Monthly Review: December 2012

December was the month our babe turned 10 months old. She continued to improve at walking, but I think her favorite thing to do is explore and make a mess! And the sad thing is, I let her. I just hate to keep her quarantined to her small play area all day long. So I often let her be my sidekick during the day.

She loves to empty containers. If she gets a hold of the wipes, you can better believe she will pull them all out. Same with a box of Ziploc bags, box of toys, and a basket of laundry. And only just recently did she discover the fun of putting things back into boxes.

She started saying "ma-ma". Sometimes I think she is really referring to me. But then I know that is crazy because she rarely hears anyone call me that.

She also likes to bounce to the sound of music, and point at things. She has seen her father and me point the remote at the television so many times, that now when she gets her hand on the remote, she too holds it up to the TV. I really can't believe we will be celebrating her one year birthday soon.

My sister came to visit for three whole weeks! I managed to almost finish two big projects I was itching to complete. I thought I would get more done during her visit, but instead she mostly helped out with day-to-day chores. It was nice to have someone feed V while I cleaned the kitchen. Or play with her while I did laundry or even better, take a shower! We are definitely missing my sister's presence.

This year we had a small Christmas tree that we put on top of a piece of furniture in our living room. You know, so it would be out of reach from someone's tiny hands. I don't really have a good picture of it. We did attempt to read from the Advent Calendar pictured above most nights, which included our Christmas tree ornaments.

My sister was still with us on Christmas day. We had a nice breakfast and exchanged a few gifts, and then it was off to meet Pop (Mr. Price's father) and have Christmas brunch with some family in the mountains.

Mr. Price's mom and sister made a trip up to see us two days after Christmas. We took a short trip to the Hotel Roanoke to see the many decorated Christmas trees, like Mr. Price and I did last year. I can see this becoming a Christmas tradition. Then it was New Year's Eve! And oddly, after going to bed before midnight for several years - we're party animals, I tell ya - we were actually up at midnight this year!

 Now it's a new year. A new start. And I'm looking forward to it! How about you?