Video: Walking, a.k.a. Wobbling a.k.a. Getting video of this without someone getting hurt might be a three-person job

Mungee officially took her first steps on November 15, just two days shy of her 15 month birthday.  She practiced for a few days, then decided that walking was overrated.  She finally decided to give in and grace us with her new found talent again recently.

Getting video of Mungee walking has proved quite challenging.  It's next to impossible if I'm trying it on my own. It's slightly possible with two people, as evidenced by this crappy high quality video I present to you below.  It was taken earlier this month (I don't know the exact date because my computer is lying to me about it).

Please excuse Mungee's soggy saggy diaper and nakey-ness.  Be sure to watch to the end, that's pretty much the best part.

My "Baby" is 16 Months Old Today

Can I still call her a baby?  She talks up a storm, says please, tells me when she's making "doo doo" and is starting to walk.

She's obviously keeping me busy since I missed out on writing her 14 and 15 month letters.  It's just so hard to keep up these days with all the new things she's learning.

We're off to one of Mungee's many social callings, so I'll leave you with these pictures.

Hanukkah 2009

Hanukkah 2010

 

 (One thing we are still working on?  Posing for pictures)

Amazing Just the Way You Are

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining

Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

 

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

"Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars

Wordless Wednesday: Maybe Next Season ...

Peas and Coo Coo

We're trying to get Mungee to say "please" when she wants something instead of whining, or sticking her hand down my shirt when she wants to nurse and saying something that sounds disturbingly similar to "moo".

Over the past couple days, when Mungee asks for something, then whines, we say, "What do you say?" and sometimes she says "Peas!"  She's recently followed up with "Coo coo!" for "thank you".

Today, when Mungee requested her snack, she said "peas" and "coo coo" without prompting!  Amazing!

Vacation to the Happiest (Most Crowded) Place on Earth

During the weekend of November 19-21, we traveled by car (only about two hours) to Orlando to visit the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.  Mungee was quite a trooper, even though we turned her world upside down by completely disregarding her schedule.  It was the first time she'd slept anywhere other than our house and she didn't take well to that, but she did okay while we were at the parks, dozing off several times in her stroller or while we held her in lines.

Food-wise, Mungee ate a lot of chicken tenders and I ate a lot of "the most delicious slightly-too-sweet butternut squash soup on earth" at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo house where we stayed.  If you and yours ever decide to visit the Animal Kingdom theme park, may I recommend dining at the Yak & Yeti take-out window, where you can score a fairly large portion of honey chicken (basically the same as the kid's chicken tenders, only covered in honey and served with white rice, carrots and broccoli) and a side of chicken-fried rice for just $14-15, a steal in comparison to some of the other park delicacies.

We visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and I was surprised that we didn't really wait too long for any of the rides.  Our longest wait times were for Dumbo and It's a Small World (which she was quite enthralled by).  We got a Fast-Pass for Peter Pan, one of my favorite rides.  Unfortunately, Mungee was asleep for that one.  She liked the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Railroad (just kidding about that last one).  

We were going to leave the park around 6:45, since it closed at 7, but we noticed that people were hanging out in front of the castle, so we sat down.  Apparently all the people hanging around were there for Mickey's Christmas show, which normally you would pay extra for.  One cast member was walking around asking people to hold up their wristbands.  We just acted cool and didn't draw any attention to ourselves so we got to see the show.  We didn't stay for the parade though.

That night, Mungee refused to sleep in the crib the hotel brought into the room so we just let her sleep in the bed with us.  I slept terribly since I was constantly waking up to check on her.  We told her she wasn't going to get a sibling anytime soon if she kept up that trend.

Saturday we went to the Animal Kingdom.  Mungee had a slight fever, so she was a little cranky.  BIG difference in the crowds between Friday and Saturday, but that was to be expected.  We saw the Finding Nemo show, which was superb, but Mungee was scared for most of it since it was loud and very theatrical.  She was terrified in A Bug's Life and I don't really blame her.  It was dark, loud and the bugs were huge!  DH and I liked it though.  It's shown in 3-D and has some interactive elements.

