She's a PERSON!

Dyllan is really starting to talk now, and for the first time it feels like we can communicate!  She is no longer a blob baby... she is really a little girl- who talks all the time.  Not only does she communicate, she now interacts, laughs, hugs, kisses, and loves like a person.  She's got feelings and questions, and wants and demands.. she makes us laugh constantly - and has really become her own person- with such a personality.

She loves trying on shoes- anyones shoes, but especially mine.. she will parade around the house, store, beach, or wherever laughing at herself the entire time.. she loves all things girly... purses (she has her own Dora the Explorer purse she likes to carry around), make up- whenever she sees me putting on my make up she has to do the same with her (dollar store) make up brush kit, she loves to brush her (2 strands of) hair, and wear bows, hats, necklaces and dresses.  She loves looking at herself in the mirror (that might be passed down from her dad..), putting on lip gloss, and saying "oooo, pretty" to everything- especially when it relates to her.

She dances to any and all music that she hears (even if its just a commercial on TV).  She has her own dance moves- god only knows where she picks these up from- her own style, and best of all she gets such a kick out of herself.  Its funny cause I often think.. yes, we are responsible for guiding her to be the best person she can be.. but she is ultimately in control of her life and how she chooses to feel, think, and make decisions.  Even at such a young age... its amazing to watch her make her own decisions (i.e. turning off the tears- since no one reacts to a brat- or copying every move I make - seeing how funny I will think it is).  I can't help but wonder what this little diva is going to turn out like...

Dyllan latest words/phrases are ...

• Poppy (my dad)
• Lozzo "La-lo"
• Sean "San"
• Beach
• Park
• Sand
• Swimming "Simming"
• No Way, Dada
• Ya, Ya Coooolll!
• Oooo, Pretty
• Kisses
• Mylo 
• Benji 
• Please "peas"
• Thank You "gank-gu"
• Car
• Dog, Cat, Horse, Crab
• Shell
• Book, Story, Elmo.. 
• Bed Time 
• Bath Time "Ba-Time"
• Brush teeth "brush tee"
• Monkey, ooo-ahhh-ahhh-ahh

There are so many more that I can't think about right now- cause she is honestly learning so many new things every day.  Its so fun to see her learning and picking things up so quickly.

One of her favorite things is when Dan comes home- or whenever he decides to give me a hug or a kiss.. she just stands there, smiling, watching, looking, soooo jealous... then she comes over and we pick her up and she give me a kiss first, then Dan, then give us both "cuddles".. its super cute.

Here are 3 videos from lately.. I keep forgetting to share videos too, Ill try to get better at that.

Dyllan Dances to Crazy P on our coffee table (video is kind of long- but worth a good laugh!  Its gets better as she warms up)

"No Way- Dada"- on the way to the Sydney Festival

"Poppy"

NY eve- Dyllan wants Frankie to put my lip gloss on her

Just one of my many hats she cruises around with regularly

Happy Girl

Dancing at the Sydney Festival

Bows and Burritos... and yelling something!

Not sure why she needs the bag (to catch the dripping sauce) 

One of my favorite Dyllan Looks.. Cheeky smile

Obsessed with Eva's pom pom clip on earring!

A stroll with a 2 year old

Walking home with a 2 year old means stopping every second- to literally smell the flowers.  Today was no exception.  As Dan and I walked home from the gym- Dyllan trailed behind- noticing everything insight.  Its moments like these that one day- I just know we will look back at and think.. wow, they really do grow up so fast.  So instead of rushing her along- we walked Dyllan speed- being silly and laughing uncontrollably (Dyllan Monkey)-  stopping to watch the butterfly flutter her wings, the cat sharpen his claws on the tree trunk, see how many dandelions "fwowers" can fit in one hand, collect sticks, climb in and out of canyons (just pot holes to us), "run, run, run and STOP" (working on stopping), pick the eucalyptus from the tree (to bring it home to dry)...  its the little things like these that bring Dyllan pure joy.. a smile from ear to ear the entire .2 mile walk home.

Its days like today that I am thankful I have no plans, no deadlines, no to-do lists, no one to be accountable to, and nothing better to do than enjoy the summer sun, and lives little pleasures.  Thanks Misses Bug for being so darn slow and inquisitive.  Gotta love her.

Bear the Cat 

Dyllan Monkey

Rocks anyone?!

Dyllan's favorite new activity (Dyllan Monkey- oooo ahhh ahhh ahhh)

Picking "Fwowers"

Spotted:  Bear the cat - gonna go get him!

C'mon Dad- lets go get the Cat and pull his tail!!

Its not trespassing, Dad!  The cat is calling me!

Cheeky Moneky

Come here, you, Cat...

Got your tail!!

