Duck Pond

Our town has a small duck pond that we did not know about. With a bag of old bread and our little girl who loves to feed the ducks, we decided to go check it out on Saturday afternoon. Natalie was super excited when she saw all the ducks upon our arrival. She pointed to the pond and said "quack, quack" several times. She was so ready to get out of her car seat.

Natalie is getting better at tossing the bread in the water. Although at times, she sneaks a few bites of bread herself.


Natalie points to the water fountains and says "wa-wa."

Christmas Day!

We spent Christmas day with my sisters, Reggie, and nieces coming over to our house. After we ate, we opened up the presents. This year, Natalie was more interested in tearing the wrapping paper off the presents; however, that only lasted about 4 or 5 gifts. She wanted to go off and play. So, Mommy ended up opening the rest of her gifts and showing them to her.

Natalie waiting patiently to open presents. She was so good about not going near the tree by herself.

Natalie tears off the paper, then gives it to Daddy and says "trash." Too cute!

Natalie got some great gifts from Santa(s). She especially loved her new toys and books! This Christmas went by so quick. Now, time to take down the tree and decorations...

See you all next year! Have a Happy New Year!

Lone Star Christmas

We went to the Gaylord Texan's Hotel to check out more Christmas festivities. Our little girl got an eyeful this year!!! There was an Ice! exhibit at the hotel, however, we did not go because, it is way too chilly to take a baby in there. We have never been inside the hotel, so it was pretty cool to finally check it out. We walked along the indoor riverwalks inside the hotel, where we saw a gingerbread house, model trains, huge lit trees, etc.

Lone Star skylight and poinsettas

Here is Natalie and Daddy checking out a koi pond and secretly feeding the fish some crackers. Oh boy!

A very nice family we met took over our camera and snapped away these pictures of us. It was very sweet of them! Their daughter made Natalie smile :)

Love this picture!


Natalie ready to go home

Our lil' bookworm

Natalie looooooves to read! Most of the time, she will choose books over toys. At 15 months, Natalie knows quite a few words and sounds. For instance, she can name pets and farm animals, and even tries to mimic the sounds they make. She also points and says things inside and outside our home, foods, body parts, and some crazy expressions like "oh no," and "oh wow."

Alain enjoys reading to Natalie before her bed-time. He is a great story teller! One night, I heard them both laughing and having a great time so, I snuck up on them and quickly snapped this picture. I think Natalie's expression says it all!

Santa and Trains

Alain took the day off to go to my doctor's appointment for my 20-weeks checkup. Everything looks good and baby and I are doing well. I am half-way now--Woo-hoo! After my checkup, we headed off to Northpark mall to take Natalie to meet Santa and see the model train exhibit.

Our first stop: Santa. This guy is by far the best Santa we have seen. He has been the Santa at Northpark for over 20 years! He has become a true celebrity for the young and old. We were very lucky the line was not long to get pictures with him. When I put Natalie on Santa's lap, she took a look at him and was about to cry. Oh no! Luckily, she saw we were close by and the photographer lady held up an Elmo puppet and distracted her with it. That helped and we got a few good pictures!

Natalie looking at Dada taking a picture.

Check out the boots on Mr. Claus. A true Texan!

After pictures with Santa, we went upstairs (by Neiman Marcus) to tour the model train exhibit. The Trains at Northpark come every year benefitting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas to help critically ill and injured children and their families. When we entered, Natalie's eyes were glued to all the trains as they zoomed by with all their sounds, lights and whistles. A few times, she said "choo, choo." Even Alain and I were amazed with all the scenery and details!

Mount Rushmore and Golden Gate Bridge


New York City and Dallas skyline


The Capitol and Southwest desert

Off she goes!

Later, we stopped by Neiman Marcus' children's department and saw this cute mini grand piano. ADORABLE! Natalie started tapping away! We have to start her early, right?

Then, Alain and Natalie were "horsing" around with this large stuffed animal!

Before leaving, we checked out the pond where there are some ducks and turtles. This is one of Natalie's favorite spots in the mall. She pointed to the ducks and said "quack, quack."

Overall, we had a great time! It was nice to go to the mall during the middle of the week where it was not too crowded, especially during the holiday season.

Our Christmas Tree

We put our Christmas tree up in the formal area of our house this year. In the past, we had our tree up in our family room. Since that is where Natalie plays with her toys most of the time, we wanted to set it away from that area. Alain almost did not want to put it up this year fearing Natalie will tip over the tree like he did when he was little. Even more afraid, since she is walking and getting into everything! However, I insisted on having the tree up and teaching Natalie not to touch or stay far away from it. Well, the tree and I won! Natalie only walks up to the tree, staying about 2 feet away, and points out the ornaments and says "balls." So far, it has been a success!

After we dressed up our tree, Natalie wanted to help clean up. I was using a Swiffer sweeper to clean the hardwood floors and she wanted to help. So, Daddy adjusted the sweeper to her size and she pushed it around. (She did not even go near the tree!)

Our happy little girl!