Vita had a blast on her second Christmas. We drove down to LA through the night, so that Vita would sleep through the six hour drive. When Vita woke up, we were at Grandma Marianne and Grandpa Vito's house! Here's Vita reading with Aunt Mary, and then playing with Uncle Pat.
When the rain cleared, we went over to check out one of the many playgrounds at Griffith Park.
Poor Vita, tortured with love...
Next we went over to Uncle Pat's house for dinner. Once again, Vita made herself right at home.
The next morning was Christmas Eve, and we woke up at Aunt Mary's house and enjoyed warm banana bread and coffee in our pajamas while Vita got warmed up for the main event by playing with one of her birthday toys that we had saved for just such an occasion.
Since we started the day early, we had lots of time in the morning to just relax and cuddle and enjoy, and it felt so luxurious!
Soon, Grandma Marianne and Grandpa Vito came over, and the party officially began. I love the huge smiles in this picture!
Vita was enjoying dancing to Louie Prima, so the rest of us joined in the fun.
As the sun went down, the lights of the tree were so pretty.
We had another great dinner, and then we started opening presents. Again, Vita made out like a bandit. Here's Vita with Uncle Pat while Dad assembles Vita's new play tent.
Now here's Vita and Dad in the tent. FUN!
Vita also received a pop up caterpillar tunnel, which she LOVES! As soon as we opened this tunnel, Vita charged right through it... as Uncle Pat waited on the other end.
After a fun filled Christmas Eve, we headed down to Orange County on Christmas morning to see Grandma Victoria, Aunt Jen (not to be confused with Aunt Jennifer, or with Vita's mom Jenny) and Great Grandpa Jim, and Vita's cousins Natalie and Kyle. We started by reading some stories by the main Christmas tree.
There were lots of Christmas trees at Aunt Jen's, and Vita would look at the trees with wide eyes and gently point to the ornaments.
Vita met three more dogs, including Mandy pictured below. She also met two birds, and repeatedly said "bird" (a new word).
Vita with Grandma Victoria.
Vita was given some vintage ornaments, and she loved them. She looked at each ornament in each box and had the most interesting reactions, laughing at some and talking to others. Then, she managed to stack all of the boxes on top of each other (a new skill) and even stack her sippy cup on top. She was so pleased that she sat down and applauded her accomplishment.
Through all the travel, Vita was in really good spirits, which made it so much fun... But here's the best part. On Christmas day, Vita put some of her new skills together. She had been saying "hi" and "mama", and she had been walking and hugging..., but on Christmas day Vita walked across the room towards me, with her arms outstretched, and said "hi mama" and gave me a hug! It was the best Christmas present ever!
When the rain cleared, we went over to check out one of the many playgrounds at Griffith Park.
Poor Vita, tortured with love...
Next we went over to Uncle Pat's house for dinner. Once again, Vita made herself right at home.
The next morning was Christmas Eve, and we woke up at Aunt Mary's house and enjoyed warm banana bread and coffee in our pajamas while Vita got warmed up for the main event by playing with one of her birthday toys that we had saved for just such an occasion.
Since we started the day early, we had lots of time in the morning to just relax and cuddle and enjoy, and it felt so luxurious!
Vita met three more dogs, including Mandy pictured below. She also met two birds, and repeatedly said "bird" (a new word).
Vita was given some vintage ornaments, and she loved them. She looked at each ornament in each box and had the most interesting reactions, laughing at some and talking to others. Then, she managed to stack all of the boxes on top of each other (a new skill) and even stack her sippy cup on top. She was so pleased that she sat down and applauded her accomplishment.
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