In recent months, Mio’s really taken an interest in building blocks and puzzles. With her blocks, she usually likes to just stack them as high as she can and proudly proclaims, “tower!” when she’s done, before knocking it over and saying, “tower fall down!” She loves playing blocks with Daddy because he helps her build more complex structures — today, Mio called me over to proudly show me their “robot” creation.
Mio’s “robot” made with a little help from Daddy.
Quite the little builder!
This photo cracks me up. It’s as if she’s saying, “My creation! It’s aliiive!!!”
Here’s a video of a separate occasion of Mio and Daddy building with her magnetic Tegu blocks:
Last Friday, Dan’s team at his company invited Mio and I over to their office for a lunch. Dan had just been told that it was a lunch to treat us in honor of the upcoming arrival — we were surprised to find upon arrival that they had decorated the conference room and prepared many thoughtful and generous gifts for the baby. His fellow team members had planned a beautiful baby shower for us!
Mio was so excited to visit Daddy at work!
They catered a delicious Italian lunch from Merone’s. Mio was of course chowing down!
She also loved helping opening the gifts and cards.
Dan’s team members had even prepared gifts for Mio, including “Big Sister” scrubs she could wear to visit baby in the hospital!
A “Big Sister” book to prepare Mio to be a helpful older sibling.
They also presented us with a diaper/wipe caddy for the car embroidered with our last name, as well as a photo album full of generous gift cards from Target, Babies R Us, Baby Gap, B&H Photo, grocery stores… we were floored!
Mio especially loved this stuffed giraffe. She loved being a part of the celebration!
The baby shower lunch was such a warm and thoughtful gesture from Dan’s team, and we were reminded of how blessed we are to have so much support in both our personal and professional lives. With only a couple weeks to go until the due date, we’re finally feeling ready (or as ready as we’ll ever be) to welcome our much-anticipated addition to our family. (Even Mio has been pointing to herself and saying “Big Eester” — because she can’t quite say “sister” — non-stop, both at home and to her teachers and classmates at preschool. The other day, she came up to my belly and said, “Baby, hurry up!!!” lol.) We can’t wait to meet her!
(Special thanks to Dan’s coworker Melissa for taking these photos and sending them to us!)
A very Merry Christmas and happy holiday wishes from our family to yours! Here’s our holiday card from this year…
A lot of people have been asking where we got our photos taken. We actually took them in the comfort of the living room at home! Dan worked his magic with the lighting as well as some color correction of the photos afterwards, but the pictures came out looking pretty decent — almost studio quality! Thanks to how well the photos came out, they were easy to work with as I designed our custom holiday card. So glad so many people loved it! Hope it brought a smile to your face. 🙂
Christmas is only a couple days away, and I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by! In addition to the holiday season, there’s always a lot to celebrate in our family during this month because both Dan and I have our birthdays, and I love that people come together more during the holidays and the end of the year. This year has had its share of challenges with a tough pregnancy as well as navigating Mio’s tumultuous toddlerhood, but as I spend time with family and friends and reflect back on the year, I know that I have so much to be grateful for! Good health, wonderful friends and relatives both near and far, and our growing family that brings smiles and laughter to every day. And of course, there’s so much to look forward to in this coming year and beyond!
Some pictures from the past couple weeks, as we wrap up the year…
Mio after her final art class at the local rec center. She thoroughly enjoyed her 8 weeks of arts and crafts!
She pressed one of her crafts against the inflatable penguin, saying “Here you go, penguin!”
We enjoyed a delicious dinner on the Roof Terrace followed by a performance of Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center. It was a holiday event with Dan’s company and was nice to get an evening out without parenting responsibilities for once!
Celebrating Dan’s 31st birthday on the 13th!
“Happy birthday Daddy!” Mio was so excited to help Dan blow out the candles.
With the girls at Ashly & Danny’s housewarming party!
Congratulations Ashly and Danny on the beautiful new home!
An early birthday dinner out last week with some girlfriends, complete with amazing desserts! Thank you Michelle for planning it. Can’t believe I’ve known these ladies for 15 years!
Mimi knows me so well. Love this nail polish set! It has all the perfect shades, especially for the holidays.
Mio brought home so many cute crafts and gifts from preschool! Now the dilemma is how to keep the chubster occupied during winter break…
Mio’s very own My Dear Darling penguin! Thank you so much Akiyo for such a beautiful handmade gift.
Mio was in love!
A sweet video of Mio playing with her penguin doll:
