Visitors

So I am finally updating my blog after more than a month. It's just like life to make me lazy and crazy. Sienna has changed so much over the last month. She now dances like a rock star, twirling in circles, has learned how to manipulate me with her crying to receive the car keys or the dirty broom, has learned that swatting at things swiftly and boldly makes them go flying (like her food or bottle right after I clean), has learned that "good night, I love you" means that Mom and Dad will leave the room to make her sleep by herself- which promptly leads to pouting- , loves to scribble with her colors-holding the pencil like she has done it for years- and has added numerous words to her vocabulary such as; ta-tye (bye bye) and poop. She definately has the "pa" and "po" syllables mastered. Sometimes she gets herself all worked up and runs around the house saying "pama, mapa" and "papo" and "mapo". She is so entertaining. I am never bored, but I frequently feel exhausted after playing with her for a few hours. I don't know how she does it, she is so energetic and persuasive.

We have had the pleasure of having many friends visit us over the past year. Sienna still remembers her good friend, Leyli, that came to visit her last year. Our most recent visitors were Danny and Angel from Spain who were working on a film project when they came to visit us. Having friends visit us is so refreshing to the soul. Sometimes I forget who I was before Sienna entered my life. Now we are working on the integration of those worlds. My friend, Nicole, gave me a fabulous children's book. There is a poem that says, "Parents are people, people with children, busy with children and the things that they do..." For some reason, this poem always reminds me to take care of myself too.

Sienna`s nose

Regular messiness

For those of you who have had the displeasure of living with me, you all will be happy to know that at my house you now have to work your way through a maze of toys, backpacks and papers before arriving at your destination. Sometimes, I even leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.

Pigtails

I am still hoping that Sienna inheirted her father`s hair and not mine. However, the evidence is still proving otherwise. She has thin, barely there hair which appears to be blond. But not too blond, there is still time for it to change. She becomes more entertaining and beautiful each day. We went to the causeway for an afternoon bike ride last Sunday and she was just overwhelmed with excitement. Now I completely understand why people have children and more children. There is really no other person I would rather be with. I am enjoying this time when Sienna and I are best friends. I hear that it all changes when they become teenagers. Is that really true, Mom?
Sienna is such a good baby. She has slept through the night since three months old, she has learned to take a nap during the day, she eats well and only cries and complains when you will not let her play with the dirty broom and mop or let her throw your cell phone off the balcony. You can take her anyway and she is already obedient. She will pick up something off the floor, look around to see if anyone is looking before she puts it in her mouth. Then, when someone says no, she will guiltily hand it over. She has recently expanded her vocabulary to (in order of frequency); papa, mama, esta, gagagag, bah, boo, pah, etc... She loves to sit and read her books and just gab to herself. This to, is one of my favorite activities. I will get a video of it soon.

Santa Catalina

Sienna loves to travel. At least if she can get out of her car seat and walk around for a few minutes every few hours. She has been fabulous to travel with. She sleeps through the night at hotels! What a fantastic baby. We went to a surf contest in Santa Catalina and she was in heaven. She even got to go on a boat and play with a surf board. I bought her a cute little blue swimsuit cover just for the occasion. She was desperately upset with us when we left to find some shade. She just keeps waiting for the next trip somewhere.

Sienna is better off than her parents

She really is.
Look at that. She is only one year old and she owns her own home and car. All this without going into debt. Can you believe it? She loves crawling in and out of the house and I have seen her talking to the little blond girl that guards the front door. I am still not sure what color Sienna's hair is but it seems to be red. She is almost walking but balance seems to keep her from trying more. However, when she walks, she will run the same day. She is just that kind of girl. Now she can't go to the park without walking around for awhile pushing her stroller. My back is killing me.

So maybe we don't own our own home or have a reliable car and maybe we have a few school loans to pay off but we certainly dont let that stop us from taking trips. We recently went to the beach of Santa Catalina about 5 hours from Panama City. This trips have to be fast because I usually have to work. Fortuantely, I had some unexpected time off and my friend Tylea was visiting. A perfect excuse to take a trip. Sienna was fabulous on the trip which means that we will definately try a little longer next time. Here are some photos of the beautiful sunset we saw when we were there. Come visit. I will quit my job and we will go touring.