New Year's Eve

Today Leah had her first real trip into Manhattan. We took my brother Gilberto to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He had a project to do for his Art class, and well we have a fondness for museums. I started taking my brother into the city when he was about 6 years old or so. Always just him and me. We would go to Central Park and to the museums. Take him down to the village to eat at San Loco's or Dojo's. Hang out and eat falafels from Mamouns at Washington Square Park. Run in and out of the fountain and watch the performers.

So it was a treat to be able to include Leah in our small traditions. Since I moved out of the Bronx I don't have as many opportunities to do a lot with Gilberto anymore so I jumped at the chance to visit the museum.

Matt came along (though he didn't want to) but I am happy he did because it made it that much more special. It was a wonderful day. Sunny and warm, especially unusual for the last day in December.

And Leah was great. She is such a well behaved baby. She surprises me everyday with her awesome temperament.







After the museum we walked across Central Park over to Big Nick's. If you've never been there, you need to go. Great affordable food. Huge delicious burgers, best french toast in the city and all the pickles you can eat.

Then back onto the train to the Bronx. Visited with my mom for a little while and then headed back to Long Island to ring in the New Year in bed.

And now onto the New Year.

Off to Grandma's house we go

Today Leah went off to Bernice's house, her great grandmother. Isn't that just cool? Her GREAT grandmother. I am still shocked that I even have a daughter, so forget about how elated I feel when I realize just how much extended family she is so blessed to have.

I didn't go cause I was lucky (sarcasm) enough to go to work for the day. Bleh.

Matt was nice enough to get a pic or two while he was there.

Here is Leah with Bernice. Very cute dress she has on, don't you think?

Christmas

I have to get more pics of Leah from Christmas Day. I didn't really take any. Silly me.

Though I do have this one of Leah in her Christmas Day PJs :D



It was a wonderful Christmas. Started out at Matt's parents, then went to his Aunt Helene's then Aunt DLs house to have lunch *a wonderfully huge lunch that was really good* and then back home.

Delilah

Today Delilah came into the world at 8:11pm. She was 9 pounds 2 ounces and absolutely wonderful.

Congrats Kitti! :D

Decorating the Tree

Didn't have a Christmas tree this year cause of all the moving and stuff. But we were lucky enough to decorate the tree at the Deller home :D

When I went the first time, it was only after a few months after Matt and I had been dating. I was quite nervous. My family doesn't do stuff like that anymore, not since my parents got seperated so I guess I kind of felt like I might be intruding. Well needless to say I didn't feel that way at all after being there for five minutes. Ruth had gotten me an ornament and they included me in putting stuff on the trees. And Lindsay and Matt competed at everything, as they always do. And there was Christmas music and well just plain warm, fuzzy, traditional fun. The next year I was there as well.

And well this year was especially wonderful. Leah's presence made it perfect.

Took a few pictures of her and stuff, of course.









In all her preciousness :D

Santa Claus

Took Leah to see Santa today. Dressed her up and off we went. Everyone kept thinking I was holding a doll. I will have to scan her picture with Santa so everyone can see. She spit up some right before being held by Santa. She had to christen the event I guess :P

In the meantime here are some pictures of her all dressed up.

At home:


With Mami:


With Papi:


Close-up:

Everyone Meet Zackary Maxwell Michael Kjer

This is Amber's wonderful lil son, Zackary. He was born on December 1st. And he was 6 lbs 3 ounces and 181/2 inches long :D

He is soooo cute. We went to see him today. And I just can't describe how wonderful he is. And just how happy Amber is. And her parents looked so proud. Very lucky baby.

Car Seat Fun

Poor Leah spends soooo much time in this evil contraption. She is wearing one of my favorite outfits. Cute fleeced lined jeans, pink fleece, with an adorable pink striped Rugby sweater and lets not forget her cute matching hat.

Changing Time, Nap Time

I think that no matter how upset Leah is, if you undress her, she is all smiles again. Silly girl.


Sometimes I need naps too.

Leah's Mini-Vacation continued...

It was more of mini vacation but it was her first outing outside of New York. :D

First stop was a brewery. Where Matt and George got themselves beer. Next stop was downtown Easton, Pennsylvania where we visited the Crayola Store and Pez store. Downtown Easton has had quite a revival over the last ten years or so. I don't remember it being so nice and family oriented.

Next we went and checked into the Hampton Inn in Allentown, Pennsylvania. We unpacked and washed up. It was a cute room. Next we were off to Blatt's Dinner Theater in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. There were saw a Kutztown Country Christmas. They served appetizers, dinner and dessert. It was all you can eat and absolutely delicious. Turkey, ham, turkey filling, wonderful sweet dry corn and green beans. A bunch of other things. Tons of coffee.

Then they entertained us with lil music skits while we were eating. The show itself was very original and wonderfully performed.

I was very impressed. It is definitely something I would do again.

Leah was pretty good through out. She slept straight through dinner but woke up as the show started so I spent the first half with her standing in the back of the theater and Ruth stayed with her during the second half of the show. Afterwards everyone was all like "I am so surprised she was so quiet."