The Animal Kingdom closed at 5 on Saturday (boo).  As we were leaving, we noticed that there was a Rainforest Cafe just outside the park, so we decided to go in and check it out, since DH had never been to one before.  We sat at the bar while Mungee snoozed in her stroller.  By the time we decided to order some food, the kitchen had already closed (boo again).  So of course we wound up eating in the cafe at the hotel again (yay, butternut squash soup!)

Again, Mungee would not sleep in the crib, so we let her crash with us.  DH and I switched sides of the bed and I was more comfortable, so I slept better, thank goodness.

Sunday I wanted to go back to the Magic Kingdom to get in the ride that we missed on Friday (The Jungle Cruise) and hopefully get in a few repeats.  Biggest, most awful crowds ever.  Wait times were at least an hour.  Around noon, DH got a Fast-Pass to go on Space Mountain and the return time wasn't until 4:30 pm.  On Friday we walked right into the Haunted Mansion; on Sunday the line started a mile away.  By 2 or so, the three of us were over theme parks and we went over to Downtown Disney, so we could eat at Planet Hollywood, only because we had a $15 voucher (which honestly doesn't get you much there).  We also had a voucher for a free gift, which wound up being a keychain.

After we ate, we made our way back to the hotel, gathered our luggage and packed up the car for our trip home.  I decided we needed to make a detour off I-4 in order to find a Starbucks.  Sometimes you just need coffee to make a road trip authentic.

The nice thing about staying at a Disney resort was that we never had to leave the Disney grounds, nor did we get in our car once.  We took the Disney buses to and from the hotel.  Obviously the downside is that it's pricey, but luckily and thankfully this trip was an incentive that DH was awarded through his company, so our only expenses were gas and food.

Would we do this again had we known how Mungee would behave?  Yes.  It would have been less of a physical strain if she was walking, but she really adapted well to the crowds, lines, waiting and sleeping in her stroller when she was tired.  I'm normally such a stickler for her schedule, but I felt comfortable changing things up so we could enjoy our first family vacation.  She won't remember her first trip to Disney World, but DH and I will and it will be a joy to tell her about it through the years.

The Cuteness that is Mungee

Picture heavy, word scarce post.  Cause that's what I do these days.

Oh caaaaaatttt, I'm coming to get yooouuuu!!!

Mission: Accomplished!

Salsa Chicken hands ... like Jazz Hands, only spicier!

Thrilled to be placed upon the giant chicken at the fair

 

 

 

14 Month Pictures (only a month+ late ...)

In keeping with the trend of posting Mungee's monthly pictures, I thought it would be a good time to share her 14 month old photos.  Yes, I do realize she is wearing the same outfit as the 13 month pictures.  In my defense, I asked her what she wanted to wear the day these pictures were taken and she said "Apple".  So she wore her apple outfit.  Come to think of it, whenever I ask her what she wants to wear, she says "apple".  Promise she doesn't wear this every day.

 

She's still working on growing that hair ...

Mungee Plays the Piano

See this gorgeous photo?

I've entered it into Modern Bird Studio's ahhhh-mazing contest for a chance to win a 12" x 24" custom art piece.

In order to win?  I need YOUR help.  It's easy.  All you have to do is:

1) "Like" Modern Bird Studios on Facebook.

2) Go to the "Photos" tab, find the Holiday Contest, 2010 album and above photo and "Like" it to vote.

I have until Monday, November 15th at 1pm EST to get as many people as possible to "Like" my photo.  At this point, the top 5 most "liked" photos will be put before a panel of judges, and the judges will choose the winning photo to be created into a 12″ x 24″ piece.

My walls feel naked.  This art piece is just what they need.

Thank you for your votes!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

On Saturday, October 23, we headed to a local pumpkin "patch".  I can't believe how grown up Mungee looks now in comparison to this time last year.

Ooooh, look at all the pumpkins!

However will I choose just one?

This one, I choose this one!

These are my pumpkins!  Back off!

Mama, I do not exist solely for your amusement.

Horsey, horsey!

I don't know these people ...

