Christmas Time is Here

21 Month Photos

It is so much fun for Andy and I to notice all the little things that Sarah does that we think are just precious as she begins to speak and understand so much more each day.

At the Meridian Hills Country Club Family Christmas Party, we had such a wonderful time with family! There were all sorts of activities; including getting your photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a live reindeer and a carriage ride around the grounds. When Sarah and I first got there, there was no line to see Santa so we went up to Santa and Mrs. Claus. I asked Sarah if she wanted to sit on Santa's lap, and she said "NO!" and clung tigher to my arm. So, no photo with Santa. We tried after we had some yummy dinner buffet when Andy got there with my parents (who made it safely with not too much delay flying in from Washington D.C.). As soon as we got close to Santa, she held onto Andy tightly saying "no, no, no." So, we thought we try a carriage ride. On the way to the carriage ride, there was a reindeer in the lobby. At first, Sarah called out doggy but as she got closer she saw the antler and was a little hesistant but did want to go pet the reindeer with Uncle Dick & Andy. The highlight of the evening by far was the carriage ride. It was so beautiful with the 4 inches of snow on the ground and then light flurries. We all bundled up and had so much fun. Sarah loved it. Uncle Dick came to on the carriage ride. She wanted to go again!! I think for her birthday, we'll have to go on a family carriage ride around the Circle!

When we came back from the family christmas party, we tracked some snow in the house. Sarah kept pointing to the snow on the rug by the door saying "oh-no!, oh-no!" She loves her "oh-no's" when something spills on her shirt or pants she'll point to it and say "oh-no." Also, on our first floor, if the powder room door is open or cracked, she'll just walk by and be sure that it is closed since we keep it closed most of the time.

She had so much fun at Mass Ave Toy store on Saturday and then lunch at Bazbeaux with Mommy & Daddy. It was a very fun family activities for all three of us and a special day. Sarah loved going to Mass Ave. Toys because most all the toys are out and can be played with. She spent the most time in the baby doll and doll house section. She loved the baby dolls and the high chair and baby bed and then would go play with the doll house. She also loved the "real" shopping cart just her size. It was easy to get a few last minute ideas for her christmas:-) Lunch was so much fun too! It was such a delightful weekend!!!

20 Month Photos

 
 
 
 

Thanksgiving Highlights

I finally have sometime to upload some new photos from Thanksgiving. Highlights of this year's thanksgiving include a wonderful time at Meridian Hills. I'm not sure who ate more, me or Sarah. Sarah was perfect and when she finished, she had a blast with Bon Papa and his iPhone. After naptime (for all 3 of us), we headed to Grandma's & Grandpa's for some of grandpa's famous rolls and turkey and of course some apple pie, pecan pie, and pumpkine roll-up dessert. Sarah enjoyed that morning watching some of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and learned how to do a highkick (which she still enjoys doing!). The friday after Thanksgiving was a very exciting day. Sarah got a new girl cousin!!! We can't wait to meet her. Also, Sarah got to help Aunt Carol with decorating the Christmas tree at Grandma's. She did a great job placing the ornaments on the lower branches and then pointing to where on the higher branches she would like the ornaments. She has an eye for design, just like her daddy! Sarah also loved the antique highchair that also doubles as a stroller. A huge hit at grandma's and grandpa's in addition to the lollipops. Sarah loves the Snow Village out at Glamma's & Bon Papa's.

Here are some new photos!

Happy Holiday Season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Shopping & Toddler Bed

It was an eventful and exciting weekend for Sarah this past weekend. Saturday morning, Andy converted Sarah's crib to a toddler bed. She loved helping Daddy out. She looks at the two little rails Daddy put on and says "Dada, Dada." She is very, very excited about having a big girl bed. We thought we would do the transition a few months before the new baby gets here.

After we converted Sarah's bed, we headed out to Castleton to do a little Christmas shopping. Sarah LOVED shopping and seeing all the deocorations and people plua the holiday music. She was clapping along to the music and had a huge smile on her face as we strolled in her stroller through the mall. Andy tried on a winter jacket, and we asked Sarah what she thought and she said "ohhh!" She fell asleep on the way home from our exciting morning shopping and having lunch out at the mall. The first nap in the toddler bed went smoothly since she stayed asleep from the car.

That evening, Sarah slept excellent in her bed. The next two nap times were a bit more challenging. I would go in there and she would be twirling in the middle of her room or looking out the window just going "ya ya ya." However, today, while we were reading our stories before naptime, she hopped down from my lap and ran over to her bed saying "night night" and layed down in her bed. I kissed her goodnight and shut the door and then didn't hear a peep.

