What Not to Wear

This is the unfortunate, too small outfit your daughter wears when all her other clothes are clean and packed.


She doesn't seem to offended by it though.

First Play Doh Masterpiece

During Aunt Jen's visit, we had a Play Doh session. Penny created this lovely work of art:


I was pretty impressed with her color balance and use of abstract form :).

The artist at work:


Mommy's attempt at a holiday-themed creation:

Penny's First Dentist Appointment

With 16 teeth already in and the remaining 4 coming, we thought it about time we get those pearly whites looked at by a dentist. So last Thursday Penny made her first trip to Dr. James. Their waiting room is a mini-toy store, with so many fun things to play with and explore.
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And office dogs! This is Sonic:


When it was our turn to go into the exam room Penny realized it might not be something she wanted to partake in:


But we were able to get her interested in all the wonderful presents she was about to get including a great new Tigger toothbrush, a timer to ensure we are brushing long enough and a sheet of stickers.
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Gabe settled in with his new friend:

[caption id="attachment_5180" align="alignnone" width="560"] Sonic stayed there for the majority of our visit.[/caption]

The hygienist was successful in getting the bib and and lip gloss for both Penny and Boo (although Penny is starting to look a little suspicious…)[gallery type="square" ids="5178,5182,5181"]

And then all bets were off when she tried to get the purple dye that shows plaque on Penny's teeth.
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So we sat knee-to-knee with me holding Penny and the hygienist brushing her teeth. She wasn't too happy about it but it was over quickly enough and then she got to brush the big dragon's teeth:[gallery type="rectangular" ids="5188,5191,5190,5189"]

While we waited for Dr. James to come in we got our family picture taken with Sonic:


When the doctor arrived Penny once again had a feeling she wasn't going to enjoy it so we repeated the knee-to-knee so Dr. James could get a good look at those chompers.


[caption id="attachment_5194" align="alignnone" width="560"] That's Gretchen, who belongs to Dr. James. She was overseeing what was going on. There is something sort of funny about poor Penny and then this dog, just hanging out.[/caption]

After her exam Penny was back to her normal self with the help of a bottle and a toy she got to choose (she picked the wheely santa sleigh, good choice if you ask me).


We did find out that Penny has some plaque and gingivitis, even though we were brushing every evening. So now we use the timer every night, brush for over the recommended 45 seconds and make extra sure to get those back bottom molars that we were told are a little soft in the enamel. We also need to ween the Little Miss off of her pacifier as she is starting to get "pacifier teeth", where they stick out a bit. Luckily they should go back to normal after a few months once we've retired her sucker.

All in all it was a good first experience. I don't think Penny is too scarred to return and Gabe and I are glad that we now know the proper way to keep those teeth clean and healthy.

[caption id="attachment_5196" align="alignnone" width="560"] Penny with her goodies bag.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5197" align="alignnone" width="560"] And all her loot, including a snowman ornament she also got to choose herself.[/caption]

Penny and the Panda

Well don't they make just the cutest little couple?


"Oh hi you there, Panda Bear…"


"Well that nose looks pretty interesting….is anyone watching?"




Poor Panda! Reconstructive rhinoplasty make be required.

Dance-Along Nutcracker

Penny and I had a Mommy-Daughter Date on Saturday to Dance-Along Nutcracker.

Some of the ladies I take ballet class with appeared in the performance and my teacher created part of the choreography. The San Francisco LGBT Orchestra performed the live music and the theme was Nutcrackers of the Caribbean, so needless to say it was not your tradition Nutcracker. I had hoped it would be something Penny would enjoy because of her love of dance and I was not wrong.

    

Unfortunately the focus button on our camera was accidentally switched to manual vs auto so some of the pictures are blurry, but they are enough to preserve the memories of our fun afternoon.

Penny was definitely intrigued when the music first started and the disco ball lit up the room:

All it took was asking "Penny, do you want to dance?" for her to get her groove on:

Such a good audience member, there was applause after every number:

It was such a sweet afternoon. I hope to make it a holiday tradition for years to come.

Penny Visits Santa

We made it to Santa's local workshop yesterday so we could get our annual picture take with the Big Guy.


While we were in line I snapped some pics, too:
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I couldn't help but compare to last year. Penny has grown so much, but I love how her expression hasn't changed all that much:


And these too:


Thanks Santa, Merry Christmas!

Dresses for Dinner…and Breakfast

Sorry for the blurry pics, this kiddo doesn't stand still for much these days but had to share the 'outfit'. Dressed for dinner, indeed.

…And breakfast the next morning. Can't be without those 'pearls':