It's unfortunate that Mungee is sticking out her bottom lip like a bulldog in all of the pictures.  She's teething in a major way, with her bottom molars and lateral incisors making their debut all at the same time.  

I'll be posting Mungee's 14 month letter soon.  And by soon, I mean eventually.  And by eventually, I mean I might be doing a combo 14-15 month letter.

Happy Halloween!

Opa!

Saturday, I decided to throw the afternoon nap schedule to the wind, and Mungee, DH, FIL and I headed to the St. Augustine Greek Festival.

Mungee enjoyed her first taste of Greek food, including lamb shank and stuffed grape leaves.  She passed on the spanakopita.

 

First pony ride.  I am pretty sure she loved it.

Loukoumades (aka Greek donut holes, aka Heaven in Your Mouth)

It was still pretty warm out, the sun was bright overhead and I didn't pack any sunblock, but we had a great time.  Eventually I'll be better prepared for these semi-impromptu outings.

***What did you do this weekend?  Hope it was a great one!***

Monkeying Around

A few pictures from our recent trip to the zoo with Elizabeth, Jenn, Krista and several munchkins.

I correctly guessed the length of the giraffe's tongue & got a complimentary lettuce leaf to feed it.  I think this giraffe's name is Luna (also the given name of my cat)

Checking out the otters

If I could be an animal, I am pretty sure I'd be an otter.  They always look like they're having so much fun!

Penguins

First time in the petting zoo (pretty much the only reason I put shoes on Mungee)

Bye-bye zoo!

The zoo is exhausting!

13 Month Letter

So this is way slightly late ... I blame my always-on-the-move baby for the delay in posting her 13 month letter.

Dear Mungee,

On September 17, 2010, you turned 13 months old.  I feel like I was just telling people you just turned one. 

It's obvious that you're concentrating your efforts on verbal endeavors rather than mobility, as you still refuse to stand without holding onto something or someone.  You have graduated to what we call the "bulldog crawl" however, and are exploring the house without fear.  I've caught you unloading the bookshelves in the office several times, you seem to know whenever the fridge, freezer, or dishwasher are open and the cat seeks higher ground when you head her way with a look of purpose on your face.  (That purpose being yanking her tail).  As much as we try to put the *kibosh* on this, you still pursue her with fervor.

 
Time to brag on your verbal abilities and smarts ...

You can tell us the sounds of about 8 animals: chicken (bok-bok), dog (woof or oof), horse (nay), cow (moo), duck (cak-cak), sheep (baa), cat (mowww), monkey (eee).

When you see a dog on TV (cartoon, mascot or real) you look at me and say "Woof".  You also do this when you see a dinosaur, koala or the Geico Gecko, but you've got the general idea.

You've started to imitate talking on the phone and brushing/combing your hair.

You drop things and say "Uh oh".  I've tried to explain to you that it's only "uh oh" if it's an accident and not on purpose for your amusement, but you disregard this advice.

You sign "All done" by rubbing your hands together like you're brushing off crumbs, but you'll often keep eating after you sign.  At least you've somewhat got the concept.  You sign "milk" and whenever you want to nurse, you'll approach me with a very serious look on your face, sign "milk" and say "Bih?!"

Yes, you're still nursing because you refuse to drink whole milk.  Grandma Bebe thinks it's because the milk is cold and that I should warm it up for you, but I don't want to get you used to drinking it this way and ONLY want it warm.  A friend recently suggested I should add a dash of chocolate to it and I just might try this (after consulting the doctor, of course).  I'm okay with the fact that you're still nursing, but I think I'll try to have you weaned by 18 months.  We certainly made it well past my goal of 6 months!

Your loves include: pretzel sticks, veggie straws, chicken, bananas, grapes, owls, cats and mama's milk.  You hate: Gerber ravioli, whole milk and sitting in the grass.

Poppy taught you how to raise your arms in the air when we yell "Touchdown!"  Now you'll do it whenever you see football on TV.  I can't wait to take you to your first Jaguars game.  Maybe when the weather cools down a bit more.