Yeah well, thats Leah. Well behaved and what not. Well as well behaved as three month can be :P

Afterwards we headed back to the hotel where I realized that I'd left my digital camera back at the theater. Yeah, I know. Typical of me. So I called them and they said I could come get it the next day.

On Sunday we checked out and went out to the Vanity Fair outlet. It was okay. Though I have to agree with Ruth. The Tanger outlets are way better. Even the Premium Outlets in Tannersville are better. But shopping is shopping and I love it no matter where I am.

We left there and then went to get my camera. We were going to visit a winery but thanks to my leaving the camera, part of the trip had to be cut out. Last stop was this creamery/bakery place. Got some pie, chocolate and really good ice cream.

All in all it was a nice weekend. Saturday's weather wasn't great but it really got nice out on Sunday. I would totally do it again. :D

Leah was so good in the car.

I wanted to note that we were completely stopped and she wasn't all the way into the seat when this photo was taken. Her straps were tightened properly after it was taken.

Leah's First Mini-Vacation

Ruth and George were awesome enough to take us away for the weekend. Off to Pennsylvania we went :D Did a bunch of stuff, like going to a dinner theater, visiting lil breweries in Easton and shopping :D

I will write more on this all tomorrow.

Just wanted to say THANK YOU...I had tons of fun and it was nice, very nice to be away from work.

Leah is up, not sleeping at all tonight. Must have been the weekend away.

Did I mention Leah is one of the best behaved babies I have ever been around? I can't believe how amazing she was all weekend.

These are a few pictures of us in the Crayola Store at the Crayola Factory. Its in Easton, Pennsylvania. Notice the VERY pretty, and coordinated outfit she is wearing. I love the Children's Place.

Lullabye

Put the lil one in her swing today and right to sleep she went.

Our Princess Leah

She has so many cute outfits. This is one of the ones she got from George's former co-workers.

A lil princess is exactly what she is, and I think she is beginning to know it too.



Today Daddy and Leah were hanging out for a little while. Aren't they so cute together? Absolutely beautiful.

Leah has her moments during the day when she seems just utterly bored with me.

My friends sneak in for a sec

Leah spends a lot of time at my job. The quintestential New Yorker cannot be without their Starbucsk :P

Here are two of my co-workers, Kitti (Shirley) and Amanda. Kitti is expecting her baby in mid-December. And I can't wait till Delilah is finally here.

Visiting lil Aidan

Went to visit Jodi today and meet her lil Aidan for the first time. Its nuts when I see a baby that small and then look at Leah. I can barely believe my eyes when I see how big she is getting.

Aidan is a very cute baby. They say he looks like his dad. I say I am the worst judge when it comes to seeing who a baby looks like. Everyone tells me Leah looks like me and I don't see it.

His big brother Jonathan seems to enjoy the fact he now has a little brother. Pretty much a good happy family, which is always nice to see.

Here is Aidan.



And here are Autumn (Jamie's daughter) and Leah with Lois. (I am not sure what the two of them are being distracted by but they no interest in the camera.)

Heh...men...

Ruth sent me pictures of Leah, from yesterday when she was over at their house. It was Matt's responsibility to dress Leah up in her costume. They put her costume on backwards! Hee hee.

Exhibit A


Exhibit B


She looks like one of those clown dolls. As a matter of fact, Matt's great-grandmother Bernice has a few of them.

Happy Halloweeeeeen!!!!

Today is Leah's First Halloween. I chose to dress her up as a clown. Now there were many people who didn't really get my choice but I knew it'd be perfect.

Matt brought her to the mall and I took my break, we went trick or treating through it. And anytime we walked into a store, everyone was all like "Oh My God, look how cute." And so on. Even people who didn't know me, so it wasn't just cause it was my baby. Leah really is an above average looks baby ;) But I am biased.

I would love the life of a baby. I was holding her while we went store to store and before we were even half-way done she was already sleeping. Didn't stop her from being the cutest baby ever, those cheeks of hers and the long lashes. Really is just beautiful.

So Matt got lots of candy and I got my Halloween Day with Leah. Very happy. Oh and there wasn't a single other clown baby. Originality works.

Not that it would matter what she wore. She'd be perfect in anything.



All tuckered out


Ruth had gotten Leah the cutest pumpkin booties a while ago, I forgot to pack them in the morning but we took some pics with her in them when we went back out later. Very cute.

Playing with Grandma

Here is Leah with her Grandma Ruth :D Notice she is smiling and stuff. Very cool.

Halloween Eve

We went to visit my family today in the Bronx. First went to my mom's, then visited my sister and Kain, then back to my mom's to eat a wonderfully prepared meal. It was arroz con gandules con pollo frito and it was absolutely delicious. I really do miss good homecooked puertorican food. Definitely something I will pass onto to Leah, the same way my Abuelita and mother passed onto me and my sister.

My sister had also made some arroz con gandules to take over to her in-laws Halloween Party. I'm always surprised when I meet people who don't know how to cook, mostly 'cause in the hispanic culture it is very important to pass on our traditions. And with cooking there really isn't a set recipe for our favorite meals. If your elders don't show you how to make it just right then you will never get it. Learning how to make spanish rice, especially puertorican rice is sort of an art. Sometimes you don't get it the way its supposed to but the first time you do, its great. You feel proud and you know that finally you can cook for your family and they will appreciate all the effort and love you put into the meal. I can only hope to bring that into Leah's life the same way my mother brought it into mine.

