Clarita's First Christmas

We had a whirlwind couple of days celebrating Christmas. On Christmas Eve Clarita opened her presents from Grandpa Bill and Grandma Peggy who live in Michigan and couldn't celebrate with her. She thought it was fun to rip the paper, but once she could see the top of a toy just wanted to play with it. After her practice opening presents we headed to my mom's. We played some games (Clara helped) and hung out before dinner. My dad's mother was Italian and always made rigatoni on Christmas Eve when we were growing up. We have continued this tradition and always have pasta on Christmas Eve. After a yummy dinner we headed to church for the candlelight service. It is one of my favorite church services, especially when the lights are turned off, the candles are lit, and we sing silent night. Clara even got to help with the service by helping me to put out the candles at the end of the service. Clarita's little friend, Ryan, was at church and kept trying to kiss her hand (such a gentleman). Clara would pull her hand back and give him a dirty look each time. It was pretty hilarious!

What's in there?

Helping Tia choose the best card

Riding Tio Chino

Mmm Salmon and broccoli!

After church we headed back to my mom's house to open presents. Clara opened some of hers before church as we figured she would probably fall asleep on the way home and be out. She liked ripping the paper, but got distracted trying to eat a tiny piece of paper or trying to play with her new toys. She did fall asleep on the way home from church and slept through us opening presents. She woke up when I took her out of her car seat and was ready to go. Clara opened some more presents and played a little. It was difficult to get her to go back to sleep and I ended up just putting her in bed with us until she fell asleep. 

Clara woke up at 7:15 the next morning and played happily in her pack n play until we got up. Tio Chino and Tia Laurie were already awake anxiously awaiting us to get up so we could open stockings. Clara finished opening her presents and then opened her stocking. She loved reaching in and pulling things out. We ate breakfast, Clara enjoyed her french toast, eggs, and fruit, and then played some games before packing up. Tio Robert and Tia Erika were in Mexico with her family so we didn't get to spend Christmas with them. It was a little quieter than normal.

Walking is so fun!

Bed head!

Around noon we headed off to Kevin's parents' house with a very happy baby in tow (she had just taken a two hour nap). We got there and Clarita played a little while we waited for Tio Rene, Tia Alyssa, Tristan, and Teagan. We then ate a yummy lunch and opened presents. The girls weren't too sure about opening their own presents but they both helped to open some of mine. Clara opened two of mine all by herself and they both tore off strips of paper on a big one. Tristan was a good big brother/cousin and helped the girls open their presents. He also got them both little sock coin purses that he picked out all by himself!

Clara stood on this box for at least 20 minutes

Both babies eating wrapping paper

The best part of opening presents

Clarita and Teagan had a lot of fun eating the wrapping paper and playing with their toys. They always both wanted to play with whatever toy the other had and it was funny to watch them. Clara got a walker from Tio Chino and Tia Laurie that the girls had fun pushing and chewing on. Clara learned how to use it really quickly and was walking around by herself within an hour! 

We left los Abuelos around 7:00 and headed to Mason and Laura's to say a "quick" hello on our way home. Needless to say we started talking and doing a puzzle and next thing we knew it was almost 9:00! Clara had fun playing with Baby Eden and her play mat and snuggling with the aunties. We got home and she went straight to bed and was out in a second. I think Clara's first Christmas was a success!

Vegas or Bust!

We took a trip to Las Vegas to see Fresno State play in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl (what a name for a college bowl game). We left on Friday, December 20, 2013 with the Wiggle in tow (who doesn't bring their nine month old baby to Vegas?). My friends, Vince and Mikael who I went to high school and college with, came with us. The trip to Vegas was pretty uneventful. Clara didn't cry once! Mikael and I sat by her and she thought it was pretty fun to play with us. She took two naps and was better behaved than the boys (no farting or spitting on pigeons).

We stayed in the Hard Rock Hotel (the "team hotel") and Clarita thought the room was pretty fun. She crawled around standing anywhere she could, played with magazines, and played with the drawer handles. She even took her first bath in a big bath tub which she thought was pretty fun.

Mikael is pretty fun!

Clara was a trooper the entire trip. She fell asleep at dinner the first night so I took her up to our room while Kevin and the boys went out. She played a little, nursed, read a story, and went right to sleep. I took a bath and relaxed. This was the first time I've been to Vegas as an adult where I didn't drink, bring heels, or bring make-up. I must say, it was a nice, relaxing experience!

The game was on Saturday and we headed out around 9:30 with Michael Toms and Dave (we traded them for Mikael and Vince who were still in bed) and a sleeping baby in tow, for some tailgating. Our friend Fernando and his friends put on an awesome tailgate with tons of food. Clara loved all of the people and played on her blanket. She of course made quite a few new friends! Clara nursed and we headed into the game.

Tailgating is the best!

 Unfortunately, the Bulldogs played terribly and USC won 45 - 20. We were really hoping for a better game from Fresno but had fun nonetheless. Clarita played with Mikael's sister Ashlea, with his mom (honorary grandma) Penni, and with his nephews Derek and Ryan (they thought she was fun). She had a great time giving Vince and Mikael high fives and watching the game. Clara even took an hour long nap in her pouch during the game.

Watching the game with Ashlea

Nap time

That night we went to the strip and Clara was mesmerized by all the lights and people. We went to Bellagio and saw the fountains and Christmas decorations and ate at Planet Hollywood. Clara just stared at the decorations and squealed at the fountain show.  Clarita was super tired since she only took a half hour nap after the game but she was a trooper. She was very happy in her pouch looking at everything and finally fell asleep on the walk back to the hotel. She woke up and played a little when we got back and then fell right to sleep.

Clara got to experience her first Vegas buffet at the Bellagio Sunday morning! She did a good job eating eggs, yams, and omelet. She made a ton of new friends since we were sitting right in the middle of the restaurant. We lost Mikael and Vince for the ride home and weren't sure how the little Wiggle would do solo in the back seat. She fell asleep immediately and slept for two hours. She woke up and we stopped and nursed and then she played for awhile in her car seat. She finally started getting tired and hungry so I sat with her and fed her a squeeze pouch (really great for traveling!) and played with her. We stopped again to change her and nurse and then she fell asleep again until we got home. All in all she did a great job on the six plus hour drive and I think her first trip to Vegas was a success!

Do I have to eat all of that?