Merry Christmas!

Although this was not Ivy's first Christmas, it felt like it was in many ways. Earlier in the week we went to her first christmas program at school. We sang carols and participated in her circle time...


We visited Santa's house and stables for the first time, too. (Thanks for the pictures, Jennifer!)


Ivy got to hang out Mrs. Claus as well as the big guy.


On Christmas Eve, we started what I hope will become a tradition of having lunch with Ivy's godmother and grand-godmother.


Ivy was introduced to Barkley at her Madrina's...


or was it the other way around?


Also on Christmas Eve, we went to our first Bell Service at our friends' church. Ivy spent her time up front with Pastor Mark by checking out all of the sound equipment and coercing as many other toddlers as possible to run around with her. You can see the heads of other children sitting...and see Ivy's back in the distance! (Thanks for inviting us, Leah. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season!)


Then Alex and I put Ivy to bed and prepared for Santa's arrival...apparently Ivy was anxious, too. She didn't sleep half of the night! When she woke in the morning, this was what she found...


She hasn't quite figured out that Lego's are for building. Right now they are just fun to take apart!


We spent Christmas afternoon having lunch with our family.






Here's a picture of Ivy and Joseph from this year, and last...




It was such a beautiful day that we spent some time outside, too.




Ivy and her Papa enjoyed a game of Christmas Chase!


If everyone could have a Christmas as full of love and joy as this Christmas was for us, I know the world would be a better, happier, more peaceful place all year long!

13 months

It's hard to believe that our little girl is 13 months old! She is SO smart, I am amazed by the innate understanding she has of the world. God is truly miraculous in the way that he designs these little beings.



Even through car seat trials and tribulations, we know how blessed we are.... :)

A warm December weekend...

It was a wonderful weekend to be in Carolina. We took advantage of the unusually warm weather and spent much of our time outside. We visited the park...





and we took in the holiday parade downtown. This was Ivy's first parade, and she really seemed to enjoy herself. She clapped along with some singers and waved to the floats that passed by.





Running a few errands, we stopped by Lowes and found a race car shopping cart. Of course momma worried about germs, but papa's fun spirit prevailed and Ivy had a great time driving us through the store!


To me, our little family feels more like a family everyday. It's a wonderful thing...

A week of accomplishments...

Ivy has learned to do so much this week- either that or her mom's been more alert! She's learned to get into a standing position by herself (no supports, props, or leans). She's learned to run...not full out running, but definitely walking away as fast as her legs will carry her - that is until she goes faster than her legs will carry her and then splat on her tummy! She's learned to get up on things (that's not new) and navigate herself into a sitting position (that is)!





















She's even learned to clap. She's been bringing her hands together for months, but now she actually makes noise and keeps rhythm. I really think she's got an internal rhythm because she does great at keeping beat when she bangs on just about anything, and clapping's been no different. The whole clapping thing was not started by Patty-Cake, which I really thought she'd catch on to...I've been singing it since she was 2 months old. Believe it or not, the clapping came along with Cumpleanos Feliz. Since her birthday party, she's absolutely loved this Spanish version of Happy Birthday! She started clapping when Alex finished singing one time, and it's become her signal now anytime she wants to hear it.



She's started saying "Bye!" along with "Hi" which she's been saying for a little more than a month. We've got a few close guesses as well; Alex is certain that "A" means cafe, I think "gr" is giraffe, and we're in agreement with Aunt Shirley that "Up" means light. Here she is having toast with cream cheese and "A" with her Papa...


She is growing so fast, and we're more in love with her everyday. At this time last year, I knew that I loved her. I did not know that I would become smitten. I am.

Turkey and more...

What a busy and blessed week it has been at the Alfaro home. We enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with our nearby family, who happen to be the best cooks when it comes to all things starchy! Dressing, rice, gravy, corn, pie...who needs a bird? Ivy was her adorable self...and she was actually awake for Thanksgiving this year! Here she was last year...



Then we spent the weekend decorating. Ivy's help was invaluable (in that there wasn't value to measure) but her enjoyment of all the new sights was more than enough motivation to brave the cold, and the little hands pulling at the tree, and all the things that take away the Christmas spirit. Having Ivy around and a little Christmas music on the radio could fill the Grinch with the wonder of the season. (And USA's fifteenth showing of ELF is always there too!)



When Ivy woke up Saturday morning, the tree was finished...


In the evening, she was still curious but cautious...



Who needs mistletoe?


This is quintessential Ivy...a fish face and a swimmy diaper in hand. I had to post it.


Outside she wanted to help Papa decorate the roof...


Cute and Cold...

It was a Birthday Week!

Thursday was Ivy's first birthday, and she celebrated on antibiotics thanks to something she caught from her Papa. She looked cute as a button anyway!


Then Friday, she wanted to let everyone know tht she was 1 year old!



Saturday Ivy discovered the fun of a baton. Her momma can't wait for the day a few years from now, when Ivy will actually twirl that baton!