Leilani and me could basically cook Thanksgiving dinner all by ourselves by the time we were 15. We prepared dinner for the family by the age of 12. The only things left on my list to learn are how to make pasteles and arroz con coco.

Amanda had gotten Leah this absolutely perfect outfit. Good Halloween Eve outfit. Just too cute.

Happy Birthday to Grandma

Today is Ruth's Birthday. Leah spent yesterday with her celebrating. They went out to dinner. Happy Birthday!!!!

Much better tongue pic

Here is Leah actively sticking her tongue out. It has been three days and she now does it on demand. The things that I find entertaining, how sad!

Day at Grandma and Grandpa's

Both Matt and I had to work today so Ruth and George took care of her for the day. I am so happy that we have so much help. I don't know what we would do without it.

She seemed happy and content and that is all I can ask for.

Though I did come to the conclusion that 9 hours away from her parents is more than I can bear. I love Leah sooooo much. I don't know what I would do without her. I really don't.

Learning from Daddy

Heh. Matt has taught Leah how to stick out her tongue. If you stick it out, she then proceeds to stick it out. And she is totally catching on the fact we think its cute because she does it and then follows it with giggling. Too damn cute!



Here the mosaic Matt did of her photo.

Leah's Pics

I put a bunch of Leah's pictures online @ Clubphoto.com.

Leah Mosaic

Matt did this cool thing with pictures of Leah. Looks very cool. I like. I will post it later.

In other news, Leah has found that she prefers her fist to the pacifier. I am quite amused by watching her bypass her thumb for her knuckles. It is too cute. She is refusing to go to sleep right now. I sorted through her clothes to see if there is anything she has grown out of, she hasn't really grown out of anything. Only one outfit and its a baby gap one so I am not surprised. Some of their 0-3 stuff is cut very small. Other than that her stuff still fits. She has a bunch of precious summer outfits she isn't going to be able to wear anymore :( So its going to fashion show time the next few days so I can take some pictures of her in them :D I silly, I know.

Starbucks fun

I took a cute picture of Kitti with Leah. I can't wait till Kitti's daughter is here so we can have them play together :D

Leah is going to have so many lil buddies around her age. Pretty cool. And I will also have someone to talk to about all the silly baby stuff I ramble about and I won't look nuts doing it.

Well Baby Visit #2

Today I trekked Leah and me to the pediatrician's office. We took the bus and then walked from Hempstead Turnpike to the doc's. And then from the doc's to Old Country Road. Then I we went to Starbucks to hang out. I got a decent amount of much needed exercise.

Leah is now 12 1/2 pounds and 21 1/2 inches. She got two sets of vaccines, howled her head off but seems to be all better now.

Abuelo visited

My dad came out to Long Island today. He went to Mineola to check out a hobby shop there and then came to Broadway Mall. I was just getting out of work. Working on the weekends sucks butt. Aren't I so well-spoken?

We then went to Target where he and his girlfriend Vivian bought some stuff for Leah and Kain. Very cool of them. And Matt got her this toy that attaches to her carseat bar.

I love seeing my family. Thanks to Leah I see them a lot more often than I would if she didn't exist. Babies are miracles that work miracles.

Heh icky poo

Matt does not enjoy those messy poos babies make. Leah has had her share of them and today she had another one while Matt was trying to change her. Heh. So I gave her a quick bath to get her all cleaned up.

Here Matt is holding her away from himself 'cause she might pee. *rolls eyes* Such a guy.

Out to Dinner

Went out to dinner tonight with Matt's parents and his sister. She is moving to the city and his parents are going to be on a vacation for about a week. Then after dinner we ended up at Broadway Mall together eventhough we'd gone our seperate ways after dinner. That mall is just like that. Sucks you in!

Daily Routine

Now that I am back to work Matt and I have finally worked out a pretty decent routine. I get Leah and me to Starbucks by 5:30 and Matt picks up Leah by 6 so I can't start my shift. Then he goes home and comes back to get me at closing.

Today he stuck around and got Taco Bell before my shift. I like it when they are in the lobby, makes work enjoyable.

So first White Castle, then Starbucks and now Taco Bell. Poor girl.

Fast Asleep

Leah is sleeping longer than usual the last few days. This is good. I love how everyone was telling me I was doing everything wrong when it came to how I feed her and schedule her *I don't schedule her, I feed on demand, I almost always have her with me and I let her sleep beside me* I should point out her pediatrician agrees that I am doing what he believes is best. Its good to have his support :D

Anyway so tonight she is sleeping beside her daddy while I clean up some.


His hand is so much bigger than hers.

White Castle

Now something Matt and I share is our love for White Castle burgers. Tonight we went out for a drive and ended up at White Castle. A woman there was kind of enough to take a picture of the three of us together, thus commerating our first family trip to White Castle. Oh so silly.



Matt and Leah