Dear Keira,

Your First BBQ Rib Dinner

Warning:  The following images may be disturbing to our vegetarian/vegan friends and family.

Buns

Break In

It never gets old.  You will open the fridge 300 times a day and empty the condiments.  Today you ran into my bedroom with the salad dressing in your hands, and I found your beloved stuffed monkey in the freezer.  I've had to place this heavy box in front of the fridge.

Escrow Closes

Today we got the keys to our new house!  We will move in on May 27 after Daddy does some painting and other fixes.  Meanwhile, Grandma will be packing up her house in Chicago and will move in late July. 

Baby Daddy

Packing today I came across some cute pictures of Daddy when he was your age...

Bruised-up shins just like you:

With Grandma in Chicago with a nasty storm coming, March, 1962:

Packing

Escrow closes tomorrow on our new house!  I am trying to pack up the house while you literally climb the boxes and/or cling to my legs. 

Saturday With Uncle Chinh

You love Uncle Chinh.  As soon as he walks through the door, you break into a huge smile.  Even the words "Uncle Chinh" make you laugh.

We went to the park for some running around.

Then we headed out to the new house to check on the carpet and tile.  It's looking great!

Kidspace Museum

We needed a break from packing, so we took a spur-of-the-moment drive to Pasadena to the Kidspace Museum.  You loved it! 

Finally, a place where you can touch everything!  I didn't have to say "no" for a whole 3 hours.

Spurting waters!

The climbing tower:

The trike race track.  Have you ever heard anything funnier?  Your legs aren't quite long enough yet to make it work.

The best thing ever made, ever:  A stream you are actually encouraged to get into, walk around and splash!

It "rains" about every 10 minutes.

After I dried you off and changed your clothes, you enjoyed some climbing and sliding in the toddler room:

Noah's Ark

We went to the Skirball Cultural Center to visit their new exhibit, Noah's Ark, where all the animals are made from recycled everyday objects.  On the way over, your sippy cup leaked milk down into your car seat, totally drenching the seat of your pants.  It looked as if I hadn't changed your diaper in the last 12 hours and you were soaking through, but your diaper was perfectly dry!   Of course, I didn't bring a change of clothes.  I decided we would brave the stares and try to have a good time.

In the exhibit I heard a security guard yell, "Miss!  Miss!!  MISS!!!" clear across the crowded museum.  "YOUR BABY IS WET!  HER DIAPER IS LEAKING THROUGH!"  Her words echoed off the walls of The Ark and everyone turned to look at us.  "No, it's just milk," I yelled back.  "Her sippy cup leaked!" but I could tell from the frowns and furrowed brows that no one was buying my story.

All the kids were giving you The Stink Eye.  I tried to cover you up with your sweater but it wasn't quite long enough.

It may have been my imagination but I'm pretty sure I saw moms dragging their children away from you, That Kid With The Leaky Diaper.

I'm pretending like I don't see you with that communal alligator in your mouth. 

Ok, at this point I couldn't take it anymore.  We went up to the gift shop and I bought you a long penguin t shirt that covered the wet spot. 

Well, it covered the wet spot most of the time. 

As soon as we came home I loaded a tote bag with towels, 2 pants, 2 shirts and extra diapers for good measure and put it in the trunk of my car.  And I threw away the leaky sippy cup.

Mommy's Birthday

Today you gave me a birthday present... 

but you didn't want to let go of it!

38 candles would have burnt the house down so Daddy just put 8 on the cake.

Cuddling

Here you are, cuddling the kitty Auntie Deb and Uncle Omid gave you.  This has been your stuffed animal of choice lately.

I've been trying to pack it away as we get ready to move, but you cry every time I get it in a box.

Redondo Beach

Today we took Daddy's car to Redondo Beach to be fixed.  On the drive home, we decided to stop and take a little walk.

The water was a little cold, and you almost cried after it licked at your little pink feet.

Many times a day, like this moment here, I see you as your Grandpa McDonald would see you, and my heart swells.  Grandpa loved the beach and continued to surf, even into his 50's.  I saw you through his eyes here, looking like you're checking the surf, ready to paddle out on your board. 

Lunch With Colin & Kalena

We went to Colin and Kalena's for lunch today!  You had so much fun playing around in the backyard.

Colin pulled you and Kalena around in the wagon.

Holding hands

You love Mama, their cat.