We've enjoyed a week of 70 degree days last week; everyday going to the park. Andy had Veteran's Day off so we made a very fun trip to the park. I love grocery shopping and shopping with Sarah. It seems like just about every time we're out, someone comes up to me and tells me what a beautiful little girl Sarah is (I just have to be a boastful mom for a minute!!). We're working on having Sarah clean up before naptime & bedtime and leaving the house and she is doing a great job when asked to put toys away. She does best when we ask her to pick up specific toys. Hopefully this will continue. Yesterday at Glamma's when she played with every single toy upstairs, Glamma was nice enough to let us go home for a nap since she was very, very sleepy and ready for a nap and not able to clean up.

Andy and I had a very fun date night on Monday night. We saw John Melloncamp at Clowes!

Looking forward to Thanksgiving next week!

Christmas Card 2010

Our little ladybug

A little sneak peak for Halloween....

Over the past couple weeks, just about everyday, Sarah requests to put on her ladybug custom Gramma Sue got for her. She runs in her closets and starts tugging on the custom and making her little ladybug noise. We can finally wear it out in public this week! She wore it Wednesday night to Pasta Night and handed out candy from her little black cat personalized bag to EVERYONE:-) She did a great job going around to our family and our favorite staff and then to other tables around the dining room. On Friday, we went to Daddy's office to give out some Halloween cookies. They liked seeing her. They tried to get a good photo of Sarah put she is just too quick. We have been trying very, very hard for Gramma Sue to get a good photo but Sarah buzzes around in her custom. Here are a few attempts in Sarah's 19 month album.

Tomorrow afternoon, we have a Halloween playdate with afternoon snacks. Should be lots of fun!

Finally Some New Photos & Videos

This time my excuse for not writing and updating photos/video is that our camera was M.I.A.. We found the camera and tried to capture our beautiful little girl in action. It is getting harder and harder to get good photos since she is so active (as you can see in the 2 videos in the 19 month album, Sarah Margaret RUNS from one thing to the next).

New Photos & Video

Sarah's schedule has changed over the past couple weeks. She is down to one good afternoon nap (usually a good 2-3 hour nap). She wakes up in the morning when she hears Daddy in the shower. We hear the cutest "dada, dada" coming from her room in the morning when Andy runs the water and turns the light on in the bathroom. She come in our room for a little bit but then loves going down with Andy to make coffee and eat her banana while Daddy gets the coffee ready. She wakes up ready to go. She loves the park and can do the slide (her favorite) all by herself. She also likes to point out the holes in the mulch that most likely she says a doggy dug. She loves looking through her Bible at bedtime (especially the story about baby Esau & baby Jacob). You can't say bathtime unless it is time to give her a bath. Sarah has loved having Chloe the dog as a playmate. She'll throw the ball or Chloe and enjoys running around the backyard with Chloe. Inside, she'll set toys by Chloe to play with. She also enjoys putting Chloe's leash on and feeding the dog.

Baby Tresize #2 is doing well now at 14 weeks and through his/her first trimester.

New Photos

Finally able to post some new photos and videos. Click here to view.

Sarah Margaret did great at her holiday photo shoot at Janie & Jack. She looked beautiful in her holiday dress and patent leather shoes with white tights. The photos won't be ready for 6 weeks. She was a little distracted by the clothes all around her and really wanted to look through the clothes while we were there. She loves trying on Mommy & Daddy's shoes at home; her favorite are my Uggs. She learns new words everyday. Thanks to Bon Papa's iPhone, she loves saying oh man!. She also learned from Super Readers the word oven and hot. She does a great job saying the oven is hot as is Daddy's coffee. It was a beautiful morning at the park. Sarah does well going down the little slides all by herself. Such a big girl!

For little baby tresize #2, I go to the doctor this week!

Happy Fall!

Aunt Carol took the above photo of Sarah with Raggedy Andy.

It is hard to believe that fall is here! Little Baby Twiggy is 11 weeks and I'm feeling much better; back to working out and cooking.

We had a wonderful visit with Aunt Carol and Beth. We got to share a few meals together and do some fall & holiday dress shopping for Sarah at Janie & Jack. Beth got Sarah a beautiful straw hat and summer dress for Mackinac. The best part was that they surprised me with a matching dress for a baby (if the baby is a girl). Just want to be prepared.

I have some cute videos of Sarah to post but need to go to Glamma's to upload them.

Today at the park, Sarah climbed the steps and went down the little slide all by herself (I was close by just in case:-)) She did it about a hundred times.

BIG NEWS!

I know that it has been some time since my last post but I have a very good excuse:-) We found out a few weeks ago that Sarah is going to be a big sister! I'm due April 17th.

Click here for new 17 month photos & video.

Last week, I definitely felt pregnant with some tiredness. It also happened to be the week that the little peanut decided that one morning nap would do so I couldn't lay down in the afternoons.

