunday. Since I wasn't prepared to create 2 versions of the upcoming Halloween costume, we did a little improvising for the party. Mom and I had found the cutest green hat with a bumble bee on it when we were in South Carolina in May. So, I found a red tutu to act as the flower petals to go with it. She was so cute and was willing to wear it for the whole party after I showed her how cute she looked in the mirror. In the video, you can see her sign "flower" and point to her ear when she hears a noise. Her "hi" and "bye" are pretty good, too.

Our little pumpkin

We went to the pumpkin patch at Tarrytown UMC on a cool day in Austin last week. It has since heated back up, but it sure was nice while it lasted. This is one of things that makes you realize how much Sadie has changed in a year. We came to the same pumpkin patch last year and had to prop her up to take her picture because she wasn't sitting by herself yet.

Party Pics

Enjoying the beautiful day at Shady Grove before Dana and Ian return to NYC.

Can you believe that mom still had a package of embossed napkins from their wedding in 1968? We used them to serve the red velvet cupcakes at the anniversary party. Yummy.

Matt and I, Grandpa and Bebe with Sadie, Dana and Ian at Angel's Icehouse

We had so much fun with Dana and Ian in town. Can't wait for the next time.

Dancing Queen

Now that Restaurant Week is officially over and we have moved back home (thanks mom and dad for housing us and keeping Sadie), I can get back to blogging. We have had a busy couple of weeks, with Dana and Ian in town for Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary. Here is a clip of Sadie dancing to the Fabulous Chevelles at the party (it is a little dark, but still worth the viewing.)

Our daughter is a genius!

I know everyone thinks that about their own child, but I just counted up the words and signs that she says at 16 months and it is 28! I am pretty impressed. The little video is only audio, but that is what she sounds like most of the time. She jabbers to herself in the carseat like she has some really important things to say. Below is a list of the words that she says:
WORDS - Mama, Daddy, Bye, Hello, Out, Open, No, Yes and Tickle (she also makes animal sounds for Dog, Cow and Monkey). SIGNS - Daddy, Kiss, Hug, Baby, Fan, Elephant, Cat, Bird, Fish, Book, Eat, Milk, All Done, More, Rain, Car, Cracker, Cookie, Thank you, Please and Where. This list is more for me than anyone, because I want to remember this time (and I am terrible about filling out her baby book.)

Jewelry

I meant to post this when it happened, but time got away from me. When Gramps and Mimi (Mike and Wendy) were visiting from London last week, we had the opportunity to go hear some Bluegrass at Artz Rib House. Sadie loved the music and found a new way to accessorize. Check out the Onion Bangles.

New words

Yesterday, Sadie said "Out" and signed "Cat." We love the "Signing Time" show on PBS, which was first introduced to me by a speech therapist friend. She loves it because there is a lot of music and kids doing the signs themselves. It is really holding her attention and she often tries to mimic the signs and then can transfer them to other areas. She signed "Cat" when she saw a picture of a black cat on a Halloween ad. I wish I could get inside that brain of hers and see the learning occuring. Pretty cool.

Jungle Jack Hanna

Sadie had the opportunity to see Jungle Jack Hanna up close at the Paramount on Saturday. He brought many furry friends (and some not so furry, like this legless lizard to the left) for our viewing pleasure. Sadie got a kick out of the animals and did great sitting through the 1 1/2 hour show. It helped that we were on the 3rd row. Some of our favorites were the zedonk (half zebra, half donkey), baby camel and the teeny tiny hairless baby kangaroo still in the mama's pouch. She definitely inherited her daddy's love of animals and zoos.

New slideshow

Check out the pictures from September in the new slideshow to the left. You can click on it to see them larger. These include: Labor Day at the lakehouse with Aunt Martha, Richard, Bebe and Grandpa; our trip to the Austin Zoo; and a visit from Gramps and Mimi. Enjoy!

This and that

Sadie went for her 15 month (yes, I know she will be 16 months in 4 days) well-check today. 5 shots later, she was not too happy with us. But, the nurse practitioner who saw us when they couldn't find our appt on the books, was great. Sadie warmed up to her when she gave her some time. Then, boom the nurse comes in with the needles and there goes the rapport (Stacy, I don't know how you do it.)

