Water Baby

As mentioned in a previous post, Mallory had her first swimming pool experience this past week. Yes, we made our baby get in an outdoor pool in the month of December. Hey, you gotta be a member of the polar bear club sooner or later! I kid, I kid. The pool was heated and actually the weather was sunny and pretty warm (just how I like my winters)! We had a blast and are definitely looking forward to this summer. Bring it on SPF 70!

She's ready!

Getting her tan on

Now this is the life!

Uh Oh Santa...

You left an elf behind!!! Don't worry, I'll look after her (and in return, you put me on the nice list no matter what)!

Thanks Ms. Andrea for my super cute stocking cap!!

Hands On Activities

Mallory is starting to realize that those two long things on either side of her are actually her arms and she can control them. And the more exciting fact is that those two arms have the best things at the end of them... Hands! I love it when Mallory rubs her hands together like she is an evil mastermind plotting her next move! Mostly she loves for her hands to be in her mouth; and when I say hands I mean an entire hand inside her mouth! But don't worry, she has learned to put those hands to good use. See below:

Fist in mouth = Happy Baby

Plotting...

Saying her prayers!

It's Time for a Vaca!

We knew Mallory was a beach girl before she was even born. When I was 8 and a half months pregnant, Brian and I decided to have one last "just the 2 of us" mini vaca and headed to the beach. The moment we drove over the bridge and onto Hilton Head Island, Mallory started doing somersaults in my belly! Since she can't actually remember that trip we figured it was time to take her back (cause we're positive she'll remember this time) . We headed out on Christmas day and Mallory was an awesome travel companion (although if your looking for stimulating conversation you better learn squeal-ese). We had beautiful weather and got to spend lots of time walking on the beach. Mallory saw some dolphins swimming, got lots of nice compliments wearing her stunner shades and even made a friend (who was traveling in style in his Baby Bjorn too)! And its official, Mal is a water baby! We all know she loves bath time so when we suited her up and took her for a swim in the heated pool, she was in heaven! I've promised her this will the first of MANY beach trips (subtle side note to Brian) but for a first beach trip, this one rocked!

Her first sight at the ocean (i guess we should turn her around to actually see it)!

The O'Neills

Grandmama and Granddaddy came too!

Travelling in style

That's the coolest dad I know!

We are a beach lovin family!

Ho Ho Ho!

What a fun 1st Christmas! We celebrated with The O'Neill's last night, had our own little family party this morning and are now headed to the beach for a week! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! May it be filled with love, laughter and a jolly Ho Ho Ho from our little Santa Mallory!


Christmas Morning with Dada



Mama and her little Santa

Mallory made it on the "nice" list and got a new light up, music playing seahorse!

Merry Christmas!

Playing with Fire

We took Mallory to our church's Christmas Eve Candle Light Service. She was a very cooperative little church goer. She did fall asleep during part of the service but we let it slide this time. She woke up towards the end just in time to light her candle and help sing Silent Night (which is what Mama and Dada are hoping for tonight since she just took a long evening nap during said service :) ! It was fun to think that this will be a tradition we keep every year. I loved going to my church's Christmas eve service and can remember when I was old enough to hold my own candle and sing along. Mallory has a few more years before we trust her with fire (Brian, we means you) but I look forward to the day where Mallory knows that on a silent night many years ago a Saviour was born just for her!

Surprise!

Mallory is known for one specific look and it is that of shock! She makes this face all the time, in all different situations and looking at a wide variety of things. I so wish I could know what was in that big, little head of hers (an oxymoron I know but I was conflicted on what to call it. I mean it's a small head compared to say her Dada but it did rank in the 96th percentile of kids her age...) Anyways, I digress! Here are a few occasions where Mallory has expressed her utter surprise!

Who are you?!
(BTW- her buggy friend hangs on her car seat everyday but everyday she is SHOCKED that he is still there!)

What? Christmas is tomorrow?!?!

Where are you taking me? And why am I dressed like Waldo?

Hey! What's this? And where is my buggy friend?!