Hyper Baby

January 2009: A New Era, a new house, and a college scholarship

Political opinions aside, I am thrilled to see such history made in my lifetime and at the beginning of Isabella's lifetime with the election of President Obama. I am also happy to feel an attitude of positivity surrounding government and politics in our country. A new day has come (sing it, Celine!) and I'm all about an attitude of service and a spirit of asking what we can do for our country.
I am hopeful for a brighter future for our country. And by that I secretly mean, economically. And the secret behind that secret is that I secretly hope that this year will by my year for prosperity, even if it just happens to be free. With my new found hope I have embarked on two campaigns to better my life and the life of my family: the HGTV Dream House sweepstakes and the Beautiful Baby Search on Regis and Kelly. The Dream House is located this year in Sonoma, just a few miles away from Napa--I'd be crazy NOT to try to win a new house and car, right? As for the Beautiful Baby Search...I hesitated on this one after two family members and 2 friends told me about it. That is, until I found out The Beautiful Baby will win a $125,000 college scholarship. Cute babies, move over! Here's Isabella's winning shot. It screams: personality! poise! adorability! If all I have to do is send in a picture to have Isabella's college education potentially paid for, isn't that worth a little exploitation?! Any responsible mother would do it...

Another January milestone: Isabella sits.

As it turns out, sitting and smiling for the camera are two skills that
actually require a little coordination.
Attempt #1

Attempt #2 we're almost there...

Attempt #3...and we have it.

Another acquired skill: finger foods. Isabella rejects anything that's not pureed.
See the fear in her face at the prospect of eating a Cheerio?

Mark demonstrates how to eat a Cheerio (yes, that's intended to be singular.
Hopefully she'll be eating Cheerios by the time she's a teenager)

We wish you and yours a joyous 2009. Happy New Year! If all goes according to our New Year's Eve Panda Express fortune cookie fortunes, Mark will be taking me on a trip to China (right after we move into our dream house and send out Isabella's college applications)