On a happier note, she felt fine most of the day and Daddy had a little fun with Sadie and his socks before bedtime.

Round Top

Sadie, Bebe and I headed to Round Top today to check out the Marburger Farm Antique Show. It is an amazing amount of great stuff that I want for my home (especially the screened-in porch that we are dreaming of.) From daybeds to farm tables, I want it all. Sadie was a trooper. She was one of only 3 children that we saw there, since this was technically the big designer/dealer preview day. She hung in there even though it was hot. After continuous up and down out of our arms for an hour or so (wanting to get down and explore on her own) and a few bites of BBQ beans for lunch, she "agreed" to sit in the stroller for the last few tents. Yes, as mom said, "We just became those women." With the screaming toddler in a crowded festival. Thankfully, it didn't last long and she realized she could see more statues of dogs, horses and cows from the stroller seat.

You can never have too many shoes

Sadie is ready for Fall (if only the weather felt more like it.) Bebe (Brownie) bought these gorgeous brown patent leather dress shoes and Gramps & Mimi (Mike & Wendy) couldn't resist these brown suede boots. Nana (Diane) had fun at Old Navy picking out a complete Fall wardrobe. Thanks to all the grandparents for making sure our little fashion plate is outfitted so well.

Funny

Sadie is so silly. Sometimes on purpose and sometimes it is just a happy accident. She has had a runny nose all week and has learned how to wipe her own nose, well sort of. Yesterday, she decided that her doll also needed her nose wiped (oh and her plastic hair combed.) On the not so deliberate side of silliness, she was trying to blow on her food at dinner to cool it off like we do and she accidentally shot a piece of macaroni out of her mouth and across the table at the restaurant.

Playground

Today, we headed to Central Market for lunch and to take advantage of their toddler-friendly playground. After lunch from the salad bar, mostly edamame and chickpeas (don't ask, the girl has refined tastebuds already), we headed over to the playground. She usually just watches the birds and the other kids, but today she actually climbed up the steps by herself! I helped her down the slide and she had a great time.

Austin Zoo

We went to the Austin Zoo today. It is more of a rescue for animals, but they do have a bear, tigers, leopards, and a few pigs. Sadie loved the monkeys and the parrot that said, "Polly want a cracker?" Listen close in the video and it sounds like she says, "Bye, turtle" to the enormous tortoise.

Twinkle toes

We are starting to look for some Fall shoes for Sadie, since she has just about worn out the white sandals she has worn everyday for 4 1/2 months. When we got home, I remembered a pair of sparkly pink shoes that Aunt Stacy sent months ago. At the time, I thought it would be an eternity before they would fit, but she has had a huge growth spurt and is moving up from her size 3 sandals to size 5 1/2 big girl shoes! I am having a little bit of a hard time believing how grown up our "baby" is all of a sudden.

The giggles

Don't you just love it when kids get the giggles over nothing in particular? This video was taken just after we got home this afternoon to find Daddy already here.

"My 2 favorite things"

Sadie has a love affair with birds and dogs. On our walk this morning she barked(sounds more like "uh uh") every time she heard or saw a dog. And uses sign language for "bird" when she sees one, when she hears one, and when she wants to go outside and look for birds. She doesn't discriminate either. Even a grackle is greeted with lots of excitement! Don't even get me started on squirrels. This is the sign for bird.

Spinning, Wheeeeeeeeee!

Sadie is good enough at walking now that she is experimenting with new things. Last week (I think it might have been after music class), Sadie started spinning around in circles until she was dizzy. She thinks this is hilarious, especially when Daddy does it to. What a goon.

A long time coming

So, I should have started this about 15 months ago, but I am just getting around to it. If you want to see what Sadie has been up to, I will try to update the blog with pics, videos and funny stories on a weekly basis. She is currently entralled with her bellybutton and will show it to anyone who asks, says "Hello" (sounds more like "Hedo") when she hears a phone ring and loves to give Molly big hugs. Check out the video.