We had lots of fun telling the family. We were up in Toledo two weeks ago and had Sarah put on a shirt that said big sister. The video of Grama Sue finding out is priceless! Sarah already has her Halloween costume thanks to Grama Sue. She is going to be a ladybug. It is so hard to get a good photo of her in it because she buzzes right along and doesn't stop to pose.

We're amazed at Sarah's language developing each day. Some new favorites are oh-no (when she drops something or something spills) and nana for Glamma. The pool is still one of her favorite activities and we're trying to go as much as possible before the pool closes labor day weekend.

I'll keep everyone posted when we update our blog address.

Pigtails and Naps!

Sarah's hair is finally long enough to do a ponytail or pigtails. She will actually keep the rubber bands in (unlike the bows that I try to get her to wear).

She also has been taking little catnaps on the way home from Glamma's & Bon Papa's after a busy day. She'll fall asleep in the car and then I will hold her until she wakes up. I love cuddling with her because she is usually too busy to cuddle with Mama or Daddy.

During her afternoon naps, she has recently tried everything to delay going down. She will need a diaper change, then wants to read a book and then must have a drink of water. So this means her afternoon nap now is a little later. Each day is completely different than the day before.

We had a very nice dinner tonight at Hollyhock Hill (one of Sarah's favorite places to eat) with GG & GG Pop. Sarah ate so much tonight--cottage cheese (with her own spoon), beets, crackers, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and of course chicken. She was too busy to make it to ice cream since she needed to check out the fountains and got a kick out of throwing pennies in the fountain.

I came across a couple neat websites:
http://www.houzz.com/ (great for home ideas)

http://www.paperspring.com/ (fun stationery and cards)

Mackinac Island Newspaper

I forgot to put the link to the article in which our family appeared in the Town Crier. We were shocked to get such a large photo and so much about our family!! Thank you Mrs. Doud.

We're on page 17.
Click here to read the our story.

Here is the text from the article:
Happy birthday to Aaron
Cislak, who celebrated his second
birthday on Mackinac Island
Wednesday, July 7. Aaron is the
nephew of Mary Cislak Tresize
of Indianapolis, Indiana, whose
family has been spending a week
in the summer on Mackinac
Island since 1985. This Fourth of
July, Mary and her husband,
Andy, along with their 15-
month-old daughter, Sarah
Margaret, joined her parents,
Gregory and Catherine Cislak,
and her brother, Cliff, his wife,
Anna, and their son, Aaron, of
Washington, D.C., on the Island.
They spend half their time at
Hotel Iroquois and the other half
at Grand Hotel. Mary’s aunt and
uncle, Jody and Dick Wert, also
share the same passion for the
Island.

New Photos

I thought we would get the 16 month photos/videos up before she turns 17 months.
Here they are!
16 month photos, click here

Almost 17 months

Please forgive us for not posting new pictures sooner. It has been a very busy month of July since we returned from vacation. We love the warm weather and can get out and do so many things. Most recently, we have taken advantage of the many splash parks in Indianapolis/Carmel. Sarah LOVES the splash park and loves getting all wet and sprayed by the water. I don't have any photos since I have to keep a close eye on Sarah because she goes from one thing to the next very quickly. We had a nice time with Mrs. Hall (mommy's friend Stephanie) at West Park in Carmel. Sarah explored the playground and then would cool off in the splash park area then back to the playground. She is our little explorer.

Over the past couple weeks, she has done such a good job eating off her plate and using a fork and spoon. She climbs up on the sofa and our rocker chairs very easily to "relax" for a few minutes. Sarah loves playing at the library and starts clapping when we turn down the street for the library (she also does this when we turn onto Glamma & Bon Papa's street). At the park, she enjoys going down the slides and climbing with Mom & Dad's help.

We had a wonderful time seeing Aunt Carol, and cousins Adrian & Preston before they head off to school. Sarah loved splashing around the pool and then the trip to Chipotle. We also had a wonderful family dinner at Hollyhock Hill, both are some of Sarah's favorite restaurants! I had to keep "borrowing" food from the other end of the table FOR SARAH :) She got to visit the fountains with Aunt Carol and named one of the benches by the fountain "Mama" and the other bench "dada." It was a special treat for Mama since I got to enjoy my dessert with coffee!! Thank you Aunt Carol!!

At the library yesterday, we went to a baby sign language class.

Fun with the Hobsons

We had a great time seeing our friends Sean & Amanda and meeting their daughter, Malea, who is one day older than Sarah. It was a hot day at the zoo but the girls had fun. Sarah did not want to leave the zoo and loved looking at the animals. Sarah kept calling the llamas "mama." That evening, the Hobsons came over for dinner and Malea and Sarah warmed up well to each other and played nicely together. We wish they didn't leave so far away in Vincennes, IN. Hope to see you all soon. Sean joked that Malea & Sarah are going to be roommates at Ohio State!
Here are some photos from our day.