Sippy Cup

We're on the hunt for a sippy cup. Little O can't seem to get the hang of a sippy cup. Miss A was drinking from a sippy cup (and no bottle) when she turned 1 - the day after. I plan to do the same thing with Little O, but I need her to love a sippy cup. I think it's going to take awhile with her. She loves her bottle!



We've tried born free, green sprouts, nuk, tommy tippee, gerber, and a handful of others. So far, born free is the best (it's the bottle she uses), but she's not a pro. A work in progress.

A Sewing Nana

Thanks to a fabulous sewing Nana, Miss A has another matching outfit for her bitty baby. Everything matchy matchy is how she's wanting to operate these days. Matching with her baby and loving it!

Baby UGGS

The cutest baby on the block sporting her new accesories.

Bad Hair Day, Always

With wearing a helmet almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Little O constantly has a bad hair day. Every.single.day.

Here's proof. Poor thing.




This is what her hair looks like when I take off the helmet. I don't think little O is ever going to have to worry about volume in her hair. :)

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance


And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance


I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance


And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)


I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance


And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)


(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)


~ Lee Ann Womack

Bare Bottoms

In the very short 45 minutes to an hour that Little O is helmet free, we usually spend our time bare bottoming it around the house. The helmet gets rather smelly (really stinky), as does her head and hair. We bath and wash little O extremely well and then let her play around. She loves it!

Look at the rolls and chub. She is slowly slimming out, believe it or not. And if you can tell from the pictures, little O has incredibly curly hair when wet.

Just Another Fun Afternoon

Just another typical afternoon for the Chef family. Lots of laughs, lots of fun, and usually a few pictures to capture the moments.

The Tupperware Drawer

Doesn't every mom have a drawer or a cabinet full of tupperware and plastic goods that their children can play with and make a complete mess? Well, this mom does. My Miss A loved playing with dishes, and Little O does as well.

Our Little Helmet Baby

Little O is now fully accepting of her new helmet. She wears it at least 23 hours per day. The only time the helmet is removed is for a bath, and helmet washing, and sometimes to get clothes over her head. Otherwise, it's on all.day.long.every.single.day.

Trust me, the helmet doesn't slow her down one bit.

She still finds ways to climb under her baby einstein exersaucer.

Play like a little baby.

Crawl underneath the kitchen table and chairs.

Put EVERYTHING in her mouth she's not supposed to be "eating" ...

And yes, learning to stand up and play with her big sister, Miss A.

If anything, the helmet has turned into a protective barrier for her head. She wiggles in places and doesn't think twice about it because it won't hurt her if she squeezes herself between the coffee table and couch or under tables, hitting walls, etc.

She has become our plagiocephaly little helmet wearing baby. We have our first head measurement with specialist tomorrow to assess changes with the therapy thus far.

All I know, is that the helmet isn't slowing her down a bit! She one active little 7-month-old.

A New Set of Wheels

The Iron Chef's new car FINALLY arrived. He's been driving around rental cars for several months.

His vehicle is a new Ford Explorer and I must admit, it's pretty sharp looking. They really changed the look up a ton with this new model.

1st Day of Preschool

Going back to school is so much fun, especially for a 3-year-old. Miss A was definitely a little shy upon arriving ...


But she relaxed and became comfortable in no time at all.


Here is Miss A with her new teacher, Mrs. M. The class consists of 13 children. They have extra helpers in the classroom, but this is the main teacher. Miss A ADORES her thus far and we're off to a great 2nd week of classes.


Miss A has a special cubby with her name, too.


And just a few other pictures of the classroom. I did not snap too many, but a few to give everyone an idea of her classroom.






This preschool came highly recommended to us. Let's hope it lives up to the expectations. I never thought I'd be putting so much energy and effort into deciding on a preschool for Miss A.

The school states --- For over 20 years STAR Education has been a leading advocate for public schools, children and their families by providing award-winning educational and enrichment programs that promote student achievement, increased test scores, self confidence and a life-long love of learning. STAR Preschool is designed to identify and nurture the individual talents and interests of our students in a format the excites, inspires and motivates young minds. STAR Education's measurable results have earned it the prestige of being named a "MODEL PROGRAM" by the WHITE HOUSE and the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. STAR Education is the largest provider of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) in the State of California, and has been selected to be a state wide Supplementary Service Provider (SES) through the "No Child Left Behind Act."

Here's hoping for a wonderful year. So far, so good. Tomorrow is "share" day for Miss A and she is bringing Bitty Baby and wearing matching outfits.