You have a pretty extensive vocabulary.  Here's a list of words you say:
-Freckle (cul) and you can identify freckles on people's bodies
-Circle (also cul)
-Turtle
-Flower
-Button
-Hot (and I taught you to blow when we say hot)
-Coffee (sounds like cocky)
-Outside
-Shoe
-Toe
-Dada
-Mama
-Chicken
-Highchair
-Water
-Milk (mih or bih)
-Owl
-Towel
-Bowl
-Hi
-Bye
-Picture
-Light (yiiiiigh)
-Kitty
-Uh oh
-Book (booh)
-Banana (nana)
-Baby (baaaay)
-Pretzel
-Apple
-Waffle
-Bubble

You give hugs and kisses on request to people or your toys.  You have kissed the cat by licking her back.  You also licked the bottom of the freezer and Daddy's cold water bottle.  You kiss the "baby in the mirror" with a hearty lick. 

You can identify your head, ear, belly and toes.  You can identify other people's nose, toes, freckles, belly (if it's bare), shoes and buttons.

We're still going to MyGym and you've just moved up to the next age group.  I knew it was definitely time when we went to class and you were months older than the oldest baby there.  The MyGym coaches think that being around walking babies will encourage you to walk.  I am not sure if I am ready for this, though I am excited for the day you take your first steps!

You are such a funny baby and you have Daddy and I laughing every day.  I'm enjoying my time with you so much and I can't believe it's going by so quickly.  Keep smiling precious girl!

****************************************

This post is linked to:

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: I Do Not Want to Wear This!

 

Mungee's Halloween Costume

I purchased this used costume for $10 at a local children's consignment shop.  It's from Gymboree, sized 6-12 months.  It was just a bit too small and I had a feeling Mungee would grow out of it by a month from now.  I decided to return it and I was pretty bummed, but the other day, I won an auction on eBay for the next size up, brand new, for just $4.99 with free shipping!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not too hot for her to wear it this year.  Last year on Halloween, I was wearing a sleeveless dress if that tells you anything.

I'm getting over my cold, finally.  Unfortunately, last Friday, Mungee was sneezing and had a runny nose, and Friday night/Early Saturday she woke up at 4 am with a fever.  The highest it went was 102.9, but we kept her dosed with (generic) Tylenol and it was gone by Sunday.  Monday DH woke up with the sniffles.  What a snot-filled few weeks we've had!

I've been taking a break from blogging and I must say, I've been a lot less stressed and anxious.  It's difficult to try and come up with entertaining content and keep up with all of my favorite blogs.  Once again, my Google Reader is clogged up and it's probably been a few weeks since I've left comments, but I have been reading posts through my phone, so I am still lurking interested, my dear blog friends.

Eventually, I need to get around to writing Mungee's 13 month letter.  A few quick updates:

- Crawling like a big girl now; we call it the "Bulldog crawl"

- Still not walking, nor will she stand without holding onto something or someone's hands (and it has to be BOTH hands)

- Has 8 teeth

- Eating table foods exclusively (except for that jar of apple and blueberries I fed her this morning since it expires next month)

- Has about 30 words in her vocabulary

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Blech. and Ugh.

I'm sick.

I woke up Wednesday morning with a runny nose and sneezed a few times.  Most might think this is no big deal but here's the thing.  I?  Don't get sick.

Seriously.  It's very rare for me to even get one cold a year.

The runny nose and sneezing got progressively worse yesterday.  By the end of the day, I was flushed and sweaty.  Today my head is filled with grotesque matter, of which I will spare you the details.

Oh.  And I am covered in hives.

Ever since I started taking the happy pills, my sleep has gone to sh*t.  And not sleeping well means my immune system defenses are down and have failed to keep me from catching the germs that most likely run amuck at MyGym, despite their claim that everything goes into a slime bucket and is thoroughly disinfected.

The thing that bothers me most about being sick is worrying that Mungee will catch it since we're in pretty close contact on the daily.  I like to think that I am tough, that I can will myself to get better.  But Mungee?  Well, she doesn't even know how to blow her nose yet, so if she gets a cold we're all going to be miserable.

Address provided upon request for chicken soup offerings.

Wordless Wednesday: Two Turntables and a Microphone