Bouncing like a baboon on dads shoulders- weeeeeeeeeeee!

Sushi Queen

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year!  2012- here we come.  

Lots to look forward to this year... Dyllan turns TWO (January 24)!  Dad and Tatyana have booked their flights to Sydney- we are so excited to see them March 5-18th- two of my best friends from college are getting married (Jenny, and Tone)- so we will be back in the US and A over the summer for that- I turn the BIG Three-O! Yikes..  its gonna be an eventful, and fun year.  

Do you have a new years resolution?!  Starting this year- I am going to make new years resolutions.. real ones.. that are not far fetched, and that don't set me up for failure.  I need to start with something realistic- and build from that.  Anyone who knows me, knows that my will power and self control- especially when it comes to snacks, candy, and exercise goals.. isn't great.  I generally try to eat healthy, and exercise, but when it comes to actually setting a specific goal, a time to achieve it by, and result at the end.. I am hopeless.  Some people are good at these.. my friend Natalie- one year- gave up all sweets for an entire year!  In all honesty- I don't know if I could even do that for a week (or more than 1 day).  Other people commit to training for an event- like Dan and Sean did last year for the Ironman.  Others give up drinking- like my dad and also Dan's parents- which is very impressive.  

So what have I ever given up?!  Well.. I DID give up drinking for quite a few months (probably not 9 since Dyllan was born at 7 months!- but close!)... I also gave up swimming after my senior year in high school- which Sean - to this day is still impressed (mostly that somehow I shimmied my way off the competitive swimming train.. while he was stuck swimming for another 7 years?!)  Haha- I didn't have nearly the potential Sean did though.. so it went rather unnoticed.  I have given up nail salons (no time or money for that), steaks and all red meat really (except when Dad makes it)  which was easy since I don't really crave red meat- and its not nearly as good here in Australia, I've given up pop and coffee- oh and bin candy- only cause its too expensive and super inconvenient or hard to find around here... so I guess I've given some things up... BUT not really on purpose- or even by choice.  

So this year- here are a few things I would be happy with achieving:

Achievable New Years Resolutions for 2012

1. For the next 3 months I will be a pescatarian (sp?)
2. Drink 2 liters of water a day
3. Try something new at the gym/ train for something
4. Run a marathon in 2012
5. Read to Dyllan before bed at least 5 days a week (even if I am SO sick of her books)
6. Sell something on ebay or gumtree
7. No snacking after 8:30pm (and NO midnight snacks)
8. Make 3 new "mom" friends before Dyllan's birthday (so she has at least 3 friends to invite to her party!)
9. Go to the dentist before Dad and Tatyana arrive
10. Get skin checked for skin cancer
11. Research insurance- sign up
12. Get a job that will give me a good work/life balance and time with Dyllan (i.e. part time, normal hours)
13. Make a realistic financial budget and stick to it- start saving- and put at least $5 into Dyllan's savings account each month

Less Achievable- but will REALLY try

1. Reduce ice cream consumption to 3 magnum's a week
2. No wine on week nights (well Monday- Thurs) 
3. Only eat healthy chocolate (70% dark cocoa or higher)
4. Eat oatmeal or something else healthy for breakfast (i.e. no more pizzas or kebabs for breakfast)
5. Sign up and finish 1 ocean swim

New years eve and New Years day were both super fun!  NYE we went to the Langridges- had dinner at their house- then headed to Tania park to see the fireworks.  We came back to their house- for desert and more champagne- to watch the fireworks on their balcony - of the harbor bridge.  Great night- good food- and lots of laughing and being wild.

Wouldn't be an Aussie NYE without shrimps on the barbie!

Misses Bug at the adult table- the girls had her all propped up with pillows and stuffed animals- she was in heaven

"Uncle Pete"- visiting from the UK (on his 3 months vacation that firefighters get over there!  no fair!?)

Tania Park- Misses Bug loves the glow sticks

 New years day- Dan encouraged me to go on a run to shake my hangover- and switch gears for the afternoons festivities- The High Fliers Little Secret- Warehouse party.  Luckily, it worked- and I was ready to go.  I think all the excitement at the beach helped pump me up! Check out Manly beach- on New years day..

Manly Beach- NY day

Later that afternoon- we headed to the city to see one of our favorite groups- Crazy P preform.  Natalie and Anthony were so sweet and volunteered to watch the bug- and take her to the beach while we were at the concert... do we have good friend or what?!

The concert was AMAZING- and the warehouse was probably the coolest venue we have ever been to.. some interesting characters - which made people watching a ton of fun!  Wish I took more pictures- but we were too busy dancing away!

Dan, Cliney, Pete, Tulla (and Tulla's friend- who was so much fun and I can't for the life of my remember her name!!)

Me, Rocky, and Wal