It was so cute. This morning I walked out of the bedroom to find Mila snuggling with her dad and I was reminded of this picture below. I can't believe it's been almost 3 years since we brought Mila home. She still has an amazing attachment with Fab which she's had since day one and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Of course I couldn't get the actual snuggling photo since Mila is so tough to capture these days but it was so cute, she was bundled under the covers with Fab snuggling up on his chest.... I hope she wants to snuggle with Fab for years to come.
Saturday was probably the coldest day we've had since we moved to LA. We wanted to do something fun with Mila, especially since January is going to be a little busy with the new arrival, so we took her to Color Me Mine. It melted my heart to see Mila so excited to paint her ceramic flower box. As you can see in the pictures, she was so focused on her project and painting. I can't wait to see what her box looks like... there were probably 5 coats of paint and all different shades, yikes, but it was the pure joy of watching her get into painting and her little project.
We took Mila to the Grove on Friday to do a little shopping and because Fab had been wanting to go before xmas and we just didn't find anytime. The Grove was super crazy and more of a tourist spot than a shopping mall, but the highlight of the trip was taking the Trolley through the shopping mall. Mila was so excited about the experience and thinks we should go back soon. I'm not sure if that trip will happen anytime soon but it was a fun afternoon activity.
Mila got a new guitar for xmas along with her very special recorder. Yesterday I was so exhausted and asked if I could take a nap for an hour. I could hear them in the other room but wasn't sure what they were doing. Apparently they had music class and Mila sang some songs for Fab. Pretty funny to hear the words she came up with.
Baby dos, we are getting so excited to met you. Mila still thinks she's getting a puppy when the baby arrives... she told me again today that she can't wait for her new dog.... oh poor girl, you are only getting a baby, no puppy here.
I took Mila to the park today since the weather was so nice. We had a hard rain last night but the sun came out this morning and we wanted to get some fresh air. Of course Mila along with every other kid was immediately drawn to the mud and puddles in the park. Before I could even get Mila distracted away from the mud, she had her pants rolled up and was jumping in the sandy mud. I gave in and let her have fun and she definitely had a blast! Her friend from school showed up and the two of them stomped, jumped, and sat in the mud, smiling the entire time. I figured this was Mila's winter break version of playing in the snow since we didn't make it back to Colorado this year.
With Christmas over and still another week with no school, Mila and I wanted to do a project today. I'm not sure how the paper crowns came about this am but we crafted up some crowns and decorated them with Mila's new Christmas crayons and stickers. Mila loved her crown so much and wore it all day... to Starbucks, the park and all over the house.
Her new Moxie doll from her friends Jack and Phoebe
Kissing the belly
Merry Christmas. We think Mila had a good day, she was a little overwhelmed and confused when she first woke up but once she got into opening her gifts she was in heaven. She loved all her princess stuff but also enjoyed the new play doh and arts and crafts she received from Santa and Gogo. One of her favorite gifts will be the gift that keeps on giving... the recorder we ended up buying her that she has been playing around the house. As annoying as it is, she's had so much fun playing it today. What were we thinking?
Her new xmas pjs's and slippers (which she didn't take off)
Decorating cookies for Santa
Santa's plate
Her note for Santa with the cookies
As sad as we were to not travel back to Colorado this year, it was also fun to hang out at home and enjoy this last Christmas with just Mila. We let Mila stay up a little bit later and watched Polar Express which to my surprise she actually sat still to watch the majority of the movie.
It was a nice peaceful and quiet evening and I enjoyed being able to sleep in my bed and not have to rush around town. This will probably be the last year we get to relax.
This holiday season has been tough for me. Even before the tragic events last Friday, I've been on an emotional roller coaster. In my final weeks of pregnancy my emotions are on full blast and I can't quite get into the holiday cheer this season. It's been so difficult for me to feel merry and bright when everywhere I turn bad news creeps into every corner of this world. The events at Sandy Hook has haunted me all week and then I found out two days later that an old high school friend's son passed away on Saturday, he was only 8 1/2 months old. I haven't stopped thinking about my friend or about the families of Sandy Hook, both events so close to Christmas and it breaks my heart to think about the loss they will feel this holiday.
And since we won't be traveling home for Christmas this year, I have a bittersweet feeling about starting my own family traditions while missing the traditions I've known and loved throughout my childhood. It will be nice to have a quiet Christmas with just Fab and Mila but I get sad we won't be home with our families enjoying Christmas eve and morning with everyone. The excitement of all the kids opening presents and hanging out in our new Christmas pj's, just a few things I'll miss this year.
And yet, I've been playing the Christmas music, baking and decorating cookies, reading the Christmas classics to Mila, watching Elf and trying to get into the holiday cheer for Mila who can barely contain herself because Santa is coming to town. Feliz Navidad is on replay in both the house and the car and she heard a new rendition in the car the other day by Celine Dion that she now requests as the "new Feliz Navidad".
It wasn't until tonight when we watched the SNL Christmas Special that I finally realized I need to step it up for Mila and be bright and merry. There are so many things to be grateful for this year and Mila is so joyful, happy and full of life. As the SNL special was near the end, one of my all time favorite clips came on and gave me a really good, hard belly laugh. This is exactly what I needed to put me in the Christmas cheer. Every time I see it I find something else that makes me laugh... although I couldn't find the entire clip, I'm still laughing as I watch this little snippet.
So as I wrap all the presents for Mila, enjoy the last few days I can play Christmas music, I will remember that this is Mila's Christmas and I need to enjoy every last minute of it.. the day will go by fast.
Since preschool Mila's been into playing teacher and instructing us what to do. Today we enjoyed some circle time while singing songs, however Fab was making funny faces at Mila which made her laugh hysterical. Even though she hates when I take her picture or record her, we enjoy watching later. She's having such a great time with Fab that I was able to get it on video.
It's so crazy we will have a little one in our house soon. Both Fab and I have been so weepy lately since we know these are some of the last days with just Mila. We know this next one is going to be just as loved as Mila but it's hard to imagine that Mila will have to share and we will have to share our love too.
