Happy New Year!

It has officially been over a year since we started Baby Webb Blog. Flashback a year ago and we were in the hospital on monitors preparing to possibly have Melia on New Years Eve. We were definately in a different emotional state than we are today.

A year ago we were concerned about the baby making it through delivery. Today, Melia is a healthy and happy almost 1 year old! We have been so blessed by having her in our lives. Her smile and laugh lights up a room.

Our lives have changed a lot over the past year, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Best wishes to you and your family a healthy, happy 2010!

Gift Idea

With Melia's first birthday just 2 weeks away, a lot of people are asking me what to get her. Just coming off Christmas, I really wish she had a summer birthday. We have been blessed with some great friend that have given Melia their childrens gently used clothes and toys. Between that and having great friends and family that "showered" Melia with gifts when she was born, she hasn't really gone without.

Melia is just now wearing 9 month clothes, but has enough 12 month clothes to wear a different outfit each day. So if you are looking to buy clothing, I would recommend 18 months in summer styles and 24 months in winter styles. She is lacking in the footwear dept. She could use some socks and some shoes. She is wearing size 3 shoes now - but she doesn't need 100 pairs of shoes. So a few in some size 4 and 5 would be great.

There are a few toys left on her Amazon wish list, but I really think she has a good selection to play with.

Of course books are always appreciated. She loves books! Board books are still our favorite because all books end up in her mouth.

Not a "fun" thing to buy, but she could always use diapers (size 4 or 5) and wipes! I have some amazing friends that attended my baby shower in Florida. We had a door prize drawing and a box of wipes got you entered for a prize. I have one box left before I have to buy wipes. Pretty good considering she will be one!

Chris and I have always been fans of the "secondary gratification" gifts. Gift cards, event tickets. Presents you get excited about when you open, and then a second excitement when you use them later! Melia got a gift certificate for gymnastics lessons for Christmas. I thought that was an amazing gift. It is something she will get continued enjoyment out of, plus fun for Mommy and Daddy too! We love to take her to the Zoo, Museums, Aquarium, etc... While she is free until age 2, we still have to pay to get in. The memories created with these type of gifts are priceless.

While we appreciate all of her gifts, having loving family and friends is what means the most to us. And of course, Melia is the greatest gift we have ever received!

Merry Christmas!

Melia's first Christmas turned out great. We didn't go to all of the holiday activities we wanted, but I think she got her fill of HO HO HO. Between Christmas parades, Christmas parties and looking at Christmas lights, I think we are off to some great family traditions. And we finally got the tree up!

It was important to me that we have a tree for Melia's first Christmas. We normally get a large tree and have some small fake trees throughout the house. This year, because of all the remodeling at the house, I did not decorate for Christmas. But despite everything, we put up a 14 foot tree in the kitchen and finally got it decorated on December 23rd! Melia did well with the tree, although the glittery ornaments were very tempting!

Christmas eve was spent at Grammy's house with Daddy's family. Grammy got Melia some great gifts - Daddy had lots of fun playing with them! Christmas morning was spent at Aunt Lisies' house opening gifts from Santa (and Grandpa, Nonna and Grandma) with the cousins. Melia is very excited about her gift certificate to Bayside Gymnastics! Thanks Aunt Lisie!

Until the remodeling is complete (hopefully next week), most of the toys are staying put away. It will be like Christmas all over again when her play area is complete!

Christmas 2009 was very memorable and we are looking forward to many more!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

We have had three visits with Santa this year.

The first experience was at the Grotto Christmas Party. Melia did well when I was holding her, but the screams of terror started as soon as we sat her for a picture.

Experience number two was with Daddy at the St Pete Library. Again, she did fine from a distance or with Daddy holding her. She wanted nothing to do with sitting on his lap.

Third time must be a charm! Of course, it could be a better looking Santa. We went to a friends clubhouse for a Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. A real bearded Santa came to visit. He blessed the CHRISTmas tree with magic dust, let the kids smell Rudolf's collar, read a story and even looked each kids name up in his "Good Kids Book"! (Melia made the list!) Then each kid got to come up and get a present. Melia let Santa hold her and let me get a few pictures without crying - no smiles, but no tears. She sat and listened to his story and played with his bag of toys. It was magical.

I am looking forward to making Cookies and Cocoa with Santa an annual CHRISTmas tradition!

Table for 2.5

I read an article today about dining out with a baby. Chris and I love to go out to eat and do so on a regular basis. And that has not changed since we had Melia. My sisters kids are always well behaved in restaurants, and I think it is because she never hesitated to take them. If kids are taught from an early age how to behave at restaurants, you should be able to take them with you.

I have noticed service is a little different with a baby. You can tell the servers that have kids or grandkids vs. those that do not. I do appreciate the servers that try to be a little more flexible when dining with a baby, and reward them appropriately. You are not getting a big tip just because I am there with my kid, you will get a big tip because you EARN it while I am there with my kid.

The article made a point of telling parents not to "linger" when dining with a kid. I have never been the lingering type at restaurants. Now I really have a reason to finish my meal and leave. What drives me crazy is the servers that are beyond slow. I am happy to eat my meal and leave, just bring me the check so I can go!

We always have snacks, sippy cups and food for Melia when we go to restaurants. I am getting excited about her eating more "table" food because now she can share what I am having. Yesterday we had lunch at a Greek restaurant and I let her try lamb. She gnawed at it for awhile and eventually swallowed it. I LOVE Greek food, so my girl needs get used to it!

I always get emails and Facebook posts from my friends that are servers about how we should act when we go out to eat. So my response to them is, I am teaching my daughter how to behave in a restuarant. She won't learn that unless I take her to a restaurant. So don't give me dirty looks when we get sat at one of your tables. Smile, be friendly, be nice to my child and you will get what you really want - a decent tip.

11 Months!

11 months ago today, our beautiful baby girl was born. In just a few weeks, we will officially have a toddler! Melia is walking everywhere. Still falling, but she gets right back up and goes again.

A few weeks ago she was just shy of 18 lbs. Not sure of her weight right now. My mommy group's Christmas Party is the 18th, so I will weigh her then.

She waves and says bye bye. She has started trying to give kisses. Cute when it is a stuffed animal, not so cute when it is the dog - Melia kisses with her mouth open and Molly kisses by licking. She is very curious and is learning new things almost daily.

Today was also Melia's first experience with Santa. When I was holding her, and he was walking around, she did ok. Looking and touching his beard. But when we sat her on his lap, the tears started. I will post the memorable photos to our Webbsyght this week.

We are getting ready for Melia's first Christmas. Finally putting up the tree this week. And of course, planning her first birthday party! (Save the date - January 10, 2010!)