The Tale of the Christmas Hatting

It's finally 2012, and Adalyn's been a whole ONE year old for quite some time now. What has she learned so far?

Well, let's see:
1) Adalyn "gih!" (gives) random objects to Daddy and Mommy. And then sometimes takes it away at the last second with a giggle and a smile...where did she learn this cheekiness from?
2) If Adalyn's not giving something to you, then she's "fwee!" (throwing) it somewhere for the cats to play with. Sometimes she even follows them around with one of their cat toys trying to play with them.
3) Adalyn gives hugs away for free, especially at daycare. It's no wonder everyone is absolutely in love with her. Even stuffed animals and shoes get hugs - she is an equal opportunity hugger.
4) Adalyn loves baths so much that being "gakay" (naked) is a blast! Sometimes when we're in the middle of outfits she asks "gakay?" but most of the time it's "gakay!" Ah, Adalyn now knows the freedom that comes with no pants...
5) Adalyn blows kisses to people as we wave bye-bye. It's really almost too much cute to take!
6) Adalyn can get in and out of her car like a little tiny person ready to go to work. All she needs now is a tie and a briefcase. Oh, and a packed lunch.
7) It's true. Adalyn steals hats, then puts them on her head and sports them proudly.
8) Adalyn knows what sounds dogs, cats, birds, and lions make. And when Mommy goes "ROAR!" Adalyn goes "roar!".
9) Adalyn has learned that "chee" (cheese) is the best thing since sliced bread. And she will eat it...and eat some more...and if you're not gonna finish that, she'll just take a few bites NOM NOM NOM...
10) Adalyn has learned that the "moo" (moon) is awesome. And if it's awesome, you have to say it over and over and over again and point at it so that everyone else knows how awesome it is.
11) Adalyn likes to walk around in her "shoo" (shoes) and "sah" (socks) and show them off to people.
12) Adalyn runs away and wants us to come up behind her and scare her, causing her to giggle and jump. And then she does it again...and again...
13) Adalyn LOVES "booh" (books), and is learning to read. She flips through the book like a sophisticated person and talks about the story she thinks she's reading.

Speaking of books, it's time to tell the tale of the Christmas hatting. It all began on a crisp, winter night. Mommy, Daddy, and Adalyn went to Old Town to visit the most ginormous Christmas tree that anyone has ever seen!

This is a ginormous Christmas tree, each branch composed of smaller Christmas trees. It's like the Voltron of the Christmas world.

Mommy and Adalyn bask in the warm Christmas tree glow.

Adalyn was SO excited by the Christmas tree, that she started getting ready for Christmas and the arrival of Santa Claus!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEAK! (Maybe this is a reindeer call??)

"Dear Santa, I want floofy pajamas, and a living room fort, and all the cheese I can eat, and...."

Adalyn composed her letter to Santa, slobbered on the envelope, stuck the stamp somewhere where Mommy will never find it, then toddled off. Though little did she know, it was time for the Christmas hatting.

Nana is the first to Hat the Baby Christmas style.

Adalyn also Hats the Baby...uh, wait a second...

Ha HA! Adalyn DeHats the Baby with flair and style.

Adalyn steals the hat from Daddy, and Hats herself again! She looks better in that hat than Daddy did anyway.

Adalyn tries to sneak by Daddy, hoping he doesn't notice her hat.

Uh oh, looks like Daddy noticed and rightfully claimed his hat. But it looks like it fits a little funny now...

With our heads all hatted, Mommy, Daddy, and Adalyn knew that it wasn't long before Santa would arrive just in time for Christmas. And boy! Santa sure made an entrance for Adalyn!!

Hmmm, what could this be? A new tradition where Santa takes one of Adalyn's toys and wraps it? Haha, that would be silly! Surely Santa wouldn't do anything like that, right?? Heheheheheheheh....

Somewhere in this picture is a Christmas tree.

Adalyn gets all decked out in the Christmas spirit for her first Christmas wrapping paper frenzy.

"Mom! When are we going to open presents???"

And we're off with the first Christmas present!

Adalyn examines the Cute Overlord...er...Overload calendar.

Peeper is appointed Christmas kitteh to watch over the festivities and keep everyone in line.

The presents were shredded, and the Christmas kitteh left her post, but no one told Adalyn about the SECOND Christmas hatting! OH NOES!

Daddy sports a hat as he unwraps a present...but will he KEEP IT?

Adalyn's been hatted! By one of her own Christmas bows! The traitor!

This picture captured Adalyn's awesome lecture on how to properly Hat the Baby for Christmas. Sadly, no one understood it.

After the second Christmas Hatting, Adalyn's head yearned for freedom. And Adalyn yearned to play with her new presents.

Oh goodness! Adalyn hugs a tiny version of herself.

Adalyn supervises the construction of her awesome new wheels.

What was leftover from all of the Christmas loot. Looks like Adalyn made out like a bandit!

Tada! Adalyn shows off her shiny, new wheels!

Uh oh...Adalyn looks like she's up to no good.

Someone's piggies are going WHEE WHEE WHEE all over the place.

Adalyn teases Grandpa by asking to be held, then coyly turning away at the last second.

Adalyn's never had her own car before, so she decides to test it out on the open road to see how it handles.

Adalyn knows that where she's going, she doesn't need seatbelts or airbags.

