Christmastime in NYC

Savannah, Oscar, and I spent last week in New York visiting old friends and enjoying the holiday festivities in the city.  This was mine and Savannah's first time back since we moved in April and within the first 12 hours I was already reminded of why we left---the traffic, the noise, the trash, the expense, etc.  I am so thankful that we now live in Chapel Hill but we did have a great time visiting our old home.

her favorite spot in the hotel room--the windowsill 

Savannah and I were able to run in Central Park every morning despite the frigid temperatures.  On Wednesday, we visited my old workplace in Brooklyn Heights and had lunch some a couple of my Brooklyn girls.  Then on Thursday, we spent the afternoon with LoAn and little Kieran.  Savannah absolutely LOVES Kieran.  In fact, she wouldn't stay off of him.  She was constantly chasing after him to give him hugs and kisses.  It was really the cutest thing ever!  I think Kieran was terrified at first but Savannah's persistence helped her to grow on him.  I so wish these two lived closer together--I'm sure they would be the bestest of friends.  On Friday evening we had a big group dinner with the whole gang.  It was so great to see everyone and all the children.  It's amazing how different things change within just a couple of years.  We've seen each other marry, have babies, and move away but we somehow all manage to stay in touch.

my snoozing running partner--apparently her job remains the same regardless of city

Savannah playing with Kieran's toys. She was barely able to squeeze into this.

 Our Friday night dinner at Otto

Haley with 7 week old Perry

John and Carson (14 months)

Miles (4 years) being silly--Savannah LOVES him, too!

Miles and Mark

Kieran (8 months) and Carter

Kiera (2years) being goofy

Kiera checking out Perry with Daryl

Savannah's in charge of the drink selections

On Saturday we did our annual visit to the 34th street Macy's Santa Wonderland.  I am always amazed at how entertaining, captivating, and exciting their Santa experience is.  What a change from last year when Savannah slept the entire time.  This year her little head was spinning--there was so much to see and hear.  She did great all the way up until being put on Santa's lap.  I think she was terrified of the old man.  Hopefully he'll still stop by Grams' and Grandad's house with all her presents :)

taken just seconds before the meltdown

Rockefeller Center

"Hey mom, why can't we go ice skating down there?"

on our way back to the airport

Oh how I love the city at Christmastime and this year I loved it even more since I was able to go home at the end of the week :)

Savannah Grace at 13 Months

Savannah is entering into her toddler years with a bang!  We like to call our little princess a "terror"!  She gets into any and everything all the time.  Now that she is walking 100% of the time, there is no stopping her.  No zone is off limits, the poor doggies have no where to hide, and my new Christmas decorations already look a few years old.  And when she's not destroying something, she's yelling at me for holding her back.  This little lady has a mind of her own and the strength and determination to get her way.  Lord help us as we get closer and closer to the 'terrible twos' because I may have to bring in reinforcement if she keeps this up :)

At 13 months, Savannah is......
~walking all the time!  In fact, she's almost running!

~eating pretty much everything.  Her favorites are anything with peanut butter, anything with cheese, and anything with chocolate---she's definitely her mother's daughter :)

Peanut butter face

~constantly in the center of everything!  I'm barely able to type this blog because she thinks she has to be sitting in my lap "helping".

Savannah "helping" Grams sew curtains

~playing with Max and Lilly all the time.  Lilly is definitely her little buddy but Max spends most of his time running from her.

~climbing into and on everything!  Toys that she hasn't been playing with for months are like all new toys since she has figured out how to climb into them on her own.  I sure hope Santa brings something fun and safe for her to get into :)

climbing into her walker--usual both legs get stuck in one opening

climbing into her car from the wrong side

the tupperware cabinet--still an all-time favorite spot

~having temper tantrums.  She doesn't like being told "no", "stop", "no touch", "be nice", or "share".  And she will definitely let you know she's not happy.

her reaction to being told to stop pushing her high chair

~still has the most beautiful hazel eyes--very much like her uncle Harlan.  After 13+ months of not changing, I think they're here to stay--woohoo!

I love how blue her eyes look when she is wearing blue.

not sure if we see much Alvarez in her--the Johnson gene seems to dominate 

~finally becoming a little affectionate.  She has never been a cuddly snuggle sort of baby but she now loves to give Mama kisses and hugs and I LOVE receiving them!!  She even loves to hug other babies and children.  This usually terrifies the other child but if they're receptive they see that she's just trying to be lovey :)

Even though I dreaded the changing of my baby becoming a toddler, I sure do love each and every day with my 13 month old girl!  

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

I LOVE this time of year!!!  I love the decorations, the music, the smells, the flavors, the chill in the air, and so much more!  This year I couldn't wait to start decorating my (our) very own house.  I've secretly been buying decorations since after Christmas last year specifically for various spots in the new house :)  I think I've finally achieved perfection---at least for this year.  I've got to save something to do for next holiday season and I already have ideas for things I'll be adding. 

So here is what the Alvarez house looks like for this Christmas season......

Welcome to the Alvarez Home

the front yard at night

foyer

dining room

silver and gold tree in the dining room

gingerbread tree in the kitchen

family room

Savannah taking ornaments off the family tree

family tree

a few nutcrackers from our collection

Savannah's pink tree in her bedroom

We even got our first snow in Chapel Hill this weekend!  It snowed most of the day on Saturday and left a nice fluffy blanket.  It's the perfect backdrop for all our Christmas decorations.

me and my little snow bunny

She LOVES this time of year!