Merry Christmas!

This will be the last post on the blog for a while... I had to take a break from packing to do it!
We remember all of our loved ones - friends and family, far and near, this season and wish you all a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year.
As we embark on the celebration of the birth of Christ, remember...
a little child was humbly born on this cold earth to save us from sin and from ourselves. The Father above knew that each of us needed a savior, and ours is Jesus. It is for this reason that we need to remember the amazing fact that Jesus isn't the "reason for the season".... WE are.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
With love,
The Izadis - Keyoumars, Keri, Bella and Luca

Deck the band...

... with lots of stickers!
Luca spread some holiday cheer with his DOC band, and caught some obvious attention! Sadly, after we cleaned it (with alcohol, like we do every night) the stickers were beginning to peel off. I removed them because I was afraid of them coming loose in his crib, so we're back to the clinical white look for now!
I sent the top picture in to Cranial Technologies' website, and it will be featured in their January photo album! I'll be sure to keep you posted as to when it comes out.
It's off to the pediatrician tomorrow for flu shots and Luca's anemia finger prick... another fun-filled day in toddlerland!

Merry "Almost" Christmas!

It's amazing what Santa will do for a few extra cookies!
Today was our San Diego Christmas for the kids, since we will be leaving to go back east this weekend.
Bella was really excited this year, which was fun. However, her favorite gift was Luca's Drop n' Roar Dinosaur. Luca's favorite, on the other hand, was Bella's Dora house. Doesn't it figure?
I now will be joining the support group for wives of video game-players, as Keith finally got his XBox 360. It's amaing what I will do when I'm desperate for something to get him!
It was a great day, but I am super excited for the real thing... going home for Christmas!

Christmas Cookies

Today was Daddy's Saturday to work for December, so Bella and I stayed busy during Luca's naps by doing a little bit of baking for Santa! The decorating is what she waited all day for (Luca's second nap). Obviously, she was doing a little tasting as well!
Santa will make an early visit to the Izadi house in San Diego tonight, because we will be leaving a week from today to go home.
I hope he likes the cookies! (Bella did.)

Starting Young

Luca loves to have his teeth brushed... which is good, considering his father and I wouldn't have it any other way. He has 3 teeth now, and one more about to poke through.
If you haven't tried a kid's spinbrush on your little ones, it's an excellent way to get them to love getting their teeth tickled, plus it does a great job of cleaning those pearlies in no time flat!
I often would get the question, "when should I start brushing my child's teeth?" And the answer obviously is - as soon as they get them!
That's my little oral hygeine pitch... I guess I have to feel like a professional every now and then.
Happy brushing, everybody!

Presents!

Bella and her cousin (and new best buddy), Garrett exchanged presents tonight. This was Bella's first gift of the season, and when Amie came in holding presents, Bella shouted, "Santa came!" No, she really doesn't get it yet, but she's catching on. Luca got a gift from Garrett, too, but was sleeping when I took this picture. The kids had a blast playing with each other's presents, and it was a great way to kick off the gift-giving for us.
Regrettably, Bella had to say good-bye to her little friend (for now) because they will be leaving to go back east for Christmas on Tuesday. We'll miss you, Griffen family! See you next year!

Say Cheese!

These are a sample of Luca's 9-month and Christmas portraits we had done today. The kids did really well, but it was a little warm here for the festive holiday apparel!
We had to bribe Bella with gummy bears, and as you can see, it worked. I, however, paid the price with the sugar rush she had afterwards!

DOC Band Cutie

Well, here is the latest addition to the "DOC Band cuties." This band is quite different from his old helmet. For one, it's white. We elected that "less is more" for this one. It's lighter and more open, which makes it seem more comfortable. The two curves on the top of his head are over high spots - places where the bones are higher than on the left. The band basically rests on those spots, and it's less constricting than the other one.
Luca is taking it so much better than we were prepared for. We are grateful for those who are praying for him - he will need it over the next few days as he gets adjusted to this again. As for today, we are pleased with how the first 8 hours went. He is sleeping as I write this and went down for the night without a problem! God is good, and we continue to pray for his mercy and grace through this treatment process.

O Christmas Trees

Well, this is what we spent most of today doing! We made the decision to have two trees, because our little old one would have been lost in the living room. We couldn't bear to part with it, so it's upstairs outside of the kid's rooms with a peek view of the ocean! We call it the kid's tree, because it has all of the fun and old ornaments - some handmade by Aunt Ethel, and one that I made when I was little! I love that tree.

Down in the living room we have our formal, sophisticated tree. You can't tell from the picture, but it's in all shades of white, and I love that one, too!

So, yes it's a lot of work, but worth it. We love Christmas and Christmas trees, and all the rest of the Christmas stuff that is occupying every open bit of space in the house! Now if we can only keep Luca away from it....

December Nights

Tonight we decided on a last minute dinner out - Panera, which is our choice for a quick, kid-friendly dinner!

We took these pictures there at the Forum where we saw pretty lights and a beautiful Christmas tree, heard carolers, and watched giant goldfish with the kids.

Yes, those are sweaters and coats we're wearing! The weather here has been a bit on the chilly side (about 50 degrees at night!), so I had to dig out the winter gear. It was actually refreshing! Although this is weird weather for us, we east-coasters really appreciate it - not to mention that it is super helpful for getting into the Christmas spirit!