"I'mphve goph mah sfhoes im ma mouf!"

Sweet! Now Adalyn has a hand free to drive the car.

BEEP! BEEP! Out of my way people unless you want your toes runded over!

Adalyn had a great Christmas Day, but was a little sad to see that Santa skipped over her requests for a lifetime supply of cheese and a fort. Little did Adalyn know what Santa had in store for her later that week.

A fort in the living room! AWESOME! Thanks Daddy and Santa!

Adalyn is so excited she hugs the fort.

What's inside the fort??

Adalyn gets a bigger peek into the depths of the living room fort.

Adalyn and Daddy have a blast inside the fort where no Mommies are allowed!

Bonus kitteh pics:

There was a time they didn't have to stuff themselves into the cat tree...that time is not today.

Uh Oh...Santa Claus is Coming...Look Busy!

The reindeers are restless, the elves are working overtime, and Santa is dusting off his sleigh. Must be Christmas time!

But what does this mean? Santa...the man himself...is coming to OUR house? Down OUR chimney? Uh oh...Adalyn realizes that her diapered-tuchas isn't going fast enough to prepare for SANTA CLAUS!! And to add to the preparations, Mommom is coming for an early Christmas! OH NOES!! What is a baby to do??

"You better watch out..." OH NOES!

"You better not cry!" Adalyn holds back a tear...

"You better not pout, I'm telling you why..." Why's that Mom?

"Santa Claus is coming to town!" YAY! SANTA!!

Adalyn's not the only one excited by Santa. Mommy took a trip to see Aunt Holly and Owen! And Owen is SUPER EXCITED about Santa delivering presents in his stocking and under the tree.

Owen puts the finishing touches on the Christmas tree...TADA!

Owen builds towers then knocks them down to get in shape for furiously unwrapping presents from Santa. (Insert 80s montage here)

Adalyn's never seen Santa before (though she's been one), so Adalyn is doing everything she can to prepare for this momentous occasion.

Adalyn has a direct line to the jolly old elf and calls Santa frequently to say "Hi!"

Adalyn practices her super cute expressions to stop Santa in his tracks when he arrives.

Adalyn tries to get on the naughty list the only way that a one year old can....by making silly faces! (Adalyn initiated this game, and it only went downhill from there.)

Adalyn samples all of the candy meant for Santa...to make sure they're good of course.

Time to get back on the nice list - Adalyn shares her hard-stolen candy.

Aaaaand we're back on the naughty list as Adalyn rescinds her offer.

Ever since Adalyn found out that Santa shimmies down the chimney to deliver his loot, Adalyn has taken it upon herself to make sure the chimney is a go for launch.

Adalyn hopes the fire dies down before Santa arrives...no one wants Santa Flambe.

Adalyn learns that fires are hot, hot, hot!

What is Christmas without a Christmas tree? Nothing. And since Adalyn has been petting every tree AND Christmas tree in sight, she's super excited that she can take one home from the shelter.

"I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay. I sleep all night, and I work all day...I put up...trees??"

Uh oh...here comes Supervisor Baby making sure Daddy puts the tree up right.

Even tiny supervisor babies have to take a break now and then for hugs and kisses.

Supervisor Baby is hard at work directing Daddy. Just don't tell her the instructions are upside down.

Supervisor Baby even puts Mommom to work. No free lunches here!

Now that the tree is up, Adalyn tells Daddy where to place the lights for maximum awesomeness. Only the best for Santa will do.

"A little bit higher...no, no, too high...there you go, Daddy!"

TADA! Our "twee!" as Adalyn calls it, is complete and full of Christmas cheer. Santa would be proud.

There's a reason why most of the ornaments are on the top-half of the tree...

On top of everything else, Adalyn finds out that she needs to go shopping to get OTHER people gifts...WHEW! This Christmas thing can be exhausting!

"Okay, I got my socks...now where are my...AHA...my shoes!"

Adalyn is excited to put her big girl shoes and socks on so that she can toddle around in style.

It's time for a well-deserved break. So Adalyn, Mommy, Daddy, and Mommom go to the River of Lights to enjoy the Christmas festivities.

Adalyn has no time for pictures as she takes in all of the lights and ambiance.

We are greeted to peacocks as we first walk in. Adalyn is no stranger to peacocks.

An outdoors aquarium...

A turtle

Fish

Coral reef with some suspicious looking people...

Stingray

Blue whale

Octopus

Flower garden

Daddy and Adalyn enjoying the view.

We also came across a swarm of bees and hummingbirds ("bir!" as Adalyn says in the background).

Light displays reflecting in the water

Uh oh...looks like Mommom's about to give Adalyn muchas smooches!

Adalyn successfully fends off the attack...for now!

Did Mommom give muchas smooches to Adalyn?? Find out next week on Kiss...That...BABY!

Overview of the park

Looks like the River of Lights has a River of People...whoosh!

Mommy and Adalyn gear up for a tractor picture! (Haha, gear up...)

A "yiyun"

Da birds

Oooh...a fierce scorpion!

Lizard just chillin

My teeth are fierce but my arms say otherwise

Jingle Bells!

Ah yes. Nothing like penguins to remind you of how much the frigid air robbed you of feeling in your fingers and toes!

Bonus kitteh pics:

It's like a cat-shaped heart for an early